Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Eular On-line Course on Rheumatic Diseases – module n ° 17

INTRODUCTION Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations (1). There is a peak age of onset among young women between the late teens and early 40’s and a female to male ratio of 9:1. Ethnic groups such as those with African or Asian ancestry are more at risk of developing the disorder and it may be more severe compared to Caucasian patients. SLE is a chronic illness that may be life-threatening when major organs are affected but more commonly results in chronic debilitating ill health. No single cause for SLE has been identified though factors such as sunlight and drugs may precipitate the condition and there is a complex genetic basis. This module will describe in detail the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and diagnosis of SLE.
Developing and Testing a Self‐Care Intervention for Older Adults in Caregiving Roles

BackgroundTheory-based interventions incorporating a self-care perspective for health promotion and protection are needed for older adults. The Self-Care for Health Promotion in Aging (S-CHPA) model provided the basis for development of an intervention focused on promoting health among older adults who provide care for their spouses with dementia. ObjectivesTo describe the development of a theory-based intervention (Self-Care Talk) and to describe the process of evaluating the implementation of the intervention when it was pilot tested with older spouse caregivers of persons with dementia. MethodsThe S-CHPA model was used to guide development of Self-Care Talk, a series of telephone-based sessions between advanced practice nurses and older adults. Session content included practicing healthy habits, building self-esteem, focusing on the positive, avoiding role overload, communicating, and building meaning. Specific self-care strategies were explored in the context of an individual's experiences, relationships, and condition. Intervention implementation was evaluated using Lichstein's criteria of delivery, receipt, and enactment. ResultsSix spouse caregivers of persons with dementia participated in the pilot study. The education and support intervention was delivered as intended (delivery). Participants reported understanding session content (receipt), and planned to use the information (enactment). Participants also reported an increased awareness about self-care practices and offered specific examples of how they intended to practice better self-care. DiscussionThe theory-based Self-Care Talk intervention can be implemented as intended and is ready for use in future randomized clinical trials with older spouse caregivers of persons with dementia.
Evaluation de l’intérêt du croisement entre races bovines laitières

La robustesse des vaches Holstein (HO) a ete degradee par la selection pratiquee ces dernieres decennies alors que le croisement entre races laitieres permettrait a priori de l’ameliorer. L’objectif general de cette these etait donc d’evaluer par modelisation-simulation l’interet de l’introduction du croisement entre races laitieres dans des troupeaux HO. Dans une etape intermediaire, le traitement des bases de donnees nationales a etabli que les ecarts entre races et l’heterosis pour les caracteres de production et de reproduction etaient significatifs, pour les races HO et Montbeliarde (MO) ou Normande (NO). Au cours de l’etape de simulation, des scenarios deroules sur 15 ans ont compare 3 strategies d’accouplement impliquant les races MO, NO et/ou Rouge Scandinave (RS) a celle consistant a rester en race HO, et ceci pour differents types d’ateliers. Compte-tenu des parametrages retenus pour ces simulations, dans les ateliers a niveau eleve de productivite laitiere et faible prevalence de troubles de reproduction et sante, le croisement n’a pas montre d’avantage economique. En revanche, a productivite elevee mais prevalence marquee de tels troubles, le croisement avait un effet positif et, notamment, la strategie rotative HOxMOxRS augmentait le resultat de pres de 100 €/vache/an. Pour des niveaux de productivite plus moderes, l’interet economique etait moindre, mais la robustesse des vaches etait amelioree avec moins d’interventions sur les vaches. En depit de ces resultats plutot favorables, le constat dresse en etape preliminaire, sur la tres large resistance en France a la pratique du croisement, incite a mieux construire le conseil aux eleveurs sur cette question.
Physical fitness and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: dangerous liaisons or common genetic pathways?

The cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains elusive, although several studies have strived to elucidate possible factors related to this devastating disease. Recently, cigarette smoking has been claimed to be a risk factor for ALS,1 but the biological basis of its action is still uncertain. Some studies have been devoted to the assessment of physical activity and physical prowess, driven by the common observation that many ALS patients, in particular younger patients, had been athletes or physically very active. A recent revision of literature on physical activity in ALS concluded that evidence …
Caco-2 and IEC-18 intestinal epithelial cells exert bactericidal activity through an oxidant-dependent pathway.

