Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Accurate measurement of volume and shape of resting and activated blood platelets from light scattering

Abstract. We introduce a novel approach for determination of volume and shape of individual blood platelets modeled as an oblate spheroid from angle-resolved light scattering with flow-cytometric technique. The light-scattering profiles (LSPs) of individual platelets were measured with the scanning flow cytometer and the platelet characteristics were determined from the solution of the inverse light-scattering problem using the precomputed database of theoretical LSPs. We revealed a phenomenon of parameter compensation, which is partly explained in the framework of anomalous diffraction approximation. To overcome this problem, additional a priori information on the platelet refractive index was used. It allowed us to determine the size of each platelet with subdiffraction precision and independent of the particular value of the platelet aspect ratio. The shape (spheroidal aspect ratio) distributions of platelets showed substantial differences between native and activated by 10 μM adenosine diphosphate samples. We expect that the new approach may find use in hematological analyzers for accurate measurement of platelet volume distribution and for determination of the platelet activation efficiency.
[Diogenes' syndrome. A geriatric entity].

OBJECTIVES To familiarize physicians with this relatively rare syndrome; to review the signs and symptoms, with special emphasis on its nature and the terminology used; and to help physicians choose an appropriate course of action. DATA SOURCES MEDLINE (1966 to 1997) and Psychlit (1990 to 1996), references from articles, reference texts on geriatrics and psychiatry. STUDY SELECTION All of the articles reviewed involved case studies. SYNTHESIS Descriptive articles enabled us to define this syndrome more clearly. The dissimilarity of the case studies indicates that the condition is not clearly defined, and the reference to the Greek philosopher Diogenes is misleading. CONCLUSION The various features described to make up a geriatric syndrome characterized by extreme self-neglect, squalid living conditions, and social withdrawal. This complex geriatric problem poses clinical, social and ethical challenges.
Successful extubation of neonates: Clinical and physiological factors

Arterial blood gases, pulmonary mechanics, lung volume measurements and clinical profiles were determined pre and postextubation in 19 infants recovering from respiratory disease. This study evaluated clinical and physiological factors which may be valuable in predicting successful extubation in neonates. Of the 19 patients, 4 required reintubation within 72 h. In this group of patients, the combined profile of low birth weight (1050 g), low gestational age (31 weeks), and high pulmonary resistance (inspiratory 278 cm H2O/L · sec, expiratory 309 cm H2O/L · sec) was significantly different from the 15 patients who were successfully extubated. In addition, lower pHa after extubation was also characteristic of those infants requiring reintubation.
Atmospheric Deposition and Canopy Interactions of Major Ions in a Forest

Airborne particles and vapors contributed significantly to the nutrient requirements and the pollutant load of a mixed hardwood forest in the eastern United States. Dry deposition was an important mechanism of atmospheric input to the foliar canopy, occurring primarily by vapor uptake for sulfur, nitrogen, and free acidity and by particle deposition for calcium and potassium. The canopy retained 50 to 70 percent of the deposited free acidity and nitrogen, but released calcium and potassium. Atmospheric deposition supplied 40 and 100 percent of the nitrogen and sulfur requirements, respectively, for the annual woody increment. This contribution was underestimated significantly by standard bulk deposition collectors.
Promotion of Fracture Healing by Vitamin E in Rats

We investigated the effects of the antioxidant α-tocopherol on early- and late-phase fracture healing in a rat model. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into two groups. The right tibia of each rat was fractured manually under anaesthesia, and fracture sites fixed with intramedullary Kirschner wires. The α-tocopherol group received 20 mg/kg α-tocopherol intraperitoneally; the control group received intraperitoneal saline injections. Ten rats from each group were sacrificed on day 15, day 45 and day 60. In the α-tocopherol group, malondialdehyde concentrations, a measure of lipid peroxidation associated with oxygen free radicals, were significantly decreased on day 15 and day 45 compared with the control group, but had regained the 15-day value on day 60. On histopathological and radiological assessment, fracture healing on day 60 was significantly more advanced in the α-tocopherol group. We conclude that α-tocopherol has a positive effect on both early and late-phase fracture healing, and may be beneficial in clinical fracture cases.
Determining the Molecular Basis for the pH-dependent Interaction between the Link Module of Human TSG-6 and Hyaluronan*♦

