Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Preterm preeclampsia: 32 to 37 weeks gestation

Objective: To evaluate neonatal outcomes in late preterm infants delivered due to preeclampsia. Methods: A retrospective cohort of 3580 infants delivered at 32 0/7 to 36 6/7 weeks gestation was examined. Neonatal outcomes of infants delivered due to preeclampsia were compared with outcomes of infants delivered prematurely due to other etiologies. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between preeclampsia and the neonatal outcomes. Results: Infants of women with preeclampsia were more likely to be SGA (26.8% vs. 8.4%). They were also more likely to be admitted to the ICN (54.3% versus 39.0%); however, they were less likely to suffer a neonatal death (2.2% vs. 3.4%). Infants born to women with preeclampsia had similar rates of RDS (19.8% vs. 14.2%). Discussion: Neonatal outcomes in late preterm infants born to preeclamptic mothers are significantly different from outcomes in late preterm neonates delivered due to other indications.
Botulinum Neurotoxin Type C Cleaves a Single Lys-Ala Bond within the Carboxyl-terminal Region of Syntaxins (*)

Botulinum neurotoxin serotype C (BoNT/C) is a 150-kDa protein produced by Clostridium botulinum, which causes animal botulism. In contrast to the other botulinum neurotoxins that contain one atom of zinc, highly purified preparations of BoNT/C bind two atoms of zinc per toxin molecule. BoNT/C is a zinc-endopeptidase that cleaves syntaxin 1A at the Lys-Ala and syntaxin 1B at the Lys-Ala peptide bonds, only when they are inserted into a lipid bilayer. The other Lys-Ala bond present within the carboxyl-terminal region is not hydrolyzed. Syntaxin isoforms 2 and 3 are also cleaved by BoNT/C, while syntaxin 4 is resistant. These data suggest that BoNT/C recognizes a specific spatial organization of syntaxin, adopted upon membrane insertion, which brings a selected Lys-Ala peptide bond of its carboxyl-terminal region to the active site of this novel metalloproteinase.
Function and Regulation of Multidrug Resistance Proteins (MRPs) in the Renal Elimination of Organic Anions

The reabsorptive and excretory capacity of the kidney has an important influence on the systemic concentration of drugs. Multidrug resistance proteins (MRP/ABCC) expressed in the kidney play a critical role in the tubular efflux of a wide variety of drugs and toxicants, and, in particular, of their negatively charged phase II metabolites. Nine structurally and functionally related MRP family members have been identified (MRP1-9), which differ from each other by their localization, expression levels, and substrate specificity. During altered physiological circumstances, adaptations in these transporters are required to avoid systemic toxicity as well as renal tubular damage. Key players in these events are hormones, protein kinases, nuclear receptors, and disease conditions, which all may affect transporter protein expression levels. This review discusses current knowledge on the renal characteristics of MRP1-9, with specific focus on their regulation.
Cosmological parameter estimation with large scale structure and supernovae data

Most cosmological parameter estimations are based on the same set of observations and are therefore not independent. Here, we test the consistency of parameter estimations using a combination of large-scale structure and supernovae data, without cosmic microwave background (CMB) data. We combine observations from the IRAS 1.2 Jy and Las Campanas redshift surveys, galaxy peculiar velocities and measurements of type Ia supernovae to obtain , Ωm=0.28±0.05 and in agreement with the constraints from observations of the CMB anisotropies by the WMAP satellite. We also compare results from different subsets of data in order to investigate the effect of priors and residual errors in the data. We find that some parameters are consistently well constrained whereas others are consistently ill-determined, or even yield poorly consistent results, thereby illustrating the importance of priors and data contributions.
Capecitabine monotherapy for recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal cancer.

