Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Emotional reactivity to daily stress, spousal emotional support, and fasting blood glucose among patients with type 2 diabetes

Stress is associated with higher blood glucose in patients with diabetes, but the strength of this association varies considerably across patients. The current daily diary study of 129 patients with type 2 diabetes examined whether individual differences in emotional stress reactivity were associated with fasting blood glucose and whether emotional support provided by spouses moderated this association. Greater stress reactivity was related to greater variability in patients’ fasting glucose readings and, among patients with less support, to higher fasting glucose levels. Investigating individual differences in emotional stress reactivity may help to clarify the role of stress in blood glucose control.
Genetics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: from mechanistic pathways to personalised medicine

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive and ultimately fatal disorder for which there is no cure. While the disease is by definition idiopathic, accumulating evidence, including familial aggregation of cases and the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis in the context of a number of rare genetic disorders, indicates that genetic factors contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of IPF. Several disease-associated genetic variants, both rare and common, have been identified in familial and sporadic IPF. While the full clinical implications of these genetic associations remain to be elucidated, observational studies suggest that genotype influences the development of the disease and its outcome. Available data indicate that genetics has the potential to identify individuals at risk of IPF, classify patients more precisely, clarify the key pathways involved in disease pathogenesis and eventually develop more effective targeted therapies. Considerable research is required before a comprehensive disease fingerprint of IPF can be delivered. Nevertheless, the application of rapidly evolving molecular biology and genomic technologies combined with appropriate bioinformatic methodology offers an unprecedented and realistic opportunity to achieve this goal.
Elaboración de una Película Comestible a Base de Colágeno Incorporado con Nisina como Agente Antimicrobiano

Resumen El objetivo del presente trabajo fue elaborar una pelicula comestible a base de colageno incorporado con nisina como agente antimicrobiano que permita disminuir la migracion de humedad y la oxidacion de la grasa en filetes de cerdo en refrigeracion. Para esto se recurrio a pruebas de laboratorio como analisis de peroxido, porcentaje de humedad y analisis microbiologicos para hallar las concentraciones ideales de antimicrobiano y aditivos que componian la pelicula y evaluar al mismo tiempo el comportamiento de la misma en las muestras de carne. Los resultados demostraron que la presencia de nisina en concentraciones cercanas al 2% en las peliculas comestibles de colageno es una buena alternativa para ralentizar los procesos de degradacion originados durante la refrigeracion. Tambien se encontro que la adicion de materiales como cera de abeja y acido ascorbico, en bajas proporciones, reducen en gran medida la perdida de humedad y la oxidacion de la grasa. Palabras clave: pelicula comestible, perdida de humedad, cera de abeja, colageno, nisina
Effect of type 1 fimbriae of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis on bacteraemia and reproductive tract infection in laying hens

Research on the role of type 1 fimbriae of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in poultry to date has been focused on the intestinal phase of the infection. This study aimed to investigate the role of type 1 fimbriae in a systemic infection by intravenously inoculating chickens with a fimD mutant or its parent strain. The fimD mutant was present in the blood for 3 weeks after infection, while the wild type parent strain was cleared within the first 3 days. The fimD mutant was isolated at least as much as the parent strain from the liver and spleen for up to 3 weeks after inoculation. The wild type strain was cleared from the caeca in the second week, while the fimD mutant was isolated from the caeca for up to 3 weeks after infection. The ovaries were more heavily infected by the fimD mutant than by the wild-type strain. In the first and second week after inoculation, the oviducts were more frequently infected by the mutant strain. The eggs of birds infected with the fimD mutant were less frequently contaminated with Salmonella. The shells of the eggs were more frequently contaminated by the wild type strain than with the mutant strain. Thus, the absence of type 1 fimbriae prolongs bacteraemia, modifies reproductive tract infection and reduces egg shell contamination by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis.
ReGAE 5: Can we improve the surgical journey for African-Caribbean patients undergoing glaucoma filtration surgery? Some preliminary findings

Aim: To explore the experiences of African-Caribbean patients who had undergone filtration surgery for advanced glaucoma. Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were used to collect the data and an interview guide was developed. Participants recounted when they first became aware of a problem with their eyes and their feelings at the time. Subsequently they were probed about their subjective experiences of becoming a glaucoma patient, receiving treatment, the decision to undergo surgery, and its aftermath. The perceptions of three participants from three different generations of African-Caribbean men were selected from the larger study for presentation in this paper. Interview transcripts were subjected to narrative analysis. Results: The concept of patient-partnership was re-framed in terms of mentorship. Surgeon–patient relationships are central to developing effective coping strategies. Support to face the ordeals ahead, challenge to take on new responsibilities, and help to envision a meaningful life with glaucoma are fundamental to fostering trust and maintaining motivation to continue. Conclusions: The use of patient narratives provides a valuable a resource for enhancing communication skills and patient-centered care in the hospital eye service.
Controlling a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Using a State-Space Model

