Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The unfolded protein response is associated with early tau pathology in the hippocampus of tauopathies

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is a stress response activated upon disturbed homeostasis in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Previously, we reported that the activation of the UPR closely correlates with the presence of phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). As well as increased presence of intracellular p‐tau, AD brains are characterized by extracellular deposits of β amyloid (Aβ). Recent in vitro studies have shown that Aβ can induce ER stress and activation of the UPR. The aim of the present study is to investigate UPR activation in sporadic tauopathies like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and Pick's disease (PiD), and familial cases with frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP‐17) which carry mutations in the gene encoding for tau (MAPT). The presence of phosphorylated pancreatic ER kinase (pPERK) and phosphorylated inositol requiring enzyme 1α (pIRE1), which are indicative of an activated UPR, was assessed by immunohistochemistry in cases neuropathologically defined as frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau pathology (FTLD‐tau). Increased presence of UPR activation markers pPERK and pIRE1 was observed in neurons and glia in FTLD‐tau cases, in contrast to FTLD subtypes negative for tau pathology or in non‐neurological controls. pPERK and pIRE1 were also prominently present in relatively young carriers of MAPT mutation. A strong association between the presence of UPR activation markers and p‐tau was observed in the hippocampus of FTLD‐tau cases. Double immunohistochemical staining on FTLD‐tau cases revealed that UPR activation is predominantly observed in neurons that show diffuse staining of p‐tau. These data demonstrate that UPR activation is intimately connected with the accumulation and aggregation of p‐tau, and occurs independently from Aβ deposits. Our findings provide new pathological insight into the close association between p‐tau and UPR activation in tauopathies. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous measurement of refractive index and thickness for optically transparent object with a dual-wavelength quantitative technique

We present a new dual-wavelength quantitative measurement approach that can be employed for simultaneously measuring both the refractive index and the thickness of the homogenous specimen. This method is realized by dual-wavelength in-line phase-shifting digital holography, and then the phase images are obtained by using four-phase step algorithm for each wavelength separately. Based on computer simulation technology, the feasibility and the effectiveness of our proposed method are demonstrated by comparing our simulation results with the experimental results of the spherical silica bead and the red blood cell, respectively. Our work will provide some guidance in the experimental research for transparent phase objects.
Working Memory, Metacognitive Uncertainty, and Belief Bias in Syllogistic Reasoning

Studies of syllogistic reasoning have shown that the size of the belief bias effect varies with manipulations of logical validity and problem form. This paper presents a mental models-based account, which explains these findings in terms of variations in the working-memory demands of different problem types. We propose that belief bias may reflect the use of a heuristic that is applied when a threshold of uncertainty in one's processing—attributable to working-memory overload-is exceeded during reasoning. Three experiments are reported, which tested predictions deriving from this account. In Experiment 1, conclusions of neutral believability were presented for evaluation, and a predicted dissociation was observed in confidence ratings for responses to valid and invalid arguments, with participants being more confident in the former. In Experiment 2, an attempt to manipulate working-memory loads indirectly by varying syllogistic figure failed to produce predicted effects upon the size of the belief bias effect. It is argued that the employment of a conclusion evaluation methodology minimized the effect of the figural manipulation in this experiment. In Experiment 3, participants’ articulatory and spatial recall capacities were calibrated as a direct test of working-memory involvement in belief bias. Predicted differences in the pattern of belief bias observed between high and low spatial recall groups supported the view that limited working memory plays a key role in belief bias.
Does chronic otitis media cause sensorineural hearing loss?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether chronic middle ear infection is associated with sensorineural hearing loss. METHOD Audiometric data from 123 patients with unilateral chronic otitis media were compared using the non-involved ear as a control. The average bone threshold at 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, the speech reception threshold, and the extent of the disease was compared using the t-test, linear regression, and MANOVA techniques. RESULTS A highly significant association was found between the presence of chronic otitis media and sensorineural hearing loss. The great variability in our data imply that some individuals are particularly susceptible to chronic otitis media. We offer one suggestion as to why this may occur. CONCLUSION Sensorineural hearing loss is associated with chronic ear infection with some persons being particularly vulnerable.
The effects of environmental stressors on the mortality of the oldest old male population in Hong Kong, 1977–2006

