Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal blood flow measurements with use of phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging: normal values and reproducibility.

PURPOSE To assess the validity and the direct, short-term, and long-term reproducibility of renal blood flow (RBF) measurements with phase-contrast (PC) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 20 healthy volunteers, RBF measurements were repeated with and without repositioning. Internal validity was assessed by comparing the total RBF with the difference in aortic flow above and below the renal arteries. In 19 healthy volunteers, RBF measurements were performed at two different occasions. In 40 healthy volunteers, RBF measurements were performed to assess normal values as a function of age. Analyses were performed according to Bland and Altman. RESULTS The technical success rate ranged from 78% to 85%. Total RBF and the difference in aortic flow rates showed good agreement (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.72; P = .002). Directly repeated measurements had a mean difference of 54 mL/min in total RBF with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 17%. For repeated measurements with repositioning, the mean difference in total RBF was 74 mL/min (CV, 23%). Repeated measurements on different occasions showed a CV of 20%. The mean total RBF of the 40 healthy volunteers was 838 mL/min +/- 244 (SD). CONCLUSIONS RBF measurement with PC MR has a success rate greater than 75%. The demonstrated internal reliability of this method and fair reproducibility of the flow parameters is crucial for further studies of the renal artery with MR imaging.
Hierarchy of the Human Natural Killer Cell Response Is Determined by Class and Quantity of Inhibitory Receptors for Self-HLA-B and HLA-C Ligands1

The interaction of NK inhibitory killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) with self-MHC class I molecules mediates NK tolerance to self while conferring functional competence. Through single-cell analysis of intracellular IFN-γ production and NK clone cytotoxicity we evaluated the resting NK repertoire, analyzing the responsiveness of NK subgroups expressing discrete combinations of non-KIR and KIR class I-specific receptors. CD94:NKG2A and Ig-like transcript 2 (ILT2)-expressing cells have a modest response to class I-negative target cells, but NK cells expressing inhibitory KIRs to self-MHC class I ligands, both HLA-B and HLA-C ligands, achieve significantly higher effector capacity. There is a dose effect of KIR for self-MHC on effector capacity, but even in the most highly responsive NK cells expressing more than one inhibitory KIR for self-MHC the presentation of only one cognate MHC ligand is sufficient to abolish response. Among KIR+ cells there is preferential expression for inhibitory KIR for self-MHC. The likelihood of KIR expression is influenced by whether other KIRs are already expressed on the same cell, supporting a model of serial acquisition of KIR expression. These findings define how inhibitory receptor and autologous HLA interactions impact single-cell function and demonstrate that the resting human NK repertoire is highly attuned but variegated in response. These findings have important implications for the resting NK response to viral pathogens and malignancy, for donor selection in allogeneic hemopoietic cell transplantation, and for models of NK tolerance.
Norwegian Sheep Are an Important Reservoir for Human-Pathogenic Escherichia coli O26:H11

ABSTRACT A previous national survey of Escherichia coli in Norwegian sheep detected eae-positive (eae +) E. coli O26:H11 isolates in 16.3% (80/491) of the flocks. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the human-pathogenic potential of these ovine isolates by comparing them with E. coli O26 isolates from humans infected in Norway. All human E. coli O26 isolates studied carried the eae gene and shared flagellar type H11. Two-thirds of the sheep flocks and 95.1% of the patients harbored isolates containing arcA allele type 2 and espK and were classified as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) (stx positive) or EHEC-like (stx negative). These isolates were further divided into group A (EspK2 positive), associated with stx 2-EDL933 and stcE O103, and group B (EspK1 positive), associated with stx 1a. Although the stx genes were more frequently present in isolates from patients (46.3%) than in those from sheep flocks (5%), more than half of the ovine isolates in the EHEC/EHEC-like group had multiple-locus variable number of tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) profiles that were identical to those seen in stx-positive human O26:H11 isolates. This indicates that EHEC-like ovine isolates may be able to acquire stx-carrying bacteriophages and thereby have the possibility to cause serious illness in humans. The remaining one-third of the sheep flocks and two of the patients had isolates fulfilling the criteria for atypical enteropathogenic E. coli (aEPEC): arcA allele type 1 and espK negative (group C). The majority of these ovine isolates showed MLVA profiles not previously seen in E. coli O26:H11 isolates from humans. However, according to their virulence gene profile, the aEPEC ovine isolates should be considered potentially pathogenic for humans. In conclusion, sheep are an important reservoir of human-pathogenic E. coli O26:H11 isolates in Norway.
A novel Arabidopsis-oomycete pathosystem: differential interactions with Phytophthora capsici reveal a role for camalexin, indole glucosinolates and salicylic acid in defence.

