Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does the clinical spectrum of incident cardiovascular disease differ between men and women?

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death and disability in the western world. Women are known to be older at the time of first CVD event, but the main types of CVD events and their relative importance and differences compared with men are not well known. Our aim was to evaluate gender differences in the clinical presentation of incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Design A population-based study with prospective follow-up. Methods We used data from the population-based National FINRISK Surveys from years 1992, 1997, 2002 and 2007. People with prevalent cardiovascular disease were excluded. In total, 27,897 participants (53, 2% women) aged 25–74 years were included in the analyses. Results During the 292,316 person-years of follow-up, 2573 MACE were identified. MACE were more frequent in men than women (1318; 95% CI 1252–1388 in men vs. 736; 686–789 in women). Men had four times more fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) events (149; 126–174 vs. 39; 28–53) and three times more non-fatal CHD events (512; 471–555 vs. 164; 141–189) than women. Stroke incidence was higher in men than women (268; 238–301 vs. 169; 145–195). Heart failure (HF) incidence did not differ between genders. The relative proportions of MACE categories differed substantially between genders: HF was the most common type among women (50% vs. 30% in men), whereas the most common type among men was CHD (50% vs. 28% in women). Conclusions Incident MACE were more common in men than women. HF was the dominant type of MACE in women, whereas CHD dominated in men.
Factors Related to Different Objects of Awareness in Alzheimer Disease

Awareness of deficits is a multidimensional phenomenon described as the ability to acknowledge difficulties and impairments. We investigated whether unawareness affects distinct domains to different degrees and identified the factors related to the awareness impairment in Alzheimer Disease (AD). Using a cross-sectional design, we assessed 89 people with AD (PwAD) and their caregivers. Awareness was evaluated by scoring discrepant responses between PwAD and their caregivers across domains including cognitive functioning and health condition, functional activity impairments, emotional state, social functioning, and interpersonal relationships. The awareness of functional activity impairments domain showed a greater discrepancy compared with the other domains. Multiple regression analysis revealed that lack of awareness of cognitive functioning and health condition was related to PwAD unawareness of functional activity impairments, age, and caregiver burden. The emotional state domain was related to PwAD unawareness of functional activity impairments and depressive symptoms. There was also a relationship between the social functioning and relationships domain and caregiver burden. The functional activity impairments domain was related to deficits in the following domains: cognitive functioning and health condition, emotional state, social and emotional functioning, and PwAD self-reported quality of life. Although we observed that 1 domain can influence another, our results suggest that the factors related to each of the different objects of awareness are varied.
Efficiency of transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure in children after paradoxical embolism events.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Patent foramen ovale (PFO) may result in a cerebrovascular event - a presumed paradoxical embolism (PE). However, the presence of this phenomenon among paediatric patients was rarely evaluated. Transcatheter PFO closure was considered to be a method of treatment in such patients. METHODS For evaluation clinical data and long-term outcome, we reviewed records of patients below 18 years of age, with history of cerebrovascular event related to PE, who underwent procedure of percutaneous PFO closure in years 1999-2014 in our department. RESULTS Among 230 patients with cerebrovascular events who had PFO closed percutaneously, seven children (aged 12-16 years, five male) were selected. Indications for closure were cryptogenic stroke in two patients and transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in five patients. Diagnosis of PFO was established by transthoracic echocardiography, with right-to-left shunt (RLS) through PFO confirmed by transoesophageal echocardiography. Contrast transcranial Doppler (c-TCD) was performed preprocedurally in four patients, revealing significant RLS. For percutaneous closure of PFO different occluders (Starflex, Amplatzer PFO devices, Cardio-O-Fix) were used. Closure was successfully completed in all patients and no procedure-related complications were observed. Postprocedural c-TCD six months after closure revealed no significant RLS. During follow-up (3 to 10 years) one patient had an episode of recurrent TIA; however, in this patient paroxysmal atrial fibrillation was found during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Cerebral embolism due to PFO is uncommon in children. Transcatheter PFO closure in this group of patients is a safe and effective procedure. C-TCD is plausible technique for detection RLS and monitoring PFO closure efficacy in this group of patients.
Identification of functional CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein and Ets protein binding sites in the human chorionic somatomammotropin enhancer sequences.

