Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Repeatability of High-Frequency Distortion-Product Otoacoustic Emissions in Normal-Hearing Adults

Objectives: Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) are repeatable over time at lower frequencies (≤8 kHz). The purpose of this study was to examine the repeatability of DPOAEs measured with high-frequency stimuli in normal-hearing adult subjects. It was hypothesized that high-frequency DPOAEs would be repeatable over a minimum of 4 wk. Design: DPOAEs were measured in 25 subjects (14 female and 11 male) with normal behavioral thresholds, normal middle ear function, and present acoustic reflexes at 1 kHz evoked by contralateral stimulation. Behavioral thresholds were measured through 16 kHz, using Békèsy tracking. Each subject attended four trials, in which a complete set of data was collected. The four trials were separated by at least one, but no more than 2 wk. At each trial, two different DPOAE paradigms were completed. Frequency and ratio sweeps were used to measure DPOAE levels and calculate DPOAE group delay, respectively. Frequency sweeps were measured with varied stimulus level conditions (L1/L2 = 60/45, 60/50, 70/55, 70/60 dB SPL) and an f2/f1 of 1.2 at discrete f2 frequencies between 2 and 16 kHz. Ratio sweeps were obtained at f2 frequencies of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 kHz, with L1 = 60 and L2 = 45 dB SPL, and the ratio (f2/f1) was varied from 1.05 to 1.3. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed. Results: Greater variability was found at the higher frequencies (>8 kHz) for DPOAE level measurements. The average DPOAE level differences-between-trials for the higher and lower frequencies for the four different stimulus level conditions was 5.15 (SD = 4.40 dB) and 2.80 (SD = 2.70 dB) dB, respectively. Individual subject analysis revealed that high-frequency DPOAE levels varied no more than 10 dB for 87.5 and 83.1% of young adult subjects for the 70/55 and 60/50 dB SPL stimulus level conditions, respectively. For low frequencies, repeated DPOAE level variations were within ±10 dB for 98.4 and 96% of young adult subjects for the 70/55 and 60/50 dB SPL stimulus level conditions, respectively. For DPOAE group delay, greater variability was noted at lower frequencies (≤8 kHz) and at 10 kHz. The average group-delay differences-between-trials for the higher (10 to 16 kHz) and lower (≤8 kHz) frequencies was 0.22 (SD = 0.20 msec) and 0.28 (SD = 0.24 msec) msec, respectively. Individual subject analysis revealed that DPOAE group-delay values varied no more than 0.70 msec for the majority of young adult subjects (96.5 and 93.5% at high and low frequencies, respectively). Conclusions: Even though the DPOAE level data obtained at frequencies greater than 8 kHz were more variable than at low frequencies, the higher frequencies were found to be repeatable for both paradigms tested. These results encourage the exploration of high-frequency DPOAE measures to be used as an objective test for monitoring ototoxicity in humans. Testing subjects receiving ototoxic therapies is a necessary step in determining if monitoring high-frequency DPOAEs will successfully predict ototoxic effects.
Short-term thallium intoxication: dermatological findings correlated with thallium concentration.

BACKGROUND The dermatological features and skin biopsy findings of short-term thallium intoxication have been described. However, the correlation between the dermatological findings and the thallium concentration, the prognosis of peripheral neuropathy, and a cutaneous nerve biopsy study are lacking. OBSERVATIONS Two patients initially developed perioral numbness, erythematous facial rashes, and polyneuropathy after ingesting thallium-containing water. Severe diffuse alopecia was noted, and a skin biopsy specimen revealed parakeratosis and vacuolar degeneration of the basal layer. Examinations of the hair mount demonstrated a tapered appearance of the anagen root. A serial cutaneous nerve biopsy study showed a loss of epidermal nerves 7 weeks and even 1 year after the thallium intoxication. A toxicology survey disclosed a high concentration of thallium (about 3124 mg/L) in the water. The clinical dermatological features subsided completely, but polyneuropathy with severe painful feet persisted. The blood and daily urinary thallium concentrations decreased slowly in the following 3-month period. CONCLUSIONS The clinical dermatological features subsided completely, but painful polyneuropathy persisted. The series cutaneous nerve biopsy specimens showed persistent damage to the sensory nerve endings. The disappearance of the dermatological features and the appearance of Mees lines correlated with the decrease of blood and urinary thallium concentrations.
Identification of Catechin as One of the Flavonoids from Combretum albiflorum Bark Extract That Reduces the Production of Quorum-Sensing-Controlled Virulence Factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

