Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Treatment of Chronic Central Serous Chorioretinopathy

Purpose To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab for the treatment of intraretinal or subretinal fluid accumulation secondary to chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods Twelve patients were treated with intravitreal injections of 2.5 mg bevacizumab at 6-to 8-week intervals until intraretinal or subretinal fluid resolved. Observation procedures were Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ophthalmic examination, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), performed at 6- to 8-week intervals. Fluorescein angiography was performed at baseline visit and thereafter depending on clinical and OCT findings. Multivariate analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to calculate a statistical significance of change in BCVA and mean central retinal thickness, which were the main outcome measures. SAS statistical software was used for analyses. Results Patients received 2±1 intravitreal injections of bevacizumab on average during a follow-up of 24±14 weeks. Mean BCVA increased by 2±2 lines; the change in BCVA (log-MAR) was significant (p<0.02). Mean central retinal thickness decreased significantly over follow-up (p<0.05), with 6 patients (50%) showing complete resolution of subretinal fluid. Conclusions Anatomic and functional improvement following intravitreal bevacizumab injections suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may be involved in fluid leakage in patients with chronic CSC. The results suggest a possible role for anti-VEGF agents in the treatment of chronic CSC. Further evaluation of intravitreal bevacizumab for chronic CSC in controlled randomized studies is warranted.
Structural Basis for H-NS-mediated Trapping of RNA Polymerase in the Open Initiation Complex at the rrnB P1*

The Escherichia coli H-NS protein is a nucleoid-associated protein involved in both transcription regulation and DNA compaction. Each of these processes involves H-NS-mediated bridge formation between adjacent DNA helices. With respect to transcription regulation, preferential binding sites in the promoter regions of different genes have been reported, and generally these regions are curved. Often H-NS binding sites overlap with promoter core regions or with binding sites of other regulatory factors. Not in all cases, however, transcriptional repression is the result of preferential binding by H-NS to promoter regions leading to occlusion of the RNA polymerase. In the case of the rrnBP1, H-NS actually stimulates open complex formation by forming a ternary RNAP·H-NS·DNA complex, while simultaneously stabilizing it to such an extent that promoter clearance cannot occur. To define the mechanism by which H-NS interferes at this step in the initiation pathway, the architecture of the RNAP·H-NS·DNA complex was analyzed by scanning force microscopy (SFM). The SFM images show that the DNA flanking the RNA polymerase in open initiation complexes is bridged by H-NS. On the basis of these data, we present a model for the specific repression of transcription initation at the rrnB P1 by H-NS.
Predominant motor symptoms in a 74‐year‐old man with a small elongation in the spinocerebellar atrophy type 1 gene

The patient was a 74-year-old man who developed gait and bulbar disturbances, which progressed for several years. His mother and a sister complained of a similar disturbance. On admission, generalized muscle atrophy and weakness were prominent, especially in the distal portions of the legs, with bulbar involvement. The patellar tendon reflexes were retained and the Achilles tendon reflexes were decreased with a positive right Babinski's sign. The ocular movements were restricted in vertical directions and, to a lesser extent, in horizontal directions. Sensory disturbance, ataxia, and extrapyramidal signs were not apparent on admission. A needle electromyogram demonstrated neurogenic changes. The laboratory examination was normal except for elevated blood glucose (320 mg/dL) and creatine kinase (1760 U/L). His general condition deteriorated so rapidly that intractable respiratory distress due to pneumonia led to a fatal outcome. The clinical diagnosis was motor neuron disease, although a familial background and a disturbance in ocular movements might have suggested other possibilities.
Influence of protein intake and training status on nitrogen balance and lean body mass.

