Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
El ácido úrico como factor predictor de la preeclampsia

Introduccion: La hiperuricemia es un factor relacionado con mayor frecuencia de complicaciones maternas en pacientes con preeclampsia. Este metabolito disminuye la produccion de oxido nitrico a nivel del trofoblasto e interfiere con la normal invasion trofoblastica y compromete asi el transporte de oxigeno y nutrientes a la placenta. Esto justifica los pobres resultados perinatales que la acompanan. Objetivo : Analizar la relacion que existe entre la hiperuricemia y la preeclampsia. Metodo: Se realizo un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo, de corte transversal en el Hospital Docente Ginecobstetrico de Guanabacoa en La Habana, Cuba en 140 puerperas, que constituyeron la muestra. Estas presentaron cifras elevadas de acido urico en sangre, con trastornos hipertensivos (preeclampsia) desde enero 2014 hasta enero 2016. Se tomo como valor serico de acido urico, 5,8 mg/dL o 327 μmol/L, realizado en el laboratorio clinico). Resultado: La preeclampsia fue mas frecuente en las puerperas con hiperuricemia con un total de 65 pacientes. Esto represento 76,4 %, la mayoria de las pacientes fueron obesas (63 %). El bajo peso al nacer resulto la morbilidad neonatal mas frecuente con un 73 % y en la madre la sepsis puerperal (60 %) del total de casos estudiados. Conclusion: La hiperuricemia constituyo un elemento predictor de complicaciones maternas y perinatales en las puerperas que presentaron preeclampsia.
Robust switch-mode charger with bootstrap detector (BSD) and soft-start embedded in type III compensation (SSEC) technique

Bootstrap detector (BSD) and soft-start embedded in Type III compensation (SSEC) are implemented in the switch-mode charger to achieve high efficiency and ensure robustness charging process. The proposed BSD monitors the bootstrap voltage to avoid low efficiency and serious burning problem in both synchronous and non-synchronous charging modes. On the other hand, the SSEC avoids inrush current in start-up procedure of charger system without any external components and auxiliary circuits to greatly minimize the chip and footprint areas. The proposed robust switch-mode charger with the BSD and the SSEC technique was simulated in 0.25 μm CMOS process. The fast charge current in constant current stage varies from 600 mA to 10 A with a 1.6 MHz operating switching frequency.
Interdisciplinary Simulation-Based Training to Improve Delivery Room Communication

Introduction Poor communication among obstetric and pediatric professionals is associated with adverse perinatal events leading to severe disability and neonatal mortality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary simulation-based training (SBT) program to improve delivery room communication between obstetric and pediatric teams. Methods Obstetric and pediatric teams participated in an SBT annually during 3 academic years, 2008–2011 (Y1–Y3), in a prospective, observational study. Eligible participants (n = 228) included attendings, fellows, house staff, midlevel providers, and nurses involved in delivery room care. Simulations were videotaped and evaluated using a validated 20-item checklist of best communication practices. Checklist scores were compared across years with the Kruskal-Wallis test. Providers were also surveyed annually regarding communication during actual deliveries using a standardized questionnaire. Ratings were analyzed using two-way analysis of covariance. Results At least 60% of eligible providers participated in 1 or more SBT sessions and completed surveys annually. Checklist scores on communication during SBT improved from Y1 (median, 6; interquartile range, 4) to Y3 (median, 11; interquartile range, 6) (P < 0.001). Survey results showed the perception of improvement over time in interteam communication during actual deliveries by obstetric (P < 0.005) and pediatric (P < 0.0001) providers. The obstetric team also perceived improved provider communication with the family (P < 0.05). Conclusions Communication during SBT as well as the perception of communication during actual deliveries improved across the study period. The potential of a checklist to standardize delivery room communication and improve patient outcomes merits further investigation.
Activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC)‐mediated activation of factor (F)VIII in mixtures of FVIII and APCC enhances hemostatic effectiveness

