Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The influence of obesity on perinatal outcomes in pregnancies achieved with assisted reproductive technology: A population-based retrospective cohort study

Objective To determine the influence of obesity on neonatal outcomes of pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technology. Methods Population-based retrospective cohort study of all non-anomalous, live births in Ohio from 2007 to 2011, comparing differences in the frequency of adverse neonatal outcomes of women who conceived with assisted reproductive technology versus spontaneously conceived pregnancies and stratified by obesity status. Primary outcome was a composite of neonatal morbidities defined as ≥1 of the following: neonatal death, Apgar score of <7 at 5 min, assisted ventilation, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or transport to a tertiary care facility. Results Rates of adverse neonatal outcomes were significantly higher for assisted reproductive technology pregnancies than spontaneously conceived neonates; non-obese 25% versus 8% and obese 27% versus 10%, p < 0.001. Assisted reproductive technology was associated with a similar increased risk for adverse outcomes in both obese (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–1.59) and non-obese women (aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.18–1.51) even after adjustment for coexisting risk factors. This increased risk was driven by higher preterm births in assisted reproductive technology pregnancies; obese (aOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.86–1.31) and non-obese (aOR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.00–1.32). Discussion Assisted reproductive technology is associated with a higher risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. Obesity does not appear to adversely modify perinatal risks associated with assisted reproductive technology.
Metachromatic leukodystrophy: Identification of the first deletion in exon 1 and nine novel point mutations in the arylsulfatase A gene

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a lysosomal storage disease caused by the deficiency of arylsulfatase A (ASA), is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, and its frequency is estimated to be 1 in 40,000 live births. Genomic DNA from 21 MLD patients (14 late‐infantile and 7 juvenile cases) was amplified in four overlapping PCR fragments and tested by allele‐specific oligonucleotide (ASO) for the two common mutations 459+1G→A and P426L. These mutations were found in only 28.6% of the alleles studied. The remaining alleles were analyzed by chemical mismatch cleavage (CMC) and automatic sequencing. In addition to five previously reported mutations (459+1G→a, A212V, R244C, R390W, P426L), 10 novel mutations were identified: 9 missense mutations (S95N, G119R, D152Y, R244H, S250Y, A314T, R384C, R496H, K367N) and one 8 bp deletion in exon 1, the first mutation reported in this exon. These methods allowed us to identify 76% of the alleles tested. Genotype‐phenotype correlations could be established for some of these mutations. These results confirm the heterogeneity of mutations causing MLD and suggest that CMC is a reliable and informative screening method for point mutation detection in the arylsulfatase A gene. Hum Mutat 9:234–242, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Schilbach–Rott/blepharofacioskeletal syndrome in a Brazilian patient

We report on a 4‐year‐old girl with blepharophimosis, a typical facial gestalt and skeletal abnormalities seen in the blepharofacioskeletal syndrome (BFSS). A comparative review with previous cases provides further evidence that BFSS and Schilbach–Rott syndrome (SRS) are the same condition. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CD36, a Member of the Class B Scavenger Receptor Family, as a Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products*

