Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Revisiting "respiratory function in emphysema in relation to prognosis".

BACKGROUND The 1956 paper by DV Bates, JMS Knott and RV Christie, "Respiratory function in emphysema in relation to prognosis" Quart J Med 1956;97:137-157 is largely reprinted with a commentary by the first author, Dr David Bates. Although the pathology of emphysema was well recognized at the time, the clinical diagnosis and assessment of its severity were known to be imprecise; physiological measurements assessing and following the clinical course had not been established. The study aimed to follow systematically a group of patients, selected by clinical criteria using standardized clinical and physiological techniques, over four years and correlate physiological and clinical changes in relation to prognosis and eventually to postmortem findings. Fifty-nine patients were recruited to an emphysema clinic at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, England. Inclusion criteria were dyspnea without other causes and no cor pulmonale present. Patients' symptoms were assessed by a standardized questionnaire, and measurements were taken of lung volumes, maximal ventilatory volume, carbon monoxide diffusing capacity at rest, exercise and oxygen saturation by oximetry. During the four years of the study, 17 patients died (actuarial expected - four) and 13 presented with signs of pulmonary heart failure. All postmortem examinations (n=9) showed advanced emphysema. A seasonal variation in dyspnea was established (the period included the infamous 1952 London smog). Four patients improved, and the remainder were unchanged or deteriorated. Close relationships were shown between dyspnea and function results, particularly for the diffusing capacity of lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO). A comparison among a group of patients with chronic bronchitis without dyspnea showed that the DLCO discriminated between them. A loss of the normal increase in DLCO during exercise was shown in emphysema. IMPORTANCE The study showed the value of standardized clinical and physiological techniques in following chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, and of separating the effects of airflow obstruction from impaired gas exchange function. Impaired gas exchange was shown to be important in influencing prognosis.
Alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction in young adulthood.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS To examine the associations between substance abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction, before and after adjustment for fixed and time-dynamic sources of confounding. DESIGN AND METHODS Data were drawn from a 30year longitudinal study of a birth cohort of 987 individuals. Associations between alcohol abuse/dependence symptoms, cannabis abuse/dependence symptoms and life satisfaction were examined using repeated measures regression models. Associations were adjusted for fixed and time-dynamic sources of confounding, including family background, personality, demographics, recent life events, current employment and recent mental illness. RESULTS There were significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P<0.0001) and between cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P<0.0001). These significant associations remained after adjustment for fixed sources of confounding. However, adjusting for time-dynamic sources of confounding substantially reduced the associations. After adjustment for time-dynamic sources of confounding there were no significant associations between alcohol abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P>0.17) or cannabis abuse/dependence and life satisfaction (P>0.25). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that associations between life substance abuse/dependence and life satisfaction can be explained by time-dynamic factors, such as employment, life events and comorbid mental illness that are associated with reduced life satisfaction. When due allowance is made for confounding, alcohol and cannabis abuse/dependence are not associated with reduced life satisfaction.
Disruptions of the Ustilago maydis REC2 gene identify a protein domain important in directing recombinational repair of DNA

The REC2 gene of Ustilago maydis encodes a homologue of the Escherichia coli RecA protein and was first identified in a screen for UV‐sensitive mutants. The original isolate, rec2‐1, was found to be deficient in repair of DNA damage, genetic recombination and meiosis. We report here that the rec2‐197 allele, which was constructed by gene disruption, retains some biological activity and is partially dominant with respect to REC2. The basis for the residual activity is probably as a result of expression of a diffusible product from the rec2‐197 allele that augments or interferes with REC2 functions. This product appears to be a polypeptide expressed from a remnant of the 5′ end of the open reading frame that was not removed in creating the gene disruption. The mutator activity and disturbed meiosis of rec2‐197 suggest that the Rec2 protein functions in a process that avoids spontaneous mutation and insures faithful meiotic chromosome segregation. A prediction based on the phenotype of rec2‐197 is that Rec2 protein interacts with one or more other proteins in directing these functions. To identify interacting proteins we performed a yeast two‐hybrid screen and found Rad51 as a candidate. Rec2‐197 and Rad51 appear to interact to a similar degree.
Interleukin-2 diphtheria fusion protein (DAB486IL-2) in refractory rheumatoid arthritis. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with open-label extension.

