Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cortisol levels and mortality in severe sepsis 31

OBJECTIVE Serum cortisol levels rise in response to the stress of critical illness but the optimal range of serum cortisol in such settings is not clearly defined. The objectives of this study were to determine the range of serum cortisol levels in a group of medical intensive care unit patients with severe sepsis/septic shock using uniform criteria, and to correlate serum cortisol levels to mortality. DESIGN AND PATIENTS In a prospective observational fashion, 100 medical intensive care unit patients at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago were enrolled within 48 h of developing severe sepsis/septic shock as defined by the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine. MEASUREMENTS A serum cortisol level was measured during the morning hours in the first 48 h of developing severe sepsis/septic shock. The severity of critical illness was measured by the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. RESULTS The average patient age was 63 ± 17 years, 54 patients were men. The average APACHE II score for all patients was 23 ± 7. In-hospital and 90-day mortality were 51% and 60%, respectively. Four patient groups were defined a priori based on morning serum cortisol levels and their in-hospital mortalities were as follows: group 1 (cortisol ≤ 345 nmol/ l), n = 11, mortality 54%; group 2 (cortisol 345–552 nmol/ l), n = 19, mortality 53%; group 3 (cortisol 552–1242 nmol/ l), n = 54, mortality 41%; and group 4 (cortisol ≥ 1242 nmol/ l), n = 16, mortality 81% ( P < 0·01). CONCLUSIONS Cortisol levels were elevated in most patients with septic shock. Cortisol levels less than 552 nmol/ l occurred in 30% of patients with septic shock but the mortality in these patients was not significantly increased. Serum cortisol levels ≥ 1242 nmol/ l were associated with significantly higher mortality.
Flower power and the mustard bomb: Comparative analysis of gene and genome duplications in glucosinolate biosynthetic pathway evolution in Cleomaceae and Brassicaceae.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Glucosinolates (GS) are a class of plant secondary metabolites that provide defense against herbivores and may play an important role in pollinator attraction. Through coevolution with plant-interacting organisms, glucosinolates have diversified into a variety of chemotypes through gene sub- and neofunctionalization. Polyploidy has been of major importance in the evolutionary history of these gene families and the development of chemically separate GS types. Here we study the effects of polyploidy in Tarenaya hassleriana (Cleomaceae) on the genes underlying GS biosynthesis. METHODS We established putative orthologs of all gene families involved in GS biosynthesis through sequence comparison and their duplication method through calculation of synonymous substitution ratios, phylogenetic gene trees, and synteny comparison. We drew expression data from previously published work of the identified genes and compared expression in several tissues. KEY RESULTS We show that the majority of gene family expansion in T. hassleriana has taken place through the retention of polyploid duplicates, together with tandem and transpositional duplicates. We also show that the large majority (>75%) is actively expressed either globally or in specific tissues. We show that MAM and CYP83 gene families, which are crucial to GS diversification in Brassicaceae, are also recruited into specific tissue expression pathways in Cleomaceae. CONCLUSIONS Many GS genes have expanded through polyploidy, gene transposition duplication, and tandem duplication in Cleomaceae. Duplicate retention through these mechanisms is similar to A. thaliana, but based on the expression of GS genes, Cleomaceae-specific diversification of GS genes has taken place.
Acute catecholamine cardiomyopathy in patients with phaeochromocytoma or functional paraganglioma