TSG-6 is an inflammation-associated hyaluronan (HA)-binding protein that has anti-inflammatory and protective functions in arthritis and asthma as well as a critical role in mammalian ovulation. The interaction between TSG-6 and HA is pH-dependent, with a marked reduction in affinity on increasing the pH from 6.0 to 8.0. Here we have investigated the mechanism underlying this pH dependence using a combined approach of site-directed mutagenesis, NMR, isothermal titration calorimetry and microtiter plate assays. Analysis of single-site mutants of the TSG-6 Link module indicated that the loss in affinity above pH 6.0 is mediated by the change in ionization state of a histidine residue (His4) that is not within the HA-binding site. To understand this in molecular terms, the pH-dependent folding profile and the pKa values of charged residues within the Link module were determined using NMR. These data indicated that His4 makes a salt bridge to one side-chain oxygen atom of a buried aspartate residue (Asp89), whereas the other oxygen is simultaneously hydrogen-bonded to a key HA-binding residue (Tyr12). This molecular network transmits the change in ionization state of His4 to the HA-binding site, which explains the loss of affinity at high pH. In contrast, simulations of the pH affinity curves indicate that another histidine residue, His45, is largely responsible for the gain in affinity for HA between pH 3.5 and 6.0. The pH-dependent interaction of TSG-6 with HA (and other ligands) provides a means of differentially regulating the functional activity of this protein in different tissue microenvironments.
[Sylvatic dengue: should we be worried?].

Tendo em vista varias indicacoes recentes de envolvimento de mamiferos de varias especies num ciclo silvestre de dengue, foram revisados os estudos, ressaltando a necessidade de desenvolvimento de estudos em areas preservadas, especialmente as situadas proximo de areas com alta incidencia de dengue.
Walks4Work: assessing the role of the natural environment in a workplace physical activity intervention.

OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of physical activity (PA) in the natural environment (eg, "green exercise") on resting autonomic function in the Walks4Work intervention. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of Walks4Work in terms of adherence, change in PA levels, and cardiovascular health parameters. METHODS In an 8-week randomized control trial, 94 office workers in an international company were allocated to one of three groups: control, nature (NW), or built (BW) lunchtime walking route. Both walking groups were required to undertake two lunchtime walks each week. The NW route centered around trees, maintained grass, and public footpaths. In contrast, the BW consisted of pavement routes through housing estates and industrial areas. Data were collected at baseline and following the intervention. To investigate the impact of the intervention, mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed. RESULTS A total of 73 participants completed the intervention (drop-out rate of 22%). No difference was observed in resting autonomic function between the groups. Self-reported mental health improved for the NW group only. PA levels increased at the intervention mid-point for all groups combined but adherence to the intervention was low with rates of 42% and 43% within the BW and NW groups, respectively. CONCLUSION Accompanying a guideline of two active lunchtimes per week with low facilitator input appears inadequate for increasing the number of active lunchtimes and modifying cardiovascular health parameters in an office population. However, this population fell within normal ranges for cardiovascular measures and future research should consider investigating at-risk populations, particularly hypertensive individuals.
IF estimation of linear FM signals corrupted by multiplicative and additive noise: a time-frequency approach

