Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coronary Anomalies in Mice With Congenital Heart Defects

Background: Coronary anomalies are frequently associated with congenital cardiac defects. Accordingly, we tested the hypothesis that the development of the tunica media of coronary arteries/arterioles is compromised in mice with cardiac defects of the outflow tract (persistent truncus arteriosus, double outlet right ventricle and transposition of the great arteries) by studying hearts of G7‐9 generation mice bred from mutagenized mice caused by N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea. Mice were studied at embryonic days E16.5, E17.5, and postnatal days 1 and 11. Data were based on immunohistochemistry of serial sections. Results: In 21 of 24 mice with outflow tract defects, the development of smooth muscle in arteries and arterioles was retarded; most commonly arterioles had an incomplete layer of smooth muscle or in a few instances, lacked a tunica media. In this model, an absence of a coronary ostium occurred in only 2 mice, indicating that the mechanisms underlying the formation of coronary ostia and the recruitment and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle differ. Coronary fistulas were present in 20% and dilated vessels in 30% of the hearts with cardiac defects. Conclusions: The data suggest that vascular smooth muscle recruitment and differentiation are not necessarily linked to other coronary anomalies, such as absence of a main coronary artery or branching patterns. Anat Rec, 298:408–417, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Relationship between Clinical Outcome in Subarachnoidal Hemorrhage Patients with Emergency Medical Service Usage and Interhospital Transfer

Prompt diagnosis and appropriate transport of patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is critical. We aimed to study differences in clinical outcomes by emergency medical services (EMS) usage and interhospital transfer in patients with SAH. We analyzed the CAVAS (CArdioVAscular disease Surveillance) database which is an emergency department-based, national cohort of cardiovascular disease in Korea. Eligible patients were adults with non-traumatic SAH diagnosed between January 2007 and December 2012. We excluded those whose EMS use and intershopital transfer data was unknown. The primary and secondary outcomes were mortality and neurologic status at discharge respectively. We compared the outcomes between each group using multivariable logistic regressions, adjusting for sex, age, underlying disease, visit time and social history. Of 5,461 patients with SAH, a total of 2,645 were enrolled. Among those, 258 used EMS and were transferred from another hospital, 686 used EMS only, 1,244 were transferred only, and 457 did not use EMS nor were transferred. In the regression analysis, mortality was higher in patients who used EMS and were transferred (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.02-1.92), but neurologic disability was not meaningfully different by EMS usage and interhospital transfer. In Korea, SAH patients' mortality is higher in the case of EMS use or receiving interhospital transfer.
Adult men born in spring have lower blood pressure

Objective To determine whether there is a relationship between season of birth and adult blood pressure, as a possible early determinant of later blood pressure. Design We studied 572 men, aged 45–64 years, whose blood pressure was measured in standardized manner as part of a nation-wide survey in Spain. To analyse the seasonal variation in blood pressure, a linear regression was performed, adjusting for age, height, body mass index, occupation and rural or urban residence. Results We found seasonal variation in mean systolic blood pressure, with maxima in adults born in autumn and winter, and minima in those born in spring and summer. The greatest difference in systolic blood pressure occurred between adults born in spring (134.1 mmHg) and those born in autumn (140.3 mmHg). After adjustment, the difference in means between spring and autumn was 5.9 mmHg (95% confidence interval 0.7 to 11.1 mmHg, P = 0.03). Conclusions This study demonstrated differences in systolic blood pressures of adult men according to the Jose season of their birth. Although this relationship is compatible with several hypotheses, the difference found between spring and autumn, partially independent of some other factors, might indicate that the extent of early exposure to sunlight is implicated in determining later blood pressure. This needs further investigation.
Thinking Outside the Plot: Insights on Small-Scale Mechanisation from Case Studies in East Africa