Interaction of advanced glycation end products (AGE) with AGE receptors induces several cellular phenomena potentially relating to diabetic complications. Five AGE receptors identified so far are RAGE (receptor for AGE), galectin-3, 80K-H, OST-48, and SRA (macrophage scavengerreceptor class A types I and II). Since SRA is known to belong to the class A scavenger receptor family, and the scavenger receptor collectively represents a family of multiligand lipoprotein receptors, it is possible that CD36, although belonging to the class B scavenger receptor family, can recognize AGE proteins as ligands. This was tested at the cellular level in this study using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells overexpressing human CD36 (CD36-CHO cells). Cellular expression of CD36 was confirmed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescent microscopy using anti-CD36 antibody. Upon incubation at 37 °C, 125I-AGE-bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA) and 125I-oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), an authentic ligand for CD36, were endocytosed in a dose-dependent fashion and underwent lysosomal degradation by CD36-CHO cells, but not wild-type CHO cells. In binding experiments at 4 °C, 125I-AGE-BSA exhibited specific and saturable binding to CD36-CHO cells (K d = 5.6 μg/ml). The endocytic uptake of 125I-AGE-BSA by these cells was inhibited by 50% by oxidized LDL and by 60% by FA6-152, an anti-CD36 antibody inhibiting cellular binding of oxidized LDL. Our results indicate that CD36 expressed by these cells mediates the endocytic uptake and subsequent intracellular degradation of AGE proteins. Since CD36 is one of the major oxidized LDL receptors and is up-regulated in macrophage- and smooth muscle cell-derived foam cells in human atherosclerotic lesions, these results suggest that, like oxidized LDL, AGE proteins generated in situ are recognized by CD36, which might contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic macrovascular complications.
The dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor NVP‐BEZ235 and chloroquine synergize to trigger apoptosis via mitochondrial‐lysosomal cross‐talk

On the basis of our previous identification of aberrant phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling as a novel poor prognostic factor in neuroblastoma, we evaluated the dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 in the present study. Here, BEZ235 acts in concert with the lysosomotropic agent chloroquine (CQ) to trigger apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells in a synergistic manner, as calculated by combination index (CI < 0.5). Surprisingly, inhibition of BEZ235‐induced autophagy is unlikely the primary mechanism of this synergism as reported in other cancers, since neither inhibition of autophagosome formation by knockdown of Atg7 or Atg5 nor disruption of the autophagic flux by Bafilomycin A1 (BafA1) enhance BEZ235‐induced apoptosis. BEZ235 stimulates enlargement of the lysosomal compartment and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), while CQ promotes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP). In combination, BEZ235 and CQ cooperate to trigger LMP, Bax activation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and caspase‐dependent apoptosis. Lysosome‐mediated apoptosis occurs in a ROS‐dependent manner, as ROS scavengers significantly reduce BEZ235/CQ‐induced loss of MMP, LMP and apoptosis. There is a mitochondrial‐lysosomal cross‐talk, since lysosomal enzyme inhibitors significantly decrease BEZ235‐ and CQ‐induced drop of MMP and apoptosis. In conclusion, BEZ235 and CQ act in concert to trigger LMP and lysosome‐mediated apoptosis via a mitochondrial‐lysosomal cross‐talk. These findings have important implications for the rational development of PI3K/mTOR inhibitor‐based combination therapies.
Transcriptional Silencing of Nonsense Codon-containing Immunoglobulin μ Genes Requires Translation of Its mRNA*

Eukaryotes have evolved quality control mechanisms that prevent the expression of genes in which the protein coding potential is crippled by the presence of a premature translation-termination codon (PTC). In addition to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD), a well documented posttranscriptional consequence of the presence of a PTC in an mRNA, we recently reported the transcriptional silencing of PTC-containing immunoglobulin (Ig) μ and γ minigenes when they are stably integrated into the genome of HeLa cells. Here we demonstrate that this transcriptional silencing of PTC-containing Ig-μ constructs requires active translation of the cognate mRNA, as it is not observed under conditions where translation of the PTC-containing mRNA is inhibited through an iron-responsive element in the 5′-untranslated region. Furthermore, RNA interference-mediated depletion of the essential NMD factor Upf1 not only abolishes NMD but also reduces the extent of nonsense-mediated transcriptional gene silencing (NMTGS). Collectively, our data indicate that NMTGS and NMD are linked, relying on the same mechanism for PTC recognition, and that the NMTGS pathway branches from the NMD pathway at a step after Upf1 function.
Total Hip Arthroplasty for the Treatment of Ankylosed Hips: A Five to Twenty-one-Year Follow-up Study

