Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the storage time of transfused red blood cells influence regional or global indexes of tissue oxygenation in anemic critically ill patients?*

ObjectiveTo determine whether transfusion of red cells either ≤5 days or ≥20 days from donation alters tonometric indexes of gastric mucosal oxygenation or global oxygenation parameters in euvolemic anemic critically ill patients without ongoing hemorrhage. The a priori hypothesis was that stored red cells worsen gastric oxygenation. DesignProspective, double-blind, randomized study. SettingA 12-bed general medical/surgical intensive care unit in a Scottish teaching hospital. PatientsVentilated euvolemic anemic (mean ± sd hemoglobin, 85.8 ± 8.4 g/L) critically ill patients with significant organ failure, but no evidence of hemorrhage. InterventionsAfter baseline measurements, patients were randomized to receive two units of leukodepleted red cells that were either ≤5 days (ten patients) or ≥20 days (12 patients) after donation according to a standardized protocol. Measurements and Main ResultsChanges in gastric to arterial Pco2 gap (Pg-Paco2 gap), gastric intramucosal pH, arterial pH, arterial base excess, and arterial lactate concentrations were measured during baseline (2.5 hrs), during transfusion (3 hrs), and for 5 hrs after transfusion. Mean age of red cells stored ≤5 days was 2 days (first and third quartile, 2, 2.25; range, 2–3); red cells stored ≥20 days had a mean age of 28 days (first and third quartile, 27, 31; range, 22–32). Hemoglobin concentration increased by 15.0 g/L and 16.6 g/L, respectively, in the fresh and stored groups (p = .62). There were no significant differences between the groups either using treatment-by-time analysis or comparing the pre- and posttransfusion periods either for Pg-Paco2 gap (mean difference, 0.03 kPa; 95% confidence limits, −1.66, 1.72) or gastric intramucosal pH (mean difference, 0.015 pH units; 95% confidence limits, −0.054, 0.084). The mean change within each group from the pre- to posttransfusion period for Pg-Paco2 gap and gastric intramucosal pH, respectively, was 0.56 kPa (95% confidence limits, −0.68, 1.79) and −0.018 pH units (95% confidence limits, −0.069, 0.032) for “fresh” red cells and 0.52 kPa (95% confidence limits, −0.6, 1.64) and −0.033 pH units (95% confidence limits, −0.080, 0.129) for “stored” red cells. There was no statistically or clinically significant improvement in any other oxygenation index during the measurement period for either group compared to baseline values. ConclusionsTransfusion of stored leukodepleted red cells to euvolemic, anemic, critically ill patients has no clinically significant adverse effects on gastric tonometry or global indexes of tissue oxygenation. These findings do not support the use of fresh red cells in critically ill patients.
hCDC47, a Human Member of the MCM Family

hCDC47 is a putative human homologue of yeast CDC47 and a member of the MCM protein family, which has been implicated in the regulatory machinery causing DNA to replicate only once in the S phase. In the present study, we performed an initial characterization of hCDC47. We found that hCDC47 protein was present in the nucleus of cultured human cells in two different forms; one extractable by a non-ionic detergent and the other resistant to such extraction and tightly associated with the nucleus. The levels of the nucleus-bound form gradually diminished during S phase progression, although the total amount of nuclear hCDC47 protein remained relatively constant, suggesting that the nucleus-bound form becomes dissociated from the nuclear structure during DNA replication. This behavior of hCDC47 protein is very similar to that of other mammalian MCM proteins reported recently. We also found that expression of hCDC47 mRNA was repressed in quiescent cells but was induced at the late G to S phase by growth factor stimulation. Together, these findings indicate that hCDC47 protein together with other MCM proteins participates in the regulation of mammalian DNA replication.
Mutated Cadherin Alleles from a Field Population of Helicoverpa armigera Confer Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxin Cry1Ac