Objective Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGL) can cause acute catecholamine cardiomyopathy (ACC). We assessed the prevalence of ACC and compared the presentation of cases with and without ACC in a large series of PPGL. Design Single centre retrospective study. Setting Hypertension Unit, University Hospital, Paris. Patients 140 consecutive patients with PPGL, referred from January 2003 to September 2012. Main outcome measures Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), perioperative mortality. Results Fifteen patients (11%) had suffered an ACC, occurring in 14 cases before the diagnosis of PPGL. Precipitating factors were identified in 11 cases. Twelve patients presented with acute pulmonary oedema, including 10 with cardiogenic shock, requiring life support in eight cases. Seven patients (five with pulmonary oedema) presented with acute chest pain and cardiac dysfunction. Electrocardiographic abnormalities were present in 14 cases: ST segment elevation or pathological Q waves, ST segment depression, and/or diffuse T wave inversion. Six patients displayed classical (apical ballooning) or inverted (basal/mid ventricular stunning) takotsubo-like cardiomyopathy. Coronary arteries were always normal on angiography. In patients with ACC, median LVEF rose from 30% (IQR 23–33%) during ACC to 71% (50–72%) before surgery (n=11, p<0.001). Median LVEF before PPGL surgery was 65% (51–72%) and 65% (60–70%) in patients with and without a history of ACC, respectively (not significant). Conclusions PPGL may present as ACC in 11% of cases, excluding patients dying from undiagnosed tumours. Left ventricular dysfunction is usually reversible before surgery. PPGL should be suspected in patients with acute heart failure without evidence of valvular or coronary artery disease.
Anticancer Efficacy of Targeted Shikonin Liposomes Modified with RGD in Breast Cancer Cells

Shikonin (SHK) has been proven to have a good anti-tumor effect. However, poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit its wide application in clinical practice. In this study, to overcome these drawbacks, RGD-modified shikonin-loaded liposomes (RGD-SSLs-SHK) were successfully prepared. It exhibited excellent physicochemical characteristics including particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and delayed release time. Meanwhile, the targeting activity of the RGD-modified liposomes was demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy in the αvβ3-positive MDA-MB-231 cells. Besides exhibiting greater cytotoxicity in vitro, compared with non-targeted shikonin-loaded liposomes (SSLs-SHK), RGD-SSLs-SHK could also evidently induce apoptosis by decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 and increasing the expression of Bax. It could also inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and adhesion by reducing the expression of MMP-9 and the level of NF-κB p65, but did not affect the expression of MMP-2 in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Therefore, these findings indicated that the strategy to use RGD-modified liposomes as carriers for targeted delivery of shikonin is a very promising approach to achieve breast cancer targeted therapy.
Tin‐Protoporphyrin Prevents Experimental Superficial Siderosis in Rabbits

Superficial siderosis of the human central nervous system is caused by small continuous or recurrent subarachnoid hemorrhages that lead to the destructive deposition of hemosiderin. The excessive tissue iron derives from heme that is oxidized in a rate-limiting step by the enzyme heme oxygenase (HO), and especially the inducible form, HO-1. We postulated that competitive inhibition of HO by tin-protoporphyrin IX (SnPP) could prevent experimental superficial siderosis. Since synthetic metalloporphyrins do not cross the blood-brain barrier, SnPP was delivered directly into the cisterna magna. Rabbits received weekly intracisternal injections of washed autologous red blood cells (RBC) over a period of 1 to 16 wk. In companion experiments, SnPP was added to the suspension of RBC, or SnPP was injected without RBC. All injections caused increased HO-1 immunoreactivity in the Bergmann glia of the cerebellar cortex and in superficial astrocytes of the piriform cortex. The injections of RBC or RBC with added SnPP also generated a vigorous microglial response. The metalloporphyrin entered the tissue in inhibitory amounts and greatly reduced the accumulation of histochemically detectable iron. It did not alter the microglial response. The observations allowed the conclusion that SnPP suppressed heme oxidation but did not affect other steps in the pathogenesis of superficial siderosis.
The radiation sensitivity of human chromosomes 2, 8 and 14 in peripheral blood lymphocytes of seven donors

Purpose: To investigate if deviations from DNA-proportional distribution of radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations are individually variable. Materials and methods: Peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected from seven healthy donors and exposed to different doses of gamma rays. Chromosomes 2, 8 and 14 were painted in different colors and aberrations scored with the help of an image-analysis system. Results: Chromosome 2 was generally less sensitive than expected on the basis of DNA-proportional distribution and the extent of inter-donor variability was minimal. A higher than expected frequency of aberrations was found in chromosome 14 of five donors, while a higher than expected frequency of aberrations was found in chromosome 8 of two donors. Conclusions: Inter-donor variability may explain some of the controversies regarding the inter-chromosomal distribution of radiation-induced aberrations.
Absence of Lamin A/C gene mutations in four Wiedemann–Rautenstrauch syndrome patients

