Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymorphisms in the factor VII gene and ischemic stroke in young adults

Polymorphic configurations of the coagulation factor VII gene (F7) are associated with plasma levels of FVII antigen (FVII:Ag) and FVII coagulant activity (FVII:C). Our aim was to determine whether F7 polymorphisms influence risk of ischemic stroke in young adults. One hundred and fifty survivors of ischemic stroke before the age of 45 and an equal number of age and sex-matched controls were genotyped for five F7 polymorphisms: the –A670C transversion, –323 decanucleotide insertion (P + 10), the number (which varies between five and eight) of a 37 base pair repeat polymorphisms in intron 7 (IVS7), amino acid substitution R353Q, and +154AA insertion. 353Q, P + 10 and +154AA were demonstrated to associate with significantly decreased plasma FVII:Ag, whereas −670C and IVS7 seven or higher were associated with a tendency towards increased plasma FVII:Ag. The former three polymorphisms were significantly more common in control individuals than in patients, whereas the latter two were significantly more common in patients than in control individuals. The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that two F7 polymorphisms, −670C and IVS7 seven or higher, are independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in young adult patients.
[Expression of KLF-8 and MMP-9 in placentas and their relationship with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the expression of Krüppel-like factor 8 (KLF-8) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in placentas and their relationship with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). METHODS Twenty-two women with PE(mild PE:4 cases; severe PE:18 cases) who received cesarean sections in the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2011 to March 2012 were recruited as the PE group (n = 22). And twenty women who received elective term cesarean section without perinatal complications were chosen as the control group (n = 20). Placentas were collected and immunohistochemical SP method were employed to detect the localization of KLF-8 protein.KLF-8 mRNA level was determined by quantitative real-time PCR technique and western blot analysis was used to quantify KLF-8 and MMP-9 protein levels. RESULTS (1) There was no difference of KLF-8 protein distribution in placentas of the PE group and the control group.It was mainly located in the nuclear and cytoplasm of syncytiotrophoblasts.KLF-8 immunostaining was apparently decreased in the placentas of preeclamptic women when compared with the control group. (2)The KLF-8 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in placentas of the PE group (0.69 ± 0.08) compared to those of the control group (1.14 ± 0.09, P < 0.01). (3) KLF-8 and MMP-9 protein levels significantly decreased in the PE placentas (0.68 ± 0.05 and 0.21 ± 0.03) when compared to the control group (0.94 ± 0.06 and 0.34 ± 0.03, respectively, P < 0.01). (4) There was a positive correlation between the expression of KLF-8 and MMP-9 protein in the placentas from PE and normal pregnancies (r = 0.64, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS KLF-8 mRNA and protein levels were decreased in placentas of PE patients compared to those of normotensive women.KLF-8 protein was primarily located in the invasion-related trophoblast cells and its expression had a positive correlation with MMP-9 levels.KLF-8 might have an important role in the pathogenesis of PE by regulation of trophoblast invasion.
Public reactions to e-cigarette regulations on Twitter: a text mining analysis

Background In May 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule that deemed e-cigarettes to be within their regulatory authority as a tobacco product. News and opinions about the regulation were shared on social media platforms, such as Twitter, which can play an important role in shaping the public’s attitudes. We analysed information shared on Twitter for insights into initial public reactions. Methods A text mining approach was used to uncover important topics among reactions to the e-cigarette regulations on Twitter. SAS Text Miner V.12. 1 software was used for descriptive text mining to uncover the primary topics from tweets collected from May 1 to May 17 2016 using NUVI software to gather the data. Results A total of nine topics were generated. These topics reveal initial reactions to whether the FDA’s e-cigarette regulations will benefit or harm public health, how the regulations will impact the emerging e-cigarette market and efforts to share the news. The topics were dominated by negative or mixed reactions. Conclusions In the days following the FDA’s announcement of the new deeming regulations, the public reaction on Twitter was largely negative. Public health advocates should consider using social media outlets to better communicate the policy’s intentions, reach and potential impact for public good to create a more balanced conversation.
Establishment of a murine thymic epithelial cell line capable of inducing both thymic nurse cell formation and thymocyte apoptosis.