The human chorionic somatomammotropin (CS) A and B genes (listed as CSH1 and CSH2 in the HUGO database) are highly expressed in placenta. A 241 bp potent enhancer, nucleotides (nts) 1-241, located at the 3' end of the CS-B gene (CS-Benh) stimulates promoter activity specifically in placental trophoblast cells in vitro. Strong activity is exerted by a 23 bp element within the CS-Benh (nts 117-139), shown to interact with transcription enhancer factor (TEF) members of the transcription enhancer activator (TEA) DNA-binding domain-containing family. An identical TEF element is present in the homologous (97.5%) CS-Aenh; however, a few nucleotide differences suppress its activity. Previously, we identified regulatory sequences distinct from the TEF element within an 80 bp modulatory domain (nts 1-80) in the CS-Benh. Using structural and functional assays we now show that CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) binding sites exist in the 80 bp modulatory domains of both enhancers, and an Elk-1 binding site exists in the modulatory domain of the CS-Aenh. C/EBPα or C/EBPβ strongly repressed CSp.CAT activity but stimulated CSp.CAT. CS-Benh activity. In contrast, the equivalent CS-A enhancer sequences were unable to relieve promoter repression. Elk-1 overexpression also resulted in differential effects on the CS-Aenh versus CS-Benh. Finally, we provide evidence for the association of C/EBPβ with the CS-A and CS-B genes in human placental chromatin, including differential involvement of C/EBPβ with the CS-Aenh versus the CS-Benh, and therefore consistent with the notion that these are regions of regulatory significance in vivo. We conclude that members of the C/EBP and Ets families can differentially modulate CS-Benh and CS-Aenh activity.
Corneoscleral Laceration and Ocular Burns Caused by Electronic Cigarette Explosions

Purpose: To report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions. Methods: Case series. Results: We describe a series of patients with corneal injury caused by EC explosions. Both patients suffered bilateral corneal burns and decreased visual acuity, and one patient sustained a unilateral corneoscleral laceration with prolapsed iris tissue and hyphema. A review of the scientific literature revealed no prior reported cases of ocular injury secondary to EC explosions; however, multiple media and government agency articles describe fires and explosions involving ECs, including at least 4 with ocular injuries. Conclusions: Given these cases and the number of recent media reports, ECs pose a significant public health risk. Users should be warned regarding the possibility of severe injury, including sight-threatening ocular injuries ranging from corneal burns to full-thickness corneoscleral laceration.
Circadian Disruption in Experimental Cancer Processes

The circadian timing system (CTS) coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus regulates daily rhythms of behavior, physiology, as well as cellular metabolism and proliferation. Altered circadian rhythms predict for poor survival in cancer patients. An increased incidence of several cancers has been reported in flight attendants and in shift workers. To explore the contribution of the CTS to tumor growth, we developed experimental models of disrupted or enhanced circadian coordination through stereotaxic destruction of the SCN, modifications of photoperiodic or feeding synchronizers and/or the administration of pharmacologic agents. SCN ablation or exposure to experimental chronic jetlag (CJL, consisting of an 8-hour advance of the light-dark cycle every 2 days) caused alterations in circadian physiology and significantly accelerated tumor growth. CJL suppressed or altered the rhythms of clock gene and cell cycle gene expression in mouse liver. It increased p53 and decreased c-Myc expression, a result in line with the promotion of diethylnitrosamine -initiated hepatocarcinogenesis in jet-lagged mice. The accelerating effect of CJL on tumor growth was counterbalanced by the regular timing of food access over the 24-h. Meal timing prevented the circadian disruption produced by CJL and slowed down tumor growth. In synchronized mice, meal timing reinforced host circadian coordination, phase-shifted the transcriptional rhythms of clock genes in the liver of tumor-bearing mice and slowed down cancer progression. These results support the role of the CTS in cancer progression and call for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or treating circadian clock dysfunctions.
Congestion Control in Wireless Communication with Multiple Radio Interfaces

