Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Drosophila homolog of the Rac- and Cdc42-activated serine/threonine kinase PAK is a potential focal adhesion and focal complex protein that colocalizes with dynamic actin structures

Changes in cell morphology are essential in the development of a multicellular organism. The regulation of the cytoskeleton by the Rho subfamily of small GTP-binding proteins is an important determinant of cell shape. The Rho subfamily has been shown to participate in a variety of morphogenetic processes during Drosophila melanogaster development. We describe here a Drosophila homolog, DPAK, of the serine/threonine kinase PAK, a protein which is a target of the Rho subfamily proteins Rac and Cdc42. Rac, Cdc42, and PAK have previously been implicated in signaling by c-Jun amino-terminal kinases. DPAK bound to activated (GTP-bound) Drosophila Rac (DRacA) and Drosophila Cdc42. Similarities in the distributions of DPAK, integrin, and phosphotyrosine suggested an association of DPAK with focal adhesions and Cdc42- and Rac-induced focal adhesion-like focal complexes. DPAK was elevated in the leading edge of epidermal cells, whose morphological changes drive dorsal closure of the embryo. We have previously shown that the accumulation of cytoskeletal elements initiating cell shape changes in these cells could be inhibited by expression of a dominant-negative DRacA transgene. We show that leading-edge epidermal cells flanking segment borders, which express particularly large amounts of DPAK, undergo transient losses of cytoskeletal structures during dorsal closure. We propose that DPAK may be regulating the cytoskeleton through its association with focal adhesions and focal complexes and may be participating with DRacA in a c-Jun amino-terminal kinase signaling pathway recently demonstrated to be required for dorsal closure.
[En bloc transplantation of pediatric donor kidneys to adult receptors].

OBJECTIVES Analysis of all pediatric donor en bloc transplants to adult receptors performed in our department. METHODS Retrospective analysis of 73 en bloc kidney transplants and 497 adult transplants performed in our centre from 1990 to 2004. Mean follow-up was 50.23 months (10.18-89.05 months). All patients received the same immunosuppression, although it evolved with time. RESULTS There were significant differences in terms of nonfunctioning kidneys and delayed graft function, more frequent in pediatric en bloc and adult transplants, respectively. Pediatric kidneys provided better renal function and less proteinuria. Patient and graft survivals were similar in both groups. One and five-year graft survivals were 83.56% and 8 1.47% for pediatric donor kidneys, and 91.50% and 86.99% for adult donor kidneys. Vascular complications were the most frequent cause of graft loss for the en bloc transplants. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric donor en bloc transplants have an excellent survival and function in the middle and long-term. Vascular complications are the main cause of pediatric donor graft loss. The adoption of a pediatric donor en bloc transplant program increases the transplant activity.
Predictors of variation in office visit interval assignment.

OBJECTIVE Despite the important influence of ambulatory appointment revisit intervals (RVI) on access to care, physicians receive no formal training in this area and research indicates that there is significant practice variation. Our objective was to examine whether predictors of RVI assignment that we had assessed using vignettes were also significant in the actual patient care setting. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY DESIGN A cross-sectional survey of 59 internal medicine residents collected at the end of office visits for patients with hypertension or diabetes. Two hundred and twenty-eight patients seen in 1997 for continuity care in two academic clinics in New Orleans, Louisiana. DATA COLLECTION The main outcome was RVI in weeks. We assessed the relationship between physician, visit, and patient-level covariates, and RVI assignment in univariate and multivariate analyses using hierarchical linear models. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The mean RVI was 12.4 weeks (range 1-42 weeks) and was similar for patients with diabetes and hypertension. The final model accounted for 35.7% of the variance in RVI assignment and included: perceptions of the patient's systolic blood pressure, disease stability, and compliance; comorbidity, physician age, sex, and identity; and changing therapy for the primary diagnosis. The identity of the physician was the largest contributor to the variance, accounting for 14.7%. CONCLUSIONS Intrinsic characteristics of physicians and their subjective interpretations of their patients' disease stability are the most important determinants of ambulatory RVI assignment. Intervening to reduce this variation in practice is challenging because limited research is currently available on the optimum RVI for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension.
Current pharmacotherapy options for gastritis

