Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiologic diagnosis and surgical treatment of urethral diverticulum in women. A reappraisal of voiding cystourethrography and positive pressure urethrography.

OBJECTIVE To reappraise the optimum radiologic procedure for the diagnosis of urethral diverticula in women and to assess the results of surgery. STUDY DESIGN From January 1994 to December 1997, 132 urine-continent women with pelvic prolapse and the most characteristic symptoms of urethral diverticulum underwent pelvic repair. In addition to routine urologic evaluations and pelvic examinations, the women underwent voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) and positive pressure urethrography (PPUG) with a double-balloon catheter. The x-ray examination was scheduled as follows. One hundred thirty-two women initially underwent VCUG followed by a PPUG. Another VCUG was subsequently performed on women with a negative PPUG finding. Twelve patients were excluded because they were unable to urinate for the first VCUG; thus, the study group was composed of the remaining 120 patients. Subsequently those patients underwent various pelvic operations, including total abdominal/vaginal hysterectomy, abdominal colposacropexy, Manchester's operation, sacrospinous ligament suspension, diverticulectomy and colporrhaphy. RESULTS Both VCUG and PPUG were able to demonstrate the diverticula in 20 of the 120 women. Another 13 women showed positive findings on PPUG. Ten of the 87 cases with a negative PPUG had a positive finding in the subsequent VCUG. Forty-two diverticula were detected in 39 patients during pelvic repair. The only complication of urethral diverticulectomy was urethrovaginal fistula, which occurred in 3 of the 39 patients. CONCLUSION Though VCUG is not as sensitive as PPUG, it still has merits and can be used as a screening test. If VCUG is inconclusive but clinical suspicion persists, particularly when PPUG is doubtful, magnetic resonance imaging should be considered.
Cellular receptors for viruses: links to tropism and pathogenesis.

IP: 54.70. 40.11 On: Thu, 03 Jan 2019 16:41:19 Journal of General Virology (2000), 81, 1413–1429. Printed in Great Britain .
Comparison of the various PDM control modes

We present and compare four modes of PDM control: regular, non-regular, calculated and compared PDM. In the regular PDM, the PDM pattern determination considers only the transmitted power. In the non-regular PDM, the PDM pattern determination considers the transmitted power and the minimization of the subharmonics of the resonance frequency. The calculated PDM considers the transmitted power and the quality of the AC-supply current. The compared PDM is a simplified version of the calculated PDM and easy to implement.
An Essential Interaction between Distinct Domains of HIV-1 Integrase Mediates Assembly of the Active Multimer (*)

Integrase mediates integration of the retroviral genome into a host cell chromosome, an essential step in the viral life cycle. In vitro, a stable complex containing only purified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) integrase and a model viral DNA substrate processively executes the 3′-end processing and DNA joining steps in the integration reaction. We examined the relationship of three essential components of the HIV integrase: the HHCC domain, a putative zinc-finger near the N terminus; the phylogenetically conserved “DD35E” motif, which defines the catalytic domain; and a feature recognized by its sensitivity to the alkylating agent N-ethylmaleimide (NEM). HIV integrase is a multimer, and these three components can be distributed among at least two subunits of the multimeric enzyme. The components function asymmetrically in the active multimer; the DD35E motif and NEM-sensitive site are required in trans to the HHCC region. A divalent cation-dependent interaction involving the NEM-sensitive site of one integrase subunit and the HHCC region of another subunit points to a role for these two features of integrase in multimer assembly. Deletion of the HHCC domain, or modification of integrase with NEM, impaired the assembly of a stable complex between integrase and viral DNA, suggesting that this initial step in the integration pathway requires assembly of the active integrase multimer.
ABO blood group distribution and major cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acute myocardial infarction

