Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In Active Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis, Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Density is Increased on Monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes

The effect of low‐dose methotrexate (MTX) treatment on the CD26 density on circulating monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes or levels of soluble CD26 (sCD26) has not yet been described in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While CD26 in T lymphocytes is involved in the activation and proliferation of T lymphocytes, little is known of the role of CD26 in monocytes as it has only recently been localized to monocytes. We analysed the CD26 density by flow cytometry and levels of sCD26 in plasma before initiation of MTX treatment and 12 weeks later. This was done on 34 RA patients fulfilling the 1987 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria followed for 16 weeks after starting MTX treatment. CD26 density on monocytes was increased in RA patients compared with healthy controls before MTX treatment (P < 0.01). After 12 weeks of MTX treatment, the CD26 density on monocytes decreased significantly in the ACR‐50% group (P = 0.03), but not in the ACR‐20% and the non‐responder group (P = 0.15 and 0.87). The increased CD26 density on CD4+ T lymphocytes (P < 0.01) was unaffected by the reduction in disease activity in relation to MTX treatment. The percentage of monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes among peripheral blood circulating mononuclear cells did not change during MTX treatment. No effect of MTX treatment was observed on the plasma levels of sCD26. Active chronic RA is characterized by enhanced CD26 density on circulating monocytes and CD4+ T lymphocytes. MTX treatment decreased CD26 density on monocytes in the ACR‐50% responder group and was associated with decreased disease activity. The enhanced CD26 density on CD4+ T lymphocytes was uninfluenced by MTX treatment.
Serum trace elements and Cu/Zn ratio in breast cancer patients

Serum copper, zinc, and the Cu/Zn ratio were measured in 55 patients with breast disease (20 with benign breast diseases and 35 patients with breast cancer) and 30 controls. The mean serum copper levels were higher in breast cancer than in benign breast diseases (167.3 μg/dl) vs. 117.6 μg/dl) (P<). 001) and controls (167.3 μg/dl vs. 98.8 μg/dl) (P<0.001). Patients with advanced breast cancer had higher serum copper levels than did patients with early breast cancer (177.9 μg/dl vs. 130.4 μg/dl) (P <0.001). The mean serum zinc levels were lowered only in patients with advanced breast cancer as compared with controls (88.6 μg/dl vs. 115.1 μg/dl) (P < 0.001). Serum zinc levels were not decreased in patients with early breast cancer and benign breast diseases. The Cu/Zn ratio was increased in breast cancer patients (1.91 vs. 0.86) (P < 0.001) but not in patients with benign breast diseases. The precise mechanisms responsible for the alterations in trace element levels in breast cancer patients are still unclear and require further evaluation. However, the serum copper levels and the Cu/Zn ratio may be used as biochemical markers in these patients.
Inhibitory influence of the ipsilateral motor cortex on responses to stimulation of the human cortex and pyramidal tract

1 The ability of the primary motor cortex (M1) to modulate motor responses in ipsilateral hand muscles seems to be important for normal motor control and potentially also for recovery after brain lesions. It is not clear which pathways mediate this ipsilateral modulation. Transcallosal connections have been proposed, but are known to be sparse between cortical hand motor representations in primates. The present study was performed to determine whether descending ipsilateral modulation of motor responses might also be mediated below the cortical level in humans. 2 A paired‐pulse protocol was used, in which motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) were produced by cortical transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTMS) or by electrical stimulation of the pyramidal tract at the level of the pyramidal decussation (pdTES), in both preactivated and relaxed hand muscles. Paired stimuli were applied at various interstimulus intervals (ISIs) between 2 and 100 ms. The conditioning stimulus (CS) was always magnetic, and delivered to the M1 ipsilateral to the target hand, prior to the test stimulus (TS). The magnetic TS was delivered to the M1 contralateral to the target hand; the electrical TS was applied through electrodes placed over the mastoid process bilaterally. Further experiments included cortical electrical stimulation and H‐reflexes. The MEP amplitudes were averaged separately for each ISI and the control condition (no CS), and expressed as a percentage of the unconditioned response. 3 Conditioning stimulation of the ipsilateral M1 resulted in significant inhibition of magnetically evoked MEPs, and also of MEPs produced by pdTES. Inhibition occurred at ISIs between 6 and 50 ms, and was observed in preactivated and relaxed muscles. Higher CS intensities caused greater inhibition of both cTMS‐ and pdTES‐evoked MEPs. 4 While the conditioning effects on magnetically evoked muscle responses could be explained by a transcallosal mechanism, the effects on pdTES‐evoked MEPs cannot, because they are elicited subcortically and are therefore not susceptible to inhibitory mechanisms transmitted at the cortico‐cortical level. 5 In conclusion, the present results provide novel evidence that the inhibitory influence of the human M1 on ipsilateral hand muscles is to a significant extent mediated below the cortical level, and not only through cortico‐cortical transcallosal connections. They point to a concept of inhibitory interaction between the two primary motor cortices that is relayed at multiple levels along the neuroaxis, thus perhaps providing a structurally redundant system which may become important in case of lesions.
Heightened sensitivity to emotional expressions in generalised anxiety disorder, compared to social anxiety disorder, and controls

