Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parkinsonism and dystonia in Lubag disease respond well to high pulse width/low-frequency globus pallidus interna DBS.

Lubag disease ( DYT3 ), an X-linked neurodegenerative condition featuring dystonia and parkinsonism, is caused by mutations in the TAF1 gene.1 DYT3 has been reported to respond to globus pallidus interna (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) using frequencies above 100 Hz (table). We describe the first case of DYT3 responding to high pulse width and low-frequency stimulation.
Plasma total homocysteine and cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality: the Hordaland Homocysteine Study.

BACKGROUND Few population-based studies have assessed relations between plasma or serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and all-cause mortality. OBJECTIVE Our goal was to study associations between plasma tHcy and all-cause, cardiovascular, and noncardiovascular mortality. DESIGN This was a prospective cohort study of 2127 men and 2639 women aged 65-67 y in 1992-1993 when they were recruited as part of a population-based national cardiovascular screening program carried out in Hordaland County, Norway. RESULTS During a median of 4.1 y of follow-up, 162 men and 97 women died. A strong relation was found between plasma tHcy and all-cause mortality. The association was highly significant for noncardiovascular and for cardiovascular causes of death. In a comparison of individuals having tHcy concentrations of 9.0-11.9, 12.0-14.9, 15.0-19.9, or > or = 20 micromol/L with individuals having a tHcy concentration < 9 micromol/L, adjusted mortality ratios were 1.4, 1.9, 2.3, and 3.6 (P for trend = 0.0002) for noncardiovascular and 1.3, 2.1, 2.6, and 3.5 (P for trend = 0.0002) for cardiovascular causes of death. A tHcy increment of 5 micromol/L was associated with a 49% (95% CI: 28%, 72%) increase in all-cause mortality, a 50% (95% CI: 21%, 85%) increase in cardiovascular mortality (121 deaths), a 26% (95% CI: -2%, 63%) increase in cancer mortality (103 deaths), and a 104% (95% CI: 44%, 289%) increase in noncancer, noncardiovascular mortality (33 deaths). CONCLUSION Plasma tHcy is a strong predictor of both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular mortality in a general population of 65-72-y-olds. These results should encourage studies of tHcy in a wider perspective than one confined to cardiovascular disease.
A chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid lyase with poor activity to glucuronyl 4,6-O-disulfated N-acetylgalactosamine (E-type)–containing structures

GlcUAβ1–3GalNAc(4S,6S) (E unit)–rich domains have been shown to play key roles in various biological functions of chondroitin sulfate (CS). However, an enzyme that can specifically isolate such domains through the selective digestion of other domains in polysaccharides has not yet been reported. Here, we identified a glycosaminoglycan lyase from a marine bacterium Vibrio sp. FC509. This enzyme efficiently degraded hyaluronic acid (HA) and CS variants, but not E unit–rich CS-E, into unsaturated disaccharides; therefore, we designated this enzyme a CS-E–resisted HA/CS lyase (HCLase Er). We isolated a series of resistant oligosaccharides from the final product of a low-sulfated CS-E exhaustively digested by HCLase Er and found that the E units were dramatically accumulate in these resistant oligosaccharides. By determining the structures of several resistant tetrasaccharides, we observed that all of them possessed a Δ4,5HexUAα1–3GalNAc(4S,6S) at their non-reducing ends, indicating that the disulfation of GalNAc abrogates HCLase Er activity on the β1–4 linkage between the E unit and the following disaccharide. Δ4,5HexUAα1–3GalNAc(4S,6S)β1–4GlcUAβ1–3GalNAc(4S,6S) was most strongly resistant to HCLase Er. To our knowledge, this study is the first reporting a glycosaminoglycan lyase specifically inhibited by both 4-O- and 6-O-sulfation of GalNAc. Site-directed and truncation mutagenesis experiments indicated that HCLase Er may use a general acid–base catalysis mechanism and that an extra domain (Gly739–Gln796) is critical for its activity. This enzyme will be a useful tool for structural analyses and for preparing bioactive oligosaccharides of HA and CS variants, particularly from E unit–rich CS chains.
Effect of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men.

