Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stacking Multiple Transgenes at a Selected Genomic Site via Repeated Recombinase-Mediated DNA Cassette Exchanges[OA]

Recombinase-mediated DNA cassette exchange (RMCE) has been successfully used to insert transgenes at previously characterized genomic sites in plants. Following the same strategy, groups of transgenes can be stacked to the same site through multiple rounds of RMCE. A gene-silencing cassette, designed to simultaneously silence soybean (Glycine max) genes fatty acid ω-6 desaturase 2 (FAD2) and acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterase 2 (FATB) to improve oleic acid content, was first inserted by RMCE at a precharacterized genomic site in soybean. Selected transgenic events were subsequently retransformed with the second DNA construct containing a Yarrowia lipolytica diacylglycerol acyltransferase gene (DGAT1) to increase oil content by the enhancement of triacylglycerol biosynthesis and three other genes, a Corynebacterium glutamicum dihydrodipicolinate synthetase gene (DHPS), a barley (Hordeum vulgare) high-lysine protein gene (BHL8), and a truncated soybean cysteine synthase gene (CGS), to improve the contents of the essential amino acids lysine and methionine. Molecular characterization confirmed that the second RMCE successfully stacked the four overexpression cassettes to the previously integrated FAD2-FATB gene-silencing cassette. Phenotypic analyses indicated that all the transgenes expressed expected phenotypes.
Acute myeloid leukemia with a complex aberrant karyotype is a distinct biological entity characterized by genomic imbalances and a specific gene expression profile

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with a complex aberrant karyotype is a distinct biological entity. It is characterized by: (1) a sharp increase in incidence above age 50; (2) a characteristic pattern of chromosomal gain and, especially, loss, that is, of 5q14q33, 7q32q35, and 17p13, translating into reduced expression of genes in these regions; (3) a unique gene expression pattern including up‐regulation of genes involved in DNA repair; (4) a high incidence of TP53 deletions and/or mutations; and (5) an overall unfavorable prognosis. Further unraveling the biology of AML with a complex aberrant karyotype by gene expression profiling may provide deeper insights into the pathogenesis of as well as the reasons for chemoresistance in this AML subtype. These data may be the basis for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to increase the cure rate in patients with AML and a complex aberrant karyotype. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An Investment in Health: Anticipating the Cost of a Usual Source of Care for Children

OBJECTIVES. Among adults, having a usual source of care has been associated with lower health care expenditures primarily through decreased emergency department and inpatient expenditures. The extent of this effect among children is unknown. We hypothesized that children with a usual source of care would have greater odds of having any outpatient expenditures, lower odds of emergency department and inpatient expenditures, and lower expenditures overall. PATIENTS AND METHODS. Using a 2-part model, we studied expenditures among children ≤17 years of age in the 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (N = 8810). Logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between having a usual source of care and the odds of having any outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient expenditures, and ordinary least-squares regression was used to compare the amount of total, outpatient, emergency department, and inpatient expenditures among children with and without a usual source of care, controlling for confounders. RESULTS. The odds of having any expenditures overall and any outpatient expenditures were 2.42 and 2.91 times higher among children with a usual source of care than among those without a usual source of care. The odds of having any emergency department or inpatient visits did not differ between groups. Having a usual source of care was associated with higher total expenditures and lower inpatient expenditures. CONCLUSIONS. Having a usual source of care is associated with increased odds of having any expenditures overall and any outpatient expenditures, higher total expenditures, and lower inpatient expenditures. Because emergency department and inpatient visits are less common among children than among adults, reductions in receipt of such care do not offset the associated increase in total expenditures and may not be appropriate indicators of the benefit of having a usual source of care among children. Intermediate indicators such as receipt of age-appropriate preventive services should be assessed.
Portal vein embolization: rationale, technique and future prospects

Advances in surgery have reduced the mortality rate after major liver resection, but complications resulting from inadequate postresection hepatic size and function remain. Portal vein embolization (PVE) was proposed to induce hypertrophy of the anticipated liver remnant in order to reduce such complications. The techniques, measurement methods and indications for this treatment remain controversial.
Precise Ge quantum dot placement for quantum tunneling devices