We aimed to investigate whether there is an association between ABO blood groups, cardiovascular risk factors and myocardial infarction (MI) in a Turkish cohort. Four hundred and seventy-six patients with acute ST elevation MI (mean age 56.7 ± 11.7; 80% men) and 203 age and sex matched healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. ABO blood group distribution of patients was compared with control group. Furthermore, in each ABO blood group, frequency of major cardiac risk factors was determined to find any correlation between blood groups and cardiovascular risk factors. The distribution of ABO blood groups in patients versus control group was A in 43.1 versus 44.3%, B in 15.1 versus 15.3%, AB in 10.7 versus 12.3% and O in 31.1 versus 28.1% (P > 0.05 for all). ABO blood group distribution of both patients and control group was concordant with the official data from general Turkish population. The frequency of cardiovascular risk factors was similar in patients with different blood groups; however, the patients with blood group A were younger (P = 0.004) and coronary artery disease detection age was lower (P = 0.001) than those with the other blood groups. The distribution of ABO blood groups in patients with MI was quite similar to that in control group and that of general Turkish population, which supports the idea that ABO blood group might not be significantly associated with the development of MI. Association of ABO blood group distribution with cardiovascular risk factors, coronary artery disease and MI needs to be clarified with multicenter, prospective and large-scale studies.
Neuronal RNA in Relation to Neuronal Loss and Neurofibrillary Pathology in the Hippocampus in Alzheimer's Disease

Topographic analyses were performed on the distribution of neuronal RNA loss in relation to local neuronal loss and neurofibrillary degeneration in the hippocampal region of brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compared to age-matched controls, pyramidal neuronal RNA was depressed (p < 0.0001) in all areas of the hippocampus examined in AD, viz., the endplate (33%), Rose's H2 field (30%), Rose's H1 field (37%) and the subiculum (46%). Significant neuronal loss was observed in Rose's H1 field and the subiculum but not in the endplate or Rose's H2 field. The frequency of neurofibrillary tangle-bearing neurons was enhanced in all four regions of AD brains, the number of involved neurons being markedly greater in Rose's H1 field and the subiculum than in the endplate and Rose's H2 field. Overall, the data indicate the existence of a generalized disturbance in RNA metabolism within pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus in AD, occurring in regions of minimal (endplate, Rose's H2 field) as well as those of extensive (Rose's H1 field, subiculum) pathological alterations. Although there is focal accentuation of RNA depletion in the latter, the marked RNA depletion in regions of minimal pathologic change suggests that this effect is largely unrelated to local neuronal loss or neurofibrillary degeneration.
Human factors of personal Web information spaces

How do people use World Wide Web bookmarks? This in-depth empirical study of WWW human factors describes a user's personal Web information space. It is based on interviews of 12 users, a survey of 322 people, a mental maps survey of 27 users, and an analysis of the bookmark files of 56 users and the usage data of 23 users over 6 weeks. The WWW is a complex information space with five defining properties: (1) users are overload with information, (2) the Web is polluted with redundant, erroneous and low quality information, (3) it progresses toward disorder according to the principle of entropy, (4) it has no aggregate structure which organizes distinct Web localities, and (5) users have no global view of the entire WWW from which to forage for relevant Web pages. In dealing with this complex information space, users find localities of interest, create bookmarks to return to them, conceptualize WWW access through metaphors, and create a personal information space with the bookmarks they collect. Users employ this personal information space to counteract five problems of a complex information space in the following ways. (1) They prevent information overload by incrementally building a small archive. (2) They avoid pollution by selecting only useful items and creating a known source of high value. (3) They reduce entropy through maintenance, although they organize only when necessary. (4) They add structure by cost-tuning their information environment. (5) They compensate for the lack of a global view by creating their own personal view. As a user’s bookmark archive grows, it can begin to exhibit the properties of a complex information space. Thus, users are continually challenged with maintaining an effective personal Web information space.
Effects of Maternal Bilateral Adrenalectomy on Fetal Rat Cerebral Cortex

