Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Galsulfase: enzyme-replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome)

Since enzyme-replacement therapy has been successfully introduced for patients with Gaucher disease, Fabry disease and mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, the principle of this treatment has also been taken into consideration for individuals who are affected by mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (Maroteaux–Lamy disease), a rare lysosomal storage disorder with multiple organ and tissue involvement. After enzyme-replacement therapy with recombinant human arylsulfatase B in a feline model of mucopolysaccharidosis VI showed a reduction in storage vacuoles in Kupffer cells and connective tissue, clinical trials were intitiated. A Phase I/II trial showed that regular infusions of recombinant arylsulfatase B were able to reduce urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion. In all patients, general endurance and shoulder range of motion improved. These results were confirmed by a following open-label Phase II study with ten patients who had more rapidly advanced disease. After a Phase III (double-blind, placebo-controlled) study had demonstrated the clinical efficacy of weekly infusion of recombinant human arylsulfatase B, this enzyme preparation was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI. The efficacy and safety of the enzyme preparation is discussed in this review.
Monitoring and documenting evidence during assessment and intervention.

In the first four installments of the Forum, I discussed the following steps of how to do evidence-based practice: (1) write a clinical question, (2) gather current evidence that might answer the question, (3) evaluate the gathered evidence to determine what is the “best” evidence for answering the question, and (4) communicate with clients, family members, and clinical colleagues about the evidence as assessment and intervention decisions are being made. These four steps support the therapist’s sound clinical reasoning while she or he is making initial assessment and intervention plans. The fifth, and final step, of evidence-based practice in this “how to” series supports clinical reasoning during the subsequent implementation phase of the assessment and intervention plan. During this step, the therapist evaluates evidence-based assessment and intervention procedures as they are implemented with a client and revises and individualizes those procedures as appropriate.
Microglial Phagocytosis of Fibrillar β-Amyloid through a β1 Integrin-Dependent Mechanism

Microglia are the principle immune effector and phagocytic cells in the CNS. These cells are associated with fibrillar β-amyloid (fAβ)-containing plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The plaque-associated microglia undergo a phenotypic conversion into an activated phenotype and are responsible for the development of a focal inflammatory response that exacerbates and accelerates the disease process. Paradoxically, despite the presence of abundant activated microglia in the brain of AD patients, these cells fail to mount a phagocytic response to Aβ deposits but can efficiently phagocytose Aβ fibrils and plaques in vitro. We report that exposure of microglia to fAβ in vitro induces phagocytosis through mechanisms distinct from those used by the classical phagocytic receptors, the Ig receptors (FcRγI and FcγRIII) or complement receptors. Microglia interact with fAβ through a recently characterized Aβ cell surface receptor complex comprising the B-class scavenger receptor CD36, α6β1 integrin, and CD47 (integrin-associated protein). Antagonists specific for each component of the receptor complex blocks fAβ-stimulated phagocytosis. These data demonstrated that engagement of this ensemble of receptors is required for induction of phagocytosis. The phagocytic response stimulated by this receptor complex is driven principally by a β1 integrin-linked process that is morphologically and mechanistically distinct from the classical type I and type II phagocytic mechanisms. These data provide evidence for phagocytic uptake of fAβ through a receptor-mediated, nonclassical phagocytic mechanism.
Resonant optical gradient force interaction for nano-imaging and -spectroscopy

The optical gradient force provides optomechanical interactions, for particle trapping and manipulation, as well as for near-field optical imaging in scanning probemicroscopy. Based on recent spectroscopic experiments, its extension and use for a novel formof chemical scanning probe nanoimagingwas proposed.Here, we provide the theoretical basis in terms of spectral behavior, resonant enhancement, and distance dependence of the optical gradient force fromnumerical simulations in a coupled nanoparticlemodel geometry.We predict an asymmetric line shape of the optical gradient force formolecular electronic or vibrational resonances, corresponding to the real part of the dielectric function of the samplematerials. Yet the line shape can become symmetric and absorptive for collective polaritonic excitations. The correspondingmagnitudes of the force range from fN to pN, respectively. The distance dependence scales considerably less steeply than simple point dipolemodel predictions due tomultipole effects. The combination of these characteristics of the optical gradient force offers the chance to experimentally distinguish it from competing processes such as thermal expansion induced forces. In additionwe provide a perspective for further resonant enhancement and control of optical forces.
After the Screening

