Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cerebral arteriovenous oxygen difference: a predictor of cerebral infarction and outcome in patients with severe head injury.

Jugular bulb oxygen monitoring can be used to estimate the adequacy of cerebral blood flow to support cerebral metabolism after severe head injury. In the present study, the authors studied the cerebral arteriovenous oxygen difference (AVDO[2]) before and after treatment in 32 head-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale scores < or = 8) to examine the relationships among AVDO and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), delayed cerebral infarction, and outcome. Fifteen patients (Group A) underwent craniotomy for hematoma evacuation and 17 (Group B) received mannitol for sustained intracranial hypertension (intracranial pressure > 20 mm Hg, > 10 minutes). Radiographic evidence of delayed cerebral infarction was observed in 14 patients. Overall, 17 patients died or were severely disabled. Cerebral AVDO(2) was elevated before craniotomy or mannitol administration; the mean AVDO(2) for all patients before treatment was 8.6 +/- 1.8 vol%. Following craniotomy or mannitol administration, the AVDO(2) decreased in 27 patients and increased in five patients (mean AVDO(2) 6.2 +/- 2.1 vol% in all patients; 6 +/- 1.9 vol% in Group A; and 6.4 +/- 2.4 vol% in Group B). The mean CPP was 75 +/- 9.8 mm Hg and no relationship with AVDO(2) was demonstrated. Before treatment, the AVDO(2) was not associated with delayed cerebral infarction or outcome. By contrast, a limited improvement in elevated AVDO(2) after craniotomy or mannitol administration was significantly associated with delayed cerebral infarction (Group A: p < 0.001; Group B: p < 0.01). Similarly, a limited improvement in elevated AVDO(2) after treatment was significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome (Group A: p < 0.01; Group B: p < 0.001). In conclusion, these findings strongly indicate that, despite adequate cerebral perfusion, limited improvement in elevated cerebral AVDO(2) after treatment consisting of either craniotomy or mannitol administration may be used to help predict delayed cerebral infarction and poor outcome after traumatic brain injury.
Adenovirus Type 5 E4orf3 Protein Relieves p53 Inhibition by E1B-55-Kilodalton Protein

ABSTRACT The E1B-55-kDa protein of adenovirus type 5 and the p53 tumor suppressor gene product form a complex that localizes to the cytoplasm, thereby downregulating p53’s transcriptional activity. The E4orf6 protein binds and relocalizes E1B-55-kDa, and the proteins act synergistically to inactivate p53. We show that another adenovirus E4 gene product, E4orf3, is also sufficient to relocalize E1B-55-kDa from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Both proteins are then found in discrete nuclear structures (tracks) that are known to contain components of the promyelocytic leukemia-associated nuclear structure. Simultaneously, p53 is dissociated from E1B-55-kDa and is found evenly distributed over the nucleoplasm. In the presence of E4orf3, p53-dependent transcriptional activity is no longer repressed by E1B-55-kDa. When E1B-55-kDa is coexpressed with E4orf3 and E4orf6, E1B-55-kDa is found to colocalize with E4orf6 rather than E4orf3. In parallel, p53 is inhibited and degraded by the combination of E1B-55-kDa and E4orf6, regardless of coexpressed E4orf3. This suggests that the effects of E4orf6 on E1B-55-kDa overrule the actions of E4orf3. When cells are infected with virus expressing E4orf3 but not E4orf6, E1B is found in the cell nucleus and p53 enters the virus replication centers. After infection with wild-type adenovirus, E4orf3 is expressed before E4orf6 and E1B temporarily colocalizes with E4orf3 in nuclear tracks before associating with E4orf6. We propose that during adenovirus infection, the E4orf3 protein transiently liberates p53 from its association with E1B-55-kDa. Subsequently, p53 is inactivated and degraded by the combination of E1B-55-kDa and E4orf6.
Genetic structure at range edge: low diversity and high inbreeding in Southeast Asian mangrove (Avicennia marina) populations