Background: The purpose of the present retrospective study was to report the long-term results of total hip arthroplasty following a hip fusion. Special attention was paid to the resulting function of both the involved joint and the neighboring joints, as pain in the lower back or knee was the usual indication for conversion. The factors that were likely to influence the functional outcome were analyzed. Methods: Forty-five consecutive total hip arthroplasties were performed in forty-five patients from 1969 through 1993. The mean age of the patients at the time of the operation was 55.8 years (range, twenty-eight to eighty years). Ankylosis of the hip had been spontaneous in twenty patients and postoperative in twenty-five patients. The mean duration of the ankylosis had been thirty-six years (range, three to sixty-five years). The mean duration of follow-up was 8.5 years (range, five to twenty-one years). No patient was lost to follow-up. Results: The mean hip score, according to the scale of Merle d’Aubigné, was 16.5 1.5 points at the latest follow-up evaluation. Hip function was considered to be satisfactory for forty-one (91%) of the forty-five patients. The definitive score for walking ability was not achieved by the one-year evaluation; it improved notably for two to three years and then it remained stable. At the time of the latest follow-up, the mean arc of flexion was 88° (range, 30° to 130°). Forty-three (96%) of the forty-five patients had no pain in the involved joint. The only factor that was predictive of the final functional result with regard to walking ability was the intraoperative status of the gluteal muscles. Most patients had effective pain relief in the neighboring joints. The cumulative survival rate at eight years, with revision as the end point, was 96.7% (95% confidence interval, 90.2% to 100%). Conclusions: The long-term effectiveness of total hip arthroplasty for the treatment of an ankylosed hip was clearly demonstrated in both the involved and the neighboring joints in the present study. However, the preoperative and intraoperative status of the gluteal muscles should be carefully evaluated when this procedure is being considered, as this was the only factor that was predictive of the final walking ability.
Electrochemical characterization of electrodes with submicrometer dimensions

The construction and electrochemical characterization of electrodes with submicrometer dimensions (2 nm < r(app) < 1000 nm) is reported. Electrodes are prepared by insulating etched Pt wires with electrophoretic paint, as recently reported by Slevin et al. (Electrochem. Commun. 1999, 1, 282). The voltammetric behavior of these electrodes was evaluated using nine different redox systems; well-defined and stable diffusion-limited responses were obtained in all but two cases. The behavior of these electrodes was investigated in aqueous ferrocenylmethyltrimethylammonium (FcTMA+) solutions in the presence and absence of excess supporting electrolyte to determine the influence of diffusion and migration on molecular transport in the nanometer spatial regime. Our findings indicate that the voltammetric behavior of these electrodes can be described using classical transport theory for r(app) > 10 nm.
Subfracture insult to the human cadaver patellofemoral joint produces occult injury

The current criterion used by the automotive industry for injury to the lower extremity is based on visible bone fracture. Studies suggest, however, that chronic joint degeneration may occur after subfracture impact loads on the knee. We hypothesized that subfracture loading of the patellofemoral joint could result in previously undocumented microtrauma in areas of high contact pressure. In the current study, seven patellofemoral joints from human cadavers were subjected to impact with successively greater energy until visible fracture was noted. Transverse and comminuted fractures of the patella were noted at 6.7 kN of load. Approximately 45% of the impact energy then was delivered to the contralateral joint. Subfracture loads of 5.2 kN resulted in no gross bone fracture in five of seven specimens. Histological examination of the patellae revealed occult trauma in four of the seven specimens in the subfracture group; trauma consisted of a horizontal split fracture in the subchondral bone, at the tidemark, or at the interface of calcified cartilage and subchondral bone. The trauma appeared predominantly on the lateral facet, adjacent to or directly beneath preexisting fibrillation of the articular surface. Surface fibrillation was noted in histological sections of control patellae (not subjected to impact loading), but occult damages were not observed. Although the mechanism of this occult trauma is unknown, similar damage has been shown to occur from direct shear loading. As these microcracks can potentiate a disease process in the joint, this study may suggest that the current criterion for injury, based on bone fracture alone, is not sufficiently conservative.
Risk Factors for Bacterial Vaginosis in Women at High Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Objective and Goal: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is extremely common and is associated with adverse obstetrical and gynecological outcomes. The etiology of the microbiologic changes is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine risk factors associated with incident BV. Study: 96 women without BV were followed prospectively for 1 year for the development of BV. Thirty-seven of their male partners were also studied. Results: The incidence rate of BV was 2.33/person-year (95% CI, 1.63–2.50). Median time to development of BV was 81 days. Incident BV was significantly associated with exposure to a new sexual partner (RR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02–1.25; P = 0.02) and frequency of vaginal sex since last visit (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01–1.15; P = 0.03). Use of condoms with occasional partners was protective (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67–0.98; P = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, sex with a new partner since the prior visit was the only behavior found to be significantly associated with incident BV (RR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.05–2.87; P = 0.03). Conclusion: These data support the sexual transmission of BV.
Urinary Tract Infections in Renal Transplant Recipients

