Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peroxynitrite‐ and Nitrite‐Induced Oxidation of Dopamine : Implications for Nitric Oxide in Dopaminergic Cell Loss

Abstract : Increased nitric oxide (NO) production has been implicated in many examples of neuronal injury such as the selective neurotoxicity of methamphetamine and 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine to dopaminergic cells, presumably through the generation of the potent oxidant peroxynitrite (ONOO). Dopamine (DA) is a reactive molecule that, when oxidized to DA quinone, can bind to and inactivate proteins through the sulfhydryl group of the amino acid cysteine. In this study, we sought to determine if ONOO could oxidize DA and participate in this process of protein modification. We measured the oxidation of the catecholamine by following the binding of [3H]DA to the sulfhydryl‐rich protein alcohol dehydrogenase. Results showed that ONOO oxidized DA in a concentration‐ and pH‐dependent manner. We confirmed that the resulting DA‐protein conjugates were predominantly 5‐cysteinyl‐DA residues. In addition, it was observed that ONOO decomposition products such as nitrite were also effective at oxidizing DA. These data suggest that the generation of NO and subsequent formation of ONOO or nitrite may contribute to the selective vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons through the oxidation of DA and modification of protein.
Spatial sorting may explain evolutionary dynamics of wing polymorphism in pygmy grasshoppers

Wing polymorphism in insects provides a good model system for investigating evolutionary dynamics and population divergence in dispersal‐enhancing traits. This study investigates the contribution of divergent selection, trade‐offs, behaviour and spatial sorting to the evolutionary dynamics of wing polymorphism in the pygmy grasshopper Tetrix subulata (Tetrigidae: Orthoptera). We use data for > 2800 wild‐caught individuals from 13 populations and demonstrate that the incidence of the long‐winged (macropterous) morph is higher and changes faster between years in disturbed habitats characterized by succession than in stable habitats. Common garden and mother‐offspring resemblance studies indicate that variation among populations and families is genetically determined and not influenced to any important degree by developmental plasticity in response to maternal condition, rearing density or individual growth rate. Performance trials show that only the macropterous morph is capable of flight and that propensity to fly differs according to environment. Mark–recapture data reveal no difference in the distance moved between free‐ranging long‐ and short‐winged individuals. There is no consistent difference across populations and years in number of hatchlings produced by long‐ and shorter‐winged females. Our findings suggest that the variable frequency of the long‐winged morph among and within pygmy grasshopper populations may reflect evolutionary modifications driven by spatial sorting due to phenotype‐ and habitat type–dependent emigration and immigration.
Symmetry of projection in the quantitative analysis of mammographic images

Mammographic parcnchymal patterns are among the strongest indicators of the risk of developing breast cancer. Risk evaluation through breast patterns may have an important role in studies of the aetiology of breast cancer and for monitoring changes in the breast in evaluating potential risk-modifying interventions. Typically, patterns are assessed by an experienced radiologist according to Wolfe grade, or on a coarse quantitative scale according to percent density. Parenchymal characterization methods, to overcome variability of classification by human observer, are under investigation. These include image segmentation using semi-automatic thresholding and automatic classification through textural and density measures. An important practical question relates to the extent to which information about mammographic pattern is carried by any one of the four views obtained in a typical examination. Specifically, variations of right-left breast symmetry and variations between the two standard views of each breast were tested. The mammograms of 30 premenopausal women, comprising 90 images [30 each of the right cranial-caudal (RCC), left cranialcaudal (LCC) and right medial-lateral oblique (RMLO)] were evaluated. Parameters included both subjective (radiologist classification and interactive image thresholding) and objective (fractal and skewness indices) quantitative measurements of parenchymal pattern. For the parameters tested, a high degree of correlation was observed for measurements on the RCC, LCC and RMLO views. Pearson correlation coefficients between 0.86-0.96 were found for the comparisons of quantitative parameters. The strong correlations suggest that, in the study and application of mammographic density classification, representative information is provided in a single view.
Intergenic 16S rRNA gene (rDNA)-23S rDNA sequence length polymorphisms in members of the family Legionellaceae

A method based on PCR amplification of the 16S rRNA gene (rDNA)-23S rDNA intergenic regions was developed for the identification of species within the family Legionellaceae. The sizes of the PCR products varied from 1,353 to 350 bp. Strains of Legionella pneumophila were characterized as having products of approximately 900 and 530 bp, and L. birminghamensis had products of 1,390, 960, and 380 bp. Of the 38 species of legionellae examined, only 7 were indistinguishable (L. erythra from L. rubrilucens, L. anisa or L. cherrii from L. tucsonensis, and L. quateirensis from L. shakespearei). Two environmental isolates were identified as L. pneumophila. Strain LLAP-3, which was a symbiont of amoebae, could not be associated with any Legionella sp. studied.
Challenges to the measurement of estradiol: an endocrine society position statement.

