Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacologic and hemodynamic effects of combined beta-agonist stimulation and phosphodiesterase inhibition in the failing human heart.

STUDY OBJECTIVES We measured the individual and combined effects of the beta-agonist dobutamine and the phosphodiesterase inhibitor enoximone both in vitro and in vivo in the failing human heart. DESIGN This was an unblinded, prospective study. SETTING AND PATIENTS The in vitro measurements were performed on 20 hearts obtained from subjects with end-stage biventricular failure and from seven normal hearts. The in vivo measurements were performed in eight subjects with class IV heart failure. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS The in vitro measurements of enoximone, dobutamine, and the combination of these agents were phosphodiesterase activity using a sarcoplasmic reticulum-enriched preparation, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation using particulate fractions, and tension response using isolated right ventricular trabeculae. The dose response to dobutamine, the combination of enoximone and dobutamine, and the combination of nitroprusside and dobutamine were measured in vivo using invasive hemodynamic monitoring. RESULTS In vitro, enoximone exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of phosphodiesterase activity. The addition of enoximone to dobutamine resulted in an upward and leftward shift of the dobutamine dose-response curve for both cAMP production and contractile response. In vivo, enoximone significantly shifted the dobutamine dose-response curves for cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index, and heart rate upward and to the left; and shifted the dobutamine dose-response curves for right atrial, pulmonary arterial, and pulmonary wedge pressures downward and to the right. CONCLUSIONS Enoximone exerts favorable effects on cardiac performance that are additive to those produced by dobutamine. These effects are mediated by increasing cellular cAMP concentrations through independent, additive mechanisms.
Floral humidity as a reliable sensory cue for profitability assessment by nectar-foraging hawkmoths

Most research on plant–pollinator communication has focused on sensory and behavioral responses to relatively static cues. Floral rewards such as nectar, however, are dynamic, and foraging animals will increase their energetic profit if they can make use of floral cues that more accurately indicate nectar availability. Here we document such a cue—transient humidity gradients—using the night blooming flowers of Oenothera cespitosa (Onagraceae). The headspace of newly opened flowers reaches levels of about 4% above ambient relative humidity due to additive evapotranspirational water loss through petals and water-saturated air from the nectar tube. Floral humidity plumes differ from ambient levels only during the first 30 min after anthesis (before nectar is depleted in wild populations), whereas other floral traits (scent, shape, and color) persist for 12–24 h. Manipulative experiments indicated that floral humidity gradients are mechanistically linked to nectar volume and therefore contain information about energy rewards to floral visitors. Behavioral assays with Hyles lineata (Sphingidae) and artificial flowers with appropriate humidity gradients suggest that these hawkmoth pollinators distinguish between subtle differences in relative humidity when other floral cues are held constant. Moths consistently approached and probed flowers with elevated humidity over those with ambient humidity levels. Because floral humidity gradients are largely produced by the evaporation of nectar itself, they represent condition-informative cues that facilitate remote sensing of floral profitability by discriminating foragers. In a xeric environment, this level of honest communication should be adaptive when plant reproductive success is pollinator limited, due to intense competition for the attention of a specialized pollinator.
Implementation of Lifestyle Modification Program Focusing on Physical Activity and Dietary Habits in a Large Group, Community-Based Setting

Background. Lifestyle modification programs improve several health-related behaviors, including physical activity (PA) and nutrition. However, few of these programs have been expanded to impact a large number of individuals in one setting at one time. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether a PA- and nutrition-based lifestyle modification program could be effectively conducted using a large group format in a community-based setting. Method. One hundred twenty-one participants enrolled in a 16-week, community-based lifestyle modification program and separated in small teams of 13 to 17 individuals. Height, weight, fruit and vegetable (FAV) consumption, physical fitness, and several psychosocial measures were assessed before and after the program. Results. Significant improvements in 6-minute walk distance (+68.3 m; p < .001), chair stands (+6.7 repetitions; p < .001), FAV servings (+1.8 servings/day; p < .001), body weight (−3.2 lbs; p < .001), as well as PA social support and eating habits self-efficacy were observed. Our lifestyle modification program was also successful in shifting participants to higher levels of stages of change for nutrition and PA, increasing overall levels of self-efficacy for healthy eating, and improving levels of social support for becoming more active. Conclusions. A lifestyle modification program can be successfully implemented in a community setting using a large group format to improve PA and FAV attitudes and behaviors.
Assessment of post-fire vegetation recovery in Southern Siberia using remote sensing observations