Renal transplantation (RTx) is the treatment-of-choice for a significant number of patients with end-stage renal disease. Despite recent accomplishments, both surgical and medical complications still exist. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infectious complication after RTx, while asymptomatic bacteriuria is the most common manifestation of bacteriuria. UTI can impair graft function, potentially reducing graft and patient survival. The aetiology changes with time after RTx. The epidemiology of most of these infections is also changing with resistant organisms being isolated more often than in the past. Several factors increase the risk of infection in RTx patients, and the presence of multiple risk factors in the same patient is not uncommon. These include immunosuppression, urinary flow impairment (most often caused by stenosis or strictures at the vesicoureteral junction, benign prostate hypertrophy or vesicoureteral reflux), and treatment-related factors such as the use of catheters and double-J stents. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are key elements in salvaging both the allograft and the patient. This chapter reviews the definitions, epidemiology, microbiology, screening, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, impact on renal allograft function, evaluation after diagnosis, treatment, prevention including long-term prophylaxis, and the unique challenges of diagnosing and managing recurrent bacterial UTIs in a RTx care setting.
Molecular identification and characterization of wine yeasts isolated from Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain)

Aims: The present study was aimed at the identification, differentiation and characterization of indigenous yeasts isolated from Tenerife vineyards (viticulture region that has never been characterized before). Microbiota were studied from 14 samples taken during fermentations carried out in the 2002 vintage, from 11 wineries belonging to five wine regions on Tenerife Island.
Mechanical properties and microstructure of heavy aluminum bonding wires for power applications

Heavy aluminum wire bonding is of great interest as a first level packaging technology for automotive and power electronic devices. The related mechanical and thermo-mechanical cyclic loading conditions require an adequate consideration of reliability aspects and lifetime estimations based on in-depth knowledge of material properties, involving an understanding of the correlation between mechanical deformation behavior and microstructure. In this paper, we present results of mechanical and microstructure investigations using advanced data evaluation approaches. For characterization of static mechanical properties, tensile tests were performed to determine the stress/strain behavior of selected wire materials. The results derived showed a pronounced hardening effect which could be adequately described by classical hardening laws. The grain structure of the wires was analyzed using the electron backscattered diffraction method (EBSD). It is shown, that data statistics and data evaluations have considerable effects on the results represented in terms of grain size. Furthermore, the correlation between deformation properties and microstructure could be described by the Hall-Petch relation predicting a linear dependence of the initial yield stress on the square root of grain size. Since in many cases a knowledge of local changes in the mechanical properties due to either process-induced effects or due to application conditions is required, we also compared results of microindentation and micro compression experiments on small wire cylinders with those of the tensile tests. A very good agreement of the flow curves determined from the micro compression test with the tensile test data was found while the correlation with the indentation results was rather limited. Thus, the newly developed micro compression test is a very powerful tool for characterization of local material properties of bonding wires used in real components. It may also serve as a basis for more sophisticated cyclic hardening investigations as it is necessary for establishing advanced lifetime predictions in future.
Can strain rate and strain quantify changes in regional systolic function during dobutamine infusion, B-blockade, and atrial pacing--implications for quantitative stress echocardiography.