Introduction: Gastritis is a broad term, which is used for different conditions by clinicians, endoscopists and pathologists. Classification strategies have led to more congruence between specialists. The histological evaluation of the gastric mucosa is mandatory for diagnosing and classifying gastritis. Main aetiologic factor is infection with Helicobacter pylori. The clinical importance of gastritis lays in the fact that it predisposes to more pronounced damage to the gastric mucosa, in particular peptic ulcer disease, and eventually atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and gastric malignancy, both adenocarcinoma and MALT lymphoma. Areas covered: This review covers the current pharmacotherapy options for different forms of gastritis. The main focus is on H. pylori-induced gastritis. Thereafter, other forms of gastritis like autoimmune gastritis and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related gastropathy are covered. Expert opinion: The emerging problem of antibiotic resistance requires an accurate knowledge of local eradication rates. Standard triple therapy should be abandoned in regions with high clarithromycin resistance. In these areas, sequential or quadruple therapy is best initial treatment. Further research should focus on non-invasive and effective techniques of susceptibility testing, making a tailored and cost-effective approach. Primary prevention of NSAID-related gastropathy can be enhanced by better education for clinicians and patients, so that both right prescription of gastroprotective agents as therapy adherence will improve.
Early exposure to latex products mediates latex sensitization in spina bifida but not in other diseases with comparable latex exposure rates

Background The high prevalence of latex sensitization in patients with spina bifida (SB) has been attributed to repeated and early exposure to latex products. Other diseases such as gastroschisis/omphalocoele and post‐haemorrhagic/congenital hydrocephalus are also associated with repeated and early latex exposure.
Gelada feeding ecology in an intact ecosystem at Guassa, Ethiopia: Variability over time and implications for theropith and hominin dietary evolution.

Recent evidence suggests that several extinct primates, including contemporaneous Paranthropus boisei and Theropithecus oswaldi in East Africa, fed largely on grasses and sedges (i.e., graminoids). As the only living primate graminivores, gelada monkeys (Theropithecus gelada) can yield insights into the dietary strategies pursued by extinct grass- and sedge-eating primates. Past studies of gelada diet were of short duration and occurred in heavily disturbed ecosystems. We conducted a long-term study of gelada feeding ecology in an intact Afroalpine ecosystem at Guassa, Ethiopia. Geladas at Guassa consumed ≥56 plant species, ≥20 invertebrate species, one reptile species, and the eggs of one bird species over a 7-year period. The annual diet consisted of 56.8% graminoid parts, 37.8% forb parts, 2.8% invertebrates, and 2.6% other items, although geladas exhibited wide variability in diet across months at Guassa. Edible forbs were relatively scarce at Guassa but were strongly selected for by geladas. Tall graminoid leaf and tall graminoid seed head consumption correlated positively, and underground food item consumption correlated negatively, with rainfall over time. Geladas at Guassa consumed a species-rich diet dominated by graminoids, but unlike geladas in more disturbed habitats also ate a diversity of forbs and invertebrates along with occasional vertebrate prey. Although graminoids are staple foods for geladas, underground food items are important "fallback foods. " We discuss the implications of our study, the first intensive study of the feeding ecology of the only extant primate graminivore, for understanding the dietary evolution of the theropith and hominin putative graminivores, Theropithecus oswaldi and Paranthropus boisei.
Improved Stability of $\alpha $ -InGaZnO Thin-Film Transistor under Positive Gate Bias Stress by Using Fluorine Plasma Treatment

