Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of HLA-B27 subtypes in Sardinia and continental Italy and their association with spondylarthropathies.

The association of spondylarthropathies with HLA–B27 is well documented; however, the presence of HLA–B27 is not uniformly distributed among the different forms of spondylarthropathy. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) exhibits the strongest degree of association with HLA–B27 and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) exhibits the lowest degree of association. Furthermore, there is no definitive evidence of a role of HLA–B27 molecules in the pathogenesis of any form of disease. It is also not clear if its role is the same in all spondylarthropathies, as the most conservative hypothesis would suggest. In this regard, association data may provide some insights. It has been reported that some HLA–B27 subtypes do not associate with AS: i.e., B*2709 and B*2706 are absent in patients with AS in Sardinia and Southeast Asia, respectively. Much less is known about other forms of spondylarthropathy, especially because their lower degree of association with HLA–B27 makes studying this association more demanding in terms of the number of patients to be analyzed. We analyzed a large cohort of patients from Sardinia and continental Italy with 2 forms of spondylarthropathy: AS (271 patients), and PsA (263 patients). Patients with AS were selected based on fulfillment of the modified New York criteria, and PsA was diagnosed according to the Moll and Wright criteria. Patients and controls were recruited, via a program in conjunction with the Italian Ministry of Education, from several regions of Italy; all gave informed consent. Some of the patients and controls from Sardinia have been described in another report. B27 subtyping was performed using the HLA–B27 high resolution kit (Dynal, New Hyde Park, NY).
Treatment with aliskiren ameliorates tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Introduction: Tacrolimus is frequently used as immunosuppressive agent in organ transplantation but its clinical use is limited due to its marked nephrotoxicity. Materials and methods: Male Wistar albino rats weighing 150–200 g (10–12 weeks old) were used. Animals were divided into four groups. Group 1 served as control group and received normal saline, group 2 served as toxic group and received 2 mg/kg tacrolimus i.p., group 3 served as treatment group and received 2 mg/kg tacrolimus i.p. followed by 2 mg/kg aliskiren orally and group 4 served as drug per se group and received 2 mg/kg aliskiren orally. Tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity was assessed biochemically and histopathologically. Results: Treatment with aliskiren decreased the tacrolimus-induced changes in biochemical markers of nephrotoxicity such as blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Aliskiren also attenuated the effects of tacrolimus on oxidative stress parameters such as malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione and catalase. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies showed that aliskiren attenuated tacrolimus-induced renal damage. Conclusion: These results suggest that aliskiren has protective effects against tacrolimus-induced nephrotoxicity; implying that renin inhibitor may counteract nephrotic syndrome associated with immunosuppressant use.
Structural and functional connectivity of marine fishes within a semi-enclosed Newfoundland fjord.

