Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of CYP46 gene polymorphism with sporadic Alzheimer's disease in Chinese Han populations: a meta-analysis

Abstract It is well known that genetic variants play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, several studies have found that an intronic single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in cholesterol 24S-hydroxylase (CYP46) gene was associated with sporadic AD (SAD). Within the CYP46 gene, the most well-studied SNP that has been found to be associated with an increased risk for SAD in Caucasians is the intronic SNP rs754203. Subsequently, other researchers have attempted to validate this finding in Chinese Han populations. However, these studies have produced both negative and positive results. To derive a more precise estimation for whether an association exists between rs754203 and SAD in the Chinese Han population, we performed the present meta-analysis of six case–control studies published up to July 2012 by searching the Medline, AlzGene, CNKI, and Wan Fang databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for four genetic models (allelic model: T vs. C; additive model: TT vs. CC; recessive model: TT + TC vs. CC; dominant model: TC + CC vs. TT) in the six studies, which included a total of 1187 cases and 1283 controls. The statistical analysis showed no significant differences in rs754203 between patients and controls for any of the four genetic models (p > 0.05 for each model). In conclusion, despite several limitations, this meta-analysis indicates that the CYP46 gene SNP rs754203 is not significantly associated with SAD susceptibility in Chinese Han populations.
Influence of pH, temperature and culture media on the growth and bacteriocin production by vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius CRL 1328

Aims: To study the influence of pH, temperature and culture medium on the growth and bacteriocin production by vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius CRL 1328. Methods and Results: The study was performed using a complete factorial experimental design. Lactobacillus salivarius was cultivated in LAPTg and MRS broths, adjusted to specific initial pH, and at different temperatures of incubation. The growth, which was evaluated by the Gompertz model, was higher in MRS broth than in LAPTg broth. The initial pH of the culture medium and the temperature had a dramatic effect on the production of bacteriocin. The optimal conditions for bacteriocin production were different to those for optimal growth. The decrease in the pH of the culture medium was parallel to the growth; pH had similar final values in both the MRS and the LAPTg broths. Conclusions: The optimal growth conditions were recorded in MRS broth, with an initial pH of 6·5 and a temperature of 37°C. The maximum bacteriocin activity was obtained in LAPTg after 6 h at 37°C, and at an initial pH of 6·5 or 8·0. Significance and Impact of the Study: The application of a complete factorial design, and the evaluation of the growth parameters through the Gompertz model, enabled a rapid and simultaneous exploration of the influence of pH, temperature and growth medium on both growth and bacteriocin production by vaginal Lact. salivarius CRL 1328.
Life-threatening arrhythmias and RV dysfunction after surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Comparison between transventricular and transatrial approaches.

BACKGROUND Late postoperative arrhythmias and right ventricular dysfunction may occur after classic repair of tetralogy of Fallot. METHODS AND RESULTS During a mean follow-up of 8.9 years (range, 5 to 14 years), 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic studies were done in 107 patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Radionuclide angiography was performed in 97, and 78 patients also underwent postoperative heart catheterization. The patients were divided into two groups: group A consisted of 71 patients aged 2 months to 61 years (mean, 6.8 years) in whom the right ventricular approach was used; group B included 36 patients aged 8 months to 39 years (mean, 7.9 years) whose repair was through the right atrium. A transannular patch was employed in 42 (59.2%) patients in group A and in 23 (63.9%) patients in group B. Eighteen patients were adults (> 18 years old) at the time of surgery: 13 (18.3%) in group A and 5 (13.8%) in group B. During a mean follow-up of 9.7 years, 57 (80.3%) group A patients were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I. Atrial flutter was present in 3 (4.2%) patients, and 28 (39.4%) had significant ventricular arrhythmias (> or = Lown grade 2). Postoperative heart catheterization showed good hemodynamic results in 36 of 54 group A patients studied (12 of whom had ventricular arrhythmias); moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation was present in 14 (25.9%) patients; only 2 (3.7%) patients had right ventricular hypertension. On electrophysiological study, 8 of 28 (28.6%) patients in group A had inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia. Despite antiarrhythmic therapy, 2 of these patients died suddenly, presumably from ventricular arrhythmias. Two other late deaths in group A were caused by heart failure. During a mean follow-up of 7.2 years, 33 of 36 (91.7%) patients in group B were in NYHA functional class I. Atrial flutter was not found in any patient in this group. Only 1 (2.8%) patient, who had moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation, had significant ventricular arrhythmias (> or = Lown grade 2). Postoperative catheterization showed good hemodynamic results in 20 of 24 patients; 3 (12.5%) had moderate-to-severe pulmonary regurgitation, and 1 (4.2%) patient had right ventricular hypertension. Sustained ventricular tachycardia could not be induced in any of the 5 adult patients who underwent electrophysiological studies. One late death (caused by endocarditis) occurred in group B. CONCLUSIONS The right atrial approach significantly reduced the risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias after repair of tetralogy of Fallot (P < .001) without increasing the incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias. Right ventricular dysfunction and severe pulmonary regurgitation were also more prevalent (P < .01) when the right ventricular approach was used.
Time for tailoring human-machine interface technology to humans

