Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Severe congenital rickets secondary to maternal hypovitaminosis D: a case report

Abstract We report a full-term baby boy who presented soon after birth with severe congenital rickets. Maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels were very low and the infant responded well to oral vitamin D. Transient secondary hyperparathyroidism normalised on treatment. The mother's vitamin D deficiency was attributed to the region's cultural dress code which prevents exposure to sunlight. There has not been a previous report of severe congenital rickets from this region.
Control of 26S proteasome expression by transcription factors regulating multidrug resistance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In eukaryotic cells, intracellular proteolysis occurs mainly via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Expression of the yeast proteasome is under the control of the transcription factor, Rpn4p (also known as Son1p/Ufd5p). We show here that the RPN4 gene promoter contains regulatory sequences that bind Pdr1p and Pdr3p, two homologous zinc finger‐containing transcription factors, which mediate multiple drug resistance through the expression of membrane transporter proteins. Mutations in the RPN4 Pdr1p/Pdr3p binding sites lead to decreased expression of the proteasome RPT6 gene and to defective ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis. Pdr3p, but not Pdr1p, is required for normal levels of intracellular proteolysis, indicating that the two transcription factors have distinct functions in the control of RPN4 expression. The RPN4 promoter contains an additional sequence that binds Yap1p, a bZIP‐type transcription factor that plays an important role in the oxidative stress response and multidrug resistance. We also show that the Yap1p response element is important in the transactivation of RPN4 by Yap1p. In yeast cells lacking Pdr1p, ubiquitin‐Pro‐β‐galactosidase, a short‐lived protein used to assay proteasome activity, is stabilized by the loss of Yap1p. These data demonstrate that the ubiquitin–proteasome system is controlled by transcriptional regulators of multidrug resistance via RPN4 expression.
Wideband planar antennas for millimeter-wave wireless communications

In this paper, we have presented a planar antenna with stacked microstrip patch configuration and a two-driving-patch feeding network for the millimeter-wave wireless applications. The developed antenna exhibits good antenna performance: a wide bandwidth larger than 14 GHz, relatively high gain larger than 9 dBi and stable radiation patterns over the whole band of mmWPAN. The main radiation part of the developed antenna has a small size about 4.5 mm (L) x 2.5 mm (W) x 0.5 mm (H). This antenna can be considered as a suitable antenna for the portable devices used in the millimeter-wave wireless communication systems such as mmWPAN or WirelessHD.
Child Labour Reduction and Prevention at Ukwamani and Mzimuni-Kawe Dar es Salaam

The purpose of this project was to reduce child labour in Ukwamani and Mzimuni streets at Kawe Ward in Kinondoni Municipality. Major objective of this project was to release children from all forms of child labour and reintegrate them with their communities. Other objectives were to change the attitudes and awareness of child rights among local stakeholders, to change in the quality of life and future prospects of the target children and their families and to prevent other children from engaging in child labour. Research methods used during problem identification comprised both qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. This was because using both methods was for enabling production of very significant report. Therefore data was collected from people of different classes in education, professionals and backgrounds. The questionnaires formed the basis for gathering quantitative and qualitative data which were presented in a descriptive and statistical manner using percentages ratio, charts and graphs. Secondary data were obtained from different sources including Ward offices and school reports. Different tools for data collection were used to allow the multiplicity of methods in data collection. Primary data were collected through information gathered directly from the respondents with the use of questionnaires, interviews and observation while secondary data were obtained from Kawe Ward offices and schools. 32 children were oriented, 12 children employers, 5 local stakeholders and 17 parents of working children received income generation activities training. In monitoring and evaluation, focus group discussion, meetings, observation, documentary review and semi-structured interviews were used. Sustainability of this project was highly ensured due to its nature in involving key stakeholders as mentioned above. The project was insured politically, financially and institutionally. Conclusively the community as a whole, especially the affected community at the household level, has to come together and work collectively with their local authorities such as Municipal development officials and Ward officials.
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging in the Border Zone of Gliomas: Correlation of Metabolic and Histological Changes at Low Tumor Infiltration—Initial Results

