Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Higher Stroke Incidence in the Spring Season Regardless of Conventional Risk Factors: Takashima Stroke Registry, Japan, 1988–2001

Background and Purpose— Seasonal variation in stroke incidence was examined using 14-year stroke registration data in a Japanese population. We also examined if this variation was modified by conventional stroke risk factors hypertension, diabetes mellitus, drinking, and smoking. Methods— Data were obtained from the Takashima Stroke Registry, which covers a stable population of ≈55 000 in Takashima County in central Japan. There were 1665 (men, 893; women, 772) registered first-ever stroke cases during 1988 to 2001. The average age of stroke onset for men and women patients was 69.4 and 74.2 years, respectively. Incidence rates (per 100 000 person-years) and 95% CI were calculated by gender, age, and stroke subtype for winter, spring, summer, and autumn. After stratifying patients by their risk factor history, the OR (with 95% CI) of having a stroke in autumn, winter, and spring were calculated, with summer serving as a reference. Results— Among the seasons, stroke incidence per 100 000 person-years was highest in the spring (231.3; 95% CI, 211.1 to 251.5). Spring incidence was highest in both men (240.8; 95% CI, 211.5 to 270.2) and women (222.1; 95% CI, 194.4 to 249.9), and in subjects younger than 65 years (72.6; 95% CI, 60.0 to 85.3) and 65 years or older (875.9; 95% CI, 787.5 to 964.3). Among stroke subtypes, spring incidence was highest for cerebral infarction (154.7; 95% CI, 138.2 to 171.2) and cerebral hemorrhage (53.7; 95% CI, 44.0 to 63.4). The spring excess in stroke incidence was observed regardless of the presence or absence of the risk factor histories. Conclusions— Stroke incidence appears to be highest in the spring among a Japanese population regardless of conventional risk factor history. Factors that explain this excess need further investigation.
Lupus Anticoagulant IgG's (LA) Are Not Directed to Phospholipids only, but to a Complex of Lipid-Bound Human Prothrombin

Summary Plasmas from 16 patients that were found to be positive both for anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) and lupus anticoagulants (LA) were incubated with liposomes that contained anionic phospholipids. In 11 of these plasmas, ACA could be cosedimented with the liposomes in a dose-dependent manner, whereas LA activity of the remaining supernatant was unaffected. LA activity of purified total IgG from 6 patients was measured in three different coagulation tests, using normal plasmas from different species. Prolongation of the aPTT, KCT and dRW clotting times was observed only with normal plasma from human origin, not with bovine, rat or sheep plasma. Highly purified coagulation factors Xa, Va and prothrombin, both of human and bovine origin, were used to establish for two patient IgG's the effect of LA on the rate of thrombin formation in the presence and absence of lipid vesicles composed of 20 mole% phosphatidylserine and 80 mole% phosphatidylcholine. A strong and dose dependent inhibition by LA was observed only when human prothrombin was used as substrate in the prothrombinase complex in the presence of lipids. No inhibition was found when bovine prothrombin was used as substrate. The inhibitory effect observed in the presence of human prothrombin was independent of the source of factors Xa and Va, and was not found in the absence of lipid. Preliminary binding studies suggest that LA only associate with a lipid surface, provided that human prothrombin and calcium ions are present. These data indicate that LA are not directed to phospholipids alone, but presumably recognize an epitope which becomes exposed upon Ca2+-mediated binding of human prothrombin to phospholipids.
Single fiber electromyography in the diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis: report of 90 cases.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) in the diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis (OMG), compared with repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) and blood concentration of antibody to acetylcholine receptor (AchRAb). METHODS SFEMG, RNS and AchRAb titration were measured in 90 patients with OMG (44 men, 46 women). RESULTS Markedly increased jitter and ratio of block in the frontalis and the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) were observed (83.3% and 61.1%, respectively). The mean jitter was 43.6 +/- 14.5 micros, and the percentages of jitter>55 micros and blocking were 16.9% +/- 19% and 3.5% +/- 9.5% respectively in the EDC. The mean jitter was 64.3 +/- 25.6 micros, and the percentages of jitter > 55 micros and blocking were 33.5% +/- 27.6% and 29.3% +/- 23.2% respectively in the frontalis. The percentage of abnormal RNS was 27.8% (25/90). There was an increased AchRAb titration in 29 (32.2%) of the 90 patients. Increased jitter, blocking was negatively correlated with maximum decrement to RNS (P < 0.01). 11.4% (4/35) of patients with abnormal RNS and 24.1% (7/29) patients with abnormal AchRAb were seen in the patients with normal SFEMG in the EDC. CONCLUSION SFEMG test showed the highest sensitivity in the diagnosis of OMG. To our knowledge, the three methods (SFEMG, RNS and AchRAb) are complementary in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of OMG.
The neural correlates of worry in association with individual differences in neuroticism

