Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colonic transit study by radio-opaque markers to investigate constipation: validation of a new protocol for a population with rapid gut transit.

BACKGROUND Constipation is a common problem, which may be due to slow transit or faecal evacuation disorders. Though the screening test of colonic transit study using radio-opaque markers given at 0, 24 and 48 hours followed by abdominal X-ray at 72 hours is a good protocol in the West, it is not suitable for Indians who have a rapid gut transit. METHODS Nine patients with adult Hirschsprung disease, 11 with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction diagnosed using standard investigations and 11 healthy subjects were evaluated by colonic transit study using radio-opaque markers (SGmark), 20 each at O, 12 and 24 hours followed by an abdominal X-ray at 36 and 60 hours. The cut-off was determined by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy were determined. RESULTS The total number of markers retained in the abdomen and those in the right segment at 36 hours in patients with Hirschsprung disease and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction was higher than that in healthy subjects though the number in the left and rectosigmoid segments were comparable. The abdominal X-ray at 60 hours, total number of markers and number in all segments were higher in patients with Hirschsprung disease and chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction than in healthy subjects. The best cut-off by ROC curves at 36 and 60 hours was 30 and 14 markers, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic accuracy and area under the ROC curve at 36 hours were 90%, 82%, 90%, 82%, 87% and 0.9, respectively; the corresponding values at 60 hours were 95%, 100%, 100%, 92%, 97% and 0.99, respectively. CONCLUSION Using the proposed protocol, the colonic transit study is able to distinguish patients with specific motility disorders causing constipation such as Hirschsprung disease and chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction from healthy subjects with reasonable sensitivity and specificity, and shows that an abdominal X-ray at 60 hours is better than one at 36 hours.
The C Terminus of Apolipoprotein A-V Modulates Lipid-binding Activity*

Human apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V) is a potent modulator of plasma triacylglycerol (TG) levels. To probe different regions of this 343-amino-acid protein, four single Trp apoA-V variants were prepared. The variant with a Trp at position 325, distal to the tetraproline sequence at residues 293–296, displayed an 11-nm blue shift in wavelength of maximum fluorescence emission upon lipid association. To evaluate the structural and functional role of this C-terminal segment, a truncated apoA-V comprising amino acids 1–292 was generated. Far UV circular dichroism spectra of full-length apoA-V and apoA-V-(1–292) were similar, with ∼50% α-helix content. In guanidine HCl denaturation experiments, both full-length and truncated apoA-V yielded biphasic profiles consistent with the presence of two structural domains. The denaturation profile of the lower stability component (but not the higher stability component) was affected by truncation. Truncated apoA-V displayed an attenuated ability to solubilize l-α-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine phospholipid vesicles compared with full-length apoA-V, whereas a peptide corresponding to the deleted C-terminal segment displayed markedly enhanced kinetics. The data support the concept that the C-terminal region is not required for apoA-V to adopt a folded protein structure, yet functions to modulate apoA-V lipid-binding activity; therefore, this concept may be relevant to the mechanism whereby apoA-V influences plasma TG levels.
Human Bone Marrow Hosts Polyfunctional Memory CD4+ and CD8+ T Cells with Close Contact to IL-15–Producing Cells

Recently, a key role in memory T cell homing and survival has been attributed to the bone marrow (BM) in mice. In the human BM, the repertoire, function, and survival niches of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that CD4+ and CD8+ effector memory T cells accumulate in the human BM and are in a heightened activation state as revealed by CD69 expression. BM-resident memory T cells produce more IFN-γ and are frequently polyfunctional. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are in the immediate vicinity of IL-15–producing BM cells, suggesting a close interaction between these two cell types and a regulatory role of IL-15 on T cells. Accordingly, IL-15 induced an identical pattern of CD69 expression in peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Moreover, the IL-15–inducible molecules Bcl-xL, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, and CCR5 were upregulated in the human BM. In summary, our results indicate that the human BM microenvironment, in particular IL-15–producing cells, is important for the maintenance of a polyfunctional memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell pool.
High titre inhibitor after continuous factor VIII administration for surgery in a young infant

