Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic effect of peripheral administration of an anti‐prion protein antibody on mice infected with prions

It is generally thought that effective treatments for prion diseases need to inhibit prion propagation, protect neuronal tissues and promote functional recovery of degenerated nerve tissues. In addition, such treatments should be effective even when given after clinical onset of the disease and administered via a peripheral route. In this study, the effect of peripheral administration of an anti‐PrP antibody on disease progression in prion‐infected mice was examined. mAb 31C6 was administered via the tail veins of prion‐infected mice at the time of clinical onset (120 days post‐inoculation with the Chandler prion strain) and the distribution of this mAb in the brain and its effect on mouse survival assessed. The antibody was distributed to the cerebellums and thalami of the infected mice and more than half these mice survived longer than mice that had been given a negative control mAb. The level of PrPSc in the mAb 31C6‐treated mice was lower than that in mice treated with the negative control mAb and progression of neuropathological lesions in the cerebellum, where the mAb 31C6 was well distributed, appeared to be mitigated. These results suggest that administration of an anti‐PrP mAb through a peripheral route is a candidate for the treatment of prion diseases.
The Adsorption Protein Genes of Xanthomonas campestris Filamentous Phages Determining Host Specificity

ABSTRACT Gene III (gIII) of φLf, a filamentous phage specifically infecting Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris, was previously shown to encode a virion-associated protein (pIII) required for phage adsorption. In this study, the transcription start site for the gene and the N-terminal sequence of the protein were determined, resulting in the revision of the translation initiation site from the one previously predicted for this gene. For comparative study, the gIII of φXv, a filamentous phage specifically infecting X. campestris pv. vesicatoria, was cloned and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequences of these two pIIIs exhibit a high degree of identity in their C-terminal halves and possess the structural features typical of the adsorption proteins of filamentous phages: a signal sequence in the N terminus, a long glycine-rich region near the center, and a hydrophobic membrane anchorage domain in the C terminus. The regions between gIII and the upstreamgVIII, 128 nucleotides in both phages, are larger than those of other filamentous phages. A hybrid phage of φXv, consisting of the φLf pIII and all the other components derived from φXv, was able to infect X. campestris pv. campestris but notX. campestris pv. vesicatoria, indicating thatgIII is the gene specifying host specificity and demonstrating the interchangeability of the pIIIs.
EEG Monitored ECT

Summary EEG monitored ECT was administered to 20 patients, 12 females and 8 males. One hundred and fifty-six treatments were given (mean 7.8 treatments/patient), and the relation between clinically observed seizures (COS) and the cerebral patterns of convulsions (EPC) was compared. If clinical observation alone had been used, restimulation would have been necessary in 43 per cent of the treatments, whereas restimulation actually was done in 9 per cent. Similarly, too violent convulsion patterns would have been ignored in 5 per cent of the treatments.
Megachiropteran bats profoundly unique from microchiropterans in climbing and walking locomotion: Evolutionary implications

Understandably, most locomotor analyses of bats have focused on flight mechanics and behaviors. However, we investigated nonflight locomotion in an effort to glean deeper insights into the evolutionary history of bats. We used high-speed video (300 Hz) to film and compare walking and climbing mechanics and kinematics between several species of the suborders Megachiroptera (Pteropodidae) versus Microchiroptera (Vespertilionidae and Phyllostomatidae). We found fundamentally distinctive behaviors, functional abilities, and performance outcomes between groups, but nearly homogeneous outcomes within groups. Megachiropterans exhibited climbing techniques and skills not found in microchiropterans and which aligned with other fully arboreal mammals. Megachiropterans climbed readily when placed in a head-up posture on a vertical surface, showed significantly greater ability than microchiropterans to abduct and extend the reach of their limbs, and climbed at a greater pace by using a more aggressive ipsilateral gait, at times being supported by only a single contact point. In addition, megachiropterans showed little ability to employ basic walking mechanics when placed on the ground, also a pattern observed in some highly adapted arboreal mammals. Conversely, microchiropterans resisted climbing vertical surfaces in a head-up posture, showed significantly less extension of their limbs, and employed a less-aggressive, slower contralateral gait with three points of contact. When walking, microchiropterans used the same gait they did when climbing which is representative of basic tetrapod terrestrial mechanics. Curiously, megachiropterans cycled their limbs significantly faster when climbing than when attempting to walk, whereas microchiropterans cycled their limbs at significantly faster rates when walking than when climbing. We contend that nonflight locomotion mechanics give a deep evolutionary view into the ancestral es locomotor platform on which flight was built in each of these groups.
Did Jan van Eyck build the first photocopier in 1432?