BACKGROUND We investigated the ability of ultrasonic strain rate (SR) and strain (epsilon) to quantify the changes in normal myocardial function at varying inotropic states and heart rates (HR) in an attempt to determine whether these new regional function indices are potentially robust enough to quantitate stress echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty closed-chest pigs underwent incremental atrial pacing (AP: 120-180/min, n = 7), dobutamine infusion (DI: 2.5-20 microg/kg/min, n = 7) or esmolol infusion with subsequent pacing (EI: 0.5 +/- 0.15 mg/kg/min with pacing 120-180/min, n = 6). Radial deformation of the left ventricular posterior wall was interrogated using the parasternal short-axis view to derive regional systolic SR and epsilon values. At baseline SR and epsilon averaged 5.0 +/- 0.4 s(-1) and 60% +/- 4%, respectively. SR remained unchanged during AP and increased linearly with DI (at 2.5 microg/kg/min = 6.2 +/- 0.3 s(-1), P <. 05 vs baseline; at 20 microg/kg/min = 9.9 +/- 0.7 s(-1), P <. 0001 vs baseline), whereas EI resulted in a constant decrease of 30% +/- 4% in SR (P <.05). SR and left ventricular dP/dt(MAX) correlated linearly over the induced change in inotropic states and HR (r = 0.82; P <.0001). Conversely, epsilon values decreased during AP (at 180/min = 36% +/- 2%, P <.001). During DI, epsilon initially increased at 2.5 and 5 microg/kg/min (at 5 microg/kg/min = 77% +/- 6%, P <.05) and decreased for higher doses because of increasing HR. EI resulted in a decrease of 30% +/- 4% in epsilon with a further decrease during subsequent pacing. epsilon correlated linearly with left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.87; P <.0001). CONCLUSION Both SR and epsilon can quantify the changes in myocardial function during a range of inotropic challenges and over the range of physiologic HRs encountered during clinical stress echocardiography. SR may reflect regional contractile function, whereas epsilon reflects changes in ventricular geometry. This study would suggest that for quantitative stress echocardiography SR is better in quantification of changes in contractile function being relatively independent of HR.
Bridle Transfer for Paresis of the Anterior and Lateral Compartment Musculature

In the Riordan (bridle) transfer, the posterior tibialis muscle as motor is routed through the interosseous membrane and anastomosed into a “bridle” formed by the distal tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles. In theory, the bridle provides inversion/eversion balance even if the transfer effects only tenodesis. However, the procedure has been criticized because its insertion is not into bone. This review analyzes the use of bridle transfer in flaccid paresis involving musculature innervated by the peroneal nerve. Surgery was performed 1 to 3 years after injury for patients with traumatic etiology. Ten patients are reviewed at 61 months’ mean follow-up. Eight patients had traumatic peroneal nerve loss. Two had neuromuscular etiology. Evaluation included review of records, telephone interviews, and physical examinations. Data on functional status included walking barefoot, running, need for bracing, return to duty, and patient satisfaction. Physical examination recorded ankle position and motions, gait findings, and results of static electromyograms. All patients were able to walk barefoot, but 6 of 10 had a mild to moderate limp. Five patients returned to running initially; only two were able to keep running. Nine patients were brace-free initially (polio sequela required bracing initially), and four others returned to bracing. Of these, two experienced an acute “tearing” and dorsiflexion loss, one sustained a prolonged gradual loss of dorsiflexion, and one sustained a contralateral cerebrovascular accident. Only three of seven patients returned to active duty, and one is on jump status. All patients were satisfied with their initial result. Only two patients had no detectable swing phase problems (both returned to active duty). Five patients had peroneal nerve exploration with repair or neurolysis; two of them sustained complete transections. Postoperative electromyograms showed insignificant, if any, nerve return. The Riordan transfer works well for neuromuscular flaccid paresis and in patients with peroneal nerve injuries with low demands. It may stretch out over time to the point of acute failure in patients with high demands. Concurrent peroneal nerve exploration and repair did not seem to be beneficial in this small study.