Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three-dimensional characteristics of functional mitral regurgitation in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction: a real-time three-dimensional colour Doppler echocardiography study

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) features of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) and their geometric determinants by real-time 3D colour Doppler echocardiography. Methods: Real-time 3D colour Doppler echocardiography was performed in 52 patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction. With aliasing velocity set around 40 cm/s, proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) radius was measured on medial, central and lateral antero-posterior planes at a mid-systole frame, and the largest (PISAmax) was determined. Geometric investigations of the left ventricle and mitral valve were performed. Results: The distal length from the anterior leaflet angulation on the central plane was significantly longer in the 29 patients (56%) with eccentric PISA than in the 23 patients with central PISA (1.73 (0.44) vs 1.47 (0.33) cm, p<0.05). The 18 patients (35%) with both-sides dominant PISA had a smaller anterior leaflet bending angle (141° (8°) vs 147° (8°), p<0.05) and a longer distal length from the angulation on the central plane (1.80 (0.36) vs 1.51 (0.41) cm, p<0.05) than the remaining 34 patients. The 14 patients (27%) with separate PISAs had smaller PISAmax (0.33 (0.13) vs 0.45 (0.16) cm, p<0.05), and tenting height (0.91 (0.20) vs 1.06 (0.24) cm, p<0.05) and tenting area (2.1 (0.6) vs 2.7 (0.8) cm2, p<0.05) on the central plane than in those with single PISA. Conclusions: 3D features of FMR are quite diverse. The shape and site of anterior leaflet bending determine the shape of the regurgitant orifice, and small mitral valve tenting generates separate small regurgitant orifices of FMR in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction.
A Borrelia-specific monoclonal antibody binds to a flagellar epitope

In immunofluorescence assays monoclonal antibody H9724 recognized eight species of the spirochetal genus Borrelia but not representatives of the genera Treponema, Leptospira, and Spirochaeta. We examined the reactivity of H9724 against subcellular components of Borrelia hermsii, an agent of relapsing fever, and B. burgdorferi, the cause of Lyme disease. H9724 bound to isolated periplasmic flagella of the two borreliae. In Western blots the antibody reacted with the predominant protein in flagellar preparations from B. hermsii and B. burgdorferi; the apparent molecular weights of these flagellins were 39,000 and 41,000, respectively.
S100A8+ stroma cells predict a good prognosis and inhibit aggressiveness in colorectal carcinoma

ABSTRACT Gene microarray and bioinformatic analysis showed that S100A8 was more abundant in the stroma surrounding tumor buddings (TBs) than in the stroma surrounding primary tumor cells in colorectal carcinomas. Here, S100A8+ cells in 419 colorectal carcinoma samples were stained by immunohistochemistry and counted using Image-pro plus 6.0. TBs were also counted and biomarkers associated with the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and apoptosis were assessed by immunohistochemistry. We evaluated the association between S100A8+ cells and clinico-pathological variables as well as survival. Migration and invasion as well as biomarkers of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and apoptosis were tested in CRC cells, treated with graded concentrations of recombinant human S100A8 protein. We found that the density of S100A8+ cells in the tumor invasive front (S100A8+TIF) clearly distinguished patients with 5-y survival from those who did not survive (p = 0.01). The S100A8+-associated tumor budding (SATB) index determined by the S100A8+TIF and TB was an independent predictor of overall survival (p = 0.001) other than the S100A8+TIF or TB alone. Migration and invasion properties of CRC cells were inhibited by recombinant human S100A8 treatment. The particular S100A8+ cells in the stroma were associated with important biomarkers of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (E-cadherin and SNAIL) and apoptosis (BCL2). In conclusion, S100A8+ cells in the stroma predict a good prognosis in colorectal carcinoma. An index combining S100A8+ cells and TB independently predicts survival. Recombinant human S100A8 inhibited CRC cell migration and invasion, which was involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (E-cadherin and SNAIL) and apoptosis (BCL2).
Charge noise in single-electron transistors and charge qubits may be caused by metallic grains

