Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twins and congenital heart disease.

The proportion of twins among total births remains relatively constant in most communities, though it varies in different countries and races. Thus it falls from 20 per thousand in same African negroes (Bulmer, i960) to 14 per thousand in Norway, and to between 5 and 6 per thousand in J a p a n ; and from 14.3 in the non-white population to 11.3 per thousand in the white population of the United States of America (Lilicnfeld and Pasamanick, 1955). Further, the higher chance of twins in some families than in others is recognized widely enough for an increased premium to be demanded in these families to insure against such a possibility. The different patterns of behaviour found between monozygotic and dizygotic twins arc of great interest in the study of inheritance. The incidence of monozygotic twins is not known to be influenced by the environment, and even in countries like Japan where fewer twins are born, it is about the same as in Europe and America, 3,2 per 1000 (Penrose, 1959). One possible exception to this is that Lilicnfeld and Pasamanick (1955) found fewer in the lower-income groups of white Americans, but they thought this might be explained by a higher abortion rate. The incidence of dizygotic twins, on the other hand, is influenced by environmental as well as by genetic factors. Thus, it is only 2.0 per 1000 in Japan compared with 7.8 per 1000 in Europe (Penrose, 1959). Further, it becomes more frequent with advancing maternal age and incresasing birth order (Waterhouse, 1950, and McArthur, 1954) and less frequent with deficient nourishment. Thus, Bulmer (1959) has shown that the incidence of dizygotic twins, but not of monozygotic twins, decreased in those countries of Europe where undernourishment was common during the 193945, war, i,e. , in Holland, Norway, and most of France, but not in Sweden or Denmark. If two monozygotic twins always had the same congenital heart disease and dizygotic twins had not, it would be useful evidence for a genetic cause. Such pairs have been reported by a few authors, including myself (Campbell, 1944 and 1959), but much more frequently when one is affected, the other is normal (Uchida and Rowe, 1957; and Lamy, de Grouchy, and Schweisguth, 1957). This has been our experience also in a larger series of twins, but other points of interest have arisen: for example, there seems to be a higher incidence of congenital heart disease in monozygotic twins, but only in one member of the pair.
Skin Homing of Treponema pallidum in Early Syphilis: An Immunohistochemical Study

The incidence of syphilis is increasing in most parts of the world including some major European cities. The lesions developing during secondary syphilis may be difficult to diagnose clinically. Similarly, the histopathologic changes do not always fulfill the typical diagnostic criteria. The objective of this study was to assess the contribution of immunohistochemistry for the identification and localization of Treponema pallidum on the skin. We retrieved from our files 12 paraffin-embedded biopsies of skin lesions, which had posed diagnostic problems in the past. Only a serologic test had proven that the patients had syphilis. Controls consisted of lichenoid dermatoses unrelated to syphilis and borreliosis. Immunohistochemistry using an antispirochete (T. pallidum and Borrelia) antibody was performed retrospectively. In all samples from primary and secondary syphilis, T. pallidum was highlighted, but none of the control lesions unrelated to syphilis showed positivity. Interestingly enough, T. pallidum present in the lower mid-part of the epidermis often outnumbered that in the dermis. This difference was more striking in secondary syphilis compared with primary syphilis. Immunohistochemistry for T. pallidum considerably increased the sensitivity and the specificity of the histologic diagnosis. The strong epidermal homing of T. pallidum is highlighted in early syphilis.
Detection of functional iron deficiency during erythropoietin treatment: a new approach.