Many people believe that identifying individuals who exhibit known risk factors for coronary heart disease is the easy part of reducing cardiovascular disease. It isn't hard to obtain a good brief history and the results of a few simple tests such as blood pressure, weight, serum lipids, and glucose. The difficulty lies in successfully referring individuals with positive results into ongoing care and assuring follow-up with appropriate education, decision making, and subsequent behavior change. Effective referral networks require planning, coordination, and follow-up. Furthermore, longterm effective management of identified risk factors requires decades of daily decisions and behaviors by patients as well as ongoing individualized support from health care providers, families, and friends. Occupational health nurses (OHNs) are in an ideal position to identify risk factors early, and to help employees change their behavior to reduce their cardiovascular risk. Employees and employers share the goals of smoking cessation, high blood pressure (HBP) control, serum cholesterol reduction, and blood sugar control. Additionally, OHNs can look further ahead and initiate efforts to prevent risk factors. Programs to promote nonsmoking, weight control, and exercise, for example, constitute efforts in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Much has been written about the role of OHNs in workplace health promotion programs. (Carnine, 1981; National Blood Pressure Program Coordinating Committee, 1983). The key components of this role are the same in all cardiovascular risk reduction programs. All nurses should be prepared to: • Educate to explain the importance of risk factors and the benefits of their early detection and control. • Screen using simple techniques to identify individuals at increased risk. • Refer individuals at risk to sources of information and care. • Followup at-risk individuals to confirm the presence of risk factors and entrance into long-term care. • Promote adherence to aid in achieving goals of therapy. This article discusses the components of follow-up and adherence promotion, both crucial steps in reducing morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease.
Tracheobronchomalacia treatment: how far have we come?

Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is a rather underdiagnosed endobronchial disease which treatment depends on the severity of symptoms as a consequence of severe dynamical tracheal occlusion. To this date there is no consensus regarding the therapeutic approach, hence, new state-of-the-art techniques should be taken into consideration.
There Is No Meaningful Relationship Between Television Exposure and Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

OBJECTIVE. The recent but methodologically limited longitudinal study of the adverse attentional effects of television viewing in early childhood suggests a possible association. The purpose of the present study was to extend this investigation to a more current sample of kindergarten students using structural equation modeling, which allows for the simultaneous evaluation of predictors. METHODS. Two samples were randomly selected from nationally representative data collected from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study. A structural equation model was developed positing a relationship between kindergartners' television exposure and subsequent first-grade symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while controlling for variables related to socioeconomic status and parent involvement. Variables were selected rather than developed and do not include an acceptable measure of ADHD, which limited the scope of the measures used. The model was tested by using the first sample and then cross-validated to the second sample. RESULTS. Although the adequate fit of the model to the data suggests that children's television exposure during kindergarten was related to symptoms of ADHD during the first grade, the amount of variance accounted for in the ADHD-symptoms variable revealed television exposure as a weak predictor of later ADHD symptoms. Effect sizes for the relationship between television exposure and symptoms of ADHD were close to zero and not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS. Methodologic issues, including participant age, the measurement of ADHD symptoms, and evaluation of the importance of variables, may explain the differences between the present study and the results of others who have found television exposure to be related to attention problems. The measurement of ADHD symptoms through the use of longitudinal databases is an important limitation, because only a small number of items can be selected to represent symptoms. Future research is necessary to address these issues.
Toolkit for automatic analysis of chat conversations

Text-based tools, such as instant messaging, forums or blogs enable online collaboration in communities all over the world. Data sources that are more conversational in nature tend to have a typical, time-driven structure that existing text analyzing tools don't take into consideration. In this paper we propose a toolkit for information extraction from chat sessions. The system is optimized for conversational structures, integrates natural language processing with knowledge manipulation and permits to detect the topics of chat, the threads of discussion, lexical chains, the interferences between replies and coreferences.
Presence of Illicit Drugs in the Sarno River (Campania Region, Italy)

The presence of illicit drugs and their metabolites in surface waters has to be considered a new type of hazard, still unknown, for both the human health and the aquatic ecosystem, due to the potent pharmacological activities of all the illicit drugs. Our research was aimed at evaluating the presence of illicit drugs in the Sarno River (Campania region, Italy), crossing a densely populated area, the basin of the Sarno River, one of the largest and most important economic areas in Campania region, famous for the presence of zones with high landscape-environmental value. The drugs selected for this study were the most used in Campania region. The presence of illicit drugs in surface water was analyzed by a selective multi-residue assay based on liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry. The analysis showed the presence of all the illicit drugs investigated: cocaine and its main metabolites (benzoylecgonine, nor-benzoylecgonine), morphine, THC-COOH and codeine; cocaine was the most abundant illicit drug. The presence of illicit drugs and their metabolites in the Sarno River suggests new potential risk for the basin’s inhabitants, using water in the food chain, via field irrigation and animal feed, and for the health of the aquatic fauna.
Calcium(II) selectively induces α‐synuclein annular oligomers via interaction with the C‐terminal domain