Abstract The changing agricultural sector and the challenges faced by smallholders call for the need for farm mechanisation suited to smallholder farming. Conventional four-wheeled tractors (4WTs) are not feasible for many smallholders owing to their high capital costs, unsuitability for fragmented holdings as well as topography and slope. More appropriate technologies are needed such as two-wheeled tractors (2WTs) and their requisite accessories. Our findings show that opportunities exist for the introduction of 2WTs in maize based systems through service provider models combining a number of operations that can be offered throughout the year and targeted to niche areas where 4WT access is unlikely. The paper also suggests that attention needs to be given concurrently to development of the 2WT supply chain to ensure that its profitability is sustainable.
Apoptosis and changes in contractile protein pattern in the skeletal muscle in heart failure

Chronic heart failure is characterized as a clinical disorder by exercise intolerance. There are two factors that are independently responsible for the reduced exercise capacity: (a) a shift from myosin heavy chain 1 (MHC1) to MHC2a and MHC2b and (b) muscle atrophy. We have demonstrated, both in experimental models of heart failure and in man, that the more severe the heart failure, the greater the magnitude of skeletal muscle apoptosis. In the monocrotaline treated rat, that develops a severe rightsided heart failure, the increased number of apoptotic nuclei was paralleled by increasing levels of circulating TNFa. In agreement with some recent observations showing that sphingolipids can mediate programmed cell death, we found that in animals with heart failure and high number of apoptotic nuclei, circulating levels of sphingosine were significantly increased. In a study conducted in patients with heart failure we found a correlation between exercise capacity limitation and skeletal myocytes apoptosis. There was also a correlation between degree of muscle atrophy and magnitude of apoptosis. The shift in MHCs, although with a different mechanism, is also responsible for the reduced exercise capacity in these patients. In fact there is a strong correlation between indices of severity of CHF and MHC composition. Muscle fatigue, appears earlier in patients that have a greater skeletal muscle expression of `fast' MHCs. We have also demonstrated that MHCs shift and apoptosis can be prevented by using angiotensin II converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers.
Performance evaluation of RPL metrics in environments with strained transmission ranges

An examination of existing studies in the area of Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) implementation in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) reveals a consistent approach taken of optimal node distribution. This in order to best evaluate networking metrics such as Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), latency and energy consumption. The tests detailed in this paper differ from previous work, in that there is no concerted effort to ensure the appropriate density of the network topologies. The intention being to ‘strain’ the limits of the transmission ranges. Using the Cooja simulator, we take the approach of utilising nodes in less-than perfect, real-world scenarios. In this way the main factor at play is the ability to retain nodes as part of the Destination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph (DODAG) build in environments with ‘strained’ transmission ranges. In this regard we compare Objective Function Zero (OF0) Hop-count with The Minimum Rank with Hysteresis Objective Function (MRHOF) Energy and expected transmission count (ETX) metrics. In utilising the energy metric, a novel approach, we prove that it is ineffective in this scenario. Resultantly, the ETX metric outperforms Hop-count, producing results that improve over time, adjusting to ‘strained’ environments to include more motes in the DODAG build as time passes. In conclusion, we propose future work to develop an extension to Cooja to utilise the ETX metric with an Energy constraint. This in order to better evaluate the use of node energy levels as part of a DODAG build in ‘strained’ WSN implementations in the future.
Thin Aggregative Fimbriae and Cellulose Enhance Long-Term Survival and Persistence of Salmonella

ABSTRACT Salmonella spp. are environmentally persistent pathogens that have served as one of the important models for understanding how bacteria adapt to stressful conditions. However, it remains poorly understood how they survive extreme conditions encountered outside their hosts. Here we show that the rdar morphotype, a multicellular phenotype characterized by fimbria- and cellulose-mediated colony pattern formation, enhances the resistance of Salmonella to desiccation. When colonies were stored on plastic for several months in the absence of exogenous nutrients, survival of wild-type cells was increased compared to mutants deficient in fimbriae and/or cellulose production. Differences between strains were further highlighted upon exposure to sodium hypochlorite, as cellulose-deficient strains were 1,000-fold more susceptible. Measurements of gene expression using luciferase reporters indicated that production of thin aggregative fimbriae (Tafi) may initiate formation of colony surface patterns characteristic of the rdar morphotype. We hypothesize that Tafi play a role in the organization of different components of the extracellular matrix. Conservation of the rdar morphotype among pathogenic S. enterica isolates and the survival advantages that it provides collectively suggest that this phenotype could play a role in the transmission of Salmonella between hosts.
Mercury exposure from “silver” tooth fillings: emerging evidence questions a traditional dental paradigm