The origin of positive-gate-bias-stress (PGBS)-induced instability and the effects of fluorine treatment on the instability of an InGaZnO thin-film transistor (TFT) are investigated. The fluorine treatments on the dielectric/InGaZnO interface and InGaZnO back channel of the device can effectively modulate their electrical properties. By characterizing the TFTs with various fluorine treatments, it is found that the back channel rather than the dielectric/InGaZnO interface dominates the PGBS instability. Electrons induced by moisture absorption near the back channel migrate from the back channel to the interface under PGBS at room temperature, thus resulting in a threshold-voltage decrease. Moreover, the fluorine treatment on the back channel effectively suppresses the PGBS instability due to reduced moisture absorption caused by the fluorine passivation.
Comparisons of Risk Factors and Visual Field Changes between Juvenile-Onset and Late-Onset Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma

Purpose: To identify the differences in risk factors and visual field (VF) changes between juvenile primary open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) and late-onset chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG). Methods: The demographic and presenting clinical data of 27 JOAG and 30 COAG patients were retrospectively reviewed. Comparisons between the two groups were performed using Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Fisher’s exact test. Results: A family history of glaucoma (37%) and a history of steroid usage (14.8%) were identified in JOAG patients only. The JOAG patients had a longer axial length (p < 0.001) and more often a myopic refractive state (p < 0.001) than the COAG patients. Patients with COAG showed a deeper (p = 0.016) and a more extensive (p = 0.008) defect in the superior than in the inferior hemifield, as well as a deeper (p = 0.016) and a more extensive (p = 0.001) defect in the superior than in the inferior arcuate area, while JOAG patients showed symmetric VF defects between the superior and inferior hemifields. Purely diffuse VF depression is more common in JOAG than in COAG patients (p = 0.03). Conclusions: JOAG patients demonstrated more axial myopic changes than patients with COAG as well as a pattern of superior-inferior symmetric VF defects. Axial myopia may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of JOAG.
Determination of lead in soil at a historical mining and smelting site using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was used to determine lead (Pb) concentration in soil and tailing samples collected from a historical mining and smelting area. The Pb emission line at 405.781 nm was found to have the strongest intensity and highest linearity with concentration. It was further normalized by the Al emission line (394.401 nm), and a relationship between the peak area ratio (Pb/Al) and Pb concentration was established to determine Pb concentration of unknown samples. The Pb concentration was the highest at the former smelter site and unremediated mine-tailing areas, indicating that severe Pb contamination is still occurring. The Pb concentration decreased with increasing distance from the two major source areas (smelting and mine-tailing sites), although all samples exceeded the 400 mg/kg standard set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The limit of detection (LOD) for Pb was found to be 48 mg/kg, and the Pb concentrations determined by LIBS were in reasonable agreement with concentrations obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS; within 26%). When Pb concentrations were determined by calibration-free (CF)-LIBS, which does not require standard soil samples and dilution, both LIBS and ICP-MS were also in good agreement, suggesting that the CF-LIBS method can be used to determine Pb concentrations in highly contaminated soil samples. In addition to Pb, other metal emission lines from LIBS spectra were used to classify soil samples among the sites using a principal component analysis (PCA) method, showing a distinct difference in metal distribution between sites that are heavily contaminated by two major sources.
Sustained prothrombotic profile after hip replacement surgery: the influence of prolonged prophylaxis with dalteparin

Summary. In a randomized trial on the effect of dalteparin for 5 weeks after HRS we evaluated hemostatic variables in plasma sampled before and 1, 6 and 35 days postoperatively. In 218 patients we found that prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), thrombin–antithrombin complexes (TAT), d‐dimer and fibrinogen were significantly higher on day 35 as compared with baseline values in the placebo group (P < 0.001 for all). The same pattern was found in the dalteparin group, but with significantly lower values for F1 + 2, TAT and d‐dimer. In patients in the placebo group with venographically proven deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on day 35 (33%), significantly higher values were found for F1 + 2, TAT and d‐dimer than in patients without DVT. Patients in the highest quartile of d‐dimer (>2850 ng mL−1) had an odds ratio for the presence of DVT of 24.0 when compared with patients in the lowest quartile (<1625 ng mL−1). It is concluded that a substantial hypercoagulability is sustained until day 35 after HRS, significantly reduced with prolonged administration of dalteparin.
Caveolin-1 regulates hormone resistance through lipid synthesis, creating novel therapeutic opportunities for castration-resistant prostate cancer

