Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Widespread Persistent Thickening of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet by Freezing from the Base

A large fraction of the ice at Dome A, Antarctica, did not form by the usual process of snowfall compaction. An International Polar Year aerogeophysical investigation of the high interior of East Antarctica reveals widespread freeze-on that drives substantial mass redistribution at the bottom of the ice sheet. Although the surface accumulation of snow remains the primary mechanism for ice sheet growth, beneath Dome A, 24% of the base by area is frozen-on ice. In some places, up to half of the ice thickness has been added from below. These ice packages result from the conductive cooling of water ponded near the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountain ridges and the supercooling of water forced up steep valley walls. Persistent freeze-on thickens the ice column, alters basal ice rheology and fabric, and upwarps the overlying ice sheet, including the oldest atmospheric climate archive, and drives flow behavior not captured in present models.
The Microtubule Cytoskeleton Participates in Control of β2 Integrin Avidity*

Leukocyte avidity is regulated by cytoskeletal constraints, which keep β2 integrins in an inactive mode. Releasing these constraints results in increased lateral mobility and clustering of integrins, effectively activating adhesion. At least part of the constraint on β2 integrins is due to actin; whether other cytoskeletal components are involved has not previously been investigated. Microtubules are a candidate for control of integrin rearrangement, because they modulate focal adhesions, which are sites of interaction between integrins and the cytoskeleton. Here we report that both depolymerization of microtubules by colchicine or nocodazole and stabilization of microtubules by taxol increased the lateral mobility of β2 integrins, activating adhesion. Increased integrin mobility was accompanied by an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of paxillin, a biochemical event associated with activation of β2 integrins. Further, C3 exoenzyme, an inhibitor of Rho, blocked induction of integrin mobility by nocodazole, but not by taxol, suggesting that there are multiple microtubule-dependent pathways to integrin rearrangement, only some of which require Rho activity. Taken together, our data suggest that a dynamic microtubule system is required to regulate integrin-cytoskeleton interactions. Furthermore, these data demonstrate that microtubules participate in control of integrin rearrangement, one of the earliest steps in activation of integrin-mediated adhesion.
Comparative In Vitro Susceptibilities of 396 Unusual Anaerobic Strains to Tigecycline and Eight Other Antimicrobial Agents

ABSTRACT Tigecycline was tested against 396 strains of lesser-known anaerobic species encountered in human infections. It was active against all gram-positive strains and 228 of 232 gram-negative anaerobes at ≤1 μg/ml. One strain of Prevotella oralis was nonsusceptible at 8 μg/ml.
Organochlorine Exposure and Age at Natural Menopause

Background. The effect of potential endocrine-modulating organochlorines on menopause has not been extensively examined. Methods. We evaluated the associations of plasma polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) with age at natural menopause. We analyzed data from 1407 women in a population-based, case-control study of breast cancer that was carried out in 1993–1996 in North Carolina. Results. The adjusted hazard ratio estimating the rate of onset of natural menopause was 1.4 (95% confidence interval = 0.9–2.1) for the top decile of DDE compared with values below the median. This association is similar in magnitude to the association between smoking and menopause (hazard ratio = 1.4 [1.1–1.9]). No association was seen with PCBs. Conclusions. The suggested effect of DDE on timing of natural menopause encourages further research to corroborate these findings and evaluate potential mechanisms. Prospective studies, in which exposure measurements are taken before menopause, would be particularly useful.
The HydroNet ASV, a Small-Sized Autonomous Catamaran for Real-Time Monitoring of Water Quality: From Design to Missions at Sea

In this paper, we describe the design, the development, and the sea trials of a novel small-sized autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) designed for monitoring the coastal water quality. The vehicle is characterized by the capability of measuring hydrocarbon and heavy metal concentrations directly onboard by means of custom-made miniaturized sensors. This capability, novel for an ASV, is combined with a winch-based sampling system specifically designed for small-sized vehicles. The sampling system can collect water samples up to 50 m in depth and measure the physical/water quality parameters of the water column. With these two features, the HydroNet ASV provides an autonomous, practical, real-time monitoring system, conceived to complement the current water monitoring practices in which samples are collected by a dedicated boat and analyzed in specialized laboratories at a later stage. The design process had the aim of realizing a vehicle capable of hosting the sampling system and the custom-made sensors that represent a unique payload in the world of small-sized ASVs. A twofold objective was pursued: realizing an ASV suited for monitoring missions in realistic scenarios (e.g., attention was paid to avoid water sample contamination), at the same time limiting the size for the ease of transportability and deployment. Severe constraints rose from these considerations and were addressed during the realization of the robot such as reduced length/weight (that limit the available space for the sensor payload) and low draft and protected propellers to allow the ASV to navigate in shallow waters with likely floating obstacles such as plastic bags. We report the design process aiming at a tradeoff between ease of transportability (small vehicle), available payload, and navigation performance in terms of achievable speed, endurance, and resistance to environmental disturbances (favored by larger ASV dimensions). We present sea trials of the realized vehicle validating the design choices. In particular, a long-range mission is discussed in which the robot executed a monitoring survey covering autonomously 12.5 km in front of Livorno, Italy, coast.
Frontal and temporal lobe brain volumes in schizophrenia. Relationship to symptoms and clinical subtype.

