Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
5‐Day Storage of Platelet Concentrates in CLX Containers: Effect of Type of Agitation

Abstract. To determine the degree of platelet damage produced by different modes of agitation during storage of concentrates for 5 days in CLX blood bags, we studied pH, platelet counts, release of LDH and beta thromboglobulin, morphology and osmotic recovery. Platelets were maintained at 20–24°C on elliptical, 6‐rpm circular, 2‐rpm circular and flat bed agitators. At 72–120 h platelet concentrates stored on the flat bed shaker had significantly lower pH values than units stored on the elliptical or on either of the circular rotators (p<0.05). The percent LDH discharged was highest for the units stored on the elliptical rotator (p<0.05). Remaining tests of platelet function were not significantly different for concentrates stored on any of the four agitators. Flat bed shakers were unable to resuspend the platelet ‘button’ which formed after the final preparative centrifugation. Based on our in vitro studies, we conclude that due to problems with low pH values, flat bed shakers may not be optimal for storing platelet concentrates in CLX blood bags and that some other form of agitation should be used.
The Relationship Between Iron Status and Adiposity in Women from Developing Countries: A Review

Scientific reports have shown that iron deficiency is positively associated with adiposity. With the high prevalence of iron deficiency and obesity in developing countries and women being particularly affected, this review was carried out with the aim of elucidating the link between iron status and adiposity in women from developing countries and to examine factors influencing this relationship. An extensive literature search was conducted using several search engines. A systematic approach with prespecified inclusion criteria was used in selecting relevant literature. Eight studies that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. The relationship between iron status indices and adiposity in women in developing countries varied widely. While some studies observed negative relationships, some reported positive relationships, and others no significant relationships. Furthermore, other factors such as infection, alcohol consumption, type of diet, and genes were shown to affect the relationship between iron status and adiposity in women in developing countries. In conclusion, the possibility of iron status playing a role in adiposity in women from developing countries is likely, and it may be influenced by several other factors as described in the results. Thus, it is recommended that a special research effort should be directed toward this area.
In vitro inhibition of HBV replication by a novel compound, GLS4, and its efficacy against adefovir-dipivoxil-resistant HBV mutations

Background HBV infection continues to be an important worldwide cause of morbidity and mortality. Patients with chronic hepatitis B can be successfully treated using nucleoside/nucleotide analogues. However, drug-resistant HBV mutants frequently arise, leading to treatment failure and progression to liver disease. Here, we report the effects of GLS4, a non-nucleosidic inhibitor that exhibits a novel and highly specific anti-HBV activity. Methods The median inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) of GLS4 on HBV were measured by Southern blotting. HBV capsid and core protein levels were detected by immunoblotting. To determine the antiviral activity of GLS4 against adefovir dipivoxil (ADV)-resistant HBV mutants, HepG2 cells transiently transfected with PUC-HBV1.2 plasmids that contained one of three major ADV-resistant mutations (rtA181T, rtA181V and rtN236T) were treated with GLS4. Intracellular HBV replicative intermediates were detected by Southern blotting. The effect on the in vitro assembly of HBV capsid protein was examined using dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy. Results The IC50 of GLS4 was 0.012 μM, which is significantly lower than that of lamivudine (0.325 μM). Immunoblot analysis of HepG2.2. 15 cells and transiently transfected HepG2 cells indicated that GLS4 treatment interfered with the formation of core particles (assembly). The ADV-resistant HBV mutant strains were also sensitive to GLS4. Upon examining the in vitro assembly of HBV core protein 149 by electron microscopy, increased aberrant particles were observed after GLS4 treatment. Conclusions GLS4 is a new and unique potential anti-HBV agent that possesses a different mechanism of action than existing therapeutic drugs.
Efficacy and safety of endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has become a widely accepted method for treating gastrointestinal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ESD for gastric cancer in patients with liver cirrhosis. A total of 18 gastric cancers were treated by ESD in 15 patients with cirrhosis. The rate of en bloc resection was 88.9% (16/18). En bloc resection with tumor-free lateral/basal margins (R0 resection) was 77.8% (14/18). Three patients had postoperative bleeding and underwent emergency gastroscopy for hemostasis. No recurrence was observed during the median follow-up of 21.4 months, excluding three patients in whom additional endoscopic resection or surgery was carried out. ESD can be safely performed for gastric cancer in patients with cirrhosis, resulting in a high en bloc resection rate.
ATF4-Dependent Oxidative Induction of the DNA Repair Enzyme Ape1 Counteracts Arsenite Cytotoxicity and Suppresses Arsenite-Mediated Mutagenesis

