Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Soluble transferrin receptors and iron deficiency, a step beyond ferritin. A systematic review.

UNLABELLED Iron deficiency is a common disorder; it can also be the first indicator of significant gastrointestinal pathology. Total iron stores are evaluated by ferritin measurement, but this is often difficult, as coexistent disease can obscure ferritin results. Bone marrow (BM) examination was previously felt to be superior to all known serological markers of iron status, but it has a number of disadvantages. The validity of measurement of soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR) as a surrogate marker of BM iron stores has been the subject of various studies so far. AIM To critically review the use of sTfR as a marker for the evaluation of iron stores. METHODS A systematic computerised literature search, in order to identify studies that compared sTfR measurement against BM iron stain. RESULTS Twenty prospective studies were identified, of which nine fulfilled the inclusion criteria (sTfR measurement in anaemic adults alongside BM iron staining). For a total of 979 patients, a different sTfR reference range was used, but levels of 2.5 mg/L (29.5 nmol/L) were consistently used as the threshold for iron-deficiency anaemia resulting in good specificity and sensitivity. CONCLUSION The use of sTfR improves the clinical diagnosis of iron deficiency anaemia, especially in the presence of coexisting chronic disease or gastrointestinal malignancies. The safety and cost-effectiveness of a ferritin/sTfR-based approach to exclude gastrointestinal cancer in the presence of iron deficiency has to be proven with a prospective, well standardised, multicentre trial or a meta-analysis.
Pollen-Derived Paleovegetation Reconstruction and Long-Term Carbon Accumulation at a Fen Site in the Attawapiskat River Watershed, Hudson Bay Lowlands, Canada

Abstract The Hudson Bay Lowlands (HBL) constitute a globally significant carbon pool; the paleoecological record provides an opportunity to investigate long-term drivers of change in carbon accumulation and related changes in vegetation. We present a Holocene record from the Victor Fen site (VM-3-3) in Ontario's HBL to reconstruct vegetation history, quantify rates of carbon accumulation, and determine the role of paleoclimatic drivers. Pollen analysis indicates initiation of peat accumulation over a mineral substrate, accompanied by relatively rapid rates of carbon accumulation, following emergence from the Tyrrell Sea ∼6900 yrs BP. The earliest vegetation assemblage consisted of a tidal marsh, quickly succeeding to a Typha marsh, then a poor fen dominated by Sphagnum and Cyperaceae by 6400 yrs BP. Rapid rates of isostatic uplift at the time likely contributed to these changes. Once established, this fen community persisted without major vegetation change until the most recent century, when the abundance of shrub and Cyperaceae pollen increased, suggesting increasingly minerotrophic conditions. Average rate of long-term carbon accumulation (LORCA) for the whole record (mean = 22.8 g C m-2 yr-1) is similar to other northern peatlands, and higher than the Holocene average for an adjacent bog. Increased precipitation after ∼2400 yrs BP may have contributed to the higher LORCA reconstructed for the late Holocene, but the increased precipitation did not coincide with any apparent changes in vegetation as inferred from pollen assemblages.
Influence of Maternal-Fetal Histocompatibility and MHC Zygosity on Maternal Microchimerism1

To investigate the relationship between maternal-fetal histocompatibility and maternal microchimerism, we developed a sensitive quantitative PCR assay for the neomycin resistance gene (neoR), and, in a mouse model system, used neoR as a noninherited maternal allele marker of maternal cells to detect and quantitate maternal microchimerism in tissues of neoR−/− N2 backcross progeny of (neoR+/−)F1 females mated with neoR−/− males. Using this approach, we obtained evidence for the presence of chimeric maternal cells in the brain, spleen, and thymus of all weanling and adult mice so tested. The numbers of chimeric maternal cells present in the spleen did not differ significantly from those in the thymus regardless of age or maternal-fetal histocompatibility. At all ages, brain tissue had higher level of maternal microchimerism than lymphoid tissue in mice MHC identical with their mothers, but the levels were similar in mice MHC disparate with their mothers. The levels of chimeric maternal cells in both brain and lymphoid tissue of mice with homozygous syngenicity and maternal allogenicity were similar, and tended to be higher than tissue-specific levels in mice with either combined maternal-fetal allogenicity or heterozygous syngenicity. Thus, MHC homozygous progeny had higher levels of maternal microchimerism than MHC heterozygous progeny. We conclude that normal mice possess small numbers of maternal cells in spleen, thymus, brain, and probably most other tissues, and that maternal-fetal histocompatibility influences the levels of these cells by mechanisms related to MHC zygosity of the progeny.
Discrimination between oral streptococci by pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography

