Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mixed–genotype infections of malaria parasites: within–host dynamics and transmission success of competing clones

Mixed–genotype infections of microparasites are common, but almost nothing is known about how competitive interactions within hosts affect the subsequent transmission success of individual genotypes. We investigated changes in the composition of mixed–genotype infections of the rodent malaria Plasmodium chabaudi clones CR and ER by monoclonal antibody analysis of the asexual infection in mice, and by PCR amplification of clone–specific alleles in oocysts sampled from mosquitoes which had fed on these mice. Mixed–clone infections were initiated with a 9:1 ratio of the two clones, with ER as the minority in the first experiment and CR as the minority in the second experiment. When beginning as the majority, clones achieved parasite densities in mice comparable to those achieved in control (single–clone) infections. When they began as the minority, clones were suppressed to less than 10 per cent of control parasitaemias during the early part of the infections. However, in mosquitoes, the frequency of the initially rare clone was substantially greater than it was in mice at the start of the infection or four days prior to the feed. In both experiments, the minority clone in the inocula produced as many, or more, oocysts than it did as a single–clone infection. These experiments show that asexual dominance during most of the infection is poorly correlated to transmission probability, and therefore that the assumption that within–host population size correlates to transmission probability may not be warranted. They also raise the fundamental question of why transmission rates of individual genotypes are often higher from mixed than single–clone infections.
Symptomatic hyponatremia during prolonged exercise in heat.

Although hyponatremia (HN) has been reported among endurance athletes, its etiology often remains uncertain and of great interest to clinicians and physiologists. This case report presents physiologic evidence regarding the etiology and development of HN during exercise in the heat. A 21-yr-old male volunteer (K.G.) unexpectedly experienced symptomatic HN during a research investigation that involved controlled sodium (Na+) intake (137 mEq Na+.d-1 for 7d) and exercise-heat acclimation (41 degrees C; 30 min.h-1, 8 h.d-1 for 10 d). Fluid balance, physiologic variables, and hematologic/hormone data were measured before and after the HN episode, with similar measurements recorded for nine unaffected volunteers. The results indicated: 1) HN was verified in K.G. (plasma Na+ < 130 mEq.l-1) after only 4 h of mild, intermittent exercise in heat; 2) K.G. 's heart rate, rectal temperature, blood pressure, and Na+ losses in sweat and urine were < or = control subjects at all times; 3) between hours 4-7, an inappropriately large release of vasopressin coincided with a decrease of urine volume to 0 ml.h-1. It was concluded that a large intake (10.3 l.7h-1) and retention (2.77 l.7h-1) of water and a "low normal" initial plasma Na+ (134 mEq.l-1) were primary factors in the development of HN in K.G. , whereas Na+ losses in sweat and urine were normal and served only to exacerbate HN.
Feasibility study of logic circuits with a spin wave bus

We present a feasibility study of logic circuits utilizing spin waves for information transmission and processing. As an alternative approach to the transistor-based architecture, logic circuits with a spin wave bus do not use charge as an information carrier. In this work we describe the general concept of logic circuits with a spin wave bus and illustrate its performance by numerical simulations based on available experimental data. Theoretical estimates and results of numerical simulations on signal attenuation, signal phase velocity, and the minimum spin wave energy required per bit in the spin bus are obtained. The transport parameters are compared with ones for conventional electronic transmission lines. The spin wave bus is not intended to substitute traditional metal interconnects since it has higher signal attenuation and lower signal propagation speed. The potential value of a spin wave bus is, however, an interface between electronic circuits and integrated spintronics circuits. The logic circuits with a spin wave bus allow us to provide wireless read-in and read-out.
Changes in cortical interneuron migration contribute to the evolution of the neocortex

