Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical Implications of Plasma N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline Level in Stable Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (AcSDKP) is a natural inhibitor of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and is normally found in human plasma. Because AcSDKP is partially eliminated in urine, accumulation of AcSDKP due to chronic renal failure may cause anemia. However, the status of plasma AcSDKP level in stable kidney transplant recipients is unknown although some recipients develop anemia after kidney transplantation. In this study, we investigated the relationship between plasma AcSDKP-like immunoreactive substance (IS) level and clinical characteristics associated with renal anemia in stable kidney transplant recipients. METHODS Forty Japanese kidney transplant recipients who underwent transplantation more than 90 days prior to the study were included. Morning blood samples were collected and plasma AcSDKP-IS levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS A significant correlation was observed between plasma AcSDKP-IS level and creatinine clearance. On the other hand, no significant correlation was observed between plasma AcSDKP-IS level and prolyl oligopeptidase activity, angiotensin II, or erythropoietin level. A significant difference in plasma AcSDKP-IS level was observed between recipients with no renal anemia and those with renal anemia. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that plasma AcSDKP level may depend largely on renal function and suggest a possibility that accumulation of AcSDKP may be partially involved in the pathogenesis of renal anemia in stable kidney transplant recipients.
Molecular epidemiology survey of penicillin-susceptible and -resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae recovered from patients with meningitis in France.

The genetic diversity of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates (n=291) recovered from cerebrospinal fluid of patients with meningitis in France was investigated by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the ribosomal RNA gene regions and of the pbp2b and 2x genes. Statistical analysis of the data by factorial analysis of correspondence established the following: penicillin-susceptible isolates had a high level of genetic diversity, especially those belonging to serogroups frequently associated with carriage; capsular serotype switches could occur among penicillin-susceptible and -resistant isolates; and the mechanisms of acquired penicillin resistance were clearly distinct in isolates with penicillin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values <1 mg/L and isolates with penicillin MIC values >/=1 mg/L. Thus, an increase in the penicillin MIC for a given strain, from intermediate to high-level resistance would be a rare event.
Isolation and Characterization of Outermost Layer Deficient Mutant Spores of Bacillus megaterium

Outermost layer deficient mutant spores of Bacillus megaterium ATCC 12872 were isolated by Urografin density gradient centrifugation after mutagenesis with ethyl methanesulfonate. Although the composition of the cortex peptidoglycan was the same as that of the parent spores, three major proteins (48, 36, and 22 K daltons) were missing, suggesting that these proteins are components of the outermost layer. All mutant spores were also found to have very hydrophobic surface by ‘salt aggregation test,’ which would facilitate selection of such mutants.
Liver Dysfunction in Late Pregnancy: Cytomegalovirus‐Induced Hepatitis or the HELLP Syndrome?

A 27‐year‐old primiparous preeclamptic woman developed a skin rash in late pregnancy and was persistently febrile for 10 days after giving birth. Blood tests suggested that she developed the HELLP syndrome and had concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Hemolysis, slightly impaired liver function, and thrombocytopenia were explainable by either only the CMV infection or only the HELLP syndrome. A literature review of a limited number of such cases and our case suggests that laboratory data in patients with CMV infection can mimic those of the HELLP syndrome. Thus, it may be important to consider CMV infection as a possible cause of abnormal laboratory data similar to the HELLP syndrome.
Effects of Substrate Residue on the Frequency Response of High-Tone Bulk Acoustic Resonator

The high-tone bulk acoustic resonator (HBAR), consisted of a Mo/ZnO/Pt/Ti/Si structure, is fabricated. The thickness of Si substrate under HBAR is controlled by a two-step process of wet- and dry-etching. The resonance frequency spacing (Deltaf) of HBAR is dependent on the etching duration. The frequency response of the HBAR is measured using an HP8720 network analyzer and a CASCADE probe station. The estimation of Si residue based on the high-tone resonant phenomenon coincides with practical measurements. A frequency response with no harmonic resonance, which is an extreme case of HBAR without Si residue, is revealed. Furthermore, a sensor of high-frequency bulk acoustic wave resonator is obtained.
Identification of a reactive metabolite of the mutagen, 2-amino-3-methylimidazolo[4,5-f]quinoline.