Understanding the genetic composition and mating systems of edge populations provides important insights into the environmental and demographic factors shaping species’ distribution ranges. We analysed samples of the mangrove Avicennia marina from Vietnam, northern Philippines and Australia, with microsatellite markers. We compared genetic diversity and structure in edge (Southeast Asia, and Southern Australia) and core (North and Eastern Australia) populations, and also compared our results with previously published data from core and southern edge populations. Comparisons highlighted significantly reduced gene diversity and higher genetic structure in both margins compared to core populations, which can be attributed to very low effective population size, pollinator scarcity and high environmental pressure at distribution margins. The estimated level of inbreeding was significantly higher in northeastern populations compared to core and southern populations. This suggests that despite the high genetic load usually associated with inbreeding, inbreeding or even selfing may be advantageous in margin habitats due to the possible advantages of reproductive assurance, or local adaptation. The very high level of genetic structure and inbreeding show that populations of A. marina are functioning as independent evolutionary units more than as components of a metapopulation system connected by gene flow. The combinations of those characteristics make these peripheral populations likely to develop local adaptations and therefore to be of particular interest for conservation strategies as well as for adaptation to possible future environmental changes.
Heuristic finite-set model predictive current control for induction machines

This paper presents a heuristic Finite-Set Model Predictive Control (FS-MPC) strategy for current control of induction machines. FS-MPC methods are very intuitive and easy to understand; furthermore, they in general offer the possibility to control any nonlinear system with arbitrary user-defined terms in the cost function and do not require a modulator. One of their most important drawbacks is the necessary calculation effort which rises exponentially with the prediction horizon. Especially for multilevel inverters this can be a crucial factor for a successful real-time implementation. The proposed heuristic strategy for reducing the calculation effort can also be extended to multilevel inverters. The algorithm is verified experimentally for FS-MPC current control of an induction machine with three prediction steps.
Prevalence and Incidence of Urinary Incontinence in a Diverse Population of Women With Noncancerous Gynecologic Conditions

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and the incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) in a diverse cohort of women presenting with noncancerous gynecologic conditions and to assess factors associated with UI prevalence and incidence. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from the Study of Pelvic Problems, Hysterectomy and Intervention Alternatives, a longitudinal study of women with noncancerous gynecologic conditions (bleeding, pelvic pain, and symptomatic fibroids). Urinary incontinence was defined as incontinence in the last 4 weeks as reported on interviewer-administered annual questionnaires. We also evaluated the types of UI: stress, urge or mixed incontinence. Results: The study population of 907 women was composed of 40.8% white, 28.0% African American, 17.3% Latina and 8.1% Asian. The mean age was 44.1 (5.4) years and 48.5% had an annual household income of ≤$50,000. The overall prevalence of any UI was 51.1%. At baseline, stress UI was the most common at 39.4% followed by urge UI at 23.7% and mixed UI at 18.9%. The average annual incidence for any UI was 4.2%. Thirteen percent of the women who underwent hysterectomy developed incident UI after their surgery. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, prevalent UI was associated with the following: age in decades (odds ratio [OR] 1.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-2.2), Latina race/ethnicity compared to white (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.3), and parity (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.4). None of the factors evaluated were associated with incidence of UI. Conclusions: Urinary incontinence is very common in women seeking care for noncancerous gynecologic conditions, particularly among older, parous Latinas.
Nasolabial Flap for Nasal Tip Reconstruction

Background: The nasolabial flap is a pedicled flap with a wide description and application for use in lateral nasal wall, ala, columella, and intraoral reconstruction. It is a versatile flap that is well tolerated by the patient, with very acceptable donor-site scars. The soft and spongy nature of the flap, with its proclivity toward pincushioning, enhances its ability to recreate the convexity of the nasal ala but classically renders it a poor choice for nasal tip reconstruction. Methods: In this article, the authors review a series of 80 nasolabial flaps, all performed by the senior author (J.F.T.) from 2002 to 2007. Thirty-eight flaps were used for partial or complete tip reconstruction. All patients were followed with postoperative photographs. Results: There were three complications, with only one resulting in complete loss of the flap. Conclusion: Through modifications of the flap design, careful selection of the defect, and postoperative management, the nasolabial flap can provide a perfectly acceptable reconstruction option for nasal tip defects.
Human IgG4 Binds to IgG4 and Conformationally Altered IgG1 via Fc-Fc Interactions

