Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does selective leptin resistance cause obesity-related hypertension?

Obesity is a major risk factor for hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Leptin is a hormone produced by adipocytes, which has effects on the central nervous system. Leptinemia is increased in obesity and is associated with increased sympathetic nerve activity. Therefore, it is possible that obesity-related hypertension is caused in part by leptin-dependent sympathoactivation. However, obese subjects exhibit resistance to the anorexic and metabolic effects of leptin. One potential explanation for this paradox is selective leptin resistance. Animal models of obesity demonstrate preserved sympathetic actions of leptin despite resistance to its anorexic and metabolic actions. Abnormalities of intracellular signaling at certain central neural pathways may provide the molecular and anatomical bases of selective leptin resistance. Characterization of these pathways could lead to new approaches to the management of obesity-related hypertension.
Distribution of cerebellothalamic and nigrothalamic projections in the dog: A double anterograde tracing study

The distribution of nigrothalamic and cerebellothalamic projections was investigated in the dog by a double labeling strategy combining the anterograde transport of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP) and tritiated amino acids. Following tritiated amino acid injections into the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) and WGA‐HRP injections into the contralateral cerebellar nuclei, we found that the nigrothalamic and cerebellothalamic afferents distribute to three main targets: the central portion of the ventral anterior nucleus (VA) and the ventral lateral nucleus (VL), the internal medullary lamina (IML) region, which includes the paralaminar VA, the mediodorsal nucleus (MD) and the central lateral nucleus (CL), and finally the ventromedial nucleus (VM). We observed three distribution patterns of labeled fibers: (a) Dense single label was observed in the central portion of VA following the SNr injections and in VL following the cerebellar nuclei injections. (b) A complementary pattern consisting of alternating foci of nigral and cerebellar label was found in the IML region. This pattern was also observed in the caudal intralaminar nuclei where cerebellar label predominated in the centrum medianum (CM), while the parafascicular nucleus (Pf) primarily contained nigral label. (c) An overlapping pattern of autoradiographic and WGA‐HRP label was found in the lateral half of the VM. Overall, the distribution of nigrothalamic and cerebellothalamic projections was widespread throughout much of rostrocaudal thalamus. However, the pattern of projections varied along a continuum from lateral to medial thalamus. In lateral thalamus, nigral and cerebellar projections distributed to separate nuclei while in medial thalamus, the projection pattern changed to focal and complementary in the IML and overlapping in VM. Taken together, these thalamic projections may constitute crucial links in different functional channels involved in alerting and orienting mechanisms associated with motor behavior. Our findings also suggest that the organization of motor thalamic afferents in the dog shares similarities with the segregated and parallel circuitry characteristic of primates as well as with the overlapping and converging circuits of rodents and other carnivores.
ROBUST CONTROL IN ROTOR MACHINES USING LINEAR MATRIX INEQUALITIES

Some methods of Active Vibration Control (AVC) are model-based; in these cases the parameter variations have an important issue in the performance of the system. As it is not possible to know in advance the precise values of these parameters of the mechanical system, a possible alternative is to design robust controllers that take into account the uncertainties involved. In this sense, this paper presents an active vibration control technique that is dedicated to rotating machinery by incorporating Electromagnetic Actuators (EMA) so that uncertainties are taken into account with respect to the parameters of the system. The EMA’s gains are determined by using Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs). The LMIs are a powerful tool in the cases the system presents uncertainties in its parameters. The Kalman Estimator was used to access the modal states of the system. The model of the rotating machinery is obtained by using the Finite Element Method (FEM). Simulation results illustrate the potential use of the methodology conveyed in engineering applications.
Chromosomal Abnormalities Associated With Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Aim and Objective: To enumerate the various chromosomal abnormalities which may lead to cleft lip and cleft palate and to know about their prevention which can prove better than cure and to know the cure as well in cases where the stage of prevention has surpassed. Materials: Various reference articles regarding the chromosomal abnormalities are referred to know about the various categories of chromosomal abnormalities, their etiologies, early diagnosis, prevention and treatment plans for the same. Results: the article enumerates the theoretical part of the topic in detail but has not been conducted practically because of which it doesn’t give the idea of prevalence amongst any particular type of regional population. Theoretical part of the article explains all the anomalies, risk factors, preventive measures which can further be used as a base to conduct a practical study. Conclusion: The article is an attempt to understand the abnormalities associated with cleft lip and cleft palate at genetic level. This gives a scenario of what are the conditions causing cleft lip and cleft palate and how important it is to diagnose this at an early age to provide further problems.
ZnT8 autoantibody titers in type 1 diabetes patients decline rapidly after clinical onset