Purpose:We sought to retrospectively investigate differences in correlation of absolute metabolites concentrations and metabolite ratios with histopathologic parameters of stereotactic biopsies from the border zone of gliomas. Materials and Methods:Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) with high spatial resolution was performed in 10 glioma patients at 1.5 T. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) data were coregistered to a 3D MR data set used for stereotactic procedures. Metabolite concentrations of choline-containing compounds (Cho), creatine (Cr), and total N-acetyl-aspartate (tNAA) in addition to metabolite ratios of Cho/Cr, tNAA/Cr, and Cho/tNAA were calculated for voxel positions at biopsy loci with low tumor cell infiltration. Metabolite values were correlated with histopathologic findings expressed as a relative (% tumor infiltration, %TI) and an absolute parameter (tumor cell number, TCN). Results:We found a strong negative linear correlation for tNAA with %TI (R = −0.773, P < 0.001) and TCN (R = −0.769, P < 0.001) but no correlation for Cho (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the metabolite ratio of Cho/Cr showed a moderate positive linear correlation with %TI (R = 0.523, P = 0.012) and TCN (R = 0.486, P = 0.019), but no correlation was obtained for tNAA/Cr (P > 0.05). Differences in correlation between tNAA and Cho as well as tNAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were significant for both %TI (P = 0.012 and P = 0.024) and TCN (P = 0.016 and P = 0.040) using a t test. Conclusions:We conclude that absolute values of tNAA are more significant than Cho in the detection of low tumor cell infiltration. On the basis of absolute metabolite values, neuronal damage seems to be more distinct than cell membrane proliferation in the border zone of gliomas. Furthermore, the calculation of metabolite ratios versus Cr for the border zone may yield to misleading results because Cr is not constant in this area.
Oxidative Stress-Mediated Skeletal Muscle Degeneration: Molecules, Mechanisms, and Therapies

Oxidative stress is a loss of balance between the production of reactive oxygen species during cellular metabolism and the mechanisms that clear these species to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Increased oxidative stress has been associated with muscular dystrophy, and many studies have proposed mechanisms that bridge these two pathological conditions at the molecular level. In this review, the evidence indicating a causal role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of various muscular dystrophies is revisited. In particular, the mediation of cellular redox status in dystrophic muscle by NF-κB pathway, autophagy, telomere shortening, and epigenetic regulation are discussed. Lastly, the current stance of targeting these pathways using antioxidant therapies in preclinical and clinical trials is examined.
A Method to Increase Efficiency in Testing Pooled Field-Collected Mosquitoes

ABSTRACT Testing field-caught mosquito collections can result in thousands of pools, and testing pools of 50 mosquitoes each can be both time consuming and cost prohibitive. Consequently, we have developed an alternative approach to testing mosquito pools for arboviruses, utilizing a superpool strategy. When mosquito samples are processed for extraction of viral RNA and subsequent virus testing via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, each pool is tested individually. Using the method described here, 0.025 ml from each of 10 pools is combined into a superpool for RNA extraction and testing. When a virus-positive superpool sample is found, each of the original 10 pools that constitute this sample is tested individually in order to find the specific positive sample. By retesting the original samples after the initial superpool screen, we are still able to obtain reliable estimates for minimum infection rates or maximum likelihood estimations. To test this principle, we created controlled mosquito pools of known titer and subjected them to our superpool process. We were able to detect our entire range of laboratory-created pools as being West Nile virus (WNV) positive. In 2005, field surveillance efforts from our laboratory resulted in over 4,000 mosquito pools tested, with 8 resulting WNV-positive samples. We found that all of these field samples were detected as WNV positive using the superpool method and contained calculated virus titers from <0.1 to 4.1 log10 plaque-forming units/ml WNV, indicating that the limit of superpool detection of WNV is below this point. These results reveal that the superpool method could be accurately used to detect WNV in field-collected specimens.
Epigenetic silencing of argininosuccinate synthetase confers resistance to platinum‐induced cell death but collateral sensitivity to arginine auxotrophy in ovarian cancer

