Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential Gel Electrophoresis of the Tear Proteome

Purpose. This study evaluates the use of differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) for tear analysis and applies this technique to establish the effect of extended contact lens wear on the tear proteome. Methods. Flush tears were collected from nine healthy non-contact lens wearers at baseline, during the first day, and after 1 month of contact lens wear. Participants wore AIR OPTIX on an extended wear (EW) schedule. Tears were collected at mid-day and upon waking and analyzed for concentrations of total protein using the bicinchoninic acid assay method. DIGE was then performed to detect biomarkers likely to be affected by contact lens wear. Technique variability, physiological variability, and the effect of EW were established. Proteins with significantly changed abundance during lens wear were cut and identified with mass spectrometry. Results. Both Cy3 and Cy5 identified the same proteins relative to Cy2 with the highest fold difference of 4.4. The proteome varied by 3% at the same time point, with a significant increase in protein spots found between mid-day (257) and upon awakening (298). With EW, of the 311 proteins spots identified upon awakening, 15 differed significantly. Of the five differences between baseline and the first night of EW, all were greater at baseline. Of the differences between baseline and 1 month, six were greater at 1 month and four were greater at baseline. Conclusions. DIGE is a repeatable proteomic technique capable of determining differences in the tear proteome. The extent of the participants' experience with lens wear is an important factor to consider when analyzing the tears from lens wearers, as neophytes appear to differ from those with experience.
Characteristics of Isolates Streptococcus pneumoniae from Middle-Aged and Elderly Adults in Brazil: Capsular Serotypes and Antimicrobial Sensitivity to Invasive Infections.

Pneumococcal infection cause frequent, serious problems among middle aged and elderly populations worldwide. Efforts to prevent mortality caused by pneumococci are based mainly on rapid diagnosis of the infection and appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Vaccination is considered to be the best approach to prevent the disease in at risk populations and the current 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended for people &gte;65 years of age. To evaluate the present antibiotic sensitivity patterns and the potential for vaccine use to prevent this disease in Brazil, 94 isolates of pneumococci from normally sterile body sites from patients &gte;50 years of age were analyzed for capsular serotypes and antimicrobial resistance. Among the total isolates, 7.4% (n = 7) of the isolates showed intermediate level resistance to penicillin (IR). Among the IR isolates, 6 were also resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. All isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and vancomycin. Twenty-eight serotypes were identified and the serotypes included in the 23-valent vaccine accounted for 81.7%. By adding the cross-reacting serotypes, the percentage of vaccine preventable infections was 90.3%. Each of intermediate level resistant strains were among the 23 serotypes included in pneumococcal vaccine. This preliminary data on the distribution of serotype of S.pneumoniae among those &gte;50 years of age in Brazil, and the potential for increased antimicrobial resistance to penicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, support the use of pneumococcal vaccine in this population.
UAVs in WSNs for agricultural applications: An analysis of the two-ray radio propagation model

In this work, we discuss the radio propagation model of the UAVs when they act as mobile nodes belonging to a ground wireless sensor network. A typical application scenario is the agricultural field, where ground sensor nodes communicate with a flying node (the UAV). Currently, UAVs are attracting much attention both in the market and in the research field, thus more accurate radio propagation models are needed to properly estimate the effectiveness and the feasibility of the use of UAVs in several contexts. The main contribution of this work is in highlighting that the classical two-ray path loss model may be not enough accurate to take into account all the different factors that must be considered when using an UAV to communicate with and to control a ground Wireless Sensor Network.
Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteines-like 1 Suppresses Aggressiveness and Predicts Better Survival in Colorectal Cancers

