Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fixation stability: a comparison between the Nidek MP-1 and the Rodenstock scanning laser ophthalmoscope in persons with and without diabetic maculopathy.

PURPOSE Impaired fixation stability is associated with reduced reading speed. In previous research, fixation stability has been assessed using an infrared eye tracker or a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. The new MP-1 microperimeter from Nidek Technologies (Padova, Italy) provides another option for the assessment of fixation. Here the authors compare fixation stability values measured using the MP-1 microperimeter and the Rodenstock scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO; Rodenstock GmbH, Munich, Germany) in persons with and without diabetic maculopathy. METHODS Sixteen normally sighted volunteers and 21 patients with diabetic maculopathy were recruited. Fixation stability was recorded monocularly on the SLO and the MP-1 in counterbalanced order while participants fixated a red 1 degree cross. Fixation data collected from each instrument were used to calculate a bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) that encompassed 68% of fixation points. RESULTS For control subjects, MP-1 BCEA values were larger than SLO by 0.25 log min arc(2), though the difference was small (10%) and of borderline significance (MP-1, 2.51 log min arc(2); SLO, 2.26 log min arc(2); P = 0.06). In patients with diabetic maculopathy there was no significant difference between MP-1 and SLO values (MP-1, 2.94 log min arc(2); SLO, 2.90 log min arc(2); P = 0.88). CONCLUSIONS No significant difference was found in BCEA values from the SLO and MP-1 in control subjects and patients with diabetic maculopathy. The authors suggest that the similarity between BCEA values, together with the consistent and reliable operation of the MP-1, make it a useful and viable alternative to the SLO in the assessment of fixation.
HYPOXIA-INDUCIBLE FACTOR 1! REGULATES THE EXPRESSION OF THE MITOCHONDRIAL ATPase INHIBITOR PROTEIN (IF1) IN RAT LIVER

A growing number of reports indicate that bioenergetic failure plays a crucial role in the development of multiple organ failure during sepsis. Our previous results showed that the suppression of IF1 (mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein) expression and subsequent elevated mitochondrial FoF1-ATPase activity might contribute to the bioenergetic failure in the liver during sepsis, and the influence of the decreased transcriptional level of IF1 might be an important factor. In this study, we investigated the interaction of IF1 protein expression and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor that is correlated with the inflammatory status in sepsis. The results showed that nuclear HIF-1! protein, a subunit of HIF-1, and IF1 mRNA expression were coincidently reduced in late septic liver of rats. Furthermore, in vitro, overexpression of HIF-1! by hypoxia or CoCl2 (HIF-1! activator) treatment augmented IF1 protein levels. On the contrary, HIF-1! antisense oligonucleotide and siRNA were used to specifically downregulate HIF-1! expression, and then IF1 protein levels were significantly decreased in clone 9 cells. Meanwhile, downregulation of HIF-1! expression led to elevate the mitochondrial FoF1-ATPase activity in the presence of Bis-Tris buffer (pH 6.5). In conclusion, these results suggested for the first time that the HIF-1 might play a crucial role in regulating IF1 protein expression in late septic liver. KEYWORDS—Bioenergetic failure, hypoxia-inducible factor, mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor protein, sepsis, liver
“Fairer Sex” or Purity Myth? Corruption, Gender, and Institutional Context

Recent research finds that states with more women involved in government are also less prone to corruption (Dollar, Fisman, and Gatti 2001; Swamy et al. 2001). But a review of experimental evidence indicates that “women are not necessarily more intrinsically honest or averse to corruption than men” in the laboratory or in the field (Frank, Lambsdorff, and Boehm 2011, 68). Rather, the attitudes and behaviors of women concerning corruption depend on institutional and cultural contexts in these experimental situations (Alatas, Cameron, and Chaudhuri 2009; Alhassan-Alolo 2007; Armantier and Boly 2008; Schulze and Frank 2003). If women's inclination toward corruption is contextual, then what are the contexts in which we would expect female involvement in government to fight corruption? The answer is important to understand where gender equality initiatives present a cost-effective and politically feasible approach to cleaning up government.
On-off interaction in the human electroretinogram.