Phytophthora capsici causes devastating diseases on a broad range of plant species. To better understand the interaction with its host plants, knowledge obtained from a model pathosystem can be instrumental. Here, we describe the interaction between P. capsici and Arabidopsis and the exploitation of this novel pathosystem to assign metabolic pathways involved in defence against P. capsici. Inoculation assays on Arabidopsis accessions with different P. capsici isolates revealed interaction specificity among accession-isolate combinations. In a compatible interaction, appressorium-mediated penetration was followed by the formation of invasive hyphae, haustoria and sporangia in leaves and roots. In contrast, in an incompatible interaction, P. capsici infection elicited callose deposition, accumulation of active oxygen species and cell death, resulting in early pathogen encasement in leaves. Moreover, Arabidopsis mutants with defects in salicylic acid signalling, camalexin or indole glucosinolates biosynthesis pathways displayed severely compromised resistance to P. capsici. It is anticipated that this model pathosystem will facilitate the genetic dissection of complex traits responsible for resistance against P. capsici.
The use of surgical facemasks during cataract surgery: is it necessary?

Aim: To assess whether facemask utilisation by the surgeon during cataract surgery has any effect on the bacterial load falling onto the operative site. Method: Prospective randomised masked study. Consent was obtained from 221 patients. Cases were randomised to wearing a new mask or not wearing any mask throughout the procedure. Blood agar settle plates were placed adjacent to the patient's head in the operative field. Duration of procedure was noted. Plates were incubated and read at 48 hours. Colony forming bacteria were counted and identified. Results: There were significantly fewer organisms cultured when the surgeon used a facemask (p=0.0006). The majority of organisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus spp, and Diphtheroid spp; however Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were cultured on several occasions. There were no cases of infective complication. Conclusions: The main purpose of an operating mask is to prevent bacteria falling on to the operative site from the surgeon's oropharynx or nasopharynx with the concomitant theoretical risk of infective complication. Operating masks were shown to have a significant effect on the volume of bacterial organisms falling to the operative site; however, whether this is clinically significant is unknown.
Increased Overall Antibiotic Susceptibility inStaphylococcus aureus femAB Null Mutants

ABSTRACT The staphylococcal pentaglycine side chain of the peptidoglycan is reduced to one glycine in femAB null mutants. This is associated with increased susceptibility to methicillin and to a whole range of unrelated antibiotics as well. Genetic evidence suggests thatfemAB null mutants are only viable because of a compensatory mutation in an unlinked site.
Lenalidomide in multiple myeloma: current role and future directions

Importance of the field: Lenalidomide and other new agents are improving survival of multiple myeloma patients. This review describes current data on lenalidomide in myeloma and how the unique properties of lenalidomide may lend its use in new settings, such as maintenance and preventive therapy. Areas covered in this review: This review covers the activity of lenalidomide in multiple myeloma, efficacy in both newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory patients, how to manage effectively common adverse events observed with lenalidomide, and its potential use in new settings based on clinical trials published up to 2009. What the reader will gain: This review describes the mechanism of action of lenalidomide in myeloma which provides the basis for its clinical use in newly diagnosed, relapsed/refractory, and high-risk smoldering myeloma in combination with other agents. Strategies to reduce or effectively manage myelosuppression and thromboembolic events, the main adverse events associated with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone therapy, are also described. Take home message: Lenalidomide is an oral immunomodulatory drug that is highly effective in treating multiple myeloma, has a favorable safety profile and is now being evaluated as maintenance therapy, preventive therapy and in combination with other new agents.
Disease activity score-28 values differ considerably depending on patient's pain perception and sex.