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is overexpressed in aggressive and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) and induces PCa cell proliferation. Androgens mediate lipid synthesis through acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN). We investigated the Cav-1-mediated lipid synthesis in the development of castration resistance, and identified novel therapeutic opportunities. Using the PBCre+;Ptenloxp/loxp;PBCav-1+ mouse model we found that Cav-1 induction increased cancer incidence and growth, and ACC1-FASN expression in intact and castrated mice. We demonstrated that Cav-1 regulated ACC1 and FASN expression in an AR-independent way and increased palmitate synthesis using western blot analysis, qRT-PCR and mass spectrometry in vitro. By using FASN siRNA and C-75, we found that FASN inhibition was more effective in Cav-1-overexpressing cells. This inhibition was abrogated by ACC1si RNA, revealing the role of malonyl-CoA, an ACC1 product, as a mediator of cytotoxicity. Cav-1 was associated with ACC1 in human tumors and ACC1, FASN, and Cav-1 expression were increased in metastatic PCa compared to primary tumors and normal prostate epithelium. Palmitoleate and oleate levels were higher in BMA from patients with metastatic PCa who responded poorly to abiraterone acetate. Our findings suggest that Cav-1 promotes hormone resistance through the upregulation of ACC1-FASN and lipid synthesis under androgen deprivation, suggesting that FASN inhibition could be used to treat PCa that demonstrates Cav-1 overexpression.
Effect of Radiation on cAMP, cGMP and Ca2+i Pathways and their Interactions in Rat Distal Colon

Abstract Morel, E. , Dublineau, I. and Griffiths, N. M. Effect of Radiation on cAMP, cGMP and Ca2+i Pathways and their Interactions in Rat Distal Colon. Radiat. Res. 160, 263–272 (2003) The secretory response implicated in the intestinal response to luminal attack is altered by radiation. The cAMP, cGMP and Ca2+i pathways leading to secretion as well as the interactions between the cAMP pathway and the cGMP or Ca2+i pathway were studied in the rat distal colon 4 days after a 9-Gy abdominal X irradiation, when modifications mainly occurred. The secretory response in Ussing chambers and cAMP and cGMP accumulation in single isolated crypts were measured. The muscarinic receptor characteristics were determined in mucosal membrane preparations. The secretory response by the cAMP pathway (stimulated by vasoactive intestinal peptide or forskolin) and the cAMP accumulation in crypts were decreased (P < 0.05) after irradiation. The weak secretory response induced by the cGMP pathway (stimulated by nitric oxide or guanylin) was unaltered by radiation, and the small amount of cGMP determined in isolated crypts from the control group became undetectable in the irradiated group. Inducible NOS was not involved in the hyporesponsiveness to VIP after irradiation (there was no effect of an iNOS inhibitor). The secretory response by the Ca2+i pathway (stimulated by carbachol) was unaffected despite a decreased number and increased affinity of muscarinic receptors. The non-additivity of VIP and carbachol co-stimulated responses was unmodified. In contrast, VIP and SNP co-stimulation showed that NO enhanced the radiation-induced hyporesponsiveness to VIP through a reduced accumulation of cAMP in crypts. This study provides further understanding of the effect of ionizing radiation on the intracellular signaling pathways.
The genetics of venom ontogeny in the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