The “off” response of the human electroretinogram has been shown to resemble an inverted “on” response. The off response can only be obtained from a strongly light-adapted eye. The curve of response amplitude against length of stimulus flash passes through a maximum for flash durations of 12–20 msec, depending on the intensity of adaptation and stimulation. The curve of response amplitude against interval between two very short light flashes passes through a minimum for flash intervals of 15–25 msec under similar conditions of adaptation and stimulation. Algebraic addition of on and off responses or of two on responses has been shown to provide an adequate explanation of the two curves.
Myocardial steatosis, cardiac remodelling and fitness in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant obese women

Background Obesity predisposes to heart failure and premature cardiovascular death, particularly in sedentary women. In animal models and in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus, impaired cardiac function is associated with myocardial triglyceride (MTG) accumulation. Lipotoxic injury from altered myocardial metabolism may be causative. Whether such association also exists in obese, non-diabetic women is unknown. Objective To explore the relation between MTG content, cardiac remodelling and cardiorespiratory fitness in obese, insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant non-diabetic women. Design Cross-sectional investigation. Setting Academic clinical research centre. Patients 65 Overweight/obese and sedentary, but otherwise healthy women (body mass index 33±4 kg/m2; age 45±10 years). Interventions None. Main outcome measures Cardiac structure and function measured by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and MTG content of the interventricular septum by 1H MR spectroscopy. Additional outcomes were cardiopulmonary fitness and insulin sensitivity during oral glucose tolerance testing. Results Insulin resistance (composite insulin sensitivity index (C-ISI) <4.6) was present in 29 women. MTG content was higher (0.83±0.30 vs 0.61±0.23, p=0.002) and left ventricular diastolic (p<0.01), but not systolic function was reduced in women with insulin resistance compared with insulin-sensitive women. The remodelling index defined as left ventricular mass divided by end-diastolic volume was increased in women with impaired glucose tolerance (p=0.006). Furthermore, cardiopulmonary fitness was equal in both groups, but was inversely correlated with MTG (r=−0.28, p=0.02). Conclusions In overweight and obese women, insulin resistance is associated with increased MTG content, cardiac remodelling and reduced diastolic function. Clinical Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00956566.
HEMORRHAGIC UNILATERAL RETINOPATHY

Purpose: To evaluate the possible etiologies of a hemorrhagic unilateral retinopathy in healthy patients. Methods: Retrospective case series and review of the literature. All patients underwent a detailed ophthalmologic evaluation and analyses of their medical histories. Results: Eleven eyes of 10 patients with unexplained unilateral, predominantly deep, intraretinal hemorrhages were identified. All patients were women. Mean age of the subjects was 48.4 years (range, 25–83 years). The main complaint at presentation was sudden visual loss, with visual acuity ranging from 20/20 to hand motion. The mean follow-up was 17 months, and the 9 eyes with follow-up showed spontaneous resolution of the hemorrhages and marked improvement of vision. There was no history of Valsalva maneuver or strenuous exercise. The patients were healthy at presentation and during follow-ups as long as 84 months. Conclusion: This series depicts the characteristics of a possible new entity with a review of the differential diagnosis. The visual outcome was excellent.
[The clinical significance of leucocytosis and increase in interleukin content in acute mountain sickness complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome].

OBJECTIVE To study the role of white blood cell (WBC) and interleukins (ILs) in acute mountain sickness (AMS) complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS Three thousand one hundred and eighty-four patients suffering from severe AMC in the past 50 years were surveyed with questionnaire. Correlation analysis was done to explore the relationship between differential count of WBC and elevation of ILs contents and MODS. RESULTS There was no difference in differential count of WBC between essential high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and secondary HAPE. No difference was also found between simple HAPE and high altitude cerebral edema (HACE). However, obvious difference in WBC was found between HACE accompanied by HAPE and simple HAPE or simple HACE in the differential counts of WBC, counts of WBC and neutrophil were significantly elevated, while lymphocyte was significantly declined (all P < 0.05). The count of WBC in people suffering from AMS accompanied by MODS was higher than patients only suffering from AMS, lymphocyte was significantly decreased, the difference was obviously (both P < 0.01). The content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-8 of severe AMS patients were obviously higher than that of normal people, therefore the content of IL-4 in severe AMS patients was obviously lower than that normal people the difference were obvious (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION People suffering from AMS also exist systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). SIRS play an important part in MODS which is a major cause of AMS, and it's a critical factor of high altitude MODS.
Acute stress reactions among medical and non‐medical personnel in a general hospital under missile attacks