The Wiedemann–Rautenstrauch syndrome (WRS, OMIM: 264090) characterizes a premature aging syndrome in which several features of aging are apparent at birth. We did not find mutations in Lamin A/C (LMNA) gene in four WRS patients, and in particular, we did not find the G608G mutation (GGC > GGT transition) which is associated with most cases with Hutchinson–Gilford progeria (OMIM 176670). These findings suggest that WRS represents a distinct progeroid entity that may be caused by recessive mutations of a different gene. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cutaneous sarcoidosis in a chronic hepatitis C patient receiving pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy

A 61‐year‐old Japanese woman suffered from a small, painful, subcutaneous nodule on the sole of her foot that was 10 mm across in diameter during pegylated interferon (PEG IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Skin biopsy revealed multiple non‐caseating granulomas composed of epithelioid histiocytes with multinucleate giant cells, which was consistent with sarcoidosis. Ophthalmologic examination revealed uveitis. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) showed multiple bilateral hilar lymphadenopathies and a diffuse micronodular interstitial pattern of the lungs. Genetic analysis indicated a probable homozygous haplotype of A*02:01‐C*15:02‐B*51:01‐DRB1*16:02‐DQB1*05:02 in human leukocyte antigen regions. The patient was observed carefully without any additional medication because no significant systemic symptoms were noted. Combination therapy was continued for 2 months afterwards. She was asymptomatic for over 3 years of follow up, and repeated hematological and biological investigations and chest CT showed improvement. In conclusion, clinicians should bear sarcoidosis in mind as a complication during PEG IFN and RBV combination therapy. They should also be aware of the usually good prognosis of PEG IFN‐induced cutaneous sarcoidosis in order not to prematurely discontinue a treatment necessary for liver disease; maintenance of PEG IFN treatment may be advised with careful follow up.
Variation in clonal diversity in glasshouse infestations of the aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover in southern France

Aphis gossypii is an aphid species that is found throughout the world and is extremely polyphagous. It is considered a major pest of cotton and cucurbit species. In Europe, A. gossypii is assumed to reproduce exclusively by apomictic parthenogenesis. The present study investigates the genetic diversity of A. gossypii in a microgeographic, fragmented habitat consisting of eight glasshouses of cucurbit crops. This analysis, which was based on the results from seven microsatellite loci, has confirmed that A. gossypii populations in southern France are primarily asexual, as only 12 nonrecombinant genotypic classes (clones) were identified from 694 aphids. Moreover, a high proportion of the aphids (87%) had one of three common genotypes. No significant correlation was found between genotypic class and host plant species. Within a glasshouse population of A. gossypii, a significant reduction in clonal diversity was observed as the spring/summer season progressed. The final predominance of a clone could result from interclonal competition. At the microgeographic level (i.e. glasshouses within a 500‐m radius), significant genetic subdivision was detected and could be attributed to founder effects and the limitation of gene flow imposed by the enclosed nature of the glasshouse structure. Finally, the three common clones of A. gossypii detected in 1996 reappeared in spring 1997 following the winter extinction, together with rare clones that had not previously been seen. The probability that A. gossypii overwinters within refuges at a microgeographic scale from which populations are renewed each spring is discussed.
Selective extraction of copper, mercury, silver and palladium ions from water using hydrophobic ionic liquids.

Selective Extraction of Copper, Mercury, Silver and Palladium Ions from Water Using Hydrophobic Ionic Liquids May 8, 2007 Nicolas Papaiconomou 1, 2 , Jong-Min Lee 1, 2 , Justin Salminen 1, 3 , Moritz Von Stosch 1, 4 and John M. Prausnitz 1, 2* Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA Environmental Energy Technology Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 Institut fuer Verfahrenstechnik, Technische Universitaet, Aachen, Germany * Corresponding author. Email: prausnit@cchem.berkeley. edu Abstract Extraction of dilute metal ions from water was performed near room temperature with a variety of ionic liquids. Distribution coefficients are reported for fourteen metal ions extracted with ionic liquids containing cations 1-octyl-4-methylpyridinium [4MOPYR] + , 1-methyl-1- octylpyrrolidinium [MOPYRRO] + or 1-methyl-1-octylpiperidinium [MOPIP] + , and anions tetrafluoroborate [BF 4 ] + , trifluoromethyl sulfonate [TfO] + or nonafluorobutyl sulfonate [NfO] + . Ionic liquids containing octylpyridinium cations are very good for extracting mercury
Corticostriatal connectivity fingerprints: Probability maps based on resting‐state functional connectivity

