Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Mean Platelet Volume and its Effect on Disease Control in Patients with Acromegaly.

BACKGROUND Morbidity and mortality rates due to cardiovascular diseases are more common in acromegalic patients than the healthy population. Platelets play a significant role in both the onset and progression of clotting which then cause the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Increased mean platelet volume (MPV) is an indicator of platelet activation and known as an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic processes. The aim of this study was to compare MPV levels between acromegalic and non-acromegalic patients. METHODS The data of 56 acromegalic patients and 72 controls matched for age, gender, and the presence of diabetes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS MPV levels were found to be higher in acromegalic patients compared to controls (8.82 ± 1.17 fL and 7.74 ± 0.87 fL, respectively, p < 0.001). Acromegalic patients were also classified according to their status of remission (a total of 27 patients were in remission and 29 patients were not in remission). Both age and gender were similar between the groups (p = 0.145 and p = 0.616, respectively). MPV levels at the time of diagnosis and after six months of treatment (p = 0.555 and p = 0.917, respectively) were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that MPV levels are higher in acromegalic patients than the controls until the early stages of treatment, independent of diabetes. Therefore, MPV levels may be an important determinant of acromegalic patients.
Numerical Determination of the Effective Magnetic Path Length of a Single-Sheet Tester

We describe a numerical method for the correction of the magnetic field strength and power loss values measured by a single-sheet tester (SST) based on the current method. This operation is performed by a reluctance network that yields the effective path length of the SST by determining the parasitic magnetic voltage drops over the yoke, gaps, and parts of the probe underneath the pole faces. In contrast to common magnetic circuit analysis, we enforce the magnetic flux and the magnetomotive force simultaneously and treat the magnetic resistance of the specimen as a degree of freedom. Hereby, we avoid errors due to uncertainties in the description of the B-H characteristic of the specimen and can correct arbitrary working points covering hysteretic and dynamic effects. The validity of this approach is demonstrated on four grades of nonoriented electrical steel sheets. The network is used to determine the integral magnetic path length, which enables a convenient correction of the power loss for arbitrary magnetizations including harmonics.
CONTRASTING PATTERNS OF RADIATION IN AFRICAN AND AUSTRALIAN RESTIONACEAE

Abstract The floras of the Mediterranean-climate areas of southern Africa and southwestern Australia are remarkably species rich. Because the two areas are at similar latitudes and in similar positions on their respective continents, they have probably had similar Cenozoic climatic histories. Here we test the prediction that the evolution of the species richness in the two areas followed a similar temporal progression by comparing the rates of lineage accumulation for African and Australian Restionaceae. Restionaceae (Poales) are typical and often dominant elements in the fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floristic Region of southern Africa and the kwongan vegetation of the Southwestern Floristic Province of Western Australia. The phylogeny of the family was estimated from combined datasets for rbcL and trnL-F sequences and a large morphological dataset; these datasets are largely congruent. The monophyly of Restionaceae is supported and a basal division into an African clade (∼350 species) and an Australian clade (146 species) corroborated. There is also support for a futher subdivision of these two large sister-clades, but the terminal resolution within the African clade is very weak. Fossil pollen records provided a minimum age of the common ancestor of Australian and African Restionaceae as 64–71 million years ago, and this date was used to calibrate a molecular clock. A molecular clock was rejected by a likelihood ratio test; therefore, rate changes between the lineages were smoothed using nonparametric rate smoothing. The rate-corrected ages were used to construct a plot of lineages through time. During the Palaeogene the Australian lineage diversity increased consistent with the predictions of the constant birthrate model, while the African lineage diversity showed a dramatic increase in diversification rate in the Miocene. Incomplete sampling obscures the patterns in the Neogene, but extending the trends to the modern extant diversity suggests that this acceleration in the speciation rate continued in the African clade, whereas the Australian clade retained a constant diversification rate. The substantial morphological and anatomical similarity between the African and Australian Restionaceae appear to preclude morphological innovations as possible explanations for the intercontinental differences. Most likely these differences are due to the greater geographical extent and ecological variation in temperate Australia than temperate Africa, which might have provided refugia for basal Restionaceae lineages, whereas the more mountainous terrain of southern Africa might have provided the selective regimes for a more rapid, recent speciation.
Caracterización técnico-táctica de la competición de combate de alto nivel en Taekwondo. Efectividad de las acciones tácticas