ABSTRACT Arsenite is a human carcinogen causing skin, bladder, and lung tumors, but the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. We investigated expression of the essential base excision DNA repair enzyme apurinic endonuclease 1 (Ape1) in response to sodium arsenite. In mouse 10T½ fibroblasts, Ape1 induction in response to arsenite occurred about equally at the mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity levels. Analysis of the APE1 promoter region revealed an AP-1/CREB binding site essential for arsenite-induced transcriptional activation in both mouse and human cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicated that an ATF4/c-Jun heterodimer was the responsible transcription factor. RNA interference targeting c-Jun or ATF4 eliminated arsenite-induced APE1 transcription. Suppression of Ape1 or ATF4 sensitized both mouse fibroblasts (10T½) and human lymphoblastoid cells (TK6) to arsenite cytotoxicity. Expression of Ape1 from a transgene did not efficiently restore arsenite resistance in ATF4-depleted cells but did offset initial accumulation of abasic DNA damage following arsenite treatment. Mutagenesis by arsenite (at the TK and HPRT loci in TK6 cells) was observed only for ATF4-depleted cells, which was strongly offset by Ape1 expression from a transgene. Therefore, the ATF4-mediated up-regulation of Ape1 and other genes plays a key role against arsenite-mediated toxicity and mutagenesis.
Methodological considerations for analyzing trabecular architecture: an example from the primate hand

Micro‐computed tomographic analyses of trabecular bone architecture have been used to clarify the link between positional behavior and skeletal anatomy in primates. However, there are methodological decisions associated with quantifying and comparing trabecular anatomy across taxa that vary greatly in body size and morphology that can affect characterizations of trabecular architecture, such as choice of the volume of interest (VOI) size and location. The potential effects of these decisions may be amplified in small, irregular‐shaped bones of the hands and feet that have more complex external morphology and more heterogeneous trabecular structure compared to, for example, the spherical epiphysis of the femoral head. In this study we investigate the effects of changes in VOI size and location on standard trabecular parameters in two bones of the hand, the capitate and third metacarpal, in a diverse sample of nonhuman primates that vary greatly in morphology, body mass and positional behavior. Results demonstrate that changes in VOI location and, to a lesser extent, changes in VOI size had a dramatic affect on many trabecular parameters, especially trabecular connectivity and structure (rods vs. plates), degree of anisotropy, and the primary orientation of the trabeculae. Although previous research has shown that some trabecular parameters are susceptible to slight variations in methodology (e.g. VOI location, scan resolution), this study provides a quantification of these effects in hand bones of a diverse sample of primates. An a priori understanding of the inherent biases created by the choice of VOI size and particularly location is critical to robust trabecular analysis and functional interpretation, especially in small bones with complex arthroses.
Association Between Exposure to Workplace Secondhand Smoke and Reported Respiratory and Sensory Symptoms: Cross-Sectional Study

The purpose of this work was to assess the relation between exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) at work and reported respiratory and sensory symptoms. A cross-sectional telephone survey of 382 nonsmoking indoor workers in Victoria, Australia was used. After controlling for potential confounders, exposure to SHS at work for part of the day was significantly associated with an increased risk of wheeze (OR = 4.26), frequent cough (OR = 2.26), sore eyes (OR = 3.77), and sore throat (OR = 2.70). Among workers who had not experienced a cold in the past 4 weeks, we found strong dose–response relationships between increasing levels of exposure to SHS at work and morning cough, frequent cough, sore eyes and sore throat, and a positive relationship for wheeze. These findings provide compelling evidence that nonsmoking indoor workers are adversely affected by exposure to SHS at work and underline the importance of workplace smoke-free policies in protecting the health of workers.
Decay of vorticity in homogeneous turbulence.

We report on observations of turbulent behavior made without requiring the use of Taylor's frozen turbulence'' hypothesis. Initially, a towed grid generates homogeneous turbulence of grid Reynolds number of order 10[sup 5] within a stationary channel filled with helium II. The subsequent decay in time [ital t] of the line density of quantum vortices is measured by second sound attenuation, and the associated rms vorticity [omega] follows the behavior expected of a [ital classical] [ital fluid] with [omega][similar to][ital t][sup [minus]3/2], consistent with the notion of a coupled turbulent state of helium II. This technique also yields the time dependence of the Kolmogorov microscale.
Using hierarchical models to attribute sources of variation in consumer assessments of health care

The Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Medicare Advantage (MA‐CAHPS) survey has provided extensive and uniform data for 8 years on the quality of Medicare health plans in the United States. The complex structure of the data makes hierarchical modelling an appropriate analytic tool. After describing the CAHPS survey and the analytic methods used in standard reports, we review research using two multilevel modelling strategies, each addressing a different aspect of the structure of the CAHPS data. The first fits a 2‐level Fay–Herriott‐type model to data aggregated by plan to estimate plan‐level correlations among summary scores on different items. By forming separate measures for healthier and sicker members of each plan, we were able to determine which items measured distinct dimensions of quality depending on health status. The second analysis evaluated the relative contributions of geography and organizational units to the various quality measures, and the amount of variation over time in each. Geographical variation predominated for aspects of member experiences that are not typically under the direct control of plans, and the geographical effects were very stable over time. Each of the two analyses can be regarded as a simplification for particular objectives of a larger underlying model. Further methodological development is needed to better characterize variation in quality. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sizing of bovine heart and kidney pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and dihydrolipoyl transacetylase core by quasielastic light scattering.