The present study examined the effects of training status (endurance exercise or body building) on nitrogen balance, body composition, and urea excretion during periods of habitual and altered protein intakes. Experiments were performed on six elite bodybuilders, six elite endurance athletes, and six sedentary controls during a 10-day period of normal protein intake followed by a 10-day period of altered protein intake. The nitrogen balance data revealed that bodybuilders required 1.12 times and endurance athletes required 1.67 times more daily protein than sedentary controls. Lean body mass (density) was maintained in bodybuilders consuming 1.05 g protein.kg-1.day-1. Endurance athletes excreted more total daily urea than either bodybuilders or controls. We conclude that bodybuilders during habitual training require a daily protein intake only slightly greater than that for sedentary individuals in the maintenance of lean body mass and that endurance athletes require daily protein intakes greater than either bodybuilders or sedentary individuals to meet the needs of protein catabolism during exercise.
Price dispersion, information value and market efficiency in electronic markets: A comprehensive analytical framework

In this paper, we incorporate the proxies about price dispersion, information value and market efficiency in electronic markets into the same analytical framework for research, examine the explaining strength of existing literature on electronic markets form different perspectives. Based on that, we point out that price dispersion phenomena in electronic markets result from comprehensive effects of many factors. In the final, we outline the future directions for research, that is, in order to probe into the theories about price dispersion, measure of information and market efficiency in electronic markets, an comprehensive theory analytical framework that integrates those aspects influencing the price should be suggest through the introduction of price-comparison shopping diffusion model.
Analyse du régime pluviométrique sahélien dans une perspective hydrologique et agronomique : étude de l'impact de sa variabilité sur la culture du mil

Estimer l'impact de la variabilite climatique sur les ressources en eau et l'agriculture est une question scientifique cruciale, particulierement pour le Sahel. La difficulte reside dans le decalage existant entre les echelles des sorties de modele climatique et celles des applications hydrologiques ou agronomiques. Le regime pluviometrique sahelien et sa variabilite sont decrits ici a partir de l'analyse combinee de la serie des pluies journalieres de Niamey (Niger), de 1950 a 2002, et des donnees a haute resolution spatio-temporelle de l'observatoire AMMA-CATCH Niger, de 1990 a 2002, en mettant l'accent sur des echelles fines peu documentees jusqu'a present, comme celles de l'evenement pluvieux et des intensites des pluies. L'impact de la variabilite pluviometrique sur la culture du mil est ensuite etudie a l'aide d'un modele de simulation de rendements. Il est montre que la variabilite pluviometrique d'echelle convective marque fortement l'organisation des champs de pluie, meme pour des cumuls sur de longues periodes de temps. Les rendements agricoles sont tres sensibles a cette variabilite.
Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor expression in the human prostate

Inhibitory effects of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs on prostate cancer cell proliferation, both in vivo and in vitro, indicate the presence of specific binding sites for GnRH on prostate cancer cells. To investigate this issue further, we examined the expression of GnRH receptor (GnRH‐R) mRNA and protein in human prostate biopsies as well as in other extrapituitary tissues.
Pharmacokinetic behaviors and oral bioavailability of oridonin in rat plasma

AbstractAim:To study the intravenous and oral pharmacokinetic behavior of oridonin and its extent of absolute oral bioavailability in rats.Methods:Oridonin was administered to rats via iv (5, 10 and 15 mg/kg), po (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg) or ip administration (10 mg/kg). The concentrations of oridonin in rat plasma were determined by a high performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spec-trometric detection (HPLC/ESI-MS) method and the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by non-compartmental analysis.Results:The plasma concentration of oridonin after intravenous administration decreased polyexponentially, and the pharmacokinetic parameters of oridonin were dose-independent within the examined range. Oridonin was absorbed rapidly after oral gavage with a tmax of less than 15 min; the extent of absolute bioavailability of oridonin following oral administration was 4.32%, 4.58% and 10.8%. The extent of absolute bioavailability of oridonin following intraperitoneal administration was 12.6%. Conclusion:First order rate pharmacokinetics were observed for oridonin within the range of iv doses, while the extent of absolute oral bioavailability was rather low and dose-dependent. The low and dose-dependent extent of oral bioavailability may be due to the saturation of first-pass effects.
Macrophages infected with cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus release a factor(s) capable of priming uninfected macrophages for activation-induced apoptosis