Intestinal epithelial cells have receptors that recognize bacterial antigens and in some circumstances are actively involved in bacterial internalization. To test the hypothesis that intestinal epithelial cells possess bactericidal capabilities, the bactericidal activity of two intestinal cell lines (IEC-18 and Caco-2) was measured using Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli as test organisms. The relative bactericidal efficacy of these two intestinal cell lines to kill these bacteria was compared against neutrophils (PMN) using a standard in vitro bactericidal assay. The IEC-18 and Caco-2 cells as well as the PMNs killed S. aureus and P. aeruginosa but not E. coli (p < .05). In fact, when tested in serum-free medium, the IEC-18 and Caco-2 cells killed a greater percentage of bacteria than the PMNs (p < .05). The addition of the antioxidant, superoxide dismutase, significantly reversed the bactericidal activity of both Caco-2 cells and neutrophils for P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, while catalase had no effect. Nitric oxide inhibition by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) had no effect on bactericidal activity of Caco-2 cells. These results indicate that intestinal epithelial cells can kill certain strains of bacteria and may function as "nonprofessional" phagocytes. Additionally, the mechanisms involved in the killing of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by the Caco-2 and IEC-18 cells appear similar to the PMNs to the extent that bactericidal activity appeared to be oxidant-mediated but not nitric oxide-mediated in both the Caco-2 cell line and in the neutrophils.
Genome-Derived Criteria for Assigning Environmental narG and nosZ Sequences to Operational Taxonomic Units of Nitrate Reducers

ABSTRACT Ninety percent of cultured bacterial nitrate reducers with a 16S rRNA gene similarity of ≥97% had a narG or nosZ similarity of ≥67% or ≥80%, respectively, suggesting that 67% and 80% could be used as standardized, conservative threshold similarity values for narG and nosZ, respectively (i.e., any two sequences that are less similar than the threshold similarity value have a very high probability of belonging to different species), for estimating species-level operational taxonomic units. Genus-level tree topologies of narG and nosZ were generally similar to those of the corresponding 16S rRNA genes. Although some genomes contained multiple copies of narG, recent horizontal gene transfer of narG was not apparent.
The Relationship Between Passive Joint Laxity and Functional Outcome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Twenty patients with anterior cruciate ligament-defi cient knees were studied. Ten patients returned to all sports activities (compensators) and 10 patients were not improved with nonoperative management and re quired surgical stabilization (noncompensators). Joint laxity was measured using a KT-2000 arthrometer (manual maximum Lachman). Subjects completed a Lysholm questionnaire and Knee Outcome Score. The International Knee Documentation Committee form was also completed. Patients also rated their knee function on a scale of 1 to 100. There was no difference in level and frequency of athletic activity between the two groups before their anterior cruciate ligament inju ries as determined by the knee outcome score. The compensator group had a mean side-to-side difference of 3.25 mm at 89 N and the noncompensators had a mean difference of 3 mm preoperatively. Manual max imum tests gave side-to-side differences of 6.7 mm for the compensators and 6 mm for the noncompensators. There were no differences in laxity measures between groups. The correlation between knee outcome scores and side-to-side laxity measurements were not signif icant. Measurements of anterior laxity in anterior cru ciate ligament-deficient patients were not correlated with measures of functional outcome used in this study. Functional outcome measurements that are par tially based on joint laxity measures, such as the Inter national Knee Documentation Committee form, may artificially overestimate the disability after anterior cru ciate ligament rupture.
Ventilatory sensitivity to CO2 in hyperoxia and hypoxia in older aged humans.

Findings from studies of the effects of aging on the human respiratory controller are equivocal. This study assessed the ventilatory response to CO2 in hyperoxia and hypoxia in groups of younger (YS) and older (OS) humans. Two protocols were used. In the first, end-tidal PCO2 (PETCO2) was clamped at 1-2 Torr above rest (eucapnia), and, in the second, PETCO2 was clamped at 7-8 torr above resting PETCO2 (moderate hypercapnia). End-tidal PO2 was clamped at 100 Torr throughout except for two 2-min periods at 500 and 50 Torr. The ventilatory responses for each subject at each PO2 were fitted to the linear equation, VE = S(PETCO2 - B), where VE is minute ventilation, S is the response curve slope, and B is the response curve threshold. In eucapnia, there were no differences in hypoxic and hyperoxic VE between YS and OS. In hypercapnia, hypoxic VE was 24% lower in OS [39.93 +/- 2.71 (SE) l/min] than in YS (52.16 +/- 3.17 l/min). In hypoxia, S was significantly lower in OS (3.25 +/- 0.38 l.min-1.Torr-1) than in YS (4.76 +/- 0.37 l.min-1.Torr-1). We conclude that, in older humans, VE is lower in hypoxia during moderate hypercapnia, resulting mainly from a decreased peripheral chemoreflex CO2 sensitivity.
Granular Layer Neurons Control Cerebellar Neurovascular Coupling Through an NMDA Receptor/NO-Dependent System

