Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urgent clinical need for accurate and precise bilirubin measurements in the United States to prevent kernicterus.

Kernicterus, a preventable brain injury resulting from severe neonatal jaundice, has reemerged in the US (1)(2)(3). Newborn jaundice, a usually benign condition that typically resolves with supervision and appropriate nutritional intake, can progress to severe hyperbilirubinemia in ∼8–10% of healthy newborn infants. Severe hyperbilirubinemia may need treatment with phototherapy. Some newborns discharged as healthy have developed severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge and succumbed to serious and often irreversible posticteric sequelae. Kernicterus, as described in neonates, refers to the icteric (yellow) staining of the basal ganglia, specifically the globus pallidus (4). The voluntary Pilot Kernicterus Registry now recognizes a syndrome of bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction (BIND), which includes kernicterus in its most severe acute and chronic forms. Using the Registry eligibility criteria, Johnson et al. (1) have documented the reemergence of kernicterus in a population of term and near-term “healthy” infants after its near eradication following prevention of Rh sensitization and widespread availability of phototherapy. The common insult in all cases of BIND results from a total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration that exceeds the infant’s neuroprotective defenses and leads to neuronal injury, primarily in the basal ganglia, central and peripheral auditory pathways, hippocampus, diencephalon, subthalamic nuclei, midbrain, cerebellum and pontine and brain-stem nuclei for oculomotor function and for respiratory, neurohumoral, and electrolyte control. The manifestations of acute bilirubin encephalopathy and chronic kernicteric sequelae may be minimal to severe and occur as various combinations (or possibly, isolated findings) of extrapyramidal disorders, neuromotor abnormalities, sensorineural hearing loss, and visual disability. Although not yet demonstrated, some experts believe that milder and subtler neurologic manifestations of BIND exist. The current reemergence of kernicterus in babies discharged as healthy from US hospitals represents a crisis of credibility and calls into question our ability to measure TSB with accuracy and precision. There is a need …
Expression of lysyl oxidase ( LOX ) in human placental amnion in preterm labor

Purpose: The proper function of amnion is necessary for a normal pregnancy and delivery to occur. Understanding the change of amnion between term and preterm labor leads to a better method of diagnosis and prevention for preterm labor. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) catalyzes a series of reactions about the formation of cross-linking of collagen fibrils. Human amniotic tissue, containing a large amount of collagen fibers, has lysyl oxidase expression. The aim of this study was to explore whether lysyl oxidase played a relevant role in preterm labor. Methods: 7 paired of amniotic tissues from pregnant women with preterm labor (PTL) and term labor (TL) were detected for the protein and mRNA levels of lysyl oxidase by western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the location of lysyl oxidase in amnion. Furthermore, the activity of lysyl oxidase was measured by fluorometric assay. Results: In term of gene expression, protein level and activity of lysyl oxidase, there were no significant difference between TL and PTL. Conclusion: According to the results, we did not confirm that lysyl oxidase was one of influential factors giving rise to preterm labor.
Crystal Structure of Monomeric Native Antithrombin Reveals a Novel Reactive Center Loop Conformation*

