Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transplacental Transport of IgG Antibodies Specific for Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae Type b, and Neisseria meningitidis Serogroup C Is Lower in Preterm Compared With Term Infants

Background: Maternal antibodies, transported through the placenta during pregnancy, contribute to the protection of infants from infectious diseases during the first months of life. The aim of this study was to measure the concentration of antibodies against several vaccine-preventable diseases in paired maternal and cord blood serum samples in preterm and term infants and to assess placental transfer ratios and infant antibody concentrations against vaccine-preventable diseases. Methods: Antibody concentrations specific against pertussis proteins (pertussis toxin, filamentous hemagglutinin, pertactin, and fimbriae), diphtheria and tetanus toxins, and antibody concentrations specific against polysaccharides from Haemophilus influenzae type b and Neisseria meningitidis serogroup C were measured in cord blood samples from preterm (<32 weeks and 1500 g) and term infants and maternal serum samples, using a fluorescent bead-based multiplex immunoassay. Results: A total of 96 preterm and 42 term infants and their mothers were included in the study. Placental transfer ratios of antibodies against all vaccine antigens were significantly lower in preterm infants (medians varied from 0.26 to 0.86) compared with term infants (medians, 0.74–1.89; all antibodies P < 0.05). Furthermore, polysaccharide-vaccine–specific antibodies showed lower transplacental transport ratios than protein-vaccine–specific antibodies. Maternal concentrations are the most important determinants of infant antibody concentrations against vaccine-preventable diseases. Conclusions: Preterm infants benefit to a lesser extent from maternal antibodies against vaccine-preventable diseases than term infants, posing them at higher risk for infectious diseases in the first months of life.
Asymptotic Properties of Maximum Likelihood Estimators and Likelihood Ratio Tests under Nonstandard Conditions

Abstract Large sample properties of the likelihood function when the true parameter value may be on the boundary of the parameter space are described. Specifically, the asymptotic distribution of maximum likelihood estimators and likelihood ratio statistics are derived. These results generalize the work of Moran (1971), Chant (1974), and Chernoff (1954). Some of Chant's results are shown to be incorrect. The approach used in deriving these results follows from comments made by Moran and Chant. The problem is shown to be asymptotically equivalent to the problem of estimating the restricted mean of a multivariate Gaussian distribution from a sample of size 1. In this representation the Gaussian random variable corresponds to the limit of the normalized score statistic and the estimate of the mean corresponds to the limit of the normalized maximum likelihood estimator. Thus the limiting distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator is the same as the distribution of the projection of the Gaussian random v.
X-ray microtomography of materials

AbstractX-ray microtomography allows imaging of the interior microstructure of materials non- destructively and with spatial resolution which can approach that of optical microscopy (typically, no better than 1 μm in samples whose cross-sectional diameter is on the order of 1 mm, and 10 &µm for 10 mm specimens). First, X-ray microtomography's origin in medical imaging and the physics behind computed tomography are reviewed. Summaries of apparatus, radiation sources, data collection schemes, and of materials applications follow. To date, most materials applications fall into one of four areas: inorganic matrix composites, transport in porous media, calcified tissue, and fatigue crack closure. Details of studies in each area highlight the advantages X-ray microtomography brings, and the final section focuses on future directions suggested by recent work using imaging modalities other than X-ray attenuation.
Correlation of perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MRI with NIHSS score in acute (<6.5 hour) ischemic stroke