α‐Synuclein filaments are the major component of intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies characteristic of Parkinson's disease and related disorders. The process of α‐synuclein filament formation proceeds via intermediate or protofibrillar species, each of which may be cytotoxic. Because high levels of calcium(II) and other metal ions may play a role in disease pathogenesis, we investigated the influence of calcium and other metals on α‐synuclein speciation. Here we report that calcium(II) and cobalt(II) selectively induce the rapid formation of discrete annular α‐synuclein oligomeric species. We used atomic force microscopy to monitor the aggregation state of α‐synuclein after 1 d at 4°C in the presence of a range of metal ions compared with the filament formation pathway in the absence of metal ions. Three classes of effect were observed with different groups of metal ions: (1) Copper(II), iron(III), and nickel(II) yielded 0.8–4 nm spherical particles, similar to α‐synuclein incubated without metal ions; (2) magnesium(II), cadmium(II), and zinc(II) gave larger, 5–8 nm spherical oligomers; and, (3) cobalt(II) and calcium(II) gave frequent annular oligomers, 70–90 nm in diameter with calcium(II) and 22–30 nm in diameter with cobalt(II). In the absence of metal ions, annular oligomers ranging 45–90 nm in diameter were observed after 10 d incubation, short branched structures appeared after a further 3 wk and extended filaments after 2–3 mo. Previous studies have shown that α‐synuclein calcium binding is mediated by the acidic C terminus. We found that truncated α‐synuclein (1–125), lacking the C‐terminal 15 amino acids, did not form annular oligomers upon calcium addition, indicating the involvement of the calcium‐binding domain.
Multiple traumatic brain injury and concussive symptoms among deployed military personnel

Abstract Objective: To identify if concussive symptoms occur with greater frequency among military personnel with multiple lifetime TBIs and if a history of TBI increases risk for subsequent TBI. Patients: One hundred and sixty-one military personnel referred to a TBI clinic for evaluation and treatment of suspected head injury at a military clinic in Iraq. Methods: Military patients completed standardized self-report measures of concussion, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms; clinical interview; and physical examination. Group comparisons were made according to number of lifetime TBIs and logistic regression was utilized to determine the association of past TBIs on current TBI. Results: Patients with one or more previous TBIs were more likely to report concussion symptoms immediately following a recent injury and during the evaluation. Although differences between single and multiple TBI groups were observed, these did not reach the level of statistical significance. A history of any TBI increased the likelihood of current TBI diagnosis, but this relationship was no longer significant when adjusting for injury mechanism, depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Conclusion: Among deployed military personnel, the relationship of previous TBI with recent TBI and concussive symptoms may be largely explained by the presence of psychological symptoms.
Genetic Mapping in Escherichia coli K-12 by Radiation-Induced Crossing-Over

Conventional methods for chromosomal mapping in Escherichia coli are (i) interruption of matings to obtain minimum marker entry times, (ii) linkage analysis of recombinants, and (iii) cotransduction. Method (i) has a resolution of about 0.5 min (5 × 104 nucleotides) and is not useful for distances less than about 1 min; methods (ii) and (iii) are capable of better resolution but are generally not very reproducible and no general theory is available for translating crossing-over and cotransduction frequencies into physical chromosomal distances. We found that when merozygotes are irradiated (X rays or ultraviolet light) soon after marker transfer, high linkage values (0.8 to 1.0) between nearby marker pairs decrease with radiation dose to 0.5. Our results are quantitatively consistent with the idea that radiations induce crossing-over lesions proportional to dose, and the number of such lesions between two markers is proportional to the physical separation of the markers in the range that can also be measured by interruption of mating (0.5 to 4.0 min). Additivity relations among markers are also satisfied. We used this technique to measure the distances (0.1 to 1.0 min) between several pairs of closely linked markers.
From the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the World Health Organization. Respiratory syncytial and parainfluenza viruses.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Vaccine Development Programme jointly sponsored a Workshop on Respiratory Syncytial and Parainfluenza Viruses on 4 and 5 May 1987. The purpose was to assess the current status and future direction of research efforts on these two virus groups. In three sessions, speakers addressed topics of clinical perspective (Kenneth McIntosh, chair), viral genome structure and protein function (Gail Wertz, chair), and vaccine development and therapy (David Karzon, chair). Future research priorities, which are summarized below, were discussed at the end of each session.
Treatment with finasteride and prostate cancer survival

