Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional Properties of Factor VIIa/Tissue Factor Formed with Purified Tissue Factor and with Tissue Factor Expressed on Cultured Endothelial Cells

Summary Factor VIIa (F. VIIa)/tissue factor (TF) function was examined using purified human TF reconstituted into mixed phospholipid vesicles and TF expressed on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated with thrombin. In reaction mixtures containing either type of TF, F. VIIa, 10 nM, either 3H-factor X or 3H-factor IX, 88 nM, and Ca2+, 5 mM, F. VIIa/TF activated factor X (F. X) several fold faster than it activated factor IX (F. IX). Adding heparin, 1 U/ml, increased rates of activation of both substrates and F. X remained the preferred substrate. Adding plasma at concentrations of 5%;or above inhibited factor VIIa/TF catalytic activity. Inhibition was shown to require F. Xa as a cofactor, was prevented by antibodies to extrinsic pathway inhibitor (EPI), and was reversible by decalcification. Thus, with factor VIIa/TF formed with both types of TF, EPI appeared responsible for inhibition induced by plasma. Our data indicate that functional properties of factor VIIa/TF as delineated in reaction mixtures made with purified TF reconstituted into mixed phospholipid vesicles also hold for factor VIIa/TF activity on the surface of cultured HUVEC.
HIV-1 p24 antigen testing in blood banks: results from Saudi Arabia

Abstract HIV-1 p24 antigen testing was introduced to increase sensitivity in the early detection of HIV infection in blood donors. Since the introduction of HIV-1 p24 antigen testing in Saudi Arabia, we have failed to detect a single positive case. Over a three-year period, only four indeterminates were detected out of 24,654 blood donors. All four proved negative by confirmatory testing. Based on this experience, we believe that resources would be better directed to pooled nucleic acid testing and that p24 serological testing should be abandoned.
Slime production as a marker for clinically significant infections with coagulase-negative staphylococci.

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Off-Label Use of Second Generation Antipsychotics in Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

There is a paucity of data to support „next-step“ treatments for the many patients with anxiety disorders who remain symptomatic after initial pharmacotherapy. Because of their somewhat improved safety profile, second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are increasingly used for the treatment of nonpsychotic anxiety. The published literature describing the efficacy of SGAs in patients with anxiety disorders is briefly reviewed, and the efficacy and safety of second generation antipsychotics in these patients is discussed. The literature reviewed was primarily comprised of small open-l abel trials, thus making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions. There is moderately strong controlled evidence supporting the use of some SGAs, either as adjunctive treatment or monotherapy, in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Despite the limitations of the trials reviewed, atypical antipsychotics represent a promising treatment modality when considering their improved side effect profile compared to conventional agents. The facts to date does not warrant the use of SGAs as first-line monotherapy or as first – adjunctive therapy in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, some patients with highly refractory anxiety disorders may benefit from the judicious and carefully monitored use of adjunctive SGAs. A careful risk-benefit assessment, on a case-by-case basis, must be undertaken by the physician.
Qualitative and quantitative exfoliative cytology of normal oral mucosa in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE The main purpose of this study is to emphasize the relevance of exfoliative cytology as an additional tool to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS & METHODS This is a comparative cross-sectional study. Oral smears were obtained from 10 diabetic patients and 10 healthy individuals. These smears were stained with Papanicolaou stain. The nuclear (NA) and cytoplasmic (CA) areas of 20 integral cells predominant in the buccal mucosa were measured using the Leica Qwin Version 2.1 image analysis system (LEICA GMBH GERMANY). The cytoplasmic/nuclear ratio (C/N) was then calculated. For comparing cytomorphometric parameters (NA, CA & C/N ratio) the Mann-Whitney test was used. Significance was set at P < or = 0.05. RESULTS The morphologic alterations seen in buccal mucosal epithelial cells of the diabetic group were nuclear enlargement, karyorrhexis, binucleation and infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The NA was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the diabetic group. The CA between these two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The C/N mean was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the diabetic group. CONCLUSION Exfoliative cytology is useful as an additional tool to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.
The Impact of Cognitive Deficits on Conflict Monitoring

Monitoring of ongoing processing plays a critical role in regulating cognitive function. Two event-related potential components, the error-related negativity (ERN) and N2, have been proposed to reflect this monitoring function. Specifically, it has been suggested that both components reflect the role of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in monitoring for the occurrence of response conflict. This view appears to be challenged by findings that alcohol consumption and lesions in ACC have dissociable effects on the ERN and N2. Using a computational model, the present research demonstrates that the conflict-monitoring theory can account for these dissociations in terms of the dissociable effects of alcohol and ACC lesions on processing of relevant stimulus information (which determines ERN amplitude) and processing of irrelevant, distracting information (which determines N2 amplitude). The simulation results suggest new interpretations of the cognitive deficits caused by alcohol consumption (impaired stimulus processing) and ACC lesions (impaired attentional control).
Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in asymptomatic smokers using spirometry.