VIIIt-Comparison of risk estimates from studies of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, National for Radiation Workers provide valuable evidence, and Registry for Radiation Workers, and combined cohort of nuclear workers in United States future analysis of the registry, which will incorporate all registered cohorts and updated dose histories (inNational cluding internal doses) and have a longer follow up, Atomic homb survivors"0 Registry for Radiation American will provide a firmer basis for deriving risk estimates Whole cohort Doses <_500 mSv Workers workers* from low dose and low dose rate exposures.
Fenofibrate-induced nuclear translocation of FoxO3A triggers Bim-mediated apoptosis in glioblastoma cells in vitro

Anti-neoplastic potential of calorie restriction or ligand-induced activation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) has been demonstrated in multiple studies; however, mechanism(s) by which tumor cells respond to these stimuli remain to be elucidated. One of the potent agonists of PPARα, fenofibrate, is a commonly used lipid-lowering drug with low systemic toxicity. Fenofibrate-induced PPARα transcriptional activity is expected to shift energy metabolism from glycolysis to fatty acid β-oxidation, which in the long-term, could target weak metabolic points of glycolysis-dependent glioblastoma cells. The results of this study demonstrate that 25 μM fenofibrate can effectively repress malignant growth of primary glial tumor cells and glioblastoma cell lines. This cytostatic action involves G1 arrest accompanied by only a marginal level of apoptotic cell death. Although the cells treated with 25 μM fenofibrate remain arrested, the cells treated with 50 μM fenofibrate undergo massive apoptosis, which starts after 72 h of the treatment. This delayed apoptotic event was preceded by FoxO3A nuclear accumulation, FoxO3A phosphorylation on serine residue 413, its elevated transcriptional activity and expression of FoxO-dependent apoptotic protein, Bim. siRNA-mediated inhibition of FoxO3A attenuated fenofibrate-induced apoptosis, indicating a direct involvement of this transcription factor in the fenofibrate action against glioblastoma. These properties of fenofibrate, coupled with its low systemic toxicity, make it a good candidate in support of conventional therapies against glial tumors.
Parallel Dynamical Systems over Graphs and Related Topics: A Survey

In discrete processes, as computational or genetic ones, there are many entities and each entity has a state at a given time. The update of states of the entities constitutes an evolution in time of the system, that is, a discrete dynamical system. The relations among entities are usually represented by a graph. The update of the states is determined by the relations of the entities and some local functions which together constitute (global) evolution operator of the dynamical system. If the states of the entities are updated in a synchronous manner, the system is called a parallel dynamical system. This paper is devoted to review the main results on the dynamical behavior of parallel dynamical systems over graphs which constitute a generic tool for modeling discrete processes.
Contribution of inadequate arterial remodeling to the development of focal coronary artery stenoses. An intravascular ultrasound study.

BACKGROUND Adaptive remodeling occurs to compensate for the accumulation of atherosclerotic plaque. Lumen reduction depends on the relative rates of plaque deposition and adaptive remodeling responses. Intravascular ultrasound permits detailed, high-quality, cross-sectional imaging of the coronary arteries in vivo. METHODS AND RESULTS Preintervention intravascular ultrasound was used to study 603 focal, new, nonostial significant coronary artery stenoses in patients with chronic stable angina. Measurements of the target lesion of the external elastic membrane (EEM), lumen, and plaque plus media (P&M; P&M = EEM - Lumen) cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were compared with a proximal reference segment (most normal-looking cross section within 10 mm proximal to the lesion but distal to any side branch). Inadequate remodeling was defined as lesion/ reference EEM CSA that exceeded the upper limits of normal arterial tapering (lesion/reference EEM CSA ratio < or = 0.78 or a 21% reduction in EEM CSA per 10-mm length). Overall, the lesion/reference EEM CSA ratio was 1.00 +/- 0.22; 15% of lesions had inadequate remodeling, and 37% of the 603 lesions had less plaque than expected. This represented a lesion-specific response. The only predictor of inadequate remodeling was the arc of superficial lesion calcium. CONCLUSIONS Inadequate remodeling is present in at least 15% of chronic, focal, new coronary arterial stenoses in patients with stable angina. The magnitude of arterial remodeling appears to be a lesion-specific response.
Purification and Some Properties of Maleylpyruvate Hydrolase and Fumarylpyruvate Hydrolase from Pseudomonas alcaligenes