OBJECTIVE This pilot phase II, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 1 month duration, with a 2-3-month open-label extension, evaluated the safety, tolerability, biologic effects, and efficacy of interleukin-2 diphtheria fusion protein (DAB486IL-2) in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Forty-five RA patients were enrolled in the trial, and were randomized, after a 3-4-week disease-modifying antirheumatic drug washout, to receive a daily intravenous dose of either DAB486IL-2 or placebo (saline) for 5 days. A blinded, third-party observer evaluated arthritis activity. Clinical response was defined as > or = 25% improvement in swollen and tender joints and > or = 25% improvement in at least 2 of 6 additional parameters. The double-blind phase was 4 weeks; placebo patients could cross over to receive open-label treatment for a maximum of 3 monthly DAB486IL-2 cycles. RESULTS In the double-blind phase, 4 of 22 patients (18%) in the treated group and none in the placebo group (P = 0.05) met the criteria for clinical response. During the open-label treatment phase, 11 of 36 patients (31%) and 11 of 33 patients (33%) had a clinical response after completing 2 and 3 courses of DAB486IL-2, respectively. Adverse events included transient fever/chills (45%), nausea/vomiting (50%), elevated (< or = 3 x normal) transaminases (55%), and increased joint pain (45%). Twelve patients (8 placebo, 4 DAB486IL-2) did not complete 3 treatment cycles. No apparent differences were noted in CD4+ CD25+ cells of responders versus nonresponders, or of DAB486IL-2-treated versus placebo-treated patients. CONCLUSION Clinical responses were noted in patients treated with DAB486IL-2 (18%) compared with placebo (0%) in the double-blind phase. In the open-label phase, 33% of patients completing 3 monthly DAB486IL-2 cycles had improvement in arthritis activity. Further studies of IL-2 diphtheria fusion proteins are warranted to elucidate factors that may predict clinical response and define mechanism(s) of action.
4,4′-[Propane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]dibenzonitrile–4,4′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]dibenzonitrile [0.796 (2)/0.204 (2)]

The title cocrystal, 0.796C19H16N4·0.204C18H14N4, is a disordered mixture of two potentially bidentate Schiff base ligands. The difference in the two components of the cocrystal is the replacement of the methyl group in the linkage between the imine N atoms in the major component of the Schiff base ligand by an H atom. The imino (C=N) functional groups are coplanar with the benzene rings (only the major component) and extend in opposite directions (both components). Intermolecular π–π interactions with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.7371 (8) Å are observed in the crystal packing.
Natural Acquisition of Helicobacter pylori Infection in Newborn Rhesus Macaques

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori infection is usually acquired in childhood, but precise estimates of the age of acquisition are difficult to obtain in young children. Since serial endoscopic biopsies are not feasible in human infants, we examined acquisition of H. pylori infection that is known to occur in socially housed nonhuman primates. By 12 weeks of age, 8 of 20 newborns (40%) were culture positive for H. pylori, and prevalence reached 90% by 1 year of age. Newborns from infected dams were more commonly infected than those from uninfected dams, particularly during the peripartum period, suggesting that close contact during this time may facilitate transmission. Transient infection was uncommon and occurred only after the first positive culture. These results suggest that in a high-prevalence environment, persistent H. pylori infection may be acquired at an earlier age than was previously thought. Since clean, potable water was readily available, contamination of water supply is not essential for widespread infection at an early age in areas where hygiene is otherwise poor. Furthermore, breastfeeding seems to offer little protection, since newborn macaques breastfeed during the first year of life and typically are fully weaned only when another newborn arrives the following spring.
An improved TLD target tracking algorithm based on the variable-scale, compressing tracking

Although the classic TLD (tracking-learning-detection) target tracking algorithm can track a single target robustly in a long period, its real-time performance is poor. CT (Compressing Tracking) real-time tracking algorithm is real-time and efficient, but it cannot accurately track the scale-changing targets. Aiming at handling both methods' shortcomings, this paper proposes an improved TLD tracking method based on the tracking by variable-scale compressing. This method uses variable-scale compression detection instead of TLD detector and uses P-N(positive-negative) learning method to update CT detector's classifier. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm presents better performance in robustness and real-time tracking.
3.56-bits/cm $^2$ Compact Inkjet Printed and Application Specific Chipless RFID Tag

In this letter, a 28.5-bit chipless RFID tag, based on paper substrate and realized using inkjet printing technique is presented. Operating within ultrawideband, the tag occupies a compact size of 2 ×4 cm2. Focusing on applications requiring time and date identification, a novel encoding technique is presented that allows efficient frequency band allocation based on the number of required instances of time and date variables. A figure of merit (FOM) relating coding capacity and tag dimensions coined as code density is also introduced. A systematic design process followed by simulations and verified through measurements reveal a high code density of 3.56 bits/cm2 for the presented chipless tag.
Panic Attacks and Their Relation to Psychological and Physical Functioning in Canadians: Results from a Nationally Representative Sample