The interplay between structural connectivity (i.e. habitat continuity) and functional connectivity (i.e. dispersal probability) in marine fishes was examined in a coastal fjord (Holyrood Pond, Newfoundland, Canada) that is completely isolated from the North Atlantic Ocean for most of the year. Genetic differentiation was described in three species (rainbow smelt Osmerus mordax, white hake Urophycis tenuis and Atlantic cod Gadus morhua) with contrasting life histories using seven to 10 microsatellite loci and a protein-coding locus, PanI (G. morhua). Analysis of microsatellite differentiation indicated clear genetic differences between the fjord and coastal regions; however, the magnitude of difference was no more elevated than adjacent bays and was not enhanced by the fjord's isolation. Osmerus mordax was characterized by the highest structure overall with moderate differentiation between the fjord and St Mary's Bay (F(ST)c.0. 047). In contrast, U. tenuis and G. morhua displayed weak differentiation (F(ST) < 0.01). Nonetheless, these populations did demonstrate high rates (< 75%) of Bayesian self-assignment. Furthermore, elevated differentiation was observed at the PanI locus in G. morhua between the fjord and other coastal locations. Interestingly, locus-specific genetic differentiation and expected heterozygosity were negatively associated in O. mordax, in contrast to the positive associations observed in U. tenuis and G. morhua. Gene flow in these species is apparently unencumbered by limited structural connectivity, yet the observed differentiation suggests that population structuring exists over small scales despite high dispersal potential.
Hypomagnesemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction: Hypomagnesemia is reported in type 2 diabetes; magnesium deficiency may play a role in the development of endothelial dysfunction and altered insulin function. Objective: To assess the incidence of hypomagnesemia among noncritically ill patients of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and to evaluate the relation of hypomagnesemia to glycemic control and various long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty, noncritically ill (APACHE score < 10) type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, who were admitted in the Departments of Medicine and Endocrinology, GMCH for uncontrolled hyperglycemia and/or various diabetic complications were studied. Serum magnesium was assessed at admission and rechecked in those found to be deficient. Results: Hypomagnesemia (Se magnesium < 1.6 mg/dl) was documented in 17 (11.33%) patients with a female:male ratio of 9:8. Mean HbA1c was 11.9% in the hypomagnesemic patients compared with 9.8% in controls (P =0.0016). Retinopathy, microalbuminuria, macroalbuminuria, foot ulceration, and neuropathy was present in 64%, 47%, 17.64%, 58.8%, and 82.35%, respectively, of the patients with hypomagnesemia as compared with 45.8% (P =0.118), 38.34% (P =0.704),15.03% (P =0.566), 22.55% (P =0.011) and 82.7% (P =0.976) without hypomagnesemia. Coronary artery disease was less common in the hypomagnesemia group (17.6% vs 39%), but comparable in the subgroup < 50 years (27% vs 25%) (P =0.796). Conclusion: Hypomagnesemia in diabetes was associated with poorer glycemic control, retinopathy, nephropathy, and foot ulcers.
Gender differences in the circadian variations in muscle strength assessed with and without superimposed electrical twitches

The circadian rhythm in muscle strength was analysed in 12 males (28 ± 4 years, 79.6 ± 12.3 kg, 1.80 ± 0.05 m) and eight females (28 ± 4 years, 60.3 ± 5.5 kg, 1.61 ± 0.08 m). After two familiarization sessions, participants were tested at six different times of the day (02:00, 06:00, 10:00, 14:00, 18:00 and 22:00 hours), the order of which was randomly assigned over 3–4 days. Rectal temperature (T rec) was measured over 30 min before each test. Peak isokinetic torques (PT) of knee extensors and flexors were then measured at 1.05 rad s−1 and 3.14 rad s−1 through a 90° range of motion. Maximal isometric voluntary contraction (MVC) of knee extensors and flexors was measured at 60° of knee flexion and the MVC of knee extensors was also assessed with superimposed electrical twitches (50 Hz, 250 V, 200 μs pulse width) in order to control for motivational effects. Three trials were performed in each condition, separated by 3 min recovery, and the highest values were retained for subsequent analyses. A significant circadian rhythm was observed for T rec in both males and females (acrophase, Φ, 17:29 and 16:40 hours; mesor, Me, 37.0 and 36.8°C; amplitude, A, 0.28 and 0.33°C for males and females, respectively). The mesor of T rec was higher in males than in females (p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were observed for knee extensor PT at 3.14 rad s−1 in males (Φ, 17:06 hours; Me, 178.2 N m; A, 4.7 N m) and for knee extensor PT at 1.05 rad s−1 in females (Φ, 15:35 hours; Me, 128.7 N m; A, 3.7 N m). In males, the MVC of knee extensors demonstrated a significant circadian rhythm, but only when electrical twitches were superimposed (Φ, 16:17 h; Me, 302.1 N m; A, 13.6 N m). Acrophases of all indices of muscle strength were not statistically different between the two groups and were located in the afternoon (12:47 < Φ < 17:16 hours). The amplitude (percentage of mesor) of extensors MVC (electrically stimulated) was higher in males (6.4%) than in females (4.2%; p < 0.05). Significant circadian rhythms were not consistently observed for all indices of muscle strength whatever the gender. Our group of female subjects tended to show lower circadian amplitudes than the males. In males, maximal voluntary contraction of electrically stimulated muscles followed a circadian curve, which was not significant without the superimposed twitches. These results suggest that motivation could have a masking effect on the circadian rhythm in muscle performance and strengthen the view that peripheral factors are implicated in this rhythm.
The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire in the Bergen Child Study: a conceptually and methodically motivated structural analysis.