This study demonstrates the precise placement of Ge quantum dots (QDs) in an SiO2 or Si3N4 matrix in a self-organized manner by thermally oxidizing SiGe in nanostructures. The effectiveness of this method is shown by a variety of geometries including nanotrenches, nanorods and polygonal nanocavities. Modulating the structural geometry and peripheral spacer materials effectively places a single Ge QD in the center of an oxidized SiGe nanostructure or individual QDs at the corners (edges). This study also reports the fabrication of Ge QD single-electron devices that exhibit clear Coulomb staircases and differential conductance oscillations at room temperature.
Influence of contaminants in the stem—ball interface on the static fracture load of ceramic hip joint ball heads

The probability of in-vivo failure of ceramic hip joint implants is very low (0.05–0.004 per cent). Besides material flaws and overloading, improper handling during implantation may induce fractures of the ceramic ball head in the long term. This study focuses on the influence of contaminants located in the stem—ball interface and on the use of damaged metal tapers on the strength of ceramic ball heads. Mechanical tests on alumina ball heads according to the standard ISO 7206-10 were performed to identify their effect on the static fracture load. A decrease of up to 90 per cent with respect to the reference static fracture load was found when contaminants such as bone chips, soft tissue, or blood were present. Reductions of 57 per cent and 27 per cent were observed for deformed stem cross-sections (from circular to elliptical) and for flattened stems respectively, making deformed stems another influential parameter. Since any alteration of the interface between the metal taper and the ceramic ball head yields a non-uniform load introduction and hence results in stress concentrations, its presence has to be avoided.
Hemolyzed specimens: a reason for rejection or a clinical challenge?