Advanced human-machine interface (HMI) technologies developed for Japanese pressurized water reactors (PWRs) have demonstrated their potential benefit. The framework for the next-generation control room (i.e., ACR) for the Japanese PWR has begun to emerge. It is characterized by an entirely CRT-based compact operator console. However, there are problems. These include a problem with CRTs as well as some mismatches among users and and designers. More emphasis must be placed on user-oriented approaches when resolving these problems. Future HMI technology will need to be seen as a discipline that is more independent of information processing and other relevant technologies. <<ETX>>
T Cell and cytokine basis of host variability in response to intestinal nematode infections

SUMMARY Infection by a variety of species of intestinal nematode infection gives rise to a wide variation in parasite load within a host population. There has been much investigation into the basis of this variation and is thought to involve several factors. Studies of infections of gut dwelling nematodes in laboratory rodents has clearly demonstrated that this variation may be due to the production of cytokines produced as part of the host immune response to infection. More specifically, activation of distinct T helper cell subsets leads to the generation of effective or ineffective responses resulting in clearance of the parasite load or maintenance of chronic infection. The induction of differential responses remains to be determined but is likely to be influenced at a number of levels including involvement of accessory cells and activation of co-stimulatory molecules on antigen presenting cells. Moreover, it appears that these parasites may actively interfere with the host cytokine response to promote their own survival. This review concentrates on recent findings of cytokine mediated control of intestinal nematodes highlighting a central role for the immune system in regulating both acute and chronic infection by these parasites.
Roles of coactosin-like protein (CLP) and 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP) in cellular leukotriene biosynthesis

Significance 5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) is a key enzyme in biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs), lipid mediators of inflammation. To study the roles of the 5LO accessory proteins coactosin-like protein (CLP) and 5LO-activating protein (FLAP), we knocked down these proteins in human monocytic cells. Our results show that expression of CLP was required for full cellular 5LO activity when cells were activated with Ca2+ ionophore, as well as with a physiological stimulus (lipopolysaccharide followed by N-formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine). During LT biosynthesis in stimulated cells, 5LO typically translocates to the nuclear membrane. This redistribution, from cytosolic to perinuclear, was clearly compromised in both CLP- and FLAP-deficient cells. Our results suggest that the CLP–5LO interaction may be a target for reduced LT production. 5-Lipoxygenase (5LO) is a key enzyme in leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis. Two accessory proteins, coactosin-like protein (CLP) and 5-lipoxygenase–activating protein (FLAP), can support 5LO activity. To study the roles of CLP and FLAP, we knocked down these proteins in the human monocytic cell line Mono Mac 6 (MM6). Expression of CLP increased MM6 cellular 5LO activity for all stimuli tested. CLP is not absolutely crucial, however; some 5LO activity remained in all incubations of CLP knockdown cells. FLAP knockdown had minor effects in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid, but led to prominent reductions in 5LO product formation from endogenous substrate. Similar effects were observed after CLP and FLAP knockdown in human primary macrophages as well. In addition, FLAP knockdown reduced conversion of leukotriene A4 to leukotriene C4 (LTC4), suggesting a role for the activity of LTC4 synthase. After stimulation of MM6 cells by phorbol myristate acetate and ionophore A23187, a perinuclear ring pattern was observed for 5LO. This redistribution from cytosolic to perinuclear was clearly compromised in both CLP- and FLAP-deficient cells. In addition, association of CLP with the nucleus was almost absent after 5LO knockdown, and was clearly reduced in FLAP knockdown cells. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicated that 5LO-CLP complex formation in MM6 cells was increased by stimulation with ionophore, and that this complex was formed to the same extent in FLAP knockdown cells. A possible interpretation of our findings is that on cell stimulation, formation of the 5LO-CLP complex augments the translocation from cytosol to nucleus, whereas FLAP stabilizes association of this complex with the perinuclear membrane.
A Swallowable Smart Pill for Local Drug Delivery