OBJECTIVE To test Goodman's theoretical 5-factor model of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) in an analysis of the Norwegian parent (P) and teacher (T) versions of the questionnaire. METHOD The T-SDQ was analyzed for 8,999 (95.4% of all) children in primary school grades 2-4 in Bergen, Norway, whereas the P-SDQ was examined for 6,430 children (68.2%). Main analyses were exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. RESULTS The analyses supported a modestly modified version of Goodman's 5-factor model for both the P-SDQ and the T-SDQ. The correlations between latent factors were high, particularly when the conduct problem factor was involved, reflecting a high level of overlap between the problem areas. Cross-informant correlation between parents and teachers was moderate to high for the problem subscales and considerably higher than the corresponding correlation between subscales that has been found in earlier studies. CONCLUSIONS None of the alternative models derived from the exploratory factor analysis fitted the data better than a slightly modified version of Goodman's 5-factor model, which showed acceptable goodness of fit.
Effects of extracellular adenine nucleotides on the electrical, ionic and secretory events in mouse pancreatic β‐cells

1 The mechanisms whereby extracellular adenine nucleotides modulate pancreatic β‐cell function were studied with mouse islets stimulated by 15 mm glucose. 2 Adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine 5′‐diphosphate (ADP) (100 μm) inhibited insulin release, 45Ca efflux and 86Rb efflux from islet cells, and decreased electrical activity in β‐cells. These changes were rapid but small and transient. 3 α,β‐Methylene ADP caused a rapid and sustained inhibition of insulin release, 45Ca efflux and 86Rb efflux from islet cells. It also produced a slight hyperpolarization of the β‐cell membrane, with sustained modification of the pattern but only transient decrease of the intensity of the electrical activity. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, α,β‐methylene ADP increased 45Ca and 86Rb efflux without changing insulin release. Most effects of α,β‐methylene ATP were qualitatively similar but quantitatively smaller than those of the ADP‐analogue. 4 Adenylylimido‐diphosphate (AMP‐PNP) slightly increased 45Ca and 86Rb efflux and potentiated insulin release in the presence of extracellular Ca2+. However, its effects on electrical activity in β‐cells were qualitatively similar to those of the α,β‐methylene analogues. 5 The small effects of ATP and ADP could result from their degradation into adenosine. α,β‐Methylene ADP appears to increase K+ permeability of the β‐cell membrane and to produce a second, intracellular, effect which largely contributes to the inhibition of insulin release. Another recognition site, with higher affinity for triphosphate derivatives, could mediate the small stimulatory effects of AMP‐PNP.
Technical Considerations on Phase Mapping for Identification of Atrial Reentrant Activity in Direct- and Inverse-Computed Electrograms

