Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impaired retention of spatial memory after transection of longitudinally oriented axons of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells

Longitudinally oriented axon collaterals of CA3 pyramidal cells may be critical for integrating distributed information in the hippocampus. To investigate the possible role of this pathway in the retention of spatial memory, we made a single transversely oriented cut through the dorsal CA3 region of each hippocampus. Although the lesion involved <3% of the hippocampal volume, it nonetheless disrupted memory retention in a water maze in preoperatively trained rats. New learning in a different water maze was attenuated. No significant impairment occurred in rats with longitudinally oriented cuts, or in animals with ibotenic acid-induced lesions of similar magnitude. To characterize the effect of a focal lesion on the integrity of longitudinally projecting axons, we stained degenerating cells and fibers in rats with unilateral CA3 transections by using FluoroJade-B. Degenerating terminals were seen across a wide region posterior to the cut, and were present in the strata of areas CA3 and CA1 that are innervated by CA3 pyramidal cells. These results suggest that the integrity of longitudinally oriented, translamellar axons of CA3 pyramidal cells may be necessary for efficient acquisition and retention of spatial memory.
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-8 secretion and the acute-phase response in patients with bacterial and tuberculous osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis, or bone infection, is a major worldwide cause of morbidity. Treatment is frequently unsatisfactory, yet little is known about pathogenesis of infection. Plasma tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-8 concentrations were measured before and after lipopolysaccharide stimulation of whole blood from patients with bacterial and tuberculous osteomyelitis and from controls. Patients with bacterial and tuberculous osteomyelitis mounted an acute-phase response and were anemic and febrile. However, plasma IL-6 concentrations were significantly elevated in only tuberculous osteomyelitis patients (vs. controls, P < .05). IL-6 concentrations correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, and plasma albumin concentration, all acute-phase markers. There were no other correlations between cytokine concentrations and clinical data. Following ex vivo stimulation, TNF, IL-6, and IL-8 were secreted equally by patients and controls. In summary, tuberculous osteomyelitis is characterized by elevated systemic IL-6 concentrations associated with an acute-phase response. For further insight into immunopathology of osteomyelitis, studies on infected bone are required.
Processing of N‐Terminal Unnatural Amino Acids in Recombinant Human Interferon‐β in Escherichia coli

Incorporation of unnatural amino acids into recombinant proteins represents a powerful tool for protein engineering and protein therapeutic development. While the processing of the N‐terminal methionine (Met) residues in proteins is well studied, the processing of unnatural amino acids used for replacing the N‐terminal Met remains largely unknown. Here we report the effects of the penultimate residue (the residue after the initiator Met) on the processing of two unnatural amino acids, L‐azidohomoalanine (AHA) and L‐homopropargylglycine (HPG), at the N terminus of recombinant human interferon‐β in E. coli. We have identified specific amino acids at the penultimate position that can be used to efficiently retain or remove N‐terminal AHA or HPG. Retention of N‐terminal AHA or HPG can be achieved by choosing amino acids with large side chains (such as Gln, Glu, and His) at the penultimate position, while Ala can be selected for the removal of N‐terminal AHA or HPG. Incomplete processing of N‐terminal AHA and HPG (in terms of both deformylation and cleavage) was observed with Gly or Ser at the penultimate position.
Investigating the Reliability and Validity of Self and Peer Assessment to Measure Medical Students’ Professional Competencies

The use of peer assessment through a multisource feedback process has gained recognition as a reliable and valid method to assess the characteristics of professionals and trainees. A total of 168 first-year medical students completed a 15-item questionnaire to self-assess their professional work habits and interpersonal abilities. Each student was expected to identify 8 first-year classmates to complete a corresponding 15-item peer assessment. Although the self and peer assessment questionnaires had strong reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.85 and 0.91, respectively), an exploratory factor analysis resulted in a 3- and 2- factor solution, respectively. The third factor was associated with items related to students’ personal attributes. Significantly lower mean score differences for the self-report assessment were found for all 15 items (Cohen’s d = 0.27 to 1.39, p gards to the construct validity and stability of measures between self and peer assessment measures. The need for self-awareness of students’ strengths and limitations, however, is recommended as part of their development in a profession that emphasizes self-regulation.
An Efficient Recursive Multiframe Track-Before-Detect Algorithm

Multiframe track-before-detect (MF-TBD) usually uses sliding-window-based batch processing, where a number <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$</tex-math></inline-formula> of the latest data frames are jointly processed at each measurement time. The sliding window mechanism compromises the operating efficiency of MF-TBD by increasing both computational costs and memory requirements, thus, heavily restricting its application in practical problems. In this paper, an improved recursive implementation for MF-TBD is proposed. Unlike the sliding-window-based implementation, the proposed method calculates the merit function, a measure of the possibility that a state is target originated, of the current batch based on an approximated recursive relationship between the merit functions of consecutive batches. As a result, instead having to process the whole batch, at any given time only the latest frame needs to be processed. The recursive relationship is first derived for any arbitrary merit function, and then explored further with several typical merit functions that are used in MF-TBD. Both the theoretical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method can achieve almost <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N$ </tex-math></inline-formula> times reduction in computational complexity and memory requirements with negligible performance loss.
[Association of 16189 variant (T-->C transition) of mitochondrial DNA with genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes in Chinese populations].