We derive nonlinear and linear state-space control models for a multichannel semiconductor optical amplifier. Verified against the governing partial differential equations through simulation, the linear model tracks modulations up to 20% qualitatively well. Linear feedback control is then employed to design two interchannel crosstalk suppressing systems, one using state feedback into the electronic drive current and the other using optical output feedback into an optical control channel; the controller designed with the linear model is seen to work well even with 100% modulations of the nonlinear system. This linear state-space model opens the way for further robust analysis, design and control of integrated active photonic circuits
Risk Factors for Sporadic Infection With Campylobacter Spp. Among Children in Israel: A Case–control Study

Background: Campylobacter spp. has been identified as one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in the world. In recent years, an increase in the incidence of campylobacteriosis in several countries, including Israel, was demonstrated. The incidence rate of campylobacteriosis in Israel increased from 22.3 per 100,000 in 1997 to 77.4 per 100,000 in 2009. The aim of this study was to explore risk factors for sporadic infection with Campylobacter among young children in Israel. Methods: A matched case–control study was performed to investigate risk factors for sporadic Campylobacter infection among 113 affected children of 1–5 years of age and 113 age-matched, gender-matched and neighborhood-matched controls. Information about exposure to potential risk factors was obtained via telephone interview and was evaluated by conditional logistic regression analysis. Results: In the multivariable model, for each additional chicken meal consumed during the week before the onset of illness, the odds for Campylobacter infection increased by 32% [adjusted matched odds ratios (aMOR): 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.72; P = 0.04], whereas consumption of fruits and vegetables decreased the odds for Campylobacter infection by 97% (aMOR: 0.03; 95% CI: 0.00–0.28; P < 0.01), and for each additional child living in the household, the odds for infection decreased by 48% (aMOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.33–0.83; P < 0.01). Using diaper increased the odds for campylobacteriosis (aMOR: 7.36; 95% CI: 1.66–32.70; P < 0.01). Conclusions: Interventions that focus on proper handling of chicken and chicken products, hand washing and encouraging consumption of fruits and vegetables could help in controlling Campylobacter infections.
Analysis of Texas achievement data for elementary African American and Latino Females

This study provides a critical look at achievement of African American (AA), and Latino (L) females in third and fifth grades on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in reading, mathematics and science. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the 2007 and 2011 TAKS raw data. Data analyses indicate that AAL females had the lowest mean scores in reading, mathematics and science. This study brings light to the lack of preparation of AAL females in their early school experiences for a trajectory in STEM careers.
2013 Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Recommendations for the Diagnosis of Adult Hypertension, Assessment of Cardiovascular and other Hypertension-associated Risk, and Attainment of Therapeutic Goals

Correlation between systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure (BP) level and target organ damage, cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, and long-term prognosis is much greater for ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) than daytime office measurements. The 2013 ABPM guidelines specified herein are based on ABPM patient outcomes studies and constitute a substantial revision of current knowledge. The asleep SBP mean and sleep-time relative SBP decline are the most significant predictors of CVD events, both individually as well as jointly when combined with other ABPM-derived prognostic markers. Thus, they should be preferably used to diagnose hypertension and assess CVD and other associated risks. Progressive decrease by therapeutic intervention of the asleep BP mean is the most significant predictor of CVD event-free interval. The 24-h BP mean is not recommended to diagnose hypertension because it disregards the more valuable clinical information pertaining to the features of the 24-h BP pattern. Persons with the same 24-h BP mean may display radically different 24-h BP patterns, ranging from extreme-dipper to riser types, representative of markedly different risk states. Classification of individuals by comparing office with either the 24-h or awake BP mean as “masked normotensives” (elevated clinic BP but normal ABPM), which should replace the terms of “isolated office” or “white-coat hypertension”, and “masked hypertensives” (normal clinic BP but elevated ABPM) is misleading and should be avoided because it disregards the clinical significance of the asleep BP mean. Outcome-based ABPM reference thresholds for men, which in the absence of compelling clinical conditions are 135/85 mmHg for the awake and 120/70 mmHg for the asleep SBP/DBP means, are lower by 10/5 mmHg for SBP/DBP in uncomplicated, low-CVD risk, women and lower by 15/10 mmHg for SBP/DBP in male and female high-risk patients, e.g., with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and/or past CVD events. In the adult population, the combined prevalence of masked normotension and masked hypertension is >35%. Moreover, >20% of “normotensive” adults have a non-dipper BP profile and, thus, are at relatively high CVD risk. Clinic BP measurements, even if supplemented with home self-measurements, are unable to quantify 24-h BP patterning and asleep BP level, resulting in potential misclassification of up to 50% of all evaluated adults. ABPM should be viewed as the new gold standard to diagnose true hypertension, accurately assess consequent tissue/organ, maternal/fetal, and CVD risk, and individualize hypertension chronotherapy. ABPM should be a priority for persons likely to have a blunted nighttime BP decline and elevated CVD risk, i.e., those who are elderly and obese, those with secondary or resistant hypertension, and those diagnosed with diabetes, CKD, metabolic syndrome, and sleep disorders. (Author Correspondence: rhermida@uvigo.es or prf@unife.it).
maging port wine stains by fiber optical coherence omography