Background: Diffusion-weighted (DWI) and perfusion-weighted (PWI) MRI are powerful new techniques for the assessment of acute cerebral ischemia. However, quantitative data comparing the severity of clinical neurologic deficit with the results of DWI or PWI in the earliest phases of stroke are scarce. Such information is vital if MRI is potentially to be used as an objective adjunctive measure of stroke severity and outcome. Objective: The authors compared initial DWI and PWI lesion volumes with subsequent 24-hour neurologic deficit as determined by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score in acute stroke patients. Initial DWI and PWI volumes were also compared with T2W MRI lesion volume at 1 week to assess the accuracy of these MRI techniques for the detection of acute cerebral ischemia. Methods: Patients with stroke underwent MRI scanning within 6.5 hours of symptom onset. Lesion volumes on DWI and PWI were measured and compared with 24-hour NIHSS score. Initial DWI and PWI volumes were also compared with T2W lesion size at 1 week. Results: There was a high correlation between 24-hour NIHSS score and lesion volume as determined by PWI (r = 0.96, p < 0.001) or DWI(r = 0.67, p = 0.03). A similar high correlation was seen between T2W stroke size at 7 days and initial DWI and PWI lesion size(r = 0.99, p < 0.00001). Conclusions: Both DWI and PWI are highly correlated with severity of neurologic deficity by 24-hour NIHSS score. These findings may have substantial implications for the use of MRI scanning in the assessment and management of acute stroke patients.
Probiotic and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli: An effective strategy against a deadly enemy?

Abstract Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are major food-borne pathogens that constitute a serious public health threat. Currently, there is no specific treatment available for EHEC infections in human creating an urgent need for the development of alternative therapeutic strategies. Among them, one of the most promising approaches is the use of probiotic microorganisms. Even if many studies have shown the antagonistic effects of probiotic bacteria or yeast on EHEC survival, virulence, adhesion on intestinal epithelium or pathogen-induced inflammatory responses, mechanisms mediating their beneficial effects remain unclear. This review describes EHEC pathogenesis and novel therapeutic strategies, with a particular emphasis on probiotics. The interests and limits of a probiotic-based approach and the way it might be incorporated into global health strategies against EHEC infections will be discussed.
Effects of Acute, Heavy-Resistance Exercise on Urinary Peptide Hormone Excretion in Humans

Abstract To examine physical exercise-related changes in urinary excretion of protein/peptide hormones and to correlate modifications with the general increase in post-exercise proteinuria, urine C-peptide, insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and their plasma concentrations were measured. Plasma and urinary C-peptide, insulin and IGF-I before (Bex) and at the end (Eex) of physical exercise (a 2.5-hour competition, 102 km) were analysed in 20 young cyclists. At Eex compared with Bex, concentration of urinary C-peptide decreased slightly but significantly (21.3±2.7 vs. 13.5±1.7 nmol/l), but urinary insulin and urinary IGF-I concentrations significantly increased at Eex (92.5±4.2 vs. 131.4±15.7 pmol/l and 10.0±2.1 vs. 33.6±3.8 pmol/l, respectively). Plasma insulin and plasma C-peptide significantly decreased, whereas plasma IGF-I was unchanged. Urinary concentrations of total proteins and creatinine significantly increased. Both Eex urinary C-peptide/urinary protein and urinary C-peptide/urinary creatinine ratios were significantly reduced. The correlation between C-peptide and insulin in plasma was confirmed at Bex as well as Eex, but in urine only at Bex. An increased renal tubular reabsorption of C-peptide at the end of exercise might be suggested, but the expected values considering creatinine excretion were almost three times less. The Eex urinary insulin concentration was higher than expected, considering the circulation levels, but lower when compared with the expected concentration considering creatinine excretion. Physical exercise proteinuria, related to an increased protein filtration and a saturation of the mechanisms responsible for the reabsorption, does not appear similar for all peptide hormones. Clin Chem Lab Med 2003; 41(10):13081313
Self-optimization of handover parameters for dynamic small-cell networks

Seamless handover is an essential feature of cellular networks. For small-cell networks, effective handover becomes particularly challenging. If some cells may be activated and deactivated dynamically, effective handover handling will become even more difficult. A key factor of good handover performance is "handover timing," that is, making handover decision at a right time. If handover is executed too early or too late, users will experience temporary link disconnection, called radio link failure RLF. Handover timing is controlled by handover parameters, which are set by the network. RLF prevention is directly related to the proper configuration of these parameters. In this paper, we propose a self-optimization scheme that adjusts the handover parameters to minimize RLFs for dynamic small-cell networks. Our scheme first detects the types of RLF and then adjusts the handover parameters according to the types of RLF. Unlike most existing schemes, our scheme adjusts both system common parameters and cell-specific parameters together. In certain situations, such as when two adjacent cells do not have sufficient coverage overlap, RLFs may not be reduced to a satisfactory level by the handover parameter adjustment alone. To deal with such a case, our scheme adjusts the cell coverage in conjunction with the handover parameter optimization. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme can virtually eliminate RLFs. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression and physiology of performance regulating genes in transgenic sheep.