: Congestion control is a basic requirement for wireless communication. Number of devices need to communicate using loss-less and lower drop rate paths. Ubiquitous and wireless access to internet was the major step taken by the introduction of Third generation of Mobile cellular network. Still there are some challenges due to different characteristics and prerequisites of wired and wireless network. Important element of Network is Congestion control. Congestion control has to ensure network stability and achieve fair distribution of resources among users of network. TCP is a well-known protocol used in networks for reliable transport and for congestion control. During almost any interaction network is used by users. Network designs using TCP-like congestion control protocols should ensure time bound and successful transaction / communication of data between users. Nowadays, people are concerned about flow completion within minimum time. People are not concerned about network efficiency, network throughput, and packet drop rate or packet delivery ratio. In this paper we represent, various possible approaches used for congestion control in wired and wireless network.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-28 Deletion Amplifies Inflammatory and Extracellular Matrix Responses to Cardiac Aging

Abstract To determine if matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-28 mediates cardiac aging, wild-type (WT) and MMP-28−/− young (7 ± 1 months, n = 9 each) and old (20 ± 2 months, n = 7 each) female mice were evaluated. MMP-28 expression in the left ventricle (LV) increased 42% in old WT mice compared to young controls (p < 0.05). By Doppler echocardiography, LV function declined at 20 ± 2 months of age for both groups. However, dobutamine stress responses were similar, indicating that cardiac reserve was maintained. Plasma proteomic profiling revealed that macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1 α, MIP-1β and MMP-9 plasma levels did not change in WT old mice but were significantly elevated in MMP-28−/− old mice (all p < 0.05), suggestive of a higher inflammatory status when MMP-28 is deleted. RT2-PCR gene array and immunoblotting analyses demonstrated that MIP-1α and MMP-9 gene and protein levels in the LV were also higher in MMP-28−/− old mice (all p < 0.05). Macrophage numbers in the LV increased similarly in WT and MMP-28−/− old mice, compared to respective young controls (both p < 0.05). Collagen content was not different among the WT and MMP-28−/− young and old mice. In conclusion, LV inflammation increases with age, and MMP-28 deletion further elevates inflammation and extracellular matrix responses, without altering macrophage numbers or collagen content.
Prepubertal exposure to T-2 toxin advances pubertal onset and development in female rats via promoting the onset of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis function

T-2 toxin, a naturally produced Type A trichothecene mycotoxin, has been shown to damage the reproductive and developmental functions in livestocks. However, whether T-2 toxin can disturb the pubertal onset and development following prepubertal exposure remains unclear. To clarify this point, infantile female Sprague–Dawley rats were given a daily intragastric administration of vehicle or T-2 toxin at a dose of 375 μg/kg body weight for 5 consecutive days from postnatal day (PND) 15–19 (PND15–PND19). The days of vaginal opening, first diestrus, and first estrus in regular estrous cycle were advanced following T-2 toxin treatment, indicating prepubertal exposure to T-2 toxin induced the advancement of puberty onset. The relative weights of uterus and ovaries and the incidence of corpora lutea were all increased in T-2 toxin-treated rats; serum hormone levels of luteinizing hormone and estradiol and the messenger RNA expressions of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GnRH receptor also displayed marked increases following exposure to T-2 toxin, all of which were well consistent with the manifestations of the advanced puberty onset. In conclusion, the present study reveals that prepubertal exposure to a high level of T-2 toxin promotes puberty onset in infantile female rats by advancing the initiation of hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis function in female rats.
In vivo analysis of human nucleoporin repeat domain interactions

Certain FG nucleoporins are believed to associate by cohesive interactions within the NPC. FRAP is used to compare cohesive interactions of different vertebrate FG domains. Although some human repeat domain properties may differ from those of their yeast orthologue, GLFG repeats are most cohesive and support a major contribution of Nup98 to the permeability barrier of the NPC.
Pretreatment with adenosine and adenosine A1 receptor agonist protects against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat.