BACKGROUND Capecitabine monotherapy had activity in recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) as demonstrated previously in a small pilot study. We conducted a retrospective review of patients who received capecitabine for recurrent and metastatic NPC to further evaluate its clinical benefits. METHODS Forty-nine patients with recurrent and metastatic NPC received capecitabine at a dose of 1-1.25 G/m(2) twice daily for 14 days in 3-week cycles. Disease sites were locoregional in 29%, distant in 45% and locoregional plus distant in 26%. All except one had prior platinum-based chemotherapy for relapse or as adjunctive treatment. Median follow-up was 10 months (range: 3-41). RESULTS Treatment was generally well tolerated. Hand-foot syndrome was common and occurred in 86% (25% Grade 3). Grade 3 hematological toxicity occurred in 6%. Partial response rate was 31% (95% CI: 18%, 44%) and complete response rate was 6% (95% CI: 0%, 13%), for an overall response rate of 37% (95% CI: 23%, 50%). Median time-to-progression was 5 months and median survival was 14 months. One- and two-year survival rates were 54 and 26%, respectively. Significantly better survival was observed in patients treated for locoregional recurrence and those with severe hand-foot syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Capecitabine has single agent activity in NPC and severe hand-foot syndrome predicts favorable outcome. Based on our experience, capecitabine monotherapy should be considered in patients with recurrent/metastatic NPC.
Oleosins and Oil Bodies in Seeds and Other Organs

Diverse organisms store lipids in subcellular particles as food reserves, which will be mobilized during a forthcoming period of active metabolism. These lipid particles can be found in the seeds, pollens, flowers, roots, and stems of flowering plants, the spores and vegetative organs of nonflowering plants, and algae. They are also present in some animal cells, fungi, and Euglena. Of a11 these subcellular storage lipid particles, those from seeds have been studied most extensively. Seeds of most plant species store TAGs as food reserves for germination and postgerminative growth. The TAGs are present in small subcellular spherical oil bodies of approximately 1 pm in diameter. Each oil body has a matrix of TAGs surrounded by a layer of PLs. The small entities provide a large surface area per unit TAG, which would facilitate lipase binding and lipolysis during germination. Oil bodies inside the cells of mature seeds or in isolated preparations are remarkably stable and do not aggregate or coalesce. This stability is in contrast to the instability of artificial liposomes made from amphipathic and neutra1 lipids; the liposomes slowly coalesce after formation. Seed oil bodies are stable because their surface is shielded by a layer of unique proteins, termed oleosins. Oleosins, in addition to being present in the storage oil bodies of seeds and pollens, have recently been found in the nonstorage tissue of floral tapetum. The preliminary findings suggest that the tapetum oleosins are similar to seed oleosins in structure and function. They may prevent subcellular lipid droplets from coalescing; these lipid droplets are to be deposited onto the surface of the maturing
Cigar smoking and cancers of the upper digestive tract.

Pipe smoking has been related to the risk of cancers of the upper digestive and respiratory tract, but quantification of the risk for exclusive pipe smokers is still limited. To analyse the association between exclusive pipe smoking and cancers of the upper digestive tract, we used data from a series of case–control studies conducted in Italy and Switzerland between 1984 and 1999. After excluding cigarette and cigar smokers, 41 male oral and pharyngeal cancer cases, 52 male oesophageal cancer cases and 1,032 male controls were included in the present analysis. Odds ratios (OR) of cancers were estimated by the mean of unconditional multivariate logistic regression, including terms for age, study centre, education, body mass index, and alcohol drinking. Compared to never smokers, exclusive pipe smokers had an OR of 8.7 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 4.0–18.9] of all upper digestive tract cancers. The OR was 12.6 for oral and pharyngeal and 7.2 for oesophageal cancer. Pipe smokers who were also heavy alcohol drinkers had an OR of 38.8 (95% CI: 13.6–110.9) as compared to never smokers and light drinkers. Thus, pipe smoking and heavy alcohol drinking appears to interact at least on a multiplicative model. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma: an update.