Recently, J. Nightingale reported two patients who, after continuous replacement, developed high titre inhibitors despite pretreatment without inhibitor development for many years [1]. We also observed high titre inhibitor development after continuous replacement for surgery in a young child. At the age of 3 weeks he had received the ®rst replacement with recombinant factor VIII. Two administrations had been given within 24 h in a dose of 50 U kg. The following 4 weeks were uneventful. At the age of 7 weeks, surgery for inguinal hernia became necessary. During surgery and for the next 6 days the patient received continuous infusion of recombinant FVIII in a dose of 4 U kg h and for 3 more days in a dose of 2 U kg h. A good recovery and satisfactory plasma levels were observed. No bleeding occurred. At the age of 5 months the patient was admitted to hospital because he had experienced a seizure at home. On admission another generalized seizure was observed. No signs of intracranial bleeding were seen in the MRI. Replacement, as a single dose of 60 U kg was administered, but FVIII concentration increased to only 8% and decreased rapidly. In the following days no measurable increase of FVIII after recombinant FVIII administration could be achieved. Investigation revealed a high titre inhibitor that ®nally raised to 170 BU. The patient was then treated with recombinant factor VIIa. Immune tolerance induction using the modi®ed Bonn-protocol [2] was tried for 1 year but no complete inhibitor suppression could be achieved. Our patient developed a high titre inhibitor after continuous replacement with recombinant FVIII for surgery. In contrast to the Nightingale's patients [1], who had been pretreated for a long time, our patient was at higher risk of developing an inhibitor. Children have a higher risk of inhibitor development during the ®rst administrations [3, 4]. Our patient had had only one treatment episode prior to the continuous replacement and had developed the high titre inhibitor after nine days of exposure. This is exactly the median of exposure days after which inhibitors developed in a study with recombinant FVIII for the treatment of previously untreated patients with haemophilia A [5]. However, our observation suggests that patients should be closely monitored for inhibitor development after continuous administration of fVIII until more experience has been gained with this form of replacement therapy.
Experimental demonstrations of interworking between an optical packet and circuit integrated network and OpenFlow-based networks

We propose a mechanism for achieving interworking between an optical packet and circuit integrated (OPCI) network and OpenFlow-based networks. Due to the ability of the OPCI network to provide both optical packet switching (OPS) and optical circuit switching (OCS) on the same fiber infrastructure, flows requiring high quality of service can be transferred on lightpaths, while other flows are transferred on large-capacity OPS links. We implemented the interworking function on an OPCI multi-ring network environment and an OpenFlow-enabled network-service testbed. In experiments on Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) sending/receiving between end-hosts, we achieved successful interworking between the OPCI network controls and OpenFlow.
A comparison of English reading passages for elicitation of speech samples from clinical populations

Oral reading passages are often used to elicit speech samples from clinical populations. Few objective guidelines exist, however, to guide one's selection from among the many existing passages. Therefore, this study was undertaken to describe phonetic, lexical, and structural characteristics of 15 oral reading passages. The passages differed markedly in the demands that they placed upon the speaker (i.e., length and complexity), as well as the adequacy of the phonetic sample.
Virulence regulation of phytopathogenic fungi by pH.

