Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adenohypophyseal function in dogs with primary hypothyroidism and nonthyroidal illness.

BACKGROUND A recent study of dogs with induced primary hypothyroidism (PH) demonstrated that thyroid hormone deficiency leads to loss of thyrotropin (TSH) hypersecretion, hypersomatotropism, hypoprolactinemia, and pituitary enlargement with large vacuolated "thyroid deficiency" cells that double-stained for growth hormone (GH) and TSH, indicative of transdifferentiation of somatotropes to thyrosomatropes. HYPOTHESIS Similar functional changes in adenohypophyseal function occur in dogs with spontaneous PH as do in dogs with induced PH, but not in dogs with nonthyroidal illness (NTI). ANIMALS Fourteen dogs with spontaneous PH and 13 dogs with NTI. METHODS Adenohypophyseal function was investigated by combined intravenous administration of 4 hypophysiotropic releasing hormones (4RH test), followed by measurement of plasma concentrations of ACTH, GH, luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and TSH. In the PH dogs this test was repeated after 4 and 12 weeks of thyroxine treatment. RESULTS In 6 PH dogs, the basal TSH concentration was within the reference range. In the PH dogs, the TSH concentrations did not increase with the 4RH test. However, TSH concentrations increased significantly in the NTI dogs. Basal and stimulated GH and PRL concentrations indicated reversible hypersomatotropism and hyperprolactinemia in the PH dogs, but not in the NTI dogs. Basal and stimulated LH and ACTH concentrations did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Dogs with spontaneous PH hypersecrete GH but have little or no TSH hypersecretion. Development of hyperprolactinemia (and possible galactorrhea) in dogs with PH seems to occur only in sexually intact bitches. In this group of dogs with NTI, basal and stimulated plasma adenohypophyseal hormone concentrations were not altered.
Cow's Milk, Bovine Serum Albumin, and IDDM: Can We Settle the Controversies?

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) is a constituent of cows milk whey and meat, and it is a common additive in processed foods because of its high resistance to degradation. Patients with recently diagnosed IDDM often have significant abnormalities in cellular and humoral immunity to different cows milk proteins, including BSA (1-9). There is epidemiological evidence that exposure of genetically diabetes-susceptible infants to intact foreign protein such as cow's milk-based formula before the age of 3 months carries with it an elevated risk to develop the disease (10-12). The relationship between BSA and IDDM has engendered much debate because elevated, diabetes-associated BSA antibodies were reported in a rather variable percentage of diabetic individuals, including one completely negative report (Table 1). Abnormal patient T-cell reactivity to BSA has been mapped to a single peptide fragment, the ABBOS epitope, which has structural homology with the Tep69 epitope of an islet cell antigen, ICA69 (13,14), which was identified as a target of diabetic autoimmunity in four independent laboratories (15-18). Because of the variability in the detection of abnormal BSA immunity in IDDM patients, the "BSA hypothesis" (see below) has generated criticism, and its debate became almost synonymous with that of intact cows milk protein as a diabetes risk factor in very young infants (19). Here, we will briefly review these issues and discuss how data just reported by Alting and van Beresteijn in Diabetes Care (20) may explain some of the difficulties surrounding the measurement of anti-BSA antibodies in IDDM patients. These authors (20) analyzed physicochemical characteristics of BSA that affect its behavior in immunoassays of anti-BSA antibodies. With a specific focus on the ABBOS region (21), their measurements of the ABBOS accessibility to antibody binding in native and degraded BSA may explain some of the controversy surrounding the presence or absence of an association between abnormal immunity to BSA and IDDM and reduce it to technical issues. That this would be of more than passing interest is evident from continuing publications of data and editorial opinion on these topics in more than a dozen papers this year (7,9,18-20,22-29), not counting ours (12,30-34).
First Demonstration of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy-associated Prion Protein (PrPTSE) in Extracellular Vesicles from Plasma of Mice Infected with Mouse-adapted Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease by in Vitro Amplification*