The potential of man to alter the genome of animals by means other than classical breeding was realized around a decade ago. Gordon et al. (1980) and Costantini & Lacy (1981) reported on the ability of DNA, injected into one of the pronuclei of mouse embryos, to enter and become stably integrated into the genome. This work demonstrated how livestock productivity might be improved drastically by the introduction of appropriate homogeneic or xenogeneic fusion genes developed in the laboratory. This method could create new genetic combinations resulting either in expression of important proteins in quantities that can be harvested, for example from milk, or in modification of physiology such that livestock can be produced more efficiently or with altered characteristics. This latter possibility was dramatically demonstrated by Palmiter et al. (1982) who showed that growth of mice responded to zinc induction of an incorporated mouse metallothionein—rat growth hormone (mMt—rGH) fusion gene. Production of the first transgenic sheep and pigs was reported by Hammer et al. (1985b) who used a mMt—human GH (mMt—hGH) fusion gene construct. Subsequently, physiological abnormalities resulted from the uncontrolled expression of the GH gene (Pursel et al., 1987, 1989; Rexroad et al., 1989), and this exemplified the largely empirical nature of these studies based on inadequate knowledge concerning physiological processes regulating production. Since 1985 there have been few genes successfully integrated into sheep and none has yet proved to be of benefit to the livestock industry. Attempts to modify milk protein production utilizing P-lactoglobulin promoter fusion genes appear to suffer from under-expression (Simons et al., 1988; Clark et al., 1989). The use of transgenic sheep to produce proteins such as human anti-haemophilic Factor IX and human al-antitrypsin for the pharmaceutical industry are not expected to alter the basic physiology of sheep and will not be considered here. Transgenic sheep and pigs carrying a fusion gene based on various GH genes represent the major performance regulating genes that have been reported to alter significantly the physiology of their carriers. The genes used at the Beltsville laboratory (Hammer et al., 1985b, 1986; Pursel et al., 1987; Rexroad et al., 1989) have been constructed from mouse Mt promoters using GH sequences taken from human and bovine sources. The other gene used, human GH-releasing factor, also caused overproduction of endogenous pituitary-derived GH and this resulted in physiological effects similar to those caused by the GH transgenes (Hammer et al., 1985a; Rexroad et al., 1989). From our laboratory, Murray et al. (1989) reported the production of transgenic sheep using sheep metallothionein la—sheep GH fusion genes (sMt—sGH, the MtsGHseries). In this paper, we report
Evaluation of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire as a screening instrument

Reliability and validity of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCD-Q) was assessed using a population-based sample of 608 children (311 males, 297 females; mean age 7 y 8 mo [SD 2 y 4 mo]), a sample of 55 children with DCD referred to a rehabilitation clinic, and a control sample of 55 children matched for age and sex (48 males, seven females in each sample; mean age 8 y 3 mo [SD 2 y]). The DCD-Q is reliable and valid in the age range for which the questionnaire was developed(8 y-14 y 7 mo) and in a younger age range (4-8 y). Sensitivity and specificity of the DCD-Q was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children as the criterion standard. The DCD-Q met the standard for sensitivity (80%) in the clinic-referred sample (81.6%), but not in the population-based sample (28.9%). Specificity almost reached the standard of 90%: 89% in the population-based sample and 84% in the clinic-referred sample.
Sodium-level-sensitive sodium channel and salt-intake behavior.