Activated prothrombin complex concentrates (APCCs), utilized in bypassing therapy for hemophiliacs with inhibitor, contain factors (Fs) VII, FII, FIX and FX, and their active forms. A recent report has demonstrated that mixtures of APCC and FVIII potentiated thrombin generation, in vitro, in plasma from patients with severe hemophilia A, but the mechanism(s) involved remains unknown.
Forced swim stress activates rat hippocampal serotonergic neurotransmission involving a corticotropin‐releasing hormone receptor‐dependent mechanism

Serotonin is important for adequate coping with stress. Aberrant serotonin function is implicated in the aetiology of major depression and anxiety disorders. Dysregulation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis, involving elevated corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) activity, also plays a role in these stress‐related illnesses. Here we studied the effects of stress on hippocampal serotonin and the role of the CRH system using in vivo microdialysis. First, rats were subjected to a forced swim stress, resulting in a dramatic increase in hippocampal serotonin (1500% of baseline), which was associated with the occurrence of diving behaviour. The diving‐associated increase in serotonin depended on activation of CRH receptors, as it was antagonized by intracerebroventricular pretreatment with D‐Phe‐CRH12−41. Secondly, the effects of intracerebroventricular administration of CRH and urocortin (0.03–1.0 µg) were studied. Both CRH and urocortin caused a dose‐dependent rise in hippocampal serotonin (maximally 350% of baseline) and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels, suggesting the involvement of CRH receptor type 1. Because the effects of urocortin were prolonged, CRH receptor type 2 could play a role in a later phase of the neurotransmitter response. Experiments using adrenalectomized rats showed that CRH‐induced serotonin changes were adrenally independent. These data suggest that the raphe‐hippocampal serotonin system is able to mount, CRH receptor‐dependent, responses to specific stressful situations that surpass the usually observed maximal increases of about 300% of baseline during stress and enhanced vigilance.
Hypocupremia and bone marrow failure

Copper deficiency associated with neurological disorders is a well-documented condition. However, hypocupremia is less often recognized as a cause of cytopenias or bone marrow failure. We report an illustrative series of three new cases of bi-lineage cytopenia associated with copper deficiency. We have analyzed clinical features of current and historical cases to identify clues that could facilitate application of appropriate laboratory testing and heighten the level of clinical suspicion. By maintaining an appropriately high level of suspicion for potential copper deficiency and obtaining a serum copper level, bone marrow failure due to this condition can be correctly diagnosed and treated. We suggest that copper deficiency be included in the differential diagnosis of reversible causes of bone marrow failure syndromes including myelodysplastic syndrome.
Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome: pathogenesis, clinical features, and therapeutic targets

Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS) or asthma-COPD overlap captures the subset of patients with airways disease who have features of both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although definitions of ACOS vary, it is generally thought to encompass persistent airflow limitation in a patient older than 40 years of age with either a history of asthma or large bronchodilator reversibility. ACOS affects about a quarter of patients with COPD and almost a third of patients who previously had asthma. Compared with their counterparts with asthma or COPD alone, patients with ACOS have significantly worse respiratory symptoms, poorer quality of life, and increased risk of exacerbations and hospital admissions. Whether this condition emerges after gradual shifts in airway remodelling and inflammation in a patient with COPD, as the result of noxious exposures in a patient with asthma, or even as a de novo disease with its own pathology is yet to be determined. Nevertheless, using treatments developed for asthma or COPD that target eosinophilic, neutrophilic, or paucigranulocytic airway inflammation may be a helpful approach to these patients until further clinical trials can be performed.
Biogeochemical controls on the oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur distributions in the water column of Golfo Dulce: an anoxic basin on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica revisited