Although age–sex-specific mortality rates were decreasing over the years, such a trend was not observed for the male population aged 85 or above (the oldest old) in Hong Kong. Despite literature suggesting that environmental stressors were associated with higher mortality, the adverse effects of socioeconomic and political events were seldom included. Hence, this study explored the relationship between environmental stressors covering adverse weather conditions as well as key socioeconomic and political events and fluctuations in the oldest old mortality rates in Hong Kong during the period 1977 to 2006. The oldest old mortality rates in Hong Kong were observed to have a likelihood of being associated with these environmental stressors. Furthermore, men appeared to be more susceptible to these risk factors than did women. More care and attention should be given to the oldest old men, in particular, during periods of socioeconomic or political upheavals. A cohort study would be useful to study these stressors in greater detail.
Laminoplasty Versus Subtotal Corpectomy| A Comparative Study of Results in Multisegmental Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

A comparative study of surgical results was used to determine the tratment of choice for multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy, forty-one patients who received subtotal corpectomy and strut grafting (SCS) and forty-tow undergoing laminoplasty were followed up for at least 2 years after surgery. Regarding factos known to affect surgical prognosis (age at surgery, duration of symptoms, severity of neurologic deficit, anteroposterior canal diameter, transverse area of the cord at the site of maximum compression, number of levels invoived), the two groups were statistically comparable with each other. The sevenity of neurologic deficits was assessed by the Japaneses Orthopaedic Association scale. Results were evaluated in terms of postoperative score and recovery rate, The difference between the recovery rate and final score between the two groups was not statistically significant. Surgical complications were more frequent in the subtotal corpectomy and strut grafting group than in the laminoplasty group. The most frequent complications encountered in the subtotal corpectomy and strut grafting group were related to bone grafting. Spinal aligment worsened in six patients of the laminoplasty group, but none of them suffered from neurologic deterioration, Another disadvantage of subtotal corpectomy and strut grafting was the longer postoperative period of bed rest needed to secure graft stability. We conclude that laminoplasty should be the treatment of choice for multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy when neurologic results, incidence of complications, and postoperstive treatment are taken into consideration.
Ser/Thr Protein Phosphatase 5 Inactivates Hypoxia-induced Activation of an Apoptosis Signal-regulating Kinase 1/MKK-4/JNK Signaling Cascade*

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascades are multifunctional signaling networks that influence cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and cellular responses to stress. Since the activation/propagation of MAPK signaling requires the sequential phosphorylation of many downstream proteins, the phosphatases that dephosphorylate MAPKs represent critical elements in the control of MAPK-signaling networks. Here we show that hypoxia induces a transient increase in the activity of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK-1), a MAPKKK that responds to oxidative stress by triggering cascades leading to the phosphorylation/activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and p38-MAPK. Hypoxia-induced ASK-1/MKK-4/JNK signaling is suppressed by serine/threonine protein phosphatase type 5 (PP5), which acts to turn off ASK-1/MKK-4/JNK signaling via two mechanisms. First, in a rapid response hypoxia facilitates the association of endogenous PP5 with ASK-1. PP5 binds to the C-terminal domain of ASK-1, and studies with siRNA targeting PP5 indicate that PP5 acts to suppress the phosphorylation of MKK4 (Thr-261), JNK (Thr-183/Tyr-185), and c-Jun (Ser-63) without affecting the activating phosphorylation of p38 MAPK (Thr-180/Tyr-182), p44/p42-MAPK/ERK1/2 (Thr-202/Tyr-204), or c-Jun protein levels. If hypoxia is prolonged, the expression of PP5 is increased due to the activation of a transcriptional activator, which was identified as hypoxia-inducible factor-1. Together, these studies indicate that PP5 plays an important role in the survival of cells in a low oxygen environment by suppressing a hypoxia-induced ASK-1/MKK4/JNK signaling cascade that promotes an apoptotic response.
Cellular Vacuolation and Mitochondrial Cytochrome c Release Are Independent Outcomes of Helicobacter pylori Vacuolating Cytotoxin Activity That Are Each Dependent on Membrane Channel Formation*