ABSTRACT Quorum-sensing (QS) regulates the production of key virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other important pathogenic bacteria. In this report, extracts of leaves and bark of Combretum albiflorum (Tul.) Jongkind (Combretaceae) were found to quench the production of QS-dependent factors in P. aeruginosa PAO1. Chromatographic fractionation of the crude active extract generated several active fractions containing flavonoids, as shown by their typical spectral features. Purification and structural characterization of one of the active compounds led to the identification of the flavan-3-ol catechin [(2R,3S)-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-benzopyran-3,5,7-triol]. The identity of catechin as one of the active molecules was confirmed by comparing the high-pressure liquid chromatography profiles and the mass spectrometry spectra obtained for a catechin standard and for the active C. albiflorum fraction. Moreover, standard catechin had a significant negative effect on pyocyanin and elastase productions and biofilm formation, as well as on the expression of the QS-regulated genes lasB and rhlA and of the key QS regulatory genes lasI, lasR, rhlI, and rhlR. The use of RhlR- and LasR-based biosensors indicated that catechin might interfere with the perception of the QS signal N-butanoyl-l-homoserine lactone by RhlR, thereby leading to a reduction of the production of QS factors. Hence, catechin, along with other flavonoids produced by higher plants, might constitute a first line of defense against pathogenic attacks by affecting QS mechanisms and thereby virulence factor production.
Comparison of the Buschke Selective Reminding Test and the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition in a heterogeneous sample of people with traumatic brain injury

ABSTRACT This study examined score and classification differences between the Buschke Selective Reminding Test (SRT) and the California Verbal Learning Test - Second Edition (CVLT-II) in a TBI sample. Seventy-nine participants with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were included and were comprised of 49 mild TBI, 11 moderate TBI, and 14 severe TBI. The majority of participants with mild TBI were involved in litigation. Scores were compared between the CVLT-II and SRT on the total sample and after segregating TBI severity. Correlations between the SRT and CVLT-II were variable (r = .23 to .72). Total List score was lower on the SRT across all levels of TBI severity (p < .006). Learning score was lower on the SRT in mild and severe TBI groups (p < .006). Long delay free recall score was lower on the SRT in mild TBI group only (p < .006). Across TBI severity, lower scores were found on the CVLT-II between severe and mild TBI (p = .04). Scores on the SRT did not differ between TBI severities. The two tests appear to provide different clinical interpretations in a TBI sample. Results may be due to features of the normative data, test procedures, and/or word lists. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed.
Can Weighting Improve Bushy Trees ? Models of Cytochrome b Evolution and the Molecular Systematics of Pipits and Wagtails ( Aves : Motacillidae )

— Among-site rate variation ( a ) and transition bias ( k ) have been shown, most often as independent parameters, to be importantdynamics in DNA evolution. Accounting for these dynamics should result in better estimates of phylogenetic relationships. To test this idea, we simultaneously estimated overall (averaged over all codon positions) and codon-specic values of a and k , using maximum likelihood analyses of cytochrome b data from all genera of pipits and wagtails (Aves: Motacillidae), and six outgroup species, using initial trees generated with default values. Estimates of a and k were robust to initial tree topology and suggested substantial among-site rate variation even within codon classes; a was lowest (large among-site rate variation) at second-codon and highest (low among-site rate variation) at third-codon positions. When overall values were applied, there were shifts in tree topology and dramatic and statistically signicant improvements in loglikelihood scores of trees compared with the scores from application of default values. Applying codon-specic values resulted in yet another highly signicant increase in likelihood. However, although incorporating substitution dynamics into maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and neighbor-joining analyses resulted in increases in congruence among trees, there were only minor improvements in phylogenetic signal, and none of the successive approximations tree topologies were statistically distinguishable from one another by the data. We suggest that the bushlike nature of many higher-level phylogenies in birds makes estimating the dynamics of DNA evolution less sensitive to tree topology but also less susceptible to improvement via weighting. [Character weighting; cytochrome b; maximum likelihood; Motacillidae; rate variation; systematics; transition
Arsenic and Other Metal Contamination of Groundwater in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam

High levels of arsenic (As) contamination are found in the groundwater of Vietnam. To determine the distribution of arsenic and other metal contamination in the groundwater of the Mekong River Delta, we examined the contamination status of As and other metals in two regions, Tien Giang Province and Dong Thap Province. The concentration of total As in the groundwater, which is used for the drinking wate rs upply, ranged from 0. 9µg/l to 321µg/l, and 27% of the shallow-well water samples exceededthe World Health Organization (WHO) provisional guideline of 10µg/l. Also, 91% and 27% of shallow-well water samples had higher concentrations of manganese (Mn) and barium (Ba) tha nt hosestated in the WHO drinking water guidelines, respectively. On the other hand, such contamination was not found in the deepwell water samples examined. These results suggest that pollution by As ,M n, and Ba is widely distributed in the shallow aquifer of the Mekong River Delta and thus the health of the people consuming shallow-well water in both provinces might be at considerable risk.
A Model of Psychological Adaptation To Migration and Resettlement