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the current state of clinical assays for estradiol in the context of their applications. PARTICIPANTS The participants were appointed by the Council of The Endocrine Society and charged with attaining the objective using published data and expert opinion. EVIDENCE Data were gathered from published sources via online databases (principally PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Google Scholar), and the clinical and laboratory experience of the participants. CONSENSUS PROCESS The statement was an effort of the committee and was reviewed by each member. The Clinical Affairs Committee, the Council of The Endocrine Society, and JCEM reviewers reviewed the manuscript and made recommendations. CONCLUSIONS The measurement of estradiol in biological fluids is important in human biology from cradle to grave. In addition to its centrality in sexual development, it has significant effects on skin, blood vessels, bone, muscle, coagulation, hepatic cells, adipose tissue, the kidney, the gastrointestinal tract, brain, lung, and pancreas. Alterations in its plasma concentration have been implicated in coronary artery disease, stroke, and breast cancer. Although modern immunoassays and liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry-based methods for estradiol are reasonably well suited to the diagnosis and management of infertility (nonetheless, imprecision and method-to-method differences remain problematic), the very low concentrations that appear to be crucial in nonreproductive tissues are a separate and more difficult issue. Such levels of estradiol are too low to be routinely measured accurately or precisely, and further evolution of analytical methods and the way in which estradiol is standardized is needed.
Linear accelerator stereotactic radiosurgery for metastatic brain tumors: 17 years of experience at the University of Florida.

OBJECTIVE To review one of the largest single-institution experiences treating metastatic brain disease with stereotactic radiosurgery. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of 619 patients who underwent linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery for 1569 brain metastases between May 1989 and February 2006. Patient characteristics and treatment parameters were obtained prospectively. Patients were followed up at regular intervals clinically and with imaging studies to document local control, regional control, and survival. Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed using SAS version 9.1 software (SAS Institute, Cary, NC). RESULTS Median actuarial survival was 7.9 months. 1- and 2-year actuarial survival probabilities were 0.36 and 0.14, respectively. Radiation Therapy Oncology Group Recursive Partitioning Analysis Class I or II was associated with improved survival, but the difference between the two was insignificant. Female sex, younger age, higher Karnofsky performance status, controlled primary tumor, absence of systemic metastases, asynchronous presentation of brain metastasis, fewer brain metastases, smaller total volume of brain metastases, surgery prior to radiosurgery, and multiple radiosurgical treatments were also associated with improved survival. Melanoma metastasis was associated with impaired survival. Local control was achieved in 84.3% of all lesions treated. 1- and 2-year actuarial local control probabilities were 0.82 and 0.72, respectively. Whole brain radiation therapy prior to radiosurgery was associated with improved regional control. CONCLUSIONS Linear accelerator-based stereotactic radiosurgery is a safe and effective treatment for patients with metastatic brain tumors. Selection of patients who are likely to benefit most from radiosurgery is complex and treatment decisions should be based on the entire clinical picture.
Stereoselective biliary elimination of disopyramide and mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide in humans.

The results of a previous pharmacokinetic study of disopyramide (DP) enantiomers in humans suggested that DP and/or mono-N-desisopropyldisopyramide (MND) may show stereoselective extrarenal elimination. Thus, the present study investigates the biliary elimination of DP and MND enantiomers in three patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. DP and MND enantiomers displayed biliary elimination. In both subjects, this elimination pathway showed the same characteristics: (1) biliary elimination of DP and MND was stereoselective, (2) the stereoselectivity was opposite to that observed for the metabolic and renal elimination pathways, i.e., the elimination of the (-)-(R)-enantiomer was higher than that of the (+)-(S)-enantiomer, and (3) biliary elimination of MND was higher than that of DP, for both enantiomers. Estimates of the relative contribution of the biliary clearance in the total clearance of DP and MND indicated that this elimination pathway was secondary, especially for DP. The biliary clearance (expressed as % of total clearance) was 1.9 to 4.0% for (-)-(R)-DP, 1.2 to 1.7% for (+)-(S)-DP, 7.8 to 22.9% for (-)-(R)-MND, and 5.2 to 10.5% for (+)-(S)-MND.
Assessment of the degree of involvement in family therapy for children with hearing impairment