Chemical distributions, respiration rates, and bacterial distributions were measured in 1994 in the water column and sediments of a small, tropical, anoxic basin (Golfo Dulce, Pacific coast of Costa Rica) to examine the biogeochemical controls on anoxia, sulfide, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and organic carbon con- sumption. As reported previously, the deepest 100 m of the water column were anoxic, and sulfide concentra- tions in the bottom waters were less than 7 µM and then only transiently. Both free-swimming sulfide-oxidizing bacteria and Beggiatoa sp. (containing large vacuoles) were observed in the anoxic bottom waters or at the sediment-water interface. Aerobic respiration dominated the decomposition of organic matter in the surface waters and pycnocline, whereas sulfate reduction was principally restricted to the sediments. Bacteria were distributed in discrete zones and exhibited the highest densities where oxygen decreased below 1 µM around 100 m depth, and near the sediment-water interface. The sub-oxic, sub-pycnocline water column was character- ized by a dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) deficit of 2.9 mole m -2 . With a water residence time of 35 - 57 d, estimated from a salt balance, this deficit corresponded to a DIN loss of 51 - 85 mmol m -2 d -1 , comparable to the sub-pycnocline oxygen consumption. Sulfide in the water column was maintained at low concentrations by frequent inputs of oxygenated water from the Pacific Ocean. Sulfide production in the sediments due to bacterial sulfate reduction was scavenged by frequent deposition of iron-rich turbidites. Based on 210 Pb distributions, the most recent emplacement of a turbidite in the basin sediments was determined to have occurred between 1989 and 1992. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (Suppl. 1): 171-191. Epub 2006 Sept. 30.
2nd generation embedded DRAM with 4X lower self refresh power in 22nm Tri-Gate CMOS technology

2nd generation 1Gbit 2GHz Embedded DRAM (eDRAM) with 4X lower self refresh power compared to prior generation is developed in 22nm Tri-Gate CMOS technology. Retention time has been improved by 3X (300us@95°C) by process and design optimizations. Source synchronous clocking is integrated in the design to reduce clock power without penalizing bandwidth. Charge pump power is reduced by 4X by employing comparator based regulation. Temperature controlled refresh enables minimum refresh power at all temperature conditions.
Silymarin Attenuated the Amyloid β Plaque Burden and Improved Behavioral Abnormalities in an Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and the formation of senile plaques. Silymarin, an extract of milk thistle, has long been used as a medicinal herb for liver diseases. Here we report marked suppression of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) fibril formation and neurotoxicity in PC12 cells after silymarin treatment in vitro. In vivo studies had indicated a significant reduction in brain Aβ deposition and improvement in behavioral abnormalities in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice that had been preventively treated with a powdered diet containing 0.1% silymarin for 6 months. The silymarin-treated APP mice also showed less anxiety than the vehicle-treated APP mice. These behavioral changes were associated with a decline in Aβ oligomer production induced by silymarin intake. These results suggest that silymarin is a promising agent for the prevention of AD.
Specific BACE1 genotypes provide additional risk for late‐onset alzheimer disease in APOE ε4 carriers

Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized neuropathologically by neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. A key component of plaques is Aβ, a polypeptide derived from Aβ‐precursor protein (APP) through proteolytic cleavage catalyzed by β and γ‐secretase. We hypothesized that sequence variation in genes BACE1 (on chromosome 11q23.3) and BACE2 (on chromosome 21q22.3), which encode two closely related proteases that seem to act as the APP β‐secretase, may represent a genetic risk factor for AD. We analyzed the frequencies of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in BACE1 and BACE2 genes in a community‐based sample of 96 individuals with late‐onset AD and 170 controls selected randomly among residents of the same community. The genotype data in both study groups did not demonstrate any association between AD and BACE1 or BACE2. After stratification for APOE status, however, an association between a BACE1 polymorphism located within codon V262 and AD in APOE ε4 carriers was observed (P = 0.03). We conclude that sequence variation in the BACE1 or BACE 2 gene is not a significant risk factor for AD; however, a combination of a specific BACE1 allele and APOE ε4 may increase the risk for Alzheimer disease over and above that attributed to APOE ε4 alone. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ca2+ signaling in antigen receptor‐activated B lymphocytes

