Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metabolic syndrome throughout the menopausal transition: influence of age and menopausal status

Objective To assess the relationship between the main components of both the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance and menopausal status in the menopausal transition. Methods A total of 124 healthy women were divided into four groups according to their menstrual status: the first group consisted of 35 women in menopausal transition with menstrual bleeding (MTM) and with cycles between 35 and 80 days; the second group was composed of 29 women in menopausal transition with 3–6 months of amenorrhea (MTA). The third group consisted of 31 postmenopausal women (PostM) and the fourth group of 29 premenopausal women (PreM) with regular cycles. The metabolic syndrome was evaluated following the ATP III criteria. Evaluation of insulin resistance was made through the HOMA, QUICKI and McAuley indices and the triglycerides/high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio. Results The triglycerides/HDL cholesterol ratio increased in MTM, MTA and PostM women in comparison with PreM women. A slight decrease in the QUIKI index (p = 0.06) and a decrease in the McAuley index (p < 0.001) were observed in MTM, MTA and PostM women in comparison to PreM women. The relative frequencies of metabolic syndrome in the four groups were: PreM, 0%; MTM, 20%; MTA, 21%; and PostM, 22% (p = 0.0001). The most frequent markers of the metabolic syndrome were increased waist circumference, low HDL cholesterol levels and hypertension. Linear regression between menopausal status and metabolic syndrome was lost when age was added to the model. Conclusions The frequency of metabolic syndrome increased from the time of the menopausal transition to the postmenopause. Abdominal obesity was the most frequent feature observed. Nevertheless, aging erased the effect of the menopause on the metabolic syndrome. In order to prevent cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome must be evaluated from the time of the menopausal transition.
Cartilaginous neoplasms of the head and neck

Abstract The presenting features and management of three cases of chondroma and one of chondrosarcoma in different head and neck sites are described. The rarity of this tumour is emphasized by a brief review of the literature. The fact that all the above cases presented within two years to one District General Hospital makes this series very unusual indeed.
Preferential activation of excitatory adenosine receptors at rat hippocampal and neuromuscular synapses by adenosine formed from released adenine nucleotides

1 In the present work, we investigated the action of adenosine originating from extracellular catabolism of adenine nucleotides, in two preparations where synaptic transmission is modulated by both inhibitory A1 and excitatory A2a‐adenosine receptors, the rat hippocampal Schaffer fibres/CA1 pyramid synapses and the rat innervated hemidiaphragm. 2 Endogenous adenosine tonically inhibited synaptic transmission, since 0.5‐2 u ml−1 of adenosine deaminase increased both the population spike amplitude (30 ± 4%) and field excitatory post‐synaptic potential (f.e.p.s.p.) slope (27 ± 4%) recorded from hippocampal slices and the evoked [3H]‐acetylcholine ([3H]‐ACh) release from the motor nerve terminals (25 ± 2%). 3 a, b̊‐Methylene adenosine diphosphate (AOPCP) in concentrations (100–200 μm) that almost completely inhibited the formation of adenosine from the extracellular catabolism of AMP, decreased population spike amplitude by 39 ± 5% and f.e. p.s. p. slope by 32 ± 3% in hippocampal slices and [3H]‐ACh release from motor nerve terminals by 27 ± 3%. 4 Addition of exogenous 5′‐nucleotidase (5 u Ml−1) prevented the inhibitory effect of AOPCP on population spike amplitude and f.e. p.s. p. slope by 43–57%, whereas the P2 antagonist, suramin (100 μm), did not modify the effect of AOPCP. 5 In both preparations, the effect of AOPCP resulted from prevention of adenosine formation since it was no longer evident when accumulation of extracellular adenosine was hindered by adenosine deaminase (0.5‐2 u ml−1). The inhibitory effect of AOPCP was still evident when A1 receptors were blocked by 1,3‐dipropyl‐8‐cyclopentylxanthine (2.5‐5 nM), but was abolished by the A2 antagonist, 3,7‐dimethyl‐1‐propargylxanthine (10 μm). 6 These results suggest that adenosine originating from catabolism of released adenine nucleotides preferentially activates excitatory A2 receptors in hippocampal CA1 pyramid synapses and in phrenic motor nerve endings.
Identification and Characterization of a Herpes Simplex Virus Gene Product Required for Encapsidation of Virus DNA