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess family participation in the therapeutic process of children with hearing impairment using hearing aids and/or cochlear implants enrolled at the Educational Audiology Clinic and Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Hearing, Language and Education. Methods: This study was conducted with 25 families of children with hearing impairment between 0 and 14 years old enrolled in speech and hearing therapy for at least six months. Data was collected from the patient charts. The Family Involvement Rating Scale (Moeller) translated into Portuguese was administered to characterize the quality of family participation in the therapeutic process. Results: The mean degree of family involvement among the 25 families studied was 3.28. The therapists classified 40% of the families as presenting an average level of participation (score: 3); 20% were classified as presenting below-average participation and 8% were classified as presenting an ideal degree of participation. Conclusion: A large portion of the families analyzed exhibited an average level of participation in the therapeutic process of their children. No correlation was found between the different categories of family involvement and the degree of hearing impairment with or without hearing aids or cochlear implants. Additionally, no correlation was found between the duration of therapy and the degree of family involvement.
Intentional social distance regulation alters affective responses towards victims of violence: An FMRI study

We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate brain processes underlying control of emotional responses towards a person in distress by cognitive social distance modulation. fMRI and peripheral physiological responses (startle response and electrodermal activity) were recorded from 24 women while they watched victim–offender scenes and modulated their social distance to the victim by cognitive reappraisal. We found that emotional responses, including startle eyeblink and amygdala responses, can effectively be modulated by social distance modulation. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that activity in the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and the anterior paracingulate cortex (aPCC), two brain regions that have previously been associated with brain processes related to distant and close others, is differentially modulated by intentional social distance modulation: activity in the dmPFC increased with increasing disengagement from the victim and activity in the aPCC increased with increasing engagement with the victim. We suggest that these two regions play opposing roles in cognitive modulation of social distance and affective responses towards persons in distress that enable the adaptive and flexible social behavior observed in humans. Hum Brain Mapp 33:2464–2476, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rates and predictors of success and failure in repeat epilepsy surgery: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Medically refractory epilepsy is a debilitating disorder that is particularly challenging to treat in patients who have already failed a surgical resection. Evidence regarding outcomes of further epilepsy surgery is limited to small case series and reviews. Therefore, our group performed the first quantitative meta‐analysis of the literature from the past 30 years to assess for rates and predictors of successful reoperations.
Travelling backwards and forwards in time: Culture and gender in the episodic specificity of past and future events

There is considerable evidence that, when recalling past events, Westerners exhibit greater episodic specificity than East Asians and women exhibit greater episodic specificity than men. Yet it is unknown whether the same cultural and gender differences are true for future events. In the present study 209 European American and Chinese young adults were asked to recall past personal events and imagine future personal events occurring in varied time periods (i.e., 1 week, 1 year, 10–15 years). Regardless of time period, European Americans consistently produced more specific details than Chinese for future events than they did for past events, and women produced more specific details than men for both past and future events. These findings provide additional support for the constructive-episodic-simulation hypothesis, and shed new light on the influence of culture and gender on episodic thinking.
Peritoneal Dialysis and Preservation of Residual Renal Function

Residual renal function (RRF) is now generally recognized as an important factor in the prognosis of patients on dialysis. This review summarizes the differences between peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis (HD) with regard to RRF. The literature supports PD as having a more beneficial effect on RRF.
Photovoltaic-battery powered DC Bus system for common portable electronic devices

Renewable energy sources based on photovoltaic along with battery-based energy storage necessitate power conditioning to meet load requirements and/or be connected to the electrical grid. The power conditioning is achieved via a DC-DC converter and a DC-AC inverter stages to produce the desired AC source. This is also the case even when the load is of DC type such as the typical electronic devices which require AC adaptors to be powered from the AC mains. The paper presents a hybrid photovoltaic-battery powered DC bus system that eliminates the DC-AC conversion stage resulting in lower cost and improved efficiency. It is also shown experimentally that the AC adaptors associated with the various commonly used electronic devices can be reused with the proposed system and in some cases offer higher operating efficiencies when powered from a DC bus instead. A novel high-gain modified boost converter is also introduced with several times higher voltage conversion ratio than the conventional boost converter topology. This arrangement results in higher DC bus levels and lower cable conduction losses. Moreover, the voltage stress on the modified boost converter power switch is within half the output voltage. Experimental results taken from a laboratory prototype are presented to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Benign Brainstem Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT: Most patients with brainstem hemorrhage have a poor prognosis. There are occasional reports of a favorable outcome with hematomas restricted to the mid-brain region. We report two patients with hematomas within the lower brainstem (pons and medulla) who made a good recovery. Diagnosis was unsuspected until the cranial CT scan was done. Angiography was normal in both cases. Recovery was excellent in one and fair in the second patient. Patients with medullary hemorrhage are at risk for aspiration and may suddenly develop respiratory arrest and therefore should be carefully observed. Our review of the literature suggests that with some small brain-stem hemorrhages recovery is good to excellent and recurrences are rare.
Corporate Finance and the Monetary Transmission Mechanism

We analyze the transmission effects of monetary policy in a general equilibrium model of the financial sector, with bank lending and securities markets. Bank lending is constrained by capital adequacy requirements, and asymmetric information adds a cost to outside bank equity capital. In our model, monetary policy does not affect bank lending through changes in bank liquidity; rather, it operates through changes in the spread of bank loans over corporate bonds, which induce changes in the aggregate composition of financing by firms, and in banks' equity-capital base. The model produces multiple equilibria, one of which displays all the features of a "credit crunch. " Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Making moments matter.