The tendency to worry is a facet of neuroticism that has been shown to mediate the relationship between neuroticism and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The aim of the current study was to investigate the neural correlates of state worry in association with neuroticism. One‐hundred twenty participants were selected from an initially recruited sample of 240 women based on their neuroticism score. First, participants completed a questionnaire to assess the excessiveness and uncontrollability of pathological worry. Second, we measured brain activation with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while participants were randomly presented with 12 worry‐inducing sentences and 12 neutral sentences in a mood induction paradigm. Individuals scoring higher on neuroticism reported to worry more in daily life and to have generated more worry‐related thoughts after the presentation of a worry‐inducing sentence. Furthermore, imaging results showed the involvement of default mode and emotional brain areas during worry, previously associated with self‐related processing and emotion regulation. Specifically, cortical midline structures and the anterior insula showed more activation during worry, when individuals indicated to have generated more worry‐related thoughts. Activation in the retrosplenial and visual cortex was decreased in individuals scoring higher on neuroticism during worry, possibly suggesting reduced autobiographical specificity and visual mental imagery. In the literature, both these processes have been related to the cognitive avoidance of emotional distress. Excessive worry features in a number of emotional disorders and results from studies that elucidate its neural basis may help explain how and why neuroticism contributes to vulnerability for psychopathology. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4303–4315, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pressure‐ vs. heat‐induced bacterial stress in cooked poultry sausages: a preliminary study

Vacuum‐packaged poultry cooked sausages were pressure‐treated at 500 MPa by combinations of time (5–45 min) and temperature (2–80 °C) and later stored at 6–8 °C for 12 we. Mesophile and psychrotrophe counts were determined 1 d, 3, 6, 9 and 12 we after treatment and compared with those of cooked sausages pasteurized at 80–85 °C for 40 min. Both pressure and heat treatments offer great possibilities for preservation. Sausages pressurized at 65 °C for 15 min showed mesophile numbers below 2 log cfu g−1 throughout the chill storage. Pressurization, unlike heat treatment, causes a reversible bacterial stress. Thus, injured cells recovered during storage and, at 6 and 12 we, after a temperature abuse (room temperature for approx. 24 h), counts increased up to 6.5–7.5 log units. Psychrotrophes were more sensitive to both treatments; no growth was detected the day after (a lethality of more than 4 log units).
The Impact of Meeting Donor Management Goals on the Development of Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Many organ procurement organizations (OPOs) utilize preset critical care endpoints as donor management goals (DMGs) in order to standardize care and improve outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of meeting DMGs on delayed graft function (DGF) in renal transplant recipients. All eight OPOs of the United Network for Organ Sharing Region 5 prospectively implemented nine DMGs in every donor after neurologic determination of death (DNDD). “DMGs met” was defined a priori as achieving any seven of the nine DMGs and this was recorded at the time of consent for donation to reflect donor hospital ICU management, 12–18 h later, and prior to organ recovery. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of DGF (dialysis in the first week after transplantation) with a p < 0.05. A total of 722 transplanted kidneys from 492 DNDDs were included. A total of 28% developed DGF. DMGs were met at consent in 14%, 12–18 h in 32% and prior to recovery in 38%. DGF was less common when DMGs were met at consent (17% vs. 30%, p = 0.007). Independent predictors of DGF were age, Cr and cold ischemia time, while meeting DMGs at consent was significantly protective. The management of potential organ donors prior to consent affects outcomes and should remain a priority in the intensive care unit.
Loop‐loop interactions govern multiple steps in indole‐3‐glycerol phosphate synthase catalysis