Evidence indicates that acquired resistance of cancers to chemotherapeutic agents can occur via epigenetic mechanisms. Down‐regulation of expression of argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS1), the rate‐limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of arginine, has been associated with the development of platinum resistance in ovarian cancer treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. The aim of the present study was to analyse epigenetic regulation of ASS1 in ovarian cancer tissue taken at diagnosis and relapse and determine its significance as a predictor of clinical outcome in patients treated with platinum‐based chemotherapy. In addition, expression and epigenetic regulation of ASS1 were analysed in human ovarian cancer cell lines, and ASS1 expression correlated with the ability of the lines to grow in media containing cisplatin, carboplatin or taxol or in arginine‐depleted media. Our results show that aberrant methylation in the ASS1 promoter correlated with transcriptional silencing in ovarian cancer cell lines. ASS1 silencing conferred selective resistance to platinum‐based drugs and conferred arginine auxotrophy and sensitivity to arginine deprivation. In ovarian cancer, ASS1 methylation at diagnosis was associated with significantly reduced overall survival (p = 0.01) and relapse‐free survival (p = 0.01). In patients who relapse, ASS1 methylation was significantly more frequent at relapse (p = 0.008). These data establish epigenetic inactivation of ASS1 as a determinant of response to platinum chemotherapy and imply that transcriptional silencing of ASS1 contributes to treatment failure and clinical relapse in ovarian cancer. The collateral sensitivity of cells lacking endogenous ASS1 to arginine depletion suggests novel therapeutic strategies for the management of relapsed ovarian cancer. © 2009 UICC
Regualtion of the immune response to tumor antigens. I. Immunosuppressor cells in tumor-bearing hosts.

A/Jax mice were rendered immune to the syngeneic and transplantable methylcholanthrene-induced Sarcoma 1509a by the surgical removal of the tumor 7 days after implantation; subsequent injection i.v. transfer of 10(7) to 10(8) washed thymus or spleen cells of tumor-bearing animals (TBA) to immune animals significantly inhibited the rejection of the tumor; this suppressive effect was entirely abolished by the treatment of these lymphocytes with anti-theta serum or anti-thymocyte serum (ATS) and complement before adoptive transfer. On the other hand, an equal number of thymus or spleen cells of normal animals or of animals bearing an unrelated tumor had no suppressive effect. Treatment of normal syngeneic animals with ATS after tumor cell inoculation or splenectomy of TBA resulted in the suppression of the tumor growth. The serum of TBA had no effect on tumor growth in immune syngeneic mice. Together these results suggest that TBA possess immunosuppressor T cells regulating negatively their immune response to the tumor.
Can EPS Development Be Avoided with Early Interventions? The Potential Role of Tamoxifen—A Single-Center Study

♦ Background: Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a severe complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Identification of patients at high risk for EPS (“EPS-prone”) and delivery of appropriate interventions might prevent its development. Our aim was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of all EPS and EPS-prone patients diagnosed at our PD unit. ♦ Methods: For a 30-year period representing our entire PD experience, we retrospectively identified all patients with EPS (diagnosed according to International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis criteria) and all patients defined as EPS-prone because they met at least 2 established criteria (severe peritonitis, PD vintage greater than 3 years, severe hemoperitoneum, overexposure to glucose, and acquired ultrafiltration failure). ♦ Results: Of 679 PD patients, we identified 20 with EPS, for an overall prevalence of 2.9%. Mean age at diagnosis was 50.2 ± 16.4 years, with a median PD time of 77.96 months (range: 44.36 - 102.7 months) and a median follow-up of 30.91 months (range: 4.6 - 68.75 months). Of patients with EPS, 10 (50%) received tamoxifen, 10 (50%) received parenteral nutrition, and 2 (10%) underwent adhesiolysis, with 25% mortality related to EPS. Another 14 patients were identified as EPS-prone. Median follow-up was 54.05 months (range: 11.9 - 87.04 months). All received tamoxifen, and 5 (36%) received corticosteroids; none progressed to full EPS. We observed no differences in baseline data between the groups, but the group with EPS had been on PD longer (84 ± 53 months vs 39 ± 20 months, p = 0.002) and had a higher cumulative number of days of peritoneal inflammation from peritonitis (17.2 ± 11.1 days vs 9.8 ± 7.9 days, p = 0.015). Overall mortality was similar in the groups. The incidence of EPS declined during our three decades of experience (5.6%, 3.9%, and 0.3%). ♦ Conclusions: Being a serious, life-threatening complication of PD, EPS requires high suspicion to allow for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Early detection of EPS-prone states and delivery of appropriate intervention might prevent EPS development. Tamoxifen seems to be a key strategy in prevention, but caution should be used in interpreting our results. Additional randomized controlled studies are needed.
Trends in Diabetes and Diabetic Complications, 1980–1987

