Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mortality patterns among adult Hispanics: findings from the NHIS, 1986 to 1990.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the mortality pattern of the adult Hispanic population in the United States. METHODS This was a cohort study using data from the National Health Interview Survey from 1986 through 1990. Deaths were ascertained by matching the National Death Index through 1991. RESULTS This representative national sample included 297,640 non-Hispanic Whites, 53,552 Blacks, and 27,239 Hispanics, all aged 18 years or older at baseline. Different matching criteria resulted in modest differential estimates of the number of deaths by ethnic groups; these differences were quantitatively more important for Hispanics. Overall age-standardized mortality was lower among Hispanics. A prominent age by race interaction was apparent. The Hispanic: White mortality ratio was 1.33, 0.92, and 0.76 among men aged 18 through 44, 45 through 64, and 65 and older, respectively. Among women in the same age groups the Hispanic: White mortality ratio was 1.22, 0.75, and 0.70, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Longitudinal cohorts provide an important source of health status information on Hispanics. These results suggest that overall mortality is lower among Hispanics than among non-Hispanic Whites, especially in the oldest age group. Among younger and middle-aged persons, the mortality of Hispanics is similar to or even higher than that of Whites.
Prediction of Massive Blood Loss in Scoliosis Surgery From Preoperative Variables

Study Design. A retrospective cohort study. Objective. To identify predictors of massive blood loss after scoliosis surgery. Summary of Background Data. Scoliosis surgery may be associated with considerable blood loss. Many blood conservation techniques have been used to reduce the allogeneic transfusion. An ability to identify patients with high risk of massive blood loss preoperatively may be helpful for appropriate use of these techniques. Methods. Data of patients undergoing scoliosis surgery between June 1, 2011, and October 31, 2011, were collected. Preoperative information and total blood loss, which was calculated as the sum of intraoperative and postoperative estimated blood loss, were recorded. Patients were divided into 2 groups, retrospectively: group A (n = 95) with the total blood loss more than 30% of estimated blood volume and group B (n = 64) with the total blood loss of 30% of estimated blood volume or less. Preoperative data were compared between the groups. Significant variables were selected for a forward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors of massive blood loss. Results. More than half of the patients (59.7%) undergoing scoliosis surgery had massive blood loss. Patients in group A were shorter (P = 0.01) and had larger preoperative Cobb angle (P < 0.01), more levels fused (P < 0.01), and more osteotomies (P < 0.01) than those in group B. Preoperative Cobb angle more than 50º (P = 0.017, odds ratio = 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.17–5.20), the number of fused levels more than 6 (P = 0.014, odds ratio = 3.70, 95% confidence interval: 1.31–10.49), and osteotomy (P = 0.000, odds ratio = 4.64, 95% confidence interval: 1.97–10.94) were determined to be the independent risk factors of massive blood loss in scoliosis surgery. Conclusion. Risk of massive blood loss (total blood loss > 30% of estimated blood volume) in patients with scoliosis could increase, if they (1) had preoperative Cobb angle larger than 50º or (2) planned to undergo osteotomy or fusion of more than 6 levels.
Immunoglobulin A-mediated hepatobiliary transport constitutes a natural pathway for disposing of bacterial antigens

The possibility that hepatobiliary transport of immunoglobulin A (IgA) immune complexes might eliminate bacterial antigens was investigated in mice with pneumococcal type III capsular polysaccharide and C carbohydrate and corresponding monoclonal antibodies. Although all isotypes of antibody caused uptake by the liver, only IgA, but not IgG or IgM, antibodies transported these substances into bile where they were detected in the form of immune complexes and as free antigens. Small doses (10 micrograms or less) of passively administered IgA antibody were sufficient to induce measurable transport of capsular polysaccharide into bile. Transport of C carbohydrate was significantly correlated with the level of naturally occurring IgA antibodies specific for the phosphocholine determinant, but not with IgM or IgG antibodies. These results suggest that the continual process of hepatic uptake of circulating polymeric IgA may function to eliminate bacterial macromolecular products that are not readily susceptible to other mechanisms of disposal.
Moderate endurance exercise in patients with sickle cell anaemia: effects on oxidative stress and endothelial activation