Helicobacter pylori vacuolating toxin (VacA) is a secreted toxin that is reported to produce multiple effects on mammalian cells. In this study, we explored the relationship between VacA-induced cellular vacuolation and VacA-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Within intoxicated cells, vacuolation precedes cytochrome c release and occurs at lower VacA concentrations, indicating that cellular vacuolation is not a downstream consequence of cytochrome c release. Conversely, bafilomycin A1 blocks VacA-induced vacuolation but not VacA-induced cytochrome c release, which indicates that cytochrome c release is not a downstream consequence of cellular vacuolation. Acid activation of purified VacA is required for entry of VacA into cells, and correspondingly, acid activation of the toxin is required for both vacuolation and cytochrome c release, which suggests that VacA must enter cells to produce these two effects. Single amino acid substitutions (P9A and G14A) that ablate vacuolating activity and membrane channel-forming activity render VacA unable to induce cytochrome c release. Channel blockers known to inhibit cellular vacuolation and VacA membrane channel activity also inhibit cytochrome c release. These data indicate that cellular vacuolation and mitochondrial cytochrome c release are two independent outcomes of VacA intoxication and that both effects are dependent on the formation of anion-selective membrane channels.
Improved functional outcome for severely injured children treated at pediatric trauma centers.

BACKGROUND Controversy exists regarding the impact of pediatric trauma centers (PTC) on survival for injured children. However, functional outcome for children treated at PTC compared with adult trauma centers (ATC) has not been evaluated. METHODS An analysis of children entered in the Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study between 1993 and 1997 was conducted. Patients were stratified according to type of trauma center: PTC; Level I ATC; Level II ATC; or ATC with added qualifications (AQ). Functional outcome at discharge was analyzed. RESULTS For severely injured children, there was an overall trend toward improved functional outcome at PTC compared with ATC AQ and ATC I, but no difference compared with ATC II. PTC showed improved functional outcome at discharge for head injury compared with ATC AQ and ATC I. CONCLUSION There is an overall trend toward improved functional outcome at discharge for children treated at PTC compared with those treated at ATC AQ and ATC I. Improved outcome for head injury may be a key factor contributing to improved outcome at PTC.
Current Approaches to Venous Ulcers and Compression

BACKGROUND Venous ulcers affect as many as 2.5 million people in the United States and can cause substantial pain and loss of function. OBJECTIVE To review current approaches to venous ulcers and compression. METHOD Treatment options that have been proposed in the literature are discussed utilizing the Cochrane library database, Medline, and the author's clinical experience. RESULTS Diagnostic findings and management strategies for venous ulcers are reviewed. CONCLUSION Good wound care and compression therapy will heal the majority of small venous ulcers of short duration. For ulcers that are slow to heal, other approaches such as venous surgery and grafting with conventional or bioengineered skin substitutes should be considered.
Customer Dissatisfaction and Complaining Responses Towards Mobile Telephony Services

