Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Allergies are associated with arterial changes in young children

Background Inflammation is important in atherosclerosis development. Whether common causes of inflammation, such as allergies and infections, already exert this influence in early childhood is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between both allergies and infections with children’s vasculature. Design This was a longitudinal study in a general population cohort. Methods In 390 five-year-olds of the WHISTLER (Wheezing-Illnesses-Study-LEidsche-Rijn) birth cohort, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and arterial stiffness were obtained ultrasonographically. Physician-diagnosed allergies and infections and recent prescriptions of systemic antihistamines and antibiotics were obtained, as well as parental history of allergies. General linear regression was performed with vascular characteristics as dependent variables and measures of inflammation as independent variables. Results Having both a positive parental history of allergy and an allergy diagnosis showed 15.0 µm (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.3–27.8, p = 0.02) larger CIMT than not having such history and diagnosis. Having a positive parental history of allergy only showed 11.9 µm (0.87–23.0, p = 0.04) larger CIMT. Recent use of antihistamines and antibiotics showed 18.8 µm (1.6–35.9, p = 0.03) and 16.1 µm (4.5–27.7, p = 0.01) larger CIMT, respectively. Childhood infections were not clearly related to vascular parameters. Neither allergy nor infections were associated with arterial stiffness. Conclusion An allergic predisposition is already associated with thicker arterial walls in early childhood.
Association of CYP1A1 Msp1 polymorphism with tobacco-related risk of gallbladder cancer in a north Indian population

Polymorphisms in the gene encoding the metabolic enzyme cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) might contribute to the variability in individual susceptibility to gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study comprised 142 consecutive cases of proven GBC and 171 healthy participants of similar ethnicity. CYP1A1 6235 T/C transition was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The CC genotype of CYP1A1 was significantly associated with a risk of GBC [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1–4.5, P=0.026], and the age- and sex-adjusted OR was 2.0. The CYP1A1 C allele frequency was also higher in GBC patients (OR 1.4, 95% CI=1.0–2.0, P=0.039). After sex stratification, the TC genotype and C allele were significantly higher in men and conferred a risk for GBC (OR 4.2, 95% CI=1.8–9.7, P=0.001; OR 2.2, CI=1.3–3.7, P=0.005). In addition, the TC genotype and C allele frequencies were significantly higher in GBC patients without associated gallstones (OR 2.4, 95% CI=1.2–4.7, P=0.011; OR 1.6, CI=1.0–2.4, P=0.023). The usage of tobacco (smoking or nonsmoking) by GBC patients showed a significant increase in cancer risk with the TC genotype (OR 4.1, 95% CI=1.3–11.9, P=0.012). It seems that the higher risk of the TC genotype in men may be related to tobacco usage.
Assessing Grief and Bereavement: Observations from the Field

The purpose of this article is to describe the evaluations involved in the Yale Bereavement Study (YBS), a three-year NIMH and NCI-funded longitudinal study conducted from January 2000 through May 2003. The quantitative and qualitative questions included in the YBS gave the respondents an opportunity to describe their most recent loss, rate and review their past losses, and assess all aspects of their current life situations. In this article, the first author describes, in a qualitative manner, the ways in which this assessment, per se, appeared helpful and not harmful to the respondents. Also, developed here is the implication for potential application of a modified version of the YBS which could be used in both research and clinical practice.
Characterization of an outbreak of tetM-containing Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Argentina

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of an outbreak of 9 Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) isolates exhibiting high-level plasmid mediated resistance to penicillin and tetracycline (PP-TRNG) that took place in Tandil, Argentina between February and April 1995. Comparison with the patterns of the 3 PP-TRNG strains previously isolated were made. We determined the following markers for each strain: antimicrobial susceptibility, serogroup, auxotype, plasmid profile, presence of tet M determinant and restriction pattern of the tetM-containing plasmid. Antimicrobial tests values were: tetracycline disk diameter 12-14 mm, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) 32 mug/ml; penicillin disk diameter 6 mm, MIC 32 mug/ml and sensitive by both methods to spectinomycin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin. All isolates were of the same serogroup (WI). Ten of the strains, including the 9 from Tandil outbreak, were arginine-requiring, while the other 2 were methionine and arginine-requiring. All of them demonstrate the same plasmid profile (2.6, 3.2, 25.2 MDa). They were positive for the tetM determinant and the restriction analysis identified it as a Dutch-type plasmid. In spite of the temporal and geographical dispersion, PP-TRNG strains in Argentina seem to be highly homogeneous in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility, serogroup, plasmid profiles and even auxotype.
Prolonged Abstinence and Changes in Alcoholic Personality: A NEO PI-R Study