Hydrolysis of the gentisate ring-cleavage product, maleylpyruvate (cis-2,4-diketohept-5-enedioic acid), was shown to be catalyzed by an enzyme, maleylpyruvate hydrolase 11, in Pseudomonas alcaligenes (P25X1) after growth with 3-hydroxybenzoate. This activity was separated from fumarylpyruvate hydrolase activity during the course of its purification which accomplished an approximately 50-fold increase in specific activity. An apparent molecular weight of 77,000 was assigned on the basis of Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Despite the presence of up to three similarly migrating bands of protein on polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis of the purified enzyme, at least two of these bands possessed maleylpyruvate hydrolase activity. Electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide before and after reduction with mercaptoethanol gave a principal band of molecular weight of 33,000 (and a minor band of molecular weight 50,000). A number of substituted maleylpyruvates also served as substrates for maleylpyruvate hydrolase 11, but maleylacetoacetate and fumarylpyruvate were not attacked. Fumarylpyruvate hydrolase was purified approximately 40-fold to give a single band on polyacrylamide gels and with an apparent molecular weight of 73,000 by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Upon sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis before or after reduction with mercaptoethanol, a subunit molecular weight of 25,000 was obtained. Neither maleylpyruvate nor fumarylacetoacetate served as substrates for fumarylpyruvate hydrolase. The activities of both maleyl- and fumarylpyruvate hydrolases were stimulated by Mn2+ ions. Reasons are discussed for the presence of both enzyme activities, one of which appears to be redundant.
Consanguinity and endogamy in Northern Tunisia and its impact on non‐syndromic deafness

Deafness is an important health problem in the Tunisian population, especially in isolates where the prevalence ranges from 2 to 8%. To evaluate the effect of inbred unions on deafness, a study was conducted on 5,020 individuals (160 are deaf) between 2000 and 2002 in the North of Tunisia. The coefficient of inbreeding for all individuals and the levels of inbreeding in ten districts were computed. The higher levels were obtained in the rural districts. Our study revealed that geographic isolation, social traditions, and parental involvement in mode selection all contribute to increase consanguinity in these regions. The mean inbreeding seems to be similar to those estimated in highly inbred isolates in the world. The relative risk of the 35delG mutation, the single most frequent allele for non‐syndromic recessive deafness in Tunisia, was estimated from the observed inbreeding coefficient and found to be 10.76 (SD 7.74) for first‐cousin marriages, which are the most common form of consanguineous marriage encountered. Our knowledge of the risk rate of deafness and our understanding of consanguinity is required for the prevention of genetic deafness in the Tunisian population. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Skin traction and placebo effect in the preoperative pain control of patients with collum and intertrochanteric femur fractures.

BACKGROUND Proximal femur fractures are one of the most common injuries necessitating operative treatment. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the possible effects of the preoperative application of a skin traction device, with or without weights, on pain relief in patients with acute proximal femur fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 108 pre-operative patients with hip fractures. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups, and the following treatments were administered: Group 1, skin traction with 2 kg of weights; Group 2, skin traction without weights; and Group 3, pillow placement under the affected limb. RESULTS Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS). No significant differences were observed in the scores of the three groups before the pain relief treatment. All three modes of treatment resulted in significant pain reduction in subjects. Patients treated without a weight-loaded skin traction kit had better pain relief compared to the other two groups; this outcome was statistically significant. CONCLUSION This study indicates that pillow placement under an injured limb can be safely used instead of traction, which has no significant benefit. However, an external device, such as a skin traction kit without weight, may be used in patients with persistent pain; this external device may have an additive placebo effect, as was proven in this study.
IFN‐α‐producing PDCA‐1+Siglec‐H− B cells mediate innate immune defense by activating NK cells

