Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional imaging of Langerhans cell histiocytosis by 111In‐DTPA‐D‐Phe1‐octreotide scintigraphy

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare group of diseases of unknown pathogenesis, variable clinical presentation, and behavior. It encompasses highly aggressive, often fatal, and indolent diseases, with a variety of intermediate forms between the two extremes. Localization and monitoring of Langerhans cell histiocytosis deposits are based on the combined use of different imaging modalities, which include magnetic resonance, computed tomography, and nuclear medicine procedures. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy recently has been used to image immune‐mediated diseases with excellent results.
Nightmares, Bad Dreams, and Emotion Dysregulation

Nightmares—vivid, emotionally dysphoric dreams—are quite common and are associated with a broad range of psychiatric conditions. However, the origin of such dreams remains largely unexplained, and there have been no attempts to reconcile repetitive traumatic nightmares with nontraumatic nightmares, dysphoric dreams that do not awaken the dreamer, or with more normative dreams. Based on recent research in cognitive neuroscience, sleep physiology, fear conditioning, and emotional-memory regulation, we propose a multilevel neurocognitive model that unites waking and sleeping as a conceptual framework for understanding a wide spectrum of disturbed dreaming. We propose that normal dreaming serves a fear-extinction function and that nightmares reflect failures in emotion regulation. We further suggest that nightmares occur as a result of two processes that we term affect load—a consequence of daily variations in emotional pressures—and affect distress—a disposition to experience events with high levels of negative emotional reactivity.
Proton and deuteron structure functions in muon scattering at 470 GeV.

The proton and deuteron structure functions F{sub 2}{sup p} and F{sub 2}{sup d} measured in inelastic muon scattering with an average beam energy of 470 GeV. The data were taken at Fermilab experiment 665 during 1991-1992 using liquid hydrogen and deuterium targets. The F{sub 2} measurements are reported in the range 0.0008 < x < 0.6 and 0.2 < Q{sup 2} < 75 GeV{sup 2}. These are the first precise measurements of F{sub 2} in the low x and Q{sub 2} range of the data. The E665 data overlap in x with the HERA data, and there is a smooth connection in Q{sup 2} between the two data sets. At high Q{sup 2} the E665 measurements are consistent with QCD-evolved leading twist structure function models. The data are qualitatively described by structure function models incorporating the hadronic nature of the photon at low Q{sup 2}. The Q{sup 2} and the W dependence of the data measure the transition in the nature of the photon between a point-probe at high Q{sup 2} and a hadronic object at low Q{sup 2}.
HONEY BEES AND BEE PRODUCTS AS MONITORS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Agroambientali, University of Bologna, Via Filippo Re, 6 40126 Bologna (Italy). Tel. +39 051 2091556; Fax +39 051 251052; E-mail: cporrini@entom.agrsci. unibo.it 2 Istituto Nazionale di Apicoltura, Via di Saliceto, 80 40128 Bologna (Italy). Tel. +39 051 2091556; Fax +39 051 251052; E-mail: istnapic@inapicoltura.org Istituto di Scienze Chimiche, University of Bologna, Via S. Donato, 15 40127 Bologna (Italy). Tel. +39 051 242052; Fax +39 051 249770; E-mail : girotti@biocfarm.unibo.it
Clinical and endoscopic aspects of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is characterized by hepatic periportal fibrosis (Symmers' fibrosis), portal venous obstruction that leads to portal hypertension and its complications, and splenomegaly. Demonstration of pathological lesions due to Schistosoma mansoni can be achieved by using different techniques but because of its sensitivity, specificity and simplicity, ultrasound has replaced wedge biopsy of the liver as the gold standard for detecting schistosomal periportal fibrosis. The aims of the study were to evaluate clinical aspects of schistosomiasis in a well defined area and to assess whether there was a relationship between the grade of periportal fibrosis and the presence of oesophageal varices and their features. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 122 patients with proven schistosome infection were enrolled in the study. Each underwent ultrasound examination to assess hepatosplenic involvement and staging, and upper digestive endoscopy to assess the presence of oesophageal varices and their features. For all the patients, the main characteristics and symptoms, possibly related to schistosomiasis, were also recorded. RESULTS A close relationship was found between the grade of periportal fibrosis and the presence of oesophageal varices, their grade and localization in the oesophagus. There was also was a relationship between haematemesis and size of varix, localization of varix and presence of cherry-red spots, but no correlation was found with other endoscopic features of varices. CONCLUSION Clinical aspects of schistosomiasis in Hoima District are similar to what is known from the literature and there are no specific features. The study shows that ultrasonography is an important tool for accurate staging of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Although it cannot replace endoscopy, it can direct the need for performing it. In fact, the higher the grade of periportal fibrosis the greater the possibility of having oesophageal varices. Endoscopy is of value in detecting oesophageal varices especially in advanced stages of liver schistosomiasis, in describing their endoscopic features so as to detect those more at risk of bleeding, and for emergency sclerotherapy.
Calcium signaling and cell volume regulation are altered in Sjögren's Syndrome