Background: Phase mapping has become a broadly used technique to identify atrial reentrant circuits for ablative therapy guidance. This work studies the phase mapping process and how the signal nature and its filtering affect the reentrant pattern characterization in electrogram (EGM), body surface potential mapping, and electrocardiographic imaging signals. Methods and Results: EGM, body surface potential mapping, and electrocardiographic imaging phase maps were obtained from 17 simulations of atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and focal atrial tachycardia. Reentrant activity was identified by singularity point recognition in raw signals and in signals after narrow band-pass filtering at the highest dominant frequency (HDF). Reentrant activity was dominantly present in the EGM recordings only for atrial fibrillation and some atrial flutter propagations patterns, and HDF filtering allowed increasing the reentrant activity detection from 60% to 70% of time in atrial fibrillation in unipolar recordings and from 0% to 62% in bipolar. In body surface potential mapping maps, HDF filtering increased from 10% to 90% the sensitivity, although provoked a residual false reentrant activity ≈30% of time. In electrocardiographic imaging, HDF filtering allowed to increase ⩽100% the time with detected rotors, although provoked the apparition of false rotors during 100% of time. Nevertheless, raw electrocardiographic imaging phase maps presented reentrant activity just in atrial fibrillation recordings accounting for ≈80% of time. Conclusions: Rotor identification is accurate and sensitive and does not require additional signal processing in measured or noninvasively computed unipolar EGMs. Bipolar EGMs and body surface potential mapping do require HDF filtering to detect rotors at the expense of a decreased specificity.
6‐mm‐long implants loaded with fiber‐reinforced composite resin‐bonded fixed prostheses (FRCRBFDPs). A 5‐year prospective study

AIM To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes and the survival rates of fiber-reinforced composite resin-bonded fixed prostheses (FRCRBFDPs) placed in the posterior area supported by two short (6 mm) implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty consecutive patients received 40 SLActive 6-mm-long implants with a diameter of 4.1 mm (n = 29) or 4.8 mm (n = 11). Insertion torques and RFA (Resonance Frequency Analysis) were measured at implant installation. The prosthetic rehabilitation was performed after 8 weeks from insertion with a screw-retained two- or three-unit fixed dental prosthesis fabricated of FRCRBFDPs. Implant survival rates and marginal bone levels were evaluated at various time intervals until 5 years after loading. RESULTS Two of 20 patients lost four implants supporting two FRCRBFDPs between the second and the third year of follow-up (cumulative survival rate: 90% after 5 years). Four patients suffered a fracture of the prosthetic reconstruction, and the success rate of the rehabilitation was 70% after 5 years. A mean marginal bone loss of 0.30 ± 0.34 mm was found after 5 years of function at the remaining implants. CONCLUSION The survival of short implants was 90% owing to two bridges losses in the maxilla. However, the success rate of FRCRBFDPs over 5 years was only at 70%.
Inhibition of aflatoxin metabolism and growth of Aspergillus flavus in liquid culture by a DNA methylation inhibitor

Aflatoxins (AFs) are a group of highly oxygenated polyketidese-derived toxins mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus, whose biosynthesis mechanisms are extremely sophisticated. Methylation is known as the major form of epigenetic regulation, which is correlated with gene expression. As the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AC) blocks AF production, we studied AFB1 metabolism and morphological changes of A. flavus by treatment with 5-AC in liquid culture. The results show that 5-AC caused a decrease in AF production and concurrent changes in morphology. In addition, we isolated a non-aflatoxigenic mutant of A. flavus, showing a significant reduction in pigment production, after 5-AC treatment. This mutant showed significant reduction in the expression of genes in the AF biosynthesis pathway, and conidia formation. Furthermore, as AF biosynthesis and oxidative stress are intimately related events, we assessed the viability of A. flavus to oxidative stress after treatment with 5-AC, which showed that the mutant was more sensitive to the strong oxidant hydrogen peroxide. We found that the non-aflatoxigenic mutant showed a decrease in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metabolites indicative of oxidative stress, which may be caused by the disruption of the defence system against excessive ROS formation after 5-AC treatment. These data indicate that 5-AC, as an inactivator of DNA methyltransferase, plays a very important role in AFB1 metabolism and the development of A. flavus, which might provide an effective strategy to pre- or post-harvest control of AFs.
Afferent and efferent components of the hypoglossal nerve in the grass frog, Rana pipiens