Wildfire is one of the main disturbances affecting forest dynamics, succession, and the carbon cycle in Siberian forests. The Zabaikal region in southern Siberia is characterized by one of the highest levels of fire activity in Russia. Time series of Landsat data and field measurements of the reforestation state were analyzed in order to estimate post-fire vegetation recovery. The results showed that the normalized burn ratio time series can be used to estimate forest recovery in the pine- and larch-dominated forests of the Zabaikal region. Multiple factors determine a forest’s recovery rate after a wildfire, including fire severity, tree species characteristics, topography, hydrology, soil properties, and climate. Assessing these factors is important if we are to understand the effects of fire on forest succession and to implement sustainable forest management strategies. In this work we used the field data and Landsat data to estimate post-fire vegetation dynamics as a function of several environmental factors. These factors include fire severity, pre-fire forest state, topography, and positive surface temperature anomalies. A regression model showed that fire frequency, fire severity, and surface temperature anomalies are the primary factors, explaining about 58% of the variance in post-fire recovery. High frequency of fire and positive surface temperature anomalies hamper the post-fire reforestation process, while more severe burns are followed by higher recovery rates. Further studies are necessary to consider other important factors such as soil properties, moisture, and precipitation, for better explanation of post-fire vegetation recovery.
Dielectric spectroscopy by differential measurements in transmission lines on self-associating nanostructures

Sodium dodecyl sulfate micellar solutions in water were studied by dielectric spectroscopy (DS) to investigate relaxation processes. The experimental complex permittivity vs. frequency was analyzed by fitting the experimental data with three different models to characterize the micelled surfactant: single Debye, Cole-Cole and double Debye. Ohmic conductance data were also obtained. Results were compared with results recently obtained by other groups.
WRKY75 Transcription Factor Is a Modulator of Phosphate Acquisition and Root Development in Arabidopsis1[C][W][OA]

Phosphate (Pi) deficiency limits plant growth and development, resulting in adaptive stress responses. Among the molecular determinants of Pi stress responses, transcription factors play a critical role in regulating adaptive mechanisms. WRKY75 is one of several transcription factors induced during Pi deprivation. In this study, we evaluated the role of the WRKY75 transcription factor in regulating Pi starvation responses in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). WRKY75 was found to be nuclear localized and induced differentially in the plant during Pi deficiency. Suppression of WRKY75 expression through RNAi silencing resulted in early accumulation of anthocyanin, indicating that the RNAi plants were more susceptible to Pi stress. Further analysis revealed that the expression of several genes involved in Pi starvation responses, including phosphatases, Mt4/TPS1-like genes, and high-affinity Pi transporters, was decreased when WRKY75 was suppressed. Consequently, Pi uptake of the mutant plant was also decreased during Pi starvation. In addition, when WRKY75 expression was suppressed, lateral root length and number, as well as root hair number, were significantly increased. However, changes in the root architecture were obvious under both Pi-sufficient and Pi-deficient conditions. This indicates that the regulatory effect of WRKY75 on root architecture could be independent of the Pi status of the plant. Together, these results suggest that WRKY75 is a modulator of Pi starvation responses as well as root development. WRKY75 is the first member of the WRKY transcription factor family reported to be involved in regulating a nutrient starvation response and root development.
Differential substrate recognition capabilities of Janus family protein tyrosine kinases within the interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) system: Jak3 as a potential molecular target for treatment of leukemias with a hyperactive Jak-Stat signaling machinery.