We report on measurements of low-frequency noise in a single-electron transistor (SET) from a few hertz up to 10 MHz. Measurements were done for different bias and gate voltages, which allow us to separate noise contributions from different noise sources. We find a 1/f noise spectrum with two Lorentzians superimposed. The cut-off frequency of one of the Lorentzians varies systematically with the potential of the SET island. Our data is consistent with two single-charge fluctuators situated close to the tunnel barrier. We suggest that these are due to random charging of aluminum grains, each acting as a single-electron box with tunnel coupling to one of the leads and capacitively coupled to the SET island. We are able to fit the data to our model and extract parameters for the fluctuators.
Angular Dependence of Heavy Ion Effects in Floating Gate Memory Arrays

Single, high energy, high LET, ions impacting on a Floating gate array on grazing or near-grazing angles lead to the creation of long traces of FGs with corrupted information. Up to 30 consecutive devices can be involved in the trace left by a single ion. We demonstrate that charge collection at multiple nodes can be expected as the technology advances. One of the major implications is that the widely adopted cosine law should be used with great care when dealing with modern devices, with sizes smaller than 100 nm.
Stability of trauma-related symptoms during acute substance use treatment

ABSTRACT It is unclear whether post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and reports of traumatic childhood experiences decline during substance withdrawal. A convenience sample of 34 inpatients of the Psychiatric University Clinics in Basel was recruited and general psychopathological and trauma-related symptoms were assessed with the Brief Symptom Checklist, Post-Traumatic Stress Diagnostic Scale, and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire in the 1st and 3rd week of substance use treatment. The average age of the sample was 41.9 (SD = 9.1) years, and 26.5% were female. Hyperarousal (Mt1 = 4.51 versus Mt2 = 3.61; z = –2.38, p = .017) and avoidance symptoms (Mt1 = 6.24 versus Mt2 = 4.27; z = –2.59, p = .010) declined significantly, but re-experiencing symptoms (Mt1 = 4.00 versus Mt2 = 3.45; z = –.50, p = .617) did not. Post-traumatic stress disorder assessment, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders–4th edition criteria, remained constant for 28 of 34 patients. Likewise, self-reported childhood trauma experiences decreased, yet the number of elevated subscale scores remained stable. Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms are not adequately treated by substance withdrawal alone. Trauma-specific diagnostics can be initiated with sufficient quality as early as the first week of withdrawal treatment.
Platelet aggregation and P-selectin levels during exercise treadmill test in patients with ischaemic heart disease.

INTRODUCTION Coronary artery disease (CAD) is associated with higher platelet activation sometimes despite aspirin use. There are conflicting data concerning platelet activation course during physical exercise in patients on aspirin with CAD. AIM To assess platelet activation pattern during physical exercise in patients with CAD. METHODS The study included 35 patients (20 men, 15 women) aged 64.7+/-10 years with CAD (CCS II) on aspirin treatment (75 mg daily) and a control group of 10 healthy subjects adjusted for age and gender. Treadmill testing was performed using the Bruce protocol. Platelet aggregation was measured with optical aggregation with the agonists ADP (10 microM), collagen (2 microg/ml) and arachidonic acid (0.5 mg/ml) before and at peak exercise; P-selectin platelet and soluble expression (basal and after stimulation with thrombin) was assessed with cytofluorometry before, at peak exercise and 1 hour after. RESULTS There were no differences in collagen and ADP aggregation between patients and the control group. There was a significant increase of ADP aggregation at peak exercise in the control group (p <0.05). There was a positive correlation between platelet aggregation before exercise and at peak exercise with ADP (r=+0.86) and with collagen (r=+0.61). There was no difference in soluble P-selectin concentration between patients and the control group. Platelet P-selectin expression without stimulation with thrombin 1 hour after exercise was significantly higher in patients than in the control group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS 1. Physical exercise does not intensify platelet aggregation in patients with CAD on 75 mg aspirin daily. 2. Despite taking aspirin, platelet activation measured with the expression of platelet P-selectin increases and there is further intensification during exercise testing. 3. The concentration of soluble P-selectin in patients with CAD does not reflect the expression of platelet P-selectin.
Electroencephalographic and Hypnotic Recoveries after Brief and Prolonged Infusions of Etomidate and Optimized Soft Etomidate Analogs