Clinical laboratories must improve the preanalytical phase, a phase highly susceptible to mistakes (1). In some reports, hemolyzed specimens, the most common reason for rejection, account for ∼60% of rejected specimens, fivefold more than the second most common cause (2). Cellular contents can falsely increase values for some plasma constituents, such as potassium, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase (3). Moreover, hemolysis produces spectrophotometric interference with other laboratory methods. In vitro hemolysis depends mainly on the way in which the blood samples are drawn and treated, and it may in particular depend on the blood being forced through too fine a needle (4) or through the large-bore needle of a syringe into a tube; it may also be caused by shaking the tube too vigorously and/or centrifuging blood specimens before clotting is complete. In vivo hemolysis, on the other hand, may have at least 50 causes. We evaluated the causes of hemolysis in samples received by our STAT section in the …
Clinical and biologic effects of anti-interleukin-10 monoclonal antibody administration in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of administering an anti-interleukin-10 (anti-IL-10) monoclonal antibody (mAb) to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with active and steroid-dependent disease. In addition, we sought to assess the effects of in vivo IL-10 neutralization on biologic markers of SLE. METHODS Treatment consisted of 20 mg/day intravenous administration of an anti-IL-10 murine mAb (B-N10) for 21 consecutive days, with a followup period of 6 months. Six patients were studied. RESULTS Treatment was safe and well tolerated. All patients developed antibodies against B-N10. Cutaneous lesions and joint symptoms improved in all patients beginning during B-N10 administration and continuing to month 6. The SLE Disease Activity Index decreased from a mean +/- SEM of 8.83+/-0.91 on day 1 to 3.67+/-0.67 on day 21 (P = 0.001), 1.50+/-0.84 at month 2, and 1.33+/-0.80 at month 6 (P<0.001). At the end of followup, the disease was clinically inactive in 5 of the 6 patients. Prednisone administration was decreased from a mean +/- SEM of 27.9+/-5.7 mg/day on day 1 to 9.6+/-2.0 mg/day at month 6 (P<0.005). Activity of immune and endothelial cells rapidly decreased, as assessed by the early evolution of several biologic markers. CONCLUSION This is the first report of IL-10 antagonist administration to humans. The study shows the involvement of IL-10 in the pathogenesis of SLE, and indicates that the use of IL-10 antagonists may be beneficial in the management of refractory SLE.
Yield of colonoscopy in children with rectal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE Rectal bleeding is a common complaint in children and is the most common indication for colonoscopy. The aim of this study is to report the yield of this procedure in children. METHODS Analysis of the medical records of all children below 18 years of age, who underwent colonoscopy from 1993 to 2002, in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the evaluation of rectal bleeding. RESULTS Eighty-nine children presented with bleeding per rectum, accounting for 49% of the indications for colonoscopy. The majority (92%) was Saudi nationals, the age range was from 5 months to 18 years, and the male to female ratio was 1.1: 0.9. There were 22 children between 0-12 years and 35 between 13-18 years. The overall yield of colonoscopy was 57/89 (64%); however, the yield was slightly better 22/32 (69%) for children 0-12 years. In a subset of children (22 patients, 21 of them were in the age group 0-12 years) where rectal bleeding was associated with diarrhea, the yield was 22/23 (97%). The causes of bleeding per rectum are presented in the table indicating that colitis was the most common cause 30/57 (36%), followed by polyps in 15 (27%); whereas rectal ulcers, chronic anal fissures and hemorrhoids accounted for 5% each. However, age-related analysis shows that colitis occurred more commonly in older children and polyps were found almost with equal frequency in both age groups. CONCLUSION The diagnostic yield of colonoscopy is very high especially in children presenting with bloody diarrhea.
Multimorbidity and associated factors in Brazilian women aged 40 to 65 years: a population-based study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of multimorbidity and associated factors in Brazilian women aged 40 to 65 years with 11 or more years of school education. MethodsA secondary analysis of a cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using an anonymous self-report questionnaire completed by 377 women. The number of reported morbid conditions was evaluated (depression, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, urinary incontinence, and insomnia) and classified as none or one and two or more morbid conditions. The sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, and reproductive factors associated with these conditions were also assessed. The &khgr;2 test and multiple logistic regression analysis with stepwise selection criteria were used to select the major factors associated with morbid conditions, with a significance level set at 5%. ResultsInsomnia was reported by 38.5%, depression by 31%, hypertension by 28.4%, urinary incontinence by 23.2%, and diabetes by 6.3% of the participants. In this sample, 28.9% did not report any morbid conditions, 31.8% reported one morbid condition, and 39.3% reported two or more morbid conditions. On logistic regression analysis, the increased likelihood of having two or more morbid conditions was associated with bad/fair self-perception of health (increased 5.1 times; 95% CI, 1.85-14.1), nonperformance of physical activity (increased by 2.7 times; 95% CI, 1.08-6.81), obesity (increased by 30.3 times; 95% CI, 3.17-250), postmenopause (increased by 4.4 times; 95% CI, 1.57-12.11), and nervousness (increased by 3.8 times; 95% CI, 1.45-9.8). ConclusionsA worse self-perception of health, sedentariness, obesity, nervousness, and being postmenopausal were associated with multimorbidity.
Electrophysiological characteristics of immunochemically identified rat oxytocin and vasopressin neurones in vitro.