Purpose: Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteines-like 1 (SPARCL1) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein with malignancy-suppressing potential. The hypothesis that SPARCL1 reduces cancer invasiveness and predicts better survival in colorectal cancers (CRC) was investigated. Experimental Design: Stable SPARCL1 transfectants, RKO-SPARCL1, and corresponding vector control were constructed and implanted into nude mice to generate a mouse xenograft model of liver metastasis. Also, a retrospective outcome study was conducted on the COH set (222 CRCs) and ZJU set (412 CRCs). The protein expression level of SPARCL1 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The Kaplan–Meier and Cox analyses were used for survival analysis. The association of SPARCL1 with mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) was examined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Results: The ectopic expression of SPARCL1 significantly reduced the potential for anchorage-independent growth, migration, invasion and induced cell differentiation in RKO and SW620 cells. In mouse xenograft model, the expression of SPARCL1 significantly reduced the liver metastasis (P < 0.01). The patient-based studies revealed that the expression of SPARCL1 was related to better differentiation (P < 0.01), less lymph node involvement [OR, 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45–1.00], and less distant metastasis (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.18–0.79). The Kaplan–Meier and Cox analysis showed that the expression of SPARCL1 was associated with better overall survival (log-rank: P < 0.01; HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39–0.84). Transfection of SPARCL1 induced MET of colon cancer cells. Conclusion: SPARCL1 functions as a tumor suppressor promoting differentiation possibly via MET, which inhibits the aggressiveness of CRCs. Clin Cancer Res; 18(19); 5438–48. ©2012 AACR.
Use of data mining at the Food and Drug Administration

OBJECTIVES This article summarizes past and current data mining activities at the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). TARGET AUDIENCE We address data miners in all sectors, anyone interested in the safety of products regulated by the FDA (predominantly medical products, food, veterinary products and nutrition, and tobacco products), and those interested in FDA activities. SCOPE Topics include routine and developmental data mining activities, short descriptions of mined FDA data, advantages and challenges of data mining at the FDA, and future directions of data mining at the FDA.
Interleukin-6 induces G1 arrest through induction of p27(Kip1), a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, and neuron-like morphology in LNCaP prostate tumor cells.

Prostate carcinoma cells express high levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-6 receptor. In this study, we examined the effect of IL-6 on LNCaP human prostate carcinoma cells. IL-6 induces G1 growth arrest of LNCaP. Following IL-6 treatment of LNCaP, Western blot analysis showed that the protein levels of cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2), CDK4, and CDK6 were decreased, while accumulation of CDK inhibitor p27(Kip1) was rapidly and markedly induced. In vitro kinase assays revealed that the CDK-associated histone H1 and CDK4- and CDK6-associated pRb kinase activities were significantly inhibited in IL-6-treated LNCaP. Further, a significant amount of p27(Kip1) was co-precipitated with CDK2, CDK4 and CDK6, as detected in immunoprecipitation experiments. Thus, IL-6-induced G1 arrest appears to be due to the accumulation of p27(Kip1). In addition, IL-6-treated LNCaP cells induced neuron-like morphological changes. Since neuroendocrine differentiation is observed in most prostate carcinomas, these findings raise the possibility that IL-6 may be involved in neuroendocrine differentiation in vivo.
Increasing atrial fibrillation prevalence in acute ischemic stroke and TIA

Objective: To evaluate trends in atrial fibrillation (AF) prevalence in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and TIA in the United States. Methods: We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to retrospectively compute weighted prevalence of AF in AIS (n = 4,355,140) and TIA (n = 1,816,459) patients admitted to US hospitals from 2004 to 2013. Multivariate-adjusted models were used to evaluate the association of AF with clinical factors, mortality, length of stay, and cost. Results: From 2004 to 2013, AF prevalence increased by 22% in AIS (20%–24%) and by 38% in TIA (12%–17%). AF prevalence varied by age (AIS: 6% in 50–59 vs 37% in ≥80 years; TIA: 4% in 50–59 vs 24% in ≥80 years), sex (AIS: male 19% vs female 25%; TIA: male 15% vs female 14%), race (AIS: white 26% vs black 12%), and region (AIS: Northeast 25% vs South 20%). Advancing age, female sex, white race, high income, and large hospital size were associated with increased odds of AF in AIS. AF in AIS was a risk factor for in-hospital death (odds ratio 1.93, 95% confidence interval 1.89–1.98) but mortality in AIS with AF decreased from 11.6% to 8.3% (p < 0.001). Compared to no AF, AF was associated with increased cost of $2,310 and length of stay 1.1 days in AIS. Conclusions: AF prevalence in AIS and TIA has continued to increase. Disparity in AF prevalence in AIS and TIA exists by patient and hospital factors. AF is associated with increased mortality in AIS. Innovative AIS preventive strategies are needed in patients with AF, especially in the elderly.
Recruitment difficulties in a home telecare trial