CONTEXT Over the last decade, our knowledge of the multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) type 2 syndromes MEN2A and MEN2B and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma (FMTC) has expanded greatly. In this manuscript, we summarize how recent discoveries have enhanced our understanding of the molecular basis of these diseases and led to improvements in the diagnosis and management of affected patients. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We reviewed the English literature through PubMed from 2000 to the present, using the search terms medullary thyroid carcinoma, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2, familial medullary thyroid carcinoma, RET proto-oncogene, and calcitonin. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Over 70 RET mutations are known to cause MEN2A, MEN2B, or FMTC, and recent findings from studies of large kindreds with these syndromes have clouded the relationship between genotype and phenotype, primarily because of the varied clinical presentation of different families with the same RET mutation. This clinical variability has also confounded decisions about the timing of prophylactic thyroidectomy for MTC, the dominant endocrinopathy associated with these syndromes. A distinct advance has been the demonstration through phase II and phase III clinical trials that molecular targeted therapeutics are effective in the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic MTC. CONCLUSIONS The effective management of patients with MEN2A, MEN2A, and FMTC depends on an understanding of the variable behavior of disease expression in patients with a specific RET mutation. Information gained from molecular testing, biochemical analysis, and clinical evaluation is important in providing effective management of patients with either early or advanced-stage MTC.
Distinct Populations of Primary and Secondary Effectors During RNAi in C. elegans

RNA interference (RNAi) is a phylogenetically widespread gene-silencing process triggered by double-stranded RNA. In plants and Caenorhabditis elegans, two distinct populations of small RNAs have been proposed to participate in RNAi: “Primary siRNAs” (derived from DICER nuclease-mediated cleavage of the original trigger) and “secondary siRNAs” [additional small RNAs whose synthesis requires an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRP)]. Analyzing small RNAs associated with ongoing RNAi in C. elegans, we found that secondary siRNAs constitute the vast majority. The bulk of secondary siRNAs exhibited structure and sequence indicative of a biosynthetic mode whereby each molecule derives from an independent de novo initiation by RdRP. Analysis of endogenous small RNAs indicated that a fraction derive from a biosynthetic mechanism that is similar to that of secondary siRNAs formed during RNAi, suggesting that small antisense transcripts derived from cellular messenger RNAs by RdRP activity may have key roles in cellular regulation.
Serum factors can modulate the developmental clock of gamma- to beta-globin gene switching in somatic cell hybrids

The fusion of human fetal erythroid (HFE) cells with mouse erythroleukemia (MEL) cells produces stable synkaryons (HFE x MEL) which can be monitored for extended periods of time in culture. Initially these hybrids express a human fetal globin program (gamma >> beta), but after weeks or months in culture, they switch to an adult pattern of globin expression (beta >> gamma). The rate at which hybrids switch to the adult phenotype is roughly dependent on the gestational age of the fetal erythroid cells used in the fusion, suggesting that the rate of switching in vitro may be determined by a developmental clock type of mechanism, possibly involving the cumulative number of divisions experienced by the human fetal cells. To investigate whether the number or rate of cell divisions postfusion can influence the rate of switching, we monitored the rate of switching in hybrids from independent fusions under growth-promoting (serum-replete) and growth-suppressing (serum-deprived) conditions. We found that hybrids grown under serum-deprived or serumless conditions switched more rapidly to adult globin expression than did their counterparts in serum-replete conditions. Neither the number of cumulative cell divisions nor time in culture per se predicted the rate of switching in vitro. Our data suggest that factors present in serum either retard switching of hybrids by their presence or promote switching by their absence, indicating that globin switching in vitro can be modulated by the environment; however, once switching in HFE x MEL hybrids is complete, serum factors cannot reverse this process.
Posthypnotic amnesia for a first romantic relationship: Forgetting the entire relationship versus forgetting selected events

This experiment investigated the impact of suggestion focus on posthypnotic amnesia (PHA) for memories of a first romantic relationship. During hypnosis, high and low hypnotisable participants recalled specific memories from this period in response to 10 cue phrases (Elicitation). They then received a PHA suggestion that targeted either the entire period or specific memories from that period. Participants' explicit memory was indexed by cued recall after PHA was administered (memories recalled to “old” and “new” cues; Recall 1) and after it was cancelled (Recall 2). A social judgement task indexed dissociations between implicit and explicit memory. PHA had the greatest impact on highs', but not lows', memory performance (in terms of memories recalled to old cues, recall latency, and qualitative memory ratings) when the suggestion targeted the entire period rather than specific events. We discuss these findings in terms of the parameters of PHA's influence on memory, its value for exploring the nature and structure of autobiographical memory, and its utility as a laboratory analogue of functional amnesia.
Outcome, recovery, relapse and mortality across six years in patients with clinical eating disorders