1. Intracellular recordings were made from supraoptic neurones in vitro from hypothalamic explants prepared from adult male rats. Neurones were injected with biotinylated markers, and of thirty‐nine labelled neurones, nineteen were identified immunocytochemically as containing oxytocin‐neurophysin and twenty as containing vasopressin‐neurophysin. 2. Vasopressin and oxytocin neurones did not differ in their resting membrane potential, input resistance, membrane time constant, action potential height from threshold, action potential width at half‐amplitude, and spike hyperpolarizing after‐potential amplitude. Both cell types exhibited spike broadening during brief, evoked spike trains (6‐8 spikes), but the degree of broadening was slightly greater for vasopressin neurones. When hyperpolarized below ‐75 mV, all but one neurone exhibited a transient outward rectification to depolarizing pulses, which delayed the occurrence of the first spike. 3. Both cell types exhibited a long after‐hyperpolarizing potential (AHP) following brief spike trains evoked either with a square wave pulse or using 5 ms pulses in a train. There were no significant differences between cell types in the size of the AHP evoked with nine spikes, or in the time constant of its decay. The maximal AHP evoked by a 180 ms pulse was elicited by an average of twelve to thirteen spikes, and neither the size of this maximal AHP nor its time constant of decay were different for the two cell types. 4. In most oxytocin and vasopressin neurones the AHP, and concomitantly spike frequency adaptation, were markedly reduced by the bee venom apamin and by d‐tubocurarine, known blockers of a Ca(2+)‐mediated K+ conductance. However, a minority of neurones, of both cell types, were relatively resistant to both agents. 5. In untreated neurones, 55% of vasopressin neurones and 32% of oxytocin neurones exhibited a depolarizing after‐potential (DAP) after individual spikes or, more commonly, after brief trains of spikes evoked with current pulses. For each neurone with a DAP, bursts of spikes could be evoked if the membrane potential was sufficiently depolarized such that the DAP reached spike threshold. In four out of five vasopressin neurones a DAP became evident only after pharmacological blockade of the AHP, whereas in six oxytocin neurones tested no such masking was found. 6. The firing patterns of neurones were examined at rest and after varying the membrane potential with continuous current injection. No identifying pattern was strictly associated with either cell type, and a substantial number of neurones were silent at rest. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Management of lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanoma with staged excision: a 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term cure rate for treatment of lentigo maligna (LM) and lentigo maligna melanoma (LMM) by means of a staged, margin-controlled, vertical-edged excision with rush permanent specimens and a radial sectioning technique. DESIGN Retrospective follow-up study. SETTING University-affiliated and private-practice dermatologic surgery clinics. PATIENTS Fifty-nine patients treated for 55 LMs and 7 LMMs between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2001. INTERVENTIONS The technique included vertical excision with initial 2- to 3-mm margins examined by rush permanent sections (prepared and read within 24 hours). Further excision took place as guided by histologic findings. Data on patient and lesion characteristics were obtained via a medical chart review. Patients were then contacted and examined for local recurrence. Biopsies were performed on all patients with possible recurrence on clinical examination. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Local recurrence of LM or LMM. RESULTS After a mean follow-up of 57 months (median, 54 months; 293.8 person-years), 95% of patients were free of recurrence. Three patients had local recurrence and no patients had evidence of metastasis. Two of the 3 local recurrences were of previously excised LM, and 1 was of an LMM. Half (32) of all lesions required 2 or more stages. One required more than 4 stages. The average margin of excision was 0.55 cm. Three of the 58 lesions read as LM on biopsy were found to have invasive disease (LMM) at the time of definitive excision. CONCLUSIONS The technique described herein for the treatment of LM and LMM provides a long-term disease-free survival of 95%. The cure rate is greater than that reported for standard excision and is similar to that for other margin-control techniques. To our knowledge, this is the largest reported study and has the longest follow-up for this excision method for LM and LMM.
Cardiac Imaging Methods for Chemotherapy-related Cardiotoxicity Screening and Related Radiation Exposure: Current Practice and Trends.

BACKGROUND Radiation exposure is a serious concern with usage of serial multigated acquisition (MUGA) scans (7.8mSv/study) for chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity (CRC) screening. The current practice with respect to the imaging modalities chosen for cardiotoxicity screening and related radiation exposure has not been studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a serial cross-sectional study from 2011 to 2014, evaluating the relative usage of the three imaging modalities for CRC screening. RESULTS MUGA scan usage decreased from 30.4% to 16.7%, echocardiogram (Echo) utilization increased from 68.7% to 80.4% and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) usage increased from 0.9% to 2.9% in the 4-year period. Estimated total radiation exposure and secondary cancer risk can increase significantly in certain subgroups when MUGA scan is employed for serial cardiac imaging. CONCLUSION Increased awareness of radiation risks from MUGA, as well as increasing focus on early detection of cardiotoxicity using Echo and CMR, are possible reasons behind the observed trends.
Cardiovascular Responses to Catecholamines and Interactions with Endothelin-1 and Adenine Nucleosides in the Pericardium of the Dog Heart