Background: Recent mass level traumatic events further boosted the growing interest in understanding the effects of primary (direct) and secondary (indirect) traumatic exposure on “helping professionals. ” The objectives of this study are: (1) to assess the rates and severity of PTSD symptoms (PS) among hospital workers operating under fire while treating war‐related injured patients, (2) to explore the effect of PS on level of functioning in real time, and (3) to estimate the added effect of secondary traumatization over and above that of primary traumatization. Methods: Rates of PS, level of psychological distress, and level of functioning were assessed in 412 medical and non‐medical personnel working in a hospital that was under missile attacks during the Second Lebanon War in the summer of 2006. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Scale (PSS) was used to assess severity of PS, as well as to estimate probable DSM‐IV diagnosis of PTSD. Results: The mean number of reported PS was 8.6 (SD=4.4). Forty‐three (10.2%) of the participants met the symptom and severity threshold for a probable diagnosis of PTSD, however only 13 of these 43 reported impaired level of functioning. There were no significant differences between personnel who had direct exposure to injured or traumatized casualties of the war and those who were not on PS severity and frequency of probable PTSD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that hospital workers operating under prolonged life‐threatening conditions are at moderate risk for PTSD. However, they do not support an incremental effect of secondary traumatic exposure. Depression and Anxiety, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewes

Subclinical mastitis (SM) is one of the most important diseases affecting dairy ewes worldwide, with negative impact on the animal health, farm income and public health. Animals with SM often remain untreated because the disease may not be revealed. Increase in somatic cell count (SCC) and positive bacteriology for mastitis pathogens in milk samples are indicative of SM but the evidence of only one of these alterations must suggest an uncertain SM (UM). UM is defined when positive bacteriological examination (Latent-SM) or SCC>500 000 cells/ml (non-specific-SM) are detected in milk. Nevertheless, SCC and bacteriological examination are expensive, time consuming and are not yet in use at the farm level in dairy ewes. Recently, a sensitive acute phase protein, amyloid A, displaying multiple isoforms in plasma and different body fluids including mammary secretion (milk amyloid A-MAA), has been investigated as a marker of mastitis in cows and, in a few studies, in sheep. The aim of this trial was to compare the concentration of MAA of single udder-halves in ewes with healthy udder-halves (HU-control group) and naturally occurring subclinical mastitis, both confirmed (SM group) and uncertain (UM groups: Latent-SM and non-specific-SM), for monitoring udder health. The reliability of a specific ELISA kit for the measurement of MAA was also tested. During a 3-month trial period, 153 udder halves were assigned to the experimental groups based on their health status: 25 with SM, 40 with UM (11 with latent-SM and 29 with non-specific-SM) and 88 HU. SCC and bacteriological analysis were performed to establish the control and subclinical mastitis groups. MAA concentrations in milk samples were measured using a specific commercially milk ELISA kit. The data were submitted to statistical analysis. Significant (P<0·05) differences among the groups SM, non-specific-SM and HU were detected with the SM having the highest level and HU the lowest. MAA concentration is affected by the udder health status and is a useful indicator of subclinical mastitis and increased SCC in sheep.
Relating forest biomass to SAR data

The authors present the results of an experiment defined to demonstrate the use of radar to retrieve forest biomass. The SAR data were acquired by the NASA/JPL SAR over the Landes pine forest during the 1989 MAESTRO-1 campaign. The SAR data, after calibration, were analyzed together with ground data collected on forest stands from a young stage (eight years) to a mature stage (46 years). The dynamic range of the radar backscatter intensity from forest was found to be greatest at P-band and decreased with increasing frequencies. Cross-polarized backscatter intensity yielded the best sensitivities to variations of forest biomass. L-band data confirmed past results on good correlation with forest parameters. The most striking observation was the strong correlation of P-band backscatter intensity to forest biomass. >
Dietary intakes of middle-aged European, Maori and Pacific Islands people living in New Zealand.

