Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical detection of microfilariae of Foleyella species in an Oustalet's chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti)

in mruscrilar and connectixe tissues, bod) cavities orlyrphatic sinrises of amplibians and reptiles (Schacheli and CIrais 1973, Thonmas a;nd others 1996). Diagnosis of filariasis in rcptils icsbsased lipOi the piieseiice of imiici-ofilariae in thie blood. At necropsv, adult vorms m1av be forind in the SribCritaneCOiS tissIes or frCC in the bodv caxvities, and histologically the microfilariae max be detccted in tissure scCtiOls (Bolette 1998). In both hrimlani filariasis and canine dirofilariasis it has been possible to detect parasite antigenis in the sera of infected patients (Forsyth and others 1985,Weil and others 1985). The aintigenIs ai-e seen to play anl important role in the pathogenicsis of sexveral tissrIe lesions. In DJiro[ilarlia i;ioilitis-infected dogs, par-asite anitigenis, associated xw'ith morphological alteratioiis, haxe been detected in the lunol aind kidncy LSIII(J imIiruinofluoresceint (Crarier aind others 1987) aiid immrinuIoperoxiidase m-iethods (Tanaka and Atxw'ell 1991 ). This short commrinlicatioi describes aii immrinolohistochemical studrx on tissue sections from an Oristalet's chaimleleoin (Furci/ec ousta/lti) infected by Foleye/ll species, in order to dcetect parasite antigenls. A 115 g adrilt imiale captix e Oustalet's chameleon was submitted foir necropsv to the Unit of Pathology, V7eterinary Facrilty, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The rep-
The contribution of voxel-based morphometry in staging patients with mild cognitive impairment

Objective: To assess whether different patterns of regional gray matter loss in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are associated with different risks of conversion to Alzheimer disease (AD), using MRI and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Methods: The authors recruited 22 patients with MCI, 22 patients with probable AD, and 20 healthy subjects (HS). T1 volumes from each subject were postprocessed according to an optimized VBM protocol. All patients were clinically followed up (mean [SD] time = 28.7 [5.7] months), and patients with MCI were reclassified into two groups (converters and nonconverters to AD). Results: When comparing patients with AD to HS, widespread areas of reduced gray matter density were found predominantly in temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes and in the insula. Comparing MCI converters and nonconverters with HS, the converters showed more widespread areas of reduced gray matter density than nonconverters, with a pattern of abnormalities similar to that seen in patients with AD. Conversely, when comparing the same groups with patients with AD, MCI nonconverters showed a pattern of gray matter density similar to that of HS. Areas of decreased gray matter density were also found in MCI converters compared with nonconverters. Conclusions: Different patterns of gray matter density distribution in patients with mild cognitive impairment may be associated to different rates of conversion to Alzheimer disease.
Prevalence and incidence of intramammary infections in lactating dairy goats

AIM: To determine the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) of lactating dairy goats between 0 and 4 days postpartum, the prevalence and incidence rate of new IMI at Weeks 2, 14 and 27 of lactation, and the relationship between herd-level prevalence of IMI and bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC). METHODS: Milk samples were collected from 8% of a herd (total 624 does) from 18 dairy goat herds in the Waikato region of New Zealand, for bacteriology and somatic cell count (SCC) determination, from both glands within 4 days of kidding (Week 0) and again at Weeks 2, 14 and 27. Prevalence of IMI was determined at each time point and incidence rate calculated for Weeks 0–2, 2–14, and 14–27. Greenwood and Reed-Frost models were compared for estimation of the transmission parameter for all pathogens, and for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci (CNS) and Corynebacterium spp. separately. RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from 1,122/4,814 (23.3%) glands, with CNS (13.4%) and Corynebacterium spp. (7.3%) being the most common isolates. Prevalence of any IMI increased with stage of lactation, varied among herds, and increased with age (all p<0.05). Incidence rate was 80, 24 and 7 new IMI/10,000 gland days for Weeks 0–2, 2–14 and 14–27, respectively. Incidence rate for any IMI increased with age and with the presence of an IMI in the contralateral gland, and varied among herds (p<0.001). The transmission of each pathogen was better modelled assuming contagiousness (Reed-Frost models), than not (Greenwood models). At gland level, IMI increased SCC at all stages of lactation (p<0.001). The gland prevalence of IMI within herds was positively associated with ln BTSCC at Week 2 (p=0.02), but not Weeks 14 or 27 (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of IMI increased with stage of lactation, but the highest incidence rate of new IMI occurred in early lactation. Models accounting for the contagious nature of infection fitted better than those not accounting for contagiousness. BTSCC was only associated with prevalence of IMI in early lactation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reduction of BTSCC in dairy goats may be best achieved by minimising the prevalence and incidence of new IMI in early lactation. Further studies are required to define management factors associated with the between herd, and stage of lactation, effects on prevalence and incidence rate in order to reduce BTSCC throughout lactation.
Population genetic structure of Tomicus piniperda L. (Curculionidae: Scolytinae) on different pine species and validation of T. destruens (Woll.)