A thymic epithelial cell (TEC) line (B/c. TEC-L1) was established from a normal thymus of a 4-week BALB/c mouse. The B/c. TEC-L1 had an epithelial morphology showing a contact-inhibited cobblestone-like arrangement with occasional desmosome-like structures at the adjacent cellular membranes. B/c.TEC-L1 cells showed positive staining for desmosomal glycoprotein, cytokeratin, thymosin alpha 1 beta 3, and I-Ad, and MHC class I antigens. The doubling time was 24 hours, and the chromosome number ranged from 52 to 78 with the mode of 70. Coculture of B/c.TEC-L1 cells with syngeneic, peanut agglutinin-agglutinated (PNA+) thymocytes in suspension at 37 degree C was followed by the formation of TEC thymocyte rosettes, after which the reconstitution of thymic nurse cells ensued. At 4 degrees C, PNA+ thymocytes bound to the B/c.TEC-L1 cell but did not form thymic nurse cells. PNA- thymocytes, although to a lesser degree than PNA+ cells, bound to the TECs at 37 degrees C, but at 4 degrees C few cells bound to the TECs. Allogeneic thymocytes also bound to the TECs at 37 degrees C. When the PNA+ thymocytes were cultured on the B/c.TEC-L1 monolayer, the small ones chiefly adhered on the surface of the TECs, while underneath the TECs the relatively large thymocytes (including cells in mitosis) predominated. Although the PNA- thymocytes bound to the surface of the monolayer within a few hours after coculture, by 24 hours nearly all cells disappeared. It is presumed that the thymocytes creeping underneath the B/c.TEC-L1 monolayer and those enveloped within the thymic nurse cell reconstituted in the suspension culture; both may be placed in circumstances analogous to the thymic microenvironment, wherein immature thymocytes appear to contact TECs directly and to be exposed to higher concentrations of thymic hormones and other soluble factors. Additionally, cell death in the PNA+ thymocytes was also observed in the coculture with B/c.TEC-L1 cells. The PNA+ cells revealed the morphological changes termed "apoptosis" characterized by chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation.
Proteomic analysis of core breakdown disorder in Conference pears (Pyrus communis L.)

2‐DE was applied to study core breakdown disorder in controlled atmosphere stored ’︁Conference' pears. This physiological disorder is characterized by internal browning of the fruit tissue and the development of cavities. Suitable protein phenol extraction/ammonium acetate‐methanol precipitation and 2‐DE protocols for a wide pH range were established for pear tissue. The protein expression profiles of healthy, sound (intact tissue of pears with core breakdown) and brown tissue were analyzed with the univariate non‐parametric Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test and multivariate statistical techniques such as principal component analysis and partial least square discriminant analysis. Both statistical approaches revealed interesting differentially expressed proteins between healthy and disordered pears. LC‐ESI‐MS/MS identification of differentially expressed proteins between healthy and sound tissue revealed their participation in the energy metabolism, the antioxidant system and ethylene biosynthesis. Up‐regulated characteristic proteins in brown tissue were mainly involved in energy metabolism and defense mechanisms. Proteomics coupled to univariate and multivariate statistical techniques seems to be an efficient approach to get a better insight into the different mechanisms and pathways leading to the core breakdown disorder.
Prevalence and Correlates of Drinking Behaviors Among Previously Deployed Military and Matched Civilian Populations

We examined drinking behaviors (frequency of use, quantity of use, and frequency of binge drinking) and correlates of frequency of use and binge drinking in a representative sample of previously deployed personnel from the U.S. military (n = 1,887). Drinking behaviors were compared with a matched sample of adults in U.S. households (n = 17,533). Comparable patterns of alcohol consumption were reported in both samples: 70% of previously deployed personnel and 69% of U.S. adults reported drinking alcohol in the past 30 days, though civilians drank on average more drinks on the days that they drank than did previously deployed military personnel. Regression analyses indicated that, among previously deployed military personnel, deployment-related experiences (e.g., combat-related traumas) and psychological distress (e.g., symptoms associated with posttraumatic stress disorder) were associated with frequency of drinking behaviors. We discuss the implication of our findings for developing interventions to modify drinking behaviors for military personnel.
Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis of 1 Acinetobacter baumannii in China : comparison with PFGE typing

