Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Maternal and neonatal outcomes in early glucose tolerance testing in an obstetric population in New York city

Abstract Objective: Women with risk factors for diabetes are screened early in pregnancy. At our institution we obtain a GCT (glucose challenge test) at first prenatal visit. We sought to compare pregnancy outcomes in women who were diagnosed with GDM early in pregnancy with those diagnosed at the standard 24–28 weeks' gestation. Methods: An inner city population receiving prenatal care from August 2003 to May 2007 participated in the study. Patients were screened during the first trimester when able (group 1) or during the standard 24–28 weeks' gestation (group 2). Patient demographics, maternal and neonatal outcome data were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 340 GDM patients identified, 99 were diagnosed early and 241 at the standard time. Eighty per cent of group 2 were treated with diet alone and 20% required pharmacological therapy. Fifty per cent of group 1 were treated with diet and 45% with pharmacological therapy (P<0.001). Comparison between the early and late diagnosis groups for preterm delivery and hypertensive disorders were statistically non-significant. Cesarean delivery was 45% in group 1 and 24% in group 2. Both macrosomia (13% vs. 6%) and large-for-gestational-age (18% vs. 6%) was statistically higher in the early GTT group. Conclusion: The adverse perinatal outcome is significantly higher in the early diagnosis group despite early identification and management implying greater severity of GDM.
An Intra-Erythrocytic Low Molecular Weight Lead-Binding Protein in Acute and Chronic Lead Exposure and its Possible Protective Role in Lead Toxicity

A low-molecular-weight protein was measured in erythrocytes from workers with chronic and recent lead exposure, with and without clinical lead toxicity, and from a group of control subjects not exposed to undue environmental lead. The protein was detected in all the workers, but in significantly smaller amounts in those with symptoms, and was absent from controls. The synthesis of the protein is induced at blood lead concentrations above 1·9 μmol/L, but is reduced in workers susceptible to clinical lead toxicity at blood lead concentrations below 4·0 μmol/L. The activity of the red blood cell dithiothreitol (DTT)—activated 5-aminolaevulinate dehydratase (ALA-D) was correlated with the concentration of the low-molecular-weight protein, with both being particularly low in the symptomatic workers. Previous studies have shown that the protein binds lead. By sequestrating excess lead into a non-toxic form, the protein may have a protective role in preventing clinical, and reducing biochemical, lead toxicity.
Synthesis and Selection of De Novo Proteins That Bind and Impede Cellular Functions of an Essential Mycobacterial Protein

ABSTRACT Recent advances in nonrational and part-rational approaches to de novo peptide/protein design have shown increasing potential for development of novel peptides and proteins of therapeutic use. We demonstrated earlier the usefulness of one such approach recently developed by us, called “codon shuffling,” in creating stand-alone de novo protein libraries from which bioactive proteins could be isolated. Here, we report the synthesis and selection of codon-shuffled de novo proteins that bind to a selected Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein target, the histone-like protein HupB, believed to be essential for mycobacterial growth. Using a versatile bacterial two-hybrid system that entailed utilization of HupB and various codon-shuffled protein libraries as bait and prey, respectively, we were able to identify proteins that bound strongly to HupB. The observed interaction was also confirmed using an in vitro assay. One of the protein binders was expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis and was shown to appreciably affect growth in the exponential phase, a period wherein HupB is selectively expressed. Furthermore, the transcription profile of hupB gene showed a significant reduction in the transcript quantity in mycobacterial strains expressing the protein binder. Electron microscopy of the affected mycobacteria elaborated on the extent of cell damage and hinted towards a cell division malfunction. It is our belief that a closer inspection of the obtained de novo proteins may bring about the generation of small-molecule analogs, peptidomimetics, or indeed the proteins themselves as realistic leads for drug candidates. Furthermore, our strategy is adaptable for large-scale targeting of the essential protein pool of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogens.
Reaction-time distributions in the detection of weak signals in noise.

