Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A method for lipid droplet isolation from human placenta for further analyses in clinical trials

We describe a method to isolate lipids droplets from human placental tissue for future lipid analyses. We collected placentas at term from healthy women (n = 5) and tested three methods published for lipids droplets isolation in other tissues. Only one of the methods, when modified, isolated lipids droplets from placental tissue, whereas all three methods allowed lipids droplets isolation from rat liver (control tissue) and separation of lipids droplets from blood contamination of the tissue. The placental lipids droplets layer was characterized by the presence of adipophilin while no N+/K+‐ATPase as plasma membrane contamination was detected. Intraplacental triglyceride content showed a high coefficient of variation (~42%), whereas for cholesterol and phospholipids this was lower. One method was effective for isolation of placental lipids droplets. It is necessary to collect a pool of placental tissue pieces for placental lipids droplets analyses. Freezing in liquid nitrogen is recommended.
Development and Reproductive Potential of Diamondback Moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) on Selected Wild Crucifer Species

ABSTRACT The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), is an oligophagous insect that primarily feeds on members of the family Cruciferae. The development, survival, and reproductive potential of P. xylostella were studied on eight wild cruciferous species: Rorippa indica (L.) Hiera, Cardamine hirsuta L. , Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic, Cardamine leucantha (Tausch) O. E. Schulz, Orychophragmus violaceus (L.) O. E. Schulz, Thlaspi arvense L. , and Cardamine macrophylla Willd. Developmental durations of immatures from egg to adult emergence differed significantly among the plant species, with the longest period recorded on C. macrophylla (20.8 d) and the shortest on R. indica (15.8 d). The female pupae of P. xylostella reared on C. leucantha and T. arvense were lighter (4.2 and 4.3 mg/pupa) than those reared on other hosts (5.2–6.5 mg/pupa), and the male pupae from T. arvense were the lightest (3.1 mg/pupa) among all colonies. Survival from egg to adult emergence ranged from 95.7% on R. indica to 48.8% on T. arvense. The longevity (10.1 d) of P. xylostella female and the oviposition period (7.7 d) were the longest when larvae fed R. indica than those that fed on other wild hosts. Female adults of P. xylostella from O. violaceus, C. macrophylla, and Ca. bursa-pastoris had higher fecundity (305–351 eggs/female) than from other wild host plants, whereas that from R. indica had the lowest fecundity (134 eggs/female). C. hirsuta was the best wild host plant for P. xylostella because of the highest intrinsic rates of increase (rm = 0.2402), whereas T. arvense was the least favorable hosts with the lowest intrinsic rates of increase (rm = 0.1577). The results from this study will be useful for interpretation of the performance and population dynamics of P. xylostella on wild hosts and cultivated cruciferous vegetables.
An antigenic peptide of the HIV‐1 NEF protein recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes of seropositive individuals in association with different HLA‐B

By using target cells that expressed only the regulatory NEF protein of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), we were able to identify specific cytolytic T cells (CTL) from most of the seropositive patients tested. This NEF‐specific cytolytic activity was mediated by CD8+ lymphocytes. In two different donors, we identified a unique peptide in the NEF protein that could be recognized in association with two different HLA class I molecules. The definition of such a peptide should prove useful in evaluating vaccine strategies.
Determination of HIV status of infants born to HIV-infected mothers: A review of the diagnostic methods with special focus on the applicability of p24 antigen testing in developing countries

Abstract In 2009, 2.5 million children under the age of 15 y were living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS); 370,000 were diagnosed with HIV and 260,000 died due to AIDS. More than 90% of the children infected with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa. Most children infected with HIV contract the infection in utero, during delivery, or via breast milk. This review outlines the current diagnostic methods to determine the HIV status of infants born to HIV-infected mothers. The HIV DNA and RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are highly accurate and are recommended as the first-choice diagnostic methods. However, they are expensive and require complex laboratory procedures. Consequently, a search for less costly and complicated methods has led to the testing of p24 antigen analyses as an alternative to the gold-standard PCR tests, with encouraging results. The p24 antigen Perkin Elmer assay currently most often used has a sensitivity of 98.8% and a specificity of 100% (infants 6 weeks of age). Larger-scale studies should be performed in resource-limited settings to confirm these findings.
Cardiac plasticity.