ABSTRACT The cotton bollworm Helicoverpa armigera is the major insect pest targeted by cotton genetically engineered to produce the Bacillus thuringiensis toxin (transgenic Bt cotton) in the Old World. The evolution of this pest's resistance to B. thuringiensis toxins is the main threat to the long-term effectiveness of transgenic Bt cotton. A deletion mutation allele (r1) of a cadherin gene (Ha_BtR) was previously identified as genetically linked with Cry1Ac resistance in a laboratory-selected strain of H. armigera. Using a biphasic screen strategy, we successfully trapped two new cadherin alleles (r2 and r3) associated with Cry1Ac resistance from a field population of H. armigera collected from the Yellow River cotton area of China in 2005. The r2 and r3 alleles, respectively, were created by inserting the long terminal repeat of a retrotransposon (designated HaRT1) and the intact HaRT1 retrotransposon at the same position in exon 8 of Ha_BtR, which results in a truncated cadherin containing only two ectodomain repeats in the N terminus of Ha_BtR. This is the first time that the B. thuringiensis resistance alleles of a target insect of Bt crops have been successfully detected in the open field. This study also demonstrated that bollworm larvae carrying two resistance alleles can complete development on Bt cotton. The cadherin locus should be an important target for intensive DNA-based screening of field populations of H. armigera.
Effect of 6 d of exercise training on responses to maximal and sub-maximal exercise in middle-aged men.

Nine sedentary men (53 +/- 3 yr) were studied before and after 6 d of endurance exercise training to determine the effects on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and on the heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolic responses to a standard bout of steady-state sub-maximal exercise. The subjects exercised approximately 1 h.d-1 at about 68% of VO2max. The 6-d protocol elicited no improvement in VO2max (2.50 +/- 0.14 before vs 2.58 +/- 0.15 l.min-1 after training). Heart rates were significantly lower by 5 to 8 b.min-1, systolic blood pressures were reduced by 16 to 19 mm Hg, and blood lactate concentrations were 25 to 35% less at the same exercise intensities (60, 70, and 80% of VO2max) after 6 d of exercise. Rate pressure product was about 15% lower at the same exercise intensity after 6 d of training (P less than 0.05). The respiratory exchange ratio during submaximal exercise was 0.02 to 0.04 units lower (P less than 0.05; P less than 0.01) after 6 d of exercise, indicating a shift in substrate utilization favoring fat oxidation. These findings suggest that short-term endurance training can induce heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolic adaptations to sub-maximal exercise before there is a significant increase in VO2max in sedentary, middle-aged men who are capable of vigorous exercise.
Feasibility Exploration of Blood Flow Estimation by Contrast-Assisted Nakagami Imaging

The microbubble contrast agent destruction/replenishment technique has been widely applied to ultrasound-based blood flow estimation. The rate of increase of the time-intensity curve (TIC) due to microbubbles flowing into the region of interest as measured from B-mode images closely reflects the flow velocity. In this study, we monitored microbubble replenishment by a proposed new approach called the time-Nakagami-parameter curve (TNC) obtained from Nakagami-parameter images for quantifying the flow velocity. The feasibility of using the TNC to estimate the flow was evaluated in computer simulations of the TIC and TNC for flow velocities from 10 to 30 cm/s under an ultrasound frequency of 5 MHz. The clutter effects on the TIC and TNC were explored in a more realistic situation by carrying out phantom measurements of 25 MHz. The rates of increase of the TIC and TNC were expressed by the rate constants βI and βN of a monoexponential model, respectively. The average βI increased from 38 to 110 s–1 as the flow velocity increased from 10to30cm/s(r = 0.98), and the average βN increased from approximately 40 to 120 s–1 for the same increase in flow velocity (r = 0.98). The p-value between the results of βI and βN as a function of flow velocity was 0.77. These results represent that βN quantifies the flow velocity similarly to the conventional βI. In particular, both the simulation and experimental results revealed that the TNC method conditionally tolerates the presence of nonperfused areas (e.g., surrounding tissues or vessel walls) in the region of interest without requiring application of an additional wall filter to cancel the influences of clutter echoes on the flow estimation. These findings suggest that the TNC-based technique may be a potential method as a complementary tool for the conventional TIC technique to improve the estimation of blood flow.
A Cold-Inducible DEAD-Box RNA Helicase from Arabidopsis thaliana Regulates Plant Growth and Development under Low Temperature