Autoantibodies to the islet-specific zinc transporter isoform 8 (ZnT8) are detected in the majority of type 1 diabetes patients prior to and at clinical diagnosis. The presence of ZnT8Ab after diagnosis has not been investigated. This study analyzed the autoantibody response to ZnT8 in regard to age at onset and disease duration. Two new onset type 1 diabetes patient cohorts with different age distributions at onset (2–17 and 15–34 years of age at onset), a longitudinal subset of the younger type 1 diabetes patient cohort (n = 32), and a cohort of GAD65Ab-positive LADA patients (n = 47) was analyzed for the presence of autoantibodies directed to the two major isoforms, ZnT8-Arginine (ZnT8R) and ZnT8-Tryptophan (ZnT8W). The majority of type 1 diabetes patients tested positive for ZnT8Ab to both isoforms. ZnT8Ab titers were significantly higher in the younger type 1 diabetes patients as compared with the older cohort (ZnT8RAb at a median of 148 and 29 U/ml, respectively, p < 0.001) (ZnT8WAb at a median of 145 and 58 U/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). ZnT8RAb and ZnT8WAb titers were significantly lower in the LADA patients (ZnT8RAb at a median of 14 U/ml, ZnT8WAb at a median of 25 U/ml) as compared with either type 1 diabetes cohorts. In our longitudinal analysis of type 1 diabetes patients after clinical diagnosis, ZnT8Ab levels to both isoforms declined significantly during the initial year of disease (ZnT8RAb from a median of 320–162 U/ml, p = 0.0001; ZnT8WAb from a median of 128–46 U/ml, p = 0.0011). The antibody titers further declined during the following 4 years (p < 0.0001). We conclude that ZnT8Ab presents a useful marker for type 1 diabetes, especially in younger patients at disease diagnosis.
Disparities in the emergency department evaluation of chest pain patients.

BACKGROUND The existence of race and gender differences in the provision of cardiovascular health care has been increasingly recognized. However, few studies have examined whether these differences exist in the emergency department (ED) setting. OBJECTIVES To evaluate race, gender, and insurance differences in the receipt of early, noninvasive diagnostic tests among persons presenting to an ED with a complaint of chest pain. METHODS Data were drawn from the U.S. National Hospital Ambulatory Health Care Survey of EDs. Visits made during 1995-2000 by persons aged 30 years or older with chest pain as a reason for the visit were included. Factors affecting the likelihood of ordering electrocardiography, cardiac monitoring, oxygen saturation measurement using pulse oximetry, and chest radiography were analyzed using multivariate probit analysis. RESULTS A total of 7,068 persons aged 30 years or older presented to an ED with a primary complaint of chest pain during the six-year period, corresponding to more than 32 million such visits nationally. The adjusted probability of ordering a test was highest for non-African American patients for all tests considered. African American men had the lowest probabilities (74.3% and 62% for electrocardiography and chest radiography, respectively), compared with 81.1% and 70.3%, respectively, among non-African American men. Only 37.5% of African American women received cardiac monitoring, compared with 54.5% of non-African American men. Similarly, African American women were significantly less likely than non-African American men to have their oxygen saturation measured. Patients who were uninsured or self-pay, as well as patients with "other" insurance, also had a lower probability than insured persons of having these tests ordered. CONCLUSIONS This study documents race, gender, and insurance differences in the provision of electrocardiography and chest radiography testing as well as cardiac rhythm and oxygen saturation monitoring in patients presenting with chest pain. These observed differences should catalyze further study into the underlying causes of disparities in cardiac care at an earlier point of patient contact with the health care system.
Immune Recovery following Antineoplastic Chemotherapy and Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (Haart) in a Child with HIV-1 Infection Previously Unresponsive to Haart

