Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of hypotonic stress and ouabain on the apparent diffusion coefficient of water at cellular and tissue levels in Aplysia

There is evidence that physiological or pathological cell swelling is associated with a decrease of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of water in tissues, as measured with MRI. However the mechanism remains unclear. Magnetic resonance microscopy, performed on small tissue samples, has the potential to distinguish effects occurring at cellular and tissue levels. A three‐dimensional diffusion prepared fast imaging with steady‐state free precession sequence for MR microscopy was implemented on a 17.2 T imaging system and used to investigate the effect of two biological challenges known to cause cell swelling, exposure to a hypotonic solution or to ouabain, on Aplysia nervous tissue. The ADC was measured inside isolated neuronal soma and in the region of cell bodies of the buccal ganglia. Both challenges resulted in an ADC increase inside isolated neuronal soma (+31 ± 24% and +30 ± 11%, respectively) and an ADC decrease at tissue level in the buccal ganglia (−12 ± 5% and −18 ± 8%, respectively). A scenario involving a layer of water molecules bound to the inflating cell membrane surface is proposed to reconcile this apparent discrepancy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal determinants of intrauterine growth restriction in Goa, India: a case-control study

Objective: To study the maternal determinants of intrauterine growth restriction. Methods: A case-control study was conducted at a tertiary care Hospital in the year 2009. Ninety eight cases of intrauterine growth restriction were compared to 98 controls, matched for newborns sex and type of delivery. Data was collected by interviewing the mother using a structured pretested schedule and perusal of antenatal records. Intrauterine growth restriction was defined as occurring if birth weight of the newborn is below 10 th percentile for gestational age on the intrauterine growth curve. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 17 package. Percentages, odds ratios with 95% CI and multiple logistic regression analysis were used wherever appropriate. Results: Maternal age, education, socioeconomic status and number of antenatal visits were found to be the significant socio-demographic factors associated with Intrauterine growth restriction while, maternal height, parity, previous spontaneous abortion, direct obstetric morbidity, indirect obstetric morbidity and anemia were the maternal biological factors found to be significantly associated on bivariate analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified parity, previous spontaneous abortion, direct obstetric morbidity, indirect obstetric morbidity and antenatal visits as significant maternal determinants of intrauterine growth restriction.
Association of Adenovirus Type 12 Deoxyribonucleic Acid with Host Cell Chromosomes

Preparations of purified 3H-labeled adenovirus type 12 (3H-Ad. 12) were analyzed for radioactive impurities by Millipore filtration and ultracentrifugation. It was found that only about 1% of the isotope activity was separable from the virions. Exposure of hamster cell lines to 3H-Ad. 12 resulted in nonlytic infections, and autoradiography indicated that viral deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), or parts thereof, became associated with host cell chromosomes. Usually, the label was observed in the form of small clusters of grains, as described previously for lytic adenovirus infections of human embryonic kidney cells. The uptake of labeled virus by the PT-K1 line of ratkangaroo cells was close to background level. These cells did not adsorb the virus to any significant extent. Ultraviolet irradiation of the virus for as long as 8 min did not affect viral adsorption onto susceptible cells, nor did it alter the association of viral DNA with host cell chromosomes. The capacity of the virus to induce chromosomal aberrations decreased linearly with an increase in the dose of irradiation, but the decrease occurred at a rate which was four- to fivefold slower than the rate of inactivation of viral infectivity. These results suggest that the capacity to induce chromosomal aberrations is controlled by viral genes.
Introduction of an effective method for the optimization of CT protocols using iterative reconstruction algorithms: comparison with patient data.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to introduce an efficient method for the optimization of iterative reconstruction CT protocols based on phantom image analysis and the comparison of obtained results with actual patient data. MATERIALS AND METHODS We considered chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT examinations before the installation of an iterative reconstruction algorithm (iDose4) to define the exposure parameters used in clinical routine with filtered back projection (FBP). The body area of a CT phantom was subsequently scanned with various tube voltages and tube currents-exposure time products, and acquired data were reconstructed with FBP and different levels of iDose4. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) for FBP with the original exposure parameters was calculated to define the minimum acceptable CNR value for each tube voltage. Then, an optimum tube current-exposure time products for each tube voltage and level of iterative reconstruction was estimated. We also compared findings derived by the phantom with real patient data by assessing dosimetric and image quality indexes from a patient cohort scanned with exposure parameters gradually adjusted during 1 year of adoption of iDose4. RESULTS By use of the proposed phantom method, dose reduction up to 75% was achievable, whereas for an intermediate level of iteration (level 4), the dose reduction ranged between 50% and 60%, depending on the tube voltage. For comparison, with the gradual adjustment of exposure settings, the corresponding dose reduction for the same level of iteration was about 35%. CONCLUSION The proposed method provides rapid and efficient optimization of CT protocols and could be used as the first step in the optimization process.
A Prospective Study Of Fk506 Versus Csa And Pig Atg In A Porcine Model Of Small Bowel Transplantation