Washed organisms, including strains of Streptococcus mitior, S. mutans, and S. sanguis, were examined by curie-point pyrolysis gas-liquid chromatography. A linear discriminant function based upon three items from the output data was adequate for segregating the strains according to species. Strains with intermediate properties were also encountered. Sources of variability in cultures were evaluated, chromatographic performance was maintained throughout the investigation, and matching performance from a duplicate pair of chromatographic columns was demonstrated.
The effects of the microbiota on the host immune system

Abstract The human gastrointestinal track harbors hundreds of species of commensal organisms, collectively known as microbiota. The composition of the intestinal microbiota is changeable by various factors, such as host genotype, diet, antibiotics, pathogen infections, among others. Changes in these factors can cause microbiome disruption known as dysbiosis, leading to the outgrowth of potential pathogenic bacteria or decrease in the number of beneficial bacteria. Dysbiosis has been implicated in numerous inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review is focused on host–microbiota interactions, specifically on influence of bacterial-derived signals on immune cell function and the mechanisms by which these signals modulate the development and progression of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
Phase I study of isotype-selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor MGCD0103 given as three-times weekly oral dose in patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors.

3007 Background: MGCD0103 is a novel isotype-selective inhibitor of human HDACs. Deacetylation of histones by HDACs is postulated to inactivate tumor suppressor genes leading to neoplastic transformation. Inhibition of these enzymes might restore normal growth control. METHODS A phase I trial of MGCD0103, given as a three-times weekly oral dose 2 out of every 3 weeks, has been performed in pts with advanced solid tumors. Main endpoints are safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamic (PD) assessments of HDAC activity and histone acetylation status in buffy coat white cells. RESULTS Five dose levels have been evaluated (mg/m2): 12.5, 20, 27, 36, and 45. As of January, 2006, 28 pts have been enrolled with the following demographics: M:F = 18:10; median age (range) = 60 (29-75); ECOG 0:1:2 = 9:13:1 (n = 23); primary tumor sites: colorectal (8), renal (5), lung (4), others (11); prior chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy were given to 22, 12 and 2 pts, respectively (n=23). A total of 62 cycles have been administered, with median = 2 and range=1-7 cycles. MGCD0103 has been well tolerated; most common AEs (23 pts): grade 1-3 fatigue (91% of pts), grade 1-2 nausea and vomiting (70 and 48%), anorexia (26%), constipation (39%). Disease stabilization > 2 cycles has been observed in 3 renal cell cancer pts (4, 6, and 7 cycles) and 1 colorectal cancer pt (4 cycles). Preliminary PK analyses demonstrated intra-pt PK variability, however co-administration of acidic carbonated beverage (protocol amendment) appears to reduce variability without altering average Cmax or AUC (0-24) comparing Day 1 with Day 14. There was little accumulation or decrease in concentrations with extended dosing, and t1/2 was dose-independent at 7.7-11.3 hr. (±0.6-1.6). PD data reveal dose-dependent maximal inhibition of HDAC activity in patients co-administered an acidic beverage. CONCLUSIONS At doses evaluated MGCD0103 appears tolerated and exhibits favourable PK and PD. [Table: see text].
Effect of diode laser irradiation on root surfaces in vitro.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate possible morphological alterations of root surfaces after GaAlAs-diode laser (809 nm) irradiation under standardized in vitro conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Root specimens obtained from extracted periodontally diseased teeth were scaled and root planed with curettes followed by air-powder abrasive treatment prior to lasing. The variable parameters were power output (0.5-2.5 W) and exposure time (10-30 sec per specimen). Additionally, the effect of a saline solution and a human blood film on the root surface was investigated. The root segments were analyzed by means of a reflected light microscope. Photographs before and after irradiation were taken and evaluated. The scale of carbonization was quantified using a grid laid over the photographs. Specimens with distinct morphological changes were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS Lasing dry specimens and specimens moistened with saline resulted in no detectable alterations, irrespective of irradiation time and power output applied. Depending on different settings, irradiation caused severe damages to the root surface when segments were covered by a thin blood film. Irradiation at a power output of 1 Watt and below had barely any negative effect on the root surface, whereas lasing at 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Watt resulted in partial or total carbonizations of the root samples. The angle of irradiation had a significant effect on the scale of the root surface damage (Mann-Whitney U test,p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The diode laser may cause damage to periodontal hard tissues if irradiation parameters are not adequate.
Minor renal dysfunction: an emerging independent cardiovascular risk factor