Background: Prions can be transmitted by blood transfusion, but their origin and distribution in blood are unknown. Results: Prions were detected in plasma extracellular vesicles from preclinical and clinically sick mice. Conclusion: Prions associate with blood-circulating extracellular vesicles. Significance: These findings provide information about prion distribution in blood and set the groundwork for novel prion removal and disease diagnosis technologies. The development of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) in three recipients of non-leukoreduced red blood cells from asymptomatic donors who subsequently developed the disease has confirmed existing concerns about the possible spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) via blood products. In addition, the presence of disease-associated misfolded prion protein (PrPTSE), generally associated with infectivity, has been demonstrated in the blood of vCJD patients. However, its origin and distribution in this biological fluid are still unknown. Various studies have identified cellular prion protein (PrPC) among the protein cargo in human blood-circulating extracellular vesicles released from endothelial cells and platelets, and exosomes isolated from the conditioned media of TSE-infected cells have caused the disease when injected into experimental mice. In this study, we demonstrate the detection of PrPTSE in extracellular vesicles isolated from plasma samples collected during the preclinical and clinical phases of the disease from mice infected with mouse-adapted vCJD and confirm the presence of the exosomal marker Hsp70 in these preparations.
Outcome analysis of Pennsylvania trauma centers: factors predictive of nonsurvival in seriously injured patients.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of five trauma center characteristics on survival outcome in nine serious injury categories. METHODS A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from 1992 to 1996 on patients older than 14 years of age from 24 accredited trauma centers in Pennsylvania was performed. Trauma center characteristics selected for evaluation were level of accreditation, volume of trauma admissions, presence of in-house trauma surgeons, presence of a surgical residency program, and presence of an on-site medical school. Each of these characteristics was evaluated to determine its impact on survival in the selected serious injuries. A logistic regression model was then created to evaluate the most seriously injured patients as defined by A Severity Characterization of Trauma score of < 0.50. On the basis of the logistic regression model, odd ratios were calculated treating low volume as a significant risk factor for mortality. RESULTS Of the 88,723 patients meeting registry criteria, 13,942 met the serious injury criteria. Independent analysis suggested that accreditation was beneficial regardless of level, volume of patients treated had a direct impact on survival outcome, and the presence of a surgical residency program may confer survival benefit. Of the 13,942 patients with serious injuries, those with A Severity Characterization of Trauma score of < 0.5 were selected for evaluation by logistic regression (n = 3,562). The logistic regression model, however, showed that only volume of patients treated had a consistent association with improved survival. Odds ratio analysis revealed low volume as a significant risk factor for mortality in seven of the nine injuries studied. CONCLUSION In this analysis, only volume of patients treated had a direct impact on survival outcome. Accreditation, regardless of level, appears to be beneficial.
Effects of supplemental oxygen during activity in patients with advanced COPD without severe resting hypoxemia.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To assess oxygen desaturation during activities and to evaluate the short-term effects of supplemental O(2) use in patients with severe COPD who do not qualify for long-term O(2) therapy. DESIGN A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Outpatients from the pulmonary diseases division of a tertiary-care university hospital. PATIENTS Twenty patients with stable COPD with FEV(1)/FVC ratios of < 50%, FEV(1) levels < 55% of the predicted normal value, and PaO(2) levels of > 60 mm Hg when resting. INTERVENTIONS Patients were initially evaluated with pulmonary function tests, blood gas analysis, and Doppler echocardiography, and they underwent the following three 6-min walking tests (WTs) in a random sequence: basal WT (BWT); WT while breathing compressed air (CAWT); and WT while breathing O(2) (O(2)WT). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS The distance walked was recorded in meters. Dyspnea was measured by Borg scale measurement before and after the tests, and arterial oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO(2)) was continuously monitored. Results were analyzed by grouping patients in the following manner: desaturators (DSs) (ie, patients with a drop in SpO(2) of at least 5% and < 90% during the WT) vs nondesaturators (NDSs); and O(2) responders (ie, patients with an increase of at least 10% in the distance walked and/or a decrease of at least 3 points in Borg index score) vs nonresponders. During the BWT, 11 of 20 patients (55%) were defined as desaturators. During the O(2)WT, the SpO(2) remained at > 90% in every patient. The distance walked increased by 22% (p < 0.02), and dyspnea decreased 36% (p < 0.01) in DS patients. In NDS patients, O(2) administration reduced dyspnea by 47% (p < 0.001), but the distance walked did not improve. Responses were markedly different from one patient to another. No significant differences were noticed between the results of the BWT and CAWT in any of the groups. Thirteen O(2) responders did not differ from 7 nonresponders either in basal data or in desaturation measure during the BWT, except that all walking responders (five patients) were above the median of basal left ventricle performance. CONCLUSIONS Most of the studied COPD patients desaturated during the BWT. O(2) administration avoided desaturation and could increase the distance walked and reduce dyspnea, but these effects were not related to walking desaturation in individual cases. Improvements were not a placebo effect. The therapeutic role of O(2) during activities in some patients with severe COPD needs to be individually assessed.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for genetic analysis of a Brazilian endangered tree species Caryocar brasiliense