BACKGROUND Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrate reduced brain volumes in schizophrenics, but specific structural abnormalities have not been clearly delineated. The structural abnormalities of this disorder are likely to be heterogeneous, consistent with its diverse clinical presentation. To investigate the relationship between structural abnormality and clinical symptoms, we examined regional brain and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) volumes in a large sample of schizophrenic patients and controls, with patients aggregated into clinical subtypes. METHODS Right and left hemisphere frontal and temporal lobe brain and CSF volumes were quantified from 5-mm axial spin-echo MRIs for 71 schizophrenic patients and 77 age- and sex-matched controls. The following four standardized rating scales were used to assess symptom severity: Negative Symptoms, Disorganization, Schneiderian Delusions and Hallucinations, and Suspicion-Hostility. Patients were also subtyped as either deficit or nondeficit on the basis of enduring negative symptoms. RESULTS Schizophrenic patients overall exhibited abnormal brain asymmetry, with selective decrease in brain volume in the left temporal and right frontal regions. Left temporal lobe parenchymal volume reduction and CSF volume increase were correlated with the severity of negative symptoms. Consistent with this, the subtype analysis revealed abnormal temporal lobe asymmetry for the deficit subgroup only. Right frontal lobe volume reduction correlated with the duration of illness, independent of symptom severity or schizophrenic subtype. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal lateral asymmetry suggests selective structural deficits in schizophrenia, rather than diffusely undifferentiated CNS abnormalities. The pattern of regional abnormalities is related to clinical symptoms, with negative symptoms being associated with left temporal lobe rather than frontal lobe abnormality. This is consistent with suggestions of a temporolimbic prefrontal network abnormality in schizophrenia. Further longitudinal studies are warranted, using higher-resolution MRI technology and gray matter-white matter segmentation to confirm and extend these findings.
Modeling and Applications of a Chemical-Loaded UHF RFID Sensing Antenna With Tuning Capability

A key-issue of the wireless gas sensing by radio frequency identification is the capability to control the sensor's response while minimizing the amount of chemical interactive materials (CIM) required to dope the tag antenna. An open-circuit shielded slot-line layout is proposed as a general purpose tunable radio frequency identification (RFID) radiator, suitable to host small amounts of CIM. It operates both as a very efficient passive sensor and as a tool to estimate the electromagnetic equivalent parameters of the CIM during the gas exposure. A hybrid distributed-lumped model permits to separate the CIM's contribution from the antenna's response and, in addition, it provides a simple tool to shape the calibration curve relating RFID power signals to the physical changes of the environment. The tag layout and the method are applied to the UHF characterization of the conductive polymer Pedot:PSS and to the optimization of high-performance humidity sensor capable of a three-times higher sensitivity than those achieved by the current state of the art RFID devices.
Intergroup marriage: an examination of opportunity structures.

Though a number of authors have noted the increase in interracial marriages in the United States over the past few decades, few researchers have systematically examined variables that affect the opportunity for intergroup marriage among several different groups: Whites, African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics. In this paper we examine several “opportunity” variables and their relationship to intergroup marriage for couples age 40 or younger: immigration, military service, metropolitan residency, age, region, college attendance, and socioeconomic status. We examine these relationships for African, White, Asian, and Hispanic Americans. Results for both males and females are presented. The analysis is based on data from the 1990 census. The propensity to marry within one's own group dropped slightly for all groups but Asian Americans from 1980 to 1990. White and Black Americans continue to have the highest endogamy rates. Hispanic and Asian Americans have lower rates, and regional variations are highest for them as well. The results suggest that the opportunity variables are important factors affecting rates of intergroup marriage.
β‐Catenin mutations in pulmonary blastomas: association with morule formation

To elucidate the contribution of β‐catenin gene mutation to the development of pulmonary blastomas, we analysed mutations in three well‐differentiated fetal adenocarcinomas (WDFAs) and six biphasic pulmonary blastomas (BPBs). For comparison, eight clear‐cell adenocarcinomas with fetal lung features were also examined. β‐Catenin gene mutations were found in all three WDFAs, two BPBs, and none of the clear‐cell adenocarcinomas with fetal lung features. All tumours with mutations had a common histological feature, namely morule formation, and showed a characteristic heterogeneous β‐catenin expression pattern that was revealed by immunohistochemistry. Strong nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of β‐catenin was seen in clustered cells in the morular areas and in single cells in glands, and was associated with neuroendocrine differentiation. As β‐catenin mutations are rare among lung tumours, this distinctive genetic feature, which is also immunohistochemically detectable as overexpression with a heterogeneous pattern, has diagnostic significance. The presence of this common genetic alteration found in both WDFA and BPB implies a histogenetic linkage between these tumours. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
STUDIES OF CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS METABOLISM: VIII. The Influence of the Thyroid Gland and the Parathyroid Hormone upon the Total Acid-Base Metabolism.