Many studies have examined the risk factors for relapse in alcohol-dependent patients within the first year of treatment, and have generally focused on two personality dimensions: emotional instability and difficulty in establishing relationships. In this study, we examine if these weaknesses remain in prolonged alcohol abstinence. To do so, we administer the NEO PI-R to two groups of subjects. Group 1, Inactive Drinkers (ID), consists of 51 patients with at least two years of abstinence (average length of abstinence for this group is 6.2 years); Group 2, Recently Detoxified Drinkers (RDD), comprises 93 patients who have recently ceased consuming alcohol. Based on NEO PI-R scores, our results evidence that inactive drinkers experience significant reduction in emotional instability and improvement in relationships to others. We further observe that, with long-term abstinence, these personality dimensions normalize, ceasing to be risk factors for relapse. Additionally, we find that this long-term amelioration of traits altered by alcohol amounts to an improved behavioral adaptation to life events rather than an actual change in personality.
Monkeypox Virus Host Factor Screen Using Haploid Cells Identifies Essential Role of GARP Complex in Extracellular Virus Formation

ABSTRACT Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is a human pathogen that is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, which includes Vaccinia virus and Variola virus (the causative agent of smallpox). Human monkeypox is considered an emerging zoonotic infectious disease. To identify host factors required for MPXV infection, we performed a genome-wide insertional mutagenesis screen in human haploid cells. The screen revealed several candidate genes, including those involved in Golgi trafficking, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis. We validated the role of a set of vacuolar protein sorting (VPS) genes during infection, VPS51 to VPS54 (VPS51–54), which comprise the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex. The GARP complex is a tethering complex involved in retrograde transport of endosomes to the trans-Golgi apparatus. Our data demonstrate that VPS52 and VPS54 were dispensable for mature virion (MV) production but were required for extracellular virus (EV) formation. For comparison, a known antiviral compound, ST-246, was used in our experiments, demonstrating that EV titers in VPS52 and VPS54 knockout (KO) cells were comparable to levels exhibited by ST-246-treated wild-type cells. Confocal microscopy was used to examine actin tail formation, one of the viral egress mechanisms for cell-to-cell dissemination, and revealed an absence of actin tails in VPS52KO- or VPS54KO-infected cells. Further evaluation of these cells by electron microscopy demonstrated a decrease in levels of wrapped viruses (WVs) compared to those seen with the wild-type control. Collectively, our data demonstrate the role of GARP complex genes in double-membrane wrapping of MVs necessary for EV formation, implicating the host endosomal trafficking pathway in orthopoxvirus infection. IMPORTANCE Human monkeypox is an emerging zoonotic infectious disease caused by Monkeypox virus (MPXV). Of the two MPXV clades, the Congo Basin strain is associated with severe disease, increased mortality, and increased human-to-human transmission relative to the West African strain. Monkeypox is endemic in regions of western and central Africa but was introduced into the United States in 2003 from the importation of infected animals. The threat of MPXV and other orthopoxviruses is increasing due to the absence of routine smallpox vaccination leading to a higher proportion of naive populations. In this study, we have identified and validated candidate genes that are required for MPXV infection, specifically, those associated with the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex. Identifying host targets required for infection that prevents extracellular virus formation such as the GARP complex or the retrograde pathway can provide a potential target for antiviral therapy.
Low-Cost Wearable Data Acquisition for Stroke Rehabilitation: A Proof-of-Concept Study on Accelerometry for Functional Task Assessment