Abstract Objective. Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, leading to deficient secretion from salivary and lacrimal glands. Saliva production is normally increased by cholinergic innervation, giving rise to intracellular calcium signaling and water transport through water channels (aquaporins, AQPs). The aim of this study was to investigate possible pathophysiological changes in cell volume regulation, AQP expression and localization, and intracellular calcium signaling in glandular cells from SS patients compared to controls. Materials and methods. A total of 35 SS patients and 41 non-SS controls were included. Real time qPCR was combined with immunohistochemistry to analyze the mRNA expression and cellular distribution of AQP1, 3 and 5. Cell volume regulation and intracellular calcium signaling were examined in fresh acinar cells. Results. We show for the first time a reduced mRNA expression of AQP1 and 5 in SS compared to controls, accompanied by a decrease in staining intensity of AQP1, 3 and 5 in areas adjacent to local lymphocytic infiltration. Furthermore, we observed that the SS cells' capacity for volume regulation was abnormal. Similarly, the calcium response after parasympathetic agonist (carbachol) stimulation was markedly decreased in SS cells. Conclusions. It is concluded that mRNA expression of AQP1 and 5, protein distribution of AQP1, 3 and 5, glandular cell volume regulation and intracellular calcium signaling are all altered in SS, pointing to possible pathophysiological mechanisms in SS.
A Concentration-based Artificial Immune Network for continuous optimization

Metaheuristics based on the Artificial Immune System (AIS) framework, especially those inspired by the Immune Network theory, are known to be capable of stimulating the generation of diverse sets of solutions for a given problem, even though they generally implement very simple mechanisms to control the dynamics of the network. In the AIS literature, several studies propose different models that try to explain the behavior of immune networks, which are generally based on the concentration of antibodies and tend to better mimic some aspects of such complex systems. Therefore, in this work we propose a novel immune-inspired algorithm for optimization, named cob-aiNet (Concentration-based Artificial Immune Network), that intends to explore such network models and introduce new mechanisms to better control the dynamics of the network, so that a broader coverage of promising regions of the search space can be achieved. This property of cob-aiNet was verified in experimental analyses, in which the algorithm was compared to two other AIS proposals and also to all the competitors from the 2005 CEC Special Session on RealParameter Optimization.
Assessing the effects of iron enrichment across holobiont compartments reveals reduced microbial nitrogen fixation in the Red Sea coral Pocillopora verrucosa