In this paper, a smart pill for local drug delivery is presented. The pill is designed to achieve local therapy on gastrointestinal tissue thanks to a novel drug delivery system (DDS). The DDS consists of a miniature electrolytic pump. This microfabricated pump is ideal for medical applications because of its low power consumption, compatibility with small size batteries, integrability on miniaturized systems, and biocompatibility. The actuation principle of the micropump relies on the electrolysis of a water-based solution, which is separated from a drug reservoir by an elastic membrane. The electrolytically produced gases pressurize the electrolytic solution reservoir, causing the deflection of the elastic membrane. Such deflection, in turn, forces the drug out of its reservoir through a nozzle. In order to measure and monitor the membrane displacement, and therefore the volume of drug ejected, a strain gauge sensor has been prepared using a conductive thermoplastic nanocomposite elastomer (CTPE). The sensor is fixed on the deformable membrane. The CTPE shows high sensitivity and allows to customize the resistance of the device to obtain low power consumption. Thus, by measuring the current though the electrolytic cell and monitoring membrane deformation, the volume of the ejected drug can be controlled.
Management of LBP at primary care level in South Africa: up to standards?

BACKGROUND Primary Health Care (PHC) is well suited for management of low back pain (LBP). Prevalence of (chronic) LBP is suspected to be high among visitors of the South African primary care centers, but currently no information exists on prevalence or guideline adherence. OBJECTIVES To establish if treatment received for LBP in public PHC in the Cape Town area compares with international evidence based guidelines. METHODS Cluster randomization determined the 8 community health centres where the study took place. A measurement tool was developed and validated for this population. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression analytical techniques were applied. RESULTS 489 participants (mean age: 44.8) were included in this study. Lifetime prevalence was 73.2% and 26.3% suffered from chronic low back pain (CLBP) . Pain medication was the only form of treatment received by 90% of the sample. Interventions received seemed to be unrelated to type of LBP (acute, sub acute and chronic). Referral to physiotherapy, education and advice to stay active were rarely done. Participants expressed low satisfaction with treatment. CONCLUSIONS Current management of LBP at PHC level appears to be ineffective and not conform guidelines. Further South African research should focus on barriers as well as measures to be taken for implementation of LBP guidelines.
Postconditioning, a Series of Brief Interruptions of Early Reperfusion, Prevents Neurologic Injury After Spinal Cord Ischemia