In amphibians, the spinomedullary region of the central nervous system is compressed rostrocaudally because of the absence of a neck. In Ranid frogs, the hypoglossal nerve emerges as the ventral ramus of the second spinal nerve. The first spinal nerve, though present in tadpoles, is absent as a separate nerve in adults. To investigate the central nervous system components of the hypoglossal nerve in Rana pipiens, we soaked identified, transected branches of this nerve in horseradish peroxidase, a retrograde and antercgrade tracer. We found that the hypoglossal nerve in these frogs originates from two efferent nuclei located in the caudal medulla, a medial and a lateral one. Afferent fibers, primarily from the tongue, are also found in the hypoglossal nerve and travel in the dorsolateral funiculus of the spinal cord, descending to thoracic levels of the cord. Efferents to intrinsic tongue muscles and the genioglossus muscle originate in the medial medullary nucleus. Efferents to the sternohyoid muscle, which travel through the hypoglossal nerve, originate in the lateral medullary nucleus. Since in mammals the sternohyoid muscle is innervated by the first spinal nerve, we have obtained experimental evidence that the hypoglossal nerve in Rana pipiens contains components of this spinal nerve.
Candida vertebral osteomyelitis (CVO) 28 cases from a 10-year retrospective study in France

Abstract Although increasingly frequent, little is known about the clinical presentation, radiological signs, and outcome of Candida vertebral osteomyelitis (CVO). We performed a nationwide retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed cases of CVO over a 10 year-period in France with a prolonged follow-up. We describe demographic, clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics of patients with CVO, patients’ management, and long-term outcome and determine factors associated with a poor outcome. In total, 28 patients with laboratory-confirmed CVO were included. A prior systemic Candida infection was evidenced in 13/28 (46%), occurring a median of 6 weeks before CVO was diagnosed. Twenty-six of 28 (93%) had at least 1 underlying condition at risk of invasive fungal disease, and in 19/28 (68%) CVO was health-care related. C albicans was most frequently identified (21/28; 75%) Lumbo-sacral involvement was the most prevalent (20/28—71%). Nearly half patients had no fever at presentation, but all had pain. Initial antifungal therapy consisted in fluconazole in 15/28 (53%); surgery was needed in 5 (18%) cases. One-year mortality was 21% (6/28), directly related to fungal infection in 2 patients. Risk-factors associated with 1-year mortality were age (P=.02), a high Charlson comorbidity index (P = .001), and a shorter treatment duration (median, 3 months vs 6 months; P = .02). Among 22 patients who survived, the median follow up duration was 15.5 months (8–93.5); 10 had sequelae, consisting in pain in all and neurological deficit in one. A longer treatment duration was significantly associated with healing without sequelae (P = .04). CVO concerns patients with serious underlying conditions and risk-factors for invasive candidiasis. Prolonged antifungal treatment appears to improve survival without sequelae.
Fluoride exposure from ingested toothpaste in 4-5-year-old Malaysian children.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess (by direct determination) the fluoride (F) exposure from ingested toothpaste among 4-5-year-old Malaysian children. METHODS This was part of a larger study to determine fluorosis status and F exposures. A total of 1343 10-11-year-old subjects were sampled by two-stage systematic random sampling for assessment of fluorosis. Two hundred 4-5-year-old siblings of these index subjects were sub-sampled for determination of F exposures from ingested toothpastes and other sources. Estimations of F ingested from toothpaste (FI) was made by the method of difference between 'F in toothpaste taken for use' and the 'F in toothpaste used but not swallowed', by the duplicate technique under normal home conditions. F ions were determined with the combination selective ion electrode. RESULTS The subjects ingested 32.9% of the toothpaste placed on the brush. Fluoride exposure from ingested toothpaste was highly variable and the mean was 426.9 +/- 505.5 microg (SEM 38.9)/48 h, or 213.5 microg/day and 131.9 microg per brushing. CONCLUSIONS The amount of ingested fluoride (FI) per brushing in this study was the lowest of all studies reporting this parameter and was within the pea-size range of 125-250 microg. Because of the highly statistically significant correlations between the FI from toothpaste and the amount of toothpaste dispensed (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.647, P = 0.000), parents should assume responsibility for placement of toothpaste and limit the amount of toothpaste used.