The same selective forces that give rise to rapid inter- and intraspecific divergence in snake venoms can also favor differences in venoms across life-history stages. Ontogenetic changes in venom composition are well known and widespread in snakes but have not been investigated to the level of unambiguously identifying the specific loci involved. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake was previously shown to undergo an ontogenetic shift in venom composition at sexual maturity, and this shift accounted for more venom variation than geography. To characterize the genetics underlying the ontogenetic venom compositional change in C. adamanteus, we sequenced adult/juvenile pairs of venom-gland transcriptomes from five populations previously shown to have different adult venom compositions. We identified a total of 59 putative toxin transcripts for C. adamanteus, and 12 of these were involved in the ontogenetic change. Three toxins were downregulated, and nine were upregulated in adults relative to juveniles. Adults and juveniles expressed similar total levels of snake-venom metalloproteinases but differed substantially in their featured paralogs, and adults expressed higher levels of Bradykinin-potentiating and C-type natriuretic peptides, nerve growth factor, and specific paralogs of phospholipases A2 and snake venom serine proteinases. Juvenile venom was more toxic to mice, indicating that the expression differences resulted in a phenotypically, and therefore potentially ecologically, significant difference in venom function. We also showed that adult and juvenile venom-gland transcriptomes for a species with known ontogenetic venom variation were equally effective at individually providing a full characterization of the venom genes of a species but that any particular individual was likely to lack several toxins in their transcriptome. A full characterization of a species’ venom-gene complement therefore requires sequencing more than one individual, although the ages of the individuals are unimportant.
Management of spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae using an interdisciplinary neuroradiological/neurosurgical approach: experience with 47 cases.

OBJECTIVE Spinal dural arteriovenous fistulae (SDAVFs) are frequently diagnosed after unacceptable delays and are therefore treated at a disadvantageously advanced stage. There is controversy regarding their treatment and the respective roles of interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons. We present our series of 47 patients to illustrate the necessity for early treatment and the value of an interdisciplinary approach. METHODS All patients exhibited suspicious magnetic resonance imaging and/or myelographic findings. Subsequent spinal angiography revealed the SDAVFs. Twelve patients were treated primarily by surgical interruption of the arterialized intradural draining vein, and eight patients underwent surgery after unsuccessful embolization. Twelve patients were surgically treated several months after embolization because of the recruitment of collateral vessels. Definitive embolization was achieved for 15 patients. All patients were monitored with magnetic resonance imaging and at least one control angiographic examination. Follow-up periods ranged from 2 months to 8 years. RESULTS There was an obvious male prevalence, with 35 male and 12 female patients. Only six of the patients were less than 50 years of age. The SDAVFs were found twice as often on the left side, compared with the right. A total of 85% of the SDAVFs were located between T2 and L2. Presenting signs were most often progressive paraparesis, with 66% of the patients exhibiting progression to a condition in which they could not walk without support or were confined to a wheelchair. For 50% of the patients, the time at which the correct diagnosis was established was more than 15 months after the onset of the first symptoms. After treatment, 18 patients showed improvement (38%), the conditions of 26 patients (55%) were unchanged (without further deterioration), and the conditions of three patients (6%) had deteriorated. CONCLUSION Attempts at embolization should be made at the time of angiography, because no adverse effects were recorded in our series and there was a 30% chance of the patients being cured by that modality alone. Even if recanalization occurs, the internal labeling of a feeding vessel with radio-opaque embolization material allows exact intraoperative fluorographic localization of the origin of the draining vein, facilitating minimally invasive surgical exposure.
White superficial onychomycosis: epidemiological, clinical, and pathological study of 79 patients.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemiology, responsible agents, clinical features, and outcome of white superficial onychomycosis (WSO). DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS A total of 79 patients with WSO seen at the Department of Dermatology of Bologna University from 1994 to 2002. Responsible agents included Trichophyton interdigitale in 58 cases (73%), Trichophyton rubrum in 4 (5%), Fusarium species in 9 (11%), Aspergillus species in 5 (6%), and Acremonium strictum in 3 (3%). RESULTS White superficial onychomycosis may have different clinical and epidemiological features. "Classic" WSO, characterized by superficial nail plate involvement, is usually due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes (var interdigitale), although Acremonium strictum or Onychocola canadiensis can sometimes be responsible. A deep and diffuse WSO, characterized by massive penetration of the nail plate by fungi, can be seen in nail infections by molds such as Fusarium species and Aspergillus species, or in nail infections by Trichophyton rubrum in healthy children and in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. CONCLUSIONS Severity and spread of WSO is the result of complex host-parasite relationships. When dealing with a patient with WSO, we should always consider the causative organism and the host characteristics to choose the best therapeutic approach.