Mammals feel thirsty or develop an appetite for salt when the correct balance between water and sodium in the body fluid has been disrupted, but little is known about the mechanism in the brain that controls salt homeostasis. It has been postulated that the existence of both an osmoreceptor and a specific sodium receptor is required to accommodate the experimental data (Johnson and Edwards, 1990; Denton et al., 1996). Several candidate osmoreceptors have been reported (Oliet and Bourque, 1993; Wells, 1998; Liedtke et al., 2000); however, a specific sodium receptor has not been identified. The Nax channel—formerly called NaG/SCL11 (in rats), Nav2.3 (in mice) and Nav2.1 (in humans)—has been classified as a subfamily of voltage-gated sodium channels (Goldin et al., 2000). The primary structure of Nax, however, markedly differs from that of other voltage-gated sodium channel family members and includes differences in the key regions for voltage sensing and inactivation. The functional properties of the channel are poorly understood, as all attempts to induce functional expression of Nax in heterologous systems have failed. Several years ago, we generated mice in which the Nax gene was knocked-out by insertion of the lacZ gene in-frame and found that the Nax channel is expressed in cells in the circumventricular organs (CVOs) (Watanabe et al., 2000), in particular the subfornical organ (SFO) and organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT), which are important regions for the control of body fluid ionic balance; for the expression other than the CNS (see Watanabe et al., 2002). Under thirst conditions, Nax-deficient mice showed hyperactivity of the neurons in these two areas and ingested excessive salt: Wild-type mice take water and stop salt ingestion under dehydrated condition. Infusion of a hypertonic Na solution into the cerebral ventricle also induced extensive water intake and aversion to saline (0.3 M
Interaction structures formed in the psychodynamic therapy of five patients with borderline personality disorder in crisis.

OBJECTIVES To identify interaction structures (i.e., patterns of reciprocal interaction) that characterize the treatments of patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in crisis. DESIGN A 6-month naturalistic psychotherapy process and outcome study in which interaction structures were correlated with outcome data. METHODS Five BPD patients in crisis participated in 6 months of three-times-per-week psychodynamic therapy. Patients completed a measure of psychological distress every week. One hundred and twenty-seven sessions were audiotaped and coded using the Psychotherapy Process Q-Set. RESULTS Four interaction structures were identified: (1) collaborative relationship with supportive, reassuring therapist (IS1), (2) therapist empathic attunement (IS2), (3) erotized therapeutic relationship (IS3) and (4) directive therapist with compliant patient (IS4). The magnitude of these four interaction structures varied within and between the five therapist-patient dyads over time. Interaction structures correlations with time were inversely proportional to interaction structures correlations with distress levels. IS2 was correlated with two different outcomes in patient 3's and patient 5's treatments--a positive outcome for patient 3's treatment and a negative outcome for patient 5's treatment. CONCLUSIONS An effective treatment model for BPD patients in crisis needs to promote the emergence of empathically attuned interactions as well as supportive and directive interventions as dictated by the patient's individual needs. These treatments require flexibility to accommodate the patient's unique presentation in crisis. The therapeutic dyad senses which interaction structures to increase or decrease over time to reduce the patient's distress.
Relationship between brain volumetric changes and interim drinking at six months in alcohol-dependent patients.

BACKGROUND Chronic alcohol consumption results in brain damage potentially reversible with abstinence. It is however difficult to gauge the degree of recovery of brain tissues with abstinence since changes are subtle and a significant portion of patients relapse. State-of-the-art morphometric methods are increasingly used in neuroimaging studies to detect subtle brain changes at a voxel level. Our aim was to use the most refined morphometric methods to observe in alcohol dependence the relationship between volumetric changes and interim drinking over a 6-month follow-up. METHODS Overall, 19 patients with alcohol dependence received volumetric T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after detoxification. A 6-month follow-up study was then conducted, during which 11 of them received a second MRI scan. First, correlations were conducted between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes of patients at alcohol treatment entry and the amount of alcohol consumed between treatment entry and follow-up. Second, longitudinal analyses were performed from pairs of MRI scans using tensor-based morphometry in the 11 patients, and correlations were computed between the resultant Jacobian maps of GM and WM and interim drinking. RESULTS Our preliminary results showed that, among others, alcoholics with smaller thalamus at alcohol treatment entry tended to resume with heavy alcohol consumption (p < 0.005 uncorrected [unc.]). Our longitudinal study revealed an overall inverse relationship between recovery of brain structures like the cerebellum, striatum, and cingulate gyrus, and the amount of alcohol consumed over the 6-month follow-up (p < 0.005 unc.). The recovery could be observed not only with strict abstinence but also in cases of moderate resumption of alcohol consumption, when there had been no drastic relapse into alcohol dependence. CONCLUSIONS Those preliminary findings indicate that the volume of the thalamus at treatment entry may have an influence on subsequent interim drinking. There is recovery of certain brain regions even when patients resume with moderate, but not drastic, alcohol consumption.
Sequestosome 1/p62, a Scaffolding Protein, Is a Newly Identified Partner of IRS-1 Protein*