In this work we report the development and characterization of 10 microsatellite loci for the endangered tree species Caryocar brasiliense. Using genomic library enrichment, the efficiency of SSR marker development was 14.4% from sequencing data to operationally useful loci. Primer sequences for this set of 10 loci are made available together with their estimates of expected heterozygosity, probability of paternity exclusion and probability of identity. Mendelian inheritance and segregation was confirmed for all 10 loci in open-pollinated half-sib families as well as the absolute transferability of these 10 loci to five other species of the same genus. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 10 to 22 with a mean value of 16 and expected heterozygosity varying from 0.84 to 0.94. The combined probability of genetic identity was on the order of 10–17 clearly demonstrating that SSR multilocus genotypes are likely to be unique and capable of readily discriminating individuals of C. brasiliense. The very high combined probability of paternity exclusion (0.99999995) also indicates that these markers will permit detailed parentage studies in natural populations even in situations where both maternity and paternity are unknown. The battery of microsatellite markers developed and characterized in this study opens a new perspective for the generation of fundamental population genetic data for devising sound collection and conservation procedures for C. brasiliense and related species of the genus.
Comparison of four methods to assess colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows.

OBJECTIVE To determine sensitivity and specificity of 4 methods to assess colostral IgG concentration in dairy cows and determine the optimal cutpoint for each method. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. ANIMALS 160 Holstein dairy cows. PROCEDURES 171 composite colostrum samples collected within 2 hours after parturition were used in the study. Test methods used to estimate colostral IgG concentration consisted of weight of the first milking, 2 hydrometers, and an electronic refractometer. Results of the test methods were compared with colostral IgG concentration determined by means of radial immunodiffusion. For each method, sensitivity and specificity for detecting colostral IgG concentration < 50 g/L were calculated across a range of potential cutpoints, and the optimal cutpoint for each test was selected to maximize sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS At the optimal cutpoint for each method, sensitivity for weight of the first milking (0.42) was significantly lower than sensitivity for each of the other 3 methods (hydrometer 1, 0.75; hydrometer 2, 0.76; refractometer, 0.75), but no significant differences were identified among the other 3 methods with regard to sensitivity. Specificities at the optimal cutpoint were similar for all 4 methods. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that use of either hydrometer or the electronic refractometer was an acceptable method of screening colostrum for low IgG concentration; however, the manufacturer-defined scale for both hydrometers overestimated colostral IgG concentration. Use of weight of the first milking as a screening test to identify bovine colostrum with inadequate IgG concentration could not be justified because of the low sensitivity.
Psychosocial and physical activity changes after gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity.