A mutant of herpes simplex virus type 1, 17tsVP1201, has a temperature-sensitive processing defect in a late virus polypeptide. Immunoprecipitation studies with monoclonal antibodies showed that the aberrant polypeptide in mutant virus-infected cells was the nucleocapsid polypeptide known as p40. Since a revertant, TS+ for growth, processed the polypeptide normally under conditions restrictive for the mutant, the processing event must be essential for virus replication. Electron microscopic analysis of mutant virus-infected cells grown at the nonpermissive temperature revealed that the nuclei contained large aggregations of empty nucleocapsids possessing some internal structure. Therefore, although the mutant synthesized virus DNA at the nonpermissive temperature, the DNA was not packaged into nucleocapsids. When mutant virus-infected cells were shifted from 39 to 31°C in the presence of cycloheximide, the polypeptide p40 was processed to lower-molecular-weight forms, and full nucleocapsids were detected in the cell nuclei. The aberrant polypeptide of the mutant, however, was not processed in cells mixedly infected with 17tsVP1201 and a revertant at the nonpermissive temperature, suggesting that the defect of the mutant was in the gene encoding p40 rather than in a gene of a processing enzyme.
New Nonopioid Painkiller Shows Promise in Animal Tests

PHARMACOLOGYOn page [77][1], a research team reports promising results in animal tests with a new painkiller called ABT-594, which is related to a chemical originally identified in the skin of a frog. The researchers found that the drug, which apparently acts not through opioid receptors but through a receptor for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, blocks both acute and chronic pain in rats. What's more, the researchers have seen few signs that ABT-594 is addictive or toxic in animals. Much more work will be needed to determine whether the drug is safe and effective in humans, but safety trials have already begun in Europe. [1]: http://www.sciencemag. org/cgi/content/short/279/5347/77
A Role for Widely Interspaced Zinc Finger (WIZ) in Retention of the G9a Methyltransferase on Chromatin*

Background: G9a-GLP lysine methyltransferases mono- and di-methylate histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9me2). Results: Widely interspaced zinc finger (WIZ) regulates H3K9me2 levels through a mechanism that involves retention of G9a on chromatin. Conclusion: The G9a-GLP-WIZ complex has unique functions when bound to chromatin that are independent of the H3K9me2 mark. Significance: Combining pharmacologic and genetic manipulations is essential to any translational hypotheses related to G9a function. G9a and GLP lysine methyltransferases form a heterodimeric complex that is responsible for the majority of histone H3 lysine 9 mono- and di-methylation (H3K9me1/me2). Widely interspaced zinc finger (WIZ) associates with the G9a-GLP protein complex, but its role in mediating lysine methylation is poorly defined. Here, we show that WIZ regulates global H3K9me2 levels by facilitating the interaction of G9a with chromatin. Disrupting the association of G9a-GLP with chromatin by depleting WIZ resulted in altered gene expression and protein-protein interactions that were distinguishable from that of small molecule-based inhibition of G9a/GLP, supporting discrete functions of the G9a-GLP-WIZ chromatin complex in addition to H3K9me2 methylation.
SAT0605 A Contribution to Detection of Anticardiolipin and Anti-β2 Glycoprotein I Antibodies: Comparison Between a Home-Made Elisa and a Fluorescence Enzyme Immunoassay