Se analiza el taekwondo de combate de competicion de alto nivel regulado por la WTF (World Taekwondo Federation). Para ello se estudian combates de nivel mundial de seis Campeonatos del Mundo y Copas del Mundo, acontecidos durante los dos primeros ciclos olimpicos de la existencia del taekwondo en unos JJOO: desde las Olimpiadas del 2000, primeras en las que el taekwondo participo como deporte olimpico, hasta las del 2008. El objetivo del estudio es caracterizar las acciones tecnicas y tacticas del combate de taekwondo de alto nivel masculino. Para ello, se estudian cuarenta y ocho combates con competidores masculinos de veintinueve paises, finalistas (medalla de oro y plata) de los ocho pesos de cada campeonato, valorandose un total de cuatro mil novecientas sesenta y dos acciones realizadas. La metodologia observacional es el metodo empleado para el analisis de los combates. Entre los diversos instrumentos de registro observacional existentes (fichas de observacion, programas informaticos estandar: Dartfish, Match Vision.) ninguno de ellos es especifico para la observacion del taekwondo. Por este motivo, se crea una herramienta informatica de registro ad hoc para la observacion y registro de combates de taekwondo, denominada Drewtina 23, que se valida cientificamente. Para la creacion del instrumento observacional se utiliza la estructura de las acciones tacticas descrita por Gonzalez, Iglesias, Mirallas y Esparza (2011). El control de la calidad del dato se asegura mediante los procesos de validez y fiabilidad aplicados al instrumento Drewtina 23. Las variables de estudio fueron el tiempo de realizacion de la accion, la cantidad de puntos obtenida, el tipo de acciones ejecutadas, las penalizaciones, pesos, paises y competidores que las realizaron. Todas estas variables se relacionan con la efectividad, y las interacciones posibles entre las distintas variables de estudio, con el objetivo de obtener datos que pudieran ayudar a entrenadores, competidores y personas relacionadas con el deporte del taekwondo en sus entrenamientos y competiciones. En definitiva, para su aplicacion practica. De este modo se intenta: - Sistematizar un modelo de observacion de los combates de taekwondo. - Realizar un estudio descriptivo de lo que ocurre en un combate de taekwondo de alto nivel. - Extraer valoraciones tecnicas y tacticas sobre el desarrollo de los combates. Concluyendo, entre otros que la cantidad de acciones no esta directamente relacionada con la efectividad y que existen 8 variables significativas respecto a dicha efectividad que son: el campeonato, el peso, el pais, la tecnica, el tipo de accion ofensiva, el tiempo del contraataque, la lateralidad y la guardia.
Asymmetric RNA Distribution among Cells and Their Secreted Exosomes: Biomedical Meaning and Considerations on Diagnostic Applications

Over the past few years, exosomes and their RNA cargo have been extensively studied because of the fascinating biological roles they play in cell-to-cell communication, including the signal exchange among cancer, stromal, and immune cells, leading to modifications of tumor microenvironment. RNAs, especially miRNAs, stored within exosomes, seem to be among the main determinants of such signaling: their sorting into exosomes appears to be cell-specific and related to cellular physiopathology. Accordingly, the identification of exosomal miRNAs in body fluids from pathological patients has become one of the most promising activity in the field of biomarker discovery. Several analyses on the qualitative and quantitative distribution of RNAs between cells and their secreted exosomes have given rise to questions on whether and how accurately exosomal RNAs would represent the transcriptomic snapshot of the physiological and pathological status of secreting cells. Although the exact molecular mechanisms of sorting remain quite elusive, many papers have reported an evident asymmetric quantitative distribution of RNAs between source cells and their exosomes. This phenomenon could depend both on passive and active sorting mechanisms related to: (a) RNA turnover; (b) maintaining the cytoplasmic miRNA:target equilibrium; (c) removal of RNAs not critical or even detrimental for normal or diseased cells. These observations represent very critical issues in the exploitation of exosomal miRNAs as cancer biomarkers. In this review, we will discuss how much the exosomal and corresponding donor cell transcriptomes match each other, to better understand the actual reliability of exosomal RNA molecules as pathological biomarkers reflecting a diseased status of the cells.
A high-fat and cholesterol diet causes fatty liver in guinea pigs. The role of iron and oxidative damage

Abstract Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease. Iron, cholesterol, and oxidative damage are frequently suggested to be related to the progression of NAFLD, but the precise relationship between them remains unclear. Guinea pigs fed on a high cholesterol and fat diet (without oxidized lipids) generated a disease model of NAFLD with hallmark observations in liver histology and increased liver damage markers. Hepatic cholesterol and iron levels were found to be significantly elevated and directly correlated. Plasma hepcidin and transferrin levels were decreased. Plasma iron concentrations were found to be elevated, likely due to an increased intestinal iron absorption caused by the decrease in plasma hepcidin. However, hepatic transferrin receptor-2 levels were unchanged. No significant increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation was detected using F2-isoprostanes as a reliable biomarker, nor was there a rise in protein carbonyls, a general index of oxidative protein damage. Some increases in cholesterol oxidation products were observed, but largely negated after normalizing for the elevated hepatic cholesterol content. Indeed, increased hemosiderin deposition and unchanged ferritin levels in liver suggested that the excess iron mainly existed as hemosiderin, which is redox-inactive.
Overexpression of TRAP in the Enamel Matrix Does Not Alter the Enamel Structural Hierarchy

