Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic labeling of COPD in five Latin American cities.

BACKGROUND COPD is a major worldwide problem with a rising prevalence. Despite its importance, there is a lack of information regarding underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of COPD in different countries. As part of the Proyecto Latinoamericano de Investigación en Obstrucción Pulmonar study, we examined the relationship between prior diagnostic label and airway obstruction in the metropolitan areas of five Latin American cities (São Paulo, Santiago, Mexico City, Montevideo, and Caracas). METHODS A two-stage sampling strategy was used in each of the five areas to obtain probability samples of adults aged >or= 40 years. Participants completed a questionnaire that included questions on prior diagnoses, and prebronchodilator and postbronchodilator spirometry. A study diagnosis of COPD was based on airway obstruction, defined as a postbronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC < 0.70. RESULTS Valid spirometry and prior diagnosis information was obtained for 5,303 participants; 758 subjects had a study diagnosis of COPD, of which 672 cases (88.7%) had not been previously diagnosed. The prevalence of undiagnosed COPD was 12.7%, ranging from 6.9% in Mexico City to 18.2% in Montevideo. Among 237 subjects with a prior COPD diagnosis, only 86 subjects (36.3%) had postbronchodilator FEV(1)/FVC < 0.7, while 151 subjects (63.7%) had normal spirometric values. In the same group of 237 subjects, only 34% reported ever undergoing spirometry prior to our study. CONCLUSIONS Inaccurate diagnostic labeling of COPD represents an important health problem in Latin America. One possible explanation is the low rate of spirometry for COPD diagnosis.
Allergen‐induced Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion in relation to specific allergen sensitization and atopic symptoms in children

Background Allergic diseases are believed to be due to T helper (Th)2‐like immunity to allergens in affected tissues, and immune responses to allergens are characterized by a cross‐regulation between Th1 and Th2 cells. Atopic individuals may develop IgE antibodies to only one or more allergens. However, the mechanisms behind sensitization to a specific allergen, e.g. why an individual develops IgE to cat but not birch, are not known. Our aim was to study birch‐ and cat‐induced Th1 and Th2 cytokine secretion in children who were sensitized to birch but not to cat, and vice versa.
Protective effects of AE0047, a novel calcium antagonist, on incidence of stroke and hemodynamic disturbances in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats.

To test for evidence of stroke-preventive action, we initially examined the effect on salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats of chronic treatment with 4-(4-benzhy-drylpiperazino)phenethyl methyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridine dicarboxylate dihydrochloride (AE0047), a novel calcium antagonist with slow onset and long-lasting hypotensive effect, and compared its efficacy with that of the calcium antagonist nicardipine and the vasodilator hydralazine. We then used radioactive microspheres to study the effects of these three agents on hemodynamic impairment to clarify the mechanism of the test drug's putative preventive action. In a 12-week repeated-administration study using animals of initial age 9 weeks; all vehicle-treated subjects died within 37 days as a result of severe hypertension and stroke, whereas those treated with AE0047, at doses of 1 or 3 mg/kg/day, remained free of stroke and showed no signs of hemorrhage, brain softening or the cerebrovascular lesions typical in this animal model. Significant suppression of the development of hypertension was not noted at the lower of these doses nor at a nicardipine dose of 10 mg/kg/day, which failed to prevent stroke in most cases. A 10-mg/kg/day dose of hydralazine did suppress the development of hypertension but failed to prevent death in half of all cases. In the hemodynamic study, 4-week treatment with AE0047 averted the marked decreases in cardiac output and blood flow in the brain, heart, kidneys and adrenal glands observed in the control group, as well as the accompanying rise in total peripheral resistance before and after stroke. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Antibacterial activity of [10]‐gingerol and [12]‐gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used widely as a food spice and an herbal medicine. In particular, its gingerol‐related components have been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well as several pharmaceutical properties. However, the effective ginger constituents that inhibit the growth of oral bacteria associated with periodontitis in the human oral cavity have not been elucidated. This study revealed that the ethanol and n‐hexane extracts of ginger exhibited antibacterial activities against three anaerobic Gram‐negative bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 53978, Porphyromonas endodontalis ATCC 35406 and Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611, causing periodontal diseases. Thereafter, five ginger constituents were isolated by a preparative high‐performance liquid chromatographic method from the active silica‐gel column chromatography fractions, elucidated their structures by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and their antibacterial activity evaluated. In conclusion, two highly alkylated gingerols, [10]‐gingerol and [12]‐gingerol effectively inhibited the growth of these oral pathogens at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 6–30 µg/mL. These ginger compounds also killed the oral pathogens at a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) range of 4–20 µg/mL, but not the other ginger compounds 5‐acetoxy‐[6]‐gingerol, 3,5‐diacetoxy‐[6]‐gingerdiol and galanolactone. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of body weight on response of Fischer 344 rats to anthrax lethal toxin