Background Currently, ELISA for detection of anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-β2Glycoprotein I (anti-β2GPI) antibodies is not standardized. Recently, few studies have compared the performance of ELISA with that of Fluorescence enzyme immunoassay (FEIA), but they have produced debatable results. Objectives The aim of this investigation was to compare ELISA with FEIA results in detecting aCL and anti-β2GPI antibodies and to evaluate the diagnostic value of FEIA through the analysis of a group of ELISA negative patients with clinical manifestations of APS. Methods The study cohort included 94 primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients, 65 subjects with the clinical criteria for PAPS classification but ELISA negative for the laboratory criteria and 78 healthy subjects age- and sex-matched to the patients. Serum IgG/IgM aCL/anti-β2GPI antibodies were determined using FEIA-EliA™ and a home-made ELISA. The cut-off values were calculated as > the 99th percentile using sera from 78 healthy controls. Results The data obtained with the two techniques are showed in the table, in particular, the sensitivities of the two methods were similar with the exception of IgM aCL which were found to be significantly prevalent in the PAPS patients using the ELISA method. The two techniques had a comparable specificity, a high/significant agreement and a significant correlation between the antibody levels. FEIA testing uncovered no significant prevalence of any antiphospholipid (aPL) antibody in the ELISA negative patients.Table 1 IgG aCL IgM aCL IgG aβ2GPI IgM aβ2GPI FEIA ELISA FEIA ELISA FEIA ELISA FEIA ELISA Sensibility (%) 51,1 59,6 19,1** 37,2** 64,9 66 41,5 42,6 Specificitt (%) 98,7 98,7 100 97,4 98,7 98,7 98,7 97,4 Cohen's Kappa 0,78* 0,43* 0,86* 0,71* Spearman's Rho 0,79* 0,60* 0,89* 0,82** p<0,001;** p<0,0058. Conclusions Our results suggest that FEIA is comparable to a home-made ELISA which is currently the most widely test used for aPL detection. These results could support the routine use of FEIA-EliA™ in detecting aCL and anti-β2GPI antibodies on PAPS patients. However, only its use on a large scale will indicate in the future if it can be considered a valid method for classification of PAPS. Disclosure of Interest None declared
Dynamics of Fly-Contact Head Disk Interface

Fly-contact head disk interface (HDI) is known as a promising approach for the further reduction of the magnetic spacing between the head and media for ultra high recording density. In this paper, we report a numerical simulation study on the dynamics of the fly-contact head disk interface. It is found that design of a stable and reliable fly-contact HDI needs to consider the balance of minimizing both the fly-height (FH) variation and the contact force. The critical contact force - the minimal contact force for a stable fly-contact HDI is explored and a critical contact force of as low as 3.1 mN is obtained. It is found that the critical contact force depends on the combined effect of air bearing force, adhesive force and suspension load, which can be optimized by a proper air bearing surface and suspension design.
Physiologic Impact of Circulating RBC Microparticles upon Blood-Vascular Interactions

Here, we review current data elucidating the role of red blood cell derived microparticles (RMPs) in normal vascular physiology and disease progression. Microparticles (MPs) are submicron-size, membrane-encapsulated vesicles derived from various parent cell types. MPs are produced in response to numerous stimuli that promote a sequence of cytoskeletal and membrane phospholipid changes and resulting MP genesis. MPs were originally considered as potential biomarkers for multiple disease processes and more recently are recognized to have pleiotropic biological effects, most notably in: promotion of coagulation, production and handling of reactive oxygen species, immune modulation, angiogenesis, and in initiating apoptosis. RMPs, specifically, form normally during RBC maturation in response to injury during circulation, and are copiously produced during processing and storage for transfusion. Notably, several factors during RBC storage are known to trigger RMP production, including: increased intracellular calcium, increased potassium leakage, and energy failure with ATP depletion. Of note, RMP composition differs markedly from that of intact RBCs and the nature/composition of RMP components are affected by the specific circumstances of RMP genesis. Described RMP bioactivities include: promotion of coagulation, immune modulation, and promotion of endothelial adhesion as well as influence upon vasoregulation via influence upon nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Of particular relevance, RMPs scavenge NO more avidly than do intact RBCs; this physiology has been proposed to contribute to the impaired oxygen delivery homeostasis that may be observed following transfusion. In summary, RMPs are submicron particles released from RBCs, with demonstrated vasoactive properties that appear to disturb oxygen delivery homeostasis. The clinical impact of RMPs in normal and patho-physiology and in transfusion recipients is an area of continued investigation.
A novel mechanism for persistence of human cytomegalovirus in macrophages

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) results in delayed and nonlytic productive viral growth. During late stages of replication, infectious virus remains cell associated in cytoplasmic vacuoles. In order to understand HCMV survival and persistence in MDM, we examined mechanisms involved in the formation and trafficking of HCMV-containing vacuoles in these cells. Utilizing double-label immunofluorescence with antibodies to viral and cellular proteins, HCMV-containing vacuoles were associated with the Golgi apparatus marker mannosidase II but not with markers to early endosomes (transferrin receptor and rab5) or late endosomes and early lysosomes (LAMP-1 and -2). In addition, as late-stage viral infection progressed in MDM, the cells displayed increasing abnormalities in the Golgi apparatus. Analysis of structural features of infected cells revealed the disruption of the microtubule network. These observations suggest a novel mechanism by which HCMV is vacuolized in MDM, avoiding degradation and release from the cell.
Intracellular pH regulation in epithelial cells.

