Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rapid responses to anakinra in patients with refractory adult-onset Still's disease.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy of anakinra treatment in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) that is refractory to corticosteroids, methotrexate (MTX), and etanercept. METHODS Four patients with AOSD were treated with prednisone and MTX and 2 patients were also treated with etanercept for worsening symptoms and indicators of systemic inflammation. White blood cells (WBCs), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and/or erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and ferritin levels were measured and, in 1 patient, serum creatinine levels were determined. Treatment with anakinra at 100 mg/day was initiated. RESULTS The index patient's disease was refractory to treatment with prednisone (30 mg/day) and MTX, with spiking fevers, rash, synovitis, a serum ferritin level of 8,400 ng/ml (normal </=200), and a CRP level of 86 mg/liter (normal <8). Levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-1alpha, IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and IL-18 were elevated. Just prior to anakinra treatment, the WBC count was 14,600/mm(3), the CRP level was 86 mg/liter, and the ferritin level was 573 ng/ml, with daily spiking fevers to 104 degrees F, rash, and swollen joints. Within hours of the first injection, the patient was afebrile and asymptomatic; within days, the WBC count, ferritin level, and CRP level decreased into the normal range. On 2 occasions, anakinra was withheld. Within a few days, the WBC count rose to >20,000/mm(3) with prominent neutrophilia, the CRP level rose to >200 mg/liter, and the ferritin level rose to >3,000 ng/ml. Upon restarting anakinra, the patient became afebrile, the WBC count fell to 8,000/mm(3), the CRP level fell to <3 mg/liter, and the ferritin level fell to <300 ng/ml. Three additional patients with refractory AOSD who experienced rapid reductions in fever, symptoms, and markers of inflammation when treated with anakinra are reported. CONCLUSION Refractory AOSD appears to be IL-1-mediated since anakinra decreases hematologic, biochemical, and cytokine markers and also produces rapid reductions in systemic and local inflammation. Reported efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-blocking therapies in AOSD may be due to a reduction in IL-1.
Hemolysis results in impaired intestinal microcirculation and intestinal epithelial cell injury.

AIM To study the effect of circulating cell-free oxyhemoglobin (FHb) on intestinal microcirculation and intestinal epithelial injury in a rat model. METHODS To induce elevated intravascular circulating FHb, male Sprague-Dawley rats received water or FHb infusion. Microcirculatory changes in jejunum, ileum and colon were evaluated using fluorescent microspheres. Intestinal injury was quantified as plasmatic release of ileal lipid binding protein (iLBP) and verified by histological analysis of the ileum. RESULTS Water and FHb infusions resulted, when compared with saline infusion, in reduced intestinal microcirculation (after 30 min P < 0.05, or better; after 60 min FHb infusion P < 0.05 for jejunum and colon). Circulating FHb levels correlated significantly with release of iLBP (Spearman r = 0.72, P = 0.0011). Epithelial cell injury of the villi was histologically observed after water and FHb infusions. CONCLUSION This study shows that circulating FHb leads to a reduction in intestinal microcirculatory blood flow with marked injury to intestinal epithelial cells. These data support the hypothesis that circulating FHb contributes to the development of intestinal injury.
High incidence of tuberculosis among HIV-infected infants: evidence from a South African population-based study highlights the need for improved tuberculosis control strategies.