ABSTRACT Few studies have examined potential differences between social anxiety disorder (SAD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) in the sensitivity to detect emotional expressions. The present study aims to compare the detection of emotional expressions in SAD and GAD. Participants with a primary diagnosis of GAD (n = 46), SAD (n = 70), and controls (n = 118) completed a morph movies task. The task presented faces expressing increasing degrees of emotional intensity, slowly changing from a neutral to a full-intensity happy, sad, or angry expressions. Participants used a slide bar to view the movie frames from left to right, and to stop at the first frame where they perceived an emotion. The frame selected thus indicated the intensity of emotion required to identify the facial expression. Participants with GAD detected the onset of facial emotions at lower intensity of emotion than participants with SAD (p = 0.002) and controls (p = 0.039). In a multiple regression analysis controlling for age, race, and depressive symptom severity, lower frame at which the emotion was detected was independently associated and GAD diagnosis (B = –5.73, SE = 1.74, p < 0.01). Our findings suggest that individuals with GAD exhibit enhanced detection of facial emotions compared to those with SAD or controls.
In vitro growth and differentiation of rabbit bulbar, fornix, and palpebral conjunctival epithelia. Implications on conjunctival epithelial transdifferentiation and stem cells.

PURPOSE The anterior surface of the eye is covered by several physically contiguous but histologically distinguishable epithelial overlying the cornea, limbus, bulbar conjunctiva, fornix conjunctiva, and palpebral conjunctiva. It is important to determine whether the different phenotypes of these epithelia are the result of intrinsic divergence, extrinsic modulation, or a combination of both. Based on keratin expression and cell kinetic criteria, the authors previously suggested that corneal epithelial stem cells may actually reside in the limbal basal layer. METHODS In this article, the relationship between the corneal-limbal epithelial cells and conjunctival epithelial cells was analyzed by comparing their growth and differentiation properties in an identical cell culture environment. RESULTS Using Dispase instead of trypsin to dissociate the cells, the authors were able to grow all five rabbit ocular surface epithelia in the presence of 3T3 feeder cells. They found that corneal and limbal cells synthesize identical keratins, including large amounts of the K3 and K12 markers of corneal-type differentiation. By contrast, all three conjunctival epithelia shared another keratin pattern, with large amounts of simple epithelial keratins but only minute amounts of K3/K12 keratins. CONCLUSIONS This observation, coupled with previous findings that the "transdifferentiation" of conjunctival epithelial cells to corneal epithelium appears to be both incomplete and reversible, provides strong evidence that (1) the limbal-corneal epithelial cells form a lineage distinct from the conjunctival lineage and (2) conjunctival transdifferentiation actually represents a process of environmental modulation. In addition, of the three types of conjunctival epithelial cells, fornix cells were found to have a much greater proliferative potential than bulbar and palpebral cells. This observation, coupled with recent finding that fornix is enriched in slow-cycling (label-retaining) cells, raises the possibility that conjunctival epithelial stem cells may preferentially reside in the fornix.
Endogenous oxidative DNA damage, aging, and cancer.

Progress in identifying the important endogenous processes damaging DNA and developing methods to assay this damage in individuals is presented. This approach may aid studies on modulation of cancer and aging. The endogenous background level of oxidant-induced DNA damage in vivo has been assayed by measuring 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (oh8dG), thymine glycol and thymidine glycol in urine and oh8dG in DNA. oh8dG is one of about 20 adducts found on oxidizing DNA, e.g., by radiation. The level of oxidative DNA damage as measured by oh8dG in normal rat liver is shown to be extensive, especially in mtDNA (1/130,000 bases in nuclear DNA and 1/8,000 bases in mitochondrial DNA). We also discuss three hitherto unrecognized antioxidants in man.
Potential association of VAMP5 polymorphisms with total colonic aganglionosis in Hirschsprung disease

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a congenital bowel disease caused by the absence of nerve cells in portions of the intestine. Our recent genome‐wide association study has identified a variant (rs1254900) of vesicle‐associated membrane protein 5 (VAMP5) as a potential risk locus for total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) in HSCR. In addition, VAMP5 is a member of the VAMP/synaptobrevin protein complex, which participates in nerve signal transduction by regulating the vesicular fusion of the neurotransmitter in synaptic transmission.
Clinical evaluation of a polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) in Class II restorations of primary teeth: a two-year follow-up study.