A reactive major metabolite of the mutagen, 2-amino-3-methylimidazolo [4, 5-f]-quinoline (IQ), by rat liver microsomes was 2-hydroxyamino-3-methylimidazolo [4, 5-f]-quinoline (N-OH-IQ). The synthesis and reaction with DNA of N-OH-IQ were discussed.
Utilização da Computação Paralela Distribuída na Otimização do Processamento de Imagens Médicas.

1. Introdução O processamento de imagens tem se mostrado um campo importante de pesquisa científica e tecnológica sendo utilizado nas mais diversas áreas como cinematográfica, meteorológica entre outras [5]. Na medicina a imagem é um dos recursos mais utilizados e de importância relevante no auxílio ao diagnóstico médico. O processamento de imagens médicas requer uma quantidade grande de recursos de hardware devido ao elevado custo computacional de processamento, tornando-se inviável para quem não dispõe de tais recursos, uma vez que estes requerem curto tempo de resposta e não se permite armazenamento com perdas de dados. O tamanho da imagem elevado aliado à necessidade de aplicação de algum filtro, seja para suavização, atenuação ou realce, aumenta o tempo de processamento dessas imagens, prejudicando a avaliação das mesmas [6]. Uma solução encontrada para suprir a necessidade de alto poder computacional para o processamento desse tipo de imagem é a utilização de sistemas distribuídos e de bibliotecas de passagem de mensagem, que viabilizam a computação paralela sobre sistemas distribuídos (computação paralela distribuída). Este artigo apresenta a implementação de algoritmos de suavização e detecção de bordas de imagens de forma seqüencial e paralela aplicados às imagens mamográficas.
Infection frequency of dendritic cells and CD4+ T lymphocytes in spleens of human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients

Dendritic cells (DC) are specialized antigen-presenting leukocytes that are responsible for the activation of naive as well as memory T lymphocytes. If infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), DC may transfer virus to CD4+ lymphocytes. However, the question of whether DC are infected in vivo is controversial. As HIV infection is more active in secondary lymphoid organs than in blood, infection of splenic DC isolated from HIV-seropositive patients was investigated. Splenic DC were first enriched and characterized by flow cytometry from HIV- donors. After direct isolation, they were negative for monocyte and T- and B-lymphocyte markers, negative for CD1a, but positive for major histocompatibility complex class II and CD4. After in vitro maturation, major histocompatibility complex class II expression increased, while CD4 expression was lost. Extensive purification from the spleens of seven HIV+ patients was performed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. The frequency of cells harboring HIV DNA in purified populations was quantified by limiting-dilution PCR. Directly isolated DC (average, 1/3,000; range, 1/720 to 1/18,000) were in each patient 10 to 100 times less infected than CD4+ T lymphocytes (average, 1/52; range, 1/17 to 1/190). On average, 1/1,450 (1/320 to 1/6,100) unseparated mononuclear splenocytes (containing 5% CD4+ lymphocytes) harbored HIV DNA. In conclusion, in these HIV+ patient spleens, DC seem to be infected, but HIV-DNA positive CD4+ T lymphocytes accounted for the vast majority of infected mononuclear splenocytes.
Latest Quaternary paleoseismology and evidence of distributed dextral shear along the Mohawk Valley fault zone, northern Walker Lane, California