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the process whereby neuronal activity controls blood vessel diameter. In the cerebellum, the molecular layer is regarded as the main NVC determinant. However, the granular layer is a region with variable metabolic demand caused by large activity fluctuations that shows a prominent expression of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and is therefore much more suitable for effective NVC. Here, we show, in the granular layer of acute rat cerebellar slices, that capillary diameter changes rapidly after mossy fiber stimulation. Vasodilation required neuronal NMDARs and NOS stimulation and subsequent guanylyl cyclase activation that probably occurred in pericytes. Vasoconstriction required metabotropic glutamate receptors and CYP ω-hydroxylase, the enzyme regulating 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid production. Therefore, granular layer capillaries are controlled by the balance between vasodilating and vasoconstricting systems that could finely tune local blood flow depending on neuronal activity changes at the cerebellar input stage. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The neuronal circuitry and the biochemical pathways that control local blood flow supply in the cerebellum are unclear. This is surprising given the emerging role played by this brain structure, not only in motor behavior, but also in cognitive functions. Although previous studies focused on the molecular layer, here, we shift attention onto the mossy fiber granule cell (GrC) relay. We demonstrate that GrC activity causes a robust vasodilation in nearby capillaries via the NMDA receptors–neuronal nitric oxide synthase signaling pathway. At the same time, metabotropic glutamate receptors mediate 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid-dependent vasoconstriction. These results reveal a complex signaling network that hints for the first time at the granular layer as a major determinant of cerebellar blood-oxygen-level-dependent signals.
A Regulatory Potential of the Xist Gene Promoter in Vole M. rossiaemeridionalis

X chromosome inactivation takes place in the early development of female mammals and depends on the Xist gene expression. The mechanisms of Xist expression regulation have not been well understood so far. In this work, we compared Xist promoter region of vole Microtus rossiaemeridionalis and other mammalian species. We observed three conserved regions which were characterized by computational analysis, DNaseI in vitro footprinting, and reporter construct assay. Regulatory factors potentially involved in Xist activation and repression in voles were determined. The role of CpG methylation in vole Xist expression regulation was established. A CTCF binding site was found in the 5′ flanking region of the Xist promoter on the active X chromosome in both males and females. We suggest that CTCF acts as an insulator which defines an inactive Xist domain on the active X chromosome in voles.
Print Is Future, Online Is Past

This article examines the representation of past, present, and future in print and online news, while establishing a link between the temporal orientation of news stories and the constraints of the news cycle. Based on a content analysis of top news stories in the Israeli media, the study shows that a future temporal orientation is more prevalent in print media, which assume the role of projecting upcoming events, analyzing potential outcomes, and shaping collective expectations. In contrast, online news tends to assume the more commonly recognized journalistic role of informing the public on recent-past events. The discussion introduces the notion of “temporal affordances,” referring to the temporal constraints and possibilities of media technologies, which in turn can lead to distinctive content characteristics. These affordances, which connect symbolic and material dimensions, contribute to the shaping and reshaping of the functions served by divergent communication outlets in changing media landscapes.
Clinical, Biochemical, Hematological, Endocrinological and Immunological Differences Between Graves’ Disease Patients With and Without Thyroid Storm

Background Thyroid storm (TS) is very rare, however, a life-threatening medical condition requiring emergency treatment. Since TS is rare, published case reports and seven unpublished cases of TS diagnosed at the researchers’ facilities were analyzed to make diagnostic criteria for TS in Japan. There are no reports on differences in backgrounds between Graves’ disease patients with and without TS, from a single research facility. Methods We retrospectively picked up patients who had been diagnosed as having Graves’ disease with and without TS, at National Center for Global Health and Medicine Kohnodai Hospital, between January 2010 and October 2018. According to the guideline for the diagnosis of Graves’ disease and TS presented by the Japan Thyroid Association, we diagnosed patients as having Graves’ disease with and without TS. We obtained clinical and laboratory data by using electronical medical records and database after showing the opt-out. Results We found 69 Graves’ disease patients without TS, and five Graves’ disease patients with TS. Graves’ disease patients with TS were significantly younger than those without TS. Graves’ disease patients with TS included a significantly higher percentage of male patients than those without TS. Body temperature and pulse rate in patients with TS were significantly higher than those without TS. Serum thyroid hormone levels and the titer of third-generation thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody in patients with TS were significantly higher than in those without TS. Neutrophilic leukocytosis together with eosinopenia, monocytopenia and lymphocytopenia were observed in patients with TS. Serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly higher in patients with TS than in those without TS. Serum levels of triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in patients with TS were significantly lower than those without TS. Conclusions Our study demonstrated significant clinical, biochemical, hematological, endocrinological and immunological differences in Graves’ disease patients with TS compared to those without TS.
Chromosomal replicases as asymmetric dimers: studies of subunit arrangement and functional consequences