I am going to argue in this Discourse that two of the greatest challenges facing gerontological nursing research are understanding the quality of the lives lived by severely cognitively impaired people, particularly those in residential facilities, and e nding effective ways of ensuring that these people have the opportunity to live as rich, interesting, and pleasurable lives as they are capable of. By asserting this agenda, I mean not to diminish other research foci in the area of aging but rather to nudge — no, that
Committee Opinion No. 569: Oral Health Care During Pregnancy and Through the Lifespan

ABSTRACT: Oral health is an important component of general health and should be maintained during pregnancy and through a woman’s lifespan. Maintaining good oral health may have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other disorders. In 2007–2009, 35% of U.S. women reported that they did not have a dental visit within the past year and 56% of women did not visit a dentist during pregnancy. Access to dental care is directly related to income level; the poorest women are least likely to have received dental care. Optimal maternal oral hygiene during the perinatal period may decrease the amount of caries-producing oral bacteria transmitted to the infant during common parenting behavior, such as sharing spoons. Although some studies have shown a possible association between periodontal infection and preterm birth, evidence has failed to show any improvement in outcomes after dental treatment during pregnancy. Nonetheless, these studies did not raise any concern about the safety of dental services during pregnancy. To potentiate general health and well-being, women should routinely be counseled about the maintenance of good oral health habits throughout their lives as well as the safety and importance of oral health care during pregnancy.
Successful treatment of an entecavir‐resistant hepatitis B virus variant

Emergence of a lamivudine (LAM)‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) with amino acid substitutions in the YMDD motif is a well‐documented problem during long‐term LAM therapy. Entecavir (ETV) is a new drug approved for treatment of HBV infection with or without LAM‐resistant mutants. This report describes an ETV‐resistant strain of HBV, which emerged after prolonged ETV therapy in a patient who did not respond to LAM therapy. Direct sequence analysis of the ETV‐resistant strain showed appearance of amino acid substitution rtS202G in the reverse transcriptase (RT) domain, together with rtL180M + M204V substitution that had developed at the emergence of LAM‐resistant mutant. In vitro analysis demonstrated that the rtL180M + M204V + S202G mutant strain displayed a 200‐fold and a 5‐fold reduction in susceptibility to ETV compared with the wild‐ type and the rtL180M + M204V mutant strain, respectively. Adefovir was effective against the ETV‐resistant strain both in vitro and during the clinical course. In conclusion, this study showed that virological and biochemical breakthrough due to ETV could occur in patients infected with LAM‐resistant HBV and confirmed that the addition of rtS202G substitution to the rtL180M + M204V mutant strain is responsible for ETV resistance and we could treat the resistant mutant successfully. J. Med. Virol. 79:1811–1817, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structural sex differences at disease onset in multiple sclerosis patients

Background Male sex is associated with worsening disability and a more rapid progression of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study analysed structural sex differences in magnetic resonance images of the brain, comparing women whose disease started before and after the menopause with a control group of men. Methods This was a case control study in which female patients whose MS started before (Group 1) and after (Group 2) the menopause were included. The control group was matched by age, disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale and disease-modifying treatment. Patients were analysed according to demographic and clinical variables, as well as in terms of radiological measurements at disease onset and during the first 12 months of follow-up. These measurements included normalised total brain volume (NTBV), normalised cortical volume (NCV), normalised white matter volume, left and right hippocampus, the thalamus, brain stem volume, lesion load and percentage brain volume change. A linear regression model was used to analyse the data. Results A total of 97 patients were included: 53 in Group 1 (27 females) and 44 in Group 2 (22 females). In Group 1, we observed a reduction in brain volume in males compared with females at disease onset in NTBV (p = 0.01), NCV (p = 0.001) and brain stem volume (p = 0.01). We did not observe differences in Group 2 at disease onset in the brain volumes analysed. Conclusion We observed structural sex differences in brain volume at disease onset in the pre-menopausal group. However, no structural differences were observed at disease onset between the sexes after the menopause had started.