SIGNIFICANCE Postharvest pathogens can start its attack process immediately after spores land on wounded tissue, whereas other pathogens can forcibly breach the unripe fruit cuticle and then remain quiescent for months until fruit ripens and then cause major losses. RECENT ADVANCES Postharvest fungal pathogens activate their development by secreting organic acids or ammonia that acidify or alkalinize the host ambient surroundings. CRITICAL ISSUES These fungal pH modulations of host environment regulate an arsenal of enzymes to increase fungal pathogenicity. This arsenal includes genes and processes that compromise host defenses, contribute to intracellular signaling, produce cell wall-degrading enzymes, regulate specific transporters, induce redox protectant systems, and generate factors needed by the pathogen to effectively cope with the hostile environment found within the host. Further, evidence is accumulating that the secreted molecules (organic acids and ammonia) are multifunctional and together with effect of the ambient pH, they activate virulence factors and simultaneously hijack the plant defense response and induce program cell death to further enhance their necrotrophic attack. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Global studies of the effect of secreted molecules on fruit pathogen interaction, will determine the importance of these molecules on quiescence release and the initiation of fungal colonization leading to fruit and vegetable losses.
Effects of PPARg agonist pioglitazone on rat hepatic fibrosis.

AIM To investigate effects of pioglitazone on rat hepatic fibrosis and to explore its mechanism. METHODS Rat hepatic fibrosis was induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)). Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: control, model, and two treatment (PI, PII) groups. Except for rats in control group, all rats were given subcutaneous injection of 400 mL/L CCl(4), twice a wk for 8 wk. Rats in PI and PII groups were also treated with pioglitazone of 3 mg/kg, daily via gastrogavage beginning on the 1(st) day and at the end of the 2(nd) week, administration of CCl(4) respectively. Liver functions (ALT, AST), serum fibrotic markers (HA, LN, PCIII) and hepatic hydroxyproline (HP) concentration were determined respectively. Histochemical staining of formalin-fixed liver sections with HE, Masson-Trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were performed. Modified Knodell and Chevallier semi-quantitative scoring system (SSS) was used to evaluate necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis degree. RESULTS Compared with model group, pioglitazone significantly reduced the serum levels of ALT, AST, HA, LN and PCIII (P<0.05 or <0.01). The HP concentrations in PI (210.90+/-24.07 microg/g), and PII (257.36+/-30.55 microg/g) groups were also lower than those in model group (317.80+/-36.44 microg/g) (P<0.01). Histologic examination showed that PI and PII groups had milder hepatocellular degeneration, necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells, and thinner or less fibrotic septa than did model group. The scores for necroinflammation in PI (2.80+/-1.03), and PII (3.00+/-1.05) groups were significantly reduced as compared with model group (4.88+/-2.30) (P<0.05 or <0.01); the fibrosis scores in PI (3.40+/-1.65), and PII (4.60+/-1.35) groups were also markedly lower than those in model group (7.00+/-3.21) (P<0.05 or <0.01). Immunohistochemical staining showed that expression of alpha-SMA in PI and PII groups was ameliorated dramatically compared with model group. CONCLUSION PPARgamma agonist pioglitazone greatly retards the progression of rat hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl(4) through inhibition of HSC activation and amelioration of hepatocyte necroinflammation in rats.
Wireless health monitoring system for vibration detection of induction motors

To avoid unexpected equipment failures and obtain higher accuracy in diagnostic for the predictive maintenance of induction motors, on-line health monitoring system plays an important role to improve the system reliability and availability. Among different techniques of fault detection, work on motor current signature analysis by using only stator current spectra has been well documented. In addition, the recent developments in MEMS technology shows increasing trend in integrating vibration analysis for fault diagnostic. Vibration-based detection by using the accelerometer is gaining popularity due to high reliability, low power consumption, and low cost. This paper presents the study of vibration due to the rotor imbalance. The technique of vibration detection and observation of vibration signal in the 3-phase induction machine is studied. A novel health monitoring system of electric machine based on wireless sensor network (ZigBee™/IEEE802.15.4 Standard) is proposed and developed in this paper. Experimental results of the proposed severity detection technique of rotor vibration under different levels of imbalance conditions are investigated and discussed.
The inhibitory effect of RANTES on the infection of primary macrophages by R5 human immunodeficiency virus type-1 depends on the macrophage activation state.