From the Donald W. Reynolds Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center ( J.A.H., E.N.O.); and the Departments of Internal Medicine (Cardiology) ( J.A.H.) and Molecular Biology ( J.A.H., E.N.O.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas. Address reprint requests to Dr. Hill at the Division of Cardiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6000 Harry Hines Blvd., NB11.200, Dallas, TX 75390-8573, or at joseph.hill@ utsouthwestern.edu.
Defining distal femoral anatomy for rotational alignment in total knee arthroplasty: a magnetic resonance imaging‐based study

The rotational alignment of the femoral component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is regarded as being one of the critical factors associated with its long‐term success. Traditionally, the femoral component is aligned parallel to the transepicondylar axis (TEA), perpendicular to the Whiteside's line (WL) or at 3 degrees external rotation to the posterior condylar line (PCL). The aim of this study was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate the relationship between these anatomical axes used for femoral component rotation (TEA to WL and PCL to TEA) and identify if any of these relationships were influenced by age, sex or coronal axial deformity (mechanical axis).
Prevalence of Signs and Symptoms of Temporomandibular Disorders in Young Nigerian Adults

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMD in young Nigerian adults and to establish a baseline for comparison with other studies. It consisted of a cross-sectional study at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in 1997. The subjects consisted of 308 medical and dental students (207 males and 101 females) randomly selected from a Nigerian University. Their ages ranged from 17 to 32 years with a mean age of 23 ± 3·0 years. They were assessed according to the criteria of Helkimo (1974). Whilst 26·3 per cent of the subjects reported mild symptoms (Ai I) of TMD, only 2·9 per cent reported severe symptoms (Ai II). Similarly, 46 per cent showed mild dysfunction signs (Di I), whilst 16·5 and 0·3 per cent exhibited moderate (Di II) and severe (Di III) signs of TMD, respectively. No significant relationships were found between sex, anamnestic index, and the clinical dysfunction index scores. However, there were low but significant correlations between ananmestic index scores (Ai) and the recorded signs (Di), as well as the clinical dysfunction scores (CDS). There is some evidence to show that signs and symptoms of TMD occur amongst Nigerians, although restricted lateral and protrusive mandibular movements contributed significantly to clinical dysfunction scores. This report contrasts with what is found in western societies regarding the low prevalence of TMJ pain.
Suspension effect and dynamic evaluation of the total surface bearing (TSB) trans-tibial prosthesis: A comparison with the patellar tendon bearing (PTB) trans-tibial prosthesis

X-ray and cineradiography measurements were used to compare the suspension effect and stability of a TSB trans-tibial prosthesis with an Icelandic Roll-On Silicone Socket (ICEROSS) system to that of a PTB trans-tibial prosthesis. The suspension effect was measured by the distance between the tibia and the socket in both suspension position and weight-bearing position in both type of prostheses. The suspension effect of the TSB prosthesis (2.53 ± 0.90cm) was superior to that of the PTB prosthesis (3.60 ± 0.56cm) (p<0.05) by x-ray measurement. The suspension effect of the TSB prosthesis (0.1, 0.4, 0.72cm) was superior to that of the PTB prosthesis (0.3, 0.48, 1.03cm) (p<0.01, p<0.05) by cineradiographic measurement. The stability was measured as the angle between the axis of the tibia and the prosthesis at the time of heel contact and toe off. The angle change of the TSB prosthesis was statistically smaller than that of the PTB prosthesis.
Activity of Pleconaril against Enteroviruses