We develop a fiber optical coherence tomography OCT system in the clinical utility of imaging port wine stains PWS . We use our OCT system on 41 patients with PWS to document the difference between PWS skin and contralateral normal skin. The system, which operates at 4 frames/s with axial and transverse resolutions of 10 and 9 m, respectively, in the skin tissue, can clearly distinguish the dilated dermal blood vessels from normal tissue. We present OCT images of patients with PWS and normal human skin. We obtain the structural parameters, including epidermal thickness and diameter and depth of dilated blood vessels. We demonstrate that OCT may be a useful tool for the noninvasive imaging of PWS. It may help determine the photosensitizer dose and laser parameters in photodynamic therapy for treating port wine stains. © 2010 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. DOI: 10.1117/1.3445712
A chemically-defined screening platform reveals behavioral similarities between primary human mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cells.

Chemically defined substrates, which rigorously control protein-surface and cell-surface interactions, can be used to probe the effects of specific biomolecules on cell behavior. Here we combined a chemically-defined, array-based format with automated, time-lapse microscopy to efficiently screen cell-substrate interactions. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates bearing oligo(ethylene glycol) units and reactive terminal groups were used to present cell adhesion peptides while minimizing non-specific protein interactions. Specifically, we describe rapid fabrication of arrays of 1 mm spots, which present varied densities of the integrin-binding ligand Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (GRGDSP). Results indicate that cell attachment, cell spreading, and proliferation exhibit strong dependencies on GRGDSP density for both human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, relative spreading and proliferation over a broad range of GRGDSP densities were similar for both primary cell types, and detailed comparison between cell behaviors identified a 1 : 1 correlation between spreading and proliferation for both HUVECs and hMSCs. Finally, time-lapse microscopy of SAM arrays revealed distinct adhesion-dependent migratory behaviors for HUVECs and hMSCs. These results demonstrate the benefits of using an array-based screening platform for investigating cell function. While the proof-of-concept focuses on simple cellular properties, the quantitative similarities observed for hMSCs and HUVECs provides a direct example of how phenomena that would not easily be predicted can be shown to correlate between different cell types.
On the two-dimensional structure of short gravity waves in a wind wave tank

Experiments on wind-waves in a laboratory tank are carried out for a variety of operational conditions. In addition to using a conventional wave gauge to determine the temporal variation of the surface elevation at the sensor location, independent measuring techniques such as 3D reconstruction of stereo video images and 2D laser slope gauge are applied in order to gain information on the three-dimensional structure of the wind-wave field. The consistency of results obtained by different methods under identical forcing conditions is examined to establish the limits of applicability and accuracy of each method. The accumulated results on the spatial and temporal coherence of the surface elevation variation, on the directional wave spectra, and on the probability distribution of the instantaneous surface slope directions demonstrate that the wind-wave field is essentially three-dimensional and short-crested.Experiments on wind-waves in a laboratory tank are carried out for a variety of operational conditions. In addition to using a conventional wave gauge to determine the temporal variation of the surface elevation at the sensor location, independent measuring techniques such as 3D reconstruction of stereo video images and 2D laser slope gauge are applied in order to gain information on the three-dimensional structure of the wind-wave field. The consistency of results obtained by different methods under identical forcing conditions is examined to establish the limits of applicability and accuracy of each method. The accumulated results on the spatial and temporal coherence of the surface elevation variation, on the directional wave spectra, and on the probability distribution of the instantaneous surface slope directions demonstrate that the wind-wave field is essentially three-dimensional and short-crested.
Ischemic Preconditioning Augments Survival of Stem Cells via miR-210 Expression by Targeting Caspase-8-associated Protein 2*

