Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased Enterocyte Apoptosis in Inflamed Areas of Crohn’s Disease

AbstractPURPOSE: Because increased enterocyte apoptosis has been associated with the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases, the aim of our study was to investigate epithelial cell death in Crohn’s disease and the possible role of the Fas-Fas ligand system, E-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 in modulating enterocyte apoptosis in this condition. METHODS: Endoscopic ileal and colonic biopsy specimens were collected from macroscopically involved and uninvolved areas of 20 patients with Crohn’s disease and 20 subjects who proved to have functional diarrhea. Diagnosis was established by clinical and pathologic criteria. Biopsy specimens were processed for traditional histology and for the immunohistochemical evaluation of Fas, Fas ligand, E-cadherin, Ki67 antigen, and matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression. For the in situ detection of apoptotic cells, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated digoxigenin-deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling was used. RESULTS: The percentages of apoptotic enterocytes were higher in involved than in uninvolved areas of Crohn’s disease patients and normal intestine. No significant difference was found between Crohn’s disease uninvolved areas and normal intestine. In Crohn’s disease, both enterocyte Fas and lamina propria mononuclear cell Fas ligand expression did not differ from controls. E-cadherin was strongly expressed by epithelium in both normal and inflamed intestine, except for the regenerative epithelium over the base of the ulcers, where a reduced E-cadherin expression was observed. The number of Ki67-positive proliferating epithelial cells did not differ either in involved or uninvolved areas of Crohn’s disease patients compared with controls. A lamina propria overexpression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 was found in involved compared with uninvolved Crohn’s disease areas and normal tissue, and a significant positive correlation between matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression and enterocyte apoptosis was found in Crohn’s disease inflamed areas. CONCLUSIONS: Enterocyte apoptosis is increased in involved areas of Crohn’s disease. This increase is not mediated by a Fas-Fas ligand mechanism or by an abnormal E-cadherin distribution. Increased matrix metalloproteinase-1 release from lamina propria mononuclear cells might be one of the possible mechanisms responsible for the increased enterocyte apoptosis in Crohn’s disease.
Evaluation of a Femoral Stem with Reduced Stiffness: A Randomized Study with Use of Radiostereometry and Bone Densitometry

Background: Femoral stems with reduced stiffness were introduced in total hip arthroplasty to facilitate proximal load transfer and thereby reduce periprosthetic bone loss. Poor fixation and unacceptably high revision rates turned out to be a major problem with these prostheses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the early performance of a low-modulus stem (one that is less stiff) with the potential to address the problem of fixation by the use of a surface coating. The coating consisted of a titanium porous mesh proximally covered with a mixture of hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate.Methods: Thirty-nine men and twenty-six women (sixty-eight hips) with noninflammatory arthritis were studied. The patients were randomized to receive either a porous-coated composite stem with reduced stiffness (Epoch) or a stiff stem with a porous coating (Anatomic). Both stems were inserted without cement, had a ceramic coating on the proximal two-thirds, and were supplied with tantalum beads. At the time of the operation, tantalum markers were also placed into the proximal part of the femur. The patients were followed for up to two years after the operation and were evaluated with use of repeated radiostereometric measurements, measurements of bone-mineral density, conventional radiography, and Harris hip scores.Results: Both stems showed optimum fixation with median subsidence and stem rotations that were close to zero. Repeated measurements of bone-mineral density revealed early loss of bone mineral in all Gruen regions in both treatment groups. The loss of bone mineral around the Epoch stems was significantly reduced at two years in Gruen regions 1, 2, 6, and 7 (p < 0.0005 to 0.04). Measurements on postoperative radiographs showed no difference in stem positioning or fill, but the Epoch stems had significantly more endocortical contact on both the anteroposterior (p < 0.0005) and the lateral radiograph (p = 0.02). At two years postoperatively, the Epoch stems had fewer sclerotic lines surrounding the stem (p £ 0.002) and less sclerosis at the tip of the prosthesis (p = 0.001) compared with the Anatomic stems. The clinical results in terms of the Harris hip score, which was determined in all hips, and pain or discomfort, which was evaluated in thirty-seven hips treated at the same hospital, were not found to be different, with the numbers available.Conclusions: Contrary to previous studies of other designs with reduced stiffness, the Epoch stem achieved excellent primary fixation. Despite this rigid fixation, the proximal loss of bone-mineral density was less than that associated with the stem with a stiffer design. These results should encourage additional long-term studies with a larger patient population.
Effect of fast and slow pranayama practice on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers.