The Fc fragment of IgG4 can interact with the Fc fragment of another IgG molecule. This interaction is a confounding factor when measuring IgG4 rheumatoid factor levels. Recently, we demonstrated that half-molecules of IgG4 can exchange to form a bispecific Ab. We expected these two phenomena to be related and investigated the physicochemical aspects of IgG4 Fc-Fc interactions. We found that IgG4 is >99% monomeric by size-exclusion chromatography; therefore, IgG4 Fc-Fc interactions in the fluid phase (if any) would be short-lived. However, 125I-labeled IgG4 does bind to IgG1 and IgG4 coupled to a solid phase. By contrast, IgG1 does not bind to coupled IgG4. Furthermore, conditions that induce partial unfolding/dissociation of the CH3 domains enhance IgG4 Fc binding, suggesting that Fc binding is primarily CH3 mediated. IgG4 slowly associates with both IgG4 and IgG1 coupled to a biosensor chip. Remarkably, subsequent dissociation was much faster for IgG4 than for IgG1. Moreover, after binding of an IgG4 mAb to Sepharose-coupled Ag, we observed additional binding of IgG4 with irrelevant specificity, whereas similar binding was not observed with Ag-bound IgG1. We propose that the IgG4-IgG4 Fc interaction resembles an intermediate of the Fab-arm (half-molecule) exchange reaction that is stabilized because one of the IgG4 molecules is coupled to a solid phase. By contrast, IgG4 Fc recognizes IgG1 only after a conformational change that renders CH3(IgG1) accessible to an interaction with the CH3(IgG4). Such Fc interactions may enhance Ag binding of IgG4 in vivo.
A Cell-specific Glycosylated Silk Protein from Chironomus thummi Salivary Glands

Chironomid salivary glands contain 40 cells dedicated to the synthesis of a relatively small ensemble of silk proteins. Glands in some species contain a special lobe composed of 4 cells distinguishable from the others. We have cloned a special lobe-specific cDNA from Chironomus thummi salivary glands. Northern blots of salivary gland RNA demonstrated that the cDNA hybridizes to a 2.5-kilobase transcript present only in the special lobe. In situ hybridization mapped the gene encoding this cDNA to region A2b on polytene chromosome IV, the locus of the special lobe-specific Balbiani ring a. The deduced amino acid sequence encodes a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 77 kDa and numerous potential glycosylation sites; it appears unrelated to other known chironomid silk proteins. Polyclonal antibody, raised against a cDNA-encoded fusion protein, reacted exclusively with a special lobe-specific 160-kDa silk protein. Lectin binding studies indicate that the immunoreactive 160-kDa protein contains both N- and O-linked glycan moieties. We conclude that glycosylation most likely contributes to the difference between calculated and apparent molecular masses and that this cDNA encodes the special lobe-specific silk protein previously described as ssp160 (Kolesnikov, N. N., Karakin, E. I., Sebeleva, T. E., Meyer, L., and Serfling, E.(1981) Chromosoma 83, 661-677).
Unique amino acid substitutions in the capsid proteins of foot-and-mouth disease virus from a persistent infection in cell culture

Maintenance of a persistent foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) infection in BHK-21 cells involves a coevolution of cells and virus (J. C. de la Torre, E. Martínez-Salas, J. Díez, A. Villaverde, F. Gebauer, E. Rocha, M. Dávila, and E. Domingo, J. Virol. 62:2050-2058, 1988). The resident FMDV undergoes a number of phenotypic changes, including a gradual decrease in virion stability. Here we report the nucleotide sequence of the P1 genomic segment of the virus rescued after 100 passages of the carrier cells (R100). Only 5 of 15 mutations in P1 of R100 were silent. Nine amino acid substitutions were fixed on the viral capsid during persistence, and three of the variant amino acids are not represented in the corresponding position of any picornavirus sequenced to date. Cysteine at position 7 of VP3, that provides disulfide bridges at the FMDV fivefold axis, was substituted by valine, as determined by RNA, cDNA, and protein sequencing. The modified virus shows high buoyant density in cesium chloride and depicts the same sensitivity to photoinactivation by intercalating dyes as the parental FMDV C-S8c1. Amino acid substitutions fixed in VP1 resulted in altered antigenicity, as revealed by reactivity with monoclonal antibodies. In addition to defining at the molecular level the alterations the FMDV capsid underwent during persistence, the results show that positions which are highly invariant in an RNA genome may change when viral replication occurs in a modified environment.
Standard pulse oximeters can be used to monitor respiratory rate