Very few studies have investigated the effects of exercise on the biological parameters involved in vaso‐occlusive events in sickle cell anaemia (SCA). The aim of this study was to test how a mild‐moderate endurance exercise modulates oxidative stress, nitric oxide bioavailability and endothelial activation in SCA patients and healthy individuals. Eleven patients with SCA and 15 healthy subjects completed a 20‐min duration submaximal cycling exercise at ≈45 Watts. Plasma markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant activity, endothelial activation and nitric oxide bioavailability were investigated before and after the exercise. Nitric oxide levels, anti‐oxidant capacity, soluble (s)E‐selectin and sP‐selectin did not change in response to this exercise. Except for the malondialdehyde levels, which increased in the two groups, the other markers of oxidative stress remained unchanged in both groups in response to exercise. Soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 levels were increased at the end of exercise in both groups. sL‐selectin decreased and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 increased with exercise in SCA patients only. The present data suggest that patients with SCA may undertake mild‐moderate physical activities without any acute clinical complications, but care should be taken because oxidative stress and endothelial activation significantly increased in some patients.
Planar Concave Grating Demultiplexers on an InP-Membrane-on-Silicon Photonic Platform

We present measurement results of a 0.25 mm2 footprint eight-channel planar concave grating demultiplexer fabricated in a 300-nm-thick InP membrane adhesively bonded to silicon. The measured cross-talk between the different channels of the device is better than -18 dB, while the insertion loss is 2.8 dB. The power non-uniformity between the channels is 1.2 dB.
Type IV collagen immunostaining is a simple, reliable diagnostic tool for distinguishing between adenomatous and normal pituitary glands.

CONTEXT Pituitary adenomas are clinically diagnosed based on radiologic studies and/or secondary effects of hormone production. Definitive pathologic identification relies on immunohistochemical detection of a clonal population of hormone-producing cells. However, not all adenomas secrete hormones, so performing a battery of stains is inefficient. Reports have shown decreased type IV collagen in the stroma of other epithelial tumors. OBJECTIVE To validate type IV collagen immunohistochemistry as a diagnostic method. DESIGN We immunostained 27 adenomas and 19 normal pituitaries. The areas with the sparsest type IV collagen fibers were viewed at 3 magnifications (x10, x20, and x40 objectives), counting 1, 3, or 10 microscopic fields. A field was scored as "traversable" if a path existed from any point on the periphery of the field to a point on the approximately opposite periphery that did not cross any stained fibers. Results were compared with reticulin staining and to the existing diagnosis previously determined by histology, hormone immunostaining, and clinical correlation. RESULTS Adenomas have less type IV collagen in their basement membranes, leading to sparser, trabecular staining in neoplasms versus a more rigid meshwork pattern in normal glands. One might envision the stained fibers as maze walls--one can traverse medium-powered fields in an adenoma, but one hits dead ends and gets trapped in those of a normal gland. Finding a single representative x10 field to be traversable was 97.5% sensitive and 96.5% specific for an adenoma. Reticulin staining yielded identical results. CONCLUSIONS Type IV collagen immunostaining is a simple and reliable method of diagnosing pituitary adenomas.
Characteristics of the epidermis and stratum corneum of hairless mice with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus induces many pathophysiologic changes in the skin. Even so, dermatologists still lack an animal model of diabetes that enables the direct evaluation of the various functional properties of the skin. Our group induced two types of an experimental type 1 diabetes model in hairless mice by administering either streptozotocin or alloxan, in order to examine the properties of the stratum corneum and epidermis of these animals. The plasma glucose concentrations of the mice at 3 wk after their i.v. injection were significantly higher than those of control mice (streptozotocin, 3.2-fold; alloxan, 3.7-fold). The stratum corneum water content was significantly reduced in both types of diabetic mice, whereas the transepidermal water loss remained unchanged. The amino acid content with normal epidermal profilaggrin processing was either normal or elevated in the stratum corneum of the streptozotocin-treated mice. In contrast, the stratum corneum triglyceride content in the streptozotocin-treated mice was significantly lower than the control level, even though the levels of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids in the stratum corneum were all higher than the control levels. The streptozotocin-treated group also exhibited decreases in basal cell proliferation and epidermal DNA content linked with an increase in the number of corneocyte layers in the stratum corneum, suggesting that the rates of epidermal and stratum corneum turnover were slower in the streptozotocin-treated animals than in the normal controls. In contrast, there were no remarkable changes in any of the epidermal differentiation marker proteins examined. This finding in diabetic mice, namely, reduction in both the epidermal proliferation and stratum corneum water content without any accompanying impairment in the stratum corneum barrier function, is similar to that found in aged human skin. Our new animal model of diabetes will be useful for the study of diabetic dermopathy as well as the mechanisms of stratum corneum moisturization.
Characterisation of aroma volatiles of indigenous alcoholic beverages: burukutu and pito