Summary: B cells respond to antigen stimulation with mobilization of the Ca2+ second messenger in two phases operated by two distinct sets of effector proteins. First, an antigen receptor‐specific Ca2+ initiation complex is assembled, activated, and targeted to the plasma membrane to trigger the transient release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores of the endoplasmic reticulum. Second, more ubiquitously expressed Ca2+ channels of the plasma membrane are opened to allow for sustained Ca2+ influx from the extracellular medium. Depending on the developmental stage of the B cell, the kinetics and profile of the two phases are adjusted at multiple levels of positive and negative regulation. A molecular basis for the Ca2+ signaling plasticity is provided by cytosolic and transmembrane adapter proteins. They act as signal organizers, which control enzyme/substrate interactions by directing the different signaling modules into specific subcellular compartments. These arrangements orchestrate a graduated activation of Ca2+‐sensitive downstream pathways, which ultimately determine appropriate cellular responses, namely elimination of autoreactive B cells or proliferation and differentiation of immunocompetent B cells into antibody‐secreting plasma cells.
Obtaining the coefficients of a Vector Autoregression Model through minimization of parameter criteria

VAR models are a type of multi-equation model that have been widely applied in econometrics. With the arrival of Big Data, huge amounts of data are being collected in numerous fields, making feasible the application of these kind of statistical models. Tools exist to tackle this problem, but the large amount of data, along with the availability of computational techniques and high performance systems, advise an in-depth analysis of the computational aspects of VAR, so large models can be solved efficiently with today's computational systems. This work aims to solve a VAR model by obtaining the coefficients through heuristic and metaheuristic algorithms, minimizing one parameter criterion, and also to compare with those coefficients obtained by OLS. Furthermore, we consider different approaches to reduce the time required to find the model like using matrix decompositions (QR or LQ), exploiting matrix structure, using high performance linear algebra subroutines (BLAS and LAPACK) or parallel metaheuristics.
Goats with aspartic acid or serine at codon 146 of the PRNP gene remain scrapie-negative after lifetime exposure in affected herds in Cyprus

SUMMARY The results of the study reported here are part of an ongoing integrated research programme aimed at producing additional, robust, evidence on the genetic resistance to classical scrapie in goats, with particular reference to codon 146. The study targeted animals aged ⩾6 years, which were born and raised in infected herds and were being culled for management reasons. A total of 556 animals were tested, and all positive animals (n = 117) were of the susceptible NN genotype. A total of 246 goats heterozygous or homozygous for putatively resistant alleles (S146 and D146) were screened with no positive results. The outcome of this study supports the hypothesis that the D146 and S146 alleles could be used as the basis for a nationwide strategy for breeding for resistance in the Cypriot goat population.
Transformation des produits alimentaires par les enzymes