Quasielastic light scattering (QELS) measurements on several preparations of bovine heart and kidney pyruvate dehydrogenase complex yielded hydrodynamic radii (rH values) ranging from 25.7 to 30 nm. Gel filtration chromatography removed stable aggregates and generated preparations that gave essentially the same rH values of 24.3 +/- 0.6 nm for both complexes. The data were characteristic of a monodisperse system and agree with estimates using cryoelectron microscopy [Wagenknecht et al. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 24650-24656]. The equivalent hydrodynamic sizes for the heart and kidney complex indicate that the larger number of pyruvate dehydrogenase components in the heart complex (M(r) congruent to 9 x 10(6)) than the kidney complex (M(r) congruent to 7.5 x 10(6)) associate without radial expansion of the heart complex. That accommodation of additional mass is consistent with the space available since even in the more massive complex greater than 80% of the volume within the dimensions of the complex must be occupied by solvent. Preparations of the core of the complex are primarily composed of 60 dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase (E2) subunits whose inner domains associate to form a pentagonal dodecahedron that is readily observed by electron microscopy (particle radius 10.7-11.3 nm). However, the bulk of E2's mass is present in an exterior multidomain structure. These mobile outer structures are very difficult to observe by standard electron microscopy techniques. Preparations of the core formed stable aggregates that were removed by gel filtration chromatography. QELS measurements gave an rH of 20.1 +/- 0.8 nm. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Therapists' Experiences of Conducting Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Online vis-à-vis Face-to-Face

This study has explored therapists' experiences of conducting cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) online and face-to-face. Eleven therapists partook in semi-structured interviews, which were thematically analysed using an abductive approach. The results indicate that the therapists viewed face-to-face therapy as a stronger experience than Internet-based CBT (ICBT), and the latter as being more manualised, but providing more work-time control. Several participants also thought that working alliance may be achieved faster and more easily in face-to-face therapy, and might worsen with fewer modalities of communication. Clinical implications in need of investigation are whether working with ICBT might buffer therapist exhaustion, and whether this therapy form can be improved by becoming less manual dependant in order to be easier to individualise.
An Overview of the Past, Present, and Future of Nongonadal LH/hCG Actions in Reproductive Biology and Medicine

Even though there were hints, it was not until 1986 that a number of laboratories worldwide began to demonstrate unequivocally the presence and functions of luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) receptors in various female and male nongonadal tissues. There was no species specificity but there was tissue specificity in the nongonadal LH/hCG receptor distribution. Nongonadal receptor levels were lower but they were regulated and processed and used signaling mechanisms similarly to gonadal receptors. Although still greater understanding is needed, gains made in the last decade demonstrate that nongonadal actions of LH/hCG are physiologically important and may have relevance to better understanding several diseases and their treatment. A recently developed LH receptor knockout model has begun to reaffirm and extend the importance of nongonadal LH signaling in the body.
Mitochondrial Transcription Factor A in the Maintenance of Mitochondrial DNA

Abstract: Mitochondria have their own genome, which is essential for proper oxidative phosphorylation needed for a large part of ATP production in a cell. Although mitochondrial DNA‐less (rho0) cells can survive under special conditions, the integrity of the mitochondrial genome is critical for survival of multicellular organisms. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), originally cloned as transcription factor, is essential for the maintenance of mtDNA. Recently, it has become known that TFAM plays critical roles in multiple aspects to maintain the integrity of mitochondrial DNA: transcription, replication, nucleoid formation, damage sensing, and DNA repair. The effects of TFAM in these aspects are intimately related to each other and to function as a whole for the purpose of maintenance of mtDNA.
Characterization of musculoskeletal lesions on 3-T proton MR spectroscopy.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to determine the feasibility and value of proton MR spectroscopy at 3 T for characterizing musculoskeletal tumors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS At 3 T, 18 patients with musculoskeletal lesions (four histologically proven to be malignant, 14 proven benign histologically or at clinical follow-up) underwent 23 MR spectroscopy studies, 20 with a single-voxel technique and three with a multivoxel technique. Seventeen patients were imaged with a surface coil and six with a body coil. Choline signal (3.2 ppm) was measured in each voxel and expressed relative to background noise as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Choline SNRs of malignant tumors and benign lesions were compared. RESULTS Diagnostic spectra were obtained in 20 of 23 lesions. For malignant lesions (osteosarcoma with two MR spectroscopy sites, metastasis, grade 1 sarcoma), choline SNRs were 5.2 and 4.2 (performed with body coil) and 4.8 and 18.7 (performed with surface coil), respectively. For benign lesions (neurofibroma, two stress reactions, bone cyst, hemangioma, lipoma, Baker cyst), choline SNR was 6.3 (with surface coil), 5.5 (with surface coil), and not detected for five cases. Seven postoperative patients with myocutaneous flaps showed either the typical spectrum of muscle or negligible choline. Only a water peak existed in a bone cyst and a significant lipid peak in a lipoma. Choline SNRs were different for malignant and benign lesions (11.7 vs 2.3, p = 0.04, as performed with a surface coil). CONCLUSION At 3 T, both single-voxel and multivoxel MR spectroscopy are feasible. Proton MR spectroscopy is a potential noninvasive tool for characterizing lesion composition and malignant activity.
Measuring contrast sensitivity with inappropriate optical correction*