The studies of Aub, Bauer, Heath, and Ropes (1) demonstrated that there is a marked increase in calcium excretion in hyperthyroidism and a decrease in calcium excretion in hypothyroidism. Moreover, these studies showed that the increased calcium in hyperthyroidism was partly in the feces, although predominantly in the urine. The present investigation was undertaken to determine if possible the wherefore of this increased calcium excretion. Three possible explanations had been suggested. In the first place it seemed possible that there might be an associated hyperparathyroidism with hyperthyroidism and an associated hypoparathyroidism with hypothyroidism. That this is not the right explanation is suggested by the fact that in hyperthyroidism the serum calcium is only slightly elevated and there is an increased calcium excretion in the feces, whereas in hyperparathyroidism the serum calcium is much elevated and there is no increased excretion in the feces (see studies by Albright, Bauer, Ropes, and Aub (2)). Secondly, the possibility occurred that the calcium of the bones in its capacity as a reserve supply of base might be excreted in hyperthyroidism to neutralize some acid. There are four known methods of neutralizing such acids:
SPECIES RICHNESS OF PARASITE ASSEMBLAGES: Evolution and Patterns

Parasite communities are arranged into hierarchical levels of organization, covering various spatial and temporal scales. These range from all parasites within an individual host to all parasites exploiting a host species across its geographic range. This arrangement provides an opportunity for the study of patterns and structuring processes operating at different scales. Across the parasite faunas of various host species, several species-area relationships have been published, emphasizing the key role of factors such as host size or host geographical range in determining parasite species richness. When corrections are made for unequal sampling effort or phylogenetic influences, however, the strength of these relationships is greatly reduced, casting a doubt over their validity. Component parasite communities, or the parasites found in a host population, are subsets of the parasite fauna of the host species. They often form saturated communities, such that their richness is not always a reflection of that of the entire parasite fauna. The species richness of component communities is instead influenced by the local availability of parasite species and their probability of colonization. At the lowest level, infracommunities in individual hosts are subsets of the species occurring in the component community. Generally, their structure does not differ from that expected from a random assembly of available species, although comparisons with precise null models are still few. Overall studies of parasite communities suggest that the action of processes determining species richness of parasite assemblages becomes less detectable as focus shifts from parasite faunas to infracommunities.
Clinical experience with ramucirumab: outcomes in breast cancer

Introduction: Monoclonal antibodies and small molecules targeting the VEGF pathway are part of the arsenal to treat malignant tumors. Antiangiogenesis therapies has been studied in breast cancer with partial success, reflected by the approval of bevacizumab in Europe but not in United States, for metastatic breast cancer (mBC). Ramucirumab is a mAb against VEGFR-2 interfering with the normal activation of this receptor by its natural ligand VEGF. Areas covered: This article will review the preclinical data available to date for ramucirumab, as well as survey the main clinical trials of antiangiogenic agents reported in breast cancer, focusing on Phase III clinical trials. It will also review the clinical trial data for ramucirumab in mBC, including the design of the Phase II trials, and report on the preliminary results of the TRIO-012 trial. This trial did not meet its primary end point in progression-free survival and has to be considered as a negative trial. Expert opinion: Despite preliminary positive data with ramucirumab in other metastatic solid tumors reported to date, the results of TRIO-012 discourage pursuing more efforts with ramucirumab in mBC unless predictive and reproducible biomarkers can be established to select those patients who are most likely to benefit from it.
Pharmacokinetics and tolerability of voriconazole and a combination oral contraceptive co-administered in healthy female subjects.