The poor inhibitory activity of circulating antithrombin (AT) is critical to the formation of blood clots at sites of vascular damage. AT becomes an efficient inhibitor of the coagulation proteases only after binding to a specific heparin pentasaccharide, which alters the conformation of the reactive center loop (RCL). The molecular basis of this activation event lies at the heart of the regulation of hemostasis and accounts for the anticoagulant properties of the low molecular weight heparins. Although several structures of AT have been solved, the conformation of the RCL in native AT remains unknown because of the obligate crystal contact between the RCL of native AT and its latent counterpart. Here we report the crystallographic structure of a variant of AT in its monomeric native state. The RCL shifted ∼20Å, and a salt bridge was observed between the P1 residue (Arg-393) and Glu-237. This contact explains the effect of mutations at the P1 position on the affinity of AT for heparin and also the properties of AT-Truro (E237K). The relevance of the observed conformation was verified through mutagenesis studies and by solving structures of the same variant in different crystal forms. We conclude that the poor inhibitory activity of the circulating form of AT is partially conferred by intramolecular contacts that restrain the RCL, orient the P1 residue away from attacking proteases, and additionally block the exosite utilized in protease recognition.
Cancer risk in hospitalized rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES Patients diagnosed with RA have been at an increased risk of many cancers and at a decreased risk of some cancers. We planned to revisit the theme by using a nation-wide population of RA patients. METHODS An RA research database was constructed by identifying hospitalized RA patients from the Hospital Discharge Register and cancer patients from the Cancer Registry. Earlier studies from Sweden have shown that some 75% of RA patients have been hospitalized at some time point. Follow-up of 42,262 RA patients was carried out from year 1980 to 2004 including separate follow-ups for shorter intervals. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for cancer in RA patients by comparing with subjects without RA. RESULTS Many cancers were in excess in RA patients, especially Hodgkin disease, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and squamous cell skin cancer; a novel association was found for non-thyroid endocrine tumours. Colon, rectal and endometrial cancers were decreased in RA patients. When RA patients were first hospitalized after 1999, the SIRs for melanoma, squamous cell skin and upper aerodigestive tract cancers and for leukaemia were increased compared with previous periods. CONCLUSIONS This study, the largest so far published, quantified the increased and decreased site-specific risks of cancer in RA patients. The recent increases in the risks of squamous cell skin and upper aerodigestive tract cancers, melanoma and leukaemia call for continuous vigilance and recording of changes in treatment.
Demographic correlates of physical activity in individuals with multiple sclerosis

Purpose. There is limited information about the demographic characteristics associated with participation in physical activity among those with multiple sclerosis (MS). Hence, the present study examined 12 demographic variables in association with physical activity in a sample of individuals with MS. Method. Participants were 196 individuals with MS from the Midwestern portion of the United States. The participants provided demographic information and then wore a pedometer for a seven-day period. Results. Analyses indicated that increasing age, use of a cane for ambulation, unemployment, and primary and secondary progressive MS were independently associated with less physical activity participation in this sample of MS patients. Conclusion. Individuals with those characteristics are likely to be inactive and in need of a targeted intervention for increasing their participation in physical activity.
CRINOID DISTRIBUTION AND FEEDING MORPHOLOGY THROUGH A DEPOSITIONAL SEQUENCE: KOPE AND FAIRVIEW FORMATIONS, UPPER ORDOVICIAN, CINCINNATI ARCH REGION

Abstract Crinoid columnals are major faunal components of interbedded shales and carbonates of the Upper Ordovician Kope to Fairview formations (Edenian-Maysvillian) of the Cincinnati Arch region. Six species can be identified on the basis of distinctive morphological characters of the columnals. Crinoid distribution was plotted from point-counted carbonate samples taken through a 68-m thick composite section of the Kope to Fairview formations in Campbell County, Kentucky. This section spans a shallowing-upward, third-order depositional sequence (C1), part of C2, and the Edenian-Maysvillian Stage boundary. The slender cladid crinoid Merocrinus occurs in the lowermost Kope below the base of this section. The slender disparids Cincinnaticrinus and Ectenocrinus occur throughout the section but are most abundant in the lower 25 m where the shale percentage is 60–90 percent. The larger, more robust disparid Iocrinus appears within the carbonate-rich Grand Avenue member of the Kope at 40–50 m, and the large, plated camerate Glyptocrinus first appears just above the Grand Avenue and becomes the dominant crinoid above the C1–C2 sequence boundary that lies just above the Kope-Fairview contact. The largest and most robust crinoid in this sequence, Anomalocrinus, occurs at the top of the Grand Avenue Member. Siliciclastic ratio and biofacies composition indicate that the occurrence of larger, more robust crinoid taxa is correlated with shallowing depth. Crinoid trophic niche differentiation is also correlated with decreasing depth and the concomitant increase in water movement caused by waves and currents. The deeper water disparids have a nonpinnulate filtration fan with low branch density and wider ambulacral grooves. The shallower water camerate Glyptocrinus has a pinnulate filtration fan with high branch density and narrower ambulacral grooves. These relationships are consistent with the predictions of aerosol filtration theory.
Health After Bereavement: A Controlled Study of Young Boston Widows and Widowers