Studies of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme of Escherichia coli support a model in which both the leading and lagging strand polymerases are held together in a complex with the replicative helicase and priming activities, allowing two identical α catalytic subunits to assume different functions on the two strands of the replication fork. Creation of distinct functions for each of the two polymerases within the holoenzyme depends on the asymmetric character of the entire complex. The asymmetry of the holoenzyme is created by the DnaX complex, a heptamer that includes τ and γ products of the dnaX gene. τ and γ perform unique functions in the DnaX complex, and the interaction between α and τ appears to dictate the catalytic subunit's role in the replicative reaction. This review considers the properties of the DnaX complex including both τ and γ, with the goal of understanding the properties of the replicase and its function in vivo. Recent studies in eukaryotic and other prokaryotic systems suggest that an asymmetric dimeric replicase may be universal. The leading and lagging strand polymerases may be distinct in some systems. For example, Pol e and Pol δ may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in eukaryotes, and PolC and DnaE may function as distinct leading and lagging strand polymerases in low GC content Gram‐positive bacteria.
Testing the Universal Soil Loss Equation‐MB equation in plots in Central and South Italy

Planning soil conservation strategies requires predictive techniques at event scale because a large percentage of soil loss over a long‐time period is due to relatively few large storms. Considering runoff is expected to improve soil loss predictions and allows relation of the process‐oriented approach with the empirical one, furthermore, the effects of detachment and transport on soil erosion processes can be distinguished by a runoff component. In this paper, the empirical model USLE‐MB (USLE‐M based), including a rainfall‐runoff erosivity factor in which the event rainfall erosivity index EI30 of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) multiplies the runoff coefficient QR raised to an exponent b1 > 1 is tested by the measurements carried out for the Masse (10 plots) and Sparacia (22 plots) experimental stations in Italy. For the Masse experimental station, an exponent b1 > 1 was also estimated by tests carried out by a nozzle‐type rainfall simulator. For each experimental site in fallow conditions, the effect of the sample size of the plot soil loss measurements on the estimate of the b1 coefficient was also studied by the extraction of a fixed number N of randomly obtained pairs of the normalized soil loss and runoff coefficient. The analysis showed that the variability of b1 with N is low and that 350 pairs are sufficient to obtain a stable estimate of b1. A total of 1,262 soil loss data were used to parameterize the model both locally and considering the two sites simultaneously. The b1 exponent varied between the two sites (1.298–1.520), but using a common exponent (1.386) was possible. Using a common b1 exponent for the two experimental areas increases the practical interest for the model and allows the estimation of a baseline component of the soil erodibility factor, which is representative of the at‐site soil intrinsic and quasi‐static properties. Development of a single USLE‐MB model appears possible, and sampling other sites is advisable to develop a single USLE‐MB model for general use.
Low prevalence of genetic prenatal diagnosis in Japan

Aiko Sasaki1, Hideaki Sawai2, Hideaki Masuzaki3, Fumiki Hirahara4 and Haruhiko Sago1* 1Department of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan 4Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
DIVISÃO ESTRATIGRÁFICA DO MESOZOICO NO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO

The Mesozoic of the Parana Basin in Sao Paulo State admits a division in four formations: Piramboia, Botucatu, Serra Geral and Bauru. The Piramboia Formation, as defined in this paper, exhibits a maximum thickness of more than 300 m in the central part of the State, reducing towards the Ponta Grossa arc (South) and towards the northeast basin boundary. This Formation is composed of various cycles, represented by channel deposits succeded by overbank deposits. It consists essencially of very fine to medium grained muddy sandstones with great textural uniformity and single mineralogical suite. These characteristics reflect great intensity of reworking'of the material furnished to the basin. The Botucatu Formation is constituted by sediments of desertic environments: very fine to fine grained eolian sandstones with good sorting, cross stratification of medium to great width; locally conglomeratic sandstones, deposited by wadis; and rarely muddy sandstones and mudstones, settled down on lakes. The Serra Geral Formation embodies basaltic flows and at the lower part intertongues with the Botucatu sandstones. The Bauru Formation is composed, of fluvial sandstones and mudstones, and fluvio-lacustrine calcareous sandstones, with basal conglomerate, over an erosional unconformity sculptured on basalts, and, locally, sandstones. The boundary of the Mesozoic and Paleozoic sequences in the Sao Paulo State is an unconformity sculptured on rocks of different ages. In the Rio Grande do Sul State, deposits correlated to the Piramboia Formation are denominated Rosario do Sul Formation, which embodies the Santa Maria beds (Late Triassic). The upper part of the Botucatu Formation is contemporaneous to the Serra Geral basalts (late Jurassic-early Cretaceous). Thus, the age of the Piramboia Formation is Middle Triassic to Jurassic and of the Botucatu Formation is Jurassic.