Objective:We sought to test whether postconditioning, a series of brief mechanical interruptions of reperfusion applied during the onset of reperfusion, can prevent neurologic injury of the spinal cord after transient ischemia. Summary Background Data:Ischemia-reperfusion injury of the spinal cord is the principal mechanism leading to the paraplegia after surgery for descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Postconditioning has recently been demonstrated to confer cardioprotection by attenuating reperfusion injury. Methods:Spinal cord ischemia was induced in rabbits by infrarenal aorta occlusion for 25 minutes. Control animals underwent no additional intervention. Two groups of animals underwent postconditioning consisting of 4 or 6 cycles of 1-minute occlusion/1-minute reperfusion, respectively, which were applied 1 minute after the start of reperfusion. In 2 additional groups, 6 cycles of postconditioning started 5 or 10 minutes after the onset of reperfusion, respectively. Hind-limb motor function was assessed during a 10-day recovery period using the modified Tarlov criteria. Histologic examination of the spinal cord was performed, and the number of intact motor neurons was counted. Results:Compared with controls, 4 cycles of postconditioning significantly increased the Tarlov score and the number of intact motor neurons. Six cycles of postconditioning did not further improve the neuroprotection. Postconditioning starting 5 minutes after reperfusion still resulted in powerful neuroprotection, but the neuroprotection disappeared completely when postconditioning was delayed for 10 minutes. Conclusions:Postconditioning prevents neurologic injury of the spinal cord after ischemia, and the first few minutes of reperfusion are crucial to neuroprotection by postconditioning.
3-D Reconstruction of the Spine From Biplanar Radiographs Based on Contour Matching Using the Hough Transform

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a method for three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of the spine from biplanar radiographs. The approach was based on vertebral contour matching for estimating vertebral orientations and locations. Vertebral primitives were initially positioned under constraint of the 3-D spine midline, which was estimated from manually identified control points. Vertebral orientations and locations were automatically adjusted by matching projections of 3-D primitives with vertebral edges on biplanar radiographs based on the generalized Hough transform technique with a deformation tolerant matching strategy. We used graphics processing unit to accelerate reconstruction. Accuracy and precision were evaluated using radiographs from 15 scoliotic patients and a spine model in 24 poses. On in vivo radiographs, accuracy was within 2.8° for orientation and 2.4 mm for location; precision was within 2.3° for orientation and 2.1 mm for location. results were slightly better on model radiographs than on in vivo radiographs but without significance (p > 0.05). The duration for user intervention was less than 2 min, and the computation time was within 3 min. Results indicated the method's reliability. It is a promising tool to determine 3-D spinal geometry with acceptable user interaction.
Predominance of corticothalamic synaptic inputs to thalamic reticular nucleus neurons in the rat

Quantitative electron microscopy was used to examine the relative contributions of different types of synapses to the circuitry of the thalamic reticular nucleus (RTN) in the rat. Single RTN cells were injected with Lucifer Yellow (LY) in fixed brain slices and examined after photoconversion; corticothalamic axons and terminals were labeled by anterograde transport of Phaseolus vulgaris–leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L); and γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic terminals were labeled by postembedding immunocytochemistry. Three types of synapses, made by morphologically distinguishable small terminals (ST), large terminals (LT), and GABAergic terminals, were distributed on all portions of the dendritic trees of injected RTN cells. ST and LT terminals formed asymmetrical, presumed excitatory, synaptic contacts. On proximal dendrites, approximately 50% of the synapses were ST, 30–40% were LT, and 10–25% were GABAergic. On distal dendrites, 60–65% were ST, 20% were LT, and 15% were GABAergic. PHA‐L labeling showed that labeled corticothalamic terminals and ST terminals have identical morphological features and the same distribution patterns on RTN dendrites, indicating that the majority of excitatory afferents to RTN neurons are derived from the cerebral cortex. The LT terminals found in smaller numbers are probably derived from collateral axons of thalamocortical relay cells. GABAergic terminals formed by LY‐labeled, intra‐RTN axon collaterals were relatively few in number, and no dendrodendritic synapses were observed. J. Comp. Neurol. 414:67–79, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of the SURLAS applicator on radiation dose distributions during simultaneous thermoradiotherapy with helical tomotherapy