Acinetobacter baumannii in China: comparison with PFGE typing. 2 Yuan Hu, Boqing Li, Dazhi Jin, Zhigang Cui, Xiaoxia Tao, Binghua Zhang, 3 Jianzhong Zhang 4 5 1 State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National 6 Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for 7 Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Binzhou Medical College, Yantai, china, 3 8 Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, China. 9 10 *Correspondence auther: Professor Jian-Zhong Zhang, State Key Laboratory for 11 Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Communicable 12 Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 13 155 Changbai Road Changping District, Beijing, China 102206. Phone: 14 8610-58900707. E-mail: zhangjianzhong@icdc.cn 15 16 Abstract 17
The Regulation of Neurofilament Protein Dynamics by Phosphorylation: Clues to Neurofibrillary Pathobiology

Neurofilament proteins are continuously modified during their lifetime by a succession of protein kinases and phosphatases. Site‐specific phosphorylation or dephosphorylation within different polypeptide domains of each neurofilament subunit is now believed to regulate such behaviors of neurofilaments as subunit polymerization and exchange, axonal transport, interactions with other cytoskeletal proteins and degradation. Local regulation of phosphorylation events could account for variations in the size, morphology and dynamics of the neurofilament network in different regions of the neuron. The apparent greater plasticity of the neurofilament network in regions like the perikaryon, initial segment and nodes along the axon may provide some insight into the vulnerability of these regions in neurofibrillary disease.
Profiling Posttransplant Circulating Antibodies in Kidney Transplantation Using Donor Endothelial Cells

Background. Pathogenesis of antibody (Ab) responses to transplant are yet not well defined. This study aimed to detect and to analyze posttransplant circulating allo-Abs reacting toward graft endothelial cells (ECs) using primary EC cultures prospectively isolated from the transplant donor at the time of transplantation. Methods. This study shows a retrospective analysis performed using a dedicated EC crossmatch (ECXM) assay that we developed for the experimental assessment of donor-specific EC-reactive Abs. Donor-specific ECXM was performed by flow cytometry on posttransplant sera (n=256) from an historical cohort of 22 kidney allograft recipients. Results. In this study, we show that 27.3% (6/22) of recipients have a positive ECXM that strictly correlates (100%, 6/6) with the presence of anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Abs posttransplantation. ECXM identifies both donor-specific Abs (DSA; 50%) and non-DSA (50%) reactive to EC. DSA and non-DSA are mostly IgG1 and exhibit peak titers ranging from 1/8 to 1/1024. ECXM indicates that DSA correspond to anti-HLA class II Abs; this immunization is late (M3-M60) but persistent (still detected at M60). In contrast, non-DSA are non-HLA-type Abs reacting with third-party EC and reflecting an early but transient immunization (ended at M3-M12). Our findings demonstrate selective regulatory pathways initiated by anti-HLA class II and non-DSA in graft EC reflected by CCR4 and interleukin 1&bgr; up-regulation, respectively. Conclusions. We provide evidence that circulating Abs in HLA-sensitized transplant recipients include both DSA and non-HLA/non-DSA able to bind to graft EC and induce specific gene transcription.
Increased serum nitrite and nitrate levels in patients with cirrhosis: Relationship to endotoxemia

Nitric oxide derived from vascular endothelium is a potent vasodilator that plays a key role in the homeostasis of blood pressure. Because cirrhotic patients tend to have low arterial pressure, we measured in 51 patients and 10 control subjects serum nitrite and nitrate levels as an index of in vivo nitric oxide generation. We also measured plasma endotoxin, a substance frequently increased in cirrhotic patients and known to induce nitric oxide synthesis. Cirrhotic patients showed significant increases in serum nitrite/nitrate and plasma endotoxin compared with controls. Values were particularly increased in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, as manifested by ascites with or without functional kidney failure. High serum nitrite/nitrate levels were associated with high plasma renin activity, high aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone levels and low urinary excretion of sodium. In addition, serum nitrite/nitrate levels significantly correlated with endotoxemia. Oral administration of colistin to 15 cirrhotic patients reduced significantly plasma endotoxin levels (p < 0.01) and serum nitrite/nitrate levels (p < 0.05). Because endotoxin enhances the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, our results suggest that circulating endotoxin in cirrhosis is responsible for excessive synthesis and release of nitric oxide by the vasculature. These findings might explain the hemodynamic dysfunction seen in cirrhotic patients. (HEPATOLOGY 1993;18:1139‐1143).
A long‐range pseudoknot is required for activity of the Neurospora VS ribozyme.