OBJECTIVE To determine if the Disease Activity Index including a 28-joint count (DAS28) is equally applicable for the total population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Five hundred fifty-seven outpatients with RA [432 women, 125 men; median age 64 yrs (range 0-85), median disease duration 48 mo (range 2-548)] were enrolled consecutively into this cross-sectional study. DAS28, physician's global assessment of disease activity, patient's assessment of pain on visual analog scale, C-reactive protein (mg/dl), rheumatoid factor (RF), and disease duration were recorded. t-tests were applied for all comparisons of DAS28 values. Linear regression analysis was performed for each confounding factor. RESULTS The mean DAS28 in female patients was 3.66 +/- 0.57 SEM, and in males 3.01 +/- 1.12 (p < 0.001). DAS values in patients with early RA (< 37 mo) were significantly higher than in patients with advanced RA (3.62 +/- 0.67 vs 3.37 +/- 0.81, respectively; p < 0.017). Regression analysis revealed a highly significant relationship between DAS28 score and patient's pain rating (r = 0.592, p < 0.0001). Pain exerted the greatest influence on the DAS28 (p < 0.0001), while of the other factors only age (p < 0.008 for females, p < 0.007 for males) was also significantly correlated with the DAS28 values. CONCLUSION DAS28 values differ considerably depending primarily on the patient's pain perception and gender and to a lesser degree on patient's age, whereas results for disease duration and RF were inconclusive.
The Protective Effect of Alcoholic Beverages on the Occurrence of a Salmonella Food-Borne Outbreak

Background. There are few studies about the effect of alcoholic beverages in food-borne disease outbreaks. Methods. We studied this effect during an outbreak of Salmonella ohio infection that occurred in Castellón (Spain) in May 2000. S. ohio was isolated in stools of patients and also in implicated foods. Results. Analysis was restricted to the group that was exposed to contaminated food (51 persons). We compared attack rates by level of alcohol intake (none, 1–40 gm, and >40 gm). The adjusted relative risks in the two alcohol categories were 0.73 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.46–1.15] and 0.54 (95% CI = 0.31–0.96), respectively. Conclusions. We discuss the possible protective effect of alcoholic beverages in some food-borne infectious outbreaks.
The Effects of a Time Management Professional Development Seminar on Stress and Job Satisfaction of Beginning Agriscience Teachers in West Texas.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a time management seminar on stress and job satisfaction of beginning agriscience teachers. The target population for this study consisted of agriscience teachers in the first or second year of tenure. All twenty-three (N = 23) beginning teachers from a selected region of the state participated in the study. There was a 100% response. Eleven participated in the time management seminar (n = 11) and 12 participated in the control group (n = 12). The study employed a quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design. The treatment, a comprehensive time management seminar, included: planning and scheduling, goal setting, and work and family balance. A post-test, including instrumentation for stress and job satisfaction, was administered to both groups. Independent samples t-tests revealed there were not any statistically significant differences between groups on stress levels or job satisfaction levels. However, sub-scale constructs from each instrument resulted in medium to large effect sizes in several sub-scale factors. Stress differences included work-related stress, time management, and professional investment. Job satisfaction differences included pay, recognition and advancement. Overall, the beginning teachers had slight to moderate stress. Additionally, the teachers had slightly above neutral levels of job satisfaction.
NAPLAN data: a new policy assemblage and mode of governance in Australian schooling

