Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Correlation of Pathology and Perfusion Changes within the Cortex and White Matter in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The spatial correlation between WM and cortical GM disease in multiple sclerosis is controversial and has not been previously assessed with perfusion MR imaging. We sought to determine the nature of association between lobar WM, cortical GM, volume and perfusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen individuals with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis, 19 with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and 19 age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Quantitative MR perfusion imaging was used to derive CBF, CBV, and MTT within cortical GM, WM, and T2-hyperintense lesions. A 2-step multivariate linear regression (corrected for age, disease duration, and Expanded Disability Status Scale) was used to assess correlations between perfusion and volume measures in global and lobar normal-appearing WM, cortical GM, and T2-hyperintense lesions. The Bonferroni adjustment was applied as appropriate. RESULTS: Global cortical GM and WM volume was significantly reduced for each group comparison, except cortical GM volume of those with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis versus controls. Global and lobar cortical GM CBF and CBV were reduced in secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis compared with other groups but not for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis versus controls. Global and lobar WM CBF and CBV were not significantly different across groups. The distribution of lobar cortical GM and WM volume reduction was disparate, except for the occipital lobes in patients with secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis versus those with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Moderate associations were identified between lobar cortical GM and lobar normal-appearing WM volume in controls and in the left temporal lobe in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. No significant associations occurred between cortical GM and WM perfusion or volume. Strong correlations were observed between cortical-GM perfusion, normal appearing WM and lesional perfusion, with respect to each global and lobar region within HC, and RRMS and SPMS patients (R2 ≤ 0.96, P < .006 and R2 ≤ 0.738, P < .006). CONCLUSIONS: The weak correlation between lobar WM and cortical GM volume loss and perfusion reduction suggests the independent pathophysiology of WM and cortical GM disease.
Dietary protein, life-span, and biochemical variables in female mice.

The 50% mortality of female C57BL/6J mice fed ad libitum a diet which contained 26% or 4% casein, was 23.5 and 28 mo. , respectively. Diet did not markedly affect the age-associated changes in the collagen content of the extractability of collagen of skin. In general, the activities of enzymes based on DNA were low in the restricted animals.
Clonal study of avian Escherichia coli strains by fliC conserved-DNA-sequence regions analysis1

Campos T.A. , Nakazato G. , Stehling E.G., Brocchi M. & Silveira W.D. 2008. Clonal study of avian Escherichia coli strains by fliC conserved-DNA-sequence regions analysis. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 28(10):508-514. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Biologia, Cx. Postal 6109, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz s/n, Barão Geraldo, Campinas, SP 3081-862, Brazil. *Corresponding author: wds@unicamp.br The clonal relationship among avian Escherichia coli strains and their genetic proximity with human pathogenic E. coli, Salmonela enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica and Proteus mirabilis, was determined by the DNA sequencing of the conserved 5’ and 3’regions fliC gene (flagellin encoded gene). Among 30 commensal avian E. coli strains and 49 pathogenic avian E. coli strains (APEC), 24 commensal and 39 APEC strains harbored fliC gene with fragments size varying from 670bp to 1,900bp. The comparative analysis of these regions allowed the construction of a dendrogram of similarity possessing two main clusters: one compounded mainly by APEC strains and by H-antigens from human E. coli, and another one compounded by commensal avian E. coli strains, S. enterica, and by other H-antigens from human E. coli. Overall, this work demonstrated that fliC conserved regions may be associated with pathogenic clones of APEC strains, and also shows a great similarity among APEC and H-antigens of E. coli strains isolated from humans. These data, can add evidence that APEC strains can exhibit a zoonotic risk.
Consequences of Port Congestion on Logistics and Supply Chain in African Ports

Congestion in ports is a phenomena associated with delays, queuing and extra time of voyage and dwell of ships and cargo at the port, which always occur with unpleasant consequences on Logistics and supply chain. These often translates into extra costs, loss of trade and disruption of trade and transport agreements. In a study to identify the consequences of port congestion on Logistics and supply chain operations in some African ports, this paper has examined the common port congestion scenarios, their dimensions and the various factors that trigger congestion in the ports of Lagos, Durban, Mombasa and the catchment ports of the Suez canal. This paper typically applied the concept of variations in turn-around time of ships and cargo vis-a-vis the port’s capacity and relative efficiency level in order to identify the active factors that cause port congestion in African ports. The results provided some explanations on the consequences arising from these on notable African logistics and supply chain networks. The findings revealed that the bane of congestion in African ports emanates entirely from either planning, Regulation, capacity, efficiency or a combination of these. This paper therefore recommends that African ports should enhance their regulatory mechanisms, then to improve capacity and efficiency level in order to shoulder the ever increasing challenges of port congestion in years ahead. Key words . : Congestion, dwell time, Logistics, Ships, Ports, cargo.
Functional Analysis of the Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E1∧E4 Protein Provides a Mechanism for In Vivo and In Vitro Keratin Filament Reorganization