Simultaneous thermoradiotherapy has been shown to maximize the effect of hyperthermia as a radiation sensitizer in cancer treatment. Here we follow our previous work on feasibility of thermoradiotherapy with the scanning ultrasound reflector linear array system (SURLAS) and TomoTherapy® Hi⋅Art® treatment system, and investigate the influence of the SURLAS hyperthermia applicator on delivered radiation dose with the TomoTherapy. A radiation treatment plan was calculated and the treatment was delivered to a phantom with SURLAS on top simulating the likely clinical setup. Proper positioning of the SURLAS was assisted with a magnetic position-and-orientation tracking device (POTD) and was verified with megavoltage-computed tomography. The delivered dose was measured with an ionization chamber (point measurement) and a radiographic film (2D dose distributions). The planned and delivered point dose data agreed within 0.61% ± 0.63%. Planar dose data agreed within a dose difference of ⩽3% of the maximum dose, and a distance-to-dose-agreement of ⩽1 mm. The susceptibility of the delivered radiation dose on correct SURLAS positioning was studied as well. The largest dose discrepancy was measured for a position for which a maximum number of radiation beams intersected the incorrectly positioned SURLAS within one TomoTherapy gantry rotation. The point dose disagreed by 6.14% ± 0.52%, and 2.25% of pixels of the 2D dose distribution did not pass the 3% dose difference/1 mm distance-to-dose-agreement criteria. Our study showed that correct positioning of the SURLAS applicator had an influence on the delivered radiation dose. Delivered and planned dose distributions were in an excellent agreement when SURLAS was positioned according to the treatment plan. Moving the applicator from its planned position was found to cause a modification of delivered dose distributions. A precise and reproducible positioning of the applicator was assured with a POTD.
Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for anxiety disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE Mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions (MABIs) are receiving increasing attention in the treatment of mental disorders. These interventions might be beneficial for patients with anxiety disorders, but no prior reviews have comprehensively investigated the effects of this family of interventions on clinical samples. The aim of this study was to review and synthesize extant research on MABIs for patients with diagnoses of anxiety disorders. METHODS We conducted a systematic search of relevant databases according to pre-defined criteria. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they employed MABIs for patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders. RESULTS Nineteen eligible studies were found. Meta-analysis of within-group pre- to post-treatment effects yielded overall Hedges'g effect sizes of 1.08 for anxiety symptoms and 0.85 for depression symptoms. For controlled studies, overall between-group Hedges'g was 0.83 for anxiety symptoms and 0.72 for depression symptoms. Moderator analyses examined whether intervention type, design, treatment dosage, or patient sample was associated with systematic variation in effect sizes. No significant moderating effects were found on the variables examined, apart from an observed superiority in effect size for clinical trials on samples of patients with mixed anxiety disorders. However, differential effect sizes indicated benefits of adding specific psychotherapeutic content to mindfulness training, as well as an advantage of individual over group treatment. CONCLUSIONS MABIs are associated with robust and substantial reductions in symptoms of anxiety and comorbid depressive symptoms. More research is needed to determine the efficacy of MABIs relative to current treatments of choice, and to clarify the contribution of processes of mindfulness and acceptance to observed outcome.
Elder abuse and neglect in Ireland: results from a national prevalence survey.

OBJECTIVE To measure the 12-month prevalence of elder abuse and neglect in community-dwelling older people in Ireland and examine the risk profile of people who experienced mistreatment and that of the perpetrators. DESIGN Cross-sectional general population survey. SETTING Community. PARTICIPANTS People aged 65 years or older living in the community. METHODS Information was collected in face-to-face interviews on abuse types, socioeconomic, health, and social support characteristics of the population. Data were examined using descriptive statistics and logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) are presented. RESULTS The prevalence of elder abuse and neglect was 2.2% (95% CI: 1.41-2.94) in the previous 12 months. The frequency of mistreatment type was financial 1.3%, psychological 1.2%, physical abuse 0.5%, neglect 0.3%, and sexual abuse 0.05%. In the univariate analysis lower income OR 2.39 (95% CI: 1.01-5.69), impaired physical health OR 3.41 (95% CI: 1.74-6.65), mental health OR 6.33 (95% CI: 3.33-12.0), and poor social support OR 4.91 (95% CI: 2.1-11.5) were associated with a higher risk of mistreatment but only social support and mental health remained independent predictors. Among perpetrators adult children (50%) were most frequently identified. Unemployment (50%) and addiction (20%) were characteristics of this group.