Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Apparent Heterozygous Type II Protein C Deficiency Caused by the Factor V 506 Arg to GIn Mutation

blots were quantitated using a Hirschman Eliscript 400 densitometer (Germany). Each experiment was repeated three times. In the absence of factor V (Fig. 1A), the 180 and 90 kD factor VIII heavy chain signals gradually disappeared over the 30 min observation period, initially resulting in 46 kD and then in 21 kD cleavage pro­ ducts. Factor V accelerated the progressive cleavage of the factor VIII heavy chain (Fig. IB); the heavy chain had completely disappeared af­ ter an interval as brief as 15 min, and no 21 kD cleavage products appeared. (The 330-280 kD band seen on Fig. IB is due to a cross reac­ tion of the antibody with factor V.) In contrast, when factor Va was present the 180 and 90 kD heavy chain signals remained visible over the entire observation period, and only very faint bands appeared at 46 kD after 15-30 min (Fig. 1C). These immunoblots indicate that factor V enhances the proteolytic degradation of factor VIII by APC even in the absence of protein S. The finding that almost no degradation of factor VIII takes place when activated factor V is present suggests that factor Va may have an inhi­ bitory effect. It remains to be determined whether this is due to sub­ strate competition for APC (7).
Radial Basis Function Network Based Design of Incipient Motion Condition of Alluvial Channels with Seepage

Radial Basis Function Network Based Design of Incipient Motion Condition of Alluvial Channels with Seepage Incipient motion is the critical condition at which bed particles begin to move. Existing relationships for incipient motion prediction do not consider the effect of seepage. Incipient motion design of an alluvial channel affected from seepage requires the information about five basic parameters, i.e., particle size d, water depth y, energy slope Sf, seepage velocity vs and average velocity u. As the process is extremely complex, getting deterministic or analytical form of process phenomena is too difficult. Data mining technique, which is particularly useful in modeling processes about which adequate knowledge of the physics is limited, is presented here as a tool complimentary to model the incipient motion condition of alluvial channel at seepage. This article describes the radial basis function (RBF) network to predict the seepage velocity vs and average velocity u based on experimental data of incipient condition. The prediction capability of model has been found satisfactory and methodology to use the model is also presented. It has been found that model predicts the phenomena very well. With the help of the RBF network, design curves have been presented for designing the alluvial channel when it is affected by seepage. Návrh aluviálneho kanála s použitím siete "Radial Basis Function Network" (RBF) v podmienkach pohybu dna koryta, ovplyvneného priesakom z kanála Návrh aluviálneho kanála s ohľadom na iniciáciu pohybu dna koryta, ovplyvneného priesakom vyžaduje informáciu o piatich základných parametroch: veľkosti častice d, hĺbke vody y, sklone čiary energie Sf, rýchlosti priesaku vs a priemernej rýchlosti prúdenia u. Pretože proces je extrémne zložitý, získať deterministickú alebo analytickú formu riešenia je ťažké. Príspevok opisuje získavanie údajov (data mining technique), bežne používané pri modelovaní. Opisuje aj sieť tzv. "radial basis function (RBF)" na prognózu rýchlosti priesaku vs a priemernej rýchlosti u; výpočet je založený na experimentálnych hodnotách v štádiu začínajúceho sa pohybu častíc v koryte. Bola konštatovaná dobrá schopnosť modelu prognózovať začínajúci pohyb; je uvedená tiež metodológia používania modelu. Bolo zistené, že model predpovedá uvedené javy veľmi dobre. Je tu opísaný návrh aluviálneho kanála ovplyvneného priesakom pomocou návrhových kriviek vytvorených pomocou siete RBF.
Patient Visits to a Midwestern Primary Care Practice-Based Research Network: A Comparison to Two National Primary Care Data Sets

Background: Regional primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have made important contributions to the primary care literature, but have not been well-described. This study compares pediatric patient characteristics within a new regional PBRN to pediatric patient characteristics from two previously published national data sets. Methods: Descriptive patient data were collected by 25 Southwestern Ohio Ambulatory Research Network (SOAR-Net) clinicians between July 2003 and June 2004. These data were compared to pediatric patient characteristics from 57 Pediatric Research in Office Setting clinicians and 33 primary care pediatric clinicians who participated in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survery. Results: SOAR-Net patients were almost twice as likely to use Medicaid (41.9% vs 22.0%/22.4%, p = 0.0001). SOAR-Net patients also were more likely to be African-American (23.7% vs 7.5%/17.6%, p = 0.002). About one third of patients in each sample were seen for a well visit. Conclusion: Regional networks with unique characteristics, such as a large number of Medicaid patients and/or many underserved minority patients have the potential to make significant contributions to primary care research by focusing on problems experienced within those segments of a population (e.g., indigent children and their families).
Morphogenesis of human cardiac outflow