For more than 160 years dentistry has used silver amalgam, which contains approximately 50% Hg metal, as the preferred tooth filling material. During the past decade medical research has demonstrated that this Hg is continuously released as vapor into mouth air; then it is inhaled, absorbed into body tissues, oxidized to ionic Hg, and finally covalently bound to cell proteins. Animal and human experiments demonstrate that the uptake, tissue distribution, and excretion of amalgam Hg is significant, and that dental amalgam is the major contributing source to Hg body burden in humans. Current research on the pathophysiological effects of amalgam Hg has focused upon the immune system, renal system, oral and intestinal bacteria, reproductive system, and the central nervous system. Research evidence does not support the notion of amalgam safety. —Lorscheider, F. L. , Vimy, M. J., Summers, A. O. Mercury exposure from “silver” tooth fillings: emerging evidence questions a traditional dental paradigm. FASEBJ. 9, 504–508 (1995)
Telaprevir and pegylated interferon–alpha‐2a inhibit wild‐type and resistant genotype 1 hepatitis C virus replication in patients

Telaprevir (VX‐950) is an orally active, specifically targeted antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) that has been shown to profoundly reduce plasma HCV RNA in genotype 1 patients. Using a highly sensitive sequencing assay that detects minor populations of viral variants (≥5%), mutations were identified that conferred low‐level (V36M/A, T54A, or R155K/T) or high‐level (A156V/T and 36/155) resistance to telaprevir in vitro. We report a detailed kinetic analysis of these variants in 16 patients given telaprevir or telaprevir + pegylated interferon–alpha‐2a (PEG‐IFN–alpha‐2a) for 14 days. In 4 patients who had a viral rebound on telaprevir alone, the R155K/T and A156V/T variants were detected during the initial steep decline in HCV RNA. During the rebound phase, the R155K/T and A156V/T variants were replaced by V36(M/A)/R155(K/T) double mutant variants. In the remaining 12 patients given telaprevir alone or with telaprevir/PEG‐IFN–alpha‐2a, the A156V/T variant was detected in some patients, but viral levels continued to decline in all patients. Conclusion: These studies suggest that the initial antiviral response to telaprevir is due to a sharp reduction in wild‐type virus, which uncovers pre‐existing telaprevir‐resistant variants. In patients given telaprevir alone, viral rebound can result from the selection of variants with greater fitness. However, the combination of telaprevir and PEG‐IFN–alpha‐2a inhibited both wild‐type and resistant variants. In the present study, every patient who began PEG‐IFN–alpha‐2a and ribavirin after the 14‐day dosing period had undetectable HCV RNA levels at 24 weeks, indicating that telaprevir‐resistant variants are sensitive to PEG‐IFN–alpha‐2a and ribavirin. (HEPATOLOGY 2007.)
[Characteristics and clinical course of degenerative aortic stenosis in the elderly].