We investigated the effects of maternal bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) on fetal rat cerebral cortices by assessing morphological and morphometrical parameters in light and electron microscopy studies. Pregnant adult rats underwent ADX on day 4 of gestation. Embryonic brain tissue from control and ADX groups were examined at each of the 10 embryonic stages, days 11 through 20 (E11-E20). Control and adrenalectomized pregnant females were sacrificed at each fetal stage, fetuses were removed from the uterine horns, and their brain tissue was processed for light and electron microscopy examination. In the ADX fetuses, the cortical laminae were thicker and overall cortex thickness was greater, but structural differentiation in the primitive cortical layers was delayed compared with that observed in controls. Apart from the differences in embryonic cell development noted at the structural level, we found no noticeable ultrastructural differences between the cerebral cortices of ADX and control fetuses at any of the stages studied. Overall, the ADX group's cortical tissue exhibited a greater degree of cell migration, an extended proliferative period in the cortical layers with the highest proportion of mitotic activity, and a greater thickness than that of control specimens. We believe that by eliminating the inhibitor effects of glucocorticoids, ADX effectively induces mitotic activity and extends the proliferative periods in developing cerebral cortex.
The Role of Qualitative Success Factors in the Analysis of Crowdfunding Success: Evidence from Kickstarter

In recent years, crowdfunding has become a valuable mean for initiators to raise funds for realizing projects and start-up ideas. These initiators are highly interested in the question of what factors contribute to successfully collecting a certain amount of funding in crowdfunding campaigns. For that reason, research has addressed this question by analyzing factors that influence funding success. However, research has concentrated on quantitative factors and has not yet tapped the full potential of qualitative factors when analyzing crowdfunding campaign success. The human decision making processes are not strictly based on objective figures but on qualitative aspects as well. Thus, we hold it to be substantial to take qualitative factors into consideration to gain deeper insights of crowdfunding success. Therefore, we propose a research model that combines quantitative as well as qualitative factors to show the relevance of incorporating qualitative aspects. Our evaluation gives evidence that the inclusion of qualitative factors unveils new details about funding success and allows to give more detailed advice to founders. While previous research on crowdfunding base primarily on the notion of founders' preparedness, our results allow to infer that also subjective perception of information, media, and founders has an important influence on funding success.
Synthesis and Structure−Activity Relationship Investigation of Adenosine-Containing Inhibitors of Histone Methyltransferase DOT1L

Histone3-lysine79 (H3K79) methyltransferase DOT1L has been found to be a drug target for acute leukemia with MLL (mixed lineage leukemia) gene translocations. A total of 55 adenosine-containing compounds were designed and synthesized, among which several potent DOT1L inhibitors were identified with Ki values as low as 0.5 nM. These compounds also show high selectivity (>4500-fold) over three other histone methyltransferases. Structure−activity relationships (SAR) of these compounds for their inhibitory activities against DOT1L are discussed. Potent DOT1L inhibitors exhibit selective activity against the proliferation of MLL-translocated leukemia cell lines MV4;11 and THP1 with EC50 values of 4−11 μM. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies showed that two representative inhibitors bind with a high affinity to the DOT1L:nucleosome complex and only compete with the enzyme cofactor SAM (S-adenosyl-L-methionine) but not the substrate nucleosome.
The role of IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 in male cognitive aging and dementia risk: the Caerphilly Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND The increasing incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia in an aging population poses a significant burden on healthcare. Consequently, identifying modifiable physiological factors which may influence the onset of cognitive decline are becoming increasingly important. Previous studies have suggested an association between levels of insulin-like growth factors and cognitive function. OBJECTIVE To investigate whether low IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGF molar ratio is associated with greater cognitive decline and increased risk of dementia. METHODS We examined prospective associations between IGF-I, IGF-II, and IGFBP-3 and cognitive function in the Caerphilly Prospective Study (CaPS) (n = 746 men) from samples obtained around 1986, with assessment in around 2003 for clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment but no dementia (CIND) or dementia, as well as with CAMCOG scores at three phases. RESULTS A one standard deviation increase in IGF-II was associated with a reduced odds ratio for CIND (0.76, 95% CI 0.60, 0.96) which hardly altered after further adjustment for confounders. A one standard deviation increase in IGFBP-3 among participants without dementia or CIND was associated with greater decline in cognition (p = 0.002) equivalent to 2.4 years difference in age. All the associations between IGF-I and our outcomes were consistent with chance. CONCLUSION In this study of men, we found that both IGF-II and IGFBP-3 are associated with normal age-related cognitive decline and clinical pathology associated with CIND, but we failed to replicate previous associations with IGF-I. Assuming these findings are replicated, they may provide new insights into potential biological mechanisms that underlie age-related cognitive changes and development of dementia.
Submarine melt rate estimates for floating termini of Greenland outlet glaciers (2000–2010)