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the implications of migration for emotional status over time. Analysis of interview data provided by 25 Polish immigrants, who resided in the United States ranging from 4 months to 39 years, allowed the construction of a model describing migrants' psychological adaptation. Loss and disruption, novelty, occupational adjustment, language accommodation, and subordination were described as predominant aspects of migration and resettlement. Psychological adaptation required the dual task of resolving grief over losses and disruption involved with leaving Poland and of mastering resettlement conditions associated with novelty, occupation, language, and subordination. The model provides assessment parameters and direction for intervening with migrants who are distressed. The model may also be generalized to other types of life change as well.
Optimum number of cascaded cells for high-power medium-voltage multilevel converters

When power electronic systems are connected to the medium-voltage grid, often multilevel topologies consisting of a number of cascaded converter cells are considered. For a given grid voltage level, either few cells featuring semiconductors with high blocking voltage capability or many cells using low-voltage semiconductors can be employed. This paper proposes efficiency/power density (η-ρ) Pareto analysis to comprehensively identify the optimum number of cascaded cells. Recent advances in silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology point towards devices with blocking voltages exceeding 15kV. The switching characteristics that hypothetical SiC devices would have to provide in order to realize a simple single-stage full-bridge converter competitive to a multilevel solution are derived and found to be impracticably fast. Furthermore, it is shown that reliability concerns arising with increasing number of cascaded cells can be mitigated by means of redundancy.
COMPARISON OF GLYCATED ALBUMIN AND HEMOGLOBIN A1c CONCENTRATIONS IN DIABETIC SUBJECTS ON PERITONEAL AND HEMODIALYSIS

♦ Background: Relative to hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), percentage of glycated albumin (GA%) more accurately reflects recent glycemic control in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. ♦ Methods: To determine the accuracy of glycemic assays in a larger sample including patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), HbA1c and GA% were measured in 519 diabetic subjects: 55 on PD, 415 on HD, and 49 non-nephropathy controls. ♦ Results: Mean ± SD serum glucose levels were higher in HD and PD patients relative to non-nephropathy controls (HD 169.7 ± 62 mg/dL, PD 168.6 ± 66 mg/dL, controls 146.1 ± 66 mg/dL; p = 0.03 HD vs controls, p = 0.13 PD vs controls). GA% was also higher in HD and PD patients (HD 20.6% ± 8.0%, PD 19.0% ± 5.7%, controls 15.7% ± 7.7%; p < 0.02 HD vs controls and PD vs controls). HbA1c was paradoxically lower in dialysis patients (HD 6.78% ± 1.6%, PD 6.87% ± 1.4%, controls 7.3% ± 1.4%; p = 0.03 HD vs controls, p = 0.12 PD vs controls). The serum glucose/HbA1c ratio differed significantly between dialysis patients and controls (p < 0.0001 HD vs controls, p = 0.002 PD vs controls), while serum glucose/GA% ratio was similar across groups (p = 0.96 HD vs controls, p = 0.64 PD vs controls). In best-fit multivariate models with HbA1c or GA% as outcome variable, dialysis status was a significant predictor of HbA1c but not GA%. ♦ Conclusions: The relationship between HbA1c and GA% differs in diabetic patients with end-stage renal disease who perform either PD or HD compared to those without nephropathy. HbA1c significantly underestimates glycemic control in peritoneal and hemodialysis patients relative to GA%.
Noble gases and stable isotopes in a shallow aquifer in southern Michigan: Implications for noble gas paleotemperature reconstructions for cool climates

Noble gas data from the Glacial Drift, the shallowest aquifer in southern Michigan confirm findings by Ma et al. (2004) that modern noble gas temperatures (NGTs) are systematically below the current mean annual air temperature (MAAT) which, in turn, is similar to the ground temperature of these recharge waters. By tracking noble gas concentrations as well as stable isotope ratios through an autumn, winter, spring and into summer, we show that although water in this aquifer is modern, noble gases do not track the atmosphere on a short time scale. Specifically, excess 3He and 4He indicate that the gas environment at the water table is integrating conditions over years or decades rather than weeks or months. Our results are interpreted using various NGT interpretational models and possible mechanisms for the production of low apparent NGTs are discussed.
Clinically relevant mutations that cause derepression of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae MtrC‐MtrD‐MtrE Efflux pump system confer different levels of antimicrobial resistance and in vivo fitness