Because of the excessive cardiac risk, treating a patient with renal dysfunction should no longer be regarded as primary, but rather as secondary prevention Following the seminal observation of Lindner and colleagues1 on the excessive cardiovascular mortality in patients with end stage renal disease on renal replacement therapy, this observation has been repeatedly confirmed. It is currently known that in patients on renal replacement therapy the relative risk of dying from cardiac causes is higher by a factor of 10–100, depending on age.2 It has only recently been recognised that even minor renal dysfunction, as reflected by an increase in urinary albumin excretion and/or a decrease in glomerular filtration rate, is an independent cardiovascular risk factor3 which should be added to the known factors contributing to the Framingham risk score. This has again been confirmed and extended by the present study of Santopinto and colleagues,3 published in this issue of Heart , who report on an impressively large prospective multicentre observational study covering 11 774 …
Proteolysis Involving Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 (Collagenase‐3) Is Required for Chondrocyte Differentiation That Is Associated with Matrix Mineralization

Collagenases are involved in cartilage matrix resorption. Using bovine fetal chondrocytes isolated from physeal cartilages and separated into a distinct prehypertrophic subpopulation, we show that in serum‐free culture they elaborate an extracellular matrix and differentiate into hypertrophic chondrocytes. This is characterized by expression of type X collagen and the transcription factor Cbfa1 and increased incorporation of45Ca2+ in the extracellular matrix, which is associated with matrix calcification. Collagenase activity, attributable only to matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 13 (collagenase‐3), is up‐regulated on differentiation. A nontoxic carboxylate inhibitor of MMP‐13 prevents this differentiation; it suppresses expression of type X collagen, Cbfa1, and MMP‐13 and inhibits increased calcium incorporation in addition to inhibiting degradation of type II collagen in the extracellular matrix. General synthesis of matrix proteins is unaffected. These results suggest that proteolysis involving MMP‐13 is required for chondrocyte differentiation that occurs as part of growth plate development and which is associated with matrix mineralization.
Prevalence and genotyping of Trichomonas gallinae in pigeons and birds of prey

Avian trichomonosis is a world-wide parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Trichomonas gallinae. Although several degrees of pathogenicity have been described on the basis of the clinical signs in birds, there are few reports concerning the genetic characterization of the parasite and its relationship with pathogenicity. The parasite usually appears apathogenic but is occasionally responsible for outbreaks of the disease in avian populations, particularly affecting nestlings of ornithophagous raptors. For 3 years, cultures of oropharingeal samples from 612 wild and domestic pigeons (Columba livia) and 102 birds of prey from 15 different species were made in an attempt to determine the prevalence of T. gallinae in the Valencian Community (eastern Spain). To establish the genotype of the isolates, 5.8S rRNA and the surrounding internal transcribed spacer regions were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and were sequenced. After restriction map analysis, sequencing and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism using HaeIII showed two genotypes (A and B) in isolates from both groups of birds, although genotype prevalence differed in each group—genotype A being more prevalent in columbiforms and genotype B in raptors. In addition, genotype B was present in every bird that displayed macroscopic lesions.
Causes of Mass Failure in Senior School Certificate Mathematics Examinations As Viewed By Secondary School Teachers and Students in Ondo, Nigeria.