B cells have multiple functions in adaptive immunity, including antibody production, antigen presentation and regulation of T‐cell responses. Recent evidences indicate that B cells have more subsets than previously thought and may have non‐classical functions, such as involvement in innate immunity and immune regulation; however, how B cells respond to microbial infection and elicit innate defense remain unclear. In this study, we identified a new subset of PDCA‐1+Siglec‐H−CD19+ B cells in mice during the early period of bacterial infection with Listeria monocytogenes. PDCA‐1+Siglec‐H−CD19+ B cells secreted large amounts of IFN‐α and thus facilitated IFN‐γ production and cytotoxicity function of natural killer (NK) cells via IFN‐α. B‐cell‐deficient Btk−/− mice were incapable of producing PDCA‐1+CD19+ B cells, and were more sensitive to L. monocytogenes infection. Adoptive transfer of PDCA‐1+CD19+ B cells to Btk−/− mice normalized their resistance to L. monocytogenes infection. Furthermore, we found that macrophages were essential for the inducible generation of PDCA‐1+Siglec‐H−CD19+ B cells via CD40‐CD40L ligation. Therefore, we have identified a new subset of PDCA‐1+Siglec‐H−CD19+ B cells, which enhances innate immune responses against bacterial infection by activating NK cells via secretion of IFN‐α.
Positron-Emitter Production in Solar Flares from 3He Reactions

We treat in detail positron production from the decay of radioactive nuclei produced in nuclear reactions of accelerated 3He. Because of their large cross sections and low threshold energies, these reactions can significantly contribute to positron production in solar flares with accelerated-particle compositions enriched in 3He. The addition of these 3He reactions extends earlier calculations of positron production by accelerated protons and α-particles. 3He reactions not only add significantly to the total positron yield in flares, but can also yield a positron depth distribution that peaks higher in the solar atmosphere. We discuss the impact these reactions have on the analysis of the annihilation line observed with RHESSI from the 2002 July 23 flare. A significant contribution from 3He reactions expands the utility of the annihilation line as a sensitive tool for investigating the structure of the flaring solar atmosphere.
L’épreuve du chômage: une rupture cumulative des liens sociaux?

Parce qu’il est souvent considere comme une des causes majeures de la degradation du lien social, le chomage mobilise les chercheurs en sciences sociales. Il a ete souvent etudie comme un processus de cumul progressif de handicaps. Les recherches ont mis l’accent sur la degradation du niveau de vie, mais aussi sur l’affaiblissement de la vie sociale et la marginalisation vis-a-vis des autres travailleurs. Les premieres grandes enquetes sociologiques sur ce sujet, notamment celle de Paul Lazar.
Acute uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections in general practice: clinical and microbiological cure rates after three- versus five-day treatment with trimethoprim

Objectives: Epidemiological studies indicate that acute uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTI) in women can be successfully treated with short treatment regimens. However, the findings from the literature do not match experiences in daily practice. Methods: A randomised, controlled trial evaluating the microbiological and clinical (self-reported) cure rates of a three-day vs. five-day treatment regimen with trimethoprim for UTI in women. Results: No statistically significant difference in bacteriological cure rate was found between the three-day and five-day regimen. One day after the shorter regimen 44% of women considered themselves as ‘not-recovered’ due to persistence of the symptoms compared with 35% after the five-day treatment (p>0.05). Three days after therapy these percentages were 30 and 25% respectively. Conclusion: The relatively high percentage of persistent symptoms one day after the three-day regimen might be responsible for general practitioners believing that short regimens are not successful. It is therefore advisable that if urine samples are controlled to wait at least three days after finishing treatment.
Toxicological studies on the effect of copper, lead and zinc on selected enzymes in the adductor muscle and intestinal diverticula of the green mussel Perna viridis.

The effect of heavy metals, copper, zinc and lead, on the enzyme activity of the green mussel Perna viridis was experimentally evaluated. A significant reduction in the activities of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle of zinctreated animals could be observed. Activity of ALP was found to increase when compared to that in the control animals after seven days of treatment. Copper and lead were found to increase the activity of GOT, GPT and LDH in the adductor muscle compared to the control animals. LDH activity was found to be enhanced by copper treatment, while lead treatment inhibited the LDH activity after an initial rise on the fourth day. All the enzymes showed high activity in the intestinal diverticula.
Utility of Cartilage Grafts Wrapped With Amniotic Membrane in Dorsal Nasal Augmentation