The establishment of the mammalian neocortex is often explained phylogenetically by an evolutionary change in the pallial neuronal progenitors of excitatory projection neurons. It remains unclear, however, whether and how the evolutionary change in inhibitory interneurons, which originate outside the neocortex, has been involved in the establishment of the neocortex. In this study, we transplanted chicken, turtle, mouse, and marmoset medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) cells into the embryonic mouse MGE in utero and compared their migratory behaviors. We found that the MGE cells from all of the species were able to migrate through the mouse neocortical subventricular zone and that both the mouse and marmoset cells subsequently invaded the neocortical cortical plate (CP). However, regardless of their birthdates and interneuron subtypes, most of the chicken and turtle cells ignored the neocortical CP and passed beneath it, although they were able to invade the archicortex and paleocortex, suggesting that the proper responsiveness of MGE cells to guidance cues to enter the neocortical CP is unique to mammals. When chicken MGE cells were transplanted directly into the neocortical CP, they were able to survive and mature, suggesting that the neocortical CP itself is essentially permissive for postmigratory development of chicken MGE cells. These results suggest that an evolutionary change in the migratory ability of inhibitory interneurons, which originate outside the neocortex, was involved in the establishment of the neocortex by supplying inhibitory components to the network.
Assessing and ensuring patient safety during breath-holding for radiotherapy

Objective: While there is recent interest in using repeated deep inspiratory breath-holds, or prolonged single breath-holds, to improve radiotherapy delivery, breath-holding has risks. There are no published guidelines for monitoring patient safety, and there is little clinical awareness of the pronounced blood pressure rise and the potential for gradual asphyxia that occur during breath-holding. We describe the blood pressure rise during deep inspiratory breath-holding with air and test whether it can be abolished simply by pre-oxygenation and hypocapnia. Methods: We measured blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate in 12 healthy, untrained subjects performing breath-holds. Results: Even for deep inspiratory breath-holds with air, the blood pressure rose progressively (e.g. mean systolic pressure rose from 133 ± 5 to 175 ± 8 mmHg at breakpoint, p < 0.005, and in two subjects, it reached 200 mmHg). Pre-oxygenation and hypocapnia prolonged breath-hold duration and prevented the development of asphyxia but failed to abolish the pressure rise. The pressure rise was not a function of breath-hold duration and was not signalled by any fall in heart rate (remaining at resting levels of 72 ± 2 beats per minute). Conclusion: Colleagues should be aware of the progressive blood pressure rise during deep inspiratory breath-holding that so far is not easily prevented. In breast cancer patients scheduled for breath-holds, we recommend routine screening for heart, cardiovascular, renal and cerebrovascular disease, routine monitoring of patient blood pressure and SpO2 during breath-holding and requesting patients to stop if systolic pressure rises consistently >180 mmHg and or SpO2 falls <94%. Advances in knowledge: There is recent interest in using deep inspiratory breath-holds, or prolonged single breath-holding techniques, to improve radiotherapy delivery. But there appears to be no clinical awareness of the risks to patients from breath-holding. We demonstrate the progressive blood pressure rise during deep inspiratory breath-holds with air, which we show cannot be prevented by the simple expedient of pre-oxygenation and hypocapnia. We propose patient screening and safety guidelines for monitoring both blood pressure and SpO2 during breath-holds and discuss their clinical implications.
Fibrinolytic Activity in Peripheral Atherosclerosis in the Elderly