The study examined the causes of Mass failure in Senior School Certificate Mathematics examinations as viewed by Secondary School Teachers and Students in Ondo, Nigeria. The Senior Secondary School teachers and students were involved as population for the study. 100 teachers and 400 Senior Secondary two students were purposively selected. The descriptive survey research was adopted for the study. The sampled teachers and students responded to researchers-prepared questionnaire titled “causes of students’ mass failure in SSCE mathematics examinations”. The causes considered were those by: Teachers, Students, Parents, Society, Government, School and Examination bodies. A sample of the items in the questionnaire include: lack of frequent practice by students, Poor mathematical background, laziness on the part of students and teachers, among others. The response scales are Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree. Frequency counts and percentages were employed to answer the seven research questions generated. Findings indicated that 98% of teachers and 76% of students viewed laziness on the part of students as a major factor responsible for students’ mass failure in SSC Mathematics examinations while 97% of teachers and 79% of students viewed lack of frequent practice by students as another responsible factor for mass failure in Mathematics among others. The identified causes could be ameliorated through enhancing the teachers’ quality in terms of subject contents, providing them opportunities for further studies, attending seminars and workshops for update because their quality has significant role to play in teaching and learning of the subject. Keywords: Mass failure, Mathematics, Performance, examinations.
Increased short- and long-term risk of inflammatory bowel disease after salmonella or campylobacter gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Various commensal enteric and potentially pathogenic bacteria may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We compared the risk of IBD between a cohort of patients with documented Salmonella or Campylobacter gastroenteritis and an age- and gender-matched control group from the same population in Denmark. METHODS We identified 13,324 patients with Salmonella/Campylobacter gastroenteritis from laboratory registries in North Jutland and Aarhus counties, Denmark, from 1991 through 2003, and 26,648 unexposed controls from the same counties. Of these, 176 exposed patients with IBD before the infection, their 352 unexposed controls, and 80 unexposed individuals with IBD before the Salmonella/Campylobacter infection were excluded. The final study cohort of 13,148 exposed and 26,216 unexposed individuals were followed for up to 15 years (mean, 7.5 years). RESULTS A first-time diagnosis of IBD was reported in 107 exposed (1.2%) and 73 unexposed individuals (0.5%). By age, gender, and comorbidity adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for IBD was 2.9 (2.2-3.9) for the whole period and 1.9 (1.4-2.6) if the first year after the Salmonella/Campylobacter infection was excluded. The increased risk in exposed subjects was observed throughout the 15-year observation period. The increased risk was similar for Salmonella (n = 6463) and Campylobacter (n = 6685) and for a first-time diagnosis of Crohn's disease (n = 47) and ulcerative colitis (n = 133). CONCLUSIONS In our population-based cohort study with complete follow-up, an increased risk of IBD was demonstrated in individuals notified in laboratory registries with an episode of Salmonella/Campylobacter gastroenteritis.
Marshallian theory of regional agglomeration

Most models of regional agglomeration are based on the new economic geography (NEG) model in which returns to scale are pecuniary. We investigate the implications for regional agglomeration of a 'Marshallian' model in which returns to scale derive from technological externalities. Workers are assumed to have heterogeneous 'home region' preferences. The model is designed to explain how 'second nature' determines regional wage inequality and the regional distribution of economic activity. We show that agglomeration is not a necessary outcome of Marshallian externalities. However, if centrifugal or positive externalities are sufficiently strong relative to their centripetal or negative counterparts, the model generates multiple agglomerating equilibria. These equilibria multiply if, in addition, there are scale economies in amenities. A dynamic version of the model is developed in which external economies and inter-regional labour mobility grow over time. Regional wage inequality overshoots its long run equilibrium and, there is more agglomeration in the long run. Copyright (c) 2009 the author(s). Journal compilation (c) 2009 RSAI.
Commodity Spot Prices: An Exploratory Assessment of Market Structure and Forward-Trading Effects