Rejection remains a major barrier to successful bowel transplantation, and immunosuppressive protocols are far from standardized. In 88 nonrelated outbred pigs, we compared the effects of two immunosuppressive regimens--one with FK506, the other with cyclosporine (CsA) and pig antithymocyte globulin (ATG)--on incidence and severity of rejection in the early, critical posttransplant period. Group A (n = 14) was nonimmunosuppressed (controls). Group B (n = 17) received pig ATG (10 mg/kg/day x 10 days), CsA (3 mg/kg/day), prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day), and azathioprine (2.5 mg/kg/day); prednisolone and azathioprine were each reduced by 50% at 8 and 15 days posttransplant. Trough CsA whole-blood concentrations were > or = 400 ng/ml for the first 7 days, > or = 200 ng/ml thereafter. Group C (n = 13) received FK506 (0.2 mg/kg/day) and prednisolone (2 mg/kg/day); prednisolone was reduced by 50% at 8 and 15 days. FK506 whole-blood concentrations were > or = 20 ng/ml. All immunosuppression in groups B and C was given intravenously. We performed orthotopic small bowel transplants with systemic venous drainage. Recipient bowel was resected distal to the second portion of the duodenum and proximal to the rectum at transplant; bowel continuity was restored by duodenojejunostomy; ileostomy was created distally to allow access for daily biopsies. We graded interstitial and vascular rejection separately, according to a scoring system (no, mild, moderate, and severe rejection). Rejection-free graft survivals at 7, 14, and 21 days posttransplant were 38%, 19%, and 0% in group A; 93%, 93%, and 62% in group B; and 100%, 91%, and 82% in group C (P < 0.001). Comparing rejection in the immunosuppressed groups, group C (FK506) had a stronger tendency toward rejection than group B (CsA-ATG); significant differences between groups B and C were, however, noted only on individual days posttransplant, not over time. The death rate due to irreversible rejection was not significantly different in groups B and C (P = 0.8), but was significantly better in both of these immunosuppressed groups than in group A (P < 0.001). Pig survival was significantly longer in group C than in B (P = 0.001) due to a lower infection rate in group C. Posttransplant serum interleukin 2 and 7 levels did not correlate with rejection grades. Graft-versus-host reaction was noted only in the skin in 29% of group A, 73% of group B, and 77% of group C pigs; liver and native bowel were not involved. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Behavioral intermittence, Lévy patterns, and randomness in animal movement