Summary Increased concentrations of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) and of D-dimer have jointly been found in subjects with cardiovascular disease. To understand this apparent paradox of increased inhibition of fibrinolysis (high PAI-1) combined with increased fibrinolytic activity (high D-dimer), we examined the relation between D-dimer, PAI-1 and the activator of fibrinolysis, tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) in subjects with varying severity of peripheral atherosclerosis. In 325 subjects selected from the Rotterdam Study, a cohort of 7983 men and women aged 55 years and over, the ankle to brachial systolic blood pressure ratio, t-PA antigen and activity, PAI-1 antigen and D-dimer were measured. T-PA antigen and t-PA activity were, independent from each other, increased with degree of atherosclerosis; t-PA antigen increased with 3.5 ng/ml (SE 1.7, p = 0.04) and t-PA activity with 0.46 IU/ml (0.20, p = 0.02) per unit decrease in ankle to brachial pressure ratio (i.e. increase in atherosclerosis). PAI-1 antigen was not related to atherosclerosis. More marked atherosclerosis was associated with increased D-dimer, mainly in subgroups with PAI-1 antigen below 50 ng/ml, t-PA antigen below 10 ng/ml, or t-PA activity above 1.5 IU/ml. In contrast to current beliefs, we found that only a fraction of the variation of t-PA antigen was due to the variation in circulating PAI-1 antigen. A slight positive association was observed between t-PA antigen and D-dimer. PAI-1 and t-PA activity were not associated with D-dimer concentration. In conclusion, in subjects with peripheral atherosclerosis PAI-1 antigen is not increased, but low PAI-1 levels (and possibly also low levels of t-PA antigen and high levels of t-PA activity) appear to be required to increase circulating D-dimer. This suggests that increased D-dimer levels in subjects with atherosclerosis do not reflect increased inhibition, but rather reflect increased fibrinolysis.
Indications and safety of proton pump inhibitor drug use in patients with cancer

Introduction: Although the exact prevalence of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use in cancer patients is not known, it is generally perceived to be widespread. PPIs are generally well tolerated and carry an excellent safety profile. However, increasing and longer term PPI use has raised concerns about the risk of pneumonia, bone fractures and enteric infections, and a possible interaction with clopidogrel that could increase the risk of cardiovascular events. Areas covered: We conducted a PubMed search of English language articles addressing the safety and adverse events associated with PPI use with particular emphasis in cancer patients. Expert opinion: PPIs, frequently used in cancer patients, are generally well tolerated and carry an excellent safety profile. PPI-induced acid suppression may increase the risk of Clostridium difficile or other enteric infections, nutritional deficiencies and community acquired pneumonia, all particularly important in cancer patients. The indications for PPI use in cancer patients should be carefully reviewed prior to use.
Prevalence and risk factors of HIV infections among drug users and drug-using prostitutes in Amsterdam.

In December 1985 we started a study to determine the prevalence and risk factors of HIV infection among drug users and drug-using prostitutes in Amsterdam. Recruitment took place at methadone posts (not drug-free; i.e. a low-threshold programme on which some drug users continue to use hard drugs, but at a lower level) and the weekly evening sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic for drug-addicted prostitutes. Three hundred and ten drug users have so far been tested and interviewed. Eighty-one per cent reported intravenous drug use; 83% of the 166 females and 15% of the 144 men reported prostitution. Female prostitutes practised mainly vaginal and orogenital intercourse and reported frequent use of condoms (89% of vaginal and 64% of orogenital contact). Male prostitutes practised mainly orogenital and manual contact. At entry 88 of the 310 (28%) were HIV-antibody-seropositive; 85 of these 88 were intravenous drug users and three were male homosexuals. HIV-antigen was detected in two seropositive and one seronegative intravenous drug-user. Antibodies to HTLV-I were found in four out of 308. Risk factors independently associated with HIV-antibody seropositivity among intravenous drug users were: frequency of borrowing used needle or syringe, date of first intravenous drug use, recent intravenous drug use, time living in Amsterdam and German nationality. Of medical history data, an attack of herpes zoster in the previous 5 years had the greatest value in the prediction of the presence of HIV antibodies (relative risk 20.90; 95% confidence interval 2.41-167.27). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mammalian Wnt3a is Released on Lipoprotein Particles

Little is known about the release and intercellular transport of Wnt proteins from mammalian cells. Lipoproteins may act as carriers for the intercellular movement and gradient formation of the lipid‐linked morphogens Wingless and Hedgehog in Drosophila. To investigate whether such a mechanism can occur in mammals, we have studied Wnt release in cultured mammalian cells. Wnt3a associated with lipoproteins in the culture medium and not with extracellular vesicles or exosomes. Although Wnt3a was associated with both high‐density lipoproteins (HDL) and low‐density lipoproteins, only HDL allowed Wnt3a release from mouse fibroblasts. Remarkably, Wnt3a lacking its palmitate moiety was released in a lipoprotein‐independent manner, demonstrating the dual role of palmitoylation in membrane and lipoprotein binding. We additionally found that Wnt3a can be released from enterocyte cell lines on endogenously expressed lipoproteins. We further discuss the physiological implications of our findings.
Premature ejaculation: therapist perspectives