ABSTRACT High-risk human papillomaviruses, such as human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16), are the primary cause of cervical cancer. The HPV16 E1∧E4 protein associates with keratin intermediate filaments and causes network collapse when expressed in epithelial cells in vitro. Here, we show that keratin association and network reorganization also occur in vivo in low-grade cervical neoplasia caused by HPV16. The 16E1∧E4 protein binds to keratins directly and interacts strongly with keratin 18, a member of the type I intermediate-filament family. By contrast, 16E1∧E4 bound only weakly to keratin 8, a type II intermediate-filament protein, and showed no detectable affinity for the type III protein, vimentin. The N-terminal 16 amino acids of the 16E1∧E4 protein, which contains the YPLLXLL motif that is conserved among supergroup A viruses, were sufficient to target green fluorescent protein to the keratin network. When expressed in the SiHa cervical epithelial cell line, the full-length 16E1∧E4 protein caused an almost total inhibition of keratin dynamics, despite the phosphorylation of keratin 18 at serine 33, which normally leads to 14-3-3-mediated keratin solubilization. Mutant 16E1∧E4 proteins which lack the LLKLL motif, or which have lost amino acids from their C termini, and which were compromised in the ability to associate with keratins did not disturb normal keratin dynamics. 16E1∧E4 was found to exist as dimers and hexamers, whereas a C-terminal deletion mutant (16E1∧E4Δ87-92) existed as monomers and formed multimeric structures only poorly. Considered together, our results suggest that by associating with keratins through its N terminus, and by associating with itself through its C terminus, 16E1∧E4 may act as a keratin cross-linker and prevent the movement of keratins between the soluble and insoluble compartments. The increase in avidity associated with multimeric binding may contribute to the ability of 16E1∧E4 to sequester its cellular targets in the cytoplasm.
"Malignancy" in meningiomas: a clinicopathologic study of 116 patients, with grading implications.

BACKGROUND Due to the rarity of malignancy in meningiomas, prior studies have been limited to small series. Controversies regarding the definition of malignant meningioma have complicated matters further. Although histologic anaplasia and extracranial metastasis are established criteria, the former is difficult to define and the latter represents a clinical finding. Traditionally, brain invasion has also been accepted, although this has recently been debated. In a prior series, the authors were unable to prove that 23 meningiomas that had invaded the brain were more aggressive than atypical meningiomas. METHODS The authors expanded their analysis to include 116 patients diagnosed with "malignant meningioma" due to brain invasion, frank anaplasia (20 mitoses per 10 high-power fields or histology resembling carcinoma, sarcoma, or melanoma), and/or extracranial metastasis. Patients were followed until death or for a median of 3.7 years. RESULTS Survival time was highly variable, ranging from 10 days to 24 years. In multivariate analysis, histologic anaplasia (P=0.0035), subtotal resection (P=0.0038), 20 mitoses per 10 high-power fields (P=0.0071), and nuclear atypia (P=0.0068) were associated with poor survival. Of the 89 cases of meningioma that had invaded the brain, 23% were otherwise benign, 61% were otherwise atypical, and 17% were frankly anaplastic. Those without anaplasia behaved similarly to atypical meningiomas from the authors' prior study. In contrast, anaplastic meningiomas were usually fatal, associated with a median survival of 1.5 years. CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, the authors suggest that brain invasion constitutes an additional criterion for the diagnosis of atypical meningioma (World Health Organization [WHO] Grade II), whereas frank anaplasia indicates high grade (WHO Grade III-IV) malignancy.
Swedish amyloid precursor protein mutation increases phosphorylation of eIF2α in vitro and in vivo

Swedish double mutation (KM670/671NL) of amyloid precursor protein (Swe‐APP), a prevailing cause of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), is known to increase in Aβ production both in vitro and in vivo, but its underlying molecular basis leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis remains to be elucidated, especially for the early phase of disease. We have confirmed initially that the expression of Swe‐APP mutant transgene reduced cell viability via ROS production but this effect was eliminated by an anti‐oxidative agent, vitamin E. We also found that eukaryotic translation initiation factor‐2α (eIF2α), which facilitates binding of initiator tRNA to ribosomes to set on protein synthesis, was phosphorylated in cultured cells expressing Swe‐APP. This increase in phosphorylated eIF2α was also attenuated significantly by treatment with vitamin E. The finding that eIF2α became highly phosphorylated by increased production of Aβ was substantiated in brain tissues of both an AD animal model and AD patients. Although an increase in Aβ production would result in cell death eventually (in late‐phase of the disease), the altered phosphorylation state of eIF2α evoked by Aβ may account for the decreased efficacy of mRNA translation and de novo protein synthesis required for synaptic plasticity, and may consequently be one of molecular causes for impairment of cognitive functions exhibited in the early phase of AD patients. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of soy supplementation on sex steroids and vascular inflammation markers in postmenopausal women using tibolone: role of equol production capability