&NA; Structured interviews were carried out with 49 widows and 19 widowers under the age of 45 who had been bereaved 14 months previously. A number of indices of health and emotional disturbance were shown to distinguish these bereaved respondents from a matched control group. The 13‐month‐bereaved group was characterized by recent disturbance of sleep, appetite and weight, by complaints of depression, restlessness, indecisiveness and sense of strain and by an increased consumption of alcohol, tobacco and tranquilizers. They were more likely than the control group to have been admitted to a hospital during the preceding year. Widowers reported an increase in acute physical symptoms although neither sex had more chronic physical symptoms than the controls. Two to four years later there was little difference in health between bereaved and control groups but there was evidence of persisting “disengagement. ”
ESTUDO SOBRE O COMÉRCIO INFORMAL DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS EM GOIÂNIA E CIDADES VIZINHAS

A pratica do uso de plantas medicinais ja faz parte da historia da humanidade e o conhecimento sobre a arte de transformar plantas em medicamentos, tem sido transmitido ao longo de geracoes. Porem, esse conhecimento popular sobre o poder terapeutico das plantas em medicamentos, tem se restringido a um numero cada vez menor de pessoas. Considerando esse contexto, o raizeiro, profissional que manipula e comercializa plantas medicinais, principalmente em cidades com forte tradicao na agricultura e pecuaria, assume papel importante na preservacao e divulgacao desse conhecimento. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar o trabalho dos raizeiros de Goiânia e cidades vizinhas. A metodologia consistiu na realizacao de entrevistas com 14 raizeiros, selecionados de acordo com a idade (mais idosos) e os com mais tempo dedicado ao trabalho com plantas medicinais. As entrevistas se desenvolveram informalmente durante o trabalho do profissional e foram gravadas em fitas cassete, sendo os dados posteriormente transcritos. As entrevistas permitiram identificar como os raizeiros adquiriram o conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais, qual o efeito terapeutico que e atribuido a cada uma delas, bem como a forma de preparacao e utilizacao, o desconhecimento quanto a interacoes e efeitos colaterais e como as especies vegetais sao obtidas para o comercio. No estudo foram citadas 235 plantas pelos nomes populares, sendo que das 28 mais citadas, 18 tiveram a mesma indicacao terapeutica basica de todos os que a comercializavam. As 28 plantas mais citadas foram analisadas por um botânico e 24 tiveram as especies identificadas, 03 identificadas apenas quanto ao genero e 01 nao foi identificado nem o genero. Embora com ressalvas, a importância dos raizeiros para a populacao, especialmente a de baixa renda, deve ser reconhecida. Todavia, alguns fatores podem representar riscos para os consumidores dessas preparacoes populares: conhecimento insuficiente sobre as plantas comercializadas, risco de falsificacoes, falta de controle de qualidade do material vegetal e o uso de misturas de plantas sem considerar as suas interacoes. 10.5216/ref.v3i1. 2070
Cluster of SARS among Medical Students Exposed to Single Patient, Hong Kong

We studied transmission patterns of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) among medical students exposed exclusively to the first SARS patient in the Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong, before his illness was recognized. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 66 medical students who visited the index patient’s ward, including 16 students with SARS and 50 healthy students. The risk of contracting SARS was sevenfold greater among students who definitely visited the index case’s cubicle than in those who did not (10/27 [41%] versus 1/20 [5%], relative risk [RR] 7.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 53.3). Illness rates increased directly with proximity of exposure to the index case. However, four of eight students who were in the same cubicle, but were not within 1 m of the index case-patient, contracted SARS. Proximity to the index case-patient was associated with transmission, which is consistent with droplet spread. Transmission through fomites or small aerosols cannot be ruled out.
Significant changes in the lipid and water content of the thymus gland in albino rats bearing Walker carcinoma 256.