Abstract The rate of mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has increased over the past decade due, in large part, to changes in marine-terminating outlet glacier dynamics. These changes are attributed to increased submarine melt rates of floating ice tongues and submerged calving faces resulting from increased coastal ocean heat transport. We use remotely sensed data to calculate submarine melt rates for 13 marine-terminating outlet glaciers in Greenland on a semi-annual basis between 2000 and 2010. We assess temporal and spatial variability in the calculated submarine melt rates and compare those variabilities to concurrent glacier change and offshore ocean temperatures. Over the period of study, average melt rates ranged from 0.03 to 2.98 m d−1 and account for 5–85% of the total volume loss from the floating ice tongue, with no clear spatial pattern. Only four glaciers show substantial interannual variability in melt rate during the decade. Melt rates were uncorrelated with front retreat, speed and changes in ocean temperature. Although the small sample size limits our analysis of the relationship between oceanographic forcing and glacier response, these data suggest that the calving rate may vary with discharge but that submarine melt rates are independent of grounding line discharge.
Antibody to hepatitis C virus in 1,305 Italian multiply transfused thalassaemics: a comparison of first and second generation tests

s, Second International Symposium on HCV. Los Angela, November 1990, p. 79. Rebulla, P. & Modell, B. for the COOLEYCARE Programme. (1991) Transfusion requirements and effects in patients with thalassaemia major. Lancer. 337, 277-280. Sirchia, G. , Almini, D. , Bellobuono, A. , Giovanetti, A.M., Marconi, M. , Mercuriali, F. , Mozzi, F. , Parravicini, A. , Piui , M. , Zanuso, F. and the Italian Cooperative Group. (1990) Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies in Italian blood donors. Vox Sanguinis, 59,26-29. Wonke, B. , Hofbrand, A.V. Brown, D. & Dusheiko, G. (1990) Antibody to hepatitis C virus in multiply transfused patients with thalassaemia major. Journal of’ Clinical Pathology, 43, 638-640. P. Rebulla, F. Mozzi, G . Contino, E. Locatelli and G. Sirchia (for the COOLEYCARE G r o u p ) Centro Trasfusionale e rli Immunologia dei Trapianti Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, ilia Francesco Sforsa 35 20122 Milan
Aspects of Satellite Delivered Mobile TV (SDMB)

In this paper we review satellite systems for radio and multimedia broadcast in the USA, Japan/Korea-Africa, Asia and the Middle East and in addition the various proposed systems for Europe. Many of these systems propose the use of the complimentary ground component (CGC) for urban/ indoor coverage. We address aspects of the original SDMB as well as the ETSI/SDR and DVB-SH variants recognising that there is significant synergy between them. This work was conducted as part of the SatNEx network of excellence.
Structural Determinants of Binding the Seven-transmembrane Domain of the Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor (GLP-1R)*

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) belongs to the secretin-like (class B) family of G protein-coupled receptors. Members of the class B family are distinguished by their large extracellular domain, which works cooperatively with the canonical seven-transmembrane (7TM) helical domain to signal in response to binding of various peptide hormones. We have combined structure-based site-specific mutational studies with molecular dynamics simulations of a full-length model of GLP-1R bound to multiple peptide ligand variants. Despite the high sequence similarity between GLP-1R and its closest structural homologue, the glucagon receptor (GCGR), nearly half of the 62 stably expressed mutants affected GLP-1R in a different manner than the corresponding mutants in GCGR. The molecular dynamics simulations of wild-type and mutant GLP-1R·ligand complexes provided molecular insights into GLP-1R-specific recognition mechanisms for the N terminus of GLP-1 by residues in the 7TM pocket and explained how glucagon-mimicking GLP-1 mutants restored binding affinity for (GCGR-mimicking) GLP-1R mutants. Structural analysis of the simulations suggested that peptide ligand binding mode variations in the 7TM binding pocket are facilitated by movement of the extracellular domain relative to the 7TM bundle. These differences in binding modes may account for the pharmacological differences between GLP-1 peptide variants.
Estudio de los mecanismos de diseminación en leucemia linfática crónica: papel de Eph/Ephrin