Degenerative aortic stenosis represents the most common form of aortic stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between symptoms, valvular disease severity and prognosis. We studied the evolution of valvular aortic stenosis in 65 patients (39 males and 26 females, mean age 77.78 +/- 6.2 years) for a period of 7 years. All patients were submitted to accurate anamnestic examination, ECG, color Doppler echocardiography. Sixteen patients (26%) underwent cardiac catheterization. Associated diseases were: hypertension (45%), diabetes (40%), dyslipidemia (29%), chronic obstructive lung disease (6%). In 64% patients, the diagnosis of aortic stenosis was made after symptoms onset, and in 36% was occasional. Mean age at symptoms onset was 70 +/- 17 years: dispnoea was present in 81%, chest pain in 32%, and syncope in 8%. At the beginning of the follow-up, echocardiography showed, aortic stenosis to be mild in 21.73%, moderate in 60.8% and severe in 17.4%. At the end of the follow-up, mild stenosis was present in 9.5%, moderate in 38.7%, and severe in 51.8%. At entry, 56.6% had pure aortic stenosis, 34.78% had steno-insufficiency and 8.7 had an associated mitral valve insufficiency. At the end of the follow-up pure aortic stenosis was present in 17%, steno-insufficiency in 40%, and associated mitral valve insufficiency in 4.3%. Surgery was performed in 21% of the patients (77% valve replacement and 23% valve replacement and aortocoronary bypass). The mortality, at the end of the follow-up, was 31%. Causes of death were: heart failure (61%), arrhythmias (23%), and surgical complications (16%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Crowding in extremophiles: linkage between solvation and weak protein–protein interactions, stability and dynamics, provides insight into molecular adaptation

The study of the molecular adaptation of microorganisms to extreme environments (solvent, temperature, etc.) has provided tools to investigate the complex relationships between protein–solvent and protein–protein interactions, protein stability and protein dynamics, and how they are modulated by the crowded environment of the cell. We have evaluated protein–solvent and protein–protein interactions by solution experiments (analytical ultracentrifugation, small angle neutron and X‐ray scattering, density) and crystallography, and protein dynamics by energy resolved neutron scattering. This review concerns work from our laboratory on (i) proteins from extreme halophilic Archaea, and (ii) psychrophile, mesophile, thermophile and hyperthermophile bacterial cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is Range Management a Profession

What is a profession? At one time, only a few vocations, such as law or medicine, were considered professions. A profession was a vocation which required a well-rounded education of its members. The professional’s attitude was one of responsibility toward clients and a feeling of pride for service rendered. Professionals had special privileges of freedom from formal control and felt that their performance could be accurately assessed only by fellow professionals. In recent years, the terms profession and professional have been given a broader interpretation. The terms have become identified with doing thing for pecuniary considerations. Thus, we have “professional” ball players and golfers. Also, three general classes of professions have been proposed: (1) the “learned” professions, requiring at least three years of post-baccalaureate education; (2) the “baccalaureate” professions, requiring at least a Bachelor degree, and at most, not more than two years of graduate study; and (3) “technical” professions, requiring one to two years of post-secondary education (Spurr, 1968). Range management, if it is a profession, would probably be classed as a baccalaureate profession. However, the traditional and still prevailing image of a professional is a person who has mastered a certain body of knowledge, possesses expert skills, is committed to a life career, and observes high ethical standards. It is this image that resource management vocations such as range management have been seeking. Recent information assembled at Utah State [Jniversity in cooperation with the Office of the Executive Secretary of the American Society of Range Management indicates there is little under-
SIMULATION AND OBSERVATIONS OF STRATOSPHERIC AEROSOLS FROM THE 2009 SARYCHEV VOLCANIC ERUPTION

[1] We used a general circulation model of Earth's climate to conduct simulations of the 12–16 June 2009 eruption of Sarychev volcano (48.1°N, 153.2°E). The model simulates the formation and transport of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol cloud from the eruption and the resulting climate response. We compared optical depth results from these simulations with limb scatter measurements from the Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), in situ measurements from balloon-borne instruments lofted from Laramie, Wyoming (41.3°N, 105.7°W), and five lidar stations located throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The aerosol cloud covered most of the Northern Hemisphere, extending slightly into the tropics, with peak backscatter measured between 12 and 16 km in altitude. Aerosol concentrations returned to near-background levels by spring 2010. After accounting for expected sources of discrepancy between each of the data sources, the magnitudes and spatial distributions of aerosol optical depth due to the eruption largely agree. In conducting the simulations, we likely overestimated both particle size and the amount of SO2 injected into the stratosphere, resulting in modeled optical depth values that were a factor of 2–4 too high. Modeled optical depth due to the eruption shows a peak too late in high latitudes and too early in low latitudes, suggesting a problem with stratospheric circulation in the model. The model also shows a higher decay rate in optical depth than is observed, showing an inaccuracy in stratospheric removal rates in some seasons. The modeled removal rate of sulfate aerosols from the Sarychev eruption is higher than the rate calculated for aerosols from the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.
Measuring the Perceived Impact of Internet on Individuals in Rural India