ABSTRACT As part of a policy assemblage, the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is representative of a new mode of governance for Australia's schooling systems, indicative of international trends in educational accountability based on testing. The policy assumption was that the introduction of a national performance measurement system would tightly couple school practices to national agendas targeted at improving learning outcomes. This paper presents a comparative case study of two primary schools within a single Queensland region to interrogate how coupling and decoupling strategies are enacted in respect of the policy usage of NAPLAN data. The granular analysis of the governance relationship between the school principals and their supervisors is set against the politics, policies and pressures of NAPLAN that recast the initiative as high stakes for systems, schools and their leadership. Specifically, we argue that Queensland's choice and enactment of policy instruments have produced a new mode of governance of principal conduct, but one mediated by the specific contexts of the two schools. The analysis shows how this mode has precipitated two types of decoupling.
The E3 ligase APC/C-Cdh1 regulates MEF2A-dependent transcription by targeting SUMO-specific protease 2 for ubiquitination and degradation

Activity-dependent stimuli induced a calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation of the transcriptional factor MEF2A at serine408 and promoted a switch from SUMOylation to acetylation at lysine403 which led to MEF2A transcriptional activation. We previously identified SENP2 is the de-SUMOylation enzyme for MEF2A and promotes MEF2A-dependent transcription. We report here a requirement for APCCdh1-SENP2-MEF2A axis in the regulation of MEF2A transcriptional activation. APCCdh1 interacts with and targets SENP2 for ubiquitination and destruction in the cytoplasm by recognizing a conserved canonical D-box motif in SENP2. Moreover, Cdh1 regulates the transcriptional activity of MEF2A in a SENP2 dependent manner. Activity-dependent stimuli prevented APCCdh1-induced SENP2 ubiquitination, promoted SENP2 nuclear accumulations, and caused MEF2A de-SUMOylation and MEF2A acetylation, leading to MEF2A transcriptional activation. Thus, our findings defined a post-transcriptional mechanism underlying activity-dependent stimuli-induced MEF2A transcriptional activation.
High K gate dielectrics for the silicon industry

The exponential growth of the silicon industry can be attributed to that fact that silicon has a native oxide that is silicon dioxide. With SiO/sub 2/ soon approaching fundamental limit, we must find an alternate to SiO/sub 2/ or a new switch to replace MOSFET. In this paper we focus on leading alternate gate dielectrics. We first discuss the selection criteria for alternate gate dielectrics and why it is important to have an amorphous gate dielectric. SiO/sub 2/ and aluminum oxide remain amorphous at very high temperatures. For dielectrics with K > 15 and gate power < 100mW/cm/sup 2/, it may be necessary to stabilize the amorphous phase of metal oxides by adding Al or Si into the oxide; and thus forming multi-component dielectrics such as aluminates or silicates. At present, the most critical issue facing the high K research is the reduced mobility and therefore the effective fixed charge at the dielectric/Si interface. In this paper, we also shed some light on the effective fixed charge in group-three metal oxides.
Taking it day-by-day: an exploratory study of adult perspectives on slow living in an urban setting

ABSTRACT This study is based within a local context and is focused on a number of adults within a family setting who had transitioned to a slower lifestyle. The key purpose of the study was to uncover their motivations and the challenges they faced in changing their lifestyle and how they interpreted their slower life. The participants for this study were recruited using my own contacts and through a number of organizations that supported alternative lifestyles. Focus groups were used to elicit information through discussion on a range of issues related to the realities of this lifestyle. This method allowed participants’ voices to be expressed and heard first-hand and as a result five key themes emerged from the data. The themes included the ethics and principles of living a slow life, the impact on family life and leisure, and issues to do with work, technology, media and money.
Comprehensive molecular analysis of Japanese patients with pediatric‐onset MODY‐type diabetes mellitus