Substrate recognition by Janus family protein tyrosine kinases was examined utilizing recombinant baculovirus produced components of the interleukin 2 receptor (IL2R) system i.e. Jak1, Transducers and Activators of Transcription (STAT). Wild type Jak3 was able to tyrosine phosphorylate a kinase-dead Jak1 (Jak1E908). In contrast wild type Jak1 was unable to tyrosine phosphorylate kinase dead Jak3 (Jak3E851). This unilateral transphosphorylation between Jak3 and Jak1 prompts the hypothesis that in the IL2R system the activation of Jak3 precedes Jak1 activation. Both the IL2Rbeta and IL2Rgammac subunits underwent tyrosine phosphorylation when co-expressed with wild-type Jak3. By comparison only IL2Rbeta was recognized and tyrosine phosphorylated by wild-type Jak1. These results are consistent with the notion that Jakl is pre-associated with IL2Rbeta and Jak3 is pre-associated with IL2Rgammac. STAT1, STAT3, and STAT5 underwent tyrosine phosphorylation when co-expressed with Jakl and therefore are substrates for the respective Jak kinases. In contrast, Jak3 co-expression resulted in tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5 but not STAT1. Notably a polypeptide representing the kinase domain of Jak3 (Jak3-JH1) gained the ability to tyrosine phosphorylate STAT1, suggesting that the changes in substrate recognition may be influenced by domains outside the kinase domain. These findings provide evidence that Jak1 and Jak3 differentially recognize specific substrates, thereby having the ability to contribute specific signals, and the substrate specificity may be influenced by multiple domains of these tyrosine kinases.
Screening for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in young athletes.

BACKGROUND For more than 20 years in Italy, young athletes have been screened before participating in competitive sports. We assessed whether this strategy results in the prevention of sudden death from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common cardiovascular cause of death in young athletes. METHODS We prospectively studied sudden deaths among athletes and nonathletes (35 years of age or less) in the Veneto region of Italy from 1979 to 1996. The causes of sudden death in both populations were compared, and the pathological findings in the athletes were related to their clinical histories and electrocardiograms. Cardiovascular reasons for disqualification from participation in sports were investigated and follow-up was performed in a consecutive series of 33,735 young athletes who underwent preparticipation screening in Padua during the same period. RESULTS Of 269 sudden deaths in young people, 49 occurred in competitive athletes (44 male and 5 female athletes; mean age, 23+/-7 years). The most common causes of sudden death in athletes were arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (22.4 percent), coronary atherosclerosis (18.4 percent), and anomalous origin of a coronary artery (12.2 percent). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy caused only 1 sudden death among the athletes (2.0 percent) but caused 16 sudden deaths in the nonathletes (7.3 percent). Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was detected in 22 athletes (0.07 percent) at preparticipation screening and accounted for 3.5 percent of the cardiovascular reasons for disqualification. None of the disqualified athletes with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy died during a mean follow-up period of 8.2+/-5 years. CONCLUSIONS The results show that hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was an uncommon cause of death in these young competitive athletes and suggest that the identification and disqualification of affected athletes at screening before participation in competitive sports may have prevented sudden death.
Lupus vulgaris complicated by metastatic squamous cell carcinoma

A 47‐year‐old Bedouin man presented with an ulcerated nodule of several months’ duration on the nape of the neck. The nodule developed on an asymptomatic, slowly growing plaque which appeared during childhood. Physical examination revealed two erythematous plaques covering the posterior and right lateral aspects of the neck. The border of the plaques was soft, circinate, with a reddish‐brown color, while the center was slightly erythematous and atrophic. An ulcerated nodule measuring 2 cm was seen on one of the plaques ( Fig. 1 ). Physical examination was unremarkable with no lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests, including complete blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and routine chemistry tests, were all within normal limits. Chest X‐ray showed a small calcified perihilar lymph node. The Mantoux test was positive with erythema and induration of 15 mm after 48 h. Biopsy from a plaque showed extensive diffuse granulomatous infiltration throughout the dermis with epithelioid and Langhans giant cells surrounded by mononuclear inflammatory cells. No caseation necrosis was present. Ziehl–Neelsen, periodic acid–Schiff (PAS), and Giemsa stains were negative. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria from a skin sample was also negative. Fresh tissue cultures yielded M. tuberculosis after 6 weeks.
Personality characteristics influencing determinacy of day and night blood pressure and heart rate