We analysed the difficulties encountered in recruiting predominantly older patients, suffering from an acute exacerbation of a chronic illness, to a randomized controlled trial of home telecare. Of 653 patients approached for study participation, after full assessment, 80% (519) met the trial eligibility criteria. Of these, 104 (20%) consented to study participation and 415 (80%) refused. A logistic regression model was constructed to examine independent effects of patient factors on probability of trial participation. Only two independent variables were associated with decreased likelihood of consent: increasing age (1 year older: odds ratio [OR] = 0.96); and being on inhaled steroid medication (OR = 0.60). The most common reason for refusal to participate, accounting for almost one-third of respondents, was a stated preference for a face-to-face nurse visiting service rather than a telecare service. Perhaps home telecare services should continue to be targeted at the more stable chronically ill population and not at those suffering from acute illness.
Auditory steady-state response thresholds of adults with sensorineural hearing impairments: Umbrales de las respuestas auditivas de estado estable en adultos con hipoacusia sensorineural

This study evaluated the use of multiple auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) to estimate the degree and configuration of behavioral audiograms of subjects with sensorineural hearing impairments. Place specificity of the multiple-ASSR method was also assessed. Multiple amplitudemodulated (77–105 Hz) tones (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz) were simultaneously presented to one ear. The results showed that, on average, multiple-ASSR thresholds were 14±13, 8±9, 10±10 and 3±10 dB above behavioral thresholds for 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, respectively. Behavioral and multiple-ASSR thresholds were significantly correlated (r =0.75–0.89). There were no significant differences between behavioral and multiple-ASSR measures of the audiogram configuration. In subjects with steep-sloping ≥30 dB/octave) hearing losses, multiple-ASSR thresholds did not underestimate behavioral thresholds, revealing good place specificity. These results indicate that the multiple-ASSR method provides good estimates of the degree and configuration of hearing in individuals with sensorineural hearing impairments. Este estudio evaluó el uso de las repuestas auditivas de estado estable (ASSR) para estimar el grado y la configuración de la audiometria conductual en sujetos con hipoacusia sensorineural. También se evaluó la especificidad tonal del método de ASSR múltiple. Se presentaron tonos múltiples de amplitud modulada (77–105 Hz) en 500, 1000, 2000 y 4000 Hz en forma simultánea para cada oído. Los resultados muestran que en promedio, los umbrales de ASSR-múltiple son 14±13, 8±9, 10±10 y 3±10 dB por encima del umbral conductual para las frecuencias 500, 1000, 2000 y 4000Hz respectivamente. No hubo una diferencia significativa (r = 0.75–0.89) entre los umbrales conductuales y los umbrales por ASSR-múltiple en la configuración del audiograma. En sujetos con curvas de perfil descendente abrupto (≥30 dB/octave), los umbrales obtenidos por ASSR-múltiple no subestimaron los umbrales conductuales y demostraron buena relación de especificidad frecuencial. Estos resultados indican que el método ASSR-múltiple proporciona un buen estimado del grado y la configuración de la audición de los individuos con hipoacusia sensorineural.
Metabolic control of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus through education and counseling.