Substrate binding, product release, and likely chemical catalysis in the tryptophan biosynthetic enzyme indole‐3‐glycerol phosphate synthase (IGPS) are dependent on the structural dynamics of the β1α1 active‐site loop. Statistical coupling analysis and molecular dynamic simulations had previously indicated that covarying residues in the β1α1 and β2α2 loops, corresponding to Arg54 and Asn90, respectively, in the Sulfolobus sulfataricus enzyme (ssIGPS), are likely important for coordinating functional motions of these loops. To test this hypothesis, we characterized site mutants at these positions for changes in catalytic function, protein stability and structural dynamics for the thermophilic ssIGPS enzyme. Although there were only modest changes in the overall steady‐state kinetic parameters, solvent viscosity and solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effects indicated that these amino acid substitutions change the identity of the rate‐determining step across multiple temperatures. Surprisingly, the N90A substitution had a dramatic effect on the general acid/base catalysis of the dehydration step, as indicated by the loss of the descending limb in the pH rate profile, which we had previously assigned to Lys53 on the β1α1 loop. These changes in enzyme function are accompanied with a quenching of ps‐ns and µs‐ms timescale motions in the β1α1 loop as measured by nuclear magnetic resonance studies. Altogether, our studies provide structural, dynamic and functional rationales for the coevolution of residues on the β1α1 and β2α2 loops, and highlight the multiple roles that the β1α1 loop plays in IGPS catalysis. Thus, substitution of covarying residues in the active‐site β1α1 and β2α2 loops of indole‐3‐glycerol phosphate synthase results in functional, structural, and dynamic changes, highlighting the multiple roles that the β1α1 loop plays in enzyme catalysis and the importance of regulating the structural dynamics of this loop through noncovalent interactions with nearby structural elements.
Genetic Diversity and Quinolone Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Poultry in Senegal

ABSTRACT We used the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method to evaluate the genetic diversity of 46 Campylobacter jejuni isolates from chickens and to determine the link between quinolone resistance and sequence type (ST). There were a total of 16 ST genotypes, and the majority of them belonged to seven clonal complexes previously identified by using isolates from human disease. The ST-353 complex was the most common complex, whereas the ST-21, ST-42, ST-52, and ST-257 complexes were less well represented. The resistance phenotype varied for each ST, and the Thr-86-Ile substitution in the GyrA protein was the predominant mechanism of resistance to quinolone. Nine of the 14 isolates having the Thr-86-Ile substitution belonged to the ST-353 complex. MLST showed that the emergence of quinolone resistance is not related to the diffusion of a unique clone and that there is no link between ST genotype and quinolone resistance. Based on silent mutations, different variants of the gyrA gene were shown to exist for the same ST. These data provide useful information for understanding the epidemiology of C. jejuni in Senegal.
Unsteady Flows in Turbines