This paper presents a time-frequency approach for the estimation of the instantaneous frequency (IF) of a linear frequency modulated (FM) signal affected by multiplicative and additive white Gaussian noise. Contrary to earlier claims, we show that the Wigner-Ville spectrum (WVS) is optimal in the sense of IF localisation for such signals and its peak is proposed as an IF estimator. We derive an analytical expression for the asymptotic variance for this estimator. Simulation results based on Monte-Carlo realisations illustrate and confirm the validity of the theoretical derivations and analysis.
The role of temozolomide in the treatment of a patient with a pure silent pituitary somatotroph carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE To describe a case of a pure silent somatotroph pituitary carcinoma. METHODS We describe a 54-year-old female with a clinically nonfunctioning pituitary macroadenoma diagnosed 15 years earlier. RESULTS The patient underwent transsphenoidal surgery and no visible tumor remnant was observed for 6 years. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) detected the recurrence of a 1.2 × 1.5 cm macroadenoma. The patient was submitted to conventional radiotherapy (4500 cGy), and the tumor volume remained stable for 7 years. Then, an MRI revealed a slight increase in tumor size, and 2 years later, a subsequent MRI detected a very large, invasive pituitary mass. The patient was resubmitted to transsphenoidal surgery, and the histopathological examination showed diffuse positivity for growth hormone (GH). The nadir GH level during an oral glucose tolerance test was 0.06 ng/mL, and the pre- and postoperative insulin like growth factor type I (IGF-I) levels were within the normal range. Abdominal, chest, brain, and spine MRI showed multiple small and hypervascular liver and bone lesions suggestive of metastases. Liver biopsy confirmed metastasis of GH-producing pituitary carcinoma. The patient has been treated with temozolomide and zoledronic acid for 7 months and with octreotide long-acting release (LAR) for 4 months. The primary tumor and metastases are stable. CONCLUSION Despite being an extremely rare event, pituitary carcinoma may develop several years after the successful treatment of even a silent GH-producing pituitary adenoma, which suggests that close long-term follow-up is necessary.
PCR-SSCP ANALYSIS OF GROWTH DIFFERENTIATION FACTOR-9 GENE OF GAROLE SHEEP

Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Belgachia, Kolkata-700037, West Bengal, India. *Corresponding author. e-mail: subhash.taraphder@gmail.com ABSTRACT: Growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), one of the oocyte-derived members of the transforming growth factor β super family has played an imperative role for follicular growth and ovulation. The present study was to investigate the polymorphism of exon-1 of GDF-9 gene in the most prolific Garole sheep breed. Blood samples were collected from 28 ewes and genomic DNA was extracted using the modified high salt method. The 462 bp amplified PCR product was analyzed for polymorphism by SSCP method. The results indicated two different banding patterns AA and AB for this fragment. The frequencies of AA and AB genotypes were 0.857 and 0.143. The allelic frequencies of A and B alleles were 0.928 and 0.072. The Calculated Chi-square value for exon-1 of GDF-9 gene (0.032) was found to be lesser than that of tabulated values at 5% and 1% level of significance indicating that the population under study was in Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The 462 bp nucleotide sequence was subjected to BLAST analysis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that nucleotide sequence of studied sample of Garole sheep is 100 percent similar with the published sequence of sheep and form a common cluster indicating their evolutionary closeness.
Molecular Detection of Mutations Associated with First- and Second-Line Drug Resistance Compared with Conventional Drug Susceptibility Testing of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

ABSTRACT The emergence of multi- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis is a significant impediment to the control of this disease because treatment becomes more complex and costly. Reliable and timely drug susceptibility testing is critical to ensure that patients receive effective treatment and become noninfectious. Molecular methods can provide accurate and rapid drug susceptibility results. We used DNA sequencing to detect resistance to the first-line antituberculosis drugs isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), pyrazinamide (PZA), and ethambutol (EMB) and the second-line drugs amikacin (AMK), capreomycin (CAP), kanamycin (KAN), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and ofloxacin (OFX). Nine loci were sequenced: rpoB (for resistance to RIF), katG and inhA (INH), pncA (PZA), embB (EMB), gyrA (CIP and OFX), and rrs, eis, and tlyA (KAN, AMK, and CAP). A total of 314 clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates representing a variety of antibiotic resistance patterns, genotypes, and geographical origins were analyzed. The molecular data were compared to the phenotypic data and the accuracy values were calculated. Sensitivity and specificity values for the first-line drug loci were 97.1% and 93.6% for rpoB, 85.4% and 100% for katG, 16.5% and 100% for inhA, 90.6% and 100% for katG and inhA together, 84.6% and 85.8% for pncA, and 78.6% and 93.1% for embB. The values for the second-line drugs were also calculated. The size and scope of this study, in numbers of loci and isolates examined, and the phenotypic diversity of those isolates support the use of DNA sequencing to detect drug resistance in the M. tuberculosis complex. Further, the results can be used to design diagnostic tests utilizing other mutation detection technologies.
Establishment of a serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) reference interval in healthy adults. The importance of environmental factors, including thyroid antibodies