Reaction times were collected for three observers in a YES‐NO signal detection experiment, for two different signal strengths, and three a priori probabilities of a signal occurrence—P (S): 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8. Each server gave 1800 responds under each of the six conditions. A trial ended only when the observer terminated it. Some of the major findings are (1) latencies have Pearson distributions, mainly Beta of the first and second kind; (2) there is an apparent genetic character to the distributions—that is, they resemble each other according to the response (YES or NO) rather than the stimulus (signal or noise alone); (3) at P (S) = 0.2, the mean latency of a false rejection of a signal is least, that of a correct detection greatest, but for P (S) = 0.5, and 0.8, mean latency is least for correct detection, and greatest for correct NO'S, and (4) generally, reaction times are inversely related to the a priori probability of their associated stimulus classes.
DeLIMiting development

LIM‐homeodomain transcription factors (LIM‐HD) regulate expression of genes that pattern the body and generate cell specificity during development in invertebrates and vertebrates. It is especially interesting that most are expressed in and participate in the development of the nervous system. LIM‐HD proteins are themselves regulated by both intramolecular and intermolecular interactions mediated by the LIM domains. LIM domains positively regulate LIM‐HD activity by promoting protein‐protein interactions that allow cooperative binding to regulatory regions of tissue‐specific promoters. They also negatively regulate LIM‐HD activity, possibly by preventing HD association with DNA. Interaction of LIM domains with other proteins relieves this interference, permitting DNA binding and providing a mechanism for refining LIM‐HD activity. The recurrence of LIM‐HD proteins in fundamental developmental processes emphasizes the importance of their function and regulation and provides an opportunity to identify mechanisms and molecules underlying patterning and cell specification. BioEssays 20:58–69, 1998. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A continuous chimera state in an optical comb

A chimera state in a network of non-locally coupled oscillators occurs when some parts of the network are synchronized while the remaining parts are incoherent. It is shown that a chimera state is observed in the optical comb generated by a passively mode locked quantum dot laser. This is experimentally demonstrated by means of optical linewidth measurements, phase recovery techniques and a bifurcation analysis and confirmed numerically by a delay-differential equation model showing excellent agreement with the experiment.
Computer simulations of soft repulsive spherocylinders

Computer simulations of systems of soft repulsive spherocylinders (SRS) of aspect ratio (L/D) equal to 4 have been carried out using the parallel molecular dynamics program GBMOLDD. At sufficiently high densities the system forms stable nematic and smectic-A liquid crystalline phases. Results are presented for a series of seven isochores in the NVE ensemble, and for isobars at T* = kT/ε= 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 in the NpT ensemble.
Peripheral blood fibrocytes contribute to the formation of the avian spleen

Chick–quail chimeric studies were made to determine the origin of the cells of splenic ellipsoid. The ellipsoid is formed by supporting and phagocytic cells, which are embedded in a well‐organized extracellular matrix. Splenic and bursal anlage of 6‐ to 6.5‐day‐old quail embryos were transplanted into the coelomic cavity of 3‐day‐old chick embryos and further incubated for 17 days. CD45+ chicken hemopoietic cells colonized both organs. They formed the cells of the ellipsoid and the periellipsoidal white pulp of the transplanted quail spleen. Chicken‐specific collagen III was produced only in the donor quail spleen, but not in the bursa of Fabricius. The CD45+/collagen I+/collagen III+ cells are probably identical with the mammalian peripheral blood fibrocytes and contribute to the formation of supporting cells, whereas the CD45+/74.2+ ellipsoid‐associated macrophages are of monocytic origin. We provide, for the first time, experimental evidence that peripheral blood fibrocytes exist in the avian species; they are present in the circulation of the chicken embryo and contribute to the organogenesis of the spleen. Developmental Dynamics 232:55–66, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk assessment for the cyber threats to networked critical infrastructure