We assess how characteristics of product and forward markets affect levels and volatilities of commodity spot prices. We examine (i) how product market structure and forward market trading affect spot market games, (ii) the links between product market structure and spot price stability, (iii) whether forward trading destabilizes spot prices, and (iv) how information arrival affects price volatility and the volume of trade. We find that market structure models of the price level but not of price stability receive support, that increased forward trading leads to lower prices, and that the relationship between trading and price instability is indirect via a common causal factor.
Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) Compared With Traditional Assessment Methods

Objectives. To compare objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) and traditional assessment methods among recent pharmacy graduates. Methods. Individual student performance in OSCEs was compared with performance on traditional pharmacy-practice examinations at the same level of program study. Results. A moderate correlation was found between individual attainment in OSCE examinations and on traditional pharmacy practice examinations at the same level. Conclusions. OSCEs add value to traditional methods of assessment because the 2 evaluation methods measure different competencies.
Self-Report Depression Scales in the Elderly: The Relationship between the CES-D and ZUNG

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the elderly, but there is little consensus about the best way to assess depression in the aged. The relationship between the CES-D and the ZUNG self-report depression scales was investigated in seventy-eight elderly people with osteoarthritis (mean age 71). The correlation between the scales was r = . 69, with the CES-D classifying 15 percent of the participants as depressed, as compared to 6 percent by the ZUNG. Psychological symptoms had the strongest relationship with overall depression scores on both scales. No sex differences were found on psychological items on either scale, but females reported more somatic symptoms on the ZUNG. People over age seventy-four reported more psychological symptoms than their younger counterparts.
Comparison of Magnetic Intensities for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Targeting Therapy on Ischemic Myocardial Repair: High Magnetic Intensity Improves Cell Retention but Has no Additional Functional Benefit

Magnetic targeting has the potential to enhance the therapeutic effects of stem cells through increasing retention of transplanted cells. To investigate the effects of magnetic targeting intensities on cell transplantation, we performed different magnetic intensities for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-targeting therapy in a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion. Rat MSCs labeled with superparamagnetic oxide nanoparticles (SPIOs) were injected into the left ventricular (LV) cavity of rats during a brief aorta and pulmonary artery occlusion. The 0.15 Tesla (T), 0.3 T, and 0.6 T magnets were placed 0~1 mm above the injured myocardium during and after the injection of 1 × 106 MSCs. Fluorescence imaging and quantitative PCR revealed that magnetic targeting enhanced cell retention in the heart at 24 h in a magnetic field strength-dependent manner. Compared with the 0 T group, three magnetic targeting groups enhanced varying cell engraftment at 3 weeks, at which time LV remodeling was maximally attenuated, and the therapeutic benefit (LV ejection fraction) was also highest in the 0.3 T groups. Interestingly, due to the low MSC engraftment resulting from microvascular embolisms, the 0.6 T group failed to translate into additional therapeutic outcomes, though it had the highest cell retention. Magnetic targeting enhances cell retention in a magnetic field strength-dependent manner. However, too high of a magnetic intensity may result in microembolization and consequently undermine the functional benefits of cell transplantation.
Mixed-ligand nanoparticles as supramolecular receptors.

Keywords: Monolayer-Protected Nanoparticles ; Scanning-Tunneling-Microscopy ; Molecular Tweezers ; Gold Nanoparticles ; Metal Nanoparticles ; Synthetic Receptors ; Recognition ; Binding ; Surface ; Nanotechnology Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-171057doi:10.1002/smll.201100386View record in Web of Science Record created on 2011-12-16, modified on 2017-05-10