ABSTRACT The activity of pleconaril in cell culture against prototypic enterovirus strains and 215 clinical isolates of the most commonly isolated enterovirus serotypes was examined. The latter viruses were isolated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during the 1970s and 1980s from clinically ill subjects. Pleconaril at a concentration of ≤0.03 μM inhibited the replication of 50% of all clinical isolates tested. Ninety percent of the isolates were inhibited at a drug concentration of ≤0.18 μM. The most sensitive serotype, echovirus serotype 11, was also the most prevalent enterovirus in the United States from 1970 to 1983. Pleconaril was further tested for oral activity in three animal models of lethal enterovirus infection: coxsackievirus serotype A9 infection in suckling mice, coxsackievirus serotype A21 strain Kenny infection in weanling mice, and coxsackievirus serotype B3 strain M infection in adult mice. Treatment with pleconaril increased the survival rate in all three models for both prophylactic and therapeutic dosing regimens. Moreover, pleconaril dramatically reduced virus levels in target tissues of coxsackievirus serotype B3 strain M-infected animals. Pleconaril represents a promising new drug candidate for potential use in the treatment of human enteroviral infections.
Genetic Factors and Asthma in Aluminum Smelter Workers

An asthma-like condition has been reported among aluminum smelter potroom workers. The pathophysiologic mechanisms and the causative agent involved are unknown. Inasmuch as gene polymorphisms are associated with asthma in the general population, the authors of this case-control study examined whether polymorphisms were associated with the development of potroom asthma. Genotyping was performed for the beta2-adrenore-ceptor, high-affinity Ig (immunoglobulin) E receptor, and Tumor Necrosis Factor on potroom workers who developed a new asthma-like condition and on individuals who did not develop respiratory problems. No associations were found between potroom asthma case status and genotype. The asthma-like condition associated with potroom work remains poorly understood. Future investigations of genetic susceptibility and occupational asthma may provide pathophysiologic insights into these work-related conditions, but larger numbers of subjects will be required.
Association of thyroid disease with acute leukemia

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possible clinical association of autoimmune thyroid disease and acute leukemia. This study is a retrospective review of all adult patients with acute leukemia treated at our institutions from 1978‐1989. Those with both leukemia and thyroid disease were evaluated and are presented. Twenty‐seven of eight hundred seventy patients with acute leukemia had evidence of thyroid disease. This is a 3‐fold increase in overall incidence. Twenty‐one patients had acute myeloid leukemia, five had acute lymphoid leukemia, and one had accelerated chronic myeloid leukemia. Thyroid diseaseentities included toxic multinodular goiter (four patients), idiopathic hypothyroidism (eight patients), Graves' disease (eight patients), and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (seven patients). Whereas the association may have had a negative effect on elderly patients, those with Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease appeared to have an improved outcome of the leukemia. There is an increased association of autoimmune thyroid disease and acute leukemia. Since thyroid hormones are important regulators of hematopoiesis and utilize receptors similar to those of differentiating factors such as retinoids, the association may be important for further study of mechanisms of growth regulations in leukemia.
Children are not large mice