Technology has changed considerably the way we do business, we behave as people, we interact with our environment and also the way certain basic operations are performed and delivered. More specifically public and private infrastructure designed and built to provide us with some fundamental goods and services like electricity, gas, transportation, finance etc. is relying heavily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) control centres, to operate, deliver theirs goods and services and also communicate with other types of infrastructure. Their reliance on ICT has created new opportunities for their operations, but also new risks with new types of threats, ranging from cyber criminal activities to cyberwarfare and new ways to execute them through the internet. Some of these infrastructures can be considered as critical to the normal operation of a society and the ICT supporting them referred to as critical information infrastructure. Therefore, they need to be constantly protected against such risks. The purpose of this thesis is to perform a risk assessment for such critical infrastructure and its critical information infrastructure, namely a power plant in Germany and then identify the cyber threats that exist, by creating three virtual networks with virtual machines to mimic the operation of the SCADA control centre of the power plant.
A Comb-Line Antenna Modified for Wideband Circular Polarization

A sequential rotation technique is newly applied to a circularly polarized (CP) comb-line antenna. The antenna is analyzed using the moment method. First, a novel loop antenna is proposed as a CP radiation element. Next, the loop element is used for a comb-line antenna to radiate a CP wave. This reference antenna shows a bandwidth of 3% for a 3-dB axial-ratio criterion. Last, the comb-line antenna is modified for wideband CP radiation. It is both numerically and experimentally revealed that the CP wave bandwidth is wider than that of the reference antenna by a factor of five.
OPTIMIZATION OF BLOOD SAMPLING TIME AFTER INTRAVENOUS BOLUS DOSES OF GENTAMICIN

Comparisons were made, based on a one‐compartment model, between predicted serum concentrations obtained at various sampling times after i.v. bolus and i.m. injections of gentamicin. Post‐dose concentrations 1 h after i.m. injection were within 3% of the maximum concentration at steady‐state, indicating that this was the optimal sampling time. Serum concentrations 1 h post‐i.v. bolus were less than 7% different from those 1 h post‐i.m. injection. In a clinical trial, blood samples taken earlier during the distribution phase of the drug, after an i.v. bolus, resulted in serum concentrations which were up to 74% higher than concentrations at 1 h. A survey of a sample of U.K. hospitals showed that only 41% were taking samples at 1 h post i.v. bolus of gentamicin. The majority of hospitals recommended a range of post‐dose serum concentrations between 4 and 12 mg/1 for patients with septicaemia, but when adjusted for errors related to sampling time, 36% of hospitals recommended a minimum which was equivalent to less than 4 mg/1 at 1 h post dose. Post‐dose concentrations of gentamicin should be measured in samples taken 1 h after either i.v. bolus and i.m. injections.
Developments on phased array for low-cost, high frequency applications

This work presents the design and implementation of a phased array antenna for reconfigurable 5G backhaul network links. In order to minimize costs, the antenna has been developed using low cost RO4003 substrates and off the shelf electronic components. The antenna operates in Ka band (19 GHz) with scan range down to 50°.
Ghrelin, the peripheral hunger hormone

In the current review we summarize the available data concerning the gastric hormone ghrelin and its receptor. Ghrelin stimulates short‐term food intake and long‐term body weight regulation via its adipogenic and diabetogenic effects. Ghrelin stimulates gastric emptying, and these effects could be explored from a therapeutic point of view. Ghrelin levels change profoundly in anorexia, in states of insulin resistance, in obesity, and after bariatric surgery, suggesting that this is an important hormone in body weight regulation.
Method of improving the man machine communication in real-time distributed systems