The dextral‐slip Mohawk Valley fault zone (MVFZ) strikes northwestward along the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada in the northern Walker Lane. Geodetic block modeling indicates that the MVFZ may accommodate ~3 mm/yr of regional dextral strain, implying that it is the highest slip‐rate strike‐slip fault in the region; however, only limited geologic data are available to constrain the system's slip rate and earthquake history. We mapped the MVFZ using airborne lidar data and field observations and identified a site near Sulphur Creek for paleoseismic investigation. At this site, oblique dextral‐normal faulting on the steep valley margin has created a closed depression that floods annually during spring snowmelt to form an ephemeral pond. We excavated three fault‐perpendicular trenches at the site and exposed pond sediment that interfingers with multiple colluvial packages eroded from the scarp that bounds the eastern side of the pond. We documented evidence for four surface‐rupturing earthquakes on this strand of the MVFZ. OxCal modeling of radiocarbon and luminescence ages indicates that these earthquakes occurred at 14.0 ka, 12.8 ka, 5.7 ka, and 1.9 ka. The mean ~4 kyr recurrence interval is inconsistent with slip rates of ~3 mm/yr; these rates imply surface ruptures of more than 10 m per event, which is geologically implausible for the subdued geomorphic expression and 60 km length of the MVFZ. We propose that unidentified structures not yet incorporated into geodetic models may accommodate significant dextral shear across the northern Walker Lane, highlighting the role of distributed deformation in this region.
IMPACTS OF LIGNIN CONTENTS AND YEAST EXTRACT ADDITION ON THE INTERACTION BETWEEN SPRUCE PULPS AND CRUDE RECOMBINANT PAENIBACILLUS ENDOGLUCANASE

Crude recombinant Paenibacillus endoglucanase was employed to investigate its ability to gain access into and to degrade spruce pulps having different lignin and pentosan contents. Since yeast extract is commonly present in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation processes as a nitrogen source, its effect on the accessibility and degradability of crude endoglucanase was examined. Pulps with more lignin contents adsorbed more overall proteins. More protein impurities other than the recombinant Paenibacillus endoglucanase were found to be preferentially adsorbed on the surfaces of pulp with higher lignin contents. The addition of yeast extracts further enhanced the above trends, which might reduce the non-productive binding by pulp lignin. Pulps with more lignin contents were more difficult to be degraded by the crude endoglucanase; the reductions of degree of polymerization (DP) for pulps were more sensitive to the dosage of endoglucanase applied. The presence of yeast extracts increased the DP degradation rate constants, but decreased the release of reducing sugars during hydrolysis for pulp with higher lignin contents.
Bioactive food components and health properties of rice bran.

Vet Med Today: Timely Topics in Nutrition 593 R (Oryza sativa) is one of the most important cereal crops in the world. It is a dietary staple that provides the bulk of daily calories for many companion animals and humans. The bran fraction of rice is a nutrient-rich by-product that has been primarily used as a low-cost feed for livestock and a fiber source in pet food. This review highlights areas of research related to evaluating the health and dietary value for the inclusion of rice bran in food, in feeds, and as nutritional products for livestock, companion animals, and humans. Diverse rice varieties, as characterized by genetics, landraces, and morphology, are cultivated around the world. Although rice varieties have been extensively studied for distinct agronomic traits such as yield, many have not yet been thoroughly examined for differences in nutrient composition and bioavailability. Thus, our understanding of the differences in phytochemical contents of the bran among diverse rice varieties is limited. The purpose of the information reported here is to describe the bioactive components and health properties of rice bran that may differ among varieties and to indicate opportunities for development of rice bran as a valueadded food ingredient and functional food for disease prevention and enhancement of animal health.
Depression Is a Risk Factor for Suboptimal Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Summary: Affective disorders have been reported as the most common mental health problem in persons with HIV infection. Depression has a significant impact on the quality of life of persons living with HIV and AIDS and is associated with HIV disease progression and mortality, even after controlling for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and substance abuse. Depression has been also reported as one of the main causes of poor adherence with antiretroviral regimens. However, no published investigation has specifically focused on the relationship between depression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Nonetheless, information on the association between depressive symptoms and adherence may be gathered from investigations carried out to explore determinants of adherence with antiretroviral therapy. Findings from available studies show a substantial and consistent relationship between adherence to antiretroviral regimens and depression. Early recognition and proper management of depressive comorbidity could be an effective intervention strategy to improve adherence and may make a difference in the quality of life, social functioning, and disease course of people with HIV.
The roles of host and donor cells in the rejection of skin allografts by T cell‐deprived rats injected with syngeneic T cells