AIM To compare dietary intakes of Maori, Pacific Islands and European men and women in New Zealand. METHODS A food frequency questionnaire was used to calculate nutrient intakes of 5523 New Zealand workers aged 40 years and over (3997 men, 1524 women) from a cross-sectional survey carried out between 1988 to 1990. RESULTS Compared with European men and women, Maori women and Pacific Islands men and women consumed larger amounts of total energy per day. Age-adjusted nutrients expressed as percentage contribution to total energy intakes showed that Maori and Pacific Islands men and women consumed less carbohydrate, fibre and calcium, and more protein, fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than European men and women, respectively. These results were consistent with fewer servings of cereal and cheese per month, and more servings of red meats, fish and eggs in Maori and Pacific Islands participants compared with Europeans, after adjusting for age and total energy intakes. Pacific Islands men and women also consumed more servings of chicken, fewer cups of milk and fewer servings of fruit per month compared to Europeans. Maori men and women consumed more slices of bread and fewer servings of vegetables per month compared to European men and women. CONCLUSIONS There were striking differences in dietary habits, food selections and cooking practices between European, Maori and Pacific Islands participants. Dietary intakes of Maori workers were closer to those of Europeans than those of Pacific Islands participants. Ethnic differences were due to larger portion sizes and increased frequency of most foods in Maori and Pacific Islands participants.
Morphologic, karyotypic, and molecular evidence of a new form of Chiropotes (primates, pitheciinae)

Morphologic, karyotypic, and molecular analyses were carried out in 25 specimens of a distinct morph of Chiropotes (henceforth termed Chiropotes sp.) obtained from a number of localities in the Brazilian Amazon. Pelage coloration clearly distinguishes the collected specimens and all other known species of this genus. A distinct karyotype was described for Chiropotes sp. It differs from C. satanas chiropotes by two pericentric inversions, and from C. satanas utahicki by three, which suggests that these taxa are reproductively isolated. Morphometric analyses did not show significant differentiation between these Chiropotes taxa. Molecular analyses confirmed the monophyly of the subfamily Pitheciinae and genera Chiropotes, Cacajao, and Pithecia (the latter appearing as the most basal lineage of the pithecine clade). The genetic distances between C. s. utahicki and Chiropotes sp. from Rio Negro were greater than those between three recognized species of Pithecia, but smaller than those between Cacajao calvus and Cacajao melanocephalus. The most appropriate name for Chiropotes sp. from Rio Negro is C. israelita. This species, C. s. chiropotes, and C. s. utahicki are allopatric. Pelage coloration, karyotype, and molecular analysis strongly indicate that C. chiropotes, C. utahicki, and Chiropotes israelita deserve species status. Am. J. Primatol. 61:123–133, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Correlation of optical coherence tomography and fundus fluorescein angiography following photodynamic therapy for choroidal neovascular membranes

Aims: To assess the correlation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) and leakage on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) following photodynamic therapy (PDT) with verteporfin for choroidal neovascularisation (CNV). Methods: Retrospective comparative observational case series of patients who were treated with PDT for CNV from one centre. All patients had 3 monthly FFA and OCT following initial PDT to assess if further treatment was required. A pair of FFA and OCT images from the same visit at a random follow up date were taken from each patient’s series and assessed separately by different observers. The presence of pigment epithelial detachment, subretinal fluid, vitreomacular traction, intraretinal fluid, absence of foveal depression, and the retinal thickness on OCT were correlated with presence of leaks on FFA. Results: A total of 121 eyes of 121 patients were included. The presence of subretinal fluid, gross cystoid macular oedema, sponge-like retinal thickening and retinal thickness of more than 350 μm on OCT correlated well with leak on FFA (p value <0.01). The likelihood ratios were 3.0, 5.7, 2.7, and 3.6, respectively. The presence of a solitary foveal cyst did not correlate well with leaks on FFA. Conclusions: The presence of subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid in the form of gross cystoid macular oedema, or sponge-like retinal thickening, or a retinal thickness more than 350 μm correlates with leaks on FFA and so suggests the need for repeat PDT.
Isolation of multiple-triazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains carrying the TR/L98H mutations in the cyp51A gene in India.