Recently it has been claimed that some early Renaissance painters used concave mirrors to project real inverted images onto their supports (paper, canvas, oak panel, .) which they then traced or painted over, and that this was an important source of the increase in realism in European painting around 1420. Key exhibits adduced as evidence in support of this bold theory are a pair of portraits by Jan van Eyck of Cardinal Niccolo Albergati(&? ) - a silverpoint study of 1431 and a larger oil of 1432. The contours in these two works bear striking resemblance in form (after being appropriately scaled) and at least one distinctive "relative shift" - evidence that has led proponents of the projection theory to claim that the oil was copied by means of an epidiascope or primitive opaque projector, the shift due to an accidental "bump" during the copying process. We find several difficulties with this optical explanation: there are at least two relative shifts (one horizontal and one vertical), the latter being somewhat unlikely given the putative projection equipment and setup; these shifts are in the ratio of distances of nearly 1:2, a ratio that has no natural role in the projection explanation; any accidental "bump" would surely have been noticed by van Eyck, and if so desired, corrected by him; recent analysis shows physical evidence (tiny pinpricks presumably from mechanical compass) consistent with mechanical transfer that has no role in the optical explanation; and several other points. The fidelity of the copy as well as the direction and relative magnitudes of these shifts are, however, consistent with the use of a familiar grid construction and with mechanical transfer using drawing compass and ruler or Reductionszirkel. Further, there are prominent vertical Bruchkanten (fold or fraction) lines on the grounded paper in the silverpoint study whose orientation and separation have no natural role in an optical theory, but have a plausible role in other explanations. Our rebuttal to the projection theory for these works is supposed by considertaion of hte lack of documentary evidence from both artists and scientists, of surviving optical devices, and of the artistic goals and established painting praxis in the early Renaissance.
Lipid-lowering efficacy of rosuvastatin.

BACKGROUND Rosuvastatin is one of the most potent statins and is currently widely prescribed. It is therefore important to know the dose-related magnitude of effect of rosuvastatin on blood lipids. OBJECTIVES Primary objective To quantify the effects of various doses of rosuvastatin on serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in participants with and without evidence of cardiovascular disease. Secondary objectives To quantify the variability of the effect of various doses of rosuvastatin.To quantify withdrawals due to adverse effects (WDAEs) in the randomized placebo-controlled trials. SEARCH METHODS We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 10 of 12, 2014 in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (1946 to October week 5 2014), EMBASE (1980 to 2014 week 44), Web of Science Core Collection (1970 to 5 November 2014) and BIOSIS Citation Index (1969 to 31 October 2014). No language restrictions were applied. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled and uncontrolled before-and-after trials evaluating the dose response of different fixed doses of rosuvastatin on blood lipids over a duration of three to 12 weeks. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently assessed eligibility criteria for studies to be included and extracted data. WDAEs information was collected from the placebo-controlled trials. MAIN RESULTS One-hundred and eight trials (18 placebo-controlled and 90 before-and-after) evaluated the dose-related efficacy of rosuvastatin in 19,596 participants. Rosuvastatin 10 to 40 mg/day caused LDL-cholesterol decreases of 46% to 55%, when all the trials were combined using the generic inverse variance method. The quality of evidence for these effects is high. Log dose-response data over doses of 1 to 80 mg, revealed strong linear dose-related effects on blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. When compared to atorvastatin, rosuvastatin was about three-fold more potent at reducing LDL-cholesterol. There was no dose-related effect of rosuvastatin on blood HDL-cholesterol, but overall, rosuvastatin increased HDL by 7%. There is a high risk of bias for the trials in this review, which would affect WDAEs, but unlikely to affect the lipid measurements. WDAEs were not statistically different between rosuvastatin and placebo in 10 of 18 of these short-term trials (risk ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 1.47). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The total blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of rosuvastatin was linearly dependent on dose. Rosuvastatin log dose-response data were linear over the commonly prescribed dose range. Based on an informal comparison with atorvastatin, this represents a three-fold greater potency. This review did not provide a good estimate of the incidence of harms associated with rosuvastatin because of the short duration of the trials and the lack of reporting of adverse effects in 44% of the placebo-controlled trials.
Characteristics of elderly tuberculosis patients in Recife, Brazil: a contribution to the tuberculosis control program.