MicroRNAs (miRs) participate in most cellular functions by posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression albeit with little information regarding their role in ischemic preconditioning (IP) of stem cells. We report that IP of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with two cycles of 30-min ischemia/reoxygenation (I/R) supported their survival under subsequent longer exposure to anoxia and following engraftment in the infarcted heart. IP significantly reduced apoptosis in MSCs through activation of Akt (Ser473) and ERK1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and nuclear translocation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). We observed concomitant induction of miR-210 in the preconditioned MSCs (PCMSCs). Inhibition of HIF-1α or of miR-210 abrogated the cytoprotective effects of preconditioning. Extrapolation of these data to in vivo studies in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction predominantly improved stem cell survival after engraftment with a role for miR-210. Notably, multiple I/R cycles more effectively regulated the miR-210 and hence promoted MSC survival compared with single-cycle hypoxia of an equal duration. Real time PCR array for rat apoptotic genes, computational target gene analyses, and luciferase reporter assay identified FLICE-associated huge protein (FLASH)/caspase-8-associated protein-2 (Casp8ap2) in PCMSCs as the target gene of miR-210. Induction of FLASH/CASP8AP2 in miR-210 knocked-down PCMSCs resulted in increased cell apoptosis. Taken together, these data demonstrated that cytoprotection afforded by IP was regulated by miR-210 induction via FLASH/Casp8ap2 suppression. These results highlighted that IP by multiple short episodes of I/R is a novel strategy to promote stem cell survival.
Properties of strong-coupled superconductors.

By use of Eliashberg equations the system of electrons and phonons with the Einstein spectrum ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{2}$(\ensuremath{\omega})F(\ensuremath{\omega})=(\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\Omega}/2)\ensuremath{\delta}(\ensuremath{\omega}-\ensuremath{\Omega}) is studied. The orbital and paramagnetic upper critical magnetic fields are obtained in the case of strong electron-phonon coupling \ensuremath{\lambda} (including \ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\gg}1). For \ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\gg}1, superconducting parameters at very low temperatures differ remarkably from those near ${T}_{c}$; the crossover takes place at a temperature corresponding to the phonon frequency \ensuremath{\Omega}. For \ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}4, at temperatures below about \ensuremath{\Omega}/3 the superconducting correlation length decreases, giving the positive curvature in the temperature dependence of the upper critical field. The coefficients of the Ginzburg-Landau functional are calculated. The absolute value of the specific-heat jump grows with \ensuremath{\lambda} while its relative value drops. For \ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}4, the resistivity above ${T}_{c}$ increases linearly with temperature.
Ultrasonographic Detection of Thyroid Nodules in Hemodialysis Patients in Japan

The study of thyroid nodules in hemodialyzed patients using ultrasonography has been described in a limited number of reports. The thyroid glands of 143 patients with end‐stage renal disease on hemodialysis were examined by ultrasonography using frequency probes. Although a goiter (thyroid volume > 20 mL) was observed in only 20 patients (14%), nodular lesions of the thyroid gland were more frequent and found in 85 patients (59.4%), especially in female patients (42 patients, 72.4%). The etiology of thyroid nodular lesions was as follows: cyst in 43 (30.0%), adenomatous goiter in 14 (9.8%), adenoma in 11 (7.7%), hypoechoic lesion in 17 (11.9%), and intrathyroid calcification in 8 (5.6%). Ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration cytology was performed in 5 patients, but no abnormal cells were found. Compared to patients without nodules, the age was higher in patients with cysts (54 ± 15 vs. 63 ± 13 years; P < 0.05) and hypoechoic lesions (70 ± 13 years; P < 0.05). The serum thyroglobulin level was higher in patients with adenomatous goiters (26 ± 28 vs. 148 ± 166 ng/mL; P < 0.05). The thyroid volume was greater in patients with adenomatous goiters (14.2 ± 5.7 vs. 19.0 ± 7.3 mL; P < 0.05) and adenomas (18.2 ± 6.7 mL; P < 0.05). In conclusion, patients undergoing hemodialysis frequently develop thyroid abnormalities and ultrasonography is a useful imaging modality to identify these lesions.
Experimental study on tissue tropism and dissemination of H9N2 avian influenza virus and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale coinfection in SPF chickens.

Forty-two, one-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were randomly divided into two groups. On 21 st day of study, experimental group was infected intraocularly with 1×10 6 EID50 of H9N2 and intratracheally with 1× 10 10 CFU of Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT). Control group was inoculated with sterile PBS intraocularly. The samples from various tissues were collected on days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 post-inoculation (PI). Experimental group chickens exhibited more severe respiratory signs, depression , anorexia and 15% mortality. The ORT was isolated in the trachea from days 2–4 PI and in the lungs on day 4 PI. The H 9N2 virus was detected in the lungs and trachea from days 2 –4 PI. The virus was also detected in the bursa of fabricius on days 2 and 6 PI and in thymus and liver on day 2 PI. The virus was found only on day 8 PI in kidneys. The virus detection from organs was reduced with increasing antibody titer on day 8 PI. The results of this study indicates that concurrent infection with H 9N2 virus and ORT can exacerbate virulence and lesions of H9N2.