The study describes course and outcome over 6 years for adults with eating disorders. Special interest is paid to clinically critical events such as relapse and premature death. Seventy‐seven per cent of the 30 prospectively studied patients had no eating disorder diagnosis after 6 years. Among the recovered patients, the total risk of relapse was 48%. The mortality was 17.8 times higher than expected. The overall pattern of results confirm earlier ones for anorexia nervosa and extend the limited database for bulimia nervosa. Of particular importance may be 1) that no patient in this sample suffered more than one major relapse and 2) that the risk for premature death may be twice as high among bulimic as among restricting patients.
Evaluation of the ohmic properties of the silver metal contacts of an improved sintering process on the multicrystalline silicon solar cells

In the present study, we have investigated the electrical and ohmic properties of the screen-printed silver metal contacts formed on the heavily doped n emitter region of the multicrystalline silicon solar cells. It shows that the rapid firing of the silver thick-fllm conductor paste at higher temperature results a preferential etching of the silicon surface by the molten glass-frit, on cooling silver sinters concurrently and forms a nearly perfect metal and the semiconductor contact structure. The ohmic properties of the sintered silver metal contacts were characterized by modified three- point probe method, power loss calculation respectively. The best value of specific contact resistance obtained is 10-4 Omega-cm2 for the Ag metal electrode and p-type mc-Si contact structure. The doping level dependence of the pc with the surface doping concentration (Ns) shows a linear relationship between the pc with the inverse of the square root of the surface doping concentration (Ns -1/2) as suggested by the theory for the heavily doped semiconductor region.
Individual Differences in Working Memory and Motor Performance: A Cognitive Style Approach

Previous research has showed that field independent participants show better performance in almost all tasks than field dependent participants. The present study designed to examine whether participants with different field dependence-independence cognitive style show differences in performance of tasks measuring working memory and accuracy. Forty three undergraduates were classified in 3 groups based on the total scores of the Group Embedded Figure Test (GEFT) (field dependent, neutral, and field independent). The results showed that field independent participants displayed better performance than neutral and field dependent participants on Spatial Span, Digit Span, and Dart throwing tasks. The findings indicated that higher score on the GEFT task demonstrate a better visuospatial ability (as component of working memory) in field independent which it may cause better performance in Spatial Span, Digit Span, and Dart throwing tasks.
5‐Hydroxytryptamine activates a barium‐sensitive, cAMP‐mediated potassium conductance in the leech giant glial cell

5‐Hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the central nervous system of the leech Hirudo medicinalis hyperpolarizes the giant glial cell in the neuropil of segmental ganglia at micromolar concentrations. The 5‐HT‐evoked glial response (EC50 ≈2.5 μM) is mediated by a non–desensitizing, G‐protein‐coupled receptor and due to activation of a Ca2+‐independent K+ conductance. The adenylyl cyclase inhibitor SQ22,536 blocks the response to 5‐HT; in the presence of 1 mM db‐cAMP, but not of 1 mM db‐cGMP, the glial response is suppressed. The 5‐HT‐evoked response is reduced by Ba2+ with half‐maximal inhibition at 50 μM Ba2+. The results suggest that release of 5‐HT from serotonergic neurons, or the maintenance of micromolar levels of extracellular 5‐HT in the ganglion, may help to set the glial membrane potential close to the K+ equilibrium potential. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Advances in malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive tumor of serosal surfaces, such as the pleura and the peritoneum. This tumor was once rare, but its incidence is increasing worldwide, probably as a result of widespread exposure to asbestos, a factor with which it is associated. The authors review advances made in the past 5 to 10 years in the understanding, diagnosis, and management of mesothelioma.
Postoperative obstructive apnea.