The recent debate on both the existence and the cause of fractal (Levy) patterns in animal movement resonates with much deeper and richer problems in movement ecology: (1) establishing mechanistic links between animal behavior and statistical patterns of movement, and (2) understanding what is the role of randomness (stochasticity) in animal motion. Here, the idea of behavioral intermittence is shown to be crucial to establish mechanistic connections between the behavior of organisms and the statistical properties they generate when moving. Attention is drawn to the fact that some random walk modeling procedures can impair the identification of intermittent biological mechanisms which could govern major statistical properties of movement. This fact, together with some misconceptions and prejudices regarding the role of randomness in animal motion may explain why stochastic processes have been disregarded as a potential source of adaptation in animal movement. In the near future, the advances in biotelemetry together with a more explicit consideration of behavioral intermittence, and the development of novel random walk approaches, could help us to set up the bases for a landscape-level behavioral ecology.
Text-Messaging Practices and Links to General Spelling Skill: A Study of Australian Children.

This study investigated 10- to 12-year-old Australian children’s text-messaging practices and their relationship to traditional spelling ability. Of the 227 children tested, 82% reported sending textmessages; a median of 5 per day. Use of predictive and multi-press entry methods was roughly equal. Children produced a wide range of text-message abbreviations (textisms) (M = 53%) when asked to rewrite a list of 30 conventionally-spelt words as they would in a text-message to a friend. The proportion of textisms produced was significantly positively correlated with general spelling ability, which fits with previous findings of positive relationships between children’s textism use and literacy.
Effects of polymorphisms of the SLCO2B1 transporter gene on the pharmacokinetics of montelukast in humans

Montelukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a substrate of organic anion transporting OATP2B1 encoded by the SLCO2B1. We evaluated the effects of six non‐synonymous (c.1175C>T, c.1457C>T, c.43C>T, c.935G>A, c.601G>A, and c.644A>T) polymorphisms and one promoter (g.‐282G>A) polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics of montelukast. A single dose of 10 mg montelukast was administered in 24 healthy subjects. Its levels were measured up to 24 hours and a pharmacokinetic analysis was performed based on the SLCO2B1 polymorphisms. We did not encounter subjects with c.1175C>T, c.43C>T, or c.644A>T polymorphisms. The remaining SLCO2B1 polymorphisms did not affect plasma levels of montelukast, and pharmacokinetic parameters of montelukast did not differ among genotype groups. Oral clearance results were as follows: (1) 3.3 L/h for c.935GG, 3.0 L/h for c.935GA, and 3.5 L/h for c.935AA; (2) 3.4 L/h for c.1457CC, 2.9 L/h for c.1457CT, and 3.2 L/h for c.1457TT; (3) 3.2 L/h for c.601GG, 3.4 L/h for c.601GA, and 3.4 L/h for c.601AA; (4) 3.2 L/h for g. ‐282GG, 3.4 L/h for g. ‐282GA, and 3.2 L/h for g. ‐282AA. The findings suggest that SLCO2B1 polymorphisms do not affect the pharmacokinetics of montelukast and that SLCO2B1 polymorphisms appear to be a minor determinant of inter‐individual variability of montelukast.
Effects of Teaching Approach on Problem Solving Ability of Agricultural Education Students with Varying Learning Styles.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the problem solving approach to the subject matter approach in producing increased problem solving ability in students of varying learning styles. Results indicated that the majority of males were field-independent learners, whereas slightly less than half of the female students were field-independent (48.8%). Results also indicated that students in classes taught by the problem solving approach produced significantly higher problem solving ability test scores than did students in classes taught by the subject matter approach. When teaching approach was analyzed across learning styles, field-independent learners taught by the problem solving approach exhibited significantly higher scores between pretests and posttests. No differences were found between the pretest and posttest scores of either field-dependent or field-neutral learners. Also, no differences across learning styles for the subject matter approach groups were detected. Over the past decade a new commitment to Joyce and Weil (1986) noted that the selectio n quality instruction and stu dent learning has emerged of a teaching method is critical to the learning style in the educational community. As a part of tha t of those being served by the instruction. Ronning, community, agricultural educators are reassessin g McCurdy, and Ballinger (1984) contended that past educational practices in an effort to determine some students may possess a style of learning which the effectiveness and validity of m ethods which have is not complimentary to the use of problem solving for years been practiced and proclaimed with almost instruction. religious fervor (Dyer, 1995). One of thos e methods is the problem solving approach t o teaching agricultural education. The proble m The theoretical framework for this study wa s solving approach has been widely accepted and founded in Mitzel’s conceptual model for the study recommended by agricultural educators as the best of classroom teaching (Dunkin & Biddle, 1974). method of teaching agriculture (Phipps & Osborne, Adapted to this study, the Mitzel model suggest s 1988). Today, that approach remains the primar y that the effectiveness of a teaching approac h method of teaching offered to preservice agriculture (process variable) on the problem solving ability of teachers in many teacher education programs. students (product variable) is moderated by th e However, critics of the problem solving approac h learning styles of the students (context variable ) accuse that while the approach has a soun d when teacher effects (presage variables) are hel d theoretical base, it has been accepted with littl e constant. Therefore, consideration of studen t empirical evidence to either defend or reject it s learning styles is a necessity in determining th e usefulness in the classroom (Moore & Moore , effectiveness of a particular teaching approach o n
A Novel Ubiquitous Form of Munc-18 Interacts with Multiple Syntaxins.