The developmental anatomy of human cardiac outflow was studied in a series of 16 normal embryos (gestational days 29–39, crown‐rump length 6–20 mm, stages 14–19). Structural features and kinetics during truncal septation (TS) were described from external photographs, serial histological sections, and computer graphic reconstructions of selected tissues.
Abnormalities in renal tubular phosphate handling in children with sickle cell disease

The mechanisms responsible for the hyperphosphatemia in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and preserved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are not fully understood. The role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone has not been investigated in SCD. Hence, we evaluated parameters of renal tubular phosphorus handling and their relation to prevailing FGF23 levels in a cohort of young SCD patients.
Rheumatoid arthritis of the temporomandibular joint. A clinical and radiological study using circular tomography.

In a detailed study of 100 consecutive cases of rheumatoid arthritis, clinical abnormalities were present in the temporomandibular joints in 71.0 per cent of patients compared with 41.1 per cent of a group of matched controls. This difference is highly significant (P < 0.0005). Circular tomography was used to study the joints radiologically. By this technique, which does not appear to have been used previously in a study of this nature, 78.7 per cent of the rheumatoid patients' joints showed abnormalities compared with 33.9 per cent of the control joints. This difference is also highly significant (P < 0.0005). Certain clinical and radiological features appeared to be almost specific for rheumatoid arthritis and to correlate with increasing severity of the disease. Rheumatoid arthritis appears to affect the temporomandibular joint more commonly than was at one time thought.
Lung cancer and cigarette smoking in women: A multicenter case‐control study in Europe

The association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer risk in women was investigated within the framework of a case‐control study in 9 centres from 6 European countries. Cases were 1,556 women up to 75 years of age with histologically confirmed primary lung cancer; 2,450 controls with age distribution similar to cases were selected. The predominant cell type was adenocarcinoma (33.5%), with similar proportions for squamous‐cell type (26.4%) and small‐cell carcinoma (22.3%). Overall, smoking cigarettes at any time was associated with a 5‐fold increase in lung cancer risk (odds ratio 5.21, 95% confidence interval 4.49–6.04); corresponding figures for current smoking habits were 8.94, 7.54–10.6. The association showed a dose‐response relationship with duration of the habit and daily and cumulative lifetime smoking. A significant excess risk of 70% was associated with every 10 pack‐years smoked. After 10 years of smoking cessation, the relative risk decreased to 20% compared to current smokers. The following characteristics were associated with a higher relative risk: inhalation of smoke, smoking non‐filter cigarettes, smoking dark‐type cigarettes and starting at young age. The association was observed for all major histological types, being the strongest for small‐cell type carcinoma, followed by squamous‐cell type and the lowest for adenocarcinoma. The proportion of lung‐cancer cases in the population attributable to cigarette smoking ranged from 14% to 85%. We concluded that women share most features of the association between cigarette smoking and lung cancer observed in men. Int. J. Cancer 88:820–827, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Awareness and practices of contraception among Pakistani women attending a tertiary care hospital

Pakistan is one of the most populous nations in the world, with an annual growth rate of 2.8 and high total fertility rate, even among developing nations. The Pakistan Reproductive Health and Family Planning Survey highlighted the wide gap between knowledge (97%) and use of contraceptives (28%) among currently married women. Our actual need is to enhance contraceptive practice in our country. This study was designed to investigate contraceptive knowledge and practice in Pakistani women attending a tertiary care hospital. This questionnaire-based study was conducted at the Gynaecology Unit II of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Fatima Jinnah Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 204 married women of reproductive age were interviewed by a registrar to record their age, occupation, educational status, number of children, knowledge about contraceptive methods, source of the knowledge, attitudes and practices of contraception. About 57% of women were between 26 and 35 years of age, while 52% of men were between 31 and 40 years. Educational status of the majority of females was below matriculation (33%), while 34% males were above matriculation; 88% of females were housewives and less than 1% of men were out of work. Regarding the social status of couples, 64% were living on income less than 5000 rupees /month (about £60). Of the women, 67% were para 2 – 5; 68% had some sort of awareness regarding contraception. The main source of information was television (26%) and relatives (24%). The majority knew about the pill (68%) and IUCD (55%). Only 47% were using some sort of contraception. The most common method chosen was the barrier method (15%), followed by IUCD (10%) and the pill (10%). The least common methods were sterilisation (2%) and the rhythm method (2%); 85% of the women and 74% of the men in the study group had a positive attitude toward contraception. In order to improve contraceptive use in Pakistan we need to use multiple media sources to educate couples and their parents regarding contraceptive services, strengthen the perceptions that religion not only allows but also recommends family planning and to create awareness among women to have their rights and opinions about the size of family. The concept of differentiation between sons and daughters should be discouraged. In addition government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should organise groups to provide counselling and promotion of contraceptive services at the doorstep. We must act as a team to control our growth rate for economic stabilisation of the country and to raise the living standards of our people.
Anti-VEGF therapy: the search for clinical biomarkers