The pericardial fluid may accumulate endogenous regulatory agents, such as catecholamines, endothelin or adenine nucleosides. However, very little information is available on the cardiovascular effects of intrapericardial (i.p.) catecholamines and their interaction with the endogenous endothelins and adenine nucleosides. The cardiovascular effects of increasing doses of i.p.- administered dopamine boluses (0.06-8 μmol/kg, n = 8) were studied in the in situ canine heart: systemic blood pressure, heart rate and left ventricular dP/dt were recorded, and pericardial infusate samples were obtained to measure the changes in endothelin-1 (ET-1), adenosine and inosine levels (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and high-performance liquid chromatography methods, respectively). The responses to i.p. dopamine were compared with the effects of i.p. norepinephrine boluses (0.004-0.5 μmol/kg, n = 8). Dopamine elicited dose-dependent increases of heart rate (P < 0.01), and the highest dose of dopamine resulted in significant elevation in dP/dt and blood pressure (P < 0.01) with a nearly twofold increase of i.p. ET-1 (from 14.3 ± 0.1 pg/mL to 26.1 ± 0.1 pg/mL, P < 0.02) and a more than threefold augmentation of i.p. adenosine (from 2.9 ± 0.5 μM to 11.1 ± 3.0 μM, P < 0.05), but not of inosine levels. Similar responses were obtained with i.p. norepinephrine. The results confirm that i.p. catecholamines exert significant hemodynamic effects and modulate ET-1 and adenosine release from the heart. However, the pattern of catecholamine actions initiated from the pericardium may characteristically differ from that of intravascular ones.
Spanish adaptation of the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R)

Abstract ALSFRS-R is a tool designed to measure disease progress in ALS patients. It consists of 12 items grouped into four functions designed to assess disabilities according to the Activities of daily living (ADL). Our objective was to validate the Spanish version of ALSFRS-R based on the original version. Four examiners assessed 73 ALS patients, applying the ALSFRS-R, ALSAQ-40 and the respiratory function variable assessed by the SRI scale, which measures respiratory insufficiency. Internal consistency and test-retest correlations were measured using Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's Rho tests. Factor analysis was performed by applying Varimax rotation and Kaiser standardization. Validity was analysed based on correlations between items in the ALSFRS-R scales and equivalents in the ALSAQ-40 and SRI questionnaires. The results showed high internal consistency (0.77–0.95) and a good test-retest correlation (0.80–0.95). Factor analysis showed a 73.3% principal component contribution; the weight of each item regarding their corresponding factors was 0.7–0.9. High correlations were observed (rs >0.60) between corresponding factors of ALSFRS-R/ALSAQ-40 and ALSFRS-R/SRI. We conclude that the version obtained from the ALSFRS-R maintains the internal consistency and validity of the construct of the original scale. The Spanish version of ALSFRS-R is available for readers at http://www.fundela. es/verOtras.php
Treatment of femoral fractures in neonates.

BACKGROUND Fractures of the femur in neonates are relatively uncommon. The infants feel pain and discomfort, causing parental distress, and the hospital stay is longer. Treatment of this specific fracture is problematic because of the small size of the baby. OBJECTIVES To review the results of the treatment of neonatal femoral fractures. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed all neonatal fractures of the femur during a 12 year period. Thirteen fractures of the femur in 11 babies were treated with improvised Bryant skin traction of both legs. All the patients were reexamined after a mean follow-up period of 5.2 years. RESULTS All fractures healed satisfactorily clinically and radiographically, with no residual deformity, leg length discrepancy or functional impairment. CONCLUSIONS Bryant's traction for 2-3 weeks in hospital is a safe method for the treatment of femoral fractures in neonates, and the outcome is good.