Abstract Background: An increasingly aging society and consequently rising number of patients with poststroke-related neurological dysfunctions are forcing the rehabilitation field to adapt to ever-growing demands. Although clinical reasoning within rehabilitation is dependent on patient movement performance analysis, current strategies for monitoring rehabilitation progress are based on subjective time-consuming assessment scales, not often applied. Therefore, a need exists for efficient nonsubjective monitoring methods. Wearable monitoring devices are rapidly becoming a recognized option in rehabilitation for quantitative measures. Developments in sensors, embedded technology, and smart textile are driving rehabilitation to adopt an objective, seamless, efficient, and cost-effective delivery system. This study aims to assist physiotherapists’ clinical reasoning process through the incorporation of accelerometers as part of an electronic data acquisition system. Methods: A simple, low-cost, wearable device for poststroke rehabilitation progress monitoring was developed based on commercially available inertial sensors. Accelerometry data acquisition was performed for 4 first-time poststroke patients during a reach-press-return task. Results: Preliminary studies revealed acceleration profiles of stroke patients through which it is possible to quantitatively assess the functional movement, identify compensatory strategies, and help define proper movement. Conclusion: An inertial data acquisition system was designed and developed as a low-cost option for monitoring rehabilitation. The device seeks to ease the data-gathering process by physiotherapists to complement current practices with accelerometry profiles and aid the development of quantifiable methodologies and protocols.
Interaction strength and extinction risk in a metacommunity

Species interactions and connectivity are both central to explaining the stability of ecological communities and the problem of species extinction. Yet, the role of species interactions for the stability of spatially subdivided communities still eludes ecologists. Ecological models currently address the problem of stability by exploring the role of interaction strength in well mixed habitats, or of connectivity in subdivided communities. Here I propose a unification of interaction strength and connectivity as mechanisms explaining regional community stability. I introduce a metacommunity model based on succession dynamics in coastal ecosystems, incorporating limited dispersal and facilitative interactions. I report a sharp transition in regional stability and extinction probability at intermediate interaction strength, shown to correspond to a phase transition that generates scale-invariant distribution and high regional stability. In contrast with previous studies, stability results from intermediate interaction strength only in subdivided communities, and is associated with large-scale (scale-invariant) synchrony. These results can be generalized to other systems exhibiting phase transitions to show how local interaction strength can be used to resolve the link between regional community stability and pattern formation.
Wayback machine: reincarnation to vanished online citations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to know the rate of loss of online citations used as references in scholarly journals. It also indented to recover the vanished online citations using Wayback Machine and also to calculate the half-life period of online citations. Design/methodology/approach – The study selected three journals published by Emerald publication. All 389 articles published in these three scholarly journals were selected. A total of 15,211 citations were extracted of which 13,281 were print citations and only 1,930 were online citations. The online citations so extracted were then tested to determine whether they were active or missing on the Web. W3C Link Checker was used to check the existence of online citations. The online citations which got HTTP error message while testing for its accessibility were then entered in to the search box of the Wayback Machine to recover vanished online citations. Findings – Study found that only 12.69 percent (1,930 out of 15,211) citations were online.
Procalcitonin NH2‐terminal cleavage peptide has no mitogenic effect on normal human osteoblast‐like cells

The NH2‐terminal cleavage peptide of procalcitonin (N‐proCT) recently was reported to be a bone cell mitogen (Burns DM et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 86:9519–9523, 1989). We have investigated the effect of N‐proCT on the proliferation of normal human cells that have the phenotype of mature osteoblasts (hOB cells). N‐proCT treatment for 24, 48, or 96 h in concentrations from 1 nM to 1 μM did not significantly increase [3H]thymidine uptake (means ranged from ‐19% to 38% of control, no significant differences) in hOB cells (6–10 cell strains per experiment) plated at four different densities. However, the hOB cells responded significantly to treatment with transforming growth factor β (3 ng/ml), bovine insulin (300 μg/ml), or 30% fetal calf serum, which were included in all experiments as positive controls. The [3H]thymidine uptake data were confirmed in a direct cell count experiment tested at 96 h. Thus our data do not support the hypothesis that N‐proCT is a potent mitogen for normal human osteoblasts.
Electric vehicle charging system with PV Grid-connected configuration