We investigated whether culture conditions could affect the RANTES antiviral effect on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of primary macrophages. Monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) were obtained either as (1) the adherent cells of 5-day cultures of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), followed by 2 days without nonadherent PBMC or added cytokines (MDM-5d), or (2) as the adherent cells recovered from 1-h incubation of PBMC, which were cultured for 7 days with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF; MDM-MCSF). Infection of MDM-5d from different donors with HIV-1 R5 strains was reproducibly inhibited by RANTES (IC50 < or = 10 nM), but infection of MDM-MCSF was not inhibited by > or = 100 nM RANTES, even when added at initiation of cultures, although it was still inhibited by a CD4 antibody. RANTES had no antiviral effect when MDM-5d were treated with physiological concentrations of M-CSF or GM-CSF before infection. CCR5 and CXCR4 expression as well as that of other cell surface molecules, including adhesion molecules, was not affected by the cytokines. MDM-MCSF from delta 32CCR5 homozygous individuals did not render them permissive to HIV-1, suggesting that it is unlikely that the virus uses another coreceptor. RANTES binding to MDM was chondroitin sulfate, but not heparan sulfate, dependent, and RANTES bound more efficiently to MDM-5d than to MDM-MCSF. Chondroitin sulfate removal partially offset the RANTES antiviral effect for MDM-5d. Thus RANTES anti-HIV-1 activity for primary macrophages depends on culture conditions and their consequent activation status, which may lead to differences in proteoglycan surface expression. These data may be relevant for the development of chemokine-based therapy for HIV-1 infection.
In Search of the Less Hazardous Cigarette

Since the 1950s, despite considerable and long-term tobacco industry and government efforts, attempts to develop a less risky cigarette that reduces harmful ingredients, generally or specifically, have failed. Moreover, even under ideal conditions with adequate scientific testing, the efficacy of purportedly reducing the severe health effects cannot be scientifically verified for up to 20 years after introduction of a product on the market. A key and central provision in the 2009 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) legislation is to reduce the risk or harm of cigarettes. Because creating a less risky cigarette is not currently possible, this renders the efficacy of the 2009 FDA legislation highly uncertain, with a large risk that the proposed program may not reduce harm.
Anticipatory child fostering and household economic security in Malawi.

BACKGROUND While there is a rich literature on the practice of child fostering in sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about how fostering impacts receiving households, as few studies consider household conditions both before and after fostering. Despite the fact that circumstances surrounding fostering vary, the literature's key distinction of fostering is often drawn along the simple line of whether or not a household is fostering a child. This paper argues that anticipation of fostering responsibilities, in particular, is a useful dimension to distinguish fostering experiences for receiving households. OBJECTIVE This paper examines the relationship between receiving a foster child and subsequent changes in household wealth. Particular emphasis is placed on how these changes are conditioned by differing levels of anticipation of the fostering event. METHODS This study uses data from Tsogolo la Thanzi (TLT), a longitudinal survey in Balaka, Malawi. Using data from 1754 TLT respondents, fixed effects pooled time-series models are estimated to assess whether and how receiving a foster child changes household wealth. RESULTS This paper demonstrates the heterogeneity of fostering experiences for receiving households. The results show that households that anticipate fostering responsibilities experience a greater increase in household wealth than both households that do not foster and those that are surprised by fostering. CONCLUSION Households that anticipate fostering responsibilities exhibit the greatest increase in household wealth. While fostering households that do not anticipate fostering responsibilities may not experience these gains, there is no evidence to indicate that such households are negatively impacted relative to households that do not foster. This finding suggests that additional childcare responsibilities may not be as detrimental to African households as some researchers have feared.
The cost-effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection in South African women.