OBJECTIVES To compare the cumulative effect of commonly practised slow and fast pranayama on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers. SETTINGS AND DESIGN 84 participants who were in self-reported good health, who were in the age group of 18-25 years, who were randomized to fast pranayama, slow pranayama and control group with 28 participants in each group. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fast pranayama included kapalabhati, bhastrika and kukkuriya. Slow pranayama included nadishodhana, Pranav and Savitri. Respective pranayama training was given for 35 minutes, three times per week, for a duration of 12 weeks under the supervision of a certified yoga trainer. Parameters were recorded before and after 12 weeks of intervention: Perceived stress scale (PSS), BMI, waist to hip ratio and cognitive parameters-letter cancellation test, trail making tests A and B, forward and reverse digit spans and auditory and visual reaction times for red light and green light. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Inter-group comparison was done by one way ANOVA and intra-group comparison was done by paired t-test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Executive functions, PSS and reaction time improved significantly in both fast and slow pranayama groups, except reverse digit span, which showed an improvement only in fast pranayama group. In addition, percentage reduction in reaction time was significantly more in the fast pranayama group as compared to that in slow pranayama group. Both types of pranayamas are beneficial for cognitive functions, but fast pranayama has additional effects on executive function of manipulation in auditory working memory, central neural processing and sensory-motor performance.
Breakthrough Technologies Matching Patterns of Gene Expression to Mechanical Stiffness at Cell Resolution through Quantitative Tandem Epi fl uorescence and Nanoindentation 1 [ C ] [ W ] [ OPEN ]

Cell differentiation has been associated with changes in mechanical stiffness in single-cell systems, yet it is unknown whether this association remains true in a multicellular context, particularly in developing tissues. In order to address such questions, we have developed a methodology, termed quantitative tandem epifluorescence and nanoindentation, wherein we sequentially determine cellular genetic identity with confocal microscopy and mechanical properties with atomic force microscopy. We have applied this approach to examine cellular stiffness at the shoot apices of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants carrying a fluorescent reporter for the CLAVATA3 (CLV3) gene, which encodes a secreted glycopeptide involved in the regulation of the centrally located stem cell zone in inflorescence and floral meristems. We found that these CLV3-expressing cells are characterized by an enhanced stiffness. Additionally, by tracking cells in young flowers before and after the onset of GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN expression, we observed that an increase in stiffness coincides with this onset. This work illustrates how quantitative tandem epifluorescence and nanoindentation can reveal the spatial and temporal dynamics of both gene expression and cell mechanics at the shoot apex and, by extension, in the epidermis of any thick tissue.
Statistical analysis of interval and imprecise data - applications in the analysis of reliability field data

The analysis of field lifetime data is much more complicated than the analysis of the results of reliability laboratory tests. In the paper we present an overview of the most important problems of the statistical analysis of field lifetime data, and present their solutions known from literature. When the input information is partial or imprecise, we propose to use interval arithmetics for the calculation of bounds on reliability characteristics of interest. When this information can be described in a more informative fuzzy form, we can generalize our interval-valued results to their fuzzy equivalents.
Applying the trigonometric collocation method to nonlinear circuits

We give a calculation procedure based on the Trigonometric Collocation method (TCM) for finding the steady-state response of forced nonlinear circuits. The periodic problem is reduced to solving a system of approximating equations, which are formulated in the time domain in terms of the samples of the sought oscillation. This formulation is shown to be equivalent, to that resulting from the Harmonic Balance method (HBM), but it overcomes some drawbacks in applying this method. The approximating equations, indeed, are given in explicit form in terms of problem variables and, consequently, the Jacobian matrix is computed by very simple formulae, and has a well-defined structure, which is memory-inexpensive.
Effectiveness and efficiency of search methods in systematic reviews of complex evidence: audit of primary sources