To the Editor: It is with great interest that we have watched the results of the studies carried out in mice suggesting that bortezomib treatment could be deleterious to bone health in children. These concerns have been extrapolated from a recent report, which suggests that bortezomib can decrease bone growth velocity and bone matrix deposition in young mice, an effect mediated by induction of chondrocyte apoptosis (1). In this study, young mice were treated with 1 mg/kg of bortezomib (equivalent to 25 mg/m in children). While this large dose is required for equivalent proteasome inhibition in mice (70– 80%), it is difficult to extrapolate the results of this dose of bortezomib on bone health in children, who are treated with 4 doses/cycle of 1.3 mg/m bortezomib for a total of two cycles of therapy (total cumulative bortezomib dose 10.4 mg/m). In the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), several studies are ongoing, or have been recently completed, that combine bortezomib with standard chemotherapy regimens for hematologic malignancies, including Hodgkin lymphoma (NCT00381940; clinicaltrial.gov), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (NCT00666588 and NCT01371981), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (NCT 00873093). A similar trial has also been conducted in ALL by the Therapeutic Advances in Childhood Leukemia (TACL) consortium (NCT00440726) (2). In these studies, bortezomib is combined with chemotherapy agents known to have potential adverse affects on bone health. We share the authors concern for bone health in all children with cancer treated with chemotherapy, including bortezomib. Skeletal complications such as bone growth arrest, low bone mass, osteonecrosis, and fractures can be problematic for pediatric cancer survivors, particularly those that have received high dose glucocorticoids and methotrexate [reviewed in Fan et al.(3)]. While monitoring of bone health is performed at the discretion of treating institutions, the COG recommends that patients with symptoms of bone pain undergo early diagnostic imaging, including MRI of affected joints, to detect early evidence of osteopenia/osteonecrosis. DEXA scans are also part of standard follow-up care in Hodgkin lymphoma, but are not recommended as part of routine follow-up monitoring for children with ALL or AML enrolled in COG trials. In addition, osteonecrosis is a significant clinical problem in children treated with steroids (either dexamethasone or prednisone) and is followed as a targeted toxicity in COG ALL trials (4). Because of this monitoring, important information has been learned about how the dose schedule of dexamethasone can impact occurrence of osteonecrosis, and changes have been made to the dexamethasone schedule that have decreased risk of this complication (4). While we agree that it is important to follow reports of the detrimental effects of bortezomib on bone health in preclinical models, we are not aware that this problem has been encountered in children. We believe that monitoring changes are not currently indicated for children with hematologic malignancies treated with bortezomib.
HIV Infection and Associated Risks Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in a Florida Resort Community

Objective: Several recent studies have reported high rates of sexual risk‐taking and HIV infection among young men who have sex with men (MSM). Most of these studies used samples of convenience. The authors obtained population‐based data on young MSM living in South Beach (Miami Beach, Florida), a resort community where some of the highest AIDS rates in the United States have been reported. Methods: A household probability sample was drawn to survey unmarried 18‐ to 29‐year‐old MSM living in South Beach. Subjects were interviewed, completed selfadministered questionnaires, and provided oral specimens for HIV antibody testing. Results: From the 2,622 screened residential units, 100 mostly white and Hispanic MSM (92.6% of eligible participants) were enrolled in the study. Fifteen percent of the sample tested positive for antibodies to HIV. White and Hispanic MSM had similar rates. Forty‐five percent of the sample reported engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the prior 12 months, and 31% reported UAI with a nonprimary partner. The estimated annual incidence of HIV infection was 6.3%. Conclusion: The high prevalences of UAI and HIV infection in South Beach attest to a previously undocumented public health concern. The extremely high estimated incidence for young MSM in South Beach highlights the urgent need for more effective risk‐reduction interventions and further epidemiological research on resort areas.
Drink-Driving Research in New Zealand

Drink-driving research in New Zealand is briefly analyzed with reference to traffic accidents. Claims about drinking, driving, and accidents which have currency in New Zealand at present are appraised. It is shown that many factors are involved in traffic accidents, and the problems in their causation are highly complex. Alcohol is only one of many factors present in accidents. It is involved in less than half of all injury-producing accidents. Much of its involvement in traffic accidents is of a spurious rather than a causal nature. Yet the focus of countermeasures against traffic accidents is drinking and driving. These countermeasures are ineffective.
Ultrasonographic detection of fasciculations markedly increases diagnostic sensitivity of ALS