Munc-18-1 is a 67-kDa neuronal protein that binds tightly to syntaxin 1 and functions in synaptic vesicle exocytosis (Hata, Y., Slaughter, C. A., and Südhof, T. C. (1993a) Nature 366, 347-351). We have now characterized a new Munc-18 isoform, Munc-18-2, that exhibits 63% amino acid sequence identity with Munc-18-1. Munc-18-2 is expressed in most tissues, whereas Munc-18-1 is primarily expressed in brain. Using recombinant Munc-18-1 and Munc-18-2 produced in COS cells, we show that both forms of Munc-18 bind tightly to syntaxins 1A, 2, and 3 but not to syntaxin 4. In an independent approach to study the binding specificities of Munc-18-1 and Munc-18-2, we used the yeast two-hybrid system. This assay system depends on protein-protein interactions in the cell nucleus. We validated its utility for studying membrane trafficking proteins by testing well characterized interactions between cytosolic proteins that are known to be physiologically important in exocytosis. Strong interactions, such as the binding of syntaxins 1-4 with SNAP-25, were effectively detected by the yeast two-hybrid assay, but weak binding, such as the binding of syntaxins to synaptotagmin or of synaptotagmin to neurexins, was not. Studies on full-length and truncated forms of Munc-18s by the yeast two-hybrid system confirmed their interactions with syntaxins. Both the N and the C terminus of Munc-18 were essential for binding. Munc-18-1 and Munc-18-2 bind only to syntaxins 1A, 2, and 3 but not 4 and 5 by yeast-two hybrid system assays. Our studies demonstrate that neural and non-neural tissues have distinct forms of Munc-18, which may function in different types of exocytosis. The lack of specificity of the interactions between syntaxins and Munc-18s indicates that specificity of membrane trafficking reactions is not dependent on this interaction.
Glycosylated Hemoglobin and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A Nested Case-Control Study

Abstract Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The role of aggressive glycemic control in preventing cardiovascular (CV) events is unclear. A nested case-control study design was used to evaluate the association between average glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and CV outcomes. Research Design and Methods: Adults with T2DM were identified among members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California. T2DM was identified based on ICD-9 diagnosis codes and either A1C > 7.5% or prescriptions for hypoglycemic agents. Cases were defined based on nonfatal MI, nonfatal stroke, or death due to cardiovascular events during a 3-year window. Four T2DM controls were matched to each case based on age, sex and index date for the corresponding case. A conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds-ratio (OR) of cardiovascular events comparing three patient groups based on average A1C measured in the pre-index period: ≤6 %; >6%-8%; >8%. Results: 44,628 controls were matched to 11,157 cases. Patients with an average A1C ≤6% were 20% more likely to experience a cardiovascular event than the >6%-8% group ( p 8% experienced a 16% increase in the likelihood of a cardiovascular event ( p Conclusions: High-risk patients with T2DM who achieved mean A1C levels of ≤6% or failed to decrease their A1C below 8% are at increased risk for cardiovascular events.
100-GHz Transistors from Wafer-Scale Epitaxial Graphene