Genetic diversity and population structure of Tomicus piniperda was assessed using mitochondrial sequences on 16 populations sampled on 6 pine species in France. Amplifications of Internal transcribed space 1 (ITS1) were also performed. Our goals were to determine the taxonomic status of the Mediterranean ecotype T. piniperda destruens, and to test for host plant or geographical isolation effect on population genetic structure. We showed that T. piniperda clusters in two mtDNA haplotypic groups. Clade A corresponds to insects sampled in continental France on Pinus sylvestris, P. pinaster and P. uncinata, whereas clade B gathers the individuals sampled in Corsica on P. pinaster and P. radiata and in continental France on P. pinea and P. halepensis. Insects belonging to clade A and clade B also consistently differ in the length of ITS1. Individuals belonging to both clades were found once in sympatry on P. pinaster. Genetic distances between clades are similar to those measured between distinct species of Tomicus. We concluded that clade B actually corresponds to the destruens ecotype and forms a good species, T. destruens. Analyses of molecular variance (amova) were conducted separately on T. destruens and T. piniperda to test for an effect of either geographical isolation or host species. Interestingly, the effect of host plant was significant for T. piniperda only, while the effect of geographical isolation was not. Pine species therefore seems to act as a significant barrier to gene flow, even if host race formation is not observed. These results still need to be confirmed by nuclear markers.
Repeated light-dark phase shifts modulate voluntary ethanol intake in male and female high alcohol-drinking (HAD1) rats.

BACKGROUND Chronic disruption of sleep and other circadian biological rhythms, such as occurs in shift work or in frequent transmeridian travel, appears to represent a significant source of allostatic load, leading to the emergence of stress-related physical and psychological illness. Recent animal experiments have shown that these negative health effects may be effectively modeled by exposure to repeated phase shifts of the daily light-dark (LD) cycle. As chronobiological disturbances are thought to promote relapse in abstinent alcoholics, and may also be associated with increased risk of subsequent alcohol abuse in nonalcoholic populations, the present experiment was designed to examine the effects of repeated LD phase shifts on voluntary ethanol intake in rats. A selectively bred, high alcohol-drinking (HAD1) rat line was utilized to increase the likelihood of excessive alcoholic-like drinking. METHODS Male and female rats of the selectively bred HAD1 rat line were maintained individually under a LD 12:12 cycle with both ethanol (10% v/v) and water available continuously. Animals in the experimental group were subjected to repeated 6-hour LD phase advances at 3 to 4 week intervals, while control rats were maintained under a stable LD cycle throughout the study. Contact-sensing drinkometers were used to monitor circadian lick patterns, and ethanol and water intakes were recorded weekly. RESULTS Control males showed progressively increasing ethanol intake and ethanol preference over the course of the study, but males exposed to chronic LD phase shifts exhibited gradual decreases in ethanol drinking. In contrast, control females displayed decreasing ethanol intake and ethanol preference over the course of the experiment, while females exposed to experimental LD phase shifts exhibited a slight increase in ethanol drinking. CONCLUSIONS Chronic circadian desynchrony induced by repeated LD phase shifts resulted in sex-specific modulation of voluntary ethanol intake, reducing ethanol intake in males while slightly increasing intake in females. While partially contrary to initial predictions, these results are consistent with extensive prior research showing that chronic stress may either increase or decrease ethanol intake, depending on strain, sex, stressor type, and experimental history. Thus, repeated LD phase shifts may provide a novel chronobiological model for the analysis of stress effects on alcohol intake.
Gender-related risk of myocardial involvement in systemic amyloidosis