Objective: US-based studies have suggested that panic attacks (PA) are common and associated with an increased prevalence of mental disorders and poorer quality of life, and may be a marker of severe psychopathology. Using a population-based survey with a greater sample size than has been previously used, we sought to determine the prevalence rates and correlates of PAs among Canadians aged 15 years and older. Method: The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition classification was used to determine the past-year prevalence of PAs in the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (n = 36 984, aged 15 and older, response rate = 77%). Psychological and physical function variables were compared among people with PAs, with panic disorder (PD), and without PAs. Results: The prevalence of past-year PAs was 6.4%. Compared to people without PAs, those with PAs had poorer overall functioning for disability, mental disorders, suicidal ideation, psychological distress, restriction of activity, chronic physical conditions, psychological well-being, and self-rated physical and mental health. PD was associated with poorer overall functioning than PAs for numerous variables; however, there were no significant differences between these 2 panic groups for several other variables. Conclusions: Though associated with less severe impairment than PD in some domains, PAs are associated with mental health problems and reduced overall psychological and physical functioning and may be an indicator of more severe psychopathology.
Decreased NK Cell Frequency and Function Is Associated with Increased Risk of KIR3DL Allele Polymorphism in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rhesus Macaques with High Viral Loads1

NK cells have been established as an important effector of innate immunity in a variety of viral infections. In HIV-1 infection in humans, alterations of NK cell function, frequency, and expression of various NK receptors have been reported to be associated with differential dynamics of disease progression. Expression of certain alleles of KIR3DL and KIR3DS receptors on NK cells was shown to correlate with levels of virus replication. In the SIV-infected rhesus macaque (RM) model of AIDS, several families of killer inhibitory Ig-related receptors (KIR receptors) corresponding to their human counterparts have been characterized, but only at the level of individual sequence variants. Here we define 14 different alleles of KIR3DL expressed among 38 SIV-infected RM, characterized by either high or low levels of SIV replication, by analyzing multiple sequences from individual animals and show an unequal distribution of certain alleles in these cohorts. High levels of SIV replication were associated with significant increases in KIR3DL mRNA levels in addition to decreases in both the frequency and function of NK cells in these animals. The higher frequency of inheritance of two KIR3DL alleles characterized by a single nucleotide polymorphism 159 H/Q was associated with RM that exhibited high plasma viral load. This data for the first time defines multiple alleles of KIR3DL in RM and shows an association between virus control, NK cell function and genetic polymorphisms of KIR receptors.
Composite Optical Bend Loss Sensor for Pressure and Shear Measurement

A composite optical bend loss sensor for measuring 3-D forces has been developed. The sensor is composed of two optic fiber meshes which are embedded into a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slab. The sensor consists of an array of optical fibers lying in perpendicular rows and columns sandwiched inside an elastomeric pad. A map of normal and shear stress is constructed based on observed macrobending through the intensity attenuation from physical deformation of two adjacent perpendicular fibers. Due to the new addition of the composite design and acrylic holder, the stability of the present sensor is found to be significantly better than our previously reported microfabricated optical bend loss sensor. In this paper, we will report the results of an optical bend loss simulation using the beam propagation method based on a series of images captured by a CCD camera on the fiber's bending curvatures. The result from the simulation will be compared with the results obtained from the experiment. Other results include vertical force and shear measurements at a single pressure point of the sensor. A force image algorithm is used to map the force distribution detected by the sensor. Here, we will present the results of six different shape patterns and two force magnitudes on each shape using a neural network system. We will also present a radio frequency sensor module, which we developed for the composite optical bend loss sensor for remote sensing.
Active suppression of the class II transactivator‐encoding AIR‐1 locus is responsible for the lack of major histocompatibility complex class II gene expression observed during differentiation from B cells to plasma cells

In this study the genetic control of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene expression during the transition from B cell to plasma cell has been analyzed. Class II molecules are not expressed in plasma cells because of an active suppression resulting in the abrogation of class II gene transcription. We show here that the plasma cell‐specific repressor function, designated SIR (suppressor of immune response genes), does not act directly on the transcription of class II genes, but instead on the transcription of the AIR‐1 gene, whose product, the class II transactivator (CIITA), is fundamental for the regulation of the constitutive and inducible expression of MHC class II genes. This was unambiguously demonstrated by the fact that plasmacytoma × B cell hybrids carrying an AIR‐1 locus derived from CIITA‐expressing cells do not express CIITA‐specific transcripts. Transfection of a cDNA containing the human CIITA coding sequence under the control of an heterologous promoter restores expression of human MHC class II genes in the hybrids and is responsible for de novo expression of mouse MHC class II genes in both the mouse plasmacytoma cell line and the hybrids. These results confirm and extend the notion of the functional conservation of the AIR‐1 gene product across species barriers. Interestingly, in CIITA‐transfected cell hybrids, cell surface expression of the human HLA‐DQ heterodimer was not observed. This result was not attributable to lack of HLA‐DQα or ‐DQβ transcription, because both transcripts were present in the CIITA‐transfected hybrids, although at reduced levels. These findings further support our previous observations on the distinct regulation of expression of the human HLA‐DQ class II subset, which may be thus controlled at the post‐transcriptional level by a CIITA‐independent mechanism.
Organization of lumbosacral motoneuronal cell groups innervating hindlimb, pelvic floor, and axial muscles in the cat