Abstract Objective To describe where papers come from in a systematic review of complex evidence. Method Audit of how the 495 primary sources for the review were originally identified. Results Only 30% of sources were obtained from the protocol defined at the outset of the study (that is, from the database and hand searches). Fifty one per cent were identified by “snowballing” (such as pursuing references of references), and 24% by personal knowledge or personal contacts. Conclusion Systematic reviews of complex evidence cannot rely solely on protocol-driven search strategies.
11-T Twin-Aperture  $\hbox{Nb}_{3}\hbox{Sn}$ Dipole Development for LHC Upgrades

FNAL and CERN are developing a twin-aperture 11-T Nb3Sn dipole suitable for installation in the LHC. This paper describes the design and parameters of the 11-T dipole developed at FNAL for the LHC upgrades in both single-aperture and twin-aperture configurations, and presents details of the constructed dipole models. Results of studies of magnet quench performance, quench protection, and magnetic measurements performed using short 1-m-long coils in the dipole mirror and single-aperture configurations are reported and discussed.
Pain on Injection of Propofol: The Effect of Granisetron Pretreatment

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of granisetron pretreatment in alleviating propofol injection pain. Study DesignA randomized, controlled, double-blind study, using venous retention with a tourniquet. Materials and MethodsOne hundred fifty adult patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups: group 1 (who received 5 mL of 0.9% saline pretreatment), group 2 (who received 5 mL lidocaine [40 mg in 0.9% saline] pretreatment), and group 3 (who received 5 mL granisetron [2 mg in 0.9% saline] pretreatment). Injections were given in the largest vein on the dorsum of the hand. After 2 minutes, the tourniquet was released and one fourth of the total calculated dose of propofol (2.5 mg/kg body weight) was administered and pain assessment was made. ResultsLidocaine and granisetron significantly reduced the incidence and severity of propofol injection pain more than placebo (P < 0.001). The efficacy of granisetron in alleviating the pain on injection of propofol was no different from lidocaine. ConclusionsGranisetron pretreatment may be used to reduce the incidence of pain on injection of propofol, an advantage added to the useful prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting.
Controllability of periodically switched linear systems with saturating actuators

This paper considers bounded controllability for periodically switched linear systems in discrete time domain. Unlike the usual controllability problem, where the control values at each instant of time are unconstrained, we insist here that the control values at each instant of time belong to a pre-specified bounded set which contains zero in its interior. The concept of null controllability and asymptotic null controllability are introduced and necessary and sufficient conditions are established, respectively. The results are extended to the state delays case.
A Bispecific Antibody Composed of a Nonneutralizing Antibody to the gp41 Immunodominant Region and an Anti-CD89 Antibody Directs Broad Human Immunodeficiency Virus Destruction by Neutrophils

ABSTRACT In addition to the direct neutralization of virus, there is a broader potential for antibody-mediated inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by targeting HIV to effector cells. We demonstrate here that a bispecific antibody incorporating a broadly reactive anti-gp41 antibody, F240, and an anti-IgA receptor (CD89) antibody is effective at directing neutrophils to destroy HIV. Not only are neutrophils the predominant type of white blood cells and very efficient at mediating cell cytotoxicity, they are relatively resistant to infection with HIV. Therefore, they represent a significant weapon against infection if they can be directed and armed to destroy HIV and infected cells.
A B-cell-specific nuclear protein that binds to DNA sites 5' to immunoglobulin S alpha tandem repeats is regulated during differentiation