Objectives Tibolone is often taken concurrently with soy. Tibolone, soy and equol-producing capacity each affect vascular health, whereas their concomitant effects are unknown. We studied the effects of soy on sex steroids and vascular inflammation markers in long-term tibolone users. Methods Postmenopausal women (n = 110) on tibolone were screened with a soy challenge to find 20 equol producers and 20 non-producers. All women were treated for 8 weeks in a cross-over trial with soy (52 g of soy protein containing 112 mg of isoflavones) or placebo. Serum estrone, 17β-estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and platelet-selectin (P-selectin) were assessed. Results Soy decreased (7.1%) the estrone level, significantly (12.5%) only in equol producers (from 80.2 ± 10.8 to 70.3 ± 7.0 pmol/l; p = 0.04). Testosterone was reduced (15.5%; from 586 ± 62.6 to 495 ± 50.1 pmol/l, p = 0.02) during soy treatment, and more markedly in equol producers than non-producers (22.1% vs. 10.0%). No changes appeared in SHBG, CRP or ICAM-1, but VCAM-1 increased (9.2%) and P-selectin decreased (10.3%) during soy treatment. Conclusions Soy modified the concentrations of estrone, testosterone and some endothelial markers. Equol production enforced these effects. Soy supplementation may be clinically significant in tibolone users.
Men's knowledge and beliefs about colorectal cancer and 3 screenings: education, race, and screening status.

OBJECTIVE To compare how education, race, and screening status affected men's knowledge about colorectal cancer and their views of 3 screenings: the fecal occult blood test (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted with 65 African American and white men with diverse education backgrounds with similar numbers screened and unscreened. RESULTS Education was associated with knowledge about colorectal cancer and the colonoscopy. Screening status and education were related to FOBT knowledge. Men knew little about the sigmoidoscopy. CONCLUSION Intervention programs should tailor education about colorectal cancer and screening by educational attainment levels, not by race.
Psychometric Properties of Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale in Farsi: an International Collaborative Project on Motivation for Physical Activity and Leisure.

BACKGROUND Given the importance of regular physical activity, it is crucial to evaluate the factors favoring participation in physical activity. We aimed to report the psychometric analysis of the Farsi version of the Physical Activity and Leisure Motivation Scale (PALMS). METHODS The Farsi version of PALMS was completed by 406 healthy adult individuals to test its factor structure and concurrent validity and reliability. RESULTS Conducting the exploratory factor analysis revealed nine factors that accounted for 64.6% of the variances. The PALMS reliability was supported with a high internal consistency of 0.91 and a high test-retest reliability of 0.97 (95% CI: 0.97-0.98). The association between the PALMS and its previous version Recreational Exercise Motivation Measure scores was strongly significant (r= 0.86, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION We have shown that the Farsi version of the PALMS appears to be a valuable instrument to measure motivation for physical activity and leisure.
The effect of a special nurse on patients' knowledge of epilepsy and their emotional state. Epilepsy Evaluation Care Group.