OBJECTIVES Azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus isolates impacts on the management of aspergillosis since azoles are primary agents used for prophylaxis and therapy. We report the emergence of resistance to triazoles in two A. fumigatus isolates from patients in Delhi, India. METHODS One hundred and three A. fumigatus isolates, collected from 85 patients suspected of bronchopulmonary aspergillosis during 2005-10, were investigated for susceptibility to itraconazole, voriconazole, posaconazole and isavuconazole. We undertook a mixed-format real-time PCR assay for the detection of mutations leading to triazole resistance in A. fumigatus. The resistant isolates were compared with 25 Dutch TR/L98H-positive isolates by microsatellite analysis. RESULTS Of the 103 A. fumigatus isolates tested, only 2 had high MIC values of itraconazole (>16 mg/L), voriconazole (2 mg/L), posaconazole (2 mg/L) and isavuconazole (8 mg/L). The resistant A. fumigatus isolates exhibited the TR/L98H genotype and showed identical patterns by microsatellite typing, but were different from 25 Dutch TR/L98H isolates. CONCLUSIONS We report for the first time from India the occurrence of TR/L98H mutations in the cyp51A gene (responsible for reduced azole susceptibility) in two A. fumigatus isolates from patients with chronic respiratory disease who had not previously been exposed to azoles. The presence of TR/L98H is consistent with a route of resistance development through exposure to azole compounds in the environment. Given the emergence of azole resistance in environmental strains, continued surveillance of resistance in clinical A. fumigatus strains is desirable for successful therapy of aspergillosis.
Differential effects of filipin and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin on B cell receptor signaling.

Methyl-beta-cyclodextrin and filipin are cholesterol-binding reagents often used interchangeably to investigate functional requirements for lipid rafts in receptor-mediated signal transduction. Recently, contradictory results were reported by two groups using these reagents in different model systems to investigate the role of lipid rafts in BCR signaling. We confirm here that BCR-mediated calcium release is inhibited by filipin and enhanced by cyclodextrin. The inhibitory effect of filipin could not be attributed to raft disruption, however, because its ability to release raft-associated proteins into the detergent-soluble phase of cell lysates was less than that of cyclodextrin. In contrast, we found that filipin profoundly inhibited phosphorylation of the raft-associated adaptor protein Cbp/PAG, whereas the effect of cyclodextrin was minor. Thus, filipin and cyclodextrin modify cholesterol-rich microdomains through different mechanisms with different consequences on receptor signaling. In addition, the enhanced calcium release observed under conditions of maximum raft disruption suggests that rafts have a role in negatively regulating BCR signals.
Human herpesvirus 7 detection by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction in primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas and healthy subjects: lack of a pathogenic role

Background Primary cutaneous T‐cell lymphomas (CTCLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphomas where the tumour population emerges within a multiple subclone pattern. Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) are characterized by the expansion of clonal CD4+/CD45RO+ memory T cells. Lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP) is a chronic, lymphoproliferative disorder included in the CD30+ primary CTCL spectrum. Several studies have suggested a role of viral infection for super‐antigenic activation of T lymphocytes; however, evidence of their association with CTCLs is still lacking. Human herpesvirus (HHV) 7 is a CD4+ T‐lymphotropic herpesvirus; its restricted cellular tropism and the ability to induce cytokine production in infected cells could make it an important pathogenic cofactor in lymphoproliferative disorders.