BACKGROUND Previous research supports a role for soy protein in reducing serum lipids; however, few studies involved healthy male subjects or focused on soy isoflavones (or did both). OBJECTIVE The objective was to ascertain the effects of soy protein varying in isoflavone content on serum lipids in healthy young men. DESIGN Thirty-five males (x +/- SD age: 27.9 +/- 5.7 y) consumed milk protein isolate (MPI), low-isoflavone soy protein isolate (low-iso SPI; 1.64 +/- 0.19 mg aglycone isoflavones/d), and high-isoflavone SPI (high-iso SPI; 61.7 +/- 7.4 mg aglycone isoflavones/d) for 57 d each, separated by 4-wk washout periods, in a randomized crossover design. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each treatment period, and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol; triacylglycerols; apolipoprotein (apo) B; apo A-I; and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in serum. Twenty-four-hour urine samples were collected for 3 consecutive days at the end of each treatment period and analyzed for isoflavones. RESULTS Urinary isoflavones were significantly greater with consumption of the high-iso SPI than with that of the low-iso SPI or MPI. The differences between the 3 treatments with respect to individual serum lipids were not significant, but the ratios of total to HDL cholesterol, LDL to HDL cholesterol, and apo B to apo A-I were significantly lower with both SPI treatments than with MPI treatment. CONCLUSION Soy protein, regardless of isoflavone content, modulates serum lipid ratios in a direction beneficial for cardiovascular disease risk in healthy young men.
Safety Culture and Mortality after Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Study of Medicare Beneficiaries at 171 Hospitals

OBJECTIVES To investigate the association between hospital safety culture and 30-day risk-adjusted mortality for Medicare patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in a large, diverse hospital cohort. SUBJECTS The final analytic cohort consisted of 19,357 Medicare AMI discharges (MedPAR data) linked to 257 AHRQ Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture surveys from 171 hospitals between 2008 and 2013. STUDY DESIGN Observational, cross-sectional study using hierarchical logistic models to estimate the association between hospital safety scores and 30-day risk-adjusted patient mortality. Odds ratios of 30-day, all-cause mortality, adjusting for patient covariates, hospital characteristics (size and teaching status), and several different types of safety culture scores (composite, average, and overall) were determined. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS No significant association was found between any measure of hospital safety culture and adjusted AMI mortality. CONCLUSIONS In a large cross-sectional study from a diverse hospital cohort, AHRQ safety culture scores were not associated with AMI mortality. Our study adds to a growing body of investigations that have failed to conclusively demonstrate a safety culture-outcome association in health care, at least with widely used national survey instruments.
Effect of carbohydrate distribution on postprandial glucose peaks with the use of continuous glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND Large postprandial glucose peaks are associated with increased risk of diabetic complications and cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effect of carbohydrate distribution on postprandial glucose peaks with continuous blood glucose monitoring (CGMS), when consuming a moderate carbohydrate diet in energy balance in subjects with type 2 diabetes. DESIGN Twenty-three subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to each of four 3-d interventions in a crossover design with a 4-d washout period. Identical foods were provided for each treatment with a ratio of total carbohydrate to protein to fat of 40%:34%:26% but differing in carbohydrate content at each meal: even distribution (CARB-E; approximately 70 g carbohydrate), breakfast (CARB-B), lunch (CARB-L), and dinner(CARB-D), each providing approximately 125 g carbohydrate in the loaded meal in a 9-MJ diet. Glucose concentrations were continuously measured with CGMS. Outcomes were assessed by postprandial peak glucose (G(max)), time spent > 12 mmol/L (T > 12), and total area under the glucose curve (AUC(20)). RESULTS Daily G(max) differed between treatments (P = 0.003) with CARB-L (14.2 +/- 1.0 mmol/L), CARB-E (14.5 +/- 0.9 mmol/L), and CARB-D (14.6 +/- 0.8 mmol/L) being similar but lower than CARB-B (16.5 +/- 0.8 mmol/L). Meal G(max) was weakly related to carbohydrate amount and glycemic load (r = 0.40-0.44). T > 12 differed between treatments (P = 0.014), and a treatment x fasting blood glucose (FBG) interaction (P = 0.003) was observed with CARB-L (184 +/- 74 min) < CARB-B (190 +/- 49 min) < CARB-D (234 +/- 87 min) < CARB-E (262 +/- 91 min). Total AUC(20) was not significantly different between treatments. After adjustment for FBG, treatment became significant (P = 0.006); CARB-L (10 049 +/- 718 mmol/L x 20 h) < CARB-E (10 493 +/- 706 mmol/L x 20 h) < CARB-B (10 603 +/- 642 mmol/L x 20 h) < CARB-D (10 717 +/- 638 mmol/L x 20 h). CONCLUSION CARB-E did not optimize blood glucose control as assessed by postprandial peaks, whereas CARB-L provided the most favorable postprandial profile.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids modulate the effects of the APOA1 G-A polymorphism on HDL-cholesterol concentrations in a sex-specific manner: the Framingham Study.