DEAD-box RNA helicases comprise a large family and are involved in a range of RNA processing events. Here, we identified one of the Arabidopsis thaliana DEAD-box RNA helicases, AtRH7, as an interactor of Arabidopsis COLD SHOCK DOMAIN PROTEIN 3 (AtCSP3), which is an RNA chaperone involved in cold adaptation. Promoter:GUS transgenic plants revealed that AtRH7 is expressed ubiquitously and that its levels of the expression are higher in rapidly growing tissues. Knockout mutant lines displayed several morphological alterations such as disturbed vein pattern, pointed first true leaves, and short roots, which resemble ribosome-related mutants of Arabidopsis. In addition, aberrant floral development was also observed in rh7 mutants. When the mutants were germinated at low temperature (12°C), both radicle and first leaf emergence were severely delayed; after exposure of seedlings to a long period of cold, the mutants developed aberrant, fewer, and smaller leaves. RNA blots and circular RT-PCR revealed that 35S and 18S rRNA precursors accumulated to higher levels in the mutants than in WT under both normal and cold conditions, suggesting the mutants are partially impaired in pre-rRNA processing. Taken together, the results suggest that AtRH7 affects rRNA biogenesis and plays an important role in plant growth under cold.
Clinical and radiological disease-course in a Swedish DMARD-treated early RA-inception cohort: an observational study

Objectives: Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) decrease clinical signs and symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, radiographic changes sometimes continue to accrue despite effective suppression of clinical symptoms by therapy. The objective of this study was to identify whether successful clinical disease-control in a Swedish early RA-inception cohort of patients led to an attenuation of radiological progression. Patients and methods: We analysed clinical data and radiographs of 95 patients who were on a stable treatment regimen [methotrexate (MTX), sulfasalazine (SSZ), oral gold (AUR)] or who had changed between different DMARDs during the 2-year observation period [multiple therapy failures (mTF)]. Radiographs were quantified using the modified Larsen score and 'X-Ray RheumaCoach' software. Results: Clinical measures improved markedly (p<0.001) from baseline to year 2 under AUR, MTX, and SSZ therapy but not in the mTF group. Similar levels of disease control were seen for each DMARD. During this period, patients treated with AUR had a ΔLarsen score (+14.5±1.3) similar to mTF patients (+15.8±1.1) but greater than patients on MTX (+8.6±0.8) or SSZ (+9.1±0.8). Conclusions: This study confirms that radiological progression occurs despite a clinically acceptable disease control, but also shows that, given the same degree of clinical disease control, radiological progression can be different for different DMARDs.
Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells as a Target of Local Aldosterone Action: Upregulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Expression via Serum- and Glucocorticoid-Inducible Protein Kinase 1

Background/Aims: Peritoneal fibrosis can lead to the discontinuation of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The present study investigated the direct effect of aldosterone, which influences tissue fibrosis, and its cellular mechanism using cultured rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Materials andMethods: The expression of aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2), mineralocorticoid receptors, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2, serum- and glucocorticoid-inducible protein kinase 1 (SGK1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was evaluated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The ability of RPMCs to produce aldosterone was examined by enzyme immunoassay. Small interfering RNA of SGK1 was transfected to determine the role of SGK1. Results: CYP11B2, mineralocorticoid receptors and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 were expressed in RPMCs. The release of aldosterone from RPMCs into the culture medium was confirmed. Stimulation of RPMCs with the addition of aldosterone significantly increased SGK1 expression and phosphorylation and CTGF upregulation, and these effects were completely inhibited by the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone. SGK1 gene silencing abrogated aldosterone-induced CTGF expression. Conclusion: The local aldosterone system exists and acts directly as a profibrotic factor in the peritoneal mesothelium.
Presence of Putative Male-Produced Sex Pheromone in Lutzomyia cruciata (Diptera: Psychodidae), Vector of Leishmania mexicana