Abstract It has previously been shown that thyroid antibodies affect thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) concentrations in men and women and that TSH levels are predictive of future thyroid disease. We investigated the validity of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) guidelines regarding the TSH reference interval by studying 1512 individuals. Two hundred and fifty had at least one thyroid antibody, 121 were taking medications other than estrogens and occasional analgesics, and 105 reported a family history of thyroid disease. Serum TSH, thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (Tgab) were determined on AutoDELFIA and TSHRab by a radioreceptor assay (RRA) from Brahms Diagnostica. For individuals without thyroid antibodies and other risk factors, no effect of age and gender was seen for serum TSH. Neither medication nor the presence of Tgab alone had any influence on serum TSH. TPOab alone or in combination with Tgab were associated with an increased serum TSH level. The ‘cumulative percentage distributions’ of subgroups, as well as the combined population, was ln-Gaussian distributed. The central 95% of the population was within the 95% CI in rankit-plots. Consequently, a common reference interval for serum TSH of 0.58–4.07 mIU/l for all adults between 17 and 66 years of age was established. This reference interval is much higher than expected from the NACB-guidelines.
Reversible spinal cord trauma in cats. Additive effects of direct pressure and ischemia.

✓ In the barbiturate-anesthetized cat, spinal cord function was estimated using averaged cortical evoked potentials (CEP) elicited by stimulating the posterior tibial nerve. Although neither spinal cord compression nor an aortic blood pressure one-half the systemic pressure when applied individually blocked the CEP, these same factors when applied in combination produced reversible block of the CEP.
Using failure mode and effects analysis to plan implementation of smart i.v. pump technology.

PURPOSE Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) was used to evaluate a smart i.v. pump as it was implemented into a redesigned medication-use process. SUMMARY A multidisciplinary team conducted a FMEA to guide the implementation of a smart i.v. pump that was designed to prevent pump programming errors. The smart i.v. pump was equipped with a dose-error reduction system that included a pre-defined drug library in which dosage limits were set for each medication. Monitoring for potential failures and errors occurred for three months postimplementation of FMEA. Specific measures were used to determine the success of the actions that were implemented as a result of the FMEA. The FMEA process at the hospital identified key failure modes in the medication process with the use of the old and new pumps, and actions were taken to avoid errors and adverse events. I.V. pump software and hardware design changes were also recommended. Thirteen of the 18 failure modes reported in practice after pump implementation had been identified by the team. A beneficial outcome of FMEA was the development of a multidisciplinary team that provided the infrastructure for safe technology implementation and effective event investigation after implementation. With the continual updating of i.v. pump software and hardware after implementation, FMEA can be an important starting place for safe technology choice and implementation and can produce site experts to follow technology and process changes over time. CONCLUSION FMEA was useful in identifying potential problems in the medication-use process with the implementation of new smart i.v. pumps. Monitoring for system failures and errors after implementation remains necessary.
Acute care and one-year outcome of Mexican patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke: the PREMIER study.