Groups of Fischer 344 rats were injected intravenously with Bacillus anthracis culture supernatant containing crude anthrax toxin. Times to death of rats given identical toxin preparations varied directly with the weights of the rats (P = 0.0001). In contrast to previous reports, the data indicate that rat weight must be taken into account during in vivo assays of anthrax lethal toxin activity.
Lymphocyte Subsets in Renal Transplant Recipients with de novo Genitourinary Malignancies

Introduction: The incidence of genitourinary tumors (GUT) in renal transplant recipients (RTR) is higher than in the general population. We previously reported that CD4 lymphocytopenia is associated with a high incidence of skin cancer in RTR. Here, we investigate whether persistent CD4 T cell lymphopenia is associated with GUT occurrence. Patients and Methods: A total of 433 patients were included in this study. All patients underwent annually systematic lymphocyte subset (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19) determination by flow cytometry. Results and Conclusion: During the follow-up period, 13 patients developed GUT: 6 patients a prostate adenocarcinoma (incidence 0.06%/year) and 7 patients a renal cell carcinoma (incidence 0.07%/year). The patients with GUT were older than those without. Both groups did not differ in posttransplant duration, dialysis mode and duration, induction regimen, or acute rejection history. No persistent CD4 lymphopenia was observed in the patients with GUT. Although CD4 T cell lymphopenia is associated with skin cancer in long-term RTR, it did not appear to be a risk factor for GUT. This suggests that other factors encountered in the setting of kidney transplantation (e.g., immunosuppressive drugs, end-stage renal failure, etc.) favor the development of GUT in RTR.
Prenatal and neonatal risk factors for the development of enamel defects in low birth weight children.

OBJECTIVE To analyse the influence of several prenatal and neonatal risk factors in the development of enamel defects in low birth weight children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Children between 4 and 5 years of age (n = 102) were classified into: Group 1) 52 low birth weight (<2500 g); Group 2) 50 normal birth weight (>or=2500 g). Medical history, prenatal and neonatal variables were collected. Enamel defects were evaluated with the modified Developmental Defects of Enamel Index. RESULTS The prevalence of hypoplasia and average number of affected teeth were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (59.6%vs 16% and 1.6 vs 0.3 respectively). Low gestational age was linked to a higher prevalence of hypoplastic (P = 0.027) and combined defects (P = 0.001). Children with neonatal risk factors (low Apgar scores, parenteral nutrition, orotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and acidosis) developed defects more frequently (P < 0.05). Defects were symmetrically distributed in children who were not intubated; in those who required intubation they concentrated on the left maxillary teeth (P < 0.05). Smoking during pregnancy, young maternal age and multiple birth were significantly associated to developmental defects. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of enamel defects in primary dentition is significantly influenced by birth weight, gestational age and several systemic factors. Orotracheal intubation probably plays an important role as a result of laryngoscope trauma on the maxilla.
Characterization of TPO-responsive progenitor cells in adult mouse bone marrow with in vivo megakaryocyte and erythroid potential

Hematopoietic progenitor cells are the progeny of hematopoietic stem cells that coordinate production of precise numbers of mature blood cells of diverse functional lineages. Identification of cell surface antigen expression associated with hematopoietic lineage restriction has allowed prospective isolation of progenitor cells with defined hematopoietic potential. To further clarify the cellular origins of megakaryocyte commitment, we have assessed the in vitro and in vivo megakaryocyte and platelet potential of defined progenitor populations in the adult mouse bone marrow. We show that megakaryocytes arise from CD150 + bipotential progenitors that display both platelet-and erythrocyte-producing potential in vivo , and that can develop from the Flt3 - fraction of the pre-granulocyte-macrophage (PreGM) population. We define a bi-potential erythroid-megakaryocyte progenitor population (BEMP), the CD150 + CD9 lo Endoglin lo fraction of Lin - cKit + IL7R ! - Fc ! RII/III lo Sca1 - cells, which contains the bulk of the megakaryocyte colony-forming capacity (CFC) of the bone marrow, including bipotential megakaryocyte-erythroid CFC, and can efficiently generate both erythrocytes and platelets in vivo . This fraction is distinct from the CD150 + CD9 hi Endoglin lo fraction, which contains bipotential precursors with characteristics of increased megakaryocytic maturation, and the CD150 + CD9 lo Endoglin hi fraction, which contains erythroid lineage-committed cells. Finally, we demonstrate that BEMP and CD150 + CD9 hi Endoglin lo cells are TPO-responsive and that the latter population specifically expands in the recovery from thrombocytopenia induced by anti-platelet serum.
Direct Interaction of a Divergent CaM Isoform and the Transcription Factor, MYB2, Enhances Salt Tolerance in Arabidopsis*