Yorifuji T, Fujimaru R, Hosokawa Y, Tamagawa N, Shiozaki M, Aizu K, Jinno K, Maruo Y, Nagasaka H, Tajima T, Kobayashi K, Urakami T. Comprehensive molecular analysis of Japanese patients with pediatric‐onset MODY‐type diabetes mellitus.
A study of wall thickness of gastric antrum: comparison among normal, benign and malignant gastric conditions on MDCT scan.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the normal antral wall thickness on MDCT and to determine the optimal cut-off value for differentiating normal and benign from malignant gastric wall thickening. MATERIAL AND METHOD MDCT scans of 154 patients, 22 malignancies, 66 benign conditions, and 66 normal findings, whose underwent both gastroscopy and MDCT within 30 days were retrospectively reviewed. The degree of gastric distention, antral wall thickness, pattern of wall thickness, and enhancement, the presence or absence of perigastric fat stranding and perigastric lymphadenopathy were evaluated. ROC curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of antral wall thickness to differentiate normal and benign from malignant antral wall thickening. RESULTS The antral wall thickness in malignancy, benign and normal groups were 16.64 +/- 7.28 mm, 5.265 +/- 2.21 mm, and 5.68 +/- 2.13 mm, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the normal and malignant group (p < 0.001) as well as benign and malignant group (p < 0.001). Whereas, there was no significant difference between normal and benign group (p = 0.78). By using a 10 mm-cutoff value, the sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) for prediction of gastric malignancy were 81.8%, 97.7%, 97.0%, 85.7%, and 95.5%, respectively. Most gastric malignancies had diffused irregular gastric antral wall thickening (87.7%), heterogeneous enhancement with obliterated normal gastric wall layering (88.1%), perigastric fat stranding (72.7%), and perigastric lymphadenopathy (72.7%). CONCLUSION Normal antral wall thickness ranges from 1 to 16 mm, depends on degree of antral luminal distention. The authors suggest 10 mm antral wall thickness as the optimal cut-off point for differentiating malignancy and non-malignancy conditions. Moreover the diffuse irregular wall thickening, heterogeneous wall enhancement, presence of perigastric fat stranding and perigastric lymphadenopathy often associate with malignancy. These findings are particularly helpful in interpreting MDCT of patients with inadequate antral luminal distention.
Predicting treatment response to naltrexone: the influence of craving and family history.

Naltrexone has repeatedly been shown to reduce drinking in alcohol-dependent patients. Previous clinical research suggests that naltrexone may be more effective at reducing drinking among patients with high levels of alcohol craving at the beginning of treatment. In addition, laboratory studies suggest that naltrexone may be more efficacious among patients with a high familial loading of alcohol problems. We explored both of these possibilities in the context of the first 12-week phase of a double blind, placebo-controlled naltrexone trial. A total of 121 patients were randomized to receive 100 mg/day naltrexone and 62 patients were randomized to receive placebo. Both naltrexone and placebo were given in conjunction with a psychosocial intervention designed to be integrated with the use of pharmacotherapy. This intervention was administered by nurse practitioners. Overall, patients randomized to naltrexone reported drinking five or more drinks on fewer days than did placebo controls (p = .04). Interactions were observed between medication group assignment and both craving level prior to randomization (p = .02) and family loading of alcohol problems (p = .05). In both cases, the interaction was in the predicted direction. These data suggest that patients with high levels of alcohol craving or a strong family history of alcoholism are more likely to benefit from naltrexone treatment.
Glutathione s-transferase m1 and t1 gene polymorphisms are not associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus development.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate whether the glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphisms contributed to development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Fifty women with diagnosis of GDM and 50 control individuals without GDM or altered glucose intolerance during their pregnancy were enrolled in the study. Multiplex polimerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was applied to determine the GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms. Genotypes were determined according to bands detected with the agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS The difference in the frequencies of GSTM1 null genotypes between GDM and control groups was not statistically significant (60% and 54%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between GDM and control groups with respect to GSTT1 null genotype rates (22% and 20%, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between GDM and control groups with respect to GSTT1 null genotype rates (22% and 20%, respectively). CONCLUSION This study shows no association between GST gene polymorphisms and GDM.