Immunoglobulin heavy-chain switching is effected by recombination events between sites associated with tandemly repeated switch sequences located 5' to immunoglobulin heavy-chain genes. Using the band mobility shift assay, we have identified two distinct sites 5' to the alpha heavy-chain switch sequence with affinity for a single B-cell-specific DNA-binding protein, S alpha-BP. S alpha-BP was present in nuclear extracts from pre-B and B cells but was not detected in extracts from plasmacytomas, B-cell hybridomas, T-cell lymphomas, or a macrophage cell line. It was also not detectable in other nonlymphoid cells tested. Evidence suggests there are S alpha-BP-binding sites near other immunoglobulin switch sequences. As with the S alpha sites, these sites appear to be distinct from the consensus tandem repeats characteristic of immunoglobulin switch sequences. The possible functions of S alpha-BP on contacting its binding sites are discussed in the context of immunoglobulin heavy-chain switch recombination.
Coexistent pulmonary and portal hypertension: Yin and yang

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), a rare hyperplastic condition of the liver, is reported in two patients with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). The first patient was a 26‐year‐old man who died of PPH and showed multiple NRH without cirrhosis of the liver. The second patient was a 25‐year‐old man who had a PPH with pulmonary arterial thrombi and NRH of the liver. NRH has been described in association with immune disease, hematopoietic disorder, and diabetes mellitus, so that NRH with PPH is considered to be very rare. Histologic findings of the lungs show typically plexogenic pulmonary arteriopathy in both cases, and the livers of these patients are composed of multiple nodules that are histologically represented by slightly larger hepatocytes arranged in a cobblestone‐like fashion, and are ultramicroscopically characterized by massive proliferation of mitochondria. The pathogenetic association of nodular regenerative hyperplasia with primary pulmonary hypertension will be discussed.
Targeting epileptogenesis‐associated induction of neurogenesis by enzymatic depolysialylation of NCAM counteracts spatial learning dysfunction but fails to impact epilepsy development

Polysialylation is a post‐translational modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which in the adult brain promotes structural changes in regions of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. Because a variety of plastic changes including neurogenesis have been suggested to be functionally involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsies, it is of specific interest to define the impact of the polysialic acid (PSA)‐NCAM system on development of this disease and associated comorbidities. Therefore, we studied the impact of transient enzymatic depolysialylation of NCAM on the pathophysiology in an electrically induced rat post‐status epilepticus (SE) model. Loss of PSA counteracted the SE‐induced increase in neurogenesis in a significant manner. This effect of endoneuraminidase (endoN) treatment on hippocampal neurogenesis did not impact the subsequent development of spontaneous seizures. In contrast, transient lack of PSA during SE and in the early phase of epileptogenesis exhibited a cognition sparing effect as revealed in the Morris water maze paradigm. In conclusion, our data do not support a central role of neurogenesis in the development of a hyperexcitable epileptic network. However, in view of the cognition‐sparing effect, the transient modulation of the PSA‐NCAM system seems to allow beneficial long‐term disease modification, which might be mediated by the partial normalization of neurogenesis.
Use of tobacco cessation treatments among young adult smokers: 2005 National Health Interview Survey.

OBJECTIVES We compared use of smoking cessation treatments and factors associated with treatment use among young adult smokers and other adult smokers. METHODS We used data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey core and cancer control supplement. The sample consisted of 6511 current smokers, of whom 759 were aged 18-24 years. Our analyses were weighted to account for differential sampling probabilities and nonresponse rates. We compared continuous measures using the t test; logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios and confidence intervals. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify correlates of treatment use. RESULTS Behavioral treatment use was infrequent among all smokers (4%-5%). Young adult smokers were less likely than other smokers to use pharmacotherapy (18% vs 32%). Correlates of pharmacotherapy use for young adult smokers were receiving advice from a health care provider, heavier smoking, and higher educational attainment. Compared with other smokers, young adult smokers were less likely to have received advice to quit from a health care provider (49% vs 60%). CONCLUSIONS Evidence-based tobacco cessation treatments are underused by young adult smokers.
Surgery or Conservative Treatment for Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Meta-Analysis