PURPOSE To test the efficacy of a controlled nursing intervention focused on education and counseling to improve metabolic control of adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2 in (DMT2) ambulatory care. DESIGN A quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was selected. A sample of 45 subjects participated, of which 25 were in the experimental group, and 20 in the comparison group. Measures were taken at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, including glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAlc), psychosocial, and clinical variables. FINDINGS Results showed a significant decrease in HbAlc in the experimental group, as well as positive effects of self-care agency, adaptation, and barriers to treatment (plus one interaction) on the HbA1c levels and on the scores of self-care actions. CONCLUSIONS The counseling and educational model applied in the intervention was effective to improve the metabolic control of diabetic patients in the experimental group. Self-care agency, adaptation, and barriers were predictors of self-care measures and level of HbA1c.
Oxygen radical formation does not have an impact in the treatment of severe acute experimental pancreatitis using free cellular hemoglobin.

AIM Microcirculatory dysfunction and free oxygen radicals are important factors in the pathogenesis of severe acute pancreatitis. Additional oxygen delivery might enhance lipid peroxidation but may also improve pancreatic microcirculation. This study assesses the effect of free cellular bovine hemoglobin on the formation of oxygen radicals and microcirculation in a rodent model of severe acute pancreatitis. METHODS Fifteen minutes after induction of acute pancreatitis Wistar rats received either 0.8 mL bovine hemoglobin (HBOC-200), hydroxyethyl starch (HES) or 2.4 mL of normal saline to ensure normovolemic substitution. After 6 h of examination the pancreas was excised and rapidly processed for indirect measurement of lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) in pancreatic tissue. RESULTS The single application of HBOC-200 improved pancreatic microcirculation and reduced histopathological tissue damage significantly. Tissue concentration of MDA did not differ between the groups. Also no differences in GSH levels were detected. CONCLUSION Though the single application of HBOC-200 and HES improve pancreatic microcirculation, no differences in lipid peroxidation products were detected. The beneficial effect of additional oxygen supply (HBOC-200) does not lead to enhanced lipid peroxidation.
Outcome at 5 years of age of children 23 to 27 weeks' gestation: refining the prognosis.

OBJECTIVES To determine the changes with postnatal age for survival, with and without major sensorineural disability, to 5 years of age in very preterm infants and to contrast their prognosis with normal birth weight (NBW) control participants. METHODS A geographically determined cohort study was conducted in Victoria, Australia. Consecutive live births of 23 to 27 weeks' gestational age born during 1991 to 1992 and randomly selected contemporaneous NBW control participants were studied. The main outcome measures were survival and rates of major disability at 5 years of age, determined for those offered intensive care, after day 7, after day 28, and at hospital discharge. RESULTS Of 401 live births of 23 to 27 weeks' gestation, 225 (56.1%) survived to 5 years of age. The survival rate rose significantly with increasing gestational age at birth in those offered intensive care and by day 7 but not by day 28. The survival rate free of major disability rose significantly with increasing gestational age at all postnatal ages but was not an independent predictive variable by day 28; other adverse events were more important. In the absence of adverse events, the rate of survival free of major disability for very preterm infants who had survived to discharge was 93.2%, similar to the rate of 95.5% for NBW control participants. CONCLUSIONS The prognosis for very preterm infants changes substantially with postnatal age. Counseling of families should be repeated at intervals, and the advice offered should vary with perinatal events.
Nafta And Agriculture: An Early Assessment

While the effects of NAFTA will not be known for quite sometime, an early appraisal can be made (1) using an econometric decomposition of trade patterns with and without the agreement and (2) assessing NAFTA as a learning process. Results show that the Agreement helped increase Mexican imports from the U.S. when Mexican incomes were rising and helped prevent a further fall in imports when incomes were falling. As a learning process, the most promising aspect of the Agreement is reliance on tri-national civil society as the warrant of implementation of the clauses of the agreement and of each country's labor and environmental laws. This is inducing the active participation of a thickening web of corporatist and non-governmental organizations that cut across national boundaries. Political sustainability of the Agreement requires to deal not only with the transitory poverty created by economic adjustments, but also with the deeper problem of social exclusion from the benefits of globalization.
GENERAL DISEASE IN 120 NECROPSY‐PROVEN CASES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