Pito and burukutu are indigenous alcoholic beverages in Nigeria, and are fermentation products of Sorghum bicolor and Sorghum vulgare. The production is similar to that of beer, which involves steeping, malting, mashing and fermenting. A total of 30 volatile organic compounds were identified by gas chromatography. These compounds can be broadly grouped into alkanols, phenols, acids, esters, ketones and aldehydes. Although few acids are present, they are dominant (30.887% and 27.669%) and followed by esters (26.467% and 27.442%) in pito and burukutu, respectively. Alkanols constitute the next dominant group after acids and esters; however, ethanol was not identified as a constituent. The health and social implication of the constituents are explained.
Angiotensin II regulates neuronal excitability via phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate‐dependent modulation of Kv7 (M‐type) K+ channels

Voltage‐gated Kv7 (KCNQ) channels underlie important K+ currents in many different types of cells, including the neuronal M current, which is thought to be modulated by muscarinic stimulation via depletion of membrane phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2). We studied the role of modulation by angiotensin II (angioII) of M current in controlling discharge properties of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) sympathetic neurons and the mechanism of action of angioII on cloned Kv7 channels in a heterologous expression system. In SCG neurons, which endogenously express angioII AT1 receptors, application of angioII for 2 min produced an increase in neuronal excitability and a decrease in spike‐frequency adaptation that partially returned to control values after 10 min of angioII exposure. The increase in excitability could be simulated in a computational model by varying only the amount of M current. Using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing cloned Kv7.2 + 7.3 heteromultimers and AT1 receptors studied under perforated patch clamp, angioII induced a strong suppression of the Kv7.2/7.3 current that returned to near baseline within 10 min of stimulation. The suppression was blocked by the phospholipase C inhibitor edelfosine. Under whole‐cell clamp, angioII moderately suppressed the Kv7.2/7.3 current whether or not intracellular Ca2+ was clamped or Ca2+ stores depleted. Co‐expression of PI(4)5‐kinase in these cells sharply reduced angioII inhibition, but did not augment current amplitudes, whereas co‐expression of a PIP2 5′‐phosphatase sharply reduced current amplitudes, and also blunted the inhibition. The rebound of the current seen in perforated‐patch recordings was blocked by the PI4‐kinase inhibitor, wortmannin (50 μm), suggesting that PIP2 re‐synthesis is required for current recovery. High‐performance liquid chromatographic analysis of anionic phospholipids in CHO cells stably expressing AT1 receptors revealed that PIP2 and phosphatidylinositol 4‐phosphate levels are to be strongly depleted after 2 min of stimulation with angioII, with a partial rebound after 10 min. The results of this study establish how angioII modulates M channels, which in turn affects the integrative properties of SCG neurons.
Transcriptional Expression Profile of Toll Like Receptor 1 - 10 mRNA in Bovine Peripheral Mononuclear Cells in Response to Foot and Mouth Disease Antigens