BACKGROUND People with epilepsy often report being given insufficient information and support. However, there is little evidence from general practice about how much they know and how they feel. AIM To describe social differences in the knowledge of epilepsy of people with the condition and test the potential effect of a nurse intervention in general practice on patients' knowledge and depression levels. METHOD A questionnaire that included measures of knowledge, anxiety, and depression was sent to people with epilepsy aged over 15 years who were registered with 37 general practitioners. Responders were randomized to a controlled trial, offering either two appointments with an epilepsy nurse or usual care. Six months later they were reassessed. RESULTS Two hundred and fifty-one out of 283 (89%) of the patients with epilepsy completed questionnaires and entered the study at Stage 1. One hundred and ninety-six out of 232 (84%) of those who entered the study, who remained in the practices and were eligible, returned questionnaires at Stage 2. The average duration of epilepsy was 23 years (range 2-79 years). There were significant differences in patients' levels of knowledge of epilepsy at Stage 1. Younger people, those who had left school after 16 years of age, those with GCSEs, and people who belonged to self-help groups had higher knowledge levels, and these were independent effects. Older people and those with a recent epilepsy attack had significantly higher depression scores. Knowledge scores did not differ significantly after the nurse intervention (Stage 2). At Stage 2, the risk of depression was less in the group randomized to be offered nurse input; the effect was mainly in a subgroup of patients with no recent epilepsy attack; their risk of depression was a third of the risk in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Knowledge of epilepsy differs significantly, with social factors and self-help group membership having independent effects. A nurse-run clinic reduced the risk of depression for people with no recent epilepsy attack, but knowledge levels were not affected. This does not exclude the potential for patients learning more about epilepsy; it may be useful to suggest that patients join self-help groups early on.
Impact of adult attachment styles on pain and disability associated with arthritis in a nationally representative sample.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to evaluate Mikail et al.'s hypothesis that adult attachment styles are associated with important pain-related variables such as pain and disability levels. DESIGN A cross-sectional design was used to examine the relation between measures of adult attachment styles and both pain and disability. SETTING The data used were obtained from the National Comorbidity Survey, a large and nationally representative sample of community-dwelling individuals aged 15 to 54 years. In the present study, individuals (n = 381) in the National Comorbidity Survey with arthritis or related conditions were included. OUTCOME MEASURES Ratings regarding three adult attachment styles (secure, anxious, and avoidant) were obtained by administering Hazan and Shaver's attachment self-report in an interview format. Pain and disability were assessed in a similar manner using four-point rating scales. RESULTS Ratings of insecure attachment were positively and significantly correlated with both pain and disability. A multiple regression analysis revealed that pain severity and the rating of anxious attachment could account for 20.3% of the variance in disability. CONCLUSIONS The attachment theory holds promise for understanding reactions to pain conditions, and Mikail et al.'s model warrants further investigation.
Molecular Cytogenetics of Bladder Cancer Progression

Development and progression of tumors is driven by an accumulation of genomic alterations. These genetic changes usually result in a disturbed function of genes involved in the control of key mechanisms for cellular Materials and Methods growth and differentiation. The genes involved in tumorigenesis can be categorized as tumor suppressor genes Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 79 urinary bladder carcinomas have been analyzed by CGH. The series included 28 pTa, (tumorigenic through inactivation) or oncogenes (tumori28 papillary pT1 and 23 pT1–4 carcinomas. All tumor blocks congenic through overexpression). Cytogenetic analyses are tained at least 70% tumor cells. CGH was done as described [2]. A relevant for the examination of tumor suppressor genes gain of DNA sequences was assumed at chromosomal regions where and oncogenes since alterations of these genes are frethe tumor to normal fluorescence intensity ratio was ? 1.20. Overrepquently associated with quantitative or structural chroresentations were considered amplifications when the fluorescence mosomal alterations. A tumor suppressor gene inactivaratio values exceeded 1.5 in a subregion of a chromosome arm. A loss of DNA sequences was presumed at chromosomal regions where tion is frequently associated with a deletion of one allele, the hybridization yielded a ratio =0.80. and an oncogene overexpression can be due to a gene copy number increase (gene amplification). Accordingly, detection of commonly deleted or amplified areas of the genome may pinpoint the site of yet unidentified oncoResults genes and tumor suppressor genes. The evaluation of cytogenetic changes is therefore an important starting point for pTa tumors had a comparatively low number of aberrations (mean 2.3; range 0–8). On average there were the identificationofnovel tumorassociatedgenes.Conventional cytogenetic analysis always includes a short-term 1.4 deletions (range 0–7), 0.9 gains (range 0–5), and 0.1 amplifications (range 0–2) per tumor. The most frequent culturing of tumor cells. This has proved impractical for analyses of large and well-characterized sets of tumors. alterations in pTa tumors included deletions of 9q (15/ 28), 9p (11/28), gains of 1q (4/28) and losses of the Y Molecular cytogenetic methods including comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) have the potential to subchromosome (7/25). All other alterations occurred in less than 10% of pTa tumors. pT1 carcinomas had a strikingly stantially improve our understanding of the genetic changes in bladder cancer, since archival tissue can be anahigher number of aberrations than pTa tumors (mean 6.5; range 0–17; p>0.0003). On average there were 3.1 lyzed. CGH enables the detection of all amplifications and deletions (? 10 megabases) in a single examination [1]. We deletions (range 0–9), 3.5 gains (range 0–15), and 0.5
Force-Sensing Glove System for Measurement of Hand Forces during Motorbike Riding

Accurate measurement of hand forces in motorbike riding is highly desirable for studies of safe riding. In this paper, we implement a force-sensing glove system for measuring real-time hand forces during motorbike riding with the aim of giving feedback to the riders. It consists of a pair of gloves with tactile sensors suitably mounted and configured for data acquisition via a wireless smartphone. A novel calibration method is developed for dynamic calibration considering force measurement in natural operation and environments. Consequently, a series of data classification algorithms ensure accurate hand performance feedbacks for motorbike riders. The feedback data could potentially alert the riders to predict and prevent accidents. Validation tests demonstrate that this force-sensing glove system has a strong potential as a tool for hand performance monitoring in real environment.