Bovine bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with the cytopathic biotype of bovine viral diarrhea virus released an antiviral activity into the supernatant which was tentatively characterized as type I interferon because of its physicochemical properties. Such supernatants primed both infected and uninfected macrophages for decreased nitric oxide production and apoptosis in response to lipopolysaccharide. This finding strongly suggests a role of this pathway in the pathogenesis of mucosal disease, a lethal form of infection with cytopathic bovine viral diarrhea virus in which the principal lesions are located in the oral cavity and the gastrointestinal tract, which are known to contain a high concentration of endotoxin.
Urban Adolescent Mothers Exposed to Community, Family, and Partner Violence

Using a risk and resilience perspective, the authors assessed urban adolescent mothers’ exposure to community, family, and partner violence and analyzed the relationships between cumulative violence exposure and multiple school outcomes, within the context of welfare reforms. Positive attitude toward school and social support were examined as moderators of violence exposure on school outcomes. The authors pilot tested the questionnaire with 10 participants, then surveyed 120 adolescent mothers regarding their violence exposure, school performance and participation, positive attitude toward school, and social support. Results indicate very high rates of lifetime exposure to violence; intercorrelations and regression analyses indicate that as violence exposure increases, school outcomes tend to worsen, with positive attitude toward school found to be a significant moderator of the effects of exposure to community violence on behavior problems in school. Implications for researchers, practitioners, school policies and programs, and welfare policies and programs conclude the article.
Serial Observation of Asymmetry in the Growing Face

Three children suffering from facial asymmetry were observed annually using facial stereophotogrammetry before, during, and after their general skeletal adolescent growth spurt. Stereophotogrammetry allows accurate three-dimensional measurements between identifiable facial landmarks. Five pairs of bilateral parameters connecting external canthi and angles of the mouth to alae and tip of nose, and to each other, allowed a positive sign (right-side larger) or a negative (left-side larger) assessment of parameter asymmetry, Their total, taking sign into account, assessed mid-facial asymmetry. Serial observation showed that: (1) in patient no. 1 suffering from post-traumatic condylar hypoplasia, the facial asymmetry resolved; (2) in patient no. 2 suffering from unilateral facial hypoplasia, the asymmetry, which was severe, reduced with adolescence, but did not resolve; (3) in patient no. 3 suffering from fibro-osseous dysplasia of left maxilla, the asymmetry was reduced by surgery, but the full effects of the surgery were not measurable until over 1 year after operation: subsequently, the asymmetry began to increase again.
Effect of Progesterone, Mifepristone, and Estrogen Treatment During Early Pregnancy on Conceptus Development and Uterine Capacity in Swine1

Abstract A series of experiments was performed to investigate the influence of progesterone at Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy on conceptus development and uterine capacity. In experiment 1, unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized (UHO) white crossbred gilts were given no treatment, estradiol valerate (5 mg given on Days 11 and 12), or progesterone (200 mg/day on Days 2 and 3 after mating). On Day 105 of pregnancy, each fetus and its associated placenta were weighed, and the number of live and dead fetuses was recorded for each litter. Early progesterone treatment reduced (P < 0.05) litter size (a measure of uterine capacity in UHO gilts). In experiment 2, intact white crossbred gilts were mated, given no treatment or progesterone treatment on Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy, and farrowed. Progesterone treatment decreased (P < 0.05) pregnancy rates. In pregnant gilts, progesterone had no effect on the number of live or stillborn piglets at birth, and gestation length was decreased (P < 0.05). Progesterone treatment did not affect the number of large or small piglets. In experiment 3, intact gilts were mated at estrus and then received 1) no treatment or treatment with 2) 100 mg, 3) 200 mg, or 4) 400 mg mifepristone (also known as RU486) on Day 2 of pregnancy. On Day 11 of pregnancy, both uterine horns were flushed, the number and diameter of each conceptus was recorded, and the flushed material was assayed for total protein and acid phosphatase. The 400 mg mifepristone treatment decreased conceptus diameter (P < 0.05) and total protein (P = 0.06) in the uterine flushings. In experiment 4, UHO gilts were mated at estrus, injected with either corn oil (control) or mifepristone (400 mg) on Day 2 of pregnancy, and killed on Day 105 of pregnancy, and the number and weight of live fetuses and placentas was recorded. In contrast to the effect of progesterone treatment, mifepristone decreased uterine capacity by decreasing the number of small conceptuses. These data suggest that progesterone concentrations on Days 2 and 3 of pregnancy in swine influence the rate of conceptus development during early pregnancy and uterine capacity during later pregnancy.
BAX and BAK Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+: A Control Point for Apoptosis