BACKGROUND A common G-to-A substitution in the promoter area (-75 base pairs) of the apolipoprotein A-I gene (APOA1) has been described. The A allele was shown to be associated with higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations in some studies but not in others. OBJECTIVE We examined whether dietary fat modulates the association between this polymorphism and HDL-cholesterol concentrations. DESIGN We studied a population-based sample of 755 men and 822 women from the Framingham Offspring Study. RESULTS The frequency of the A allele was 0.165. No significant differences were observed between G/G subjects and carriers of the A allele for any lipid variables. In multivariate linear regression models, HDL-cholesterol concentrations in women were associated with a significant interaction between polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake as a continuous variable and APOA1 genotype (P = 0.005). By using 3 categories of PUFA intake, we found a significantly different effect of APOA1 genotype across PUFA categories in women. When PUFA intake was <4% of energy, G/G subjects had approximately 14% higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations than did carriers of the A allele (P < 0.05). Conversely, when PUFA intake was >8%, HDL-cholesterol concentrations in carriers of the A allele were 13% higher than those of G/G subjects (P < 0.05). No significant allelic difference was observed for subjects in the range of PUFA intake of 4-8% of energy. These interactions were not significant in men. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant gene-diet interaction associated with the APOA1 G-A polymorphism. In women carriers of the A allele, higher PUFA intakes were associated with higher HDL-cholesterol concentrations, whereas the opposite effect was observed in G/G women.
Effective Parameters on Nanostructured Solar Cell Efficiency

Performance of the nanostructured solar cell prepared by photoelectrochemical etching has been studied. Various affecting parameters on the nanostructured solar cell have been examined. It is found that the cell efficiency was increased from 12% to 18.5% when optimum current density of 15 mA/cm 2 was used. While increasing the illumination light intensity at the solar cell top surface with blue light leads to enhance the cell efficiency. The surface morphology investigation reveals formation of nanostructured surface with pore size distribution affected by the preparation conditions. The scanning probe microscopy implies that uniform nanostructured surface of narrow pore size distribution with mean value of 25 nm could be obtained when optimum preparation condition are employed.
Combined Angiotensin Receptor–Neprilysin Inhibitors Improve Cardiac and Vascular Function Via Increased NO Bioavailability in Heart Failure

Background There is a paucity of data about the mechanisms by which sacubitril/valsartan (also known as LCZ696) improves outcomes in patients with heart failure. Specifically, the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on vascular function and NO bioavailability have not been investigated. We hypothesized that sacubitril/valsartan therapy increases circulating NO levels and improves vascular function in the setting of heart failure. Methods and Results Male spontaneously hypertensive rats underwent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion surgery to induce heart failure and were followed for up to 12 weeks with serial echocardiography. Rats received sacubitril/valsartan (68 mg/kg), valsartan (31 mg/kg), or vehicle starting at 4 weeks after reperfusion. At 8 or 12 weeks of reperfusion, animals were euthanized and tissues were collected for ex vivo analyses of NO bioavailability, aortic vascular reactivity, myocardial and vascular histology, and cardiac molecular assays. Left ventricular structure and function were improved by both valsartan and sacubitril/valsartan compared with vehicle. Sacubitril/valsartan resulted in superior cardiovascular benefits, as evidenced by sustained improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction and end‐diastolic pressure. Ex vivo vascular function, as measured by aortic vasorelaxation responses to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, was significantly improved by valsartan and sacubitril/valsartan, with more sustained improvements afforded by sacubitril/valsartan. Furthermore, myocardial NO bioavailability was significantly enhanced in animals receiving sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Conclusions Sacubitril/valsartan offers superior cardiovascular protection in heart failure and improves vascular function to a greater extent than valsartan alone. Sacubitril/valsartan‐mediated improvements in cardiac and vascular function are likely related to increases in NO bioavailability and explain, in part, the benefits beyond angiotensin receptor blockade.
Development of pH regulatory transport in glomerular mesangial cells.