The MtrC‐MtrD‐MtrE efflux pump system confers resistance to macrolide antibiotics and antimicrobial substances of the host innate defence. Clinical isolates with increased resistance to erythromycin and azithromycin frequently harbour mutations in the mtrR structural gene, which encodes a repressor of the mtrCDE operon, or the mtrR promoter region. The MtrC‐MtrD‐MtrE system is important for gonococcal survival in the murine genital tract, and derepression of the mtrCDE operon via deletion of mtrR confers increased fitness in vivo. Here we compared isogenic strains with naturally occurring mtrR locus mutations for differences in mtrCDE expression and pump‐related phenotypes. Mutations upstream of mtrC, including those within the MtrR binding region and a novel mutation that increases mtrC RNA stability conferred the highest levels of derepression as measured by mtrCDE transcription and resistance to antibiotics, progesterone and antimicrobial peptides. In contrast, mutations within the mtrR coding sequence conferred low to intermediate levels of derepression. In vivo, the mtr mutants were more fit than the wild‐type strain, the degree to which paralleled in vitro resistance gradients. These studies establish a hierarchy of mtrR locus mutations with regard to regulation of pump efflux, and suggest selection for more derepressed mutants may occur during mixed infections.
Comparison of reorganization of the somatosensory system in rats that sustained forelimb removal as neonates and as adults

Studies of sensory pathways in several species indicate that the extent and form of reorganization resulting from deafferentation early in life vs. adulthood are not the same. The reasons for such differences are not well understood. To gain further insight into age‐dependent mechanisms of reorganization, this study compared the consequences of neonatal vs. adult forelimb amputation in rats at multiple levels of the sensory pathway, including primary somatosensory cortex, brainstem, and dorsal root ganglia. At the cortical level, the average area of the functional forelimb‐stump representation from rats amputated as adults was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) than that of neonatally amputated rats (4.3 ± 1.3 mm2 vs. 6.6 ± 1.5 mm2, respectively). At the brainstem level, neonatally amputated rat cuneate neurons possessed the following responsivities: 20% stump responsive, 40% responsive to both stump and hindlimb, 30% responsive to another body region, and 10% unresponsive. In contrast, cuneate neurons of adult amputated rats were 70% stump responsive, 2% responsive to both stump and hindlimb, and 30% unresponsive. A significantly (P < 0.001) greater percentage of the C6‐C8 dorsal root ganglia neurons of adult amputated rats were unresponsive to peripheral stimulation vs. neurons from neonatally amputated rats (48% vs. 16%, respectively). These results indicate that the reorganization that occurs in response to forelimb amputation at birth vs. adulthood is distinctly different at each of these levels of the dorsal column–medial lemniscal pathway. Possible mechanisms to account for these differences are considered. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:335–348, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Scleroderma renal crisis in a patient with anticentromere antibody-positive limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis

We have encountered a 68-year-old Japanese woman with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis who developed de novo onset of accelerated hypertension and renal dysfunction; thus we diagnosed scleroderma renal crisis. Anticentromere antibody alone was identified, and not anti-DNA topoisomerase I antibody, anti-RNA polymerase antibodies, anti-Th/To antibodies, or antiribonucleoprotein antibodies, even with use of immunoprecipitation assay. She was successfully treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. This case, scleroderma renal crisis with detection of anticentromere antibody, is thought to be extremely uncommon.
Bone reformation and implant integration following maxillary sinus membrane elevation: an experimental study in primates.

BACKGROUND Recent clinical studies have described maxillary sinus floor augmentation by simply elevating the maxillary sinus membrane without the use of adjunctive grafting materials. PURPOSE This experimental study aimed at comparing the histologic outcomes of sinus membrane elevation and simultaneous placement of implants with and without adjunctive autogenous bone grafts. The purpose was also to investigate the role played by the implant surface in osseointegration under such circumstances. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four tufted capuchin primates had all upper premolars and the first molar extracted bilaterally. Four months later, the animals underwent maxillary sinus membrane elevation surgery using a replaceable bone window technique. The schneiderian membrane was kept elevated by insertion of two implants (turned and oxidized, Brånemark System, Nobel Biocare AB, Göteborg, Sweden) in both sinuses. The right sinus was left with no additional treatment, whereas the left sinus was filled with autogenous bone graft. Implant stability was assessed through resonance frequency analysis (Osstell, Integration Diagnostics AB, Göteborg, Sweden) at installation and at sacrifice. The pattern of bone formation in the experimental sites and related to the different implant surfaces was investigated using fluorochromes. The animals were sacrificed 6 months after the maxillary sinus floor augmentation procedure for histology and histomorphometry (bone-implant contact, bone area in threads, and bone area in rectangle). RESULTS The results showed no differences between membrane-elevated and grafted sites regarding implant stability, bone-implant contacts, and bone area within and outside implant threads. The oxidized implants exhibited improved integration compared with turned ones as higher values of bone-implant contact and bone area within threads were observed. CONCLUSIONS The amount of augmented bone tissue in the maxillary sinus after sinus membrane elevation with or without adjunctive autogenous bone grafts does not differ after 6 months of healing. New bone is frequently deposited in contact with the schneiderian membrane in coagulum-alone sites, indicating the osteoinductive potential of the membrane. Oxidized implants show a stronger bone tissue response than turned implants in sinus floor augmentation procedures.