The evidence of emotional impacts on day and night blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and non‐dipping of BP remains fragmentary. Personality traits previously tested by self‐reports as determinants of office, screening or mean daytime BP produced mixed results. Therefore, we hypothesized that some traits are acting together as modifiers of 24‐h and day/night ambulatory BP and HR. A population sample of healthy 47–54 year‐old men, n = 85, unaware of their BP status, was evaluated. In multiple regression, 25% of the 24‐h systolic BP (SBP) variation was explained by independent augmenting predictors Trait Anger–Anger Expression Styles, Large and Lasting Emotions, and by an attenuating predictor Anxiety. Only Verbal Aggression increased night‐time SBP much more than daytime SBP and diminished day–night dipping of SBP. Strong Large/Lasting Emotions and Indirect Aggression increased daytime SBP only. Day and night HR increased with a high Suspicious Hostility (7.4% of variation), in particular with items Distrust/Vulnerability (11.5% of variation). In conclusion, mean levels of HR and BP during a 24‐h period are slightly modified by particular personality traits. Some traits appear to affect either daytime or night‐time periods more. Day to night carry‐over effects on SBP may occur.
Bovine leukaemia virus genotypes 5 and 6 are circulating in cattle from the state of São Paulo, Brazil.

PURPOSE Enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) is a silent disease caused by a retrovirus [bovine leukaemia virus (BLV)]. BLV is classified into almost 10 genotypes that are distributed in several countries. The present research aimed to describe two BLV gp51 env sequences of strains detected in the state of São Paulo, Brazil and perform a phylogenetic analysis to compare them to other BLV gp51 env sequences of strains around the world. METHODOLOGY Two bovines from different herds were admitted to the Bovine and Small Ruminant Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Brazil. In both, lymphosarcoma was detected and the presence of BLV was confirmed by nested PCR. The neighbour-joining algorithm distance method was used to genotype the BLV sequences by phylogenetic reconstruction, and the maximum likelihood method was used for the phylogenetic reconstruction. The phylogeny estimates were calculated by performing 1000 bootstrap replicates. RESULTS Analysis of the partial envelope glycoprotein (env) gene sequences from two isolates (25 and 31) revealed two different genotypes of BLV. Isolate 25 clustered with ten genotype 6 isolates from Brazil, Argentina, Thailand and Paraguay. On the other hand, isolate 31 clustered with two genotype 5 isolates (one was also from São Paulo and one was from Costa Rica). The detected genotypes corroborate the results of previous studies conducted in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The prediction of amino acids showed substitutions, particularly between positions 136 and 150 in 11 out of 13 sequences analysed, including sequences from GenBank. CONCLUSION BLV is still important in Brazil and this research should be continued.
General trends in airborne pollen production and pollination periods at a Mediterranean site (Badajoz, southwest Spain).

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine trends in the airborne pollen concentration and pollination period for the principal sources of pollen in Badajoz (southwest Spain) over 15 years of monitoring (1994-2008). METHODS Airborne pollen was monitored by continuous sampling with a Hirst volumetric sampler. Pollen trends were investigated by linear regression and correlation analysis using mean annual and monthly pollen concentrations. The aerobiological results were compared with meteorological data (temperature and rainfall). RESULTS During the study period, the mean total annual rainfall was 66.2 mm lower than normal and the mean annual temperature 0.8 degrees C higher than normal. No temporal trend was found for total airborne pollen concentration, but differences were observed for monthly data, namely, an increase in January, February, and May and a decrease in March and June. For the different pollen types studied, there was a general trend toward increased values in the month with the highest values, and this trend seemed to be related to temperature.The beginning of the main pollen season occurred later, and the end occurred sooner; therefore, the main pollen season seems to be shorter. CONCLUSIONS Our data reflect trends in the response of plants to changing rainfall stress patterns in Mediterranean countries, and these trends seem to be different from those of temperate countries. Nonetheless, a longer study period will be required to confirm these preliminary conclusions.
An explicit formula for the smoother weights of the Hodrick–Prescott filter