We report the case of a perinatally HIV-1-infected child, previously immunologically unresponsive to antiretroviral treatments (including the highly active antiretroviral therapy), who instead developed a vigorous and long-lasting immune response after the highly active antiretroviral therapy was associated with antineoplastic chemotherapy undertaken for a B-cell non-Hodgkin bone lymphoma.
Use of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy for monitoring disease progression in multiple sclerosis

Decreases in brain N‐acetylasparatate are associated with neuronal loss or dysfunction. We report a longitudinal study in which changes in the N‐acetylaspartate to creatine resonance intensity ratio measured by brain proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to follow the progression of brain pathology in 7 patients with multiple sclerosis over an 18‐month period. Four of the patients had a history of recurrent relapses and 3 had a secondary progressive course. All had clinical and magnetic resonance imaging evidence of persistent neurological abnormalaties. At 6‐month intervals proton magnetic resonance spectra were obtained and the N‐acetylaspartate–creatine ratio was determined for each patient. The volumes of hyperintense signal from lesions on conventional magnetic resonance images and the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were determined concurrently. At the onset of the study, the N‐acetylaspartate–creatine ratio was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the central brain volumes from the patients than in 13 normal control subjects. At 12 and 18 months of follow‐up, the ratio had decreased further in all patients (p < 0.05), consistent with progressive accumulation of neuronal damage. In contrast to magnetic resonance spectra data, changes in lesion volume on magnetic resonance images or disability status did not reach significance over this period. Subgroup analysis showed that changes (increases or decreases) in the N‐acetylaspartate–creatine ratio between consecutive 6‐month examinations correlated significantly (r = –0.74, p < 0.005) with changes in lesion volume on magnetic resonance images in patients with a history of relapses. This pilot study suggests that proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy may be useful in evaluating the progression of cerebral damage in multiple sclerosis using a novel quantitative index based on neuronal damage or dysfunction.
QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI ASSOCIATED WITH RESISTANCE TO GRAY LEAF SPOT AND GRAIN YIELD IN CORN QTLs associados à resistência a cercosporiose e produção de grãos em milho

The main objectives of hybrid development programs include incorporating genetic resistance to diseases and increasing grain yield. Identification of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) through the statistical analysis of molecular markers allows efficient selection of resistant and productive hybrids. The objective of this research was to identify QTL associated with resistance to gray leaf spot and for grain yield in the germplasm of tropical corn. We used two strains with different degrees of reaction to the disease; the genotypes are owned by GENESEEDS Ltda, their F 1 hybrid and the F 2 population. The plants were evaluated for gray leaf spot resistance, for grain yield and were genotyped with 94 microsatellite markers. Association of the markers with the QTL was performed by single marker analysis using linear regression and maximum likelihood analysis. It was observed that the additive effect was predominant for genetic control of resistance to gray leaf spot, and the dominant effect in that of grain yield. The most promising markers to be used in studies of assisted selection are: umc2082 in bins 4.03 and umc1117 in bins 4.04 for resistance to gray leaf spot; for grain yield umc1042 in bins 2.07 and umc1058 in bins 4.11.
A Novel method for online prognostics performance evaluation

Prognostics performance assessment technologies are necessary for building and qualifying a real and mature prognostics and health management (PHM) system. The further refinements in concepts and definitions for prognostics performance are made in this paper. The limitations for the application of offline prognostics performance evaluation are discussed. Two novel metrics: Relative Accuracy (RA) and Relative Precision (RP) are proposed for online prognostics performance evaluation according to the random uncertainty existing in both the prediction values and the actual values. A novel method for impartially evaluating the prognostics performance is presented. It synthesizes the evaluations of the predictions at different times before and close to the End-of-Useful-Predictions time tEOUP to achieve the evaluation of the minimum effective prediction horizon (MEPH) prognostics performance. A BP neural network prognostics method for hydraulic pump is evaluated for the demonstration intents. The results show the online evaluation method can work well without the failure data of the product.
[A serological survey and histopathological comparison of HBV-associated liver diseases in southern part of Korea and west Japan].