Background: One of the most important limitations of standard pulse oximeters is the inability to detect changes in respiratory rate until oxygenation is affected. This study sought to determine if analysis of the plethysmogram by wavelet transforms would enable the determination of changes in respiratory rate at an earlier stage. Methods: Ten healthy adult volunteers were monitored, breathing at baseline and predetermined respiratory rates, using a standard pulse oximeter. Photo-plethysmograms captured in an attached lap top computer were then analysed using wavelet transforms. Results: Determination of baseline respiratory rate and subsequent changes including apnoea were easily identified. Comment: Wavelet transforms permit the accurate determination of respiratory rate by a standard pulse oximeter.
Isolation of a new cytotoxic polyhydroxysterol from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia sp.

Abstract A new polyhydroxysterol, (22E)-24-methylenecholestane-22-ene-3β,5α,6β-triol (1), together with four known analogues (2–5) were isolated from the South China Sea soft coral Sinularia sp. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and comparison with previously reported data. All these compounds exhibited cytotoxic effect against both HepG2 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 8.36 to 37.30 μM. Preliminary structure–activity relationship study identified that the presence of double bonds in the side chains of these polyhydroxysterols significantly reduced the biological effect obtained.
Genealogical Discordance and Patterns of Introgression and Selection Across a Cricket Hybrid Zone

In recently diverged species, ancestral polymorphism and introgression can cause incongruence between gene and species trees. In the face of hybridization, few genomic regions may exhibit reciprocal monophyly, and these regions, usually evolving rapidly under selection, may be important for the maintenance of species boundaries. In animals with internal fertilization, genes encoding seminal protein are candidate barrier genes. Recently diverged hybridizing species such as the field crickets Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus, offer excellent opportunities to investigate the origins of barriers to gene exchange. These recently diverged species form a well-characterized hybrid zone, and share ancestral polymorphisms across the genome. We analyzed DNA sequence divergence for seminal protein loci, housekeeping loci, and mtDNA, using a combination of analytical approaches and extensive sampling across both species and the hybrid zone. We report discordant genealogical patterns and differential introgression rates across the genome. The most dramatic outliers, showing near-zero introgression and more structured species trees, are also the only two seminal protein loci under selection. These are candidate barrier genes with possible reproductive functions. We also use genealogical data to examine the demographic history of the field crickets and the current structure of the hybrid zone.
The Mycoplasma pneumoniae MPN490 and Mycoplasma genitalium MG339 Genes Encode RecA Homologs That Promote Homologous DNA Strand Exchange

ABSTRACT The P1, P40, and P90 proteins of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the MgPa and P110 proteins of Mycoplasma genitalium are immunogenic adhesion proteins that display sequence variation. Consequently, these proteins are thought to play eminent roles in immune evasive strategies. For each of the five proteins, a similar underlying molecular mechanism for sequence variation was hypothesized, i.e., modification of the DNA sequences of their respective genes. This modification is thought to result from homologous recombination of parts of these genes with repeat elements (RepMp and MgPar elements in M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium, respectively) that are dispersed throughout the bacterial genome. Proteins that are potentially involved in homologous DNA recombination have been suggested to be implicated in recombination between these repeat elements and thereby in antigenic variation. To investigate this notion, we set out to study the function of the RecA homologs that are encoded by the M. pneumoniae MPN490 and M. genitalium MG339 genes. Both proteins, which are 79% identical on the amino acid level, were found to promote recombination between homologous DNA substrates in an ATP-dependent fashion. The recombinational activities of both proteins were Mg2+ and pH dependent and were strongly supported by the presence of single-stranded DNA binding protein, either from M. pneumoniae or from Escherichia coli. We conclude that the MPN490- and MG339-encoded proteins are RecA homologs that have the capacity to recombine homologous DNA substrates. Thus, they may play a central role in recombination between repetitive elements in both M. pneumoniae and M. genitalium.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome by rapid maxillary expansion.