BAX and BAK are “multidomain” proapoptotic proteins that initiate mitochondrial dysfunction but also localize to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Mouse embryonic fibroblasts deficient for BAX and BAK (DKO cells) were found to have a reduced resting concentration of calcium in the ER ([Ca2+]er) that results in decreased uptake of Ca2+ by mitochondria after Ca2+ release from the ER. Expression of SERCA (sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ adenosine triphosphatase) corrected [Ca2+]er and mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake in DKO cells, restoring apoptotic death in response to agents that release Ca2+ from intracellular stores (such as arachidonic acid, C2-ceramide, and oxidative stress). In contrast, targeting of BAX to mitochondria selectively restored apoptosis to “BH3-only” signals. A third set of stimuli, including many intrinsic signals, required both ER-released Ca2+ and the presence of mitochondrial BAX or BAK to fully restore apoptosis. Thus, BAX and BAK operate in both the ER and mitochondria as an essential gateway for selected apoptotic signals.
Peer status and victimization as possible reinforcements of adolescent girls' and boys' weight-related behaviors and cognitions.

OBJECTIVE Reciprocal longitudinal associations among weight-related behaviors and cognitions and peer relations constructs were examined among adolescent males and females. METHODS Participants included 576 adolescents aged 10-14 years, in grades 6-8. Measures assessed body dissatisfaction, negative weight-related cognitions, weight management behaviors, muscle-gaining behaviors, body mass index (BMI), likeability, popularity, and victimization at two time points, approximately 11 months apart. Multiple group path analyses were conducted to examine the reciprocal longitudinal associations between the peer relations constructs and weight-related behaviors and cognitions, controlling for participants' Time 1 BMI, pubertal development, and age. RESULTS Higher levels of body dissatisfaction were associated longitudinally with decreases in popularity. Higher popularity and lower likeability each were associated longitudinally with increases in negative body-related cognitions. Higher popularity was associated longitudinally with muscle-gaining behaviors for boys. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest highly popular and disliked adolescents may be at greater risk of weight-related behaviors and cognitions than other adolescents.
Epidemiology of ocular disorders presumed to be inherited in three small Italian dog breeds in Italy

OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence and the types of eye disorders that are known or presumed to be inherited (KP-HED) in three small Italian dog breeds. ANIMALS Three small Italian dog breeds: Maltese, Bolognese, and Italian Greyhound. PROCEDURES All dogs of the breeds selected for this prospective observational study that underwent a complete ophthalmic examination between 1994 and 2015 were included. General and proportional KP-HED prevalence with 95% confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS Three hundred and six of 462 dogs were affected by at least one KP-HED (66.2%; 95% CI: 61.8%-70.4%). In the entire population, the five most common KP-HED were cataract (n = 122; rate on the total number of KP-HED: 31.4%), entropion (n = 56; 14.4%), keratoconjunctivitis sicca (n = 33; 8.5%), retinal dysplasia (n = 24; 6.2%), and persistent pupillary membrane (iris to iris) (n = 21; 5.4%). The most common KP-HED in each breed were cataracts in the Maltese (35.1%) and in the Bolognese (24.2%), and presentation of vitreous in the anterior chamber in the Italian Greyhound (46.7%). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians should be aware of KP-HED that commonly affect three small Italian dog breeds. Breed standards should be reconsidered, and breeding programs should be directed at limiting such disorders.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SECTION Original Research Article Excessive Peptidergic Sensory Innervation of Cutaneous Arteriole-Venule Shunts (AVS) in the Palmar Glabrous Skin of Fibromyalgia Patients: Implications for Widespread Deep Tissue Pain and Fatigue