Data sources Medline, Grateful Med, and Cochrane databases were searched from 1969 to August 2001. Randomized clinical trials of surgical repair versus nonoperative treatment for acute, closed, spontaneous rupture of the Achilles tendon were eligible if they also reported subsequent rerupture rates. Strategies to find further studies included bibliography, journal, and citation searches and searches of orthopedic textbooks and recent presentations at orthopedic society meetings.
Sodium magnetic resonance imaging of diuresis: Spatial and kinetic response

Renal function is highly correlated with the sodium concentration gradient along the corticomedullary axis. The application of 3D high‐resolution sodium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provided a means to quantify in vivo the spatial and temporal changes in renal tissue sodium concentration under normal and diuretic conditions. A detailed, pixel‐by‐pixel analysis of the intact rat kidney sodium MR images yielded a quantitative measure of the corticomedullary sodium gradient before and at early and later times after the administration of two distinct diuretic agents, furosemide and mannitol. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, induced a fivefold reduction in the cortical‐outer medullary sodium gradient, whereas mannitol, an osmotic diuretic, did not affect this gradient. Both diuretics induced a 50% decrease in the sodium concentration of the inner medulla; however, mannitol exerted its effect twice as fast as furosemide with a 2.5‐min exponential decay constant. These specific changes were attributed to the different mechanism of action and site of activity of each diuretic agent. Thus, high‐resolution 23Na MRI offers a unique, noninvasive tool for functional imaging of the kidney physiology. Magn Reson Med 53:545–552, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of spatial and functional roughness parameters on air-abraded zirconia as a function of particle type and deposition pressure.

PURPOSE This study evaluated the spatial and functional roughness parameters on air-abraded zirconia as a function of particle type and deposition pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS Polished zirconia blocks (Cercon, Degussa/Dentsply) (N=30) with dimensions of 5 × 4 × 4 mm3 were air abraded according to 2 factors: a) particle type - 30-μm silica-coated alumina (CoJet) or alumina particles (45 μm); b) deposition pressure (1.5, 2.5 and 4.5 bar). Roughness parameters (Sdr, Vi, Sci and Svi) were measured in an optical profilometer (Wyko NT 1100) at the center of the air-abraded area (301.3 × 229.2 μm). Two measurements were made for each parameter from each surface. The means of each group were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's adjustment test and Student's t-test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS Both the particle type (p < 0.05) and deposition pressure (p < 0.05) significantly affected the roughness parameters. Interaction terms were significant except for Sci and Svi. With the increase in pressure from 1.5 to 4.5 bar, Sdr (CoJet 1.5: 15.7 ± 0.2; CoJet 4.5: 26.6 ± 0.2; alumina 1.5: 14.7 ± 0.2; alumina 4.5: 24.4 ± 0.2) and Vi (CoJet 1.5: 0.66 ± 0.01; CoJet 4.5: 1.37 ± 0.07; alumina 1.5: 0.62 ± 0.02; alumina 4.5: 1.19 ± 0.02) parameters showed a significant increase with both alumina and CoJet particles. Mean Sci values (CoJet 1.5: 1.62 ± 0.01, CoJet 4.5: 1.49 ± 0.02; alumina 1.5: 1.6 ± 0.03; alumina 4.5: 1.42 ± 0.04) and SVi (CoJet 1.5: 0.98 ± 0.01, CoJet 4.5: 0.112 ± 0.01; alumina 1.5: 0.98 ± 0.01, alumina 4.5: 0.12 ± 0.01) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with the increase in pressure from 1.5 to 4.5 bar. The pressure increase from 2.5 to 4.5 bar did not cause any significant difference (p > 0.05) in these parameters for either particle type. CONCLUSION Considering roughness parameters for micromechanical retention and parameters for adsorption mechanisms of adhesion, zirconia surfaces presented better morphological features when air abraded with silica-coated alumina than alumina particles at pressures higher than 1.5 bar. Particle deposition at 2.5 bar may be preferable to 4.5 bar pressure for avoiding possible deposition-related damage on zirconia, as there were no significant differences for the functional parameters.