BACKGROUND Smokers with suspected COPD seek medical attention when they become dyspnoeic on mild to moderate exertion, but by than half of the ventilatory reserves are lost irreversibly. Hence it seems logical to diagnose COPD early before development of significant symptoms. Since smoking cessation in early COPD is found to reduce rapid decline of ventilatory function in smokers, its early detection in asymptomatic smokers is likely to motivate smokers to make an attempt to quit smoking thereby halting its progression to more advanced stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS The selection of subjects was done by high risk population screening in various military institutions in and around Pune city of Maharashtra. Inclusion criteria included regular smokers, 30 years of age and above with no significant respiratory symptoms except for occasional cough and willing to undergo spirometry. RESULTS A total of 460 individuals were evaluated by spirometry. Overall airway obstruction was seen in 58 (12.60%) subjects. Mild obstruction was seen in 40 (68.9%) and moderate obstruction in 18 (31%) subjects. Airway obstruction was seen in 24 (8.82%) individuals who were less than 40 years of age and in 34 (18%) who were more than 40 years of age (p < 0.005). Obstruction was noticed in 42 (24.70%) out of 170 subject with smoking index > 200 and 16 (5.51%) out of 290 subjects with smoking index of < 200 (p < 0.005). In smokers more than 40 years of age and with smoking index more than 200 (n = 184), 48 (26%) had obstruction and in smokers less than 40 years of age and smoking index less than 200 (n = 276), 15 (5.43%) had obstruction (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION Early detection of COPD by spirometry especially in smokers more than 40 years of age and with smoking index of more than 200 is likely to reduce the overall burden of disease.
Assessment and relation of total and regional fat mass with bone mineral content among Indian urban adolescents

Abstract Background: Fat mass (FM) has been shown to have an effect on bone mass accrual. Though gender and ethnic differences in body composition and bone accrual during puberty have been reported, there are limited data available for Indian children and adolescents. Objective: To generate age and gender based percentile charts of FM among urban Indian children and adolescents and to evaluate the relationship with pubertal status and bone mineral content (BMC). Subjects: There were 1403 children and adolescents (boys: 826; girls: 577) in the study. Methods: Total and regional FM, BMC, and pubertal staging were assessed. Fat mass index (FMI), FM/height ratio and BMC/FM ratio, were calculated. Results: The age of the study population ranged from 5 to 18 years, with a mean age of 13.2±2.7 years (boys: 13.0±2.7; girls: 13.4±2.8 years). Total and regional FM as well as FMI increased with increasing age in both genders. The highest percent increase in mean total FM occurred in the age group >8–11 years and decreased thereafter. The total and regional FM was higher in more advanced stages of pubertal maturation. There was no difference in total and regional FM between genders in prepubertal group. The age and pubertal associated increase in FM was significantly higher in girls than boys (p<0.0001). Total as well as regional FM and FMI were positively correlated with age, body mass index, total lean mass, and BMC even after adjusting for age, lean mass, and biochemical parameters. Conclusions: Total and regional FM increased with age and pubertal maturation in both genders. FM was positively correlated with BMC.
Inhibition of autophagy potentiates anticancer property of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 by promoting mitochondria-dependent apoptosis in human acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells

Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most prevalent childhood malignancy. Although most children with ALL are cured, there is still a group of patients for which therapy fails owing to severe toxicities and drug resistance. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2), a major bioactive component isolated from Panax ginseng, has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on some tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms of cell death induced by 20(S)-GRh2 in ALL cells remains unclear. In this study, we showed that 20(S)-GRh2 inhibited the cell growth and induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and autophagy. But it has no cytotoxic effect on human normal blood cells. Furthermore, autophagy plays a protective role in 20(S)-GRh2-induced apoptosis in ALL cell lines and human primary ALL cells. We demonstrated that either genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of autophagy could be more effective in reducing viability and enhancing 20(S)-GRh2-induced toxicity than 20(S)-GRh2 treatment alone. In addition, inhibition of autophagy could aggravate mitochondrial ROS generation and mitochondrial damage, and then accelerate mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibition of autophagy can sensitize ALL cells towards 20(S)-GRh2. The appropriate inhibition of autophagy could provide a powerful strategy to increase the potency of 20(S)-GRh2 as a novel anticancer agent for ALL therapy.
Thermodynamic characterization of five key kinetic parameters that define neuronal nitric oxide synthase catalysis

NO synthase (NOS) enzymes convert l‐arginine to NO in two sequential reactions whose rates (kcat1 and kcat2) are both limited by the rate of ferric heme reduction (kr). An enzyme ferric heme–NO complex forms as an immediate product complex and then undergoes either dissociation (at a rate that we denote as kd) to release NO in a productive manner, or reduction (kr) to form a ferrous heme–NO complex that must react with O2 (at a rate that we denote as kox) in a NO dioxygenase reaction that regenerates the ferric enzyme. The interplay of these five kinetic parameters (kcat1, kcat2, kr, kd and kox) determines NOS specific activity, O2 concentration response, and pulsatile versus steady‐state NO generation. In the present study, we utilized stopped‐flow spectroscopy and single catalytic turnover methods to characterize the individual temperature dependencies of the five kinetic parameters of rat neuronal NOS. We then incorporated the measured kinetic values into computer simulations of the neuronal NOS reaction using a global kinetic model to comprehensively model its temperature‐dependent catalytic behaviours. The results obtained provide new mechanistic insights and also reveal that the different temperature dependencies of the five kinetic parameters significantly alter neuronal NOS catalytic behaviours and NO release efficiency as a function of temperature.
Myocardial fiber shortening in humans: initial results of MR imaging.

PURPOSE To use diffusion-sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to obtain images of fiber orientation in vivo and to map fiber shortening in humans by means of integrating such data with strain images. MATERIALS AND METHODS Images of fiber shortening for midventricular short-axis sections were acquired in eight healthy subjects. Fiber orientation maps obtained by means of diffusion-sensitive MR imaging were coregistered with systolic strain maps obtained by means of velocity-sensitive MR imaging. Fiber shortening was quantified by use of the component of systolic strain in the fiber direction. RESULTS The results were reproducible among subjects and were consistent with published values. MR imaging of myocardial fibers showed axisymmetric progression of fiber angles from -90 degrees epicardially to +90 degrees endocardially, with maxima near 0 degrees. Fiber shortening (mean, 0.12 +/- 0.01 [SD]) was more uniform than radial, circumferential, longitudinal, or cross-fiber strain or any principal strain. Fiber orientation coincided with the direction of maximum contraction epicardially, with that of minimum contraction endocardially, and varied between these extremes linearly with wall depth (r = 0.6). CONCLUSION Registered diffusion and strain MR imaging can be used quantitatively to map fiber orientation and its relations to myocardial deformation in humans.
Association of Rhinovirus Infections with Asthma

SUMMARY Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold, but they can cause more severe illnesses in people with underlying lung disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or cystic fibrosis. Epidemiologic studies with sensitive detection methods such as PCR have identified rhinovirus infection as a major source of asthma exacerbations in both children and adults, especially during the spring and fall. Since rhinoviruses cause little tissue destruction, it is presumed that the immune response to the infection may play an important role in the pathogenesis of rhinovirus-induced exacerbations of asthma. This review examines the epidemiologic association between rhinovirus infections and exacerbations of asthma and outlines current information on immune responses to rhinovirus infection and potential connections between antiviral responses and preexisting allergic inflammation. Finally, current and future strategies for treating rhinovirus infections and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma are discussed.
Statistical Analysis of the Multiple Scattering Radio Channel

The concept of multiple scattering radio propagation channels-in contrast to the conventional single (Rayleigh) scattering-has been proposed and found to be a fitting model in certain propagation scenarios. Except for some special cases, expressions for the amplitude distribution of such channels are unknown. In this paper, we derive distribution functions for the amplitude of the general multiple scattering radio channel. Rice, Rayleigh, and double-Rayleigh distributions are special cases of the general result. We also derive a computationally simple moment-based estimator for the parameters of the distribution. In addition to the measurement analysis of multiple scattering propagation channels, our results can also be applied in the performance evaluation of communication schemes over such media
Congenital hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in monozygotic twin girls.