This paper presents a new method to improve the quality of man machine communication in distributed systems and networks, in which a significant portion of traffic is multimedia traffic. Method is to use a soft short packets and packet multimedia services. Justified the choice of service time as a parameter evaluating the effectiveness of proposed solutions and an appropriate mathematical model. Using simulation studies determined the intensity of information flow, for which method is appropriate.
Aminoglycoside Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aminoglycosides ([35][1]) are a vital component of antipseudomonal chemotherapy implicated in the treatment of a variety of infections ([9][2], [45][3]), particularly pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients ([22][4]). These agents are bactericidal and exhibit synergy with other
Inhibition of interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression and interleukin-1 alpha and beta secretion by a specific human recombinant interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The transcription and translation of interleukin-1 (IL-1) may have a pleiotropic effect on the immune system and inflammatory diseases. Recently it has been reported that human monocytes not only produce IL-1 but also induce, with adherent IgG, the secretion of an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), which can play an essential in vivo and in vitro role in the regulation of IL-1 activity. Recombinant human (rh) IL-1Ra is structurally similar to IL-1 beta but with no IL-1-like activity, and specifically binds to the IL-1 receptor. To more fully evaluate and clarify the inhibitory effect of rhIL-1 receptor antagonist on IL-1 we have studied the influence of rhIL-1Ra on IL-1 transcription and translation. In this report we show that IL-1 beta mRNA from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) is strongly inhibited (66%) when rhIL-1Ra (250 ng/ml) was added to cultured cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/ml) for 4 hr, determined with the slot blot analysis. The addition of exogenous rhIL-1 beta to the cell culture diminished the inhibitory effect (44%). Moreover, we report that the block of IL-1 mRNA transcription consequently leads to the inhibition of IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta secretion in human PBMC, as measured by ELISA method. In fact, herein we show that LPS activates human PBMC to secrete IL-1 beta and IL-1 alpha, an effect inhibited, in a dose-dependent fashion by rhIL-1Ra (0.025-250 ng/ml) in an overnight incubation. Since IL-1 is a strong inducer of IL-1 synthesis in vivo and in vitro, in our study we used rh IL-1 alpha to stimulate the secretion of IL-1 beta in human PBMC. This activation, carried out overnight, also provoked the release of IL-1 beta in a dose-dependent manner, which was strongly inhibited by rhIL-1Ra used at different concentrations (0.025-250 ng/ml). The inhibitory effect exerted by IL-1Ra on human PBMC IL-1 mRNA transcription and the down-regulation of secretion of IL-1 beta stimulated by IL-1 alpha, may contribute to therapeutic effects in inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The Incidence of Self-prescribed Oral Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use by Patients With Gastrointestinal Diseases

Goals: To assess the incidence of oral complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage by gastroenterology patients at a single university center and compare against controls. Background: The public awareness and usage of CAM have increased. The use of CAM has been described in patients with functional bowel disorders; however, their role in patients with gastrointestinal disease is less clear. Study: Patients attending luminal gastroenterology clinics and customers at local supermarkets completed a 30-point, structured questionnaire assessing their use of CAM. Results: A total of 1,409 subjects were recruited. The incidence of CAM use was 49.5% for inflammatory bowel disease, 50.9% for irritable bowel syndrome, 20% for general gastrointestinal diseases, and 27% for controls. Pearson's χ2 tests showed that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome were more likely to use CAM than controls (P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that females were more likely to take CAM than men (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The percentage of CAM users among patients with IBD is similar to those with a functional diagnosis. Increasing numbers of IBD patients are using CAM in addition to conventional therapy. Awareness of this may prevent adverse CAM and conventional drug interactions.
Advances of Barkhausen Emission Measurement

Barkhausen emission (BE) is a well-known phenomenon used in nondestructive testing techniques of ferromagnetic materials. The weaknesses of methods based on BE are related to the difficulties of ensuring measurement reproducibility because of the influence of the specimen on the measurement channel. In this paper, we propose a method of sensor calibration prior to measurement. To implement the calibration, a BE sensor is equipped with an additional calibration coil. The electrical pulse induced in the calibration coil is then used to reconstruct measured magnetic field pulses at the specimen surface.
Modulation of osteoblastic activity by sensory and autonomic innervation of bone.