To investigate associations between gender and myocardial involvement in systemic amyloidosis, we reviewed all patients presenting between 1994 and September 2006 in our institutional network (100 AL and 98 familial transthyretin-related amyloidosis (ATTR) patients, plus 12 elderly men with senile systemic amyloidosis). We focused on echocardiographic descriptors of myocardial involvement (height-indexed mean left ventricular (LV) wall thickness, LV mass index), and baseline LV function. Among familial ATTR patients, female prevalence was lower within the highest tertile of either echocardiographic indicator of myocardial involvement. Gender was independently associated with height-indexed mean LV wall thickness (as were gene mutations). Female prevalence appeared rather similar across the different neurological stages. Within the subgroup of familial ATTR patients with amyloidotic cardiomyopathy, women tended to display a considerably less severe morphological and functional echocardiographic profile. We explored the possible role of female sex hormones by considering menopausal status: women in the highest tertile of mean LV wall thickness index were more often postmenopausal than those in the other two tertiles and had a much higher (∼15 years) mean age; analogous age-related associations were not observable for men. In conclusion, these findings raise the hypothesis that some biological characteristic associated with female gender protects against myocardial involvement in familial ATTR.
Real-world palbociclib dosing patterns and implications for drug costs in the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer

ABSTRACT Background: This study described real-world palbociclib dosing patterns and associated impacts on treatment costs for HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (mBC) in the US. Methods: Postmenopausal women with HR+/HER2- mBC who initiated palbociclib-based therapy (initiation date = index date) between 02/03/2015 (palbociclib approval) and 02/29/2016, and continuous quarterly activity 1 year before and 6 months after the index date, were identified in the Symphony Health Solutions database. Rates of 1) dose reduction (≥25 mg dose decrease/daily), and 2) reduction or interruption (>60 day gap in continuous drug supply) were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analyses. Drug wastage cost was estimated based on overlapping days between two prescription fills: the last original dose fill and the first reduced dose fill. Results: 1,242 patients initiated palbociclib-based therapy (mean age = 62.7 years, median follow-up = 8.7 months). During the 12-month post-index period, across the first four lines, dose reduction rates were 31.9–33.7% and dose reduction/interruption rates were 63.5–80.9%. A total of 411 (33.1%) patients changed dose, among whom 128 (31.1%) experienced prescription fill overlap (average = 11.1 days). Mean potential drug wastage cost among patients with fill overlap was $5,471. Conclusions: Most patients receiving palbociclib experienced dose reduction or interruption early in treatment; the associated drug wastage may lead to considerable costs.
The Effect of Plasma Rich in Growth Factors on Pattern Hair Loss: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND Autologous growth factors have proved to promote tissue regeneration in various medical fields. Recent findings suggest that platelet rich plasma may also play an important role in hair follicle restoration. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGFs) for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Five PRGF injections were administered over 19 patients with AGA. Phototrichograms regarding follicle density/diameter and terminal/vellus hair ratio were performed at baseline and after 1 year follow-up period. Consenting participants underwent histologic scalp examination. At the end of the study, overall patient satisfaction and clinical improvement were determined. RESULTS After PRGF therapy, mean hair density/diameter increased and terminal/vellus hair ratio was also improved. Patients presented epidermal thickness, perifollicular neoangiogenesis, cell proliferation, and terminal/miniaturized hair ratio improvement. Plasma rich in growth factors seemed to reduce the perivascular inflammatory infiltrate, promote the remodeling of dermo-epidermal tissue, and increase bulge stem cell niches. Patients declared an overall positive satisfaction, and a high clinical improvement score was achieved when comparing premacrophotographs and postmacrophotographs. CONCLUSION Although randomized clinical trials are needed, this study provides preliminary data supporting the positive therapeutic effect of autologous growth factors on hair follicle regeneration.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite and high school rugby players: a 11-year review