BACKGROUND There are limited population-based estimates of tuberculosis incidence among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected infants aged < or =12 months. We aimed to estimate the population-based incidence of culture-confirmed tuberculosis among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected infants in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. METHODS The incidences of pulmonary, extrapulmonary, and disseminated tuberculosis were estimated over a 3-year period (2004-2006) with use of prospective representative hospital surveillance data of the annual number of culture-confirmed tuberculosis cases among infants. The total number of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected infants was calculated using population-based estimates of the total number of live infants and the annual maternal HIV prevalence and vertical HIV transmission rates. RESULTS There were 245 infants with culture-confirmed tuberculosis. The overall incidences of tuberculosis were 1596 cases per 100,000 population among HIV-infected infants (95% confidence interval [CI], 1151-2132 cases per 100,000 population) and 65.9 cases per 100,000 population among HIV-uninfected infants (95% CI, 56-75 cases per 100,000 population). The relative risk of culture-confirmed tuberculosis among HIV-infected infants was 24.2 (95% CI, 17-34). The incidences of disseminated tuberculosis were 240.9 cases per 100,000 population (95% CI, 89-433 cases per 100,000 population) among HIV-infected infants and 14.1 cases per 100,000 population (95% CI, 10-18 cases per 100,000 population) among HIV-uninfected infants (relative risk, 17.1; 95% CI, 6-34). CONCLUSIONS This study indicates the magnitude of the tuberculosis disease burden among HIV-infected infants and provides population-based comparative incidence rates of tuberculosis among HIV-infected infants. This high risk of tuberculosis among HIV-infected infants is of great concern and may be attributable to an increased risk of tuberculosis exposure, increased immune-mediated tuberculosis susceptibility, and/or possible limited protective effect of bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination. Improved tuberculosis control strategies, including maternal tuberculosis screening, contact tracing of tuberculosis-exposed infants coupled with preventive chemotherapy, and effective vaccine strategies, are needed for infants in settings where HIV infection and tuberculosis are highly endemic.
Hydrothermal Geochemistry as the Source of Plume Gases on Enceladus: A Thermodynamic Evaluation

Introduction: The Cassini spacecraft detected a gas plume emanating from Saturns icy satellite Enceladus [13]. Its composition (91% H2O, 3.2% CO2, 4% N2, and 1.6% CH4) was inferred based on measurements by the Ion and Neutral Mass Spectrometer [2]. Jets from warm (110-160 K) fissures (sulci) supply the plume [3], and boiling water in a subsurface reservoir may power the jets [1]. Liquid water is possible because radiogenic and tidal heating might be sufficient to prevent freezing [4]. Terrains near sulci are composed of water and CO2 ices mixed with light organic compounds [5]. Here, we consider aqueous geochemistry in an attempt to interpret the plumes composition. Conceptual model: Enceladus accreted from ices and rocky materials. After differentiation [6], Enceladus began cooling as it radiated heat to space. Presumably, a water ocean was present above a silicate core, and hydrothermal systems developed at the water-rock interface due to high temperatures generated by short-lived radionuclides [7,8]. Reactions between iron-bearing minerals and water governed redox conditions by controlling the fugacity of hydrogen (fH2), influencing abundances of oxidized and reduced species. High-temperature reactions favored oxidation, while low gravity allowed H2 escape [9], irreversibly oxidizing rocks in hydrothermal environments. It seems likely that Saturns moons acquired carbon and possibly nitrogen from organic compounds [10,11], thus hydrothermal systems were sites where carbonaceous matter was broken down [12]. Outside hydrothermal systems, cold oceanic water mixed with hot fluids, quenching redox reactions. The plumes composition could represent ocean chemistry, which may reflect hydrothermal geochemistry. That is, subsurface waters may be envisioned as quenched hydrothermal fluids from the past. Thermodynamic model: We constrained the oxidation state inside Enceladus by performing equilibrium calculations using the SUPCRT92 code [13]. Temperature-redox conditions that match the plumes CO2/CH4 ratio were evaluated for environments near the water-rock boundary (P = 100 bar). Equations for CH4-CO2 equilibrium are:
Jürg Niehans and the Cashless Economy

Information technology has the potential to decrease substantially, if not completely, the demand for base money. This poses a problem for central banks as it seemingly eliminates a role for monetary policy, at least in the traditional sense. Recently, it has become commonplace to consider the role of monetary policy and the determination of the price level without any reference to money. The two predominant methods of analysis in this regard are the New Keynesian framework articulated by Woodford and the fiscal theory of the price level as described in Cochrane. Lost in the literature on “cashless” economies is the work of Jürg Niehans who, driven by the perplexities of the Eurodollar market, considered the role of monetary policy and price-level determination in the context of a neoclassical macroeconomic model. This article contrasts the framework and conclusions of Niehans with the contemporary approaches. It is argued that Niehans successfully anticipated the conclusions of the fiscal theory of the price level. JEL Classification : E52, E63
Relaxation of Photoinduced Quasi-Particles in Correlated Electron Metals

We present our studies of photoinduced quasi-particle dynamics in correlated electron metals