This paper presents an experimental control strategy of electric vehicle charging system composed of photovoltaic (PV) array, converters, power grid emulator and programmable DC electronic load that represents Li-ion battery emulator. The designed system can supply the battery at the same time as PV energy production. The applied control strategy aims to extract maximum power from PV array and manages the energy flow through the battery with respect to its state of charge and taking into account the constraints of the public grid. The experimental results, obtained with a dSPACE 1103 controller board, show that the system responds within certain limits and confirm the relevance of such system for electric vehicle charging.
Functional expression of the hyperpolarization‐activated, non‐selective cation current If in immortalized HL‐1 cardiomyocytes

HL‐1 cells are adult mouse atrial myocytes induced to proliferate indefinitely by SV40 large T antigen. These cells beat spontaneously when confluent and express several adult cardiac cell markers including the outward delayed rectifier K+ channel. Here, we examined the presence of a hyperpolarization‐activated If current in HL‐1 cells using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique on isolated cells enzymatically dissociated from the culture at confluence. Cell membrane capacitance (Cm) ranged from 5 to 53 pF. If was detected in about 30 % of the cells and its occurrence was independent of the stage of the culture. If maximal slope conductance was 89.7 ± 0.4 pS pF−1 (n= 10). If current in HL‐1 cells showed typical characteristics of native cardiac If current: activation threshold between −50 and −60 mV, half‐maximal activation potential of −83.1 ± 0.7 mV (n= 50), reversal potential at −20.8 ± 1.5 mV (n= 10), time‐dependent activation by hyperpolarization and blockade by 4 mm Cs+. In half of the cells tested, activation of adenylyl cyclase by the forskolin analogue L858051 (20 μm) induced both a ≈6 mV positive shift of the half‐activation potential and a ≈37 % increase in the fully activated If current. RT‐PCR analysis of the hyperpolarization‐activated, cyclic nucleotide‐gated channels (HCN) expressed in HL‐1 cells demonstrated major contributions of HCN1 and HCN2 channel isoforms to If current. Cytosolic Ca2+ oscillations in spontaneously beating HL‐1 cells were measured in Fluo‐3 AM‐loaded cells using a fast‐scanning confocal microscope. The oscillation frequency ranged from 1.3 to 5 Hz and the spontaneous activity was stopped in the presence of 4 mm Cs+. Action potentials from HL‐1 cells had a triangular shape, with an overshoot at +15 mV and a maximal diastolic potential of −69 mV, i.e. more negative than the threshold potential for If activation. In conclusion, HL‐1 cells display a hyperpolarization‐activated If current which might contribute to the spontaneous contractile activity of these cells.
Cellular and humoral immune response of germfree mice stimulated with 7S HGG or Salmonella typhimurium.

Germfree mice stimulated with either 7S HGG or Salmonella typhimurium vaccine react in a manner comparable to that of their conv counterparts. In each case the proliferation time of lymphoid cells was reduced from 21 to 22 hr in nonstimulated mice to 17 to 20 hr or 8 to 13 hr in mice stimulated with 7S HGG or S. typhimurium, respectively. Plasmacytopoiesis and hyperplasia was more pronounced in both groups when they were stimulated with the bacterial antigen. Plasmacytic cells, blast cells and large lymphocytes showed a proportionately greater increase in germfree mice than in conv mice following stimulation with either antigen, suggesting that, even if the germfree animal has fewer competent cells, these cells are less committed due to lack of previous antigenic stimulations. In vivo antibody production in the germfree-conv model shows a direct relationship to the amount of antibody-producing cells found in these animals, suggesting that this model may be a tool for studies on the kinetics of antibody formation in in vivo nonirradiated conditions.
Shape, rhythms and growth heterogeneities of a leaf : unfurling and nutation of Averrhoa carambola