The paper examines customer satisfaction and complaint responses towards Mobile telephony services. The study was a cross%sectional survey involving cu stomers from two mobile telephony companies. Data were collected using a self%administered struc tured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0). The study found that customer satisfaction rating differed according to the mobile networks, and previous dissatisfaction significantly influences complaining response. Again, dissatisfied customers tend to complain more than satisfied ones. Moreover, dissatisfaction may not necessarily induce complaining and some satisfied customers may still complain. Furthermore, previous dissatisfaction may not always negatively affect overall satisfaction if it is effectively managed. Finally, the study indicates that the highest rated complaining response is complaining in person to the customer service center and the least is complaining to the mass media. Implications and limitations are discussed. This paper contributes to providing empirical evidence on consumer complaining behavior in mobile telephony industry in developing country context.
Role of a nosX Homolog in Streptococcus gordonii in Aerobic Growth and Biofilm Formation

ABSTRACT Oral streptococci such as Streptococcus gordonii are facultative anaerobes that initiate biofilm formation on tooth surfaces. An isolated S. gordonii::Tn917-lac biofilm-defective mutant contained a transposon insertion in an open reading frame (ORF) encoding a homolog of NosX of Ralstonia eutropha, a putative maturation factor of nitrous oxide reductase. Located downstream are two genes, qor1 and qor2, predicted to encode two putative NADPH quinone oxidoreductases. These three genes are cotranscribed, forming a putative oxidative stress response (osr) operon in S. gordonii. Inactivation of nosX, qor1, or qor2 resulted in biofilm-defective phenotypes. Expression of nosX, measured by the β-galactosidase activity of the nosX::Tn917-lac mutant, was growth-phase dependent and enhanced when grown under aerobic conditions or in the presence of paraquat. Real-time reverse transcription-PCR revealed that nosX-specific mRNA levels were increased approximately 8.4 and 3.5 fold in biofilm-derived cells grown on plastic and glass, respectively, when compared to planktonic cells. Expression of nosX increased 19.9 fold in cells grown under aerated aerobic conditions and 4.7 fold in cells grown under static aerobic conditions. Two ORFs immediately adjacent to the osr operon encode a putative NADH oxidase (Nox) and a putative thiol-specific antioxidant enzyme (AhpC, for alkyl hydroperoxide peroxidase C). Expression of nox and ahpC was also significantly increased in cells grown under aerated and static aerobic conditions when compared to anaerobic conditions. In addition, nox expression was increased in biofilm cells compared to planktonic cells. These genes may be part of an island that deals with oxidoreductive response, some of which may be important in S. gordonii biofilm formation.
Potential Transformer Accuracy at 60HZ Voltages Above and Below Rating and at Frequencies Above 60 HZ

Two standard, commercially available potential transformers designed for 60 Hz power applications are evaluated for use at frequencies of up to 10 kHz and voltages both above and below nominal rating. Using open and short-circuit impedance measurements, an equivalent circuit is developed that allows the calculation of the magnitude of the ratio correction factor (primary voltage divided by the product of turns ratio and secondary voltage) for frequencies up to 25 kHz for a wide range of burdens.
Corneal thickness and intraocular pressure in a nonglaucomatous Burmese population: the Meiktila Eye Study.

OBJECTIVE To determine correlates of central corneal thickness (CCT) and its relationship to intraocular pressure (IOP) in a Burmese population. METHODS We performed a population-based survey of inhabitants 40 years or older in Myanmar; of 2076 participants, data from 1909 nonglaucomatous subjects who underwent ultrasound pachymetry and Goldmann applanation tonometry were analyzed. Linear mixed effects models adjusting for nonindependence of right and left eye data were constructed. RESULTS Mean (SD) CCT was 521.9 (33.3) microm, and the mean (SD) IOP was 14.5 (3.4) mm Hg. Intraocular pressure and spherical equivalent were significant predictors of CCT (P < .001 and P = .01, respectively). Age, sex, body mass index, and corneal curvature were not significant predictors. Central corneal thickness was the only significant predictor of IOP (ie, an increase of 100 microm in CCT predicted an increase of 1.3 mm Hg in IOP). The Spearman correlation between CCT and IOP for the right and left eyes was highly significant (P < .001), but the Spearman rank correlation values (R(2) = 0.016 and R(2) = 0.017, respectively) were weak. CONCLUSIONS The CCT in this Burmese population was significantly associated with IOP and spherical equivalent. The weak association between CCT and IOP is consistent with that of other population-based studies. Other corneal factors are likely to influence Goldmann applanation tonometry.
On the Status of Object Concepts in Aphasia