In order to satisfy the growing requirements of high performance aircraft, especially the civil aircraft, for increasing the economy, safety and environment protection, etc., it is imperative to understand the noise generation and control. Engine noise is one of the most important sources of aircraft noise. The main sources of noise in a high-by-pass turbofan engine, which is widely used in modern civil transport, include fan/compressor noise, combustion noise, turbine noise and jet noise. The periodic relative motion of the adjacent rows of blades is the essence of turbomachinery as used in aero engine. Fans, compressors and turbines each can generate significant tonal and broadband noise. The generation mechanisms of the noise include inlet distortion, wakes, potential interaction, tip leakage vortex, shock waves, separation flow, and so on. The interactions between rotating and stationary blade rows can cause unsteady aerodynamic force on blade surface, and thus cause the blade-passing-frequency tonal noise. And the broadband noise is generated by the interaction of the blades with random turbulence in boundary layers, wakes, vortex shedding, separation flow, etc. In turbomachinery, the interaction noise is sensitive to axial spacing between rotor and stator and choice of blade counts. Research indicates that increasing the axial spacing between rotors and stators or choosing appropriate blade number can effectively reduce the interaction noise (Crigler & Copeland, 1965; Benzakein, 1972; Tyler & Sofrin, 1962; Duncan et al., 1975). Besides, changing the phase distribution of rotor-stator interaction or using three-dimensional blade design can both reduce the interaction tonal noise in turbomachinery (Nemec, 1967; Schaub & Krishnappa, 1977; Mellin & Sovran, 1970; Suzuki & Kanemitsu, 1971). Therefore, one of the most significant contributions to the gas turbine engine noise is due to the unsteady interactions in turbomachinery. An in-depth understanding of the unsteady flow mechanism is crucial for the effective control and reduction of the engine noise, which is especially important for the development of high performance aircraft engine. The aim of this chapter is to briefly introduce an overview of the published work about the unsteady flow in turbomachines. With a brief discussion of the basic concepts and characteristic parameters of unsteady flow, the chapter focuses on the primary unsteady flow phenomena in turbine components, including in low-pressure turbines and in high-pressure turbines. This chapter also discusses briefly the numerical methods that are applied to unsteady flow in turbomachinery. It is important to note that the contents are mainly based on the knowledge and experience of the authors. No attempt of a comprehensive overview is intended.
Inhibition of strigolactones promotes adventitious root formation

Roots that form from non-root tissues (adventitious roots) are crucial for cutting propagation in the forestry and horticulture industries. Strigolactone has been demonstrated to be an important regulator of these roots in both Arabidopsis and pea using strigolactone deficient mutants and exogenous hormone applications. Strigolactones are produced from a carotenoid precursor which can be blocked using the widely available but broad terpenoid biosynthesis blocker, fluridone. We demonstrate here that fluridone can be used to promote adventitious rooting in the model species Pisum sativum (pea). In addition, in the garden species Plumbago auriculata and Jasminium polyanthum fluridone was equally as successful at promoting roots as a commercial rooting compound containing NAA and IBA. Our findings demonstrate that inhibition of strigolactone signaling has the potential to be used to improve adventitious rooting in commercially relevant species.
Comparison of nuclear morphometric parameters in cytologic smears and histologic sections of spontaneous canine tumors.

BACKGROUND Nuclear morphometry may provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information for neoplasms in animals. Most available data have been obtained from histologic sections. Nuclear morphometry of cytologic smears may provide important preoperative information. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to compare nuclear morphometric parameters in cytologic smears and histologic sections from spontaneous canine tumors. METHODS Mean nuclear area (MNA), mean nuclear perimeter (MNP), mean nuclear form factor (FF; nuclear perimeter(2)/4pi nuclear area) and their respective SDs were assessed by image analysis of both hematoxylin and eosin-stained histologic sections and May-Grünwald-Giemsa-stained cytologic smears from the same case in 20 spontaneous canine tumors of different histogenesis. The above parameters were selected as being the best morphometric tools for measuring variation in shape and size in cells after neoplastic transformation. Data were compared by ANOVA with P<. 01 considered significant. RESULTS There was a significant difference between histologic and cytologic specimens for MNA, MNP, and their SDs. Only the differences between FF and the SD of FF were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Only nuclear morphometric data related to nuclear shape and nuclear shape variability are comparable between histologic and cytologic specimens. Nuclear area and perimeter may be affected by the different fixation and smear preparation techniques used in histology and cytology.
Role of Brazilian Amazon protected areas in climate change mitigation