Gastric restrictive procedures for morbid obesity are frequently performed to reduce problems arising from the physical limitations and social isolation of massive obesity. Numerous reports have described changes in weight after gastric restrictive operations, yet few studies have documented changes in the secondary effects of obesity. This report deals with changes in psychosocial status and physical activity occurring in 240 patients who remained in the study 3 years after surgery. These patients were members of a group of 310 patients who were entered into a prospective randomized trial to assess the relative benefits of three forms of gastric restrictive procedure. Prior to operation, and at yearly intervals after operation, the physical activities and psychosocial status of each patient was assessed by a standardized semi-structured interview. At the time of the three-year interview the median weight loss for these patients was 29.5 kg which represents 53% of excess weight lost. This weight loss was associated with a marked reduction in the amount of food eaten. There was a significant increase in the number of patients smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day and a mild increase in alcohol intake. There were significant improvements in the level of self-image and state of happiness. The social lives and sex lives of the majority of patients were improved and a significantly greater number of patients reported being in a stable emotional relationship at 3 years after operation than did so pre-operatively. There was a marked increase in the number of patients in full-time or part-time employment from 38% prior to surgery to 60% at 3 years after operation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Oncologic Efficacy of Angiolytic KTP Laser Treatment of Early Glottic Cancer

Objective: Angiolytic laser removal of early glottic cancer with ultra-narrow margins was reported in a pilot study 5 years ago as an innovative surgical treatment strategy to better preserve vocal function. Subsequently, in a cohort of > 90 patients, enhanced voice outcomes were achieved and there was diminished need for post-treatment phonosurgical reconstruction. However, the initial pilot study examining oncologic efficacy had a limited number of patients and most did not have 3-year follow-up. Consequently, further analysis of the oncologic efficacy is valuable. Method: Retrospective review. Results: One hundred seventeen patients (T1a-71, T1b-11, T2a-10, T2b-25) underwent potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser treatment of early glottic cancer with a minimum 3-year follow-up (average = 53 months). The “b” designation delineated bilateral disease. Disease control for T1 and T2 lesions was 96% (79/82) and 80% (28/35), respectively. All 10 recurrences were treated with radiotherapy. Fifty percent (5/10) were controlled with radiotherapy, and the other 5 died of disease. Larynx preservation and survival were achieved in 99% (81/82) with T1 disease and 89% (31/35) with T2 disease. Conclusion: This investigation provides further evidence that angiolytic KTP laser removal of early glottic cancer with ultra-narrow margins is an effective oncologic treatment strategy. Radiotherapy was preserved for future use in more than 90% of patients. Since a majority of patients are referred by an otolaryngologist to undergo treatment of early glottic cancer with radiotherapy, this investigation provides compelling information to reappraise this paradigm.
Effects of Temperature and Photoperiod on the Reproductive Biology and Diapause of Oobius agrili (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), an Egg Parasitoid of Emerald Ash Borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

Abstract Oobius agrili Zhang and Huang (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is a solitary egg parasitoid of the invasive emerald ash borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), and has been introduced to the United States for classical biological control. We characterized the weekly survivorship, fecundity, and diapause patterns of both diapaused and nondiapaused populations of O. agrili under four different temperature–photophase combinations: 30°C (warm) and 20°C (cold) temperatures with both long-day (16 h) and short-day (8 h) photophase. Results of this study showed that regardless of the length of photophase, parental parasitoids of both diapaused and nondiapaused O. agrili survived significantly longer at 20°C than at 30°C. Both populations also laid their eggs faster at 30°C compared with those at 20°C. Higher proportions of the progeny produced by both populations of O. agrili were induced into diapause by short-day (8 h) photophase, regardless of rearing temperature. In addition, the diapaused parasitoids in the short-day photophase treatment at both warm and cold temperatures produced increasing proportions of diapaused progeny over time, whereas no significant differences were observed in the proportions of diapaused progeny by the nondiapaused parasitoids over different sampling times. These findings suggest that O. agrili should be continuously reared under warm temperature and long-day photoperiod (to avoid diapause for increased reproduction). In addition, we recommend that diapaused adults be used for field releases in early summer when temperatures are still relatively low (∼20°C) and host eggs are available so that they can produce multiple generations prior to overwintering.
Can Better Targeting Improve the Effectiveness of Ghana's Fertilizer Subsidy Program? Lessons from Ghana and Other Countries in Africa South of the Sahara