INTRODUCTION Information on acute care and outcome of Mexican patients with ischaemic stroke is lacking. The aim of this report is to provide results of a first step stroke surveillance system and outcome at one year of follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS In the PREMIER study 1,376 patients from 59 Mexican hospitals were included from January 2005 to June 2006. Of these, 1,040 (52% women, mean age 67.5 years) with first-ever cerebral infarction are here analyzed. Five visits were completed during the one year follow-up. RESULTS Main risk factors were hypertension (64%), obesity (51%) and diabetes (35%). Total anterior circulation stroke syndrome occurred in 19% of patients, partial anterior in 38%, lacunar in 26% and posterior stroke syndrome in 17% cases. In 8% the stroke mechanism was large-artery atherosclerosis, in 18% cardioembolism, in 20% lacunar, in 6% miscellaneous mechanisms and in 42% the mechanism was undetermined, mainly due to a low use of diagnostic resources. Although 17% of patients arrived in < 3 h from stroke onset, only 0.5% had IV thrombolysis. Only 1% received endarterectomy or stenting. The 30-day case fatality rate was 15%. At one-year of follow-up, 47% had a modified Rankin score 0-2 (independent), 23% had 2-5 (dependent) and 29% died. One-year acute ischaemic stroke recurrence rate was 8%. CONCLUSION In Mexico a significant proportion of patients arrive on time for thrombolysis, but very few receive this therapy. There is a low use of diagnostic resources to assign aetiology. Thirty-day case fatality rate doubles at 1-year after acute ischaemic stroke.
Hypertension Sympathetic Neural Mechanisms in WhiteCoat Hypertension

OBJECTIVES This study planned to establish whether sympathetic hyperactivity exists in white-coat hypertension (WHT) in the clinical setting, relative to matched groups with normotension (NT) and untreated essential hypertension (EHT). BACKGROUND White-coat hypertension differs from EHT by the presence of normal ambulatory blood pressure. Sympathetic hyperactivity exists in patients with EHT in the clinical setting and is believed to contribute to the development of target organ damage. Similar organ damage has been reported in WHT, yet little is known about sympathetic neural activity in this condition. METHODS Using microneurography, we examined groups of 12 matched subjects with WHT, EHT and NT during the same clinical setting to quantify muscle sympathetic nerve activity as multiunit discharge (MSNA) and single units (s-MSNA). RESULTS The s-MSNA in WHT (54 4.2 impulses/100 beats) was greater (p 0.05) than in NT (37 5.4 impulses/100 beats) despite similar age and body mass index (BMI). The EHT values of s-MSNA (73 5.2 impulses/100 beats) were significantly (p 0.05) greater than in WHT despite similar age, BMI and blood pressure levels. The MSNA followed a similar trend. White-coat hypertension had a similar cardiac baroreceptor reflex sensitivity to NT, but this was impaired in EHT relative to both NT and WHT. CONCLUSIONS It was shown, in the clinical setting, that central sympathetic hyperactivity exists in WHT, albeit to a lesser degree than EHT. These findings suggest that WHT may not be entirely benign and that the observed sympathetic hyperactivity may be responsible for development of target organ damage in this group of patients. (J Am Coll Cardiol 2002;40:126–32) © 2002 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation
Is Discrimination an Equal Opportunity Risk? Racial Experiences, Socioeconomic Status, and Health Status among Black and White Adults

Using the 2004 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, we explore the relationship between racial awareness, perceived discrimination, and self-rated health among black (n = 5,902) and white (n = 28,451) adults. We find that adjusting for group differences in racial awareness and discrimination, in addition to socioeconomic status, explains the black-white gap in self-rated health. However, logistic regression models also find evidence for differential vulnerability among black and whites adults, based on socioeconomic status. While both groups are equally harmed by emotional and/or physical reactions to race-based treatment, the negative consequences of discriminatory experiences for black adults are exacerbated by their poorer socioeconomic standing. In contrast, the association between racial awareness and self-rated health is more sensitive to socioeconomic standing among whites. Poorer health is more likely to occur among whites when they reflect at least daily on their own racial status—but only when it happens in tandem with mid-range educational achievement, or among homemakers.