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to assess the clinical performance of a compomer restorative material (Dyract, DeTrey/Dentsply) for the restoration of Class II cavities, extended into dentin in primary teeth. METHODS The sample of the study consisted of 25 patients with 68 restored cavities. The restorations were evaluated with the modified Ryge criteria at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months. Examination was clinical, radiographic, and observation of cast replicas under scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS After 24 months, 100% of the restorations were retained, 3% presented bulk fractures, and 6% developed secondary caries at cervical margins. After 24 months, there was a significant reduction in marginal integrity while there was only slight change in anatomic form. Proximal contact was defective in 6% of the restorations and 8% showed marginal discoloration. SEM evaluation revealed a generalized occlusal and scattered marginal wear with no marginal gaps. CONCLUSION The compomer presented acceptable clinical performance in Class II restorations of primary teeth after 24 months in service.
Differences in duration of Huntington’s disease based on age at onset

OBJECTIVES Data from a sample of 2494 patients affected with Huntington’s disease (HD), collected as part of the National Research Roster for Huntington Disease Patients and Families, were examined to determine if there was a relation between age at onset and duration of illness. METHODS Sufficient data for inclusion in analysis was available from 2068 patients, of whom 828 were deceased and 1240 were living. The median duration of disease was 21.4 years with a range of 1.2 to 40.8 years. Patients were categorised into one of four groups based on their age at onset. RESULTS Significant differences in duration based on the age at onset were found (p<0.025), with juvenile and late onset patients with HD having shorter duration of illness compared with those with an onset between 20–49 years. CONCLUSIONS Duration of disease is influenced by the age at symptom onset with juvenile and late onset patients having the shortest duration.
Down ’ s syndrome screening : the perspective of women and midwives in Northern Ireland

The use of maternal serum screening to assess individual risk for Down’s syndrome is now standard in many countries and new techniques such as detailed ultrasound screening for nuchal translucency and DNA based tests are rapidly becoming available for mass screening. The increased uptake of these screening and diagnostic tests has provoked concerns about their potential impact on individuals and societal attitudes. The decision to accept or decline screening for Down’s syndrome may present ethical or moral dilemmas for women and their partners in early pregnancy. As a serum screening test result indicates the level of risk rather than a diagnosis, the test may be more difficult to explain to women. Under the current law in NI women are not given the option to terminate if they have a positive diagnostic test unless it is in the interests of the mother’s mental or physical well being which may affect the provision of universal screening for Down’s syndrome and introduce decisional conflict for both women and professionals. As the first point of contact for antenatal care, midwives are ideally positioned to counsel women regarding antenatal screening, but the extent of their influence on women and their decision-making about screening is not clear and may be complex. Questions have also been raised regarding the knowledge and attitude of health professionals about Down’s syndrome screening tests and the extent to which they facilitate informed choice for women. The aim of the study was to explore the reasons why women accept or decline screening for Down’s syndrome and the perspective of midwives who are involved in offering screening tests to pregnant women. The first phase of the study used survey methodology where women were interviewed at two stages in their pregnancy: at the booking interview and secondly after all screening had taken place. A total of 317 women who were offered screening were interviewed twice using semi structured interviews. A focused ethnographic approach was used in the second phase of the study and in-depth interviews with fifteen midwives were completed. Women identified several themes which influenced their decision to accept or decline screening but the key theme which emerged was the influence of health professionals on their decision making process. The findings from the midwifery interviews revealed the offer of screening is a difficult discussion with women where underlying negative perceptions of the test and a reluctance to discuss termination of pregnancy were influential. Midwives also experienced personal and professional conflict regarding their opinion of the test, their position in the organisational structure of antenatal care and ultimately their desire to care for women.
A Mammalian Retinal Ganglion Cell Implements a Neuronal Computation That Maximizes the SNR of Its Postsynaptic Currents

Neurons perform computations by integrating excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs. Yet, it is rarely understood what computation is being performed, or how much excitation or inhibition this computation requires. Here we present evidence for a neuronal computation that maximizes the signal-to-noise power ratio (SNR). We recorded from OFF delta retinal ganglion cells in the guinea pig retina and monitored synaptic currents that were evoked by visual stimulation (flashing dark spots). These synaptic currents were mediated by a decrease in an outward current from inhibitory synapses (disinhibition) combined with an increase in an inward current from excitatory synapses. We found that the SNR of combined excitatory and disinhibitory currents was voltage sensitive, peaking at membrane potentials near resting potential. At the membrane potential for maximal SNR, the amplitude of each current, either excitatory or disinhibitory, was proportional to its SNR. Such proportionate scaling is the theoretically best strategy for combining excitatory and disinhibitory currents to maximize the SNR of their combined current. Moreover, as spot size or contrast changed, the amplitudes of excitatory and disinhibitory currents also changed but remained in proportion to their SNRs, indicating a dynamic rebalancing of excitatory and inhibitory currents to maximize SNR. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We present evidence that the balance of excitatory and disinhibitory inputs to a type of retinal ganglion cell maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio power ratio (SNR) of its postsynaptic currents. This is significant because chemical synapses on a retinal ganglion cell require the probabilistic release of transmitter. Consequently, when the same visual stimulus is presented repeatedly, postsynaptic currents vary in amplitude. Thus, maximizing SNR may be a strategy for producing the most reliable signal possible given the inherent unreliability of synaptic transmission.
Attitudes of significant others of people with Ménière's disease vary from coping to victimization