Abstract Lutzomyia cruciata (Coquillet) is a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mexico and Central America. However, several aspects of its ecology and behavior are unknown, including whether a male pheromone partially mediates the sexual behavior of this sand fly. In this study, we evaluated the behavioral response of females to male abdominal extracts in a Y-tube olfactometer. The volatile compounds from male abdominal extracts were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and compared with those of female abdominal extracts. Finally, the disseminating structures of the putative sex pheromone were examined by scanning electron microscopy in the male abdomen. Females were more attracted to male abdominal extract than to the hexane control, suggesting the presence of male-produced sex pheromone. The male abdominal extracts were characterized by the presence of 12 sesquiterpene compounds. The major component, an unknown sesquiterpene with an abundance of 60%, had a mass spectrum with molecular ion of m/z 262. In contrast, the abdominal female extracts contained saturated fatty acids. Finally, we detected the presence of small “papules” with a mammiform morphology distributed on the abdominal surface of tergites IV-VII of male Lu. cruciata. These structures are not present in females. We conclude that Lu. cruciata males likely produce a pheromone involved in attracting or courting females.
The Identification of Araliaceae Species by ITS2 Genetic Barcoding and Pollen Morphology

Abstract The genetic barcode ITS2 (ITS: internal transcribed spacer) and pollen morphology were used for the identification of the pharmacologically valuable wild Araliaceae species Panax ginseng, Oplopanax elatus, Aralia elata, Aralia continentalis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Eleutherococcus sessiliflorus inhabiting the natural forests of Primorye, Russia. The ITS2 locus successfully identified all six species, which supports the use of ITS2 as a standard barcode for medicinal plants. However, the ITS2 locus was insufficient for intra-specific discrimination in these species, neither within Primorye nor from other world representatives within GenBank. Araliaceae pollen was confirmed to undergo size-reducing metamorphosis. The final morphotypes were species-specific for each of the six species but could not discriminate intra-species geographic localities within Primorye. The morphologies of the final pollen morphotypes from homologous species inhabiting other parts of the world are not yet known. Therefore, whether pollen is applicable for Araliaceae intra-species discrimination between Primorye and other world localities could not be established. Based on these findings, we propose that the ITS2 genetic barcode and the final pollen morphotypes are suitable for the identification of Araliaceae species. However, further studies will be needed to determine the suitability of genetic and pollen traits for Araliaceae geographic authentication.
Infliximab Is Effective in Acute but not Chronic Childhood Ulcerative Colitis

Purpose: The authors report their experience with infliximab in pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Fourteen patients were reviewed. Group 1 included five patients with newly diagnosed, fulminant colitis refractory to 7 to 10 days of intravenous steroids. Group 2 included four patients with ulcerative colitis in remission off steroid therapy who experienced relapse and were hospitalized with fulminant colitis refractory to intravenous steroids for 7 to 10 days. Group 3 included five patients chronically dependent on steroids with colitis refractory to medical management. All patients were treated on an open-label basis with infliximab infusions of 5 mg/kg/dose at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and every 6 to 8 weeks thereafter. Follow-up was maintained for at least 6 weeks. Clinical status was scored with the Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index (LCAI) at each visit. LCAI ≥10 was considered treatment failure. We defined success as LCAI ≤2, a score consistent with UC remission. Response was categorized for each group. Results: All patients began the study with LCAI ≥11 before infliximab treatment. All group 1 patients experienced response to infliximab. All but one (75%) patient in group 2 had a response. Only one (20%) group 3 patient had a response to infliximab. Conclusion: Infliximab was an effective agent in the treatment of acute UC in our patients. Long-term steroid use and emergency colectomy were avoided. Infliximab was less effective in patients who were dependent on steroids.
Biological correlates of blood pressure variability in elderly at high risk of cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND Visit-to-visit variability in blood pressure is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease. This study investigates biological correlates of intra-individual variability in blood pressure in older persons. METHODS Nested observational study within the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER) among 3,794 male and female participants (range 70-82 years) with a history of, or risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Individual visit-to-visit variability in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse pressure (expressed as 1 SD in mm Hg) was assessed using nine measurements over 2 years. Correlates of higher visit-to-visit variability were examined at baseline, including markers of inflammation, endothelial function, renal function and glucose homeostasis. RESULTS Over the first 2 years, the mean intra-individual variability (1 SD) was 14.4mm Hg for systolic blood pressure, 7.7mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure, and 12.6mm Hg for pulse pressure. After multivariate adjustment a higher level of interleukin-6 at baseline was consistently associated with higher intra-individual variability of blood pressure, including systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure. Markers of endothelial function (Von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator), renal function (glomerular filtration rate) and glucose homeostasis (blood glucose, homeostatic model assessment index) were not or to a minor extent associated with blood pressure variability. CONCLUSION In an elderly population at risk of cardiovascular disease, inflammation (as evidenced by higher levels of interleukin-6) is associated with higher intra-individual variability in systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure.
Correlations Between White Matter Integrity and Motor Function in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients

Background. Deterioration of motor function is one of several clinical manifestations following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children and adolescents. Objective. To investigate the relationship between white matter (WM) integrity using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and motor functioning in young TBI patients. Methods. A group with moderate to severe TBI (n = 24) and a control group (n = 17) were scanned using DTI along with standard anatomical scans. Using ExploreDTI software, WM regions/tracts that carry efferent output (motor) from the brain were evaluated, as well as the corpus callosum, brainstem, internal capsule, and subcortical WM structures. Motor function was assessed using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC), consisting of manual dexterity, ball skills, and static and dynamic balance items. Results. TBI patients were less successful on the M-ABC than the controls and showed lower WM fractional anisotropy (FA) in the corpus callosum, anterior corona radiata, corticospinal tract, and cerebellum. Decreased FA was associated with lower motor performance in the TBI group but not in the control group. Conclusion. This study provides evidence for a structural alteration of motor pathways and regions in children and adolescents with TBI that are correlated with motor functioning. Further studies may be able to identify therapeutic targets and monitor the effects of new interventions.
Cadmium-inducible Expression of the Yeast GSH1 Gene Requires a Functional Sulfur-Amino Acid Regulatory Network*

Glutathione (γ-l-glutamyl-l-cysteinylglycine) is an important antioxidant molecule, helping to buffer the cell against free radicals and toxic electrophiles. Expression of the yeastGSH1 gene, encoding the first enzyme involved in glutathione biosynthesis, γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, is regulated by oxidants and the heavy metal cadmium at the level of transcription. We present evidence that the transcription factors involved in controlling the network of sulfur amino acid metabolism genes are also responsible for regulating GSH1 expression in response to cadmium. In particular the transcription factors Met-4, Met-31, and Met-32 are essential for cadmium-mediated regulation of gene expression, whereas the DNA-binding protein Cbf1 appears to play a negative role in controlling GSH1 expression.
Precision of Foot Alignment Measures in Charcot Arthropathy

Background: Foot deformity associated with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral neuropathy (PN) contributes to joint instability, ulceration and amputation. This study reports the intrarater and inter-rater measurement precision and least significant change (LSC) of radiological measures of foot deformity in subjects with DM, PN, and foot related complications. Methods: Cuboid height, Meary's angle, calcaneal pitch and hindfoot-forefoot angle were measured from plain-film radiographs on 15 subjects with DM, PN, and foot-related complications. A foot and ankle fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with 23 years of experience (Rater 1) measured radiographs twice. A foot and ankle fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with 2 years of experience (Rater 2) and a radiologist in residency training (Rater 3) measured radiographs once. Root mean square standard deviation and LSC were calculated to determine measurement precision and the smallest change considered biologically real, not the result of chance. Results: Intrarater measurement precision was: 0.9 mm for cuboid height, 3 degrees for Meary's angle, and 2 degrees for calcaneal pitch and hindfoot-forefoot angle. Inter-rater measurement precision for rater 1 versus 2 and 1 versus 3 were: 1.7 and 1.6 mm for cuboid height, 4 degrees for Meary's angle, 2 degrees for calcaneal pitch, and 3 degrees for the hindfoot-forefoot angle. The LSC was less than or equal to: 4.7 mm for cuboid, 12 degrees for Meary's angle, 6 degrees for calcaneal pitch, and 8 degrees for hindfoot-forefoot angle. Conclusion: Cuboid height, calcaneal pitch, and hindfoot-forefoot angle measures can be completed with relatively good measurement precision.