Internet has greatly influenced the way individuals socialize, create and exploit economic opportunities and knowledge resources. However, previous studies on assessment of impact have largely been empirical and limited to examining the factors influencing adoption and usage of Internet only from a social and economic perspective. These have not considered the role of knowledge enhancement and exchange. In addition, few studies measure impact in an integrated manner and are based on theory. Consequently, the constituent dimensions of impact, their inter-relationships and their intensity have not been articulated. To develop a construct for measuring impact of Internet use, we have used two theoretical and complementary domains: Social Capital and Social Cognitive Theory. Since Internet is considered a network for social exchanges, a study of Perceived Impact of Internet would need to take into account the aspect of social capital consequent to adoption and usage of Internet. On another dimension, usage of Internet could lead to increase in economic capital due to enhanced opportunities for business or profession. Internet is also a source of knowledge that could enhance economic or social benefits by creating opportunities for businesses or professional growth. Thus what constitutes impact is a complex construct broadly manifested along social, economic and knowledge dimensions. Further, most studies of Internet impact have not examined the role of outcome expectations and self-efficacy, two important constructs from theory of Social Cognition, in driving Internet use. Our study is driven by the need to develop a theoretical model for measuring impact by identifying the underlying dimensions that constitute impact and creating a construct for measuring the same. Lack of studies of impact of Internet in developing countries, especially in rural areas was another driver. We have used a survey based instrument administered to Internet users covering two of the poorer districts in Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh, India. Principal Component Analysis was used to identify the latent perceptual dimensions that constitute impact. Subsequently, we used linear regression to posit the strengths of each identified dimension in contributing to Perceived Impact. The model highlights the importance of using Internet for overcoming vulnerabilities in a rural context, negative disconfirmation with respect to having Enhanced Scope of Work through Internet use and social context of knowledge creation and cognition. The negative disconfirmation could be attributed to possibly low self-efficacy or not completely fulfilled outcome expectations from available services. Lack of content in local language, poor presence of local websites, low presence of associates and partners on the Internet, and inadequate quality of Internet connectivity contribute to this.
Cell-Specific Gene Expression in Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis Lesions Reveals a Distinct Profile Compared with Epidermal Langerhans Cells

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disease characterized by heterogeneous lesions containing CD207+ Langerhans cells (LCs) and lymphocytes that can arise in almost any tissue and cause significant morbidity and mortality. After decades of research, the cause of LCH remains speculative. A prevailing model suggests that LCH arises from malignant transformation and metastasis of epidermal LCs. In this study, CD207+ cells and CD3+ T cells were isolated from LCH lesions to determine cell-specific gene expression. Compared with control epidermal CD207+ cells, the LCH CD207+ cells yielded 2113 differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate < 0.01). Surprisingly, the expression of many genes previously associated with LCH, including cell-cycle regulators, proinflammatory cytokines, and chemokines, were not significantly different from control LCs in our study. However, several novel genes whose products activate and recruit T cells to sites of inflammation, including SPP1 (osteopontin), were highly overexpressed in LCH CD207+ cells. Furthermore, several genes associated with immature myeloid dendritic cells were overexpressed in LCH CD207+ cells. Compared with the peripheral CD3+ cells from LCH patients, the LCH lesion CD3+ cells yielded only 162 differentially regulated genes (false discovery rate < 0.01), and the expression profile of the LCH lesion CD3+ cells was consistent with an activated regulatory T cell phenotype with increased expression of FOXP3, CTLA4, and SPP1. Results from this study support a model of LCH pathogenesis in which lesions do not arise from epidermal LCs but from accumulation of bone marrow-derived immature myeloid dendritic cells that recruit activated lymphocytes.