Abstract Objectives: Over a 11-year period, we investigated the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and the clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts in two homogenous cohorts of rugby players. Methods: Two teams, including those in elite (94 players) and high school (290 players) clubs, were followed. Results: Isolated ACL injuries occurred in 28 players (12 elite, 16 high school). The incidence during match play was 1.26 per 1000 player-hours (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.48–2.05) among elite players and 0.97 per 1000 player-hours (95% CI: 0.30–1.64) among high school players. After ACL reconstruction, 26 players (12 elite, 14 high school) were successfully contacted for follow-up at a mean of 71.9 months. None (0%) of the elite and 4 (29%) of the high school players experienced graft ruptures. Seven (58%) elite and 10 (91%) high school players were fearful of reinjury; the mean time to overcome this fear was 6.1 ± 4.9 months among elite players and 17.5 ± 26.0 months among high school players. Conclusion: In conclusion, young rugby players experienced inferior outcomes after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts compared with their older counterparts.
Long‐term effects of cholecystectomy on bile acid metabolism

Comparative studies between different patient groups have suggested that cholecystectomy enhances bacterial dehydroxylation of the primary bile acid cholic acid (CA) to the secondary bile acid deoxycholic acid (DCA). DCA may exert a cocarcinogenic effect on the colonic mucosa. In a short‐term follow‐up study on nine female patients we found no alterations of the CA or DCA pools after cholecystectomy. However, in the long term, cholecystectomy could promote changes of the intestinal bacterial flora and thereby lead to enhanced conversion of CA to DCA, causing an expansion of the DCA pool size and a reduction of the CA pool size. To test this hypothesis, pool sizes, fractional turnover rates (FTR), and synthesis or input rates of CA, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and DCA were determined in 12 female patients before and again 5 to 8 years after cholecystectomy. In the long term, pool size and synthesis rate of CA had not changed and DCA pool size had expanded by only 7.5% (not significant [NS]). DCA input increased by 32% (NS) but was balanced by an increase in FTR of 36%. Pool size (–17%) and synthesis rate (–5%) of CDCA were not significantly diminshed. Overall, the sizes of the total bile acid pool (–6%, NS; 50 ± 8 vs. 53 ± 13 μmol/kg) and the pool fractions of CA (44.7 ± 10.3% vs. 42.8 ± 7.6%) and DCA (25.5 ± 14.1% vs. 23.6 ± 9.3%) remained similar. In conclusion, cholecystectomy causes no changes in bile acid pool composition and thus has no adverse effects on bile acid metabolism in the long term. (Hepatology 1995;21:41‐45).
Etude de stratégies de gestion énergétique en temps réel à l'échelle multizone

Pour faciliter la transition energetique vers la reduction de la consommation des energies fossiles, la reduction des emissions de CO2 et l’integration des sources d’energie renouvelables, il convient d’etudier des strategies permettant d’adapter en temps reel la gestion energetique de maniere optimale par rapport aux contraintes exterieures et interieures du bâtiment. Des leviers d’action existent a l’echelle de l’ilot comme la mutualisation des productions et des consommations. Cette these presente l’application de techniques d’optimisation au developpement de strategies de gestion du chauffage electrique d’un bâtiment multizone comportant des logements et des bureaux. Pour reduire les temps de calcul par rapport a une approche de resolution globale d’un probleme d’optimisation a grande echelle, les methodes de decomposition-coordination ont ete etudiees. Ces methodes permettent de resoudre des sous-problemes d’optimisation a l’echelle de chaque zone et de reintegrer les couplages entre zones (couplages thermiques et partage d’une ressource) avec une etape de coordination. Une methode decomposee-coordonnee a ete retenue pour chaque type de couplage permettant la mise en place d’une gestion en temps reel a l’echelle multizone.
Connecting the local and the global in post‐secular urban settings