Four small RNA self‐cleaving domains, the hammerhead, hairpin, hepatitis delta virus and Neurospora VS ribozymes, have been identified previously in naturally occurring RNAs. The secondary structures of these ribozymes are reasonably well understood, but little is known about long‐range interactions that form the catalytically active tertiary conformations. Our previous work, which identified several secondary structure elements of the VS ribozyme, also showed that many additional bases were protected by magnesium‐dependent interactions, implying that several tertiary contacts remained to be identified. Here we have used site‐directed mutagenesis and chemical modification to characterize the first long‐range interaction identified in VS RNA. This interaction contains a 3 bp pseudoknot helix that is required for tertiary folding and self‐cleavage activity of the VS ribozyme.
Submandibular gland and caries susceptibility in the obese Zucker rat.

BACKGROUND Obesity is a prevalent disorder characterized as marked insulin resistance and low grade inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that obesity upregulates inflammatory markers in the submandibular gland in association with derangements of its architecture and pre-disposition to caries in obese Zucker rats (OZR). We also examined the potential impact of chromium picolinate (Cr(Pic)3), a nutritional supplement suggested to improve glycemic control, on the aforementioned parameters. DESIGN Male OZR were treated with diets lacking and containing 5 or 10 mg/kg chromium (as Cr(Pic)3) from 6 weeks to about 6 months of age; lean Zucker rats (LZR) served as controls. Thereafter, glycemic status, salivary tissue architecture, and the levels of several inflammatory markers were determined in association with caries susceptibility. RESULTS OZR showed reduced insulin sensitivity, increased ratio of phospho-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) to total NF-κB, and increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 level but similar histological features compared to LZR. Importantly, compared to LZR, OZR displayed rampant caries and a tendency for reduced dentin mineral density. Treatment of OZR with Cr(Pic)3 attenuated upregulation of these proinflammatory indicators in association with reduced severity of caries without improving insulin sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS Obesity promotes proinflammatory changes within the submandibular gland, without affecting glandular architecture, in association with rampant caries; Cr(Pic)3 treatment provided some protective effects.
Interrelationships of quality of life, compliance, clinical outcomes and life satisfaction: a cross‐sectional study on hypertensive geriatrics

Objective: (i) To assess quality of life (QoL) profiles in hypertensive geriatrics with SF‐36; (ii) to assess the compliance of geriatrics to medications; (iii) to estimate clinical outcomes (reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure); (iv) to assess life satis? ƒ? faction and (v) to explore the interrelationships of QoL, compliance, clinical outcomes and life satis? ƒ? faction in hypertensive geriatrics.Method: Fifty‐nine hypertensive geriatric patients in cardiology and 65 Plus clinics in West Virginia Hospitals were studied.Results: Age showed a significant negative correlation with physical functioning (r=0·339,P0·0127) and physical role (r=0·335, P0·0148). The physical role facet of SF‐36 is correlated with life satisfaction in geriatrics (r=0·316, P0·0219). A regression analysis (backward stepwise) not including bodily pain (BP) and general health (GH) resulted in a model explaining 22·3% of variance (n=54, F=2·252, P0·0543). Physical role (P0·0084) and mental health facets (P0·0184) of SF‐36 emerged as the predictors of life satisfaction in elderly hypertensive patients. Emotional role functioning (P0·0257) and social functioning (P0·0033) scores predicted levels of diastolic blood pressure in elderly hypertensive patients. However, all eight concepts of SF‐36 failed to predict compliance behaviour in geriatrics (n=53, P0·6913, R2=0·110).
Making the Most Out of Export Information: An Exploratory Study of UK and New Zealand Exporters