Abstract The productivity of coral reefs in oligotrophic tropical waters is sustained by an efficient uptake and recycling of nutrients. In reef‐building corals, the engineers of these ecosystems, this nutrient recycling is facilitated by a constant exchange of nutrients between the animal host and endosymbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae), bacteria, and other microbes. Due to the complex interactions in this so‐called coral holobiont, it has proven difficult to understand the environmental limitations of productivity in corals. Among others, the micronutrient iron has been proposed to limit primary productivity due to its essential role in photosynthesis and bacterial processes. Here, we tested the effect of iron enrichment on the physiology of the coral Pocillopora verrucosa from the central Red Sea during a 12‐day experiment. Contrary to previous reports, we did not see an increase in zooxanthellae population density or gross photosynthesis. Conversely, respiration rates were significantly increased, and microbial nitrogen fixation was significantly decreased. Taken together, our data suggest that iron is not a limiting factor of primary productivity in Red Sea corals. Rather, increased metabolic demands in response to iron enrichment, as evidenced by increased respiration rates, may reduce carbon (i.e., energy) availability in the coral holobiont, resulting in reduced microbial nitrogen fixation. This decrease in nitrogen supply in turn may exacerbate the limitation of other nutrients, creating a negative feedback loop. Thereby, our results highlight that the effects of iron enrichment appear to be strongly dependent on local environmental conditions and ultimately may depend on the availability of other nutrients.
Effect of gene copy number, methanol and time period on production of CVS rabies glycoprotein expressed in Pichia pastoris

Rabies is a viral disease that causes acute encephalitis in warm blooded animals. Rabies is almost invariably fatal if post-exposure prophylaxis is not administered prior to the onset of severe symptoms. Glycoprotein is the major surface protein of rabies virus, responsible for the production of neutralizing antibodies. Currently, available mammalian cell culture based rabies vaccine is highly expensive because of cell line maintenance and downstream processes. Large quantity of this vaccine is required to meet the clinical requirements at economical level. Therefore, the present investigation was conducted to study the effect of multicopy gene insertion, methanol concentration and incubation time interval on the protein expression of challenge virus standard (CVS) rabies glycoprotein (RGP) in Pichia pastoris. The optimal methanol concentration and incubation time for induced CVS rabies glycoprotein were 1 % (w/v) and 96 h respectively. Clone 13 (single copy number) produced 0.4g/l whereas Clone 14 (5 copies) produced 1.5 g/L of recombinant protein. The clone with five copy number expressed CVS_RGP at a higher level than single copy number clone. Therefore, the gene copy number is one of the major factor involved in heterologous protein expression in P. pastoris.
Psychotherapy Versus Pharmacotherapy of Depression: What's the Evidence?

OBJECTIVES Depression may be treated by psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy or their combination. There is an ongoing debate whether one of these approaches is possibly superior. A recent meta-analysis reported results in favour of pharmacotherapy. METHODS Individual studies and meta-analyses on the comparative efficacy of psychotherapy vs. pharmacotherapy were reviewed. RESULTS Evidence suggests that psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are equally efficacious in the short-term, but psychotherapy is superior in the long-term. For the recently stated hypothesis that pharmacotherapy is superior to psychotherapy in studies without a pill placebo condition, which implies equally including a positive expectancy effect for both pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy no evidence was found. CONCLUSION Depression may be treated by psychotherapy or pharmacotherapy with equivalent results in the short-term and advantages for psychotherapy in the long-term. As the rates of response and remission are still limited in both treatments, further improvement of treatments is required.
MHC class I dimer formation by alteration of the cellular redox environment and induction of apoptosis

Many MHC class I molecules contain unpaired cysteine residues in their cytoplasmic tail domains, the function of which remains relatively uncharacterized. Recently, it has been shown that in the small secretory vesicles known as exosomes, fully folded MHC class I dimers can form through a disulphide bond between the cytoplasmic tail domain cysteines, induced by the low levels of glutathione in these extracellular vesicles. Here we address whether similar MHC class I dimers form in whole cells by alteration of the redox environment. Treatment of the HLA‐B27‐expressing Epstein–Barr virus‐transformed B‐cell line Jesthom, and the leukaemic T‐cell line CEM transfected with HLA‐B27 with the strong oxidant diamide, and the apoptosis‐inducing and glutathione‐depleting agents hydrogen peroxide and thimerosal, induced MHC class I dimers. Furthermore, induction of apoptosis by cross‐linking FasR/CD95 on CEM cells with monoclonal antibody CH‐11 also induced MHC class I dimers. As with exosomal MHC class I dimers, the formation of these structures on cells is controlled by the cysteine at position 325 in the cytoplasmic tail domain of HLA‐B27. Therefore, the redox environment of cells intimately controls induction of MHC class I dimers, the formation of which may provide novel structures for recognition by the immune system.
The Relaxin Receptor (RXFP1) Utilizes Hydrophobic Moieties on a Signaling Surface of Its N-terminal Low Density Lipoprotein Class A Module to Mediate Receptor Activation*