Over the last decade, structure–function relationships have begun to encompass networks of brain areas rather than individual structures. For example, corticostriatal circuits have been associated with sensorimotor, limbic, and cognitive information processing, and damage to these circuits has been shown to produce unique behavioral outcomes in Autism, Parkinson's Disease, Schizophrenia and healthy ageing. However, it remains an open question how abnormal or absent connectivity can be detected at the individual level. Here, we provide a method for clustering gross morphological structures into subregions with unique functional connectivity fingerprints, and generate network probability maps usable as a baseline to compare individual cases against. We used connectivity metrics derived from resting‐state fMRI (N = 100), in conjunction with hierarchical clustering methods, to parcellate the striatum into functionally distinct clusters. We identified three highly reproducible striatal subregions, across both hemispheres and in an independent replication dataset (N = 100) (dice‐similarity values 0.40–1.00). Each striatal seed region resulted in a highly reproducible distinct connectivity fingerprint: the putamen showed predominant connectivity with cortical and cerebellar sensorimotor and language processing areas; the ventromedial striatum cluster had a distinct limbic connectivity pattern; the caudate showed predominant connectivity with the thalamus, frontal and occipital areas, and the cerebellum. Our corticostriatal probability maps agree with existing connectivity data in humans and non‐human primates, and showed a high degree of replication. We believe that these maps offer an efficient tool to further advance hypothesis driven research and provide important guidance when investigating deviant connectivity in neurological patient populations suffering from e.g., stroke or cerebral palsy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1478–1491, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of chitosan gel with 1% silver sulfadiazine as an alternative for burn wound treatment in rats.

PURPOSE Evaluation of the rheological, biological and therapeutic properties of a new topical formulation consisting of chitosan gel containing 1% silver sulfadiazine, as an alternative for the treatment of burn wounds. METHODS An experimental study was done with 21 Wistar rats divided into three groups. Group I was treated with chitosan gel without the antimicrobial, group II was treated with chitosan gel with 1% silver sulfadiazine and group III was treated with commercially available 1% silver sulfadiazine cream. RESULTS Due to its pseudoplastic characteristic and good bioadhesiveness, the chitosan gels showed a satisfactory retention time over the wounds. No statistical difference was found in the amount of drug released from the chitosan gel and commercially available cream, as well as in the healing time among the groups. Wounds treated with chitosan gel with silver sulfadiazine showed a higher fibroblast production and a better angiogenesis than in the other groups, which are important parameters on the evolution of the healing process. CONCLUSION The topical use of chitosan gel in association with silver sulfadiazine ameliorated the neovascularization and inflammatory reaction in burn wounds. This new formulation showed advantageous rheological properties and efficient release of the drug.
[Association between trichloroethylene exposure and chromosomal damage in peripheral lymphocytes among occupational exposed workers].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between the exposure of trichloroethylene (TCE) and chromosomal damage of peripheral lymphocyte of workers. METHODS Ninety-one workers exposed to TCE and 59 controls were recruited. Occupational history, age, sex, smoking and alcohol using status of all subjects were collected by questionnaire. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) in urine was detected as biomarkers of exposure. Micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridges and nuclear buds in the smear of peripheral blood lymphocytes were counted as indicators of chromosomal damage in terms of cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) test. RESULTS The distributions of age, gender, smoking and alcohol consumption were not significantly different between TCE exposed workers and controls. TCA levels in TCE exposed workers were significantly higher than those in controls (57.5 versus 0.9 mg/L, P < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was observed between the frequencies of micronucleus or nucleoplasmic bridges in TCE exposed workers and controls. Frequencies of nuclear buds in TCE exposed workers were [(1.6 +/- 1.0)%], which were significantly higher (P = 0. 05) than those of controls [(1.2 +/- 0.8) per hundred]. The increase of nuclear buds was most pronounced in the workers with higher TCA (> or = 50.0 mg/ L) or longer occupational history (> or = 1.8 years). There was a significantly higher frequency of micronucleus [(1.8 +/- 0.9) per hundred] in the workers with a higher TCA level (> or = 50.0 mg/L) than the controls [(1.4 +/- 0.7) per hundred, P = 0.05]. No effect of age, gender, smoking and alcohol using on frequencies of micronucleus, nucleoplasmic bridges or nuclear buds was found. CONCLUSION TCE exposure could induce some chromosomal damage on occupational exposed workers and nuclear buds might be an effective biomarker for TCE exposure.
In Vitro Phenotypic Susceptibility of HIV-2 Clinical Isolates to CCR5 Inhibitors