OBJECTIVE To describe the demographic characteristics, everyday habits, socio-economic conditions, clinico-epidemiological profiles and access to health care services among the elderly patients with tuberculosis diagnosed and treated in the city of Recife, Brazil, comparing them to those observed in young adults with tuberculosis. METHODS A case-control type strategy was used to evaluate a cohort of patients with tuberculosis, all of whom were treated in public health care facilities in Recife between May of 2001 and July of 2003. RESULTS The final cohort consisted of 1127 patients: 136 elderly patients (cases) and 991 young adults (controls). In both groups, males predominated, and the most common form of tuberculosis was the pulmonary form. Alcoholism was more common in the control group, whereas illiteracy was more common in the case group. There were fewer complaints of cough, sweats and chest pain among the patients in the case group than among those in the control group. Serological testing for the human immunodeficiency virus was performed in only 29 patients (2.6%). The percentage of positive sputum smear microscopy results, as well as that of positive cultures, was higher in the controls. Prior to being diagnosed with the disease, patients in both groups had sought treatment at more than two health care facilities and had waited more than two months (after first seeking treatment). The elderly patients presented higher indices of cure and were more often compliant with the treatment regimen, yet presented higher mortality rates. CONCLUSION In the population studied, the elderly presented less cough, fewer episodes of night sweats and less chest pain, as well as less often presenting positivity on complementary exams. Nevertheless, the mortality rate was higher among the elderly patients than among the young adult patients. Elderly patients with tuberculosis constitute a population that should be given special attention in public health care facilities.
Enzymatic remodeling of heparan sulfate proteoglycans within the tumor microenvironment: Growth regulation and the prospect of new cancer therapies

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), via their interactions with numerous effector molecules such as FGF‐2, IL‐8, and VEGF, regulate the biological activity of cells by acting as co‐receptors that promote signaling. The extent and nature of their role as co‐receptors is often misregulated in cancer as manifested by alterations in HSPG structure and expression level. This misregulation of HSPGs can aid in promoting the malignant phenotype. In addition to expression‐related changes in HSPGs, recent discoveries indicate that HSPGs localized within the tumor microenvironment can be attacked by enzymes that alter proteoglycan structure resulting in dramatic effects on tumor growth and metastasis. This review focuses on remodeling of HSPGs by three distinct mechanisms that occur in vivo; (i) shedding of proteoglycan extracellular domains from cell surfaces, (ii) fragmentation of heparan sulfate chains by heparanase, and (iii) removal of sulfates from the 6‐O position of heparan sulfate chains by extracellular sulfatases. Assessing or monitoring the remodeling of HSPGs has important implications for tumor diagnosis and patient prognosis while therapeutic manipulation of the remodeling process represents an exciting new possibility for treating cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The evaluation of developmental enamel defects and dental treatment conditions in a group of Turkish children with congenital heart disease