Objectives: To study the utility of muscle ultrasound (US) for detection of fasciculations and its contribution to diagnosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Fasciculations are characteristic features of ALS, and US can detect them easily and reliably. New diagnostic criteria for ALS, the Awaji algorithm, reintroduced fasciculations as evidence of acute denervation equivalent to that of fibrillations and positive sharp waves. Methods: In 81 consecutive patients with sporadic ALS, we prospectively performed needle EMG and US in 6 muscles (tongue, biceps brachii, first dorsalis interosseous, paraspinalis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior), and diagnostic category were determined by revised El Escorial criteria and Awaji criteria. Results: Fasciculations were much more frequently detected by US than by EMG in the tongue (60% vs 0%), biceps brachii (88% vs 60%), and tibialis anterior muscles (83% vs 45%). The proportion of the patients with definite or probable ALS was 48% by revised El Escorial criteria and 79% by Awaji criteria using US. Conclusions: Muscle US is a practical and efficient tool to detect fasciculations, particularly in the tongue. A combination of US and EMG substantially increases the diagnostic sensitivity of ALS.
Extramammary Paget's disease

Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is a rare neoplastic condition of apocrine gland-bearing skin. The most common site of involvement is the vulva, although perineal, perianal, scrotal and penile skin may also be affected. It is important because diagnosis is frequently delayed and there is a high incidence of associated invasive disease. This article reviews the clinical and histopathological features and the various treatment strategies that have been used.
The rate of removal of radioactive iron from the plasma; an index of erythropoiesis.

Transport iron normally exists in the plasma as ferric beta-l-globulinate. Since in most individuals the greater part of the body iron is incorporated in the hemoglobin of the red blood cells, it is probable that changes in the production and destruction of these erythrocytes will be reflected in the turnover of plasma iron. Radioactive iron of high specific activity is particularly useful for a study of iron metabolism since it can be injected intravenously in tracer amounts without changing the steady state of the organism; the turnover of this radioiron will then mirror the metabolism of the iron in the body.
The importance of the dominant hemisphere in the organization of bimanual movements

The successful control of upper limb movements is an essential skill of the human motor system. Yet, the neural organization of bimanual actions remains an issue of debate. Their control can be directed from both hemispheres, or, coordinated motion might be organized from the dominant (left) hemisphere. In order to unravel the neural mechanisms of bimanual behavior, we analyzed the standard task‐related and directed coherence between EEG signals picked up over the primary sensorimotor cortices in right‐handed subjects during unimanual as well as bimanual in‐phase (symmetrical) and anti‐phase (asymmetrical) movements. The interhemispheric coherence in the β frequency band (>13–30 Hz) was increased in both unimanual and bimanual patterns, compared to rest. During unimanual actions, the drive in the β band from one primary sensorimotor cortex to the other was greater during movement of the contralateral as opposed to ipsilateral hand. In contrast, during bimanual actions, the drive from the dominant to the non‐dominant primary sensorimotor cortex prevailed, unless task constraints induced by an external perturbation resulted in a substantial uncoupling of the hand movements, when interhemispheric coherence would also drop. Together, these results suggest that the contralateral hemisphere predominantly organizes unimanual movements, whereas coupled bimanual movements are mainly controlled from the dominant hemisphere. The close association between changes in interhemispheric coupling and behavioral performance indicates that synchronization of neural activity in the β band is exploited for the control of goal‐directed movement. Hum. Brain Mapping 18:296–305, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiological mapping of body representation in the cortex of the blind mole rat

The cortex of the blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi) was explored for somatosensory responses with special reference to an extension into the occipital cortex which serves vision in sighted mammals. Head and body representation was similar as in other rodents or mammals. However, the somatosensory area extended far into the occipital cortex. No responses to auditory or visual stimulation were found caudal to the somatosensory area. However, auditory responses were recorded in an area lateral to and slightly caudal to the head representation. It is concluded that in this naturally blind animal the area normally occupied by the visual cortex serves somatosensory function.
The prevalence of migraine in neurologists

The authors describe six patients who presented with dysarthria as their isolated or major symptom from a small cortical stroke. Five had infarction and one had hemorrhage. In the patients with ischemic stroke, the lesions were identified by diffusion-weighted MRI but not by T-2 weighted MRI. The lesions were located lateral to the precentral knob usually at the most lateral part of the imaging. The presumed pathogenesis included embolism in five patients and hypertensive hemorrhage in one.