The secreted, full-length amelogenin is the dominant protein of the forming enamel organ. As enamel mineralization progresses, amelogenin is quickly subjected to proteolytic activity, and eliminated from the enamel environment. Mature enamel contains only traces of structural proteins, including enamelin and the sheath protein ameloblastin. In addition, a proteolytic fragment of amelogenin, known as the tyrosine-rich amelogenin peptide or TRAP, is present in low but isolatable quantities. By overexpressing TRAP during enamel development we sought to determine if such overexpression would result in structural alterations to the mature enamel. We reasoned that overexpressing a protein associated with enamel maturation, at an inappropriate developmental stage, would result in alterations to the enamel protein assembly and hence, alterations in enamel structure and morphology. As judged by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the enamel formed by overexpressing TRAP showed little morphological differences when compared to the enamel of normal nontransgenic animals. Based on scanning electron-microscopic images, there was modest hypomineralization evident in the interrod enamel of the TRAP-overexpressing animals. However, this finding was inconsistent and inconsequential from a structural and functional perspective. From these results it appears that additional amounts of TRAP protein in the immature enamel matrix are not sufficient to alter the properties of the enamel extracellular matrix to an extent that the hierarchical structure of mature enamel is altered.
Prognostic value of echocardiography and ECG in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate characteristics of patients with heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and to assess prognostic predictors in 2-year follow-up. METHODS We included prospectively 109 patients admitted to the internal department for HF, grouped into HFPEF (EF>40 %, n = 63) and HF with reduced EF (HFREF) (EF≤40 %, n=46). Preserved right ventricular systolic function (PRV) was defined as the peak systolic tricuspid annular velocity (S') >10.8 cm/s. RESULTS HFPEF and HFREF patients had non-significantly different 2-year all-cause and CV mortality (28.6 % vs 37.0 %, 17.5 % vs 21.7 %). Patients with HFPEF and PRV vs dysfunctional RV had a better survival (76.6 % vs 56.3 %, p=0.045). In HFPEF, the patients who survived had a trend to better S' (13.6±3.1 cm/s vs 11.9±3.4 cm/s, p=0.055), shorter QTc (427±42ms vs 454±42ms, p=0.058), and all-cause mortality was lowered only by anticoagulants (12.0 % vs 39.5 %, p=0.02). QTc interval and PRV emerged as predictors of all-cause mortality (HR 1.7 per 40 ms change, 95 % CI 1.1-2.6, p = 0.02, HR 0.38, 95 % CI 0.15-0.93, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS In HFPEF, we observed a trend to lower all-cause and CV mortality compared to HFREF and anticoagulants were the only therapy that significantly lowered mortality. PRV and QTc interval emerged as independent predictors of survival (Tab. 6, Fig. 2, Ref. 26).
Brain Tumor Stem Cells and Immunotherapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common aggressive primary brain tumors, and it responds poorly to the current treatment combination of surgery, radio-, and chemotherapy. The hypothesis that cancer stem cells may account for the pathogenesis underlying various tumors, including GBM, has been accepted widely in recent years. Brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) have been shown to contribute to therapeutic resistance and the presence of BTSCs may explain the recurrence of GBM following conventional treatment, as just a few BTSCs are sufficient to give rise to a new tumor. Therefore, the therapeutic targeting of BTSCs is of utmost importance. Among emerging treatment modalities, immunotherapy is a strategy that has the potential to target BTSCs that are resistant to conventional therapies. This review describes recent advancements in the study of BTSCs and immunotherapy.
Japanese Eel Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (Fsh) and Luteinizing Hormone (Lh): Production of Biologically Active Recombinant Fsh and Lh by Drosophila S2 Cells and Their Differential Actions on the Reproductive Biology1

Abstract Two gonadotropins (Gths), follicle-stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh), control gonadal steroidogenesis and gametogenesis in vertebrates, including teleost fish. Here, we report on the production of biologically active recombinant Fsh (rec-Fsh) and Lh (rec-Lh) in Japanese eel using Drosophila S2 cells. The three subunits composing Gths, i.e., glycoprotein hormone, alpha polypeptide (Cga), follicle-stimulating hormone, beta polypeptide (Fshb), and luteinizing hormone, beta polypeptide (Lhb), were at first independently produced and were proven to be glycosylated and secreted as the mature peptides. Each beta subunit, along with its Cga, was simultaneously coexpressed to produce heterodimeric rec-Fsh and rec-Lh that were subsequently highly purified. The biological activity of rec-Gths was demonstrated in various in vitro assays. The rec-Gths differentially activated their receptors, which resulted in an increase in 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) secretion, a differential alteration of gene expression of steroidogenic enzymes in immature testis, and the induction of the complete process of spermatogenesis in vitro. The data strongly suggest that Fsh and Lh differentially play important roles in the reproductive physiology of the Japanese eel. By contrast, these rec-Gths exhibited little activity in the gonad when administered in vivo. This difference between in vitro and in vivo bioactivity is probably due to the qualitative nature of glycosylation in S2 cells, which resulted in degradation of the recombinant protein in vivo. These differences in the carbohydrate moieties need to be elucidated and ameliorated.
Developmental changes and predictability of static strength in individuals of different maturity: A 30-year longitudinal study