Developmental changes in activity or expression of transporters may account for alterations in cell behavior as the nonpolarized cell matures. We sought to ascertain whether there is a maturational change in each of the major acid-base transporters in the developing mesangial cell (MC), the Na/H exchanger, Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchanger, and the Cl/HCO3 exchanger. Intracellular pH (pHi) was determined by the use of the fluorescent pH-sensitive dye, 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). We assessed transporter activity by studying recovery from an acid load (NH4/NH3) in CO2/HCO3. In adult MCs, Na/H exchanger was responsible for 35.2 ± 4.3% of steady-state pHi, whereas the Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchanger contributed 58.7 ± 6.1 ( n= 14). In term MCs (tMCs), from days 1-3 after birth, the Na/H exchanger contributes 62.9 ± 7.8% ( n = 11, P < 0.001 vs. adult), whereas the Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchanger contributes 34.0 ± 5.7% ( n = 12, P < 0.001 vs. adult), to the rate of recovery from an acid load in these cells. However, in tMCs ( days 4-6), the Na/H contributes 47.2 ± 5.9% ( n = 8, P < 0.05 vs. adult), whereas the Na-dependent Cl/HCO3exchanger contributes 48.7 ± 7.3% ( n = 13, P < 0.05 vs. adult), to the rate of recovery. tMCs ( days 6-12) yielded transporter activity that was not statistically different than adult MCs (37.8 ± 4.9 and 54.3 ± 10.2% for Na/H and Na-dependent Cl/HCO3, respectively). The magnitude of the stimulated response to angiotensin II by Na/H and Na-dependent Cl/HCO3 exchanger in adult and tMCs is unchanged throughout development. The Na/H exchanger appears to play a greater role in pHihomeostasis earlier on in development, and this may reflect developmental needs of the maturing cell.
Dietary alpha-linolenic acid inhibits proinflammatory cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. We previously reported that a diet high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) reduces lipid and inflammatory cardiovascular disease risk factors in hypercholesterolemic subjects. OBJECTIVE The objective was to evaluate the effects of a diet high in ALA on serum proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and cytokine production by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from subjects fed the experimental diets. DESIGN A randomized, controlled, 3-diet, 3-period crossover study design was used. Hypercholesterolemic subjects (n = 23) were assigned to 3 experimental diets: a diet high in ALA (ALA diet; 6.5% of energy), a diet high in linoleic acid (LA diet; 12.6% of energy), and an average American diet (AAD) for 6 wk. Serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations and the production of IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha by PBMCs were measured. RESULTS IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production by PBMCs and serum TNF-alpha concentrations were lower (P < 0.05 and P < 0.08, respectively) with the ALA diet than with the LA diet or AAD. PBMC production of TNF-alpha was inversely correlated with ALA (r = -0.402, P = 0.07) and with eicosapentaenoic acid (r = -0.476, P = 0.03) concentrations in PBMC lipids with the ALA diet. Changes in serum ALA were inversely correlated with changes in TNF-alpha produced by PBMCs (r = -0.423, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increased intakes of dietary ALA elicit antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting IL-6, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha production in cultured PBMCs. Changes in PBMC ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid (derived from dietary ALA) are associated with beneficial changes in TNF-alpha release. Thus, the cardioprotective effects of ALA are mediated in part by a reduction in the production of inflammatory cytokines.
Efficient solution methodology for calibrating the hemodynamic model using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measurements