Background:Methoxycarbonyl etomidate is the prototypical soft etomidate analog. Because it has relatively low potency and is extremely rapidly metabolized, large quantities must be infused to maintain hypnosis. Consequently with prolonged infusion, metabolite reaches sufficient concentrations to delay recovery. Dimethyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate (DMMM) and cyclopropyl-methoxycarbonyl metomidate (CPMM) are methoxycarbonyl etomidate analogs with higher potencies and slower clearance. Because of these properties, we hypothesized that dosing would be lower and electroencephalographic and hypnotic recoveries would be faster – and less context-sensitive – with DMMM or CPMM versus methoxycarbonyl etomidate or etomidate. Methods:Etomidate, DMMM, and CPMM where infused into rats (n = 6 per group) for either 5 min or 120 min. After infusion termination, electroencephalographic and hypnotic recovery times were measured. The immobilizing ED50 infusion rates were determined using a tail clamp assay. Results:Upon terminating 5-min infusions, electroencephalographic and hypnotic recovery times were not different among hypnotics. However, upon terminating 120-min infusions, recovery times varied significantly with respective values (mean ± SD) 48 ± 13 min and 31 ± 6.5 min (etomidate), 17 ± 7.0 min and 14 ± 3.4 min (DMMM), and 4.5 ± 1.1 min and 4.2 ± 1.6 min (CPMM). The immobilizing ED50 infusion rates were (mean ± SD) 0.19 ± 0.03 mg−1 · kg−1 · min−1 (etomidate), 0.60 ± 0.12 mg−1 · kg−1 · min−1 (DMMM), and 0.89 ± 0.18 mg−1 · kg−1 · min−1 (CPMM). Conclusions:Electroencephalographic and hypnotic recoveries following prolonged infusions of DMMM and CPMM are faster than those following methoxycarbonyl etomidate or etomidate. In the case of CPMM infusion, recovery times are 4 min and context-insensitive.
Isolation of Stem Cell‐Specific cDNAs from Hematopoietic Stem Cell Populations

Abstract: We have begun to isolate gene sequences that are specifically expressed in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). There are at least three fundamental requirements for the isolation of HSC‐specific transcripts. First, highly enriched populations of HSCs, and an HSC‐depleted cell population for comparison must be isolated. Secondly, the gene isolation procedures must be adapted to accommodate the small amounts of RNA obtained from purified HSCs. Finally, a defined screening strategy must be developed to focus on sequences to be examined in more detail. In this report, we describe the characterization of populations of HSCs that are highly enriched (Lin− c‐kitHI) or depleted (Lin− c‐kitNEG) of HSCs. We compared two methods for gene isolation, differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD‐PCR) and subtractive hybridization (SH), and found that the latter was more powerful and efficient in our hands. Lastly we describe the strategy that we have developed to screen clones for further study.
Contribution of human short‐wave cones to luminance and motion detection.

1. Human short‐wave S cone signals are important for colour vision and here we examine whether the S cone signals also contribute to motion and luminance. 2. Detection was measured with moving patterns that selectively stimulated S cones‐violet sine‐wave gratings of 1 cycle deg‐1 on an intense yellowish field. For rates up to 12 Hz, detection was governed by non‐directional mechanisms, possibly of a chromatic nature, as shown by three findings: moving gratings had to be suprathreshold for their direction to be identified; the threshold ratio of counterphase flickering versus moving gratings was low; and direction‐selective adaptation was essentially absent. 3. Evidence for less sensitive, directional mechanisms includes the following: at high velocity, the direction of movement of the violet gratings can be identified just slightly above the detection threshold; directional adaptation was strong with a suprathreshold test pattern; velocity was seen veridically for clearly suprathreshold patterns; and a counterphase flickering test, added in spatial‐temporal quadrature phase to a similar suprathreshold mask, had identical detection and direction‐identification thresholds. 4. Interactions of long‐wave L cone and S cone signals in direction‐selective mechanisms were measured with an orange counterphase grating and a violet counterphase test, both flickering at the same rate and presented in spatial quadrature phase on the yellowish adapting field. Direction identification thresholds, measured as a function of the temporal phase of two gratings, demonstrated both that the S cone signal lags considerably behind the L cone signal (an effect that strongly varies with S cone light adaptation), and more strikingly, the S cone signal summates with a negative sign and thus is effectively inverted in direction‐selective mechanisms. 5. Quantitatively similar temporal phase functions were obtained with uniform violet and orange flicker when a luminance discrimination criterion was used: thus the S cone signal summates negatively with the L cone signal for both discrimination of luminance flicker and the direction of motion. 6. The temporal phase functions accurately predicted threshold summation for identifying the direction of motion of a pair of violet and orange gratings moving with the same velocity but with different spatial phase offsets. Once the relative temporal phase lag of the S cones was compensated for, there was linear threshold summation for the violet and orange patterns when presented in effective (physiological) spatial antiphase, and clear cancellation when presented in phase. This and related experiments show a linear summation of S, M and L cone signals for direction detection, with the S cones having a negative sign. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
[Growth, development, social integration and parenting practices on children living with their mothers in prison].