Calmodulin (CaM), a ubiquitous calcium-binding protein, regulates diverse cellular functions by modulating the activity of a variety of enzymes and proteins. Plants express numerous CaM isoforms that exhibit differential activation and/or inhibition of CaM-dependent enzymes in vitro. However, the specific biological functions of plant CaM are not well known. In this study, we isolated a cDNA encoding a CaM binding transcription factor, MYB2, that regulates the expression of salt- and dehydration-responsive genes in Arabidopsis. This was achieved using a salt-inducible CaM isoform (GmCaM4) as a probe from a salt-treated Arabidopsis expression library. Using domain mapping, we identified a Ca2+-dependent CaM binding domain in MYB2. The specific binding of CaM to CaM binding domain was confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis, a gel mobility shift assay, split ubiquitin assay, and a competition assay using a Ca2+/CaM-dependent enzyme. Interestingly, the specific CaM isoform GmCaM4 enhances the DNA binding activity of AtMYB2, whereas this was inhibited by a closely related CaM isoform (GmCaM1). Overexpression of Gm-CaM4 in Arabidopsis up-regulates the transcription rate of AtMYB2-regulated genes, including the proline-synthesizing enzyme P5CS1 (Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase-1), which confers salt tolerance by facilitating proline accumulation. Therefore, we suggest that a specific CaM isoform mediates salt-induced Ca2+ signaling through the activation of an MYB transcriptional activator, thereby resulting in salt tolerance in plants.
In situ processing of a retroviral nucleocapsid protein by the viral proteinase.

The proteolytic processing pathway of the nucleocapsid protein (NC) by the viral proteinase within intact capsids of equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV) is presented. The cleavage sites are located at the carboxyl side of the first cysteine residue within the zinc-finger domains. EIAV is used as a model to predict similar NC cleavages in other retroviruses, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The observed cleavages suggest a previously unrecognized function of the retroviral proteinase that may be crucial for replication during the early stages of the virus life-cycle (i.e. reverse transcription/integration).
Mechanisms of NFATc 3 activation by increased superoxide and reduced hydrogen peroxide in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle

Juan Manuel Ramiro-Diaz, Wieslawa Giermakowska, John M. Weaver, Nikki L. Jernigan, and Laura V. Gonzalez Bosc Vascular Physiology Group, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, School of Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Severity of Depression and Response to Antidepressants and Placebo: An Analysis of the Food and Drug Administration Database

Some studies suggest that more severely ill patients with depression respond well to antidepressants and poorly to placebo, whereas those who are mildly ill respond equally well to antidepressants and placebo. This notion has implications for the design of clinical trials. To further assess and substantiate these putative predictors of antidepressant and placebo response, we assessed the Food and Drug Administration database of 45 phase II and III antidepressant clinical trials. The frequency of statistically significant differences between antidepressants and placebo was higher in the trials that included patients with more severe depression. In the antidepressant-treated groups, the magnitude of symptom reduction was signif-icantly related to mean initial Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) score; the higher the mean initial HAM-D score, the larger the change. With placebo treatment, however, the higher the mean initial HAM-D score, the smaller the change. Early discontinuation was more frequent among patients whose mean initial HAM-D scores were higher. These data may help inform the design of future antidepressant clinical trials.
Unsupervised Distance Learning By Reciprocal kNN Distance for Image Retrieval

This paper presents a novel unsupervised learning approach that takes into account the intrinsic dataset structure, which is represented in terms of the reciprocal neighborhood references found in different ranked lists. The proposed Reciprocal kNN Distance defines a more effective distance between two images, and is used to improve the effectiveness of image retrieval systems. Several experiments were conducted for different image retrieval tasks involving shape, color, and texture descriptors. The proposed approach is also evaluated on multimodal retrieval tasks, considering visual and textual descriptors. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed approach. The Reciprocal kNN Distance yields better results in terms of effectiveness than various state-of-the-art algorithms.
Elevational Gradients in Species Richness