AIM To examine the effects of adenosine and A1 receptor activation on reperfusion-induced small intestinal injury. METHODS Rats were randomized into groups with sham operation, ischemia and reperfusion, and systemic treatments with either adenosine or 2-chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine, A1 receptor agonist or 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, A1 receptor antagonist, plus adenosine before ischemia. Following reperfusion, contractions of ileum segments in response to KCl, carbachol and substance P were recorded. Tissue myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde, and reduced glutathione levels were measured. RESULTS Ischemia significantly decreased both contraction and reduced glutathione level which were ameliorated by adenosine and agonist administration. Treatment also decreased neutrophil infiltration and membrane lipid peroxidation. Beneficial effects of adenosine were abolished by pretreatment with A1 receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION The data suggest that adenosine and A1 receptor stimulation attenuate ischemic intestinal injury via decreasing oxidative stress, lowering neutrophil infiltration, and increasing reduced glutathione content.
A More Aggressive Breast Cancer Spheroid Model Coupled to an Electronic Capillary Sensor System for a High-Content Screening of Cytotoxic Agents in Cancer Therapy: 3-Dimensional In Vitro Tumor Spheroids as a Screening Model

One major problem in cancer therapy is the immortality of tumor cells showing an active telomerase, which is responsible for the elongation of the telomeres after each cellular division and the knocking down of apoptotic suppressors. A further phenomenon occurring during cancer therapies is the problem of multicellular resistance. To develop therapeutic anticancer approaches inducing cellular apoptosis, gene-modified biological in vitro systems were established and evaluated for drug screening in a capillary system for a real-time, impedimertic monitoring. Multicellular spheroids of the human breast cancer cell line T-47D clone 11 were transfected with 1) antisense caspase-3 cDNA expression vectors for knocking down the main cell death molecule and 2) sense Bcl-xl cDNA expression vectors for overexpressing the apoptotic suppressor, resulting in more aggressive tumor models. These gene-modified tumor spheroids less sensitive for apoptosis were developed for screening drugs such as methotrexate in tumor spheroid–based biosensor systems via impedance spectroscopy. In this report, it is demonstrated that this could successfully exhibit that this real-time monitoring system with tumor spheroids positioned in a capillary system with a 4-electrode configuration is the most efficient high-content screening module for impedimetric measurements of physiological alterations during gene modification and drug application.
Determination of reference intervals for serum complement C3 and C4 levels in Chinese Han ethnic males.

BACKGROUND Clinical laboratory reference intervals (RIs) for serum complement C3 and C4 levels have been established in many countries but there is a lack of published data regarding normal RIs in Chinese population. We attempted to establish RIs for serum complement C3 and C4 levels in Chinese Han ethnic males. METHODS A total of 1,234 healthy male subjects, aged 20 - 69 years, were collected from the Fangchenggang Area Male Health and Examination Survey (FAMHES). Serum complement C3 and C4 levels were measured by immunoturbidimetry. The two-sided 95-percentile RIs were calculated using parametric statistical methods. RESULTS Serum C3 values showed normal distribution and C4 were log-normal distributed. The two-sided 95% RIs (mean +/- 2 SD) for serum C3 and C4 were 0.656 - 1.52 g/L and 0.181 - 0.561 g/L, respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) had a significant positive association with C3 (r = 0.342) and C4 (r = 0.258), and age had a significant positive association with C4 (r = 0.117). No significant difference was found either between smoking groups or drinking groups. A significant increase with BMI was found both for C3 (p < 0.001) and C4 (p < 0.001). BMI-specific RIs were also calculated. CONCLUSIONS The RIs for serum C3 and C4 show a slight deviation compared to previously reported reference levels. BMI-specific reference values should be implemented in clinical laboratories.
Can Cystatin C Replace Creatinine to Estimate Glomerular Filtration Rate? A Literature Review