The regulation of intracellular pH (pHi) in epithelial cells is expected to be extremely important because virtually every biological process is pH sensitive. In addition, changes in pHi may be important in modulating transepithelial solute transport, in modifying biochemical or endocrinological function, and in controlling cell growth and differentiation. Certain epithelial cells are special­ ized for transporting acid/base equivalents through the cell, from one side of the epithelium to the other. In these cells pHi regulation may be intimately in­ terwoven with transepithelial acid/base traffic. This brief review will be con­ fined to ion-transport processes, studied in intact epithelial cells, that affect pHi regulation. Other reviews have considered epithelial acid/base transport studies at the level of whole epithelia (26) or isolated membrane vesicles (5).
Utilizing carrier aggregation for even beam distribution in 3D beamforming

3D beamforming is a highly attractive issue in 5G telecommunication. Equipped with 2D antenna arrays, it allows vertical sectorization within a cell as well as horizontal one, by making a beamforming zone for the corresponding sector. However, there is considerable inequality among the areas of beamforming zone. The farther from the base station, the bigger the beamforming zone area is. In this paper, we propose to utilize carrier aggregation (CA) for relieving the uneven beamforming zone area problem and prove this method is more efficient in improving cell throughput especially in mmWave environment.
Disturbance of Sphingolipid Biosynthesis Abrogates the Signaling of Mss4, Phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-Kinase, in Yeast*

The functional relationships between phosphoinositides and sphingolipids have not been well characterized to date. ISP-1/myriocin is a potent inhibitor of sphingolipid biosynthesis and induces severe growth defects in eukaryotic cells because of the sphingolipid deprivation. We characterized a novel multicopy suppressor gene of ISP-1-mediated cell death in yeast, MSS4. MSS4 encodes a phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinase that synthesizes phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PI4,5P2). We demonstrate here that ISP-1 treatment of yeast causes defects both in the activity and subcellular localization of Mss4. The effect of the Mss4 defect on the downstream signaling was examined, because interaction between the Mss4 product, PI4,5P2, and the pleckstrin-homology domain of Rom2 mediates recruitment of Rom2 to the membrane, which is the crucial step for subsequent Rho1/2 activation. Indeed, failure of Rom2 recruitment was observed in ISP-1-treated cells as well as in csg2-deleted cells, which have reduced mannosylated inositolphosphorylceramide. These data suggested that proper sphingolipids are required for the signaling pathway involving Mss4.
Intestinal Permeability Assessed with Polyethylene Glycols in Children with Diarrhea Due to Rotavirus and Common Bacterial Pathogens in a Developing Community

Intestinal permeability was assessed with different-sized polyethylene glycols (PEG 400 and PEG 1,000) in small children with acute diarrhea. All children with acute diarrhea absorbed and excreted less PEG of all molecular sizes into the urine when compared with healthy control children (p < 0.001). Children with acute rotavius infection excreted significantly less PEG of all sizes than children with Shigella, Salmonella, and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) infection (p < 0.001–0.01), suggesting a more severe mucosal lesion caused by rotavirus. In patients with severe malnutrition there was also a significant decrease in absorption of PEGs observed. In addition, malnourished patients with rotavirus diarrhea showed a pronounced decrease of PEGs in comparison with well-nourished patients. The ratio between the recovery of a large PEG molecule, 1,074 Da, and a small molecule, 370 Da, was utilized to assess the absorption of large molecules in relation to that of smaller ones. On applying this ratio, it was noted that the intestine in children with Shigella and EPEC infection was relatively more permeable to larger molecules than in healthy controls, while in rotavirus and Salmonella infection it was less permeable to larger molecules. In this study significant differences in the permeability characteristics were observed, suggesting etiology-specific effects on the mucosal barrier.
Physiological characteristics and reflex activation of DUM (octopaminergic) neurons of locust metathoracic ganglion.