BACKGROUND Recent trials report the short-term efficacy of tenofovir-based pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PrEP's long-term impact on patient outcomes, population-level transmission, and cost-effectiveness remains unknown. METHODS We linked data from recent trials to a computer model of HIV acquisition, screening, and care to project lifetime HIV risk, life expectancy (LE), costs, and cost-effectiveness, using 2 PrEP-related strategies among heterosexual South African women: (1) women receiving no PrEP and (2) women not receiving PrEP (a tenofovir-based vaginal microbicide). We used a South African clinical cohort and published data to estimate population demographic characteristics, age-adjusted incidence of HIV infection, and HIV natural history and treatment parameters. Baseline PrEP efficacy (percentage reduction in HIV transmission) was 39% at a monthly cost of $5 per woman. Alternative parameter values were examined in sensitivity analyses. RESULTS Among South African women, PrEP reduced mean lifetime HIV risk from 40% to 27% and increased population discounted (undiscounted) LE from 22.51 (41.66) to 23.48 (44.48) years. Lifetime costs of care increased from $7280 to $9890 per woman, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $2700/year of life saved, and may, under optimistic assumptions, achieve cost savings. Under baseline HIV infection incidence assumptions, PrEP was not cost saving, even assuming an efficacy >60% and a cost <$1. At an HIV infection incidence of 9.1%/year, PrEP achieved cost savings at efficacies ≥50%. CONCLUSIONS PrEP in South African women is very cost-effective by South African standards, conferring excellent value under virtually all plausible data scenarios. Although optimistic assumptions would be required to achieve cost savings, these represent important benchmarks for future PrEP study design.
Pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation after cardiac surgery

Background and objective Pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation was compared with controlled mechanical ventilation in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods Ten patients were ventilated after sternal closure using a Siemens Servo 900C ventilator to a target end-tidal PCO2 of 4.0 kPa. They were randomized to receive controlled mechanical ventilation or pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation. CO2-based data were recorded on a laptop personal computer, which together with arterial PCO2 permitted measurement of the respiratory dead space. Once measurements were complete the ventilator was switched to the other mode and new measurements taken. Results PaCO2 and &OV0312;CO2 were virtually the same in both modes. Peak airway pressure (17.2 ± 2.7 vs. 20.8 ± 2.5 cmH2O, P < 0.01) and minute ventilation (4.9 ± 1.1 vs. 5.3 ± 1.1 cmH2O, P < 0.01) were less during pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation. Physiological dead space fraction (0.39 ± 0.06 vs. 0.51 ± 0.05, P < 0.001), airway dead space (56 ± 15 vs. 81 ± 15 mL, P < 0.001) and alveolar dead space fraction (0.25 ± 0.07 vs. 0.31 ± 0.09, P < 0.01) were all less during pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation. There were no differences in heart rate or mean arterial pressure. Conclusions The prolonged inspiratory period and pressure-controlled flow pattern of pressure-controlled inverse ratio ventilation reduce the alveolar and airway dead spaces, and give lower peak airway pressures, compared with conventional ventilation, in cardiac surgical patients.
Intraperitoneal administration of tangled multiwalled carbon nanotubes of 15 nm in diameter does not induce mesothelial carcinogenesis in rats

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have attracted public attention not only for their potential applications in engineering and materials science but also for possible environmental risks. MWCNTs share similar properties with asbestos, a definite human carcinogen causing malignant mesothelioma (MM), in that they are both biopersistent thin fibers with a high aspect ratio. Certain types of MWCNTs do induce MM in animal experiments. Though there are many different types of MWCNTs awaiting use in industry, there is little evidence about what types of MWCNTs present a high risk for MM in vivo. We have previously shown that the diameter of MWCNTs is one of the critical factors for mesothelial injury, which eventually leads to MM. Because of the extensive commercial use of MWCNTs, the properties of MWCNTs that determine carcinogenic activity should be clarified. Here we report that a high dose (10 mg) of a tangled form of pristine MWCNT (with a diameter of 15 nm) did not induce MM after intraperitoneal administration in rats, which were followed for up to 3 years after injection. This observation strengthens our previous finding that the rigidity, diameter, length and surface properties of MWCNTs are important factors in MM induction in vivo.