Despite the large diffusion and rapid development of anti-VEGF therapy in clinical practice and in contrast to the consolidated evidence with imatinib and trastuzumab that demonstrated a direct correlation between pre-treatment target expression and drug activity, it is very difficult, at present, to identify validated and useful biomarkers to monitor the efficacy of these compounds and to appropriately select patients most likely to benefit from such treatments. However, emerging data suggest that this is not presently feasible for antiangiogenic drugs. Although tumoral and/or circulating VEGF levels have been associated with tumor progression and/or poor prognosis, to date, there is no validated evidence suggesting their role as potential predictive biomarkers of response to anti-VEGF therapy. Recently, many studies have documented promising results with the evaluation of circulating endothelial cells and/or progenitors, and the use of several imaging techniques, such as dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, PET, dynamic CT scan and functional ultrasound. These preliminary data need a validation in larger prospective trials.
Herpes Simplex Virus DNA Synthesis Is Not a Decisive Regulatory Event in the Initiation of Lytic Viral Protein Expression in Neurons In Vivo during Primary Infection or Reactivation from Latency

ABSTRACT The herpes simplex virus genome can enter a repressed transcriptional state (latency) in sensory neurons of the host nervous system. Although reduced permissiveness of the neuronal environment is widely accepted as a causal factor, the molecular pathway(s) directing and maintaining the viral genome in the latent state remains undefined. Over the past decade, the field has been strongly influenced by the observations of Kosz-Vnenchak et al., which have been interpreted to indicate that, in sensory neurons in vivo, a critical level of viral DNA synthesis within the neuron is required for sufficient viral immediate-early (IE) and early (E) gene expression (M. Kosz-Vnenchak, J. Jacobson, D. M. Coen, and D. M. Knipe, J. Virol. 67:5383-5393, 1993). The levels of IE and E genes are, in turn, thought to regulate the decision to enter the lytic cycle or latency. We have reexamined this issue using new strategies for in situ detection and quantification of viral gene expression in whole tissues. Our results using thymidine kinase-null and rescued mutants as well as wild-type strains in conjunction with viral DNA synthesis blockers demonstrate that (i) despite inhibition of viral DNA replication, many neurons express lytic viral proteins, including IE proteins, during acute infection in the ganglion; (ii) at early times postinoculation, the number of neurons expressing viral proteins in the ganglion is not reduced by inhibition of viral DNA replication; and (iii) following a reactivation stimulus, the numbers of neurons and apparent levels of lytic viral proteins, including IE proteins, are not reduced by inhibition of viral DNA replication. We conclude that viral DNA replication in the neuron per se does not regulate IE gene expression or entry into the lytic cycle.
Multiple sclerosis-associated uveitis

Background/aims: To describe the clinical characteristics and course of 16 patients with uveitis associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: The records of 1254 patients with uveitis were reviewed. Sixteen of these patients had MS. The history, review of systems, ocular findings, and clinical test results of each of these 16 subjects were analyzed. The mean follow-up time was 38 months. Results: Most patients with MS-associated uveitis were white females between 20 and 50 years of age. The diagnosis of MS preceded the onset of uveitis in 56%, followed it in 25%, and was made concurrently in 19% of the cases. In 94%, the uveitis was bilateral. Pars planitis was the most frequent form of uveitis in our study population (81%); concomitant anterior chamber inflammation was common and was granulomatous in nature 56% of the time. Forty-one percent of the eyes with MS-associated uveitis had 20/30 or better initial visual acuity. Among these treated patients, significant loss of visual acuity was uncommon. Conclusions: MS-associated uveitis should be suspected in white female patients with bilateral uveitis, especially if pars planitis is present. These patients often retain useful vision for many years if treated.
HIV Communication Capacity Strengthening: A Critical Review

Abstract:HIV communication is most effective and sustainable when it is designed and implemented locally and tailored to the local context. This requires capacity strengthening at national, subnational, and community levels. Through a review of the published and selected “grey” literature, we examine HIV communication capacity strengthening: definitions, measurements, implementation, and effects. We found limited documentation of HIV communication capacity needs or systematic approaches to address them. Most HIV communication capacity strengthening to date has focused on building individual competencies to design and manage social and behavior change communication programs through training courses, often coupled with networking opportunities for participants, post-training mentoring, and technical assistance. A few of these efforts have been evaluated through pre- and post-training tests and qualitative interviews with participants and have shown potential for improvement in individual skills and knowledge. Health communication capacity assessment tools that measure individual and organizational competencies exist, but they have most often been used to identify capacity building needs, not for evaluating capacity strengthening efforts. A new definition of capacity strengthening, grown out of recent efforts to improve effectiveness of international health and development programs, focuses on improving organizational and societal systems that support performance and individual competencies. We propose a holistic model for HIV communication capacity strengthening and call for rigorous documentation and evaluation to determine and scale-up optimal capacity building interventions for strengthening social and behavior change communication for HIV prevention, care, and treatment in developing countries.
Effect of Homocysteine Lowering by 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate on Redox Status in Hyperhomocysteinemia