UNLABELLED We studied electromyography (EMG) of the geniohyoid muscle (Gh) and diaphragm (Di) in 12 postoperative, premedicated (flunitrazepam 2 mg PO), asymptomatic patients who snored after recovering from general anesthesia, the induction of which was partly achieved by i.v. midazolam. After extubation of the trachea, integrated EMG activity of Gh (E-Gh(MTA)) and Di (E-Di(MTA)) were measured. For Gh, tonic and phasic activity were distinguished. Patients were studied during obstructive apnea, at the end of apnea, while breathing through an artificial Guedel airway, and during quiet breathing 5 min after flumazemil. All patients experienced episodes of postoperative upper airway obstruction and nine became apneic. Flumazenil restored consciousness and predominant tonic E-GhMTA associated with upper airway patency in all patients. Reduced tonic E-GhMTA characterized postoperative obstructive apnea. Resolution of apnea required a burst of both tonic and phasic E-GhMTA associated with intense E-Di(MTA). Breathing through the Guedal airway resulted in patent airway in 8 of 10 patients and was associated with low tonic and phasic E-GhMTA and reduced E-Di(MTA). In this study, we demonstrated that the tonic pharyngeal muscular support modulates airway patency in the postoperative period. Because it is reversed by flumazemil, benzodiazepines are certainly the main cause of airway obstruction in these patients. IMPLICATIONS Upper airway obstruction during recovery from general anesthesia induced by i.v. midazolam is associated with low tonic pharyngeal muscular support, which modulates upper airway patency in the postoperative period.
Validation of reference genes for gene expression studies in non viruliferous and viruliferous Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripi'dae)

Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a powerful technique for measuring and evaluating gene expressions during different biological processes. To facilitate gene expression studies, normalization with respect to stable housekeeping genes (HKGs) is mandatory. T he western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), the main vector of Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV), is a very destructive invasive species. In this study, expression profiles of 11 candidate HKGs, including β-actin ( Actin), α-tubulin (Tubulin), elongation factor 1 α (EF1A), vacuolar-typeH+-ATPase (ATPase), NADHubiquinone oxidoreductase (NADH), heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), ribosomal protein l32 (RPL32), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), and 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), from nonviruliferous and viruliferous F. occidentalis were investigated. Four distinct algorithms, geNorm, Normfinder, BestKeeper, and the ΔCt method, were employed to determine the performance of these genes as endogenous controls under the virus condition. Based on RefFinder, which integrates all four analytical algorithms to compare and rank the candidates, HSP70 , HSP60, EF1A, and RPL32 were the most stable housekeeping genes. This work is the initial first step to establish a standardized qRT-PCR analysis in F. occidentalis. Additionally, this study lays a foundation for the research in the interactions between TSWV and F. occidentalis.
131I EFFECTIVE HALF-LIFE (Teff) FOR PATIENTS WITH THYROID CANCER

Nuclear medicine procedures that use 131I activity represent significant sources of potential absorbed dose to medical staff, volunteers, and the general public. The potential exposures are due principally from exposures to excreted and retained activities in the patients' bodies. In general, exposure rate decreases in a simple exponential manner. The average effective half-life found for all patients in the study reported here is 11.41 ± 0.02 h; this information may be used in guidelines on the management of patients in thyroid cancer therapy and for general radioprotection practice.
Alternative dark energy models: an overview

A large number of recent observational data strongly suggest that we live in a flat, accelerating Universe composed of » 1/3 of matter (baryonic + dark) and » 2/3 of an exotic component with large negative pressure, usually named Dark Energy or Quintessence. The basic set of experiments includes: observations from SNe Ia, CMB anisotropies, large scale structure, X-ray data from galaxy clusters, age estimates of globular clusters and old high redshift galaxies (OHRG’s). It is now widely believed that such results provide the remaining piece of information connecting the inflationary flatness prediction ( ›T = 1) with astronomical observations. From a theoretical viewpoint, they have also stimulated the current interest for more general models containing an extra component describing this unknown dark energy, and simultaneously accounting for the present accelerating stage of the Universe. In this review we present a simplified picture of the main results and discuss briefly some difficulties underlying the emerging dark energy paradigm.