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of 16189 variant (T-->C transition) of mitochondrial DNA in Chinese populations and to study the relation between mtDNA 16189 variant and insulin resistance and the role it plays in genetic predisposition to diabetes. METHODS PCR and RELP techniques were used to examine 383 unrelated type 2 diabetics and 151 non-diabetic controls selected by random sampling. RESULTS (1) The prevalence of 16189 variant among type 2 diabetics was significantly higher than that among the controls. (2) The prevalence of 16189 variant was significantly higher among type 2 diabetics with maternal family history than among those without maternal family history. (3) In comparison with the type 2 diabetics without 16189 variant, those with 16189 variant showed higher fasting serum insulin level, decreased insulin sensitivity index, and higher Homa insulin resistance index. (4) In the control group, no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, serum lipid level, fasting plasma glucose level, fasting serum insulin level, insulin sensitivity index, and Homa insulin resistance index was found between those with 16189 variant and those without 16189 variant. CONCLUSION 16189 variant of mitochondrial DNA is one of the genetic predisposing factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in Chinese populations. It might interfere with the energy metabolism and the production of ATP, thus causing insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.
Peripheral Magnetic Resonance Angiography With Continuous Table Movement in Combination With High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Time-Resolved MRA With a Total Single Dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of Gadobutrol at 3.0 T

Purpose:To prove the concept of peripheral continuous table movement (CTM) MR-angiography (MRA) in combination with high spatial and temporal resolution time-resolved TWIST-MRA in a single MR-examination at 3.0 T with a single dose (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadobutrol in total. Materials and Methods:We included 22 consecutive patients (15 m/7 f, mean age: 64 years) referred for peripheral MRA with clinical symptoms of peripheral arterial occlusive disease Fontaine stages II–IV. All of them underwent both CTM-MRA (TR: 2.4 ms/TE: 1.0 ms/flip angle: 21 degree) of the entire run-off vessels and TWIST-MRA (TR: 2.8 ms/TE: 1.1 ms/flip angle: 20 degree) of the calf station during a single MR-examination. All examinations were performed on a 3.0 T MR system (Tim Trio). Spatial resolution of the CTM-MRA datasets was technically limited to an acquired resolution of 1.2 × 1.2 × 1.96 mm3 reconstructed to 1.2 mm isotropic. The TWIST-MRA was acquired with 1.1 × 1.1 × 1.35 mm3 and reconstructed to 1.1 mm isotropic with a temporal resolution of 5.5 seconds in the calf station. A total of 0.1 mmol/kg BW gadobutrol diluted 1:1 with saline was injected at a flow rate of 1.5 mL/s of which 0.07 mmol/kg was administered for the CTM-MRA and 0.03 mmol/kg for the TWIST-MRA.CTM-MRA run off datasets were qualitatively assessed using a 4 point scale (4 = excellent, 1 = nondiagnostic) followed by TWIST-MRA datasets for the calf using the same scale. Additional relevant findings only visible in the TWIST-MRA were documented. Results:All datasets could be evaluated with a total of 397 assessable segments. CTM-MRA was diagnostic in 99% (393/397 segments) with image quality judged as excellent in 54% (213/397 segments), good in 42% (14/397), and moderate in 4% (14/397) of analyzed segments respectively. Nondiagnostic image quality was seen in 1% (4/397 segments). Venous overlay in the calf station was found in 27% (6/22 patients). TWIST-MRA was diagnostic in 100% (115/115 segments), throughout with good or excellent image quality. In 14 of 22 patients additional relevant findings were detected by TWIST-MRA. Conclusion:Single-dose gadobutrol CTM-MRA in combination with a high spatial and temporal resolution TWIST-MRA at 3.0 T is a reliable technique with good image quality. Despite the use of single dose contrast agent large field of view coverage and dynamic images can be acquired. Because of its robustness, this imaging approach of the vasculature has great potential for a broad clinical use.
Regulation of Xanthine Oxidase by Nitric Oxide and Peroxynitrite*

Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a central mechanism of oxidative injury as occurs following ischemia. During the early period of reperfusion, both nitric oxide (NO⋅) and superoxide (O⨪2) generation are increased leading to the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−); however, questions remain regarding the presence and nature of the interactions of NO⋅ or ONOO− with XO and the role of this process in regulating oxidant generation. Therefore, we determined the dose-dependent effects of NO⋅ and ONOO−on the O⨪2 generation and enzyme activity of XO, respectively, by EPR spin trapping of O⨪2 using 5-(diethoxyphosphoryl)-5-methyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide and spectrophotometric assay. ONOO− markedly inhibited both O⨪2 generation and XO activity in dose-dependent manner, while NO⋅ from NO⋅ gas in concentrations up to 200 μm had no effect. Furthermore, we observed that NO⋅ donors such as NOR-1 also inhibited O⨪2 generation and XO activity; however, these effects were O⨪2-dependent and blocked by superoxide dismutase or ONOO− scavengers. Finally, we found that ONOO− totally abolished the Mo(V) EPR spectrum. These changes were irreversible, suggesting oxidative disruption of the critical molybdenum center of the catalytic site. Thus, ONOO− formed in biological systems can feedback and down-regulate XO activity and O⨪2 generation, which in turn may serve to limit further ONOO− formation.
Dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in Asian American women.

BACKGROUND The role of diet as a cause of breast cancer in Asian Americans has not been adequately studied. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk in Asian Americans. DESIGN This population-based case-control study in Los Angeles County compared dietary patterns between 1248 Asian American women with incident breast cancer and 1148 age-, ethnicity-, and neighborhood-matched controls. The relation between dietary patterns and serum concentrations of estrogens, androgens, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) was investigated in 2172 postmenopausal control women. RESULTS We used a scoring method proposed by Trichopoulou et al (1) and found that adherence to a Mediterranean diet was inversely associated with risk; the odds ratio (OR) was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.95) in women with the highest scores (> or = 8; most adherent) compared with those with the lowest scores (0-3; P for trend = 0.009), after adjustment for key covariates. We also used factor analysis and identified 3 dietary patterns (Western-meat/starch, ethnic-meat/starch, and vegetables/soy). In a combined index of the 3 patterns, women who were high consumers of Western and ethnic meat/starch and low consumers of the vegetables/soy diets showed the highest risk (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.40, 3.42; P for trend = 0.0005). SHBG concentrations were 23% lower in women with a high intake of the meat/starch pattern and a low intake of the vegetables/soy pattern than in those with a low intake of the meat/starch pattern and a high intake of the vegetables/soy pattern (P for trend = 0.069). CONCLUSION Our results suggest that a diet characterized by a low intake of meat/starches and a high intake of legumes is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer in Asian Americans.
Comparison of polymerase chain reaction with histopathologic features for diagnosis of tuberculosis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histologic specimens.

Objective. -To investigate the relationship between various histopathologic features and the results of the tuberculosis (TB)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method in routinely submitted histologic specimens for the histopathologic diagnosis of TB. Design. -We used 95 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 81 patients who were clinically suspected of having TB. We assessed the presence of histopathologic features including well-formed granuloma, poorly formed granuloma, caseous necrosis, and Langhans-type giant cells. We performed nested PCR for IS6110 and Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacilli (AFB). Results. -Of the 81 patients studied, 53 patients had chronic granulomatous inflammation, whereas 28 patients had only chronic inflammation without definite granulomatous inflammation. Of the 53 cases with chronic granulomatous inflammation, 17 (32%) were AFB positive and 36 (68%) were TB-PCR positive. Among cases with chronic granulomatous inflammation, the percentage that were positive and negative by TB-PCR differed significantly with the presence of various histopathologic features. All of the 13 cases with well-formed granuloma, caseous necrosis, and Langhans-type giant cells were TB-PCR positive; however, 10 (36%) of the 28 cases with chronic inflammation without granulomatous lesions were also TB-PCR positive. Conclusions. -TB-PCR is a rapid, sensitive method for the diagnosis of TB in routinely processed formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded histologic specimens and is readily available in histopathology laboratories. We recommend use of TB-PCR when TB is suspected clinically, especially in cases of chronic inflammation without definite evidence of granulomatous inflammation.
Health care utilization and adults who are deaf: relationship with age at onset of deafness.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the health care utilization of a nationally representative sample of U.S. deaf adults while accounting for the age at onset of deafness, an indicator of linguistic and sociocultural group affiliation. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Data from the 1990 to 1991 National Health Interview Surveys the most recent years the Hearing Supplement was administered. The data were collected during in-home interviews of a sample of the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional analyses comparing health-related measures of adults deafened before (prelingually) and after (postlingually) the age of 3 and those of a representative sample of the general population, adjusting for sociodemographics and health status. Key measures were physician visits and preventive health care services utilization. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Compared with the general population, prelingually deafened adults had fewer physician visits and were less likely to have visited a physician in the preceding 2 years, whereas postlingually deafened adults had more physician visits and were more likely to have visited a physician in the preceding 2 years. Postlingually deafened women were less likely to have had a mammogram within the previous 2 years. CONCLUSIONS In terms of health care utilization, the deaf population is heterogeneous. Prelingually deafened adults' use of health care is similar to that of other language minority groups. Postlingually deafened adults' use of health care services appears similar to people with chronic illness. Future studies must distinguish different groups of people with hearing loss in order to identify barriers and monitor improvements in health care services access.
Seeing is believing – multi-scale spatio-temporal imaging towards in vivo cell biology