Toll like receptors are the primary component of innate immune response. The comparison of expression of innate immune genes TLR 1 - 10 was carried out by real time PCR by quantifying mRNA in bovine PBMCs. The bovine PBMCs in vitro stimulated with FMD infectious virus lead to up regulation of TLR 2, 3, 4 and down regulation of TLR 9. But stimulation with DNA vaccine carryingVP1 genes of FMDV leads to up regulation of TLR 2 only. Difference in the TLR gene expression by the virus and DNA vaccine, may be related to the outcome of the vaccine and carrier or persistent state of the animal which is seen in FMDV.
Altered expression of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in patients with HCV‐related glucose intolerance

Background and Aim: The pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐associated glucose intolerance remains unclear. Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1), a gut hormone, synthesizes hepatic glycogen and is inactivated by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV). The aims of this study were to investigate the alterations in the expression of GLP‐1 and DPPIV in HCV‐associated glucose intolerance.
Near-infrared evolution of brightest cluster galaxies in the most X-ray luminous clusters since z = 1

We investigate the near-infrared evolution of brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) from a sample of rich galaxy clusters since z ~ 1. By employing an X-ray selection of L_X > 10^(44) erg s^(−1), we limit environmental effects by selecting BCGs in comparably high-density regions. We find a positive relationship between X-ray and near-infrared luminosity for BCGs in clusters with L_X > 5 × 10^(44) erg s^(−1). Applying a correction for this relation, we reduce the scatter in the BCG absolute magnitude by a factor of 30 per cent. The near-infrared J − K colour evolution demonstrates that the stellar population in BCGs has been in place since at least z = 2, and that we expect a shorter period of star formation than that predicted by current hierarchical merger models. We also confirm that there is a relationship between ‘blue’ J − K colour and the presence of BCG emission lines associated with star formation in cooling flows.
The Mechanism of Salmonella Entry Determines the Vacuolar Environment and Intracellular Gene Expression

Macrophages are an important intracellular niche for Salmonella particularly for systemic infection. The interaction of Salmonella with these cells is mediated by two type III secretion systems (TTSS), encoded on Salmonella pathogenicity islands 1 and 2 (SPI1, SPI2), which mediate distinct phases of the pathogen–host cell interaction. The SPI1 TTSS mediates invasion whereas the SPI2 TTSS is required for intramacrophage survival. Importantly, however, Salmonella can enter macrophages by either SPI1‐dependent invasion or host cell‐mediated phagocytosis. Here, we investigated how the mechanism of internalization affects the intracellular environment and TTSS gene expression. Intracellular bacterial survival depended on the method of entry, because complement‐opsonized and SPI1‐induced Salmonella initiated replication within 8 h whereas immunoglobulin G (IgG)‐opsonized and non‐opsonized Salmonella were initially killed. Analysis of vacuolar pH showed that acidification of the Salmonella‐containing vacuole occurred more rapidly for non‐opsonized or SPI1‐induced Salmonella compared with IgG‐opsonized or complement‐opsonized Salmonella. Finally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to compare the transcriptional profiles of selected SPI1 and SPI2 regulon genes. We found that the magnitude of SPI2 gene induction depended on the mechanism of internalization. Unexpectedly, SPI1 genes, which are rapidly downregulated following SPI1‐mediated invasion, were induced intracellularly following phagocytic uptake. These results reveal another level of complexity in pathogen–macrophage interactions.
A Molecular Determinant for the Establishment of Sister Chromatid Cohesion

Chromosome segregation, transcriptional regulation, and repair of DNA double-strand breaks require the cohesin protein complex. Cohesin holds the replicated chromosomes (sister chromatids) together to mediate sister chromatid cohesion. The mechanism of how cohesion is established is unknown. We found that in budding yeast, the head domain of the Smc3p subunit of cohesin is acetylated by the Eco1p acetyltransferase at two evolutionarily conserved residues, promoting the chromatin-bound cohesin to tether sister chromatids. Smc3p acetylation is induced in S phase after the chromatin loading of cohesin and is suppressed in G1 and G2/M. Smc3 head acetylation and its cell cycle regulation provide important insights into the biology and mechanism of cohesion establishment.
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Empathy Quotient in a French-Speaking Sample