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT * Voriconazole, a broad-spectrum antifungal drug, is a substrate and inhibitor of CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 isozymes. * Ethinyl oestradiol and norethindrone, components of the combination oral contraceptive drug Ortho-Novum 1/35, also are substrates of cytochrome P450 CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 isozymes. * Because co-administration of voriconazole and Ortho-Novum 1/35 could potentially result in pharmacokinetic interactions that increase systemic exposure of one or both drugs to unsafe levels, clinical studies are needed to define better the two-way pharmacokinetic interaction between these drugs. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS * Although co-administered voriconazole and oral contraceptive did result in increased systemic exposures of all three drugs relative to respective monotherapy, co-administered treatment was generally safe and well tolerated. * It is recommended, however, that patients receiving co-administered voriconazole and oral contraceptives be monitored for the development of adverse events commonly associated with these medications. AIM To assess the two-way pharmacokinetic interaction between voriconazole and Ortho-Novum 1/35, an oral contraceptive containing norethindrone 1 mg and ethinyl oestradiol 35 microg. METHODS In this open-label, three-period, fixed-sequence study, 16 healthy females received voriconazole (400 mg q12 h, day 1; 200 mg q12 h, days 2-4) (period 1), oral contraceptive (q24 h, days 12-32) (period 2), and combination voriconazole (400 mg q12 h, day 57; 200 mg q12 h, days 58-60) and oral contraceptive (q24 h, days 40-60) (period 3). RESULTS Voriconazole geometric mean AUC(tau) and C(max) increased 46% (12 682-18 495 ng h ml(-1); 90% confidence interval [CI] 32, 61) and 14% (2485-2840 ng ml(-1); 90% CI 3, 27), respectively, when co-administered with oral contraceptive vs. voriconazole alone. Ethinyl oestradiol geometric mean AUC(tau) and C(max) increased 61% (1031-1657 ng h ml(-1); 90% CI 50, 72) and 36% (119-161 ng ml(-1); 90% CI 28, 45), respectively, and norethindrone geometric mean AUC(tau) and C(max) increased 53% (116-177 ng h ml(-1); 90% CI 44, 64) and 15% (18-20 ng ml(-1); 90% CI 3, 28), respectively, during voriconazole co-administration vs. oral contraceptive alone. Neither ethinyl oestradiol nor norethindrone levels were reduced in subjects following voriconazole co-administration. Adverse events (AEs) were generally mild, occurring less in subjects receiving voriconazole alone (36 events) vs. oral contraceptive alone (88 events) or combination treatment (68 events); four subjects experienced a severe AE. CONCLUSIONS Co-administration of voriconazole and oral contraceptive increased systemic exposures of all analytes relative to respective monotherapy. Although generally safe and well tolerated, it is recommended that patients receiving co-administered voriconazole and oral contraceptive be monitored for development of AEs commonly associated with these medications.
Treatment of alpha and beta herpesvirus infections in solid organ transplant recipients

ABSTRACT Introduction: Human herpesviruses frequently cause infections in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Areas covered: We provide an overview of the clinical impact of alpha and beta herpesviruses and highlight the mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical indications, and adverse effects of antiviral drugs for the management of herpes simplex virus, varicella zoster virus and cytomegalovirus. We comprehensively evaluated key clinical trials that led to drug approval, and served as the foundation for management guidelines. We further provide an update on investigational antiviral agents for alpha and beta herpesvirus infections after SOT. Expert commentary: The therapeutic armamentarium for herpes infections is limited by the emergence of drug resistance. There have been major efforts for discovery of new drugs against these viruses, but the results of early-phase clinical trials have been less than encouraging. We believe, however, that more antiviral drug options are needed given the adverse side effects associated with current antiviral agents, and the emergence of drug-resistant virus populations in SOT recipients. Likewise, optimized use and strategies are needed for existing and novel antiviral drugs against alpha and beta-herpesviruses in SOT recipients.
Volatile phenols in serum of uraemic patients.

1. The volatile phenols in sera of uraemic patients were analysed by gas-liquid chromatography. The concentrations of p -cresol, 1·17 ± 0·58 (mean ± SD), and phenol, 0·44 ± 0·39 mg/100 ml, were higher than the corresponding values (0·23 ± 0·17 and 0·02 ± 0·03 mg/100ml, respectively) in control subjects. Both compounds were recovered mainly as acid labile conjugates, probably sulphate esters. No unconjugated phenol, o -, m -, or p -cresol or conjugated derivatives of o - or m -cresol were detected. 2. When the standard hospital diet was replaced by an isocaloric low-protein diet, the concentration of p -cresol and urea in serum decreased in the two uraemic patients studied. The serum concentration of phenol was uninfluenced by this change of diet. 3. One female patient was studied during treatment with peritoneal dialysis, which on two out of three occasions appeared to result in decreased concentrations of phenol and p -cresol in serum.
Australian Indigenous Health Plain language From the Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to a variety of conditions affecting the circulatory system including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and stroke [1]. CVD has been identified as one of the most serious conditions that will affect the Australian population in the next two decades. It kills more Australians every year than any other health condition and is responsible for enormous health care costs [2]. Of added concern is the increasing rate at which the Australian population is ageing (increasing age is a risk factor for the development of CVD as well as other chronic conditions).