UNLABELLED Prisons are considered a very high risk environment, but there is very scarce scientific information on the growth and development of children who live there. OBJECTIVE With the purpose of evaluating growth and development of children living with their mothers in prison, a cross sectional survey was performed in 68 children aged 0-3 years in Unit 31, a prison for mothers with children located at 30 km from Buenos Aires. METHODS Weight, supine length, and developmental quotient (Cats Clams) was measured, PRUNAPE, and SQE-SE test were administered (screening tests for detecting developmental and emotional disorders, respectively). Mothers' child rearing practices were assessed with a previously standardized questionnaire. RESULTS Age range of mothers was 18-46 years, median 23.5 yr. Duration of stay in prison of children was 0.05-35 months. Mean ± standard error of "Z" score for height was -0.30 ± 0.12, weight 0.40 ± 0.12; body mass index 0.91 ± 0.18; head circumference 0.19 ± 0.14; and developmental quotient 92.4 ± 1.7. There were only 7 children out of 67 who failed the PRUNAPE. Mean Cats Clams developmental score was 91.3. ASQ-SE test showed high prevalence (39%) of emotional and social integration problems. Mothers' knowledge about child rearing practices was poorer than that found in a normal urban local population. There were no trends for results to be related to the length of stay in prison. CONCLUSION Children are shorter and with higher BMI than reference. Emotional disorders are frequent (39%). Mothers' knowledge about child care was poorer than that found in a near population. A program for longitudinal surveillance for all prisons in the country was proposed to the authorities.
Role of PGI2 in the formation and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of portal hypertensive rats.

AIM To investigate the role of prostacyclin (PGI(2)) and nitric oxide (NO) in the development and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of chronic portal hypertensive rats. METHODS Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: intrahepatic portal hypertension (IHPH) group by injection of CCl(4), prehepatic portal hypertension (PHPH) group by partial stenosis of the portal vein and sham-operation control (SO) group. One week after the models were made, animals in each group were subdivided into 4 groups: saline controlled group (n = 23), Nomega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) group (n = 21) group, indomethacin (INDO) group (n = 22) and high-dose heparin group (n = 24). The rats were administrated 1 mL of saline, L-NNA (3.3 mg/kg.d) and INDO (5 mg/kg.d) respectively through gastric tubes for one week, then heparin (200 IU/Kg/min) was given to rats by intravenous injection for an hour. Splanchnic and systemic hemodynamics were measured using radioactive microsphere techniques. The serum nitrate/nitrite (NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-)) levels as a marker of production of NO were assessed by a colorimetric method, and concentration of 6-keto-PGF1alpha, a stable hydrolytic product of PGI(2), was determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS The concentrations of plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha (pg/mL) and serum NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) (micromol/L) in IHPH rats (1123.85+/-153.64, 73.34+/-4.31) and PHPH rats (891.88+/-83.11, 75.21+/-6.89) were significantly higher than those in SO rats (725.53+/-105.54, 58.79+/-8.47) (P<0.05). Compared with SO rats, total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) and spanchnic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased but cardiac index (CI) and portal venous inflow (PVI) increased obviously in IHPH and PHPH rats (P<0.05). L-NNA and indomethacin could decrease the concentrations of plasma 6-keto-PGF1alpha and serum NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in IHPH and PHPH rats (P<0.05). Meanwhile, CI, FPP and PVI lowered but MAP, TPR and SVR increased (P<0.05). After deduction of the action of NO, there was no significant correlation between plasma PGI(2) level and hemodynamic parameters such as CI, TPR, PVI and SVR. However, after deduction of the action of PGI(2), NO still correlated highly with the hemodynamic parameters, indicating that there was a close correlation between NO and the hemodynamic parameters. After administration of high-dose heparin, plasma 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) concentrations in IHPH, PHPH and SO rats were significantly higher than those in rats administrated vehicle (P<0.05). On the contrary, levels of serum NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in IHPH, PHPH and SO rats were significantly lower than those in rats administrated Vehicle (P<0.05). Compared with those rats administrated vehicle, the hemodynamic parameters of portal hypertensive rats, such as CI and PVI, declined significantly after administration of high-dose heparin (P<0.05), while TPR and SVR increased significantly (P<0.05). CONCLUSION It is NO rather than PGI(2) that is a mediator in the formation and maintenance of hyperdynamic circulatory state of chronic portal hypertensive rats.
Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Contacts of New Tuberculosis Cases in the United States