A high mortality rate due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with a high prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a big problem in all Asian countries, including Korea and Japan. In this study, a serological survey and a histopathological comparison of HBV-associated liver diseases in Korea and in the western part of Japan were performed. In- and outpatients of Kosin University Hospital (KUH) and of UOEH Hospital were analysed serologically, and the HBsAg-positive rate among the staff of both universities were also compared. Two-hundred consecutive biopsied livers in KUH, 400 autopsied livers in Kitakyushu, and 576 livers of medicolegal autopsies in Osaka were examined histopathologically. Serological positive rates of HBsAg were 14.5% in KUH patients and 7.0% in UOEH ones respectively (P less than 0.001). Overall positive rates of HBsAg in liver tissues were 10.5% in KUH, 4.3% in Kitakyushu and 0.5% in Osaka. Primary liver cancers, most of which were HCCs, accounted for 3.4% of all inpatients in KUH and 1.9% in UOEH (P less than 0.01). HBsAg-positive rates among liver cirrhosis and HCC patients were higher in Korea than in Japan. Alcohol was thought to be a predominant cause of 36 liver cirrhosis cases out of 576 cases from Osaka, and a low positivity of HBsAg and a low association of HCC in these Osaka cases were noted. HCC patients of KUH were eleven years younger than those of UOEH on the average, and Edmondson's grade of the former was higher than the latter. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
31-43 amino acid sequence of the alpha-gliadin induces anti-endomysial antibody production during in vitro challenge.

BACKGROUND Wheat gliadin is the culprit antigen of coeliac disease (CD). Two short sequences of NH2-terminal portion of gliadin seem to be responsible for CD. Antiendomysial antibodies (EMA), highly sensitive and specific for CD, are detectable in the culture media from treated CD patients, after in vitro challenge with peptic-tryptic (PT) digest of gliadin. In this study we detected EMA production after in vitro challenge with 31-43 peptide. We used 56-68 peptide, lacking toxic sequences, as a negative control. METHODS Duodenal samples from 11 treated CD patients and 9 control patients were cultured with 31-43 and 56-68 peptides and PT gliadin. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis was used for EMA detection. RESULTS EMA were detected in culture media of 10 of 11 specimens challenged with PT-gliadin and in the media of all specimens challenged with 31-43 peptide. No EMA were detectable in any treated patients cultured with 56-68 peptide or with medium alone. No EMA were observed in cultures of control specimens. DISCUSSION The ability of the 31-43 sequence of the alpha-gliadin to induce EMA production suggests its involvement in the pathogenesis of CD. Furthermore, it may be a more useful antigenic substance than PT gliadin for both in vitro and in vivo studies of CD.
Biomechanics of the Shoulder in Youth Baseball Pitchers