The maximum switching frequency of these devices exceeds that of silicon transistors with similar gate-electrode dimensions. The high carrier mobility of graphene has been exploited in field-effect transistors that operate at high frequencies. Transistors were fabricated on epitaxial graphene synthesized on the silicon face of a silicon carbide wafer, achieving a cutoff frequency of 100 gigahertz for a gate length of 240 nanometers. The high-frequency performance of these epitaxial graphene transistors exceeds that of state-of-the-art silicon transistors of the same gate length.
Neonatal White Matter Abnormalities Predict Global Executive Function Impairment in Children Born Very Preterm

Using prospective longitudinal data from 110 very preterm and 113 full term children, this article describes the executive functioning abilities of very preterm children at age 4, and examines relations between the extent of white matter abnormality on neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and later executive function outcomes. Very preterm children performed less well than full term children on measures of planning ability, cognitive flexibility, selective attention, and inhibitory control. Executive impairments at age 4 were confined to preterm children with mild or moderate–severe white matter abnormalities on MRI. Findings support the importance of cerebral white matter integrity for later executive function.
Safety of Belatacept Bridging Immunosuppression in Hepatitis C–Positive Liver Transplant Recipients With Renal Dysfunction

Background Perioperative renal dysfunction in liver transplant recipients complicates maintenance immunosuppressive therapy, particularly in patients with hepatitis C. Calcineurin inhibitors exacerbate renal dysfunction and mammalian target-of-rapamycin inhibitors are generally avoided because of perceived perioperative risks. The authors’ experience with seven liver transplant patients who received belatacept and mycophenolic acid maintenance immunosuppression is reported. Methods A retrospective review of adult liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C receiving belatacept was conducted under Institutional Review Board approval. All patients were Epstein-Barr virus IgG seropositive. The primary endpoint was patient and graft survival, with secondary endpoints including the incidence of acute rejection, degree of renal function recovery, and occurrence of major side effects. Results Between December 19, 2011 and January 25, 2013, seven liver transplant recipients with hepatitis C received belatacept immunosuppression in the perioperative period. The primary indication for belatacept was perioperative renal dysfunction. Belatacept was initiated between 2 and 90 days posttransplant and the duration of belatacept therapy ranged from 19 to 89 days. Patients were transitioned onto calcineurin inhibitor therapy when they reached chronic kidney disease stage 2 or better. Six-month patient and graft survival was 86%. There was one episode of graft rejection on belatacept therapy in a patient who had also had early rejection before initiation of belatacept. Conclusions The results in this initial group of patients suggest that belatacept with mycophenolic acid may be a safe maintenance immunosuppression regimen in hepatitis C–positive liver transplant recipients with renal dysfunction, and that this regimen can serve as an effective bridge to calcineurin inhibitor therapy.
Resilience and emotional intelligence in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Purpose: This article presents the results of an investigation of resilience factors and their relation to emotional intelligence (EI) as an area of potential strength for children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder (HFASD). Based upon previous research with young adults, it was hypothesized that children with HFASD would demonstrate reduced EI and differential relations between EI and resilience as compared to typically developing (TD) children. Methods: Forty children aged 8–12 years (20 with HFASD and 20 TD control children) completed measures of resilience and EI. Results: Children with HFASD did not significantly differ from TD children on either measure. However, several significant correlations between resilience and EI were found in the HFASD sample. Conclusions: The findings suggest that EI may be a unique area of interest for this population, particularly for interventions that propose to capitalize upon potentially inherent strengths. Implications of these results for intervention are discussed.