Abstract This longitudinal study analyses the development and predictability of static strength and their interactions with maturation in youth. Of 515 children followed annually from age 6 to 18 years, 59 males and 60 females were measured again at age 35. Early, average, and late maturity groups were established. Body height and mass were assessed. Static strength was measured using handgrip dynamometry. Pearson correlations were used as tracking coefficients. From 6 to 12 years of age, no static strength differences were found to exist between the maturity groups of both sexes. Static strength is significantly higher in early than in average and late maturing boys (age 13–16). In girls, a dose–response effect exists (age 11–14). Adult static strength predictability is low in early maturing boys and late maturing girls. It is moderate to high (50–76%) in the other maturity groups up to age 14. Predictors for adult static strength are childhood and adolescent handgrip dynamometry (in females only), medicine ball throw, sit-up, hockey ball throw, and 25-m sprint. Handgrip is a fair predictor of adult static strength at most ages in early and average maturing females; in average maturing males, it is a predictor at age 11. Other indicators of strength (e.g. hockey ball throw) are predictors in males.
Implementation of photonic true time delay using high-order-mode dispersion compensating fibers

We demonstrate the advantageous use of highly dispersive (>450 ps/nm/spl middot/km), high-order-mode (HOM) fiber modules for true time delay applications. Along with their low insertion loss, very low phase ripple (root mean square <0.3/spl deg/ over 0-20 GHz), and high immunity to nonlinear effects, the high dispersion values facilitate the construction of devices with relatively short fibers, resulting in improved tolerance of the radio frequency delay to thermal changes. The implications of multiple path interference effects in HOM modules are also studied and shown to be very small.
A CROSS-MATCH OF 2MASS AND SDSS. II. PECULIAR L DWARFS, UNRESOLVED BINARIES, AND THE SPACE DENSITY OF T DWARF SECONDARIES

We present the completion of a program to cross-correlate the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 1 (SDSS DR1) and Two-Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) Point Source Catalog in search for extremely red L and T dwarfs. The program was initiated by Metchev and collaborators, who presented the findings on all newly identified T dwarfs in SDSS DR1 and estimated the space density of isolated T0–T8 dwarfs in the solar neighborhood. In the current work, we present most of the L dwarf discoveries. Our red-sensitive (z − J ⩾ 2.75 mag) cross-match proves to be efficient in detecting peculiarly red L dwarfs, adding two new ones, including one of the reddest known L dwarfs. Our search also nets a new peculiarly blue L7 dwarf and, surprisingly, two M8 dwarfs. We further broaden our analysis to detect unresolved binary L or T dwarfs through spectral template fitting to all L and T dwarfs presented here and in the earlier work by Metchev and collaborators. We identify nine probable binaries, six of which are new and eight harbor likely T dwarf secondaries. We combine this result with current knowledge of the mass ratio distribution and frequency of substellar companions to estimate an overall space density of 0.005–0.05 pc−3 for individual T0–T8 dwarfs.
Pulmonary Tumor Microembolism

Summary Pulmonary tumor embolism is an often missed antemortem diagnosis in patients with cancer and respiratory failure. Although rare, this complication is an important cause of additional morbidity. Referred for radionuclide pulmonary perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy, a typical pattern of multiple subsegmental peripheral defects on perfusion lung scanning without matching ventilation defects, suggesting a high probability for pulmonary thromboembolism, often leads to false conclusions. We present a case of bilateral multiple subsegmental mismatched defects in lung ventilation perfusion scintigraphy, where autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary tumor embolism, secondary to an undifferentiated ductal type adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Pulmonary tumor embolism is an entity to keep in mind in patients treated for carcinoma presenting with (sub) acute dyspnea.
BLAST INJURY AND CHOLESTEATOMA

Etude de la frequence du developpement de cholesteatome dans des oreilles avec perforation du tympan apres lesion par souffle d'origine militaire. Analyse de la relation de la taille et de la localisation de la perforation sur le risque de cholesteatome, de la correlation entre surdite et survenue de cholesteatome