Background The effects of repetitive throwing on the shoulders of developing athletes are not well understood because of the paucity of data describing the biomechanics of youth pitchers and the plasticity of the developing skeleton. Hypothesis The direction and magnitude of the stresses that exist at the proximal humeral physis during the fastball pitching motion are consistent with the development of proximal humeral epiphysiolysis (Little League shoulder) and/or humeral retrotorsion. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods A total of 14 elite youth baseball pitchers (mean age, 12.1 ± 0.4 years) were filmed from the front and dominant side while throwing fastballs in a simulated game. The net force and torque acting on the humerus throughout the throwing motion were calculated using standard biomechanical techniques. Results The external rotation torque about the long axis of the humerus reached a peak value of 17.7 ± 3.5 N.m (2.7% ± 0.3% body weight × height) just before maximum shoulder external rotation. A shoulder distraction force of 214.7 ± 47.2 N (49.8% ± 8.3% body weight) occurred at, or just after, ball release. Conclusion Shear stress arising from the high torque late in the arm-cocking phase is large enough to lead to deformation of the weak proximal humeral epiphyseal cartilage, causing either humeral retrotorsion or proximal humeral epiphysiolysis over time. The stresses generated by the external rotation torque are much greater than those caused by distraction forces generated during the pitching motion of youth baseball pitchers. Clinical Relevance The motion of throwing fastballs by youth baseball pitchers results in force components consistent with proposed mechanisms for 2 clinical entities.
Molecular cloning and expression of two distinct human N-acetylgalactosamine 4-O-sulfotransferases that transfer sulfate to GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->R in both N- and O-glycans.

Recently, cDNAs encoding human chondroitin 4-O-sulfotransferase-1 and -2 (C4ST-1 and C4ST-2) were cloned based on their similarity to HNK-1 sulfotransferase (HNK-1ST) (Hiraoka, N., Nakagawa, H., Ong, E., Akama, T.O., Fukuda, M.N., and Fukuda, M. [2000] Molecular cloning and expression of two distinct human chondroitin 4-O-sulfotransferases that belong to the HNK-1 sulfotransferase gene family. J. Biol. Chem., 275, 20188--20196). In the present study, we identified two additional novel sulfotransferases by searching the expression sequence tag and genomic DNA database for enzymes similar to C4ST-1 and C4ST-2. These newly cloned enzymes, termed GalNAc4ST-1 and GalNAc4ST-2, belong to the HNK-1ST gene family having 40--42% identity with C4ST-1. GalNAc4ST-1 and -2 do not add sulfate to HNK-1 precursor glycans, chondroitin, or desulfated dermatan sulfate. Instead, both enzymes can transfer sulfate to the 4-position of GalNAc in the context of GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->R attached to both N-linked and core 2 branched O-linked oligosaccharides. GalNAc4ST-1 and -2 transcripts are highly expressed in the pituitary gland and trachea, respectively, and GalNAc4ST-1 and -2 transcripts are reciprocally expressed in other tissues as well. Moreover, both enzymes can transfer sulfate to lutropin, a pituitary glycoprotein hormone. These combined results indicate that GalNAc4ST-1 and -2 play critical roles in forming sulfo-->4GalNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->R in both N-glycans and O-glycans in a tissue-specific manner.
Nine unknown rearrangements in 16p13.3 and 11p15.4 causing α- and β-thalassaemia characterised by high resolution multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification

Background: Approximately 80% of the α- and 10% of the β-thalassaemias are caused by genomic deletions involving the α- and β-globin gene clusters on chromosomes 16p13.3 and 11p15.5, respectively. Gap-PCR, Southern blot analysis, and fluorescent in situ hybridisation are commonly used to identify these deletions; however, many deletions go undetected using conventional techniques. Methods: Patient samples for which no abnormalities had been found using conventional DNA techniques were analysed by a three colour multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification assay. Two sets of 35 and 50 probes, covering a region of 700 kb of the α- and 500 kb of the β-globin gene cluster, respectively, were designed to detect rearrangements in the α- and β-globin gene clusters. Results: In 19 out of 38 patient samples, we found 11 different α-thalassaemia deletions, six of which were not previously described. Two novel deletions leaving the α-globin gene cluster intact were found to cause a complete downregulation of the downstream α-genes. Similarly, 31 out of 51 patient samples were found to carry 10 different deletions involving the β-globin gene cluster, three of which were not previously described. One involves the deletion of the locus control region leaving the β-globin gene cluster intact. Conclusions: These deletions, which are not easily detected by conventional techniques, may have clinical implications during pregnancy ranging from mild to life threatening microcytic haemolytic anaemia in neonates. The approach as described here is a rapid and sensitive method for high resolution analysis of the globin gene clusters and for any region of the genome.