Objective. To determine if peripheral neuropathol- ogy exists among the innervation of cutaneous arterioles and arteriole-venule shunts (AVS) in fibro- myalgia (FM) patients. Setting. Cutaneous arterioles and AVS receive a convergence of vasoconstrictive sympathetic inner- vation, and vasodilatory small-fiber sensory inner- vation. Given our previous findings of peripheral pathologies in chronic pain conditions, we hypoth- esized that this vascular location may be a potential site of pathology and/or serotonergic and norepi- nephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) drug action. Subjects. Twenty-four female FM patients and nine female healthy control subjects were enrolled for study, with 14 additional female control subjects included from previous studies. AVS were identified in hypothenar skin biopsies from 18/24 FM patient and 14/23 control subjects.
Neutrophils Are Critical for Myelin Removal in a Peripheral Nerve Injury Model of Wallerian Degeneration

Wallerian degeneration (WD) is considered an essential preparatory stage to the process of axonal regeneration. In the peripheral nervous system, infiltrating monocyte-derived macrophages, which use the chemokine receptor CCR2 to gain entry to injured tissues from the bloodstream, are purportedly necessary for efficient WD. However, our laboratory has previously reported that myelin clearance in the injured sciatic nerve proceeds unhindered in the Ccr2−/− mouse model. Here, we extensively characterize WD in male Ccr2−/− mice and identify a compensatory mechanism of WD that is facilitated primarily by neutrophils. In response to the loss of CCR2, injured Ccr2−/− sciatic nerves demonstrate prolonged expression of neutrophil chemokines, a concomitant extended increase in the accumulation of neutrophils in the nerve, and elevated phagocytosis by neutrophils. Neutrophil depletion substantially inhibits myelin clearance after nerve injury in both male WT and Ccr2−/− mice, highlighting a novel role for these cells in peripheral nerve degeneration that spans genotypes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The accepted view in the basic and clinical neurosciences is that the clearance of axonal and myelin debris after a nerve injury is directed primarily by inflammatory CCR2+ macrophages. However, we demonstrate that this clearance is nearly identical in WT and Ccr2−/− mice, and that neutrophils replace CCR2+ macrophages as the primary phagocytic cell. We find that neutrophils play a major role in myelin clearance not only in Ccr2−/− mice but also in WT mice, highlighting their necessity during nerve degeneration in the peripheral nervous system. These degeneration studies may propel improvements in nerve regeneration and draw critical parallels to mechanisms of nerve degeneration and regeneration in the CNS and in the context of peripheral neuropathies.
Duration of exposure to environmental carcinogens affects DNA-adduct level in human lymphocytes

Background and objective: An important issue in human biomonitoring is determining how exposure duration affects the kinetics of molecular biomarkers. In this study we compare the influence of exposure variables on DNA adducts. Methods: DNA adducts were analysed by 32P-postlabelling in lympho/monocytes of 677 Caucasian subjects. Results: After correction for other variables, DNA adducts increased depending on the length of occupational and smoke exposures. Higher DNA adducts were detected in workers with more than 14 years of exposure than in workers with shorter exposures (RR = 1.19, p = 0.049) and in smokers with more than 10 years of exposure than in smokers with shorter exposure (RR = 1.21, p <0.001). Conclusions: Exposure length is the primary factor affecting DNA-adduct level in lympho/monocytes both in smokers and in occupationally exposed subjects.