OBJECTIVE Although diabetes is a major source of morbidity and mortality in the United States, only recently has a unified national surveillance system begun to monitor trends in diabetes and diabetic complications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We established a diabetes surveillance system using data for 1980–1987 from vital records, the National Health Interview Survey, the National Hospital Discharge Survey, and the Health Care Financing Administration's records to examine trends in the prevalence and incidence of diabetes, diabetes mortality, hospitalizations, and diabetic complications. RESULTS From 1980 through 1987, the number of individuals known to have diabetes increased by 1 million—to 6.82 million. Age-standardized prevalence for diabetes increased 9% during this period, from 25.4 to 27.6/1000 U.S. residents (P = 0.03). The incidence of diabetes increased among women (P = 0.003), particularly among those > 65 yr old (P = 0.02). Age-standardized mortality rates (for diabetes as either an underlying or contributing cause) per 100,000 individuals with diabetes declined 12%, from 2350 to 2066. Annual mortality rates from stroke (as an underlying cause and diabetes as a contributing cause) and diabetic ketoacidosis declined 29% (P = 0.003) and 22% (P < 0.001), respectively. During these 8 yr, hospitalization rates for major CVD and stroke (as the primary diagnoses and diabetes as a secondary diagnosis) increased 34% (P = 0.006) and 38% (P = 0.01), respectively. Also during this period, hospitalization rates increased 21% for diabetic ketoacidosis (P = 0.01) and 29% for lower-extremity amputations (P = 0.06). From 1982 through 1986, treatment for end-stage renal disease related to diabetes increased > 10% each year (P < 0.001). The prevalence of diagnosed diabetes was nearly twice as high in blacks as in whites (P = 0.04). Blacks also had increased rates of lower-extremity amputation (P = 0.02), diabetic ketoacidosis (P < 0.001), and end-stage renal disease (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes surveillance data will be useful in planning, targeting, and evaluating public health efforts designed to prevent and control diabetes and its complications.
An Extended α-Helix and Specific Amino Acid Residues Opposite the DNA-binding Surface of the cAMP Response Element Binding Protein Basic Domain Are Important for Human T Cell Lymphotropic Retrovirus Type I Tax Binding*

The human T cell lymphotropic retrovirus type I (HTLV-I) trans-activator, Tax, interacts specifically with the basic-domain/leucine-zipper (bZip) protein, cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), bound to the viral Tax-responsive element consisting of three imperfect 21-base pair repeats, each with a cAMP response element core flanked by G/C-rich sequences. Here, the minimal CREB-bZip necessary for Tax binding is shown to be composed of amino acid residues 280–341. The Tax-CREB interaction involves an uninterrupted and extended α-helix in CREB that spans most of its basic domain to include amino acid residues localized to the NH2 terminus of the DNA binding region. Mutational analyses indicate that three residues, Arg284, Met291, and Glu299 unique to this region of the CREB/activating transcription factor-1 subfamily of bZip proteins, constitute the contact surface for Tax. Amino acid substitutions in these positions had little impact on CREB-bZip binding to DNA but abrogated its binding to Tax. Each of the contact residues for Tax are spaced approximately two helical turns apart on the side of the bZip helix directly opposite to that of the invariant DNA-binding residues. Molecular modeling reveals the Tax-contact residues to be near the minor groove of the G/C-rich DNA in the 21-base pair repeat. They most likely position Tax for minor groove contact with the G/C-rich sequences.
A 0.4V 53dB SNDR 250 MS/s time-based CT ΔΣ analog to digital converter