Background: Sequestosome 1/p62 is a scaffolding protein that plays a critical role in receptor-mediated signal transduction. Results: p62 interacts with IRS-1 to enhance the Akt phosphorylation, GLUT4 translocation, and glucose uptake upon insulin stimulation. Conclusion: p62 participates in IRS-1 insulin signaling. Significance: p62 plays a role in insulin-signaling, which provides a potential mechanism for its connection to type 2 diabetes. Defects in the insulin-signaling pathway may lead to the development of skeletal muscle insulin resistance, which is one of the earliest abnormalities detected in individuals with the metabolic syndrome and predisposes them to develop type 2 diabetes. Previous studies have shown that deletion of the mouse sequestosome 1/p62 gene results in mature-onset obesity that progresses to insulin and leptin resistance and, ultimately, type 2 diabetes. Sequestosome 1/p62 is involved in receptor-mediated signal transduction and functions as an intracellular signal modulator or adaptor protein. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) plays a central role in transducing the insulin signal via phosphorylation, protein-protein interactions, and protein modifications. Mapping studies demonstrated that the SH2 domain at the amino terminus of sequestosome 1/p62 interacts with IRS-1 upon insulin stimulation. Further, IRS-1 interacts with p62 through its YMXM motifs at Tyr-608, Tyr-628, and/or Tyr-658 in a manner similar to its interaction with p85 of phosphoinositol 3-kinase. Overexpression of p62 increased phosphorylation of Akt, GLUT4 translocation, and glucose uptake, providing evidence that p62 participates in the insulin-signaling pathway through its interactions with IRS-1.
Economic impact of generic substitution of lamotrigine: projected costs in the US using findings in a Canadian setting

ABSTRACT Background: Generic substitution may not always save health care costs for antiepileptic drugs (AED). Objective: (1) To examine the economic impacts of generic substitution of lamotrigine in Canada; and (2) to convert observed Canadian costs to a United States (US) setting. Methods: Health claims from Québec's health plan (RAMQ) between 08/2002 and 07/2006 were analyzed. Patients with ≥ 1 epilepsy claim and treated with branded lamotrigine (Lamictal*) before generic entry were selected. Health care costs ($/person-year) were compared during periods of branded and generic use of lamotrigine. Two cost-conversion methods were employed; one using purchasing power parities, US/Canada service use ratios, and exchange rate, and another employing Canadian health care utilization and US unit costs. Results: 671 patients were observed during 1650.9 and 291.2 person-years of branded and generic use of lamotrigine, respectively. The generic-use period was associated with an increase in overall costs (2006 constant Canadian dollars) relative to brand use (C$7902 vs. C$6419/person-year; cost ratio (CR) = 1.22; p = 0.05), despite the lower cost of generic lamotrigine. Non-lamotrigine costs were 33% higher in the generic period ( p = 0.013). Both conversion methods yielded increases in total projected health care costs excluding lamotrigine (2006 constant US dollars) during the generic period (Method 1: cost difference: US$1758/person-year, CR = 1.33, p = 0.01); Method 2: cost difference: US$2516, CR = 1.39, p = 0.004). Limitations: Study limitations pertain to treatment differences, indicators used for conversion and possible claim inaccuracies. Conclusion: Use of generic lamotrigine in Canada was significantly associated with increased overall medical costs compared to brand use. Projected overall US health care costs would likely increase as well.