Premier secteur industriel ou l’homme a exploite la catalyse enzymatique, le domaine agroalimentaire offre de multiples et diverses raisons d’utiliser les enzymes. Elles sont essentiellement soit d’ ordre technologique : acceleration ou regularisation de phenomenes enzymatiques, amelioration des qualites technofonctionnelles du produit fabrique, mise au point de produits nouveaux, valorisation de sous-produits, soit d’ ordre economique : amelioration des conditions de travail ou de la productivite, regularisation des prix sur le marche. Vue d’ensemble sur les applications industrielles Les utilisations des enzymes dans le secteur agroalimentaire representent pres de 65 % du chiffre d’affaires du marche des enzymes industrielles et seule une quarantaine d’entre elles est utilisee dans cette industrie. Selon une etude d’un cabinet conseil (Frost & Sullivan), le revenu total pour les enzymes industrielles en Europe etait estime en 1995 a, au moins, 455 millions de dollars et devrait atteindre 906 millions de dollars en 2003. La diminution des prix est la principale donnee qui affecte les marches. Celle-ci est imputable a l’augmentation de la production d’enzymes par ingenierie gene-tique et devrait se poursuivre d’ici la fin du millenaire. Les enzymes les plus importantes en termes de revenus sont encore les proteases qui couvraient 34,4 % du marche en 1995 et, a l’horizon 2003, elles risquent d’etre detronees par les lipases (38,5 % du marche prevu) qui sont suivies par les glycosidases (30,5 %). Les principaux acteurs economiques du developpement industriel de ces catalyseurs biologiques dans le secteur agro-industriel sont, d’une part, les transformateurs de la production agricole, d’autre part, les concepteurs et realisateurs de preparations enzymatiques utilisees a l’echelle industrielle. Les gros consommateurs d’enzymes sont l’industrie des detergents, la fromagerie, l’amidonnerie et d’autres industries alimentaires d’origines vegetales (secteurs des boissons, boulangerie-pâtisserie, confiserie.). L’industrie des enzymes qui se caracterise par un chiffre d’affaires assez modeste, pese peu sur l’evolution technologique des filieres ou l’on fait appel a elle. Par contre, comme les principales sources d’enzymes a usage industriel sont d’origine microbienne, elle a grandement contribue au developpement des industries de fermentation.Etant donne, precisement, ces conditions de production, il reste a ces biocatalyseurs de nombreuses possibilites de developpement : augmentation des rendements de production, modification de leurs activites, de leurs specificites ou de leurs stabilites. Mais ce secteur industriel possede-t-il les moyens pour realiser les travaux de recherche-developpement propres a assurer aux enzymes le futur brillant qu’on s’accorde generalement a leur reconnaitre ?
Fault-Tolerant Operation of an Open-End Winding Five-Phase PMSM Drive With Short-Circuit Inverter Fault

Multiphase machines are well known for their fault-tolerant capability. Star-connected multiphase machines have fault tolerance in an open circuit. For an inverter switch short-circuit fault, it is possible to keep a smooth torque of a permanent magnet synchronous machine if the currents of the faulty phases are determined and their values are acceptable. This paper investigates fault-tolerant operations of an open-end five-phase drive, i.e., a multiphase machine fed with a dual-inverter supply. Inverter switch short-circuit fault is considered and handled with a simple solution. Original theoretical developments are presented. Simulation and experimental results validate the proposed strategy.
In Vivo Efficacy of Ceftaroline Fosamil in a Methicillin-Resistant Panton-Valentine Leukocidin-Producing Staphylococcus aureus Rabbit Pneumonia Model

ABSTRACT Ceftaroline, the active metabolite of the prodrug ceftaroline fosamil, is a cephalosporin with broad-spectrum in vitro activity against Gram-positive organisms, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDRSP), and common Gram-negative pathogens. This study investigated the in vivo activity of ceftaroline fosamil compared with clindamycin, linezolid, and vancomycin in a severe pneumonia model due to MRSA-producing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL). A USA300 PVL-positive clone was used to induce pneumonia in rabbits. Infected rabbits were randomly assigned to no treatment or simulated human-equivalent dosing with ceftaroline fosamil, clindamycin, linezolid, or vancomycin. Residual bacterial concentrations in the lungs and spleen were assessed after 48 h of treatment. PVL expression was measured using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Ceftaroline, clindamycin, and linezolid considerably reduced mortality rates compared with the control, whereas vancomycin did not. Pulmonary and splenic bacterial titers and PVL concentrations were greatly reduced by ceftaroline, clindamycin, and linezolid. Ceftaroline, clindamycin, and linezolid were associated with reduced pulmonary tissue damage based on significantly lower macroscopic scores. Ceftaroline fosamil, clindamycin, and, to a lesser extent, linezolid were efficient in reducing bacterial titers in both the lungs and spleen and decreasing macroscopic scores and PVL production compared with the control.