The general pathology in 120 necropsy‐proven cases of multiple sclerosis has been compared with that of matched neurological and general controls. There was no significant difference in the incidence of coronary thrombosis, myocardial infarction, cerebral haemorrhage, thyroid atrophy and splenic haemosiderosis. There was also no significant difference in malignancy in the three groups. The implications of these findings with particular reference to immunopathology are discussed. 74% of patients with multiple sclerosis died from complications of the disease: 26% died from apparently unrelated diseases.
Potential outcomes of multi-variable climate change on water resources in the Santa Basin, Peru

Abstract Water resources in the Santa Basin in the Peruvian Andes are increasingly under pressure from climate change and population increase. Impacts of temperature-driven glacier retreat on streamflow are better studied than those of precipitation changes, yet present and future water resources are mostly dependent on precipitation, which is more difficult to predict with climate models. This study combines a broad range of projections from climate models with a hydrological model (WaterWorld), showing a general trend towards an increase in water availability due to precipitation increases over the basin. However, high uncertainties in these projections necessitate basin-wide policies aimed at increased adaptability.
Systematic Bias in the Progress of Research

We analyze the extent to which citing practices may be driven by strategic considerations. The discontinuation of the Journal of Business (JB) in 2006 for extraneous reasons serves as an exogenous shock for analyzing strategic citing behavior. Using a difference-in-differences analysis, we find that articles published in JB before 2006 experienced a relative reduction in citations of approximately 20% after 2006. Since the discontinuation of JB is unrelated to the scientific contributions of its articles, the results imply that the referencing of articles is systematically affected by strategic considerations, which hinders scientific progress.
Mechanism for procaine‐mediated hyperactivated motility in guinea pig spermatozoa

Hyperactivated motility was studied in guinea pig spermatozoa. In the presence of the local anesthetic procaine, a high number of sperm cells (64%) showed hyperactivation when incubated in minimal culture medium with pyruvate, lactate, and glucose. Hyperactivated motility was dependent on glucose in the medium. Sperm ATP concentration was increased twofold in hyperactivated sperm when compared to procaine‐treated nonhyperactivated cells. cAMP levels were also higher in hyperactivated cells than in control spermatozoa. Thus, in living spermatozoa high levels of ATP appear to be needed to generate hyperactivation. cAMP is present at a high concentration in hyperactivated spermatozoa, therefore a role of cAMP in hyperactivation cannot be excluded. Depletion of external Ca2+ did not inhibit procaine‐induced hyperactivated motility. Hence, procaine canceled the requirement of external Ca2+ for sperm to express hyperactivated motility. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing Permethrin Resistance in the Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) in Florida by using Laboratory Selections and Field Evaluations

ABSTRACT Insecticide resistance in the stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), has been demonstrated previously, but mostly with insecticides that are no longer used, such as the organochlorines. Resistance to commonly used pyrethroids has been evaluated twice, but only in the midwestern United States. Stable fly susceptibility to a commonly used pyrethroid, permethrin, was determined in Florida to assess the possibility of resistance development. Diagnostic concentration evaluations of three stable fly field strains demonstrated a maximum of 57 and 21% survival to permethrin residues of 3× and 10× the LC99 of a susceptible strain, respectively. Stable flies from an equine facility with no reported insecticide use demonstrated ≈20% survival with a 3× diagnostic concentration. Despite a distance of 91-km between field collection sites, survival profiles of field-collected stable fly strains were similar. Although an established stable fly colony collected from a local dairy previously expressed low level resistance to permethrin residues, five generations of laboratory permethrin selection increased resistance 15-fold.