Postsecular geographies seek to examine how place is linked with identity and how religious identities in turn can be accommodated in public space. Postsecular practices in urban contexts have been researched extensively, but they do not always fully engage with a relational approach to place‐making. This paper argues that through the place‐making practices seen at Virgin Mary statues in Dublin city, Ireland, a relational approach to examining postsecular practices and representations provides a more productive way to understand how the secular and the religious coexist in cities. The paper uses archival and contemporary data gathered from a sample of Marian statues in Dublin city to locate the relational geographies of the religious and the secular. By focussing on the ways that the statues remain uncontested within a changing urban landscape, the paper re‐examines the political significance of religious place‐making practices. It concludes that if geographies of religion in the postsecular city are to have a broader relevance to geography, they need a relational approach to place‐making.
Genotype polymorphisms of genes regulating nitric oxide synthesis determine long-term arteriovenous fistula patency in male hemodialysis patients

Abstract Objectives Nitric oxide (NO) is a pivotal vasoactive substance modulating arteriovenous fistula (AVF) patency for hemodialysis (HD). Since genetic background could be the predicting factor of AVF malfunction, we aimed to investigate whether the NO-related genotype polymorphisms determine AVF survival rates. Methods This is a retrospective, observational, multi-center study involving eight HD units in Taiwan, enrolled 580 patients initiating maintenance HD via AVFs. Genotype polymorphisms of NO-biosynthesis regulating enzymes (DDAH-1, DDAH-2, eNOS and PRMT1) were compared between HD patients with (n = 161) and without (n = 419) history of AVF malfunction. Subgroup analyses by gender were performed to evaluate the genetic effect in difference sexes. Results In overall population, statistically significant associations were not found between AVF malfunction and the genetic polymorphisms. In the male subgroup (n = 313), a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of PRMT1, rs10415880 (IVS9-193 A/G), showed a significant association with AVF malfunction. Male patients with AA/AG genotype had inferior AVF outcomes compared to GG genotype, regarding primary patency (70.6% vs. 40.9%, p = 0.001), assisted primary patency (81.0% vs. 58.4%, p < 0.001) and secondary patency (83.7% vs. 63.3%, p < 0.001) at a 5-year observation period. From multivariate Cox regression model, the AA/AG genotypes of PRMT1 were an independent risk factor for AVF malfunction in men (HR: 4.539, 95% CI 2.015–10.223; p < 0.001). However, such associations were not found in women. Conclusions rs10415880, the SNP of PRMT1 could be a novel genetic marker associated with AVF malfunction risk in male HD patients. Those with AA and AG genotypes of rs10415880 may predict a poorer long-term patency of AVF.
Distribution of glutathione and technetium-99m-meso-HMPAO in normal and diethyl maleate-treated mouse brain mitochondria.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to explain the contribution of mitochondria to the accumulation of 99mTc-meso-hexamethyl propyleneamine oxime (HMPAO) in the brain, after examinations were performed. METHODS We studied subcellular distribution of 99mTc-meso-HMPAO and glutathione (GSH) in normal and diethyl maleate (DEM)-administered mice. RESULTS In normal brain, major radioactivity was found in the mitochondrial (49.0%) and cytosolic fractions (33.0%), while the GSH content was high in the cytosol (63.2%) and mitochondria (30.6%). The radioactivity in mitochondrial, cytosolic, microsomal and nuclear fractions was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by DEM, a GSH depleting agent, to 32.2% (mitochondrial) and 24.7% (cytosolic) of the control by a dose of 550 mg/kg. The GSH content in mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions also decreased in a dose-dependent manner on DEM treatment to 29.3% (mitochondrial) and 30.0% (cytosolic) of the control by 550 mg/kg of DEM. A good correlation was found between the uptake of 99mTc-meso-HMPAO and GSH content in mitochondrial, cytosolic and nuclear fractions, with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.814, 0.834 and 0.784, respectively. CONCLUSION Mitochondria are a major subcellular fraction for the uptake of 99mTc-meso-HMPAO by the brain, and GSH in mitochondria contributes to the accumulation of 99mTc-meso-HMPAO.