ABSTRACT Export information is a prerequisite to effective export decision-making and ultimately impacts on export performance. This study measures the combined effects of export information acquisition and use on the export performance of exporting companies from two geographically distant countries, namely the UK and New Zealand. The overall results show that the extent to which export information is acquired is positively related to the extent of export information use, and that the extent of export information use is positively related to export performance. Additionally, the findings demonstrate a certain degree of consistency between the UK and New Zealand samples, in terms of the export information sources which impact on export information use.
Intensity of Smiling and Attractiveness as Facial Signals of Trustworthiness in Women

Facial attractiveness is associated with a variety of positive social characteristics including trustworthiness. Variations in smiling, such as the appearance of the Duchenne marker and increased intensity of expression, have likewise been linked with positive judgments of trustworthiness. The study investigated the interaction of the effects of models' attractiveness and their smiling intensity on impressions of perceived trustworthiness. Participants rated the attractiveness and expressivity of neutral, low intensity, and high intensity smiling images of 45 women models. These images were also presented to a second group of participants who rated trustworthiness. Repeated measures analysis of covariance of the effects of attractiveness and manipulated smile intensity on trustworthiness indicated a main effect for smile intensity: increased smile intensity was associated with greater trustworthiness. Attractiveness also contributed to rated trustworthiness independently of smiling intensity. Results suggested there is an additional contribution of facial expression in creating social impressions of trustworthiness.
IMPLEMENTING CLINICAL GUIDELINES IN THE TREATMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN GENERAL PRACTICE

Objectives: To evaluate the implementation of clinical guidelines for diabetes mellitus in general practice with a specific computer-based clinical decision support system (CDSS) as part of the intervention. Methods: Randomized study with health center as unit. General practice in Sør- and Nord-Trøndelag counties in Norway, 380,000 inhabitants. Seventeen health centers with 24 doctors and 499 patients with diabetes mellitus were in the intervention group and 12 health centers with 29 doctors and 535 patients were in the control group. Main outcome measures were group differences in fractions of patients without registrations (process evaluation) and mean group differences for the same variables (patient outcome evaluation). Results: Statistically significant group differences were experienced for fractions of patients without registration of cigarette smoking (intervention group, 82.6%; control group 94.5%), body mass index (78.2% vs. 93.0%), and sufficient registrations for calculation of risk score for myocardial infarction (91.1% vs. 98.3%); all during 18 months. Large center variations were shown for all variables. The only statistically significant group difference was −2.3 mm Hg (95% CI, −3.8, −0.8) in diastolic blood pressure in favor of the intervention group. Statistically insignificant differences in favor of the intervention group were HbA1c, −0.1% (95% CI, −0.4, 0.1), systolic blood pressure, −1.2 mm Hg (95% CI, −4.4, 2.0). Statistically insignificant differences in favor of the control group were fractions of smokers, +3.0% (95% CI, −4.0, 10.0), body mass index, +0.3 kg/m2 (95% CI, −0.8, 1.4), risk score in female +0.1 (95% CI, −5.1, 5.2), and risk score in male +2.6 (95% CI, −14.2, 19.5). Conclusions: Implementation of clinical guidelines for diabetes mellitus in general practice, by means of a CDSS and several procedures for implementation, did not result in a clinically significant change in doctors' behavior or in patient outcome.
Image denoising using generalised Cauchy filter

In many image processing analysis, it is important to significantly reduce the noise level. This study aims at introducing an efficient method for this purpose based on generalised Cauchy (GC) distribution. Therefore, some characteristics of GC distribution is considered. In particular, the characteristic function of a GC distribution is derived by using the theory of positive definite densities and utilising the density of a GC random variable as the characteristic function of a convolution of two generalised non-symmetric Linnik variables. Further, GC distribution is considered as a filter and in the proposed method for image noise reduction the optimal parameters of GC filter is defined by using the particle swarm optimisation. The proposed method is applied to different types of noisy images and the obtained results are compared with four state-of-the-art denoising algorithms. Experimental results confirm that their method could significantly reduce the noise effect.