While verbal comprehension is often impaired in aphasia due to left hemispheric damage, the status of nonverbal conceptual knowledge of objects remains controversial. We tested 16 aphasic subjects for their comprehension of concrete single words. Eight showed significant impairment on word-to-picture matching, when distractors were semantically and not just perceptually confusable. These 8 also made errors in answering verbal probe questions concerning the same items. When tested on a nonverbal pictorial version of the same probe questions, however, 3 of these 8 improved their performance to the level of normal controls. The other 5 showed continuing impairment in indicating responses to pictorial probes. These 5 showed no evidence of generalized intellectual impairment, and it is concluded that they demonstrated a comprehension deficit not limited to the verbal domain. Unlike the other aphasic patients, these latter 5 also had CT scan lesions extending into the posterior left temporal lobe (involving Brodmann's areas 22, 21, and 37). They were also more impaired in terms of general aphasia severity. It is suggested that a nonverbal (as well as verbal) semantic memory deficit occurs in a subgroup of patients with single word comprehension disturbance due to aphasia, and this may reflect general severity of language impairment as well as damage to certain localized brain regions.
Impact and Perspective on Chronic Kidney Disease in an Asian Developing Country: A Large-Scale Survey in North Vietnam

Background: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Asia is expected to increase along with increases of hypertension and diabetes. Most cases are not treated and progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with an increased risk for cardiovascular complications. Renal replacement therapies are so expensive that most ESRD patients die without treatment. Thus, countermeasures against early stages of CKD are urgently needed. Nevertheless, basic information for CKD has not been reported in Vietnam. Methods: We conducted a survey of CKD in 8,505 inhabitants aged >40 years in Vietnam. Subjects with abnormal urinary findings were further examined, including serum creatinine levels. In this study, CKD was defined as <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 of estimated creatinine clearance by the Cockcroft-Gault method. Results: We identified 3.1% of subjects as CKD (stages 3–5) with positive findings in urine test. We also found that elderly hypertension and malnutrition were independent risk factors for CKD in this population. Conclusion: We found a significant number of CKD patients in Vietnam. To avoid a CKD pandemic in Asia including Vietnam, we strongly suggest further analyses of risk factors and prognosis of CKD in these populations, and the development of efficient management systems suitable for Asia.
Genetic mechanisms in esophageal carcinogenesis: Frequent deletion of 3p and 17p in premalignant lesions

Although dysplasia of the esophagus is thought to be the precursor lesion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESC), the sequence of genetic events during esophageal carcinogenesis is unclear. Using the polymerase chain reaction, we examined allelic losses at microsatellite loci in DNAs isolated from 106 lesions among 32 patients with ESC. Allelic losses on 3p or 17p occurred frequently even in dysplastic lesions (9 of 21 and 13 of 24 samples, respectively) including lesions with mild dysplasia (3p, 4 of 10 samples; 17p, 6 of 14 samples, respectively), and allelic losses on these chromosomal arms were also observed in cancerous tissues. We also detected allelic losses of the short and long arms of chromosome 9 at a low frequency in lesions with mild dysplasia and often in lesions with severe dysplasia and in intraepithelial cancers. Our results suggested that inactivation of tumor suppressor genes on 3p and 17p occurs at a very early stage of esophageal carcinogenesis and that genes on 9p and 9q are likely to play important roles in malignant changes. Comparison of the genetic alterations in precancerous dysplastic lesions with those in carcinomas supports the idea that ESC arises from the dysplastic lesion. Genes Chromosom Cancer 15:165–169 (1996). © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.