Protected areas (PAs) now shelter 54% of the remaining forests of the Brazilian Amazon and contain 56% of its forest carbon. However, the role of these PAs in reducing carbon fluxes to the atmosphere from deforestation and their associated costs are still uncertain. To fill this gap, we analyzed the effect of each of 595 Brazilian Amazon PAs on deforestation using a metric that accounts for differences in probability of deforestation in areas of pairwise comparison. We found that the three major categories of PA (indigenous land, strictly protected, and sustainable use) showed an inhibitory effect, on average, between 1997 and 2008. Of 206 PAs created after the year 1999, 115 showed increased effectiveness after their designation as protected. The recent expansion of PAs in the Brazilian Amazon was responsible for 37% of the region's total reduction in deforestation between 2004 and 2006 without provoking leakage. All PAs, if fully implemented, have the potential to avoid 8.0 ± 2.8 Pg of carbon emissions by 2050. Effectively implementing PAs in zones under high current or future anthropogenic threat offers high payoffs for reducing carbon emissions, and as a result should receive special attention in planning investments for regional conservation. Nevertheless, this strategy demands prompt and predictable resource streams. The Amazon PA network represents a cost of US$147 ± 53 billion (net present value) for Brazil in terms of forgone profits and investments needed for their consolidation. These costs could be partially compensated by an international climate accord that includes economic incentives for tropical countries that reduce their carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
Comparison of the virulence of European and African isolates of Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony type

occurs in southern Europe, where the disease is generally considered to exhibit lower morbidity and mortality than in Africa (Nicholas and others 1996), although evidence for this is mainly anecdotal in nature. The reduced severity of CBPP in Europe could be due to better husbandry and nutrition, the availability of antibiotic treatments, or a lower incidence of secondary infections (Ilemobade and others 1982). Alternatively, European strains of MmtinS may be less virulent than their African counterparts. Experimental data support the hypothesis that two strain types exist, African/Australian and European biotypes, although a difference in virulence is less well defined. Differences in protein and insertion sequence banding patterns differentiate the two types (Cheng and others 1995, Goncalves and others 1998), as does the ability of African/Australian isolates to metabolise glycerol, in contrast to all European strains tested (Houshaymi and others 1997, 1998). A by-product of this metabolism is hydrogen peroxide, thought to be a virulence factor in mycoplasmal infections (Cherry and Taylor-Robinson 1970). This finding has been used in support of the hypothesis that European strains of mminsc exhibit lower virulence (Houshaymi and others 1997), although metabolism of glycerol and subsequenlt production of hydrogen peroxide have not been demonstrated in
Outpatient Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis

Laparoscopic appendectomy is the widely accepted treatment for acute appendicitis. This approach offers the potential of less pain, shorter hospital stay, and quicker return to activities. Traditionally, patients are hospitalized for 24 hours after laparoscopic appendectomy. This practice can be questioned due to the good results of other outpatient laparoscopic surgery. A retrospective review of 119 patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis was undertaken from January through September 2009; outpatient and in-patient laparoscopic appendectomies were compared. Patients were selected for outpatient management based upon physician discretion and their clinical course in operation and recovery rooms. Forty-two patients were dismissed on the day of surgery and 77 were admitted for 1 to 5 days postoperatively. No significant differences in age, gender, and preoperative comorbidities between outpatient and inpatient groups were found. Postoperative complications occurred in 2.4 per cent of outpatients and 11.7 per cent of inpatients (P = 0.16). Complications included superficial wound infections, urinary retention, urinary tract infection, intra-abdominal bleeding, pneumonia, and infected hematoma. Based upon this study, outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy can be performed safely in selected patients. This study provides the background for the present prospective protocol for routine outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy at our institution.