Abstract Objective: To explore the impact, reactions and coping methods of the significant others (SOs) of people with Ménière's disease (MD). Design: SOs of people with MD were asked to answer open-ended questions reporting the ‘life effects’ and ‘positive experiences’ they have had as a result of the partner's condition. The replies to the ‘life effects’ question was categorized using the WHO-ICF framework. The responses of ‘life effects’ from this study and the ‘positive experiences’ reported in a recent study (Manchaiah et al, 2013) were evaluated with K-means clustering analysis. Study sample: Eighty-eight SOs (42 male, 42 female, and four did not state gender). Results: While the SOs mainly listed their own problems, a significant number of responses related to the problems of their partner. Personal perspectives tended to focus on the consequences of their partner's condition, whereas in perspectives of their partner they focussed on his/her symptoms. Further, replies from 81 SOs were used in evaluation of responses and were classified into four categories: constrained life attitude; disease burden attitude; care and support attitude; and social isolation attitude. Conclusions: The results of this study support the importance of including the SO of people with MD in the rehabilitation process.
The body electric

Content and all electronically encodable information will be in cyberspace 1 [1]! Computers are predicted to be at least 100,000 times more powerful. If hardware (such as semiconductors, magnetic memories , and fiber optics) continues to evolve at the annual factor of 1.60 rate we know as Moore's Law, then computers that are 10 billion times more powerful will exist! Zero cost, communicating computers will just be everywhere, embedded in everything from phones, light switches, motors, buildings, and highways to all seeing, all changing pictures that can converse with us. They'll be the eyes and ears for the blind and deaf, know exactly where they are, and be able to drive vehicles. The only limits to cyberization are our networks and our ability to interface computers with the various parts of the physical world through sensor/effectors consisting of direct connections, voice, gestures, and so on. Driven by a quest for knowledge and the econom
Photosynthetic responses of Larrea tridentata to a step-increase in atmospheric CO2at the Nevada Desert FACE Facility

Abstract Of all terrestrial ecosystems, the productivity of deserts has been suggested to be the most responsive to increasing atmospheric CO2. The extent to which this prediction holds will depend in part on plant responses to elevated CO2under the highly variable conditions characteristic of arid regions. The photosynthetic responses ofLarrea tridentata , an evergreen shrub, to a step-increase in atmospheric CO2(to 550 μmolmol−1) were examined in the field using Free-Air CO2Enrichment (FACE) under seasonally varying moisture conditions. Elevated CO2substantially increased net assimilation rate (Anet) in Larrea during both moist and dry periods of the potential growing season, while stomatal conductance (gs) did not differ between elevated and ambient CO2treatments. Seasonal and diurnal gas exchange dynamics in elevated CO2mirrored patterns in ambient CO2, indicating that elevated CO2did not extend photosynthetic activity longer into the dry season or during more stressful times of the day. Net assimilation vs. internal CO2(A/Ci) responses showed no evidence of photosynthetic down-regulation during the dry season. In contrast, after significant autumn rains, Amax(the CO2saturated rate of photosynthesis) and CE (carboxylation efficiency) were lower in Larrea under elevated CO2. In situ chlorophyll fluorescence estimation ofLarrea Photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm) responded more to water limitation than to elevated CO2. These findings suggest that predictions regarding desert plant responses to elevated CO2should account for seasonal patterns of photosynthetic regulatory responses, which may vary across species and plant functional types.
Two-year prospective evaluation of the relationship between acute stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder following mild traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of acute stress disorder to predict posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the relationship between acute stress disorder and PTSD over the 2 years following mild traumatic brain injury was determined. METHOD Survivors of motor vehicle accidents who sustained mild traumatic brain injuries were assessed for acute stress disorder within 1 month of the trauma (N=79) and for PTSD at 6 months (N=63) and 2 years (N=50) posttrauma. RESULTS Acute stress disorder was diagnosed in 14% of the patients. Among the patients who participated in all three assessments, 80% of the subjects who met the criteria for acute stress disorder were diagnosed with PTSD at 2 years. Of the total initial group, 73% of those diagnosed with acute stress disorder had PTSD at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS This study provides further support for the utility of the acute stress disorder diagnosis as a predictor of PTSD but indicates that the predictive power of the diagnostic criteria can be increased by placing greater emphasis on reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal symptoms.