La Leucemia linfocitica/linfatica cronica (LLC) es un sindrome linfoproliferativo cronico (SLPC) de linfocitos B que expresan el antigeno CD5, propio de linfocitos T. Afecta a personas de edad avanzada, principalmente entre los 67 y los 72 anos, y mas frecuentemente en hombres que en mujeres (1,7:1) [1]. Actualmente, la LLC es considerada una enfermedad incurable por lo que se hace necesario un mejor conocimiento de los mecanismos celulares y moleculares de su patobiologia. Parametros clinicos descritos por Rai [2] y Binet [3] ayudan a clasificar la enfermedad. Actualmente se estan investigando nuevos marcadores moleculares tales como expresion de CD38 [4] y ZAP70 [5, 6], el estado mutacional de los genes que codifican para la region variable de la cadena pesada de inmunoglobulinas (IgHV) [4, 7] y la presencia de deleciones (d13q, d11q y d17p) y trisomia 12 (Tri12) [8]. Un aspecto critico de esta enfermedad es la colonizacion de ganglios linfaticos (GL) por las celulas leucemicas (LLC), ya que es responsable del desarrollo de alteraciones inmunologicas que, junto a las hematologicas derivadas de la disfuncion de la medula osea (MO), tienen lugar en los casos mas graves de la enfermedad [9-12]. Ensayos in vitro de co-cultivos han demostrado que las celulas endoteliales protegen a las celulas LLC de la apoptosis espontanea a traves de factores solubles o contactos fisicos [13]. Por otra parte, en otros estudios se observo que la union de las celulas LLC a monocapas de celulas endoteliales protegia de la apoptosis espontanea a traves de los contactos celula-celula [14], sugiriendo que podrian tener efectos similares in vivo dentro de los tejidos infiltrados algo que, sin embargo, no esta del todo demostrado [10, 13-18].
MOMS technology for fully fiber optic ultrasonic probes: A proposal for virtual biopsy

An ultrasonic probe was developed by using, in conjunction, opto-acoustic and acousto-optic devices based on fiber optic technology. The intrinsic high frequency and wide bandwidth associated both to the opto-acoustic source and to the acousto-optic receiving element could open a way towards a “virtual biopsy” of biological tissue. A Micro-Opto-Mechanical-System (MOMS) approach is proposed to realize the broadband ultrasonic probe on micromachined silicon frames suited to be mounted on the tip of optical fibers.
Heterologous expression of the bchM gene product from Rhodobacter capsulatus and demonstration that it encodes S-adenosyl-L-methionine:Mg-protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase

The bacteriochlorophyll biosynthesis gene, bchM, from Rhodobacter capsulatus was previously believed to code for a polypeptide involved in formation of the cyclopentone ring of protochlorophyllide from Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester. In this study, R. capsulatus bchM was expressed in Escherichia coli and the gene product was subsequently demonstrated by enzymatic analysis to catalyze methylation of Mg-protoporphyrin IX to form Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester. Activity required the substrates Mg-protoporphyrin IX and S-adenosyl-L-methionine. 14C-labeled product was formed in incubations containing 14C-methyl-labeled S-adenosyl-L-methionine. On the basis of these and previous results, we also conclude that the bchH gene, which was previously reported to code for Mg-protoporphyrin IX methyltransferase, is most likely involved in the Mg chelation step.
[Urinary incontinence in the prediction of falls in hospitalized elderly].

OBJECTIVE Analyzing the effect of urinary incontinence as a predictor of the incidence of falls among hospitalized elderly. METHOD Concurrent cohort study where 221 elderly inpatients were followed from the date of admission until discharge, death or fall. The Kaplan-Meier methods, the incidence density and the Cox regression model were used for the survival analysis and the assessment of the association between the exposure variable and the other variables. RESULTS Urinary incontinence was a strong predictor of falls in the surveyed elderly, and was associated with shorter time until the occurrence of event. Urinary incontinence, concomitant with gait and balance dysfunction and use of antipsychotics was associated with falls. CONCLUSION Measures to prevent the risk of falls specific to hospitalized elderly patients who have urinary incontinence are necessary.