This paper presents the design of an ultra-low voltage (ULV), time-based, continuous-time ΔΣ analog-to-digital data converter. By replacing the 2nd stage integrator with frequency-calibrated voltage bootstrapping VCO, it circumvents ULV design challenges while achieving a signal bandwidth up to 2 MHz. Back-gate adder, voltage amplifier, and bootstrapping logic cells are also proposed to enable 250 MHz sampling rate operation. The measured peak SNDR is 53 dB under a supply voltage of 0.4 V. The whole ADC consumes 526 μW. Fabricated in a 90 nm CMOS process, the core area is 0.08 mm2.
Oral contraceptives and vitamin B6 metabolism.

To study the metabolic interrelationship and the nutritional implication of the long-term use of oral steroid hormones 5 women (ages 21-25) using oral contraceptives 11-50 months and 5 controls (ages 21-31) not on oral contraceptives consumed a fixed diet for 6 days. The diet contained 81 gm protein and met the National Research Councils 1964 Recommended Dietary Allowances for all nutrients except iron and calories. Additional calories were given to maintain initial weight. Iron intake was supplemented at 12.4 mg; Vitamin-B6 was 1.3 mg. 24-hour urine samples were collected; Days 1-4 were pooled and Days 5 and 6 were kept as separate 24-hour composites. On Day 6 a fasting blood sample was taken followed by a 2 gm oral test done of L-tryptophan. Urine was analyzed for xanthurenic acid (XA) kynurenic acid (KA) 3-hydroxykynurenine (OH-K) kynurenine (K) and for Vitamin-B6. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma amino acid levels and for amounts of glutamic oxaloacetic (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) IN THE RED BLOOD CELLS. Levels of the tryptophan metabolites excreted on Days 1-4 did not differ from those of Day 5. Urinary XA increased after taking the dosage of tryptophan in both groups. Increase in the experimental group was significant (p less than .001). Excretion of Vitamin-B6 KA K AND OH-K did not differ between groups. The levels of the amino acitds in the experimental group were lower than those of the control group. Differences were significant for phenylalanine (p less than .02) methionine (p less than .001) glycine (p less than .002) proline (p less than .001) arginine (p less than .002) and tyrosine (p less than .002). The GOT levels of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group while the GPT levels were the same. Metabolic activity in the subjects taking oral contraceptives is evident. The amount of urinary metabolites excreted by the oral contraceptive group after oral L-tryptophan was more than double that of the controls.
Long‐term outcome after percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with essential thrombocythemia

was not found in the patients fathers (III:1 and III:4) and in the unaffected son (IV:5), providing confirmation that themutation is linked to the disease. Although several mutations in F8 have been reported so far [4], a minority of patients remain without a molecular characterization of the causative mutation. Mutations in the F8 promoter region have been described only rarely [1,5] and, to our knowledge, the mutation found in this family has not been previously reported. Interestingly, polymorphisms in the F8 promoter region have been recently found to influence FVIII synthesis. In our case, the )257T>G mutation is located in a promoter region that contains important positive cis-acting elements; it is well known that characterized binding sites for C/EBPa and C/EBPb transcription factors and other transcription factors of unknown identity are located in this region [6]. Although a number of investigators have studied the hemostatic effects of DDVAP, the exact cellular mechanisms underlying theDDAVP-induced FVIII and VWF secretion are still to be fully elucidated. Indeed, although it is well known that VWF is synthesized and secreted from endothelial cells, where it is stored in intracytoplasmicWeibel Palade bodies [7], the FVIII secretory pool is hypothesized to be localized in sinusoidal cells of the liver. The literature data suggest that the DDAVP-induced contemporary secretion of FVIII and VWF happens only if there is concomitant synthesis of these two hemostatic proteins [8]. Thus, the mutation found in our study, causing reduced FVIII synthesis (and probably depletion of the secretory pool), explains well the absence of response of FVIII but not of VWF. These findings, which could have important clinical and therapeutic implications, need to be confirmed by further reports on this or similar mutations.