Spatial frequency‐selective minima (notches) in the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) because of defocus can mimic those that occur with ocular disease. We examined the influence of measurement conditions on CSF shape in simulated clinical testing. CSF notches occurred with almost all levels of defocus for all subjects. Multiple notches were found under some conditions. Notches were found with defocus as small as 0.50 D. Effects of induced astigmatism depended on the orientation of the target. Notches were apparent in defocus conditions after stimulus size and room illuminance were modified and when subjects had insufficient accommodation to compensate for hypermetropic defocus. The equivalent of notches was not noted with the Pelli‐Robson chart. As defocus‐induced CSF notches may be mistaken for functional loss, careful refractive correction should be conducted prior to clinical or experimental CSF measurement, even at low spatial frequencies.
Effects of estradiol on estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and tyrosinase in hamster melanoma transplanted into athymic mice.

Nuclear estrogen binding was characterized in HM-1, a malignant hamster melanoma cell line transplanted into male and female athymic mice following acute, subchronic, and chronic injection of estradiol. Nuclear binding was saturable, of high affinity (10(10) M-1) and readily soluble in low salt buffer. Saturation analyses revealed that [3H]estradiol in excess of 5.0 nM apparently bound to a second class of lower affinity (10(9) M-1), higher capacity cytosol sites. Enzyme-linked immunoassay with a specific monoclonal antibody (H222 Sp gamma) directed against the human estrogen receptor protein was in excellent agreement (r = 0.93) with values obtained using hydroxyapatite to separate bound from free ligand. Nuclear estrogen receptor content in HM-1 cells was increased maximally 1 h after acute s.c. injection of a low dose (0.1 microgram) of estradiol. The increase in nuclear receptor content was accompanied by an apparent rapid reduction in cytosol binding. Subchronic (3 days) and chronic exposure (35 days) to estradiol also produced a significant, dose-related increase in tumor nuclear estrogen receptor content. Cytosol binding for progestin was low (less than or equal to 2 fmol) to absent in HM-1 xenografts not exposed to estradiol. Subchronic and chronic exposure to estradiol induced a dose-related, specific, high affinity (10(9) M-1) cytosol binding protein for progestin(s) in HM-1 xenografts carried in male and female athymic mice. In contrast, progestin binding to nuclear receptor was not increased in estrogen-primed animals, nor did acute injection of progesterone (100 micrograms s.c.) increase the amount of saturable, high affinity (10(9) M-1) nuclear progestin receptor in control or estradiol-primed athymic mice. In contrast to the induction of progestin binding, tyrosinase activity was not altered by a similar exposure to estradiol when assayed at a saturating concentration of tyrosine. These observations suggest that the estrogen receptor in HM-1 cells may be functional but that pigmentary changes observed in mammals following chronic exposure to estradiol may not be mediated by a direct effect on the rate limiting enzyme of melanin synthesis.
Sonographic Assessment of Fallopian Tube Patency in the Investigation of Female Infertility in Ilorin , Nigeria

This study was conducted to bring into focus the value of pelvic sonograms in assessing tubal patency in order to overcome the radiation hazard associated with hysterosalpingogram (HSG), reduce cost of examination and encourage it as first-line office-based procedure for management of female infertility. Fifty consecutive female patients primarily designated for HSG underwent preand post-HSG pelvic sonograms and the results were documented. Agreement between HSG and SHSG was established in 89 of 100 (89%) fallopian tubes. The sensitivity of sonohysterosalpingography (SHSG) in diagnosing tubal patency was 85.5% and the specificity 96.8%. Analysis of the raw data gave positive predictive value of 98.3% and negative predictive value of 75%. It is accepted that there is no statistically significant difference (p = 0.237) between the results of the two methods (HSG and SHSG). SHSG is found to be a reliable, relatively