Background. Few data are available describing treatment completion rates among recently infected contacts of tuberculosis (TB) cases, a group at high risk for development of active TB. Methods. Health department records were reviewed for all contacts of 360 culture-positive pulmonary TB cases reported from five health departments in the United States in 1996. Results. Of 2,267 contacts who completed screening, 630 (28%) had newly documented positive skin tests (121 with skin test conversion). Treatment of latent TB infection was documented to have been recommended for 447 (71%). Among these, treatment was documented to be initiated for 398 (89%). Of these, 203 (51%) were documented to have completed a 6-month course of treatment, and 78 (20%) received directly observed treatment. Treatment was recommended more often for contacts <15 years of age, skin test converters, close contacts, and contacts of smear-positive cases. Treatment completion rates were higher for skin test converters. Conclusions. In this study, fewer than one third of all persons with newly documented positive skin tests detected during contact investigations were proven to have completed treatment. Achieving high rates of completion of therapy for latent TB infection in recently infected contacts of active cases of pulmonary TB is essential to maximize public health prevention efforts aimed at eliminating TB.
Purification of Pyoverdines of Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79 by Copper-Chelate Chromatography

Three pyoverdines, Pf-A, Pf-B, and Pf-C, were purified with copper-chelate Sepharose and Sephadex G-15 columns from Pseudomonas fluorescens 2-79, and the yields (per 100 ml of culture supernatant) were 2.8, 21.6, and 3.2 mg, respectively. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of these pyoverdines were strongly pH dependent. Characteristic changes in the maximal absorbance wavelengths were observed when Fe(sup3+) or Cu(sup2+) was added. The addition of Cu(sup2+) shifted the pyoverdine Pf-B absorbance spectrum so that it exhibited a single peak at 410 nm but did not give rise to a new absorbance maximum at approximately 460 nm, which appeared when Fe(sup3+) was added. Fluorescence quenching experiments revealed that the forward reaction rate constant with pyoverdines was much higher with Cu(sup2+) (10(sup4) to 10(sup5) M(sup-1) s(sup-1)) than with Fe(sup3+) (10(sup2) M(sup-1) s(sup-1)). However, Cu(sup2+)-pyoverdine complexes were completely dissociated by EDTA at a low concentration (0.1 mM), while the level of Fe(sup3+)-pyoverdine complex dissociation at the same EDTA concentration was relatively low. The dissociation of Fe(sup3+)-pyoverdine complexes was EDTA concentration dependent. Formation of free pyoverdine was observed when the three types of Fe(sup3+)-pyoverdine complexes were incubated separately with P. fluorescens 2-79 cells, thus demonstrating that pyoverdines Pf-A, Pf-B, and Pf-C mediate iron transport.