Monoclonal antibodies that define rat T helper cells and cytotoxic T cell precursors were used to deplete thoracic duct lymphocytes of one or other of these subsets and the residual cells injected into syngeneic T cell‐deprived rats bearing skin allografts. The subsequent fate of the grafts was compared with that of grafts on rats injected with unfractionated donor cells. Removal of cytotoxic T cell precursors from the donor inoculum did not affect the ability of the injected cells to mediate destruction of the grafts whereas removal of T helper cells led to prolonged graft survival. Using monoclonal antibodies to label cryostat sections, the phenotypes of the cells infiltrating rejecting grafts and healthy grafts were also established. Seven days after grafting syngeneic or allogeneic skin on T cell‐deprived rats, all grafts were heavily infiltrated with Ia+ macrophages, but by 4 weeks this infiltrate had subsided and the grafts, whether syngeneic or allogeneic, were in perfect condition. At this time animals bearing grafts were injected with thoracic duct lymphocytes depleted of cytotoxic T cell precursors. Within 6 days of these cell transfers the allogeneic grafts, but not the syngeneic ones, were infiltrated with large numbers of mononuclear cells. Many of these cells were T cells, as judged by their expression of a pan T cell antigen, defined by the monoclonal antibody MRC OX‐19, and many were Ia' macrophages. In addition there was a very heavy infiltrate of cells labeled by the MRC OX‐8 monoclonal antibody which detects both rat cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells.
T Lymphocyte–Deficient Mice Lose Trabecular Bone Mass With Ovariectomy

We examined OVX‐induced bone loss in three TLD mouse models. In TLD mice, OVX caused trabecular bone loss equivalent to that of WT. In contrast, cortical bone loss with OVX was variable. We conclude that T lymphocytes do not influence OVX‐induced trabecular bone loss.
Encouraging students in large classes

Our experiences and results of encouraging our students in a large CSI course to keep up with the pace of the course at a reasonable cost for us are presented. We have successfully managed to pinpoint students who are about to fall into the anonymity and passivity trap and give them the extra attention they need to avoid the trap when they need it. Since we managed to pinpoint the most needing students we can give them the extra personal recognition and encouragement they need at a very reasonable cost in the perspective of the whole course. For the two years we have tried our concept we can see a significant increase in the pass rate of the final exam.
A dialogue of the deaf? The health impacts of globalisation

Opinion about the true impacts on human health of globalisation remains sharply divided. On the one hand, a wide range of health professionals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), scholars and activists fear globalisation is worsening the divide between haves and have nots to unprecedented degrees.1 As globalisation processes are being played out, they argue that this is leading to real impoverishment, economic insecurity and reduced life chances for those being left behind what Friedman calls a “winner take all” system.2 There is little hope, they argue, for a real sharing of the largesse of globalisation without fundamental changes to the nature of the system itself. On the other hand, many others have much hope that globalisation is ultimately a positive force for the betterment of all. By enabling greater generation of wealth, it is believed that globalisation will lead to technological innovation, dissemination of information and know how, adoption of minimal ethical, environmental and labour standards, and eventually increased standards of living worldwide. It is through these processes that real improvements in human health will be realised. While there are admittedly wrinkles to be ironed out along the way to such global prosperity, a “steady as she goes” fortitude will gradually lead us to a better world. The …
End User Perspective of e-Learning using LMS-Like Systems