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to determine developmental enamel defects and dental treatment conditions in children with congenital heart disease by comparing them with a control group of healthy children. Methods: Children included in the study were referred to a paediatric dentistry for dental examination and treatment after undergoing routine examination in a paediatric clinic. Results: The congenital heart disease group included 72 children and the control group included 56 healthy children. Children in the age group of 3–14 years were included in this study. The mean age of the congenital heart disease group and control group was 6.24±2.85 and 6.73±3.01, respectively. The mean values of the decayed, missing, and filled indices for primary and permanent teeth in the congenital heart disease group were 2.80±3.77 and 0.81±1.63, respectively. In the control group, the values were 1.87±3.31 and 0.72±1.46, respectively. The care score for primary teeth was 3.6% in the congenital heart disease group and 13.3% in the control group. The enamel defect was detected in at least one permanent tooth in seven out of 72 children (9.7%) in the congenital heart disease group and in three out of 56 children (5.3%) in the control group. Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference in the development of dental caries or the prevalence of enamel defects between children with congenital heart disease and healthy children, the care score was low in children with congenital heart disease. In addition, children with congenital heart disease had a higher rate of pulled primary teeth and delayed treatment of decayed teeth.
Cycle length-dependent action potential duration in canine cardiac Purkinje fibers.

We studied the effects of pharmacologic probes that affect predominantly the Na inward current [tetrodotoxin (TTX), lidocaine], the slow inward current [cobalt, isoproterenol, verapamil], and the potassium currents [tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), SG-75] on the duration of the action potential (APD) of canine cardiac Purkinje fibers during steady state and restitution. A schema is proposed in which the APD during steady state or restitution is determined by three factors: maximum action potential duration (APDmax), kinetics of restitution, and "memory. " The predicted APDmax was 469 +/- 34 (SE) ms (n = 27) in control. It was prolonged (P less than 0.05) by cobalt, verapamil, and TEA and shortened (P less than 0.05) by TTX, lidocaine, isoproterenol, and SG-75. In control, the kinetics of restitution were described by a sum of two exponentials with time constant T1 = 137 +/- 9 ms and T2 = 1,665 +/- 135 ms (n = 27), respectively. T1 was prolonged (P less than 0.05) by TTX, lidocaine, and verapamil but was not changed by other probes. None of the probes studied altered the T2 of restitution or the memory factor, computed at a cycle length of 500 ms from the predicted APDmax and the plateau of restitution. Low temperature (31 degrees C) prolonged APDmax and T1 and reduced the memory. We conclude that each of the proposed three factors is controlled by different mechanisms and that a TTX-sensitive current appears to contribute to the process of restitution of APD.
Implant-supported fixed prostheses in the edentulous maxilla. A 2-year clinical and radiological follow-up of treatment with non-submerged ITI implants.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the survival rate of non-submerged solid-screw ITI dental implants with a rough (titanium plasma sprayed, TPS) surface in the edentulous maxilla after 1 and 2 years of loading. MATERIAL AND METHOD Twenty-five patients (mean age 64 years) with edentulous upper jaws received five-seven implants and, after a mean healing time of 6.9 months, screw-retained implant-supported fixed prostheses. A total of 146 ITI solid screw TPS implants were inserted. The diameter of 56% of the implants was smaller (3.3 mm) than the standard (4.1 mm) and the diameter of the rest (44%) was standard. The bone quantity of the majority of the patients was low and the bone quality poor. Clinical parameters were registered at baseline and at two annual follow-ups. Radiological examinations and assessments were also made at these times. RESULTS Mean marginal bone level at baseline was measured at a point 4.52 mm (range 1.45-7.70, SD 1.2) apical of the reference point. Mean bone loss from baseline to 1 year of loading was 0.24 mm (SD 0.9, P=0.002) and from 1 year to 2 years of loading 0.15 mm (SD 0.4, P<0.001). Five implants failed, four of which were early failures prior to loading. One implant failed shortly after bridge installation. The cumulative survival rate was 96.6% after 1 and 2 years. CONCLUSION ITI TPS solid-screw implants in combination with fixed prostheses had successful survival rates and were found to be a viable treatment alternative in the edentulous maxilla.
Fabrication of Metal-on-Glass High-Pitch Adapters Between VLSI Electronics and Semiconductor Sensors by Laser Ablation