The endothelial dysfunction induced by hyperhomocysteinemia can be reversed by 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) via homocysteine (Hcy) lowering. An additive antioxidant action of 5-MTHF has been suggested to ameliorate endothelial dysfunction through increased nitric oxide production and superoxide radical scavenging, independent of Hcy lowering. The aim of the study was to assess whether 5-MTHF affects the redox state in hyperhomocysteinemia. We examined the effect of 3 months of oral 5-MTHF treatment (15 mg/day) on the redox pattern in 48 hyperhomocysteinemic subjects compared to 24 untreated hyperhomocysteinemic subjects. By analysis of variance with repeated measures in the 72 subjects, 5-MTHF markedly decreased plasma total Hcy (p-tHcy; P=0.0001) and blood-total glutathione (GSH; b-tGSH; P=0.002). By multivariate linear regression in the treated subjects, p-tHcy changes from baseline to 3 months (adjusted by baseline p-tHcy levels) correlated only with changes in reduced cysteinylglycine (P=0.001). The effects of treatment on Hcy lowering and GSH metabolism were greater in medium than in moderate hyperhomocysteinemia. In conclusion, high-dose 5-MTHF treatment for 3 months ensures marked Hcy lowering to normal values even in subjects with high Hcy levels, and should be the treatment of choice in medium hyperhomocysteinemia. Furthermore, 5-MTHF shows a favorable interaction with GSH metabolism.
Humor, Laughter, and Happiness in the Daily Lives of Recently Bereaved Spouses

The positive psychology movement has created more interest in examining the potential value of experiencing positive emotions (e.g., humor, laughter, and happiness) during the course of bereavement. This study of 292 recently widowed (5–24 weeks) men (39%) and women (61%) age 50 and over examined both the perceived importance of and actual experience of having positive emotions in their daily lives and how they might impact bereavement adjustments. We found that most of the bereaved spouses rated humor and happiness as being very important in their daily lives and that they were also experiencing these emotions at higher levels than expected. Experiencing humor, laughter, and happiness was strongly associated with favorable bereavement adjustments (lower grief and depression) regardless of the extent to which the bereaved person valued having these positive emotions.
Low-power front-end of eddy current sensor interfaces for industrial applications

This paper presents a high-performance electronic interface for eddy current displacement sensors (ECSs). The interface includes a low-power front-end oscillator specifically designed for high-stability performance. The demodulation principle used to detect the input signal (i.e., displacement information) is explained. A switched-channel technique is utilized to suppress the effect of the offset. Post-layout simulations along with primary experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the design approach as well as the validity of the theoritical analyses. The interface system dissipates 9.5 mW and demonstrates a dynamic range of about 75 dB with a 240 μs measurement time and with less than 20 ppm/°C thermal drift over the range of 0−85 °C.
Catecholamines potentiate LPS‐induced expression of MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 in human monocytes and in the human monocytic cell line U937: possible implications for peri‐ operative plaque instability

Plaque destabilization leading to myocardial infarction is observed after surgery even if the intervention is of noncardiovascular nature. Mediators of peri‐ or postoperative stress responsible for such events could include catecholamines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Monocytes may be involved in destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques by production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). We examined whether catecholamines could affect the expression of MMPs in human monocytes/macrophages and whether catecholamines could modulate LPS‐stimulated expression of particular MMPs in these cells. Epinephrine and norepinephrine up‐regulated MMP‐1 and potentiated LPS‐induced expression of MMP‐1 in peripheral blood monocytes and monocyte‐ derived macrophages. We further characterized this effect employing the monocytic cell line U937 and showed that catecholamines potentiate LPS‐induced effects on MMP‐1 and MMP‐9 antigen and activity. mRNA levels of the respective MMPs also increased. These effects did not result from higher mRNA stability but rather from increased transcription possibly induced by enhanced DNA binding of AP‐1 and were mediated by either β1‐ or β2‐receptors. If this mechanism is also effective in vivo, our findings might, at least in part, help to explain the observation that cardiac events are important causes of morbidity and mortality after noncardiac surgery and support the findings that peri‐operative β‐blockade has been shown to reduce postoperative mortality from cardiac events.