In﻿literature,﻿e-learning﻿plays﻿an﻿important﻿part﻿in﻿improving﻿the﻿needs﻿of﻿learners﻿and﻿educators,﻿as﻿ well﻿as﻿other﻿stakeholders﻿and﻿institutions. ﻿However,﻿this﻿research﻿indicates﻿that﻿e-learning﻿is﻿often﻿ used﻿as﻿a﻿repository﻿for﻿uploading﻿academic﻿materials,﻿without﻿taking﻿into﻿consideration﻿characteristics﻿ of﻿the﻿learner. ﻿This﻿investigation﻿examines﻿a﻿variety﻿of﻿techniques﻿adopted﻿from﻿e-learning,﻿adaptive﻿ learning﻿and﻿User﻿Modelling﻿to﻿suggest﻿improvements﻿within﻿industry. ﻿Throughout﻿the﻿paper,﻿there﻿ will﻿be﻿a﻿strong﻿influence﻿on﻿how﻿future﻿PLEs﻿should﻿be﻿designed﻿and﻿tailored﻿to﻿challenge﻿the﻿end﻿users’﻿perception﻿of﻿on-line﻿education﻿to﻿meet﻿the﻿future﻿needs﻿of﻿the﻿learner,﻿the﻿educator﻿and﻿the﻿ institution. ﻿Focusing﻿on﻿future﻿trends﻿would﻿allow﻿developers﻿to﻿encapsulate﻿learners﻿motivational﻿ and﻿learning﻿needs. ﻿These﻿aspects﻿would﻿enable﻿designers﻿to﻿improve﻿usability,﻿functionality﻿and﻿ reliability. ﻿PLEs﻿are﻿not﻿just﻿a﻿collection﻿of﻿applications﻿tailored﻿towards﻿personalisation,﻿they﻿are﻿ significantly﻿more﻿important﻿than﻿that. ﻿These﻿systems﻿are﻿designed﻿to﻿be﻿a﻿functioned﻿application/ platform/management-system﻿that﻿promotes﻿and﻿encourages﻿Personalised﻿Learning. ﻿The﻿research﻿ found﻿within﻿the﻿case﻿studies﻿have﻿shown﻿that﻿concepts﻿of﻿PLEs﻿have﻿contributed﻿towards﻿the﻿learners’﻿experience.
Neuroprotective actions of peripherally administered insulin‐like growth factor I in the injured olivo‐cerebellar pathway

Exogenous administration of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) restores motor function in rats with neurotoxin‐induced cerebellar deafferentation. We first determined that endogenous IGFs are directly involved in the recovery process because infusion of an IGF‐I receptor antagonist into the lateral ventricle blocks gradual recovery of limb coordination that spontaneously occurs after partial deafferentation of the olivo‐cerebellar circuitry. We then analysed mechanisms whereby exogenous IGF‐I restores motor function in rats with complete damage of the olivo‐cerebellar pathway. Treatment with IGF‐I normalized several markers of cell function in the cerebellum, including calbindin, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, which are all depressed after 3‐acetylpyridine (3AP)‐induced deafferentation. IGF‐I also promoted functional reinnervation of the cerebellar cortex by inferior olive (IO) axons. In the IO, increased expression of bax in neurons and bcl‐X in astrocytes after 3AP was significantly reduced by IGF‐I treatment. On the contrary, IGF‐I prevented the decrease in poly‐sialic‐acid neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA‐NCAM) and GAP‐43 expression induced by 3AP in IO cells. IGF‐I also significantly increased the number of neurons expressing bcl‐2 in brainstem areas surrounding the IO. Altogether, these results indicate that subcutaneous IGF‐I therapy promotes functional recovery of the olivo‐cerebellar pathway by acting at two sites within this circuitry: (i) by modulating death‐ and plasticity‐related proteins in IO neurons; and (ii) by impinging on homeostatic mechanisms leading to normalization of cell function in the cerebellum. These results provide insight into the neuroprotective actions of IGF‐I and may be of practical consequence in the design of new therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases.
The challenge of defining and counting generalist physicians: an analysis of Physician Masterfile data.

OBJECTIVES The study reviewed methods for measuring the specialty distribution of the US physician workforce. It was hypothesized that current databases and measurement conventions overestimate the number of generalist physicians. METHODS A descriptive analysis of the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile for California was done with different assumptions about the definition of generalists based on primary and secondary specialty information. RESULTS A rigorous definition of generalist physician that excludes physicians with secondary practices in specialist fields resulted in an estimate of generalist physicians 25% lower than the number estimated by conventional workforce evaluation methods. Physicians who reported practicing in both generalist and specialist fields were more likely to be older, to be international medical school graduates, and to be in solo or duo practice compared with physicians who listed only generalist or specialist fields. CONCLUSIONS The actual number of generalist physicians in the United States may be less than previously believed. Although the exact magnitude of the "hidden system" of specialists providing primary care is difficult to measure, at least a portion appear to already be counted as generalist physicians by current conventions.