High Energy Physics experiments make extensive use of silicon sensors for tracking purposes. The high granularity of the modern detectors makes the connection between the segmented sensor channels and the readout electronics very complex. Furthermore, due to the mismatch between the detector pad pitch and the electronics a direct connection is not possible in most of the cases. A new method for the fabrication of pitch adapters is presented using metal-on-glass technology. In this new method the high-density metal traces are manufactured by means of laser ablation of the metal layer deposited on top of a glass substrate. This new procedure is faster, simpler and cheaper than photolithography for prototyping or low volume production. Different prototypes have been successfully manufactured and tested for electrical conductivity, bondability and metrology. Detectors have been assembled using these pitch adapters and tested in particle beams at CERN.
Prevalence and factors associated with non-utilization of healthcare facility for childbirth in rural and urban Nigeria: Analysis of a national population-based survey

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the rural–urban differences in the prevalence and factors associated with non-utilization of healthcare facility for childbirth (home delivery) in Nigeria. Methods: Dataset from the Nigeria demographic and health survey, 2013, disaggregated by rural–urban residence were analyzed with appropriate adjustment for the cluster sampling design of the survey. Factors associated with home delivery were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: In rural and urban residence, the prevalence of home delivery were 78.3% and 38.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The lowest prevalence of home delivery occurred in the South-East region for rural residence (18.6%) and the South-West region for urban residence (17.9%). The North-West region had the highest prevalence of home delivery, 93.6% and 70.5% in rural and urban residence, respectively. Low maternal as well as paternal education, low antenatal attendance, being less wealthy, the practice of Islam, and living in the North-East, North-West and the South-South regions increased the likelihood of home delivery in both rural and urban residences. Whether in rural or urban residence, birth order of one decreased the likelihood of home delivery. In rural residence only, living in the North-Central region increased the chances of home delivery. In urban residence only, maternal age ⩾ 36 years decreased the likelihood of home delivery, while ‘Traditionalist/other’ religion and maternal age < 20 years increased it. Conclusion: The prevalence of home delivery was much higher in rural than urban Nigeria and the associated factors differ to varying degrees in the two residences. Future intervention efforts would need to prioritize findings in this study.
Combined Dysplastic and Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: Possible Etiology

Study Design. Four cases of combined dysplastic and higher-level isthmic spondylolisthesis were studied. Objective. To attempt to understand the possible etiology of this unreported combination. Summary of Background Data. Dysplastic spondylolisthesis is thought to be hereditary. It is believed that isthmic spondylolisthesis, the more common type, is acquired. Multiple spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis have been reported, but no cases of combined dysplastic and isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods. The global and segmental Cobb angles of the lumbar vertebrae and sagittal vertical alignment were measured in four patients who presented with lower back pain and varying degrees of pain radiation to the lower limb. Posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were taken with patients standing barefooted. Three of the patients underwent surgery. The fourth patient refused surgery. Results. The global and segmental Cobb angles were found significantly increased in these patients. Increased segmental extension angles were clearer at the levels above the dysplastic vertebrae and at the level of the isthmic defect. Large anterior translation of the thorax was noted in all cases. Conclusions. The authors believe that this unusual combination may have resulted from hyperlordosis occurring above the dysplastic vertebrae, which caused increased stresses that led to the isthmic defect. This combination should be investigated in patients with dysplastic spondylolisthesis and hyperlordosis.