The investigation was designed to measure hydrolipotropic variations in the thymus gland of albino rats bearing Walker carcinoma 256. This was done upon 27 pairs of littermate albino rats, one of each pair inoculated and one not inoculated with Walker carcinoma 256. The life history of the tumor was evenly represented in the series. Tumor growth was found to be accompanied by a statistically significant increase in total body weight, due to water retention, and decrease in the weight of the thymus gland. The total amount of water, dry weight, total lipid, neutral fat, total fatty acids, free cholesterol, and phospholipid were significantly less in the thymus gland of tumor-bearing albino rats. The concentrations, per unit dry weight, of total lipid, neutral fat, and total fatty acids in the thymus gland were not significantly affected by tumor growth. The similar concentrations of water, total cholesterol, free cholesterol, and phospholipid were significantly increased in the thymus gland of tumor-bearing.
Evaluation of transgenic tomato plants expressing an additional phytoene synthase in a fruit-specific manner

Phytoene synthase from the bacterium Erwinia uredovora (crtB) has been overexpressed in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv. Ailsa Craig). Fruit-specific expression was achieved by using the tomato polygalacturonase promoter, and the CRTB protein was targeted to the chromoplast by the tomato phytoene synthase-1 transit sequence. Total fruit carotenoids of primary transformants (T0) were 2–4-fold higher than the controls, whereas phytoene, lycopene, β-carotene, and lutein levels were increased 2.4-, 1.8-, and 2.2-fold, respectively. The biosynthetically related isoprenoids, tocopherols plastoquinone and ubiquinone, were unaffected by changes in carotenoid levels. The progeny (T1 and T2 generations) inherited both the transgene and phenotype. Determination of enzyme activity and Western blot analysis revealed that the CRTB protein was plastid-located and catalytically active, with 5–10-fold elevations in total phytoene synthase activity. Metabolic control analysis suggests that the presence of an additional phytoene synthase reduces the regulatory effect of this step over the carotenoid pathway. The activities of other enzymes in the pathway (isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase, and incorporation of isopentenyl diphosphate into phytoene) were not significantly altered by the presence of the bacterial phytoene synthase.
Hemostatic and pharmacologic resuscitation: results of a long-term survival study in a swine polytrauma model.

BACKGROUND We have previously demonstrated that valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and spray-dried plasma (SDP) improve early survival after lethal hemorrhage and polytrauma, but their effect on long-term survival and organ function remains untested. METHODS Yorkshire swine (n=27; 6-8/group) underwent a protocol simulating different phases of trauma care: (1) prehospital-rib fracture, soft-tissue injury, hemorrhage (50% blood volume), 30 minutes of shock, and infusion of 0.9% saline (3× shed blood); (2) early hospital/treatment-grade IV liver (partial amputation of the median lobe) and grade V splenic (transection of spleen into three pieces) injuries to simulate rupture of contained hematomas, followed by 30 minutes of uncontrolled hemorrhage. Animals were treated with (a) Hextend (6% hetastarch), (b) fresh whole blood (FWB), (c) SDP, and (d) VPA (300 mg/kg) plus Hextend. VPA was given during the prehospital phase, and the volumes of Hextend, FWB and SDP (reconstituted in water) matched shed blood; (3) repair/resuscitation-liver injury was controlled by suture control of the transected edge, and splenic injury was treated by partial splenectomy; 1 hour after repair of injuries, surviving animals were fully resuscitated with packed red blood cells; and (4) monitoring-survival was monitored for 7 days (primary endpoint), and blood samples were drawn serially to measure organ function. RESULTS Only 25% of the Hextend-treated animals survived. Addition of VPA improved survival to only 50% (p=0.28), whereas treatment with SDP and FWB increased survival significantly to 83% and 100%, respectively (p<0.05). Surviving animals showed no long-term organ dysfunction, postoperative hemorrhage, and delayed complications. CONCLUSIONS In a clinically relevant lethal polytrauma model, administration of SDP significantly improves survival without any long-term organ dysfunction or complications.
Biomechanical Study on Hip and Knee Joint after Unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty

Finite element analysis was performed using 3-dimensional model to analyze the biomechanical effects on the hip and knee joint after unilateral total hip arthroplasty. Clinical studies have reported that hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) often occurred on the contralateral (non-implanted) side after unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Both local and systemic stress-shielding occur on the lower extremities when used various material property of THA implants. It demonstrated that the force reaction with unilateral THA surgery was carried more in ipsilateral side (implanted side) than contralateral side, while total deformation was higher in contralateral side and the maximum stress value was higher on contralateral side of femoral condyles than ipsilateral side.
Electrophysiological Profiling of Depression in the Elderly

Frontostriatal system functioning has been proposed to underpin performance on executive functioning tasks; these structures are abnormally activated in adults with depression. In this study, the P200 and P300 event-related potentials (ERPs) were elicited during a classic two-tone auditory oddball task to compare the electrophysiological profiles of elderly people (N = 54; Mean age = 85.46 ± 6.21) diagnosed with clinical depression (n = 17), subthreshold depression (n = 25) or no depression (n = 12). The P200 results revealed higher amplitude and significantly longer latencies in depressed groups relative to non-depressed participants. Higher P300 amplitude, but shorter latencies, were observed in depressed relative to non-depressed participants. Findings are discussed in terms of cognitive information processing models of ERPs and the potential for non-cognitive factors to impact on the resulting electrophysiological profile.
A functional drug delivery platform for targeting and imaging cancer cells based on Pluronic F127

Functional polymeric micelles play an important role in the efficient delivery of therapeutic drugs into tumours. In this study, a functional drug delivery platform with ligands for targeting and fluorescent imaging was designed based on Pluronic F127 (PF127). Using folic acid (FA) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) to chemically conjugate with PF127, two functional polymers, Pluronic F127-FA (PF127-FA) and Pluronic F127-FITC (PF127-FITC), were synthesized. Solasodine-loaded micelles were then prepared via the thin-film hydration method. By employing A549 and HeLa cells, the results of in vitro cell assays performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry suggested that the proposed micelles could provide the desired specific targeting and fluorescent imaging functions. In addition, the results of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments showed that the growth inhibition rates of A549 and HeLa cells treated with solasodine-loaded micelles were remarkably higher than those of cells treated with free solasodine. Solasodine-loaded micelles exhibited a more distinct inhibitory effect against HeLa cells than against A549 cells. Thus, an effective drug delivery system for targeting and imaging cancer cells was developed.
A self-organized Tracking Area List mechanism for large-scale networks of femtocells

In this paper we explore the concept of self-organized location management in large-scale networks of femtocells (NoFs). A NoF is a mesh network that provides multi-hop connectivity amongst femtocells and, in turn, to the Evolved Packet Core. One of the most challenging issues in NoFs is location management, i.e., the process of determining the location of a User Equipment (UE) in the network. Standard 3GPP location management mechanisms are not well suited for large-scale NoFs due to the overhead generated by frequent handovers and cell reselections. In this paper we propose a self-organized Tracking Area List (TAL) mechanism that seamlessly monitors the mobility state of each UE in order to adjust the size of its individual TAL dynamically. Analytical results show that our mechanism reduces location signalling traffic in the cellular network compared to standard 3GPP schemes. In addition, the self-organized TAL mechanism is fully compliant with 3GPP LTE Technical Specifications, which facilitates its implementation in a commercial scenario.
Isometric Lifting Strength As a Predictor of Industrial Back Pain Reports

The objective of our investigation was to study Isometric lifting strength in a population of industrial workers who perform a great variety of manual tasks, and to determine whether isometric strength is predictive of future back problems in such a population. Of 3,020 study sub]ects, 2,178 (72%) underwent strength testing In three standard lifting positions. During a 4-year follow-up period, 172 subjects tested reported back problems. When examining each isometric lift separately as a predictor of industrial back pain reports, those with greater Isometric strength were at significantly greater risk than were weaker workers. However, after controlling for the effects of age, only a slight trend remained. For the blue collar workers in this study, isometric lifting strength testing was ineffective in identifying individuals at risk for industrial back problems.