The precise role of maxillary constriction in the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unclear. However, it is known that subjects with maxillary constriction have increased nasal resistance and resultant mouth-breathing, features typically seen in OSA patients. Maxillary constriction is also associated with alterations in tongue posture which could result in retroglossal airway narrowing, another feature of OSA. Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is an orthodontic treatment for maxillary constriction which increases the width of the maxilla and reduces nasal resistance. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effect of rapid maxillary expansion in OSA. We studied 10 young adults (8 male, 2 female, mean age 27 +/- 2 [sem] years) with mild to moderate OSA (apnea/hypopnea index-AHI 19 +/- 4 and minimum SaO2 89 +/- 1%), and evidence of maxillary constriction on orthodontic evaluation. All patients underwent treatment with RME, six cases requiring elective surgical assistance. Polysomnography was repeated at the completion of treatment. Nine of the 10 patients reported improvements in snoring and hypersomnolence. There was a significant reduction in AHI (19 +/- 4 vs 7 +/- 4, p < 0.05) in the entire group. In seven patients, the AHI returned to normal (i.e., = < 5); only one patient showed no improvement. These preliminary data suggest that RME may be a useful treatment alternative for selected patients with OSA.
Methylation Induced Gene Silencing of HtrA3 in Smoking-Related Lung Cancer

Purpose: Some 85% of lung cancers are smoking related. Here, we investigate the role of serine protease HtrA3 in smoking-related lung cancer. Experimental Design: We assess HtrA3 methylation and its corresponding expression in the human bronchial cell line BEAS-2B following cigarette smoke carcinogen treatment, in lung cancer cell lines and in primary lung tumors from light, moderate, and heavy smokers. We also show the effects of HtrA3 downregulation on MTT reduction and clonogenic survival with etoposide and cisplatin treatment and the corresponding effects of HtrA3 re-expression during treatment. Results: We show for the first time that HtrA3 expression is reduced or completely lost in over 50% of lung cancer cell lines and primary lung tumors from heavy smokers. Treatment of HtrA3-deficient cell lines with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine resulted in a dose-dependent increase in HtrA3 transcription. Further, sequence analysis of bisulfite-modified DNA from lung cancer cell lines and from primary lung tumors showed an increased frequency of methylation within the first exon of HtrA3 with a corresponding loss of HtrA3 expression, particularly in tumors from smokers. In BEAS-2B, treatment with the cigarette smoke carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-I-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone resulted in HtrA3 downregulation with a corresponding increase in methylation. Additional studies indicate resistance to etoposide and cisplatin cytotoxicity as a functional consequence of HtrA3 loss. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis of primary lung tumors revealed a strong correlation between low HtrA3 expression and heavy smoking history. Conclusions: Collectively, these results suggest that cigarette smoke–induced methylation of HtrA3 could contribute to the etiology of chemoresistant disease in smoking-related lung cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 16(2); 398–409
Immunohistochemical Characterization of Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Subpopulations of the Spleen, Thymus, Tongue and Heart in Cyclophosphamide‐induced Immunosuppressed Rat

This study was undertaken to investigate the immunohistochemical characterization of different subpopulations of macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) of the spleen, thymus, tongue and heart in cyclophosphamide (CY)‐induced immunosuppressed rat. After CY treatment, remarkably, ED1+, ED2+ and ED3+ macrophage subpopulations, in general, exhibited signs of cellular activation such as an increase in number and size of cell, and an upregulation of the ED1, ED2 and ED3 reactive surface molecule expression in all the organs studied, except for some macrophage subpopulations including ED1+ macrophages in the non‐lymphoid tissues. Subpopulations of DCs showed a differential sensitivity to CY. Lymphoid DCs were more sensitive to CY than non‐lymphoid interstitial DCs. CY induced a conspicuous upregulation of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) expression in the vascular endothelial cells, splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex. In this study, we demonstrated the in vivo effects of CY treatment on subpopulations of macrophages and DCs as well as on ICAM‐1 expression in the rat spleen, thymus, tongue and heart. Moreover, our results shed more light on the activation effects of CY on certain subpopulations of macrophages, on the differential sensitivity of DCs to CY between the immature and mature ones, on the functional role of different subpopulations of macrophages, and on the significance of upregulated ICAM‐1 expression in the splenic marginal zone and thymic cortex after CY treatment.