Our aim is to propose a numerical strategy for retrieving accurately and efficiently the biophysiological parameters as well as the external stimulus characteristics corresponding to the hemodynamic mathematical model that describes changes in blood flow and blood oxygenation during brain activation. The proposed method employs the TNM-CKF method developed in [1], but in a prediction/correction framework. We present numerical results using both real and synthetic functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) measurements to highlight the performance characteristics of this computational methodology.
Comparison of Two Independent LIDAR-Based Pitch Control Designs

Two different lidar-based feedforward controllers have previously been designed for the NREL 5 MW wind turbine model under separate studies. Feedforward controller A uses a finite-impulse-response design, with 5 seconds of preview, and three rotating lidar measurements. Feedforward controller B uses a static-gain design, with the preview time defined by the pitch actuator dynamics, a simulation of a real nacelle-based scanning lidar system, and a lowpass filter defined by the lidar configuration. These controllers are now directly compared under the same lidar configuration, in terms of fatigue load reduction, rotor speed regulation, and power capture. The various differences in design choices are discussed and compared. We also compare frequency plots of individual pitch feedforward and collective pitch feedforward load reductions, and we see that individual pitch feedforward is effective mainly at the once-per-revolution and twice-per-revolution frequencies. We also explain how to determine the required preview time by breaking it down into separate parts, and we then compare it to the expected preview time available.
Soy isoflavone intake lowers serum LDL cholesterol: a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials in humans.

Clinical trials have noted hypocholesterolemic effects of soy protein intake, but the components responsible are not known. This meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials was conducted to more precisely evaluate the effects of isoflavones on blood LDL cholesterol concentration independently of soy protein level. PubMed was searched for English-language "randomized controlled trial" articles published from 1966 to 2003 that described the effects of soy protein isolate (SPI) intake with measured isoflavone levels on blood lipids in humans using the search terms "soy protein," "isoflavones," and "cholesterol. " From 31 articles identified by the search, 8 articles (with 10 low vs. high isoflavone comparisons) were selected for the meta-analysis. Subjects in each comparison consumed similar dietary fat, cholesterol, and fiber; the reported body weight of subjects did not change significantly during treatment. Serum LDL cholesterol concentration in subjects who consumed SPI (mean 50 g/d) with high isoflavone content (mean intake 96 mg/d) decreased by 0.15 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.23 mmol/L; P < 0.0001) compared with those who consumed the same SPI level with low isoflavone content (mean intake 6 mg/d). Decreases in serum LDL cholesterol concentration in hypercholesterolemic and normocholesterolemic subjects were 0.18 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.35 mmol/L; P = 0.03) and 0.14 mmol/L (95% CI: 0.06, 0.23 mmol/L; P = 0.0008), respectively. With identical soy protein intake, high isoflavone intake led to significantly greater decreases in serum LDL cholesterol than low isoflavone intake, demonstrating that isoflavones have LDL cholesterol-lowering effects independent of soy protein.
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Using DSM-IV, patients could be diagnosed with four separate disorders: autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, or the catch-all diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Researchers found that these separate diagnoses were not consistently applied across different clinics and treatment centers. Anyone diagnosed with one of the four pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) from DSM-IV should still meet the criteria for ASD in DSM-5 or another, more accurate DSM-5 diagnosis. While DSM does not outline recommended treatment and services for mental disorders, determining an accurate diagnosis is a first step for a clinician in defining a treatment plan for a patient.
Analyzing DNA Hybridization via machine learning

In DNA computing, it is impossible to decide whether a specific hybridization among complex DNA molecules is effective or not within acceptable time. In order to address this common problem, we introduce a new method based on the machine learning technique. First, a sample set is employed to train the Boosted Tree (BT) algorithm, and the corresponding model is obtained. Second, this model is used to predict classification results of molecular hybridizations. The experiments show that the average accuracy of the new method is over 94%, and its average efficiency is over 12000 times higher than that of the existing method. These results indicate that the new method can quickly and accurately determine the biological effectiveness of molecular hybridization for a given DNA design.