The abiotic and biotic gradients on mountains have enormous potential to improve our understanding of species distributions, species richness patterns and conservation. Here we describe how abiotic factors change with elevation, how flora and fauna respond to these changes and how elevational species richness patterns have been studied to uncover drivers of biodiversity. There are four main trends in elevational species richness: decreasing richness with increasing elevation, plateaus in richness across low elevations then decreasing with or without a mid-elevation peak and a unimodal pattern with a mid-elevational peak. We discuss the history of elevational richness studies and overview the various hypotheses thought to be important in richness trends, including climatic, spatial, biotic and evolutionary factors. Key Concepts: Elevational gradients exhibit complex variation in abiotic conditions over short distances. Patterns of elevational species richness follow four common patterns: mid-elevation peaks, decreasing, low-elevation plateaus and low plateaus with mid-elevation peaks. Patterns of elevational species richness vary between taxonomic groups. A combination of water availability and temperature is often found to be related to elevational species richness patterns. No consistent support is found for the importance of area or mid-domain effects for elevational species richness patterns. Support for the various mechanisms underlying elevational richness patterns tends to be related to the ecology and evolutionary history of the taxonomic group of interest. Elevational gradients are valuable in our task to disentangle the causes behind broad-scale patterns in biodiversity, and in our quest to understand threats to biodiversity with climatic change. Keywords: climate; biotic interactions; diversity; elevation; environmental gradient; mountains; precipitation; productivity; species–area relationship; temperature
Velocity and pressure fluctuations on inclined tube banks submitted to turbulent flow

This paper presents the experimental study of pressure and velocity fluctuations and their interdependence, in the turbulent flow impinging on arrangements of yawed circular cylinders simulating inclined tube banks with square arrangement and a pitch to diameter ratio of 1.26. Measurements were performed with hot-wires and a pressure transducer. Behaviour of fluctuating quantities is described by means of dimensionless autospectral density functions and cross correlations. Experimental results indicates the presence of two different phenomena of vortex generation in inclined tube banks.
Impact of alcohol intake on total mortality and mortality from major causes in Japan: a pooled analysis of six large-scale cohort studies

Objectives Using common alcohol consumption categories, to conduct a pooled analysis of six ongoing large-scale cohort studies in Japan in order to produce concrete estimates of the quantitative contribution of alcohol consumption to all-cause and major causes of mortality in the Japanese population. Methods Of the 309 082 subjects, there were 35 801 deaths during 3 832 285 person-years of follow-up. Using a random-effect model, we conducted a meta-analysis of the HRs of each alcohol consumption category in each study, thereby obtaining pooled estimates for the risk of total and major causes of mortality due to alcohol consumption. Results There was a J- or U-shaped association for the risk of total and major causes of mortality in men, and the risk of total and heart disease mortality in women. Compared with non-drinkers, there was a significantly lower risk for total mortality at an alcohol consumption level of <69 g/day, cancer mortality at <46 g/day, heart disease mortality at <69 g/day and cerebrovascular disease mortality at <46 g/day in men, and for total mortality at <23 g/day in women. In addition, mortality risk increased linearly with rising alcohol dose among drinkers. It was estimated that 5% of total mortality, 3% of cancer mortality, 2% of heart disease mortality and 9% of cerebrovascular disease mortality in men, but only 0–1% of these risks in women, could be prevented by reducing alcohol consumption to <46 g/day in men and <23 g/day in women. Conclusion Maintaining alcohol consumption below 46 g/day in men and 23 g/day in women appears to minimise the risks of mortality in the Japanese population.
Malformations in Infants of Diabetic Mothers Occur Before the Seventh Gestational Week: Implications for Treatment

In the present study we used a developmental morphologic approach to fix the latest time in development at which the malformations commonly reported in infants of diabetic mothers could occur. Developmental morphologic dating shows that the significantly more common congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers occur before the seventh week of gestation. This suggests that any therapeutic intervention aimed at decreasing the incidence of congenital malformations must be instituted during the critical early period.
Transcriptional Profile of the Escherichia coli Response to the Antimicrobial Insect Peptide Cecropin A

ABSTRACT Cationic antimicrobial peptides are believed to exert their primary activities on anionic bacterial cell membranes; however, this model does not adequately account for several important structure-activity relationships. These relationships are likely to be influenced by the bacterial response to peptide challenge. In order to characterize the genomic aspect of this response, transcription profiles were examined for Escherichia coli isolates treated with sublethal and lethal concentrations of the cationic antimicrobial peptide cecropin A. Transcript levels for 26 genes changed significantly following treatment with sublethal peptide concentrations, and half of the transcripts corresponded to protein products with unknown function. The pattern of response is distinct from that following treatment with lethal concentrations and is also distinct from the bacterial response to nutritional, thermal, osmotic, or oxidative stress. These results demonstrate that cecropin A induces a genomic response in E. coli apart from any lethal effects on the membrane and suggest that a complete understanding of its mechanism of action may require a detailed examination of this response.