The color qualities of low density polyurethane foams produced with certain flame retardants is improved by reducing scorch through incorporation of a mixture of diphenyl p-phenylenediamine and the reaction product of diphenylamine and acetone into the foam. The mixture can be employed by admixing with the flame retardant from about 0.5 to about 5.0 percent of said mixture by weight of the flame retardant. The weight ratio of diphenyl p-phenylenediamine to the reaction product of diphenylamine and acetone is from about 1:20 to about 20:1.
Provisional chapter Targeting Colon Drug Delivery by Natural Products

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) classified with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) and Crohn Dis‐ ease (CD) is an idiopathic, life-long, destructive chronic inflammatory disease in gastrointes‐ tinal tract [1] and probably multi-factorial disease caused by interplay of the external and internal environment. Little is known about the mechanism of pathogenesis of the disease but it has been reported that immunological mechanisms are involved in etiology. Under normal situations, the intestinal mucosa is in a state of controlled inflammation regulated by a delicate balance of pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interferon [IFN]gamma, interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-12 and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, IL-11), where particularly, IL-6 stimulates T-cell and B-cell proliferation and differentiation.
Publication bias: the case for an international registry of clinical trials.

A problem in evaluating different therapies from a review of clinical trials is that the published clinical trial literature may be biased in favor of positive or promising results. In this report, a model is proposed for reviewing clinical trial results which is free from publication bias based on the selection of trials registered in advance in a registry. The value of a registry is illustrated by comparing a review of published clinical trials located by a literature search with a review of registered trials contained in a cancer trials registry. Two therapeutic questions are examined: the survival impact of initial alkylating agent (AA) v combination chemotherapy (CC) in advanced ovarian cancer, and the survival impact of AA/prednisone v CC in multiple myeloma. In advanced ovarian cancer, a pooled analysis of published clinical trials demonstrates a significant survival advantage for combination chemotherapy (median survival ratio of CC to AA, 1.16; P = .02). However, no significant difference in survival is demonstrated based on a pooled analysis of registered trials (median survival ratio, 1.05; P = .25). For multiple myeloma, a pooled analysis of published trials also demonstrates a significant survival advantage for CC (median survival ratio, 1.26; P = 04), especially for poor risk patients (ratio, 1.66; P = .002). A pooled analysis of registered trials also shows a survival benefit for patients receiving combination chemotherapy (all patients, P = .06; poor risk, P = .03), but the estimated magnitude of the benefit is reduced (all patients: ratio, 1.11; poor risk: ratio, 1.22). These examples illustrate an approach to reviewing the clinical trial literature, which is free from publication bias, and demonstrate the value and importance of an international registry of all clinical trials.
Egg Yolk Antibodies, State of the Art and Future Prospects.

Immunization of chickens and extraction of antibodies from egg yolk belongs to the alternative methods since the animals suffering is reduced by non-invasive antibody-sampling. Also, the number of animals needed to produce a certain amount of antibody can be reduced since chickens produce a significant higher antibody quantity than rabbits. Despite its several advantages this technology (IgY-technology) is rather scarcely used. Traditional behavior as well as limited or no information at all may hamper a broader acceptance at present. However, significant arguments exist in chicken housing, the choice of appropriate IgY-extraction methods and a lack of information regarding the use of IgY-antibodies. This paper intends to give a short introduction in the IgY-technology, to briefly discuss the state of the art and to inform on recent developments and discussions in this field. The suitability of IgY for special fields of application (as a result of the structural differences between IgY and IgG) is emphasized (e.g. assays combining IgG and IgY, immunization of chickens against highly conserved anti-genes). In addition, it is stressed that the IgY-technology as an alternative method can particularly integrate requirements of animal protection (reduce, replace, refine), science (characteristics of avian immune system and resulting properties of IgY) and economy (amount of IgY produced from one chicken).