Objectives:The success of rhinoplasty may be compromised with postoperative problems like rough and rigid nasal dorsum. Biological grafts or alloplastic materials are required to hurdle and correct nasal dorsal deformities and also irregularities. The purpose of this experimental study was to compare pure cartilage graft, cartilage graft wrapped in amniotic membrane, and diced cartilage grafts wrapped in amniotic membrane for soft tissue augmentation. Methods:All grafts were transplanted through a subcutaneous tunnel created in the nasal dorsum of 18 rats, 6 in each group. After 3 months follow-up, the histopathological changes in all groups were evaluated by light microscopy and volumetric measurements. Results:With regard to cartilage viability, cartilage wrapped in amniotic membrane had a higher success rate than pure cartilage graft. Also, a further increased success rate was found in the diced group. Conclusions:In the soft tissue augmentation after rhinoplasty surgery, especially diced cartilage wrapped in amniotic membrane keeps the graft viable and adjoined.
The patient–provider discordance in patients’ needs assessment: a qualitative study in breast cancer patients receiving oral chemotherapy

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To explore the differing perspectives of patients and providers and their assessment of supportive care needs in breast cancer patients receiving oral chemotherapy. BACKGROUND The patient-provider concordance in patients' needs assessment is critical to the effective management of cancer. Self-administered oral chemotherapy greatly shifts responsibilities for side-effect monitoring, symptom management and dose adjustments from the provider to the patient. Home-based care plans will be central to the effective management of these patients. DESIGN A descriptive qualitative design was used. METHODS A purposive sample of nine breast cancer patients, four oncologists and four oncology nurses were recruited in Shanghai, China. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. A qualitative content analysis aimed at finding manifest and latent meanings of data was applied to analyse the information. RESULTS Four themes of needs emerged from the interviews with patients and providers: information/knowledge, communication, social support and symptom management, but patients and providers only agreed on the assessment of symptom and side-effects management needs. Patients want more positive encouraging information from providers, but providers think patients need more information of efficacy and safety. Patients appreciate support from other peer patients with similar experiences, but providers think the support from families and friends are readily available to them. Patients discussed their spiritual needs, while oncologists see the need to improve patient adherence to medication. CONCLUSION Breast cancer patients differed from their providers in assessment of healthcare needs. Further investigation of the relationships between patient-provider discordance and patient outcomes may guide interventions to improve care for cancer patients receiving oral chemotherapy. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Oncology nurses should develop a holistic home-based care plan by exploring and integrating the discordance of needs assessment of both patients and health providers.
Reversibility of Atherosclerosis—Evolving Perspectives from Two Arterial Imaging Clinical Trials: The Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Regression Study and the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study

The Cholesterol Lowering Atherosclerosis Study (CLAS) and the Monitored Atherosclerosis Regression Study (MARS) are serial arterial imaging clinical trials that have explored the reversibility of atherosclerosis with lipid-lowering therapy in native coronary, carotid, and femoral arterial beds, as well as in coronary artery bypass grafts. Results demonstrate that progression of atherosclerosis can be reduced in all these vascular beds. Evolving data indicate that coronary lesions ≥50% diameter stenosis (%S) at baseline respond more readily to lipid-lowering therapy than lesions <50%S. In addition, lipoproteins may have a differential effect on coronary lesion progression according to lesion size, with triglyceride-rich lipoproteins playing an important role in the progression of lesions <50%S. Limited data indicate that progression of atherosclerosis in women may be more responsive to lipid-lowering therapy than in men, and that estrogen replacement may enhance the anti-atherosclerosis effects of lipid lowering. Longitudinal measurements of carotid artery far wall intima-media thickness (IMT) with B-mode ultrasonography in CLAS and MARS indicate that carotid atherosclerosis at a stage before lesions intrude into the vessel lumen can be reduced by lipid-lowering therapy. Together, CLAS and MARS data indicate that the spectrum from very early lesions confined to the arterial wall to established lesions late in the atherosclerotic process can be reversed with lipid-lowering therapy.