Abstract By applying the Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury (SMW) formula and a discrete cosine transformation matrix, De Jong and Sakarya [De Jong, R. M. , and N. Sakarya. 2016. “The Econometrics of the Hodrick–Prescott Filter. ” Review of Economics and Statistics 98 (2): 310–317] recently derived an explicit formula for the smoother weights of the Hodrick–Prescott filter. More recently, by applying the SMW formula and the spectral decomposition of a symmetric tridiagonal Toeplitz matrix, Cornea-Madeira [Cornea-Madeira, A. 2017. “The Explicit Formula for the Hodrick–Prescott Filter in Finite Sample. ” Review of Economics and Statistics 99: 314–318] provided a simpler formula. This paper provides an alternative simpler formula for it and explains the reason why our approach leads to a simpler formula.
Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria in a Urology Ward: Epidemiology, Risk Factors and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns

Introduction: Our aim was to describe the incidence and risk factors associated with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and their resistance rate in a urological ward. Material and Methods: We carried out a prospective observational study from November 2011 to December 2014, reviewing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in our department. We evaluated the infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Results: The incidence of HAIs in our urology ward was 6.8%. Enterobacteriaceae including Escherichia coli (24.9%), Klebsiella spp. (12.1%), Enterobacter spp. (5.9%), Morganella spp. (1.5%), Proteus spp. (1.5%), and Citrobacter spp. (1.5%) represented 47.4% of the isolated pathogens. The percentage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was 26.4. Risk factors associated with a higher incidence of ESBL-producing bacteria were prior urinary tract infection (UTI; p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.042), immunosuppression (p = 0.004), and urinary stone (p = 0.027). The multivariable analysis confirmed prior UTI, immunosuppression and urinary stone as risk factors. ESBL-producing strains showed resistance rates of 85.3% for fluoroquinolones and 11.8% for carbapenems. Moreover, 16.7% of ESBL-Klebsiella were resistant to carbapenems. Conclusions: ESBL-producing enterobacteria are associated with higher cross resistance to antibiotics such as quinolones. Higher resistance rates are reported in ESBL-producing Klebsiella. Among patients admitted in a urology ward, risk factors for ESBL-producing strains were previous UTI, immunosuppression, and urinary stone.
A study of clinical presentations and complications of foreign body in the bronchus - own experience.

OBJECTIVES In this study, we studied varied clinical presentations and complications of a foreign body in the airway and complications of bronchoscopy, if carried out. METHODS A prospective observational clinical study in a tertiary care centre from June 2010 to May 2012 included 46 paediatric patients aged less than 12 years, with suspected foreign body aspiration, all of whom underwent rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia. All the patients were subjected to history taking, clinical examination, and investigations (pre- and post-op chest X-ray and CT virtual bronchoscopy, if required). RESULTS The most common age of presentation was 1 to 3 years, within 48 hours from aspiration. A total of 87% of patients had a definite history of aspiration, with cough (69.5%), and unilateral decreased air entry (91.3%) being the most common symptom and clinical sign, respectively. Emphysema was the most frequent finding on chest X-ray (71.7%), and the sensitivity of CT virtual bronchoscopy was 80%. Majority of the foreign bodies were organic (84.7% - especially peanuts) and mostly found in the right bronchus (47.8%). Post-op complications were rare (pneumothorax, pneumonic patch), and were managed conservatively. None of the patients required a tracheostomy and there was zero mortality. CONCLUSIONS A positive history is by itself an indication for bronchoscopy. Clinical signs and X-ray changes should guide the clinicians towards the possible location of the foreign body. CT virtual bronchoscopy can be carried out in suspected cases with no specific history or clinical signs. Bronchoscopy can be conducted with minimal complications when performed by co-ordination of an expert surgeon and an anaesthetist.