ABSTRACT Life is driven by a set of biological events that are naturally dynamic and tightly orchestrated from the single molecule to entire organisms. Although biochemistry and molecular biology have been essential in deciphering signaling at a cellular and organismal level, biological imaging has been instrumental for unraveling life processes across multiple scales. Imaging methods have considerably improved over the past decades and now allow to grasp the inner workings of proteins, organelles, cells, organs and whole organisms. Not only do they allow us to visualize these events in their most-relevant context but also to accurately quantify underlying biomechanical features and, so, provide essential information for their understanding. In this Commentary, we review a palette of imaging (and biophysical) methods that are available to the scientific community for elucidating a wide array of biological events. We cover the most-recent developments in intravital imaging, light-sheet microscopy, super-resolution imaging, and correlative light and electron microscopy. In addition, we illustrate how these technologies have led to important insights in cell biology, from the molecular to the whole-organism resolution. Altogether, this review offers a snapshot of the current and state-of-the-art imaging methods that will contribute to the understanding of life and disease. Summary: This Commentary provides an overview of the imaging technologies currently available for performing cell biology in vivo.
Metabolites from inhalation of aerosolized S-8 synthetic jet fuel in rats

Alternative fuels are being considered for civilian and military uses. One of these is S-8, a replacement jet fuel synthesized using the Fischer–Tropsch process, which contains no aromatic compounds and is mainly composed of straight and branched alkanes. Metabolites of S-8 fuel in laboratory animals have not been identified. The goal of this study was to identify metabolic products from exposure to aerosolized S-8 and a designed straight-chain alkane/polyaromatic mixture (decane, undecane, dodecane, tridecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, naphthalene, and 2-methylnaphthalene) in male Fischer 344 rats. Collected blood and tissue samples were analyzed for 70 straight and branched alcohols and ketones ranging from 7 to 15 carbons. No fuel metabolites were observed in the blood, lungs, brain, and fat following S-8 exposure. Metabolites were detected in the liver, urine, and feces. Most of the metabolites were 2- and 3-position alcohols and ketones of prominent hydrocarbons with very few 1- or 4-position metabolites. Following exposure to the alkane mixture, metabolites were observed in the blood, liver, and lungs. Interestingly, heavy metabolites (3-tridecanone, 2-tridecanol, and 2-tetradecanol) were observed only in the lung tissues possibly indicating that metabolism occurred in the lungs. With the exception of these heavy metabolites, the metabolic profiles observed in this study are consistent with previous studies reporting on the metabolism of individual alkanes. Further work is needed to determine the potential metabolic interactions of parent, primary, and secondary metabolites and identify more polar metabolites. Some metabolites may have potential use as biomarkers of exposure to fuels.
Ten Years of Screening and Testing for Acute HIV Infection in North Carolina

Objective:To describe demographic and behavioral characteristics of persons with acute HIV infection (AHI) over time. Methods:We conducted a retrospective assessment of AHI identified through the Screening and Tracing Active Transmission (STAT) program from 2003 to 2012 in North Carolina (NC). AHI was identified using pooled nucleic acid amplification for antibody negative samples and individual HIV-1 RNA for antibody indeterminate samples. The STAT program provides rapid notification and evaluation. We compared STAT-collected demographic and risk characteristics with all persons requesting tests and all non-AHI diagnoses from the NC State Laboratory of Public Health. Results:The STAT Program identified 236 AHI cases representing 3.4% (95% confidence interval: 3.0% to 3.9%) of all HIV diagnoses. AHI cases were similar to those diagnosed during established HIV. On pretest risk-assessments, AHI cases were predominately black (69.1%), male (80.1%), young (46.8% < 25 years), and men who have sex with men (MSM) (51.7%). Per postdiagnosis interviews, the median age decreased from 35 (interquartile range 25–42) to 27 (interquartile range 22–37) years, and the proportion <25 years increased from 23.8% to 45.2% (trend P = 0.04) between 2003 and 2012. AHI men were more likely to report MSM risk post-diagnosis than on pretest risk-assessments (64%–82.9%; P < 0.0001). Post-diagnosis report of MSM risk in men with AHI increased from 71.4% to 96.2%. Conclusions:In NC, 3.4% of individuals diagnosed with HIV infection have AHI. AHI screening provides a real-time source of incidence trends, improves the diagnostic yield of HIV testing, and offers an opportunity to limit onward transmission.