In a study on descending pathways from the nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) to hindlimb motoneurons (see accompanying paper), it appeared impossible, using data from the literature, to precisely determine which muscles were innervated by the motoneurons receiving the NRA fibers. This lack of data made it necessary to produce a detailed map of the lumbosacral motoneuronal cell groups in the cat. Therefore, 50 different muscles or muscle compartments of hindlimb, pelvic floor and lower back were injected with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in 135 cases. The respective muscles were divided into ten groups: I, sartorius and iliopsoas; II, quadriceps; III, adductors; IV, hamstrings; V, gluteal and other proximal muscles of the hip; VI, posterior compartment of the distal hindlimb; VII, anterior compartment of the distal hindlimb; VIII, long flexors and intrinsic muscles of the foot; IX, pelvic floor muscles; and X, extensors of the lower back and tail. The L4‐S2 segments were cut and incubated, and labeled motoneurons were counted and plotted. A new method was developed that made it possible, despite variations in size and segmental organization between the different cases, to compare the results of different cases. The results show that the spatial interrelationship between the hindlimb and pelvic floor lumbosacral motoneuronal cell groups remains constant. This finding enabled the authors to compose an accurate overall map of the location of lumbosacral motoneuronal cell groups. The general distribution of the motoneuronal cell groups is also discussed in respect to their dorsoventral, mediolateral, and rostrocaudal position within the lumbosacral ventral horn. J. Comp. Neurol. 382:46‐76, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss Inc.
Development and appraisal of a hand hygiene teaching approach for medical students: a qualitative study

Background: Poor hand hygiene (HH) practices among medical students have previously been attributed to students not being exposed to sufficient teaching materials during their training. Aim: To develop and evaluate a teaching module directed at improving the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate medical students towards HH. Methods: The HH teaching module was designed based on educational materials used by the World Health Organization and other patient safety organisations. The development was also informed by the findings from two previous studies including qualitative interviews with staff and students and a survey of Australian medical schools. In-depth group interviews were undertaken with 24 undergraduate medical students. Results: Favourable feedback was received from the interviewed medical students towards the developed scenario-based learning activity; however, the group interview activity was not received well by students. They suggested that the HH teaching activities should be compulsory and not optional for medical students. In order to reinforce good HH practices and to improve knowledge around HH and healthcare-associated infections, they felt that the activities should be repeated during each phase of their degree. Conclusions: There is a need to change the approach to training in education, particularly to engage students in topics such as HH which are often seen as unimportant.
Comprehensive analysis of expression, subcellular localization, and cognate pairing of SNARE proteins in oligodendrocytes

Oligodendrocytes form the central nervous system myelin sheath by spiral wrapping of their plasma membrane around axons, necessitating a high rate of exocytic membrane addition to the growing myelin membrane. Membrane fusion is mediated by soluble N‐ethylmaleimide‐sensitive factor attachment protein receptor proteins (SNAREs), which act by specific pairing of vesicle (R)‐ and target (Q)‐SNAREs. To characterize oligodendroglial SNAREs and their trafficking pathways, we performed a detailed expression analysis of SNAREs in differentiating cultured oligodendrocytes and myelin and determined their subcellular localization. Expression of the plasma membrane Q‐SNAREs syntaxin 3, syntaxin 4, SNAP23, and the endosomal R‐SNARE VAMP3/cellubrevin increased with oligodendroglial maturation, while the expression of SNAP29 decreased. Interestingly, syntaxin 3, syntaxin 4, and VAMP7/tetanustoxin‐insensitive VAMP accumulated in myelin during development, suggesting a role in myelin membrane fusion. Coimmunoprecipitation from oligodendroglial cell lysates elucidated interactions between SNAREs: for example, Golgi‐localized VAMP4 associated with syntaxin 6 and SNAP29. Furthermore, we identified a cognate core complex composed of VAMP3, syntaxin 4, and SNAP23, which may mediate fusion of endosome‐derived vesicles with the plasma membrane. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of SNARE proteins in oligodendrocytes and assigns defined SNAREs to putative vesicle trafficking pathways in myelinating oligodendrocytes, thus facilitating future functional analysis of distinct SNAREs in oligodendroglial membrane traffic and myelination. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.