Despite improvements to the implementation regime of Ghanaâ€™s fertilizer subsidy program, this paper shows that considerable challenges remain in ensuring that the subsidy is targeted to farmers who need fertilizer the most. Currently, larger-scale and wealthier farmers are the main beneficiaries of subsidized fertilizer even though the stated goal is to target smallholder farmers with fertilizer subsidies. The experience of other African countries suggests that the effectiveness of fertilizer subsidies can improve with effective targeting of resource-poor smallholders. However, targeting smallholder farmers entails significant transaction costs and may even be infeasible in some cases. Faced with such challenges, Ghanaian policy makers must ponder the question of how to improve the targeting of input subsidy programs in the country. Further research is needed to identify more cost-effective approaches for achieving the goal of targeting.
Prevalence of Depression Diagnoses and Use of Antidepressant Medications by Veterans with Spinal Cord Injury

Smith BM, Weaver FM, Ullrich PM: Prevalence of depression diagnoses and use of antidepressant medications by veterans with spinal cord injury. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2007;86:662–671. Objectives:The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of depression diagnoses among veterans with spinal cord injuries and disabilities (SCI&D) for a 3-yr period, and to characterize patterns of antidepressant medication use in this population. Design:This study was a retrospective analysis of clinical and administrative data. The sample consisted of 3678 veterans with SCI&D who had received any health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility between fiscal years 1999 and 2001, a depression diagnosis, and complete data. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between patient characteristics, antidepressant types, and prescription patterns. Results:Approximately 22% of veterans with SCI&D received a diagnosis of depression during at least one encounter with a healthcare provider. Of those diagnosed, 72% received antidepressant prescriptions. However, a large percentage (67%) did not continue antidepressant use for 6 mos. Patients started on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor were more likely to have at least 6 mos of continuous use than patients started on other, newer antidepressants. Conclusions:Many veterans with SCI&D may not be receiving adequate treatment for depression. Veterans with SCI&D should be aggressively screened and treated for depression, and further research is necessary to determine which treatments for depression are most effective for persons with SCI&D.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor-Dependent Induction of Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase mRNAs in Mouse Liver

Flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs) are important in detoxication but generally are considered not to be inducible by xenobiotics. Our recent microarray studies revealed induction of FMO2 and FMO3 mRNAs by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in liver of mice with wild-type aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) but not in Ahr-null mice. The aim of the present study was to delineate mechanisms of FMO regulation. In adult male mice, basal FMO3 mRNA is low but was induced 6-fold at 4 h and 6000-fold at 24 h. The ED50 was approximately 1 μg/kg for FMO2 and FMO3, similar to that for the classic AHR-regulated gene, Cyp1a1. In adult female mice basal FMO3 mRNA is high and was not induced at 4 h but was elevated 8-fold at 24 h. FMO5 mRNA was significantly down-regulated by TCDD in both male and female adult mice. Juvenile mice show no sex difference in response to TCDD; FMO3 was induced 4 to 6-fold by TCDD in both sexes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated recruitment of AHR and aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator proteins to Fmo3 regulatory regions, suggesting that induction by TCDD is a primary AHR-mediated event. Although FMO2 and FMO3 mRNAs were highly induced by TCDD in adult males, overall FMO catalytic activity increased only modestly. In contrast to the striking up-regulation of FMO2 and FMO3 in mouse liver, TCDD has little effect on FMO mRNA in rat liver. However, FMO2 and FMO3 mRNAs were highly induced in transgenic mice that express wild-type rat AHR, indicating that lack of induction in rat is not due to an incompetent AHR in this species.