ABSTRACT HIV-2 is naturally resistant to nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, to a fusion inhibitor, and to some of the protease inhibitors. Maraviroc is the first drug of the new anti-CCR5 drug class and is effective only on CCR5-tropic (R5) HIV-1. No previous studies concerning HIV-2 susceptibility to maraviroc have been reported yet. We developed a phenotypic maraviroc susceptibility test using a peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) model. We analyzed the maraviroc susceptibility of 13 R5 HIV-2, 2 X4R5 (dual) HIV-2, and 2 CXCR4-tropic (X4) HIV-2 clinical isolates. We also tested, with the same protocol, 1 X4 HIV-1 and 4 R5 HIV-1 clinical isolates. For the R5 HIV-2 clinical isolates, the 50% effective concentration (EC50) for maraviroc was 0.80 nM (interquartile range [IQR], 0.48 to 1.39 nM), similar to that observed for the R5 HIV-1 isolates. The median maximum percentage of inhibition in the R5 HIV-2 isolates was 93% (IQR, 84 to 98%), similar to that observed in the R5 HIV-1 isolates. As expected, both X4 HIV-1 and HIV-2 were highly resistant to maraviroc. Our study showed for the first time that maraviroc is active in vitro against R5 HIV-2. The new tools we developed will allow identification of HIV-2-infected patients eligible for CCR5 inhibitor use and management of virological failure when receiving a maraviroc-based regimen.
Pyridoxine in atopic dermatitis

Summary A previous study has reported benefit when pyridoxine hydrochloride was given to patients with atopic dermatitis. To investigate this in children, we performed a randomized, double‐blind, parallel‐group, placebo‐controlled trial. Forty‐eight children with moderate or severe atopic dermatitis were recruited and, of those who completed the study, 19 received pyridoxine hydrochloride 50 mg once daily for 4 weeks and 22 received placebo. Disease activity was monitored by clinical severity scores measuring the extent and degrees of erythema recorded by the investigator and symptom scores (daytime itch and nocturnal sleep disturbance) recorded by parents. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at the end of treatment. We have been unable to demonstrate clinical benefit from pyridoxine supplementation in children with atopic dermatitis.
Generalized Optoelectronic Model of Series-Connected Multijunction Solar Cells

The emission of light from each junction in a series-connected multijunction solar cell both complicates and elucidates the understanding of its performance under arbitrary conditions. Bringing together many recent advances in this understanding, we present a general 1-D model to describe luminescent coupling that arises from both voltage-driven electroluminescence and voltage-independent photoluminescence in nonideal junctions that include effects such as Sah-Noyce-Shockley (SNS) recombination with n ≠ 2, Auger recombination, shunt resistance, reverse-bias breakdown, series resistance, and significant dark area losses. The individual junction voltages and currents are experimentally determined from measured optical and electrical inputs and outputs of the device within the context of the model to fit parameters that describe the devices performance under arbitrary input conditions. Techniques to experimentally fit the model are demonstrated for a four-junction inverted metamorphic solar cell, and the predictions of the model are compared with concentrator flash measurements.