Chez les plantes, la croissance est essentielle a la regulation de la forme de tout organe en developpement. A l'echelle de la cellule, la croissance resulte de la competition entre la pression interne de la cellule et la rigidite de sa paroi. Des heterogeneites de ces grandeurs a l'echelle du tissu menent alors a une croissance differentielle puis a des mouvements a l'echelle de l'organe entier. Ces mouvements macroscopiques peuvent etre interpretes comme une manifestation des processus de croissance microscopiques. Nous proposons de mettre a profit ce lien entre croissance et mouvements afin d'approcher la croissance d'une nouvelle maniere : de l'organe a la cellule. Nos travaux portent sur les feuilles composees d'Averrhoa carambola qui montrent deux mouvements typiques des feuilles en croissance,le deroulement et la nutation. Nous montrons dans un premier temps que la forme de la feuille en croissance est regulee de maniere active. Nous etudions ensuite la cinematique du deroulement et de la nutation. Ce faisant, nous mettons en evidence une relation particuliere entre croissance et croissance differentielle a partir de laquelle nous construisons un modele cinematique de nutation. Conformement a de precedents resultats, ce modele suggere que la croissance peut s'accompagner de contractions locales. Enfin, a l'echelle du tissu, la mecanique des parois cellulaires et leur composition sont etudiees. Nos resultats revelent des heterogeneites spatiales de ces deux parametres au sein de la feuille, potentiellement coherents avec la direction du mouvement de nutation.
High mortality from urothelial carcinoma despite regular tumor screening in patients with analgesic nephropathy after renal transplantation

Patients with end-stage renal failure due to analgesic nephropathy have an increased risk of developing a urothelial carcinoma. To determine the impact of renal transplantation on the frequency of urothelial carcinomas, we analyzed 2072 patients who underwent 2371 renal transplantations between 1968 and 1993, including 78 (3.8%) with clinically proven analgesic nephropathy. Before and after transplantation a regular tumor screening was performed in patients with analgesic nephropathy by urine cytology and abdominal sonography. In 11 of the 78 patients with analgesic nephropathy (14.1%; age 51–66 years, 40–108 months after initiation of dialysis treatment, 5–77 months after transplantation), a urothelial carcinoma of the native urinary tract, especially the kidneys, was diagnosed. Therapy comprised nephroureterectomy (n=6), transurethral resection (n=6) and/or cystectomy (n=2). Seven patients died due to tumor progression 16.3 (4–33) months postoperatively and one patient died due to a perioperative complication. Despite regular tumor screening after transplantation, the diagnosis of a urothelial carcinoma was made very late, leading to a high tumor-related mortality. As a consequence, we suggest that a bilateral nephroureterectomy should be performed prophylactically in patients with proven analgesic nephropathy. In addition, a cystoscopy with lavage cytology testing of the bladder should be performed twice a year.
On the Acceptability and Use of -ra and -se in Conditional Phrases in Galician Spanish

The verb forms ending in -ra and -se in modern Spanish both correspond to the imperfect subjunctive, but their use is far from equal throughout the Spanish-speaking world. Rojo (1996) documents that the -se form is all but obsolete in the majority of American nations, and Kempas (2011) records rates of use in Spain ranging from 11% to 44%. The highest rate corresponds to usage patterns in Galicia, where contact with the regional language, Galician, may provide a conservative influence with respect to the shift from -se to -ra. The present study considers the effects of age, sex, and primary language, as well as linguistic factors such as possibility of the event (i.e., Lavandera (1975)) on the acceptability and choice of -se or -ra in the protasis of conditional statements in Galician Spanish. To accomplish this, 29 speakers completed an online acceptability rating task of 24 statements with varying combinations of verb forms in the protasis and apodosis. They were asked to correct those statements that they rejected as incorrect and unused in their own speech, and their produced corrections were compared to their acceptance or rejection of forms in the models. Results indicated that neither social factors nor possibility significantly affect the acceptance of phrases in -ra or -se. However, individual idiosyncrasies do affect the production of these verb forms, in line with results from Kempas (2011) and Rojo and Vazquez Rozas (2014).