This report describes monozygous twin girls with different forms of thyroid dysfunction. Twin A was found to have athyreotic hypothyroidism during the first week of life; twin B developed acute hyperthyroidism at 16 years of age. While concordance and discordance for congenital hypothyroidism has been reported in several sets of twins (Table I) there have been no prior reports of congenital hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in a single twin pair. Two different forms of thyroid disorder have been reported (Jayson et al, 1967) in only one set of twins: one twin developed hypothyroidism with a Hashimoto's thyroiditis at 29 years of age and her co-twin developed hyperthyroidism at 31 years of age. Although the thyroid disorders in the latter twins occurred in adulthood, the authors suggested a possible biological unity underlying the two forms of thyroid disorder. The present report provides further evidence in support of this possibility.
Food insecurity in Canadian households.

OBJECTIVES This article examines the prevalence of food insecurity in Canada, the characteristics of people most likely to live in households lacking sufficient funds for food, and several related health problems. DATA SOURCE The data are from the cross-sectional household component of the 1998/99 National Population Health Survey and the Food Insecurity Supplement to that survey. ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Cross-tabulations were used to estimate the percentage of Canadians experiencing food insecurity and the prevalence of five selected health outcomes among people who were and were not food insecure. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the association of several socio-demographic and economic factors with food insecurity and to determine the association of food insecurity with the selected health outcomes. MAIN RESULTS In 1998/99, 10% of Canadians, or about 3 million people, were living in food-insecure households. Low-income households, households depending on social assistance, lone-parent families headed by women, tenants, children, and Aboriginal people had significantly high odds of experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity was significantly associated with poor/fair health, multiple chronic conditions, obesity, distress and depression.
High Frequency and Diversity of Species C Enteroviruses in Cameroon and Neighboring Countries

ABSTRACT Human enteroviruses (HEVs) are endemic worldwide and among the most common viruses infecting humans. Nevertheless, there are very limited data on the circulation and genetic diversity of HEVs in developing countries and sub-Saharan Africa in particular. We investigated the circulation and genetic diversity of HEVs among 436 healthy children in a limited area of the far north region of Cameroon in 2008 and 2009. We also characterized the genetic biodiversity of 146 nonpolio enterovirus (NPEV) isolates obtained throughout the year 2008 from stool specimens of patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Cameroon, Chad, and Gabon. We found a high rate of NPEV infections (36.9%) among healthy children in the far north region of Cameroon. Overall, 45 different HEV types were found among healthy children and AFP patients. Interestingly, this study uncovered a high rate of HEVs of species C (HEV-C) among all typed NPEVs: 63.1% (94/149) and 39.5% (49/124) in healthy children and AFP cases, respectively. Besides extensive circulation, the most prevalent HEV-C type, coxsackievirus A-13, featured a tremendous intratypic diversity. Africa-specific HEV lineages were discovered, including HEV-C lineages and the recently reported EV-A71 “genogroup E. ” Virtually all pathogenic circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPVs) that have been fully characterized were recombinants between oral poliovaccine (OPV) strains and cocirculating HEV-C strains. The extensive circulation of diverse HEV-C types and lineages in countries where OPV is massively used constitutes a major viral factor that could promote the emergence of recombinant cVDPVs in the Central African subregion.
Proactive and reactive control depends on emotional valence: a Stroop study with emotional expressions and words

ABSTRACT We examined proactive and reactive control effects in the context of task-relevant happy, sad, and angry facial expressions on a face-word Stroop task. Participants identified the emotion expressed by a face that contained a congruent or incongruent emotional word (happy/sad/angry). Proactive control effects were measured in terms of the reduction in Stroop interference (difference between incongruent and congruent trials) as a function of previous trial emotion and previous trial congruence. Reactive control effects were measured in terms of the reduction in Stroop interference as a function of current trial emotion and previous trial congruence. Previous trial negative emotions exert greater influence on proactive control than the positive emotion. Sad faces in the previous trial resulted in greater reduction in the Stroop interference for happy faces in the current trial. However, current trial angry faces showed stronger adaptation effects compared to happy faces. Thus, both proactive and reactive control mechanisms are dependent on emotional valence of task-relevant stimuli.