Intracellular recordings were made from single or pairs of somata of the dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of the metathoracic ganglion of the locust Schistocerca gregaria and the grasshopper Romalea microptera, during reflex actions, direct electric excitation and orthodromic and antidromic neural stimulation. Some, possibly all, of these neurons are unique, identifiable individuals in regard to their targets, which are specific peripheral muscles. Their physiological properties and the ways they are activated synaptically are, however, similar. Large, overshooting action potentials, comprising three components, occur. The first component in time is small and represents an excitatory synaptic potential for orthodromic stimulation or an axon spike (AS) for antidromic stimulation, electrotonically conducted into the soma. The second component is larger, being an electrotonically conducted integrating segment spike (ISS). The final component is the soma spike (SS). Neither AS nor ISS have a late positive phase, but there is a large, prolonged one for SS. The latter, combined with rapid accommodation, determine a low maximum firing rate for the neurons. Most nerves entering the ganglion make excitatory inputs onto each DUM neuron, which is readily driven to spike by electric excitation of either connective. There is a great deal of spontaneous excitatory synaptic input to each DUM neuron and a high proportion of it is common. Although there is no detectable electrical coupling between the cells, there is about 30% synchronous firing, apparently due to the common inputs; independent excitation and inhibition also occur. All sensory modalities tested have inputs to the neurons, which tend to fire constantly at a low rate (1 per 3–4 sec). In reflex actions, DUM neurons tend to fire before motor output occurs. It is suggested that the cells will be found to have many functions serving a general role comparable to that achieved by the release of adrenaline in vertebrates.
A New Non-MDS RAID-6 Code to Support Fast Reconstruction and Balanced I/Os

RAID-6 is widely applied to tolerate double concurrent disk failures in both disk arrays and storage clusters. Among numerous erasure codes developed to implement RAID-6, Maximum Distance Separable (MDS) Codes are highly popular. Owing to the limitation of parity generating schemes used in MDS codes, RAID-6-based storage systems suffer from unbalance I/Os and low reconstruction performance. Out of consideration for high performance and reliability, we propose a new class of XOR-based RAID-6 code (i.e. V 2-Code), which improves both load balancing and reconstruction performance of the MDS RAID-6 codes. V 2-Code, a very simple yet flexible NonMDS vertical code, can be easily implemented and deployed in storage systems. V 2-Code’s unique features include lowest density code, steady parity chain length and well-balanced computation. We perform theoretical analysis and empirical evaluation of the coding scheme by running a wide range of workload under various configurations. Experimental results show that V 2-Code outperforms four popular codes (i.e. EVENODD, RDP, X-Code and Code-M) in terms of load balancing and reconstruction time. In the single-disk-failure and double-disk-failure cases, V 2-Code can speed up the reconstruction time of X-Code by a factor of up to 3.31 and 1.79, respectively.
On the evolution of CAE research

Abstract Less than a decade ago it seemed that a new paradigm of engineering–called computer-aided engineering (CAE) – was emerging. This emergence was driven in part by the success of computer support for the tasks of engineering analysis and in part by a new understanding of how computational ideas largely rooted in artificial intelligence (AI) could perhaps improve the practice of engineering, especially in the area of design synthesis. However, while this “revolution” has failed to take root or flourish as a separate discipline, it has spawned research that is very different from traditional engineering research. To the extent that such CAE research is different in style and paradigm, it must also be evaluated according to different metrics. Some of the metrics that can be used are suggested, and some of the evaluation issues that remain as open questions are pointed out.
Mobile phone mood charting for adolescents

Mobile phones may provide a useful and engaging platform for supporting therapeutic services working with adolescents. This paper examines the potential benefits of the mobile phone for self-charting moods in comparison to existing methods in current practice. The paper describes a mobile phone application designed by the authors which allows adolescents to record moods on their personal mobile phones. The authors propose that a personal mobile device is more suitable for adolescents than other devices. A pilot study with a non-clinical adolescent group in schools comparing a mobile and a paper diary is presented, along with discussion and analysis of the results. The main finding of the study was that compliance was significantly higher on mobile phones than paper, and the task was not found to be any more difficult to complete using mobile phones than with paper charts. A number of salient issues requiring further research are also identified.