Objective: The Empathy Quotient (EQ) is a self-report that was developed to measure the cognitive and affective aspects of empathy. We further evaluated its validity in 2 studies. Method: The psychometric qualities of the French version of the EQ, and its correspondence with 2 other measures of empathy (Interpersonal Reactivity Index and the Empathy Scale of the Impulsiveness-Venturesomeness-Empathy Questionnaire), and with dimensions of the emotional state (depression and anxiety), were evaluated in a sample of 410 students (201 men and 209 women). Second, the clinical validity of the EQ was investigated in participants expected to have dysfunctional empathy. For this purpose, EQ scores of 16 people with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) were collected. Results: The EQ showed satisfying internal, convergent, test–retest and discriminant validity. The confirmatory factorial analyses suggested a 3-factor structure offered a good fit to the data. The women's superiority in empathy was replicated. As expected, the ASD EQ scores were very low. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that the EQ is reliable in this population and should be recommended to estimate empathy problems, notably in individuals with troubled interpersonal interaction patterns. Objectif: Le quotient d'empathie (QE) est une autodéclaration qui a été élaborée pour mesurer les aspects cognitifs et affectifs de l'empathie. Nous en avons aussi évalué la validité dans 2 études. Méthode: Les qualités psychométriques de la version française du QE, et sa correspondance à 2 autres mesures de l'empathie (l'indice de réactivité interpersonnelle et l'échelle d'empathie du questionnaire sur l'impulsivité, l'esprit d'aventure, l'empathie), ainsi qu'à des dimensions de l'état émotionnel (dépression et anxiété), ont été évaluées dans un échantillon de 410 étudiants (201 hommes et 209 femmes). Deuxièmement, la validité clinique du QE a été vérifiée chez les participants qu'on prévoyait avoir une empathie dysfonctionnelle. À cette fin, les scores de QE de 16 personnes souffrant du trouble du spectre de l'autisme (TSA) ont été recueillis. Résultats: Le QE a démontré une validité interne, convergente, test-retest et discriminante satisfaisante. Les analyses factorielles confirmatoires suggéraient qu'une structure à 3 facteurs convenait bien aux données. La supériorité des femmes en empathie a été reproduite. Comme prévu, les scores de QE dans le TSA étaient très faibles. Conclusion: Cette étude amène d'autres données probantes que le QE est un instrument fiable qui devrait être recommandé pour estimer les problèmes d'empathie, notamment chez les personnes présentant des modèles problématiques d'interaction person.
Focus on adverse events of tumour necrosis factor α blockade in juvenile idiopathic arthritis in an open monocentric long-term prospective study of 163 patients

Objective: To report adverse events (AEs) seen in a large cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) treated with tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α blockers (infliximab and etanercept). Methods: All patients with JIA treated with infliximab or etanercept at the Paediatric Rheumatologic Centre of the G Pini Institute (Milan, Italy) from November 1999 to February 2006, were enrolled in an open, single-centre, long-term prospective study Results: In all, 163 patients (68 infliximab, 95 etanercept) were enrolled. Mean (SD) age of onset was 6.4 (4.8) years, mean age 17.1 (9.2) years, mean therapy duration 22.9 (17.6) months. A total of 45 patients (32 infliximab, 13 etanercept) failed to respond to or did not tolerate the first therapy and switched to a second one. In all, 208 treatments (81 infliximab, 127 etanercept) were performed. A total of 71 AEs occurred in 51 (62.9%) patients on infliximab and led to discontinuation in 26 (32.1%); 133 AEs occurred in 69 (54.3%) patients on etanercept and led to discontinuation in 18 (14.2%). Some AEs, such as thrombocytopoenia, neuropsychiatric disorders, new onset of Crohn disease and new onset or flare-up of chronic iridocyclitis (CIC), are unusual and have rarely been described before, yet proved to be significant in frequency and/or clinically noteworthy in the large population we followed. Conclusions: In our 6-year study, anti-TNFα agents infliximab and etanercept were well tolerated and safe, and were associated with only few serious, but all reversible, AEs. However, such inhibitors are associated with various and numerous AEs. Children and young adults affected by JIA should be carefully monitored so as to limit the risk of AEs during anti-TNFα therapy as much as possible.