Background: Activation of the relaxin receptor RXFP1 is driven by the LDLa module at the RXFP1 N terminus. Results: LDLa residues Leu-7, Tyr-9, and Lys-17 all contribute to receptor activation via interactions involving their hydrophobic side chains. Conclusion: These interactions induce the active receptor conformation, suggesting a novel mode of GPCR activation. Significance: This novel mechanism of GPCR activation may lead to new drug development. The peptide hormone relaxin is showing potential as a treatment for acute heart failure. Although it is known that relaxin mediates its actions through the G protein-coupled receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which relaxin binding results in receptor activation. Previous studies have highlighted that the unique N-terminal low density lipoprotein class A (LDLa) module of RXFP1 is essential for receptor activation, and it has been hypothesized that this module is the true “ligand” of the receptor that directs the conformational changes necessary for G protein coupling. In this study, we confirmed that an RXFP1 receptor lacking the LDLa module binds ligand normally but cannot signal through any characterized G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway. Furthermore, we comprehensively examined the contributions of amino acids in the LDLa module to RXFP1 activity using both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutational analysis together with NMR structural analysis of recombinant LDLa modules. Gain-of-function studies with an inactive RXFP1 chimera containing the LDLa module of the human LDL receptor (LB2) demonstrated two key N-terminal regions of the module that were able to rescue receptor signaling. Loss-of-function mutations of residues in these regions demonstrated that Leu-7, Tyr-9, and Lys-17 all contributed to the ability of the LDLa module to drive receptor activation, and judicious amino acid substitutions suggested this involves hydrophobic interactions. Our results demonstrate that these key residues contribute to interactions driving the active receptor conformation, providing further evidence of a unique mode of G protein-coupled receptor activation.
Modified Blalock Taussig shunt: comparison between neonates, infants and older children.

OBJECTIVE The aim was to compare various pre-and post-operative parameters and to identify the predictors of mortality in neonates, infants, and older children undergoing Modified Blalock Taussig shunt (MBTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS Medical records of 134 children who underwent MBTS over a period of 2 years through thoracotomy were reviewed. Children were divided into three groups-neonates, infants, and older children. For analysis, various pre-and post-operative variables were recorded, including complications and mortality. RESULTS The increase in PaO 2 and SaO 2 levels after surgery was similar and statistically significant in all the three groups. The requirement of adrenaline, duration of ventilation and mortality was significantly higher in neonates. The overall mortality and infant mortality was 4.5% and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSION Neonates are at increased risk of complications and mortality compared with older children. Age (<30 days), weight (<3 kg), packed red blood cells transfusion >6 ml/kg, mechanical ventilation >24 h and post shunt increase in PaO 2 (P Diff) <25% of baseline PaO 2 are independent predictors of mortality in children undergoing MBTS.
CE-MRA for Follow-up of Aneurysms Post Stent-Assisted Coiling

This study compared the accuracy of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) to intraarterial cerebral angiography (IA-DSA) for assessment of intracranial aneurysms after stent-assisted coiling and to check if the presence of a stent in the parent artery diminishes the accuracy of CE-MRA. Consecutive patients with cerebral aneurysms treated by stent-assisted coiling were evaluated retrospectively. Matching follow-up CE-MRA and IA-DSA were evaluated separately. Evaluation included the presence of aneurysmal remnant, patency and stenosis of parent artery. Twenty-seven patients with 28 aneurysms and 33 matched CE-MRA and IA-DSA studies were evaluated. Nineteen aneurysmal remnants were seen on CE-MRA and 16 on IA-DSA. CE-MRA diagnosed three aneurysmal remnants not appreciated on IA-DSA. Five other remnants were larger on CE-MRA than IA-DSA. None of the remnants were missed on CE-MRA. Parent arteries were patent on both modalities. CE-MRA showed false stenosis of the stented artery in six cases and exaggerated stenosis in two. In 18 cases, CE-MRA showed a short focal “pseudo-stenosis” where the stent's marker bands were located. This was noted whenever the stent's marker bands were located in an artery with luminal diameter ≤2 mm and was called “marker band effect”. CE-MRA is an accurate technique for follow-up of aneurysms post stent-assisted coiling with excellent depiction of remnants in spite of the presence of a stent. Apparent stenosis of the stented parent artery on CE-MRA is often false or exaggerated. “Marker band effect” should be recognized as an artifact that appears when stent's marker bands are in a small artery.
Giardiasis : A Preliminary Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Uttar Pradesh