Abstract Objective. This study compared survival after diagnosis of prostate cancer (PC) in men previously treated with finasteride, in men previously treated with α-adrenoceptor antagonists, in men treated with both, and in men who had received neither type of medication. Material and methods. In total, 3791 men diagnosed with PC in northern Denmark were identified. The region's prescription database was used to identify all men prescribed finasteride and α-adrenoceptor antagonists and those who had received neither medication during the period 1989–2001. Among men with a diagnosis of PC, overall survival and disease-specific survival were assessed after diagnosis using Cox proportional hazards regression. The risk of being diagnosed with non-localized PC was estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for PC death and overall death after treatment with finasteride was 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76–1.14] and 0.92 (95% CI 0.77–1.10), respectively. Treatment with α-adrenoceptor antagonists was associated with a reduced risk of PC death and overall death (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.67–0.90, and 0.82, 95% CI 0.73–0.93, respectively. The risk of being diagnosed with non-localized PC was increased for men taking finasteride (odds ratio 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.29) per 100 defined daily doses. Conclusions. Treatment with finasteride prior to a diagnosis of PC did not affect PC-specific survival, but increased the risk of being diagnosed with non-localized disease. Treatment with α-adrenoceptor antagonists was associated with better cause-specific survival and lower risk of non-localized disease.
Life-Cycle Analysis of GHG Emissions for CNG and Diesel Buses in Beijing

Greenhouse gas and criteria air contaminants associated with motor vehicles are major items in the national inventories of these emissions. While exhaust after-treatment technology has achieved dramatic reductions in the emissions of criteria air contaminants (CO, HC, NOx, PM), alternative technologies for comparable GHG emission reductions are much more challenging. The use of renewable energy forms, or alternative fuels with lower carbon intensity are engineering responses that require careful assessment on a location specific basis before the emission reductions benefits can be accurately assessed. Life-cycle analysis tools such as NRCan's GHGenius model have been developed to serve as analytical frameworks and assist in such assessment. This paper starts by reviewing the issues involved in the life-cycle analysis of alternative transportation technologies, and the available life-cycle tools such as Life Cycle Emissions Model (LEM), GHGenius and Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model. The paper then examines the case of compressed natural gas (CNG) vs. diesel from the perspective of a hypothetical Clean Development mechanism (CDM) project for the CNG transit bus fleet in Beijing that was completed as part of the Canada-China Cooperation for Climate Change program.
Surface plasmon resonance biosensors for detection of pathogenic microorganisms: strategies to secure food and environmental safety.

This review describes the exploitation of exclusively optical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors for the direct and indirect detection of pathogenic microorganisms in food chains and the environment. Direct detection is, in most cases, facilitated by the use of defined monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies raised against (a part of) the target pathogenic microorganisms. The antibodies were immobilized to a solid phase of the sensor to capture the microbe from the sample. Alternatively, antibodies were used in an inhibition-like assay involving incubation with the target organism prior to analysis of nonbound antibodies. The free immunoglobins were screened on a sensor surface coated with either purified antigens or with Fc or Fab binding antibodies. Discussed examples of these approaches are the determination of Escherichia coli O1 57:H7, Salmonella spp. , and Listeria monocytogenes. Another direct detection strategy involved SPR analysis of polymerase chain reaction products of Shiga toxin-2 genes reporting the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in human stool. Metabolic products have been exploited as biomarkers for the presence of a microbial agent, such as enterotoxin B and a virulence factor for the occurrence of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus suis, respectively. Indirect detection, on the other hand, is performed by analysis of a humoral immune response of the infected animal or human. By immobilization of specific antigenic structures, infections with Herpes simplex and human immunodeficiency viruses, Salmonella and Treponema pallidum bacteria, and Schistosoma spp. parasites were revealed using human, avian, and porcine sera and avian eggs. Bound antibodies were easily isotyped using an SPR biosensor to reveal the infection history of the individual. Discussed studies show the recent recognition of the suitability of this type of instrument for (rapid) detection of health-threatening microbes to food and environmental microbial safety.