Background: With the increasing knowledge that estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine (Scr) has limited value, researchers have developed new equations based on serum cystatin C (Cys C). Aim: To compare the performance of serum Cys C and Cys C-based GFR equations to Scr and Scr-based GFR equations. Methods: A Medline literature search for studies in English. Results: Fourteen studies in kidney transplant patients and 29 in patients with native kidney disease were identified. 70% of studies on transplants favored Cys C over Scr while 60% favored serum Cys C over Scr in patients with native kidney disease. Three studies in transplant patients and 6 in patients with native kidney disease compared the performances of Cys C- and Scr-based equations. 70% of the studies performed on transplantation favored Cys C, while 85% the studies performed in native kidney diseases showed superiority of Cys C-based equations. Conclusion: A large number of studies favor Cys C over Scr for the estimation of GFR. Still, many reports show no superiority of Cys C over Scr. Consistent with this, more studies are needed to study the performance of Cys C-based GFR equations.
Mitotic Protein CSPP1 Interacts with CENP-H Protein to Coordinate Accurate Chromosome Oscillation in Mitosis*

Background: Kinetochore microtubule dynamics orchestrate proper chromosome movement in mitosis. Results: CSPP1 is a novel kinetochore protein that regulates chromosome oscillation during cell division. Conclusion: CSPP1 associates with CENP-H to control chromosome oscillation by regulating kinetochore microtubule dynamics. Significance: Our findings provide insight into the molecular mechanism of chromosome movements. Mitotic chromosome segregation is orchestrated by the dynamic interaction of spindle microtubules with the kinetochores. During chromosome alignment, kinetochore-bound microtubules undergo dynamic cycles between growth and shrinkage, leading to an oscillatory movement of chromosomes along the spindle axis. Although kinetochore protein CENP-H serves as a molecular control of kinetochore-microtubule dynamics, the mechanistic link between CENP-H and kinetochore microtubules (kMT) has remained less characterized. Here, we show that CSPP1 is a kinetochore protein essential for accurate chromosome movements in mitosis. CSPP1 binds to CENP-H in vitro and in vivo. Suppression of CSPP1 perturbs proper mitotic progression and compromises the satisfaction of spindle assembly checkpoint. In addition, chromosome oscillation is greatly attenuated in CSPP1-depleted cells, similar to what was observed in the CENP-H-depleted cells. Importantly, CSPP1 depletion enhances velocity of kinetochore movement, and overexpression of CSPP1 decreases the speed, suggesting that CSPP1 promotes kMT stability during cell division. Specific perturbation of CENP-H/CSPP1 interaction using a membrane-permeable competing peptide resulted in a transient mitotic arrest and chromosome segregation defect. Based on these findings, we propose that CSPP1 cooperates with CENP-H on kinetochores to serve as a novel regulator of kMT dynamics for accurate chromosome segregation.
Statistical modeling for global solar radiation forecasting in Bogotá

Based on measurements of global solar radiation carried out in the National University of Colombia (located in Bogotá, at 74° 4′ West, 4° 35′ North, 2580 m altitude) for the period 2003 – 2009, a statistical modeling based on time series was made to forecast the accumulated mean daily global solar radiation in Bogotá. This analysis was done using the programs EXCEL 2007 and SPSS 16; the lost data were determined with the technique of lineal trend. Using the test of Dickey - Fuller it was established that the time series are not stationary, but seasonal. Using the methodology of Box and Jenkins to convert the original data to a stationary series, it was found that the series which better fitted to the one built with experimentally measured data, can be obtained using the ARIMA (1, 0, 0) model, which can be mathematically represented by the equation X<inf>t</inf> = 3562.78 + 0.518 X<inf>t−1</inf> + ε<inf>t</inf>, where the error ε<inf>t</inf> is distributed like a normal (0,1) white noise