Background:Intestinal parasitic infection is one of the major health problems in several developing countries, including India. The world health organization(WHO) estimates that there are 800-1000 million cases of ascariasis,700-900 million hookworm infection,500 million trichuris,200 million giardiasis, and 500 million amoebasis. Aims: The aim of this study ware to determine the prevalence of Giardia sp. infections among the patients. Material and Methods:A total of 692 stool samples were examined for Protozoa and Helminths infection by routine microscopy. Results: There are eight different type of parasite detected. Out of which Giardia lamblia 28(24.13%) were seen.Conclusion: It is need to develop effective diagnostic, prevention and control strategies including health education and environmental hygiene.
Security Concerns in the Nomological Network of Trust and Big 5 : First Order Vs . Second Order Completed Research Paper

Even though Privacy concerns (PC) and security concerns (SC) are acknowledged as separate constructs, many studies argue that they are related or, even worse, confused. Building upon the non-overlapping SC and PC dimensions, we propose Internet Users Information Transmission Security Concern (IUITSC) scale. We argue that the scale when used in conjunction with PC scale would cover the entire gamut of SC-PC. The construct is tested in a nomological network of Big 5 and trust. The results based on extensive statistical tests including chi-square difference tests suggest that IUITSC may be represented as a second-order factor structure rather than a set of four first-order factors. The results show that personality dimensions of conscientiousness, emotional instability and extraversion are positively associated with IUITSC (second order), which in turn is found to significantly lower trust in a website. Big5 dimensions are found to impact the IUITSC differently depending upon the factor structure.
Effects of halothane on the synthesis of neurotransmitter amino acids in mouse brain

The effects of halothane on the synthesis of the three major neuroactive amino acids (θ–aminobutyric acid, aspartate and glutamate) and glutamine, which is closely related metabolically, were investigated in mouse brain using a labelled precursor ([13C]glucose) and a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry system. The ratios of newly synthesised amino acids were increased relative to baseline values when animals were exposed to 1% halothane, and decreased when they were exposed to 2% halothane. These findings suggest that halothane affects the synthesis of neurotransmitter amino acids in a concentration–dependent manner, without discrimination between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids.
Diagnosis of infection following total hip arthroplasty.

High rates of infection complicated the early experience with total hip arthroplasty and, although the rates have decreased substantially over the last few decades, infection still is a source of considerable morbidity. In the 1960s, Charnley reported a rate of infection of 9.5 per cent (nineteen infections after 199 total hip arthroplasties). More recently, authors have reported that infection causes failure after 1 per cent (seventyone of 5081 and twenty-seven of 2084) to 2 per cent (ninety-four of 5500 and thirty-six of 1798) of primary total hip arthroplasties'-'-"----', and the rate is higher after revision procedures. Although these percentages are small, the large number of hip arthroplasties performed each year results in a major burden on the health-care system. Infection following total hip arthroplasty is costly to treat because of the subsequent need for reoperation and the prolonged hospitalization often required to eradicate the infection. In the United States, the cost per year to treat the 3500 to 4000 infections following total hip arthroplasty is between 150 and 200 million dollars. Because of an aging population that will need an increasing number of arthroplasties, methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat infection must be perfected in order to reduce the cost of total hip arthroplasty to society.