ABSTRACT Premature ejaculation (PE) is a common sexual dysfunction affecting approximately 20%–30% of men. Despite important issues relating to PE definition, diagnosis, and therapy, there is a paucity of research investigating the experiences of practitioners delivering PE treatment. For the present study, interviews were conducted with eight psychosexual therapists and subjected to interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four master themes emerged from the analysis. These were Romantic Relationships, Vulnerability, Culture, and Diagnosis and Assessment. The Romantic Relationships theme included three sub-themes: Intimacy; Involvement; and Distress. Two sub-themes formed the Vulnerability theme: Self-Esteem; and Anxiety. The Culture theme contained three sub-themes: Religion and Ethnicity; Pornography; and Masculinity. The Diagnosis and Assessment theme included two sub-themes: Referral and Definitions. Findings have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of PE. Future research should investigate therapist perceptions further, including those factors which impact on engagement with clients and PE treatment success.
Gender Differences in NSAID Use among Older Adults with Osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed medications for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Little is known about whether there are important gender differences in NSAID use among patients with OA. OBJECTIVE: To examine gender differences in patterns of NSAID use among older adults (≥65 y) with OA. METHODS: Subjects (n = 11 298) were members of a statewide prescription drug plan who responded to a health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) survey in 1997 and had a physician diagnosis of OA. Gender differences in patterns of NSAID use were examined over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the participants filled at least 1 NSAID prescription during the study. Women were significantly more likely to be prescribed an NSAID than men (37% vs. 30%), had a greater total days' supply of NSAIDs, and were more frequently prescribed NSAIDs with greater degrees of cyclooxygenase-2 selectivity. These gender differences persisted in statistical analyses controlling for demographic factors, HRQOL, and gastrointestinal (GI) risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study showed significant gender differences in patterns of NSAID use, and these differences were independent of the risk for GI adverse effects and self-reported symptoms. Further research is needed to examine reasons for these gender variations, as well as their impact on the quality of symptom management.
Incidence of falls and their effect on mobility of individuals over 65 years of age relative to their place of residence.

BACKGROUND Nowadays, there are over 300 mln. people aged 65 years or more living in the world. It is estimated that the number will grow to more than 1.5 billion by 2050. The maintenance of physical fitness of the elderly at a level that enables full functional independence for as long as possible should therefore be a priority. Loss of independence leads to long-term medical, social and economic consequences. The problem of falls has only recently been perceived as one of more significant aspects influencing the fitness and independence of individuals over 65. Identifying the scale of the incidence of falls is a prerequisite for initiating prevention activities. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of falls and their consequences (including fractures and the reduction of physical activity) among persons over 65 years of age living in a big urban area, medium-size and small towns, and rural areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study enrolled 235 inhabitants of a big city (over 1 mln. inhabitants-Warsaw), 85 inhabitants of medium-size and small towns (20-60 thousand inhabitants) and 112 inhabitants of villages (up to 3 thousand inhabitants). The subjects were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire composed of questions concerning the circumstances of a fall, fracture, fear of another fall and a subjective assessment of mobility before and after a fall. The statistical analysis of the data utilised basic statistical parameters and the following tests: the Mann-Whitney U test, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the McNemara test. RESULTS 77% of the inhabitants of towns/cities had suffered a fall, compared to 89% of the inhabitants of villages. The falls most frequently occurred at home and its vicinity (village) and in the street (town/city). Falls had led to fractures in 35-56% of the subjects, depending on the group. Falls led to a significant reduction in mobility--from moderate to low. According to the subjects, this was due to the fear of another fall, an awareness that one was ill and feeling weak, with pain contributing to a smaller extent. Fear of falling occurred significantly more often in the group which had experienced a fall as compared with those with no history of falls. The fear was mainly connected with walking on flat surfaces, climbing stairs, as well as with bending forwards and being in a bathroom. CONCLUSIONS 1. The incidence of falls in the study group was an important problem concerning approx. 81% of the respondents. 2. Fractures, which occurred in about half of subjects, were a dangerous consequence of falls. 3. A fall significantly reduced mobility of the subjects--from moderate to low. 4. The fear of falling was most frequently indicated as the reason for the reduced mobility.
Membrane Changes in Human Platelets Induced by Lipopolysaccharide Endotoxin

The unexplained occurrence of thrombocytopenia in cases of Gramnegative sepsis in man led us, in the light of animal experiments indicating the blood platelet as the target cell for endotoxin, to examine the effect of Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide B on human platelets. Human platelets were separated from a coat of plasma proteins by Sepharose 2B filtration or by a combined procedure of albumin gradient and Sepharose 2B filtration. The action of endotoxin on human platelets resulted in membrane changes manifested by dose‐dependent release of [3H]serotonin and adenine nucleotides. Cytoplasmic marker, lactic dehydrogenase, and lysosomal marker, beta glucuronidase, were retained indicating that the release reaction was selective. Release of [3H]serotonin was specific for endotoxin since other particulates, zymosan and erythrocyte stroma, were without effect. Endotoxin, added to gel‐filtered human platelets, induced a significant evolution of platelet factor 3 procoagulant activity. Preincubation of endotoxin with a membrane‐rich homogenate of human platelets inhibited its labilizing effect on human platelets thus suggesting an interaction between endotoxin and the platelet membrane itself. Other plausible factors in this interaction (fibrinogen, adenine nucleotides, thrombin, sialic acid residues, and IgG) were eliminated on the basis of a series of control experiments. From the negligible effect of aspirin and indomethacin, we may infer that the interaction of endotoxin with platelets does not depend on the platelet prostaglandin synthesis pathway.
Pyoderma gangrenosum and Wegener granulomatosis‐like syndrome induced by cocaine

Cocaine abuse is associated with various skin and rheumatological diseases that mimic primary autoimmune diseases, including retiform purpura with involvement of the ears, cocaine‐induced midline destructive lesions (CIMDL), and eruptive pyoderma gangrenosum (PG). Previous reports have suggested the use of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA) with specificity against human neutrophil elastase (HNE) to differentiate these cocaine‐induced diseases from primary autoimmune diseases. We describe a case of a 54‐year‐old woman with a history of cocaine abuse, who had PG lesions on her legs with accompanying CIMDL and lung lesions similar to those seen in Wegener granulomatosis. Detection of HNE‐positive pANCA, and improvement or clinical recurrence after cessation or consumption of cocaine, respectively, were key to differentiating this presentation from primary autoimmune disease.
Profiling Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in farms using serology and a nested PCR technique

Implications: The nested PCR detects M. hyopneumoniae earlier then serology. Moreover, detecting M. hyopneumoniae from nasal swabs offers new and valuable information in helping interpret serum profiles and figuring out when animals get infected and how and where M. hyopneumoniae is being transmitted. This information will potentially allow for better timing in the application of medication, vaccination, or management strategies.
On Transmission Model for Massive MIMO under Low-Resolution Output Quantization

A general analytical framework based on generalized mutual information is applied to the analysis of massive multiple-input-multiple-output systems with low-resolution output quantization. For Gaussian codebook ensemble and nearestneighbor decoding rule, an equivalence relationship is established for general nonlinear transceiver distortion, that the effective signal-to-noise ratio based on the generalized mutual information is consistent with the heuristically derived signal-to-quantizationnoise ratio based on Bussgang theorem. Specializing to lowresolution output quantization, an extensively used approximate model called the additive quantization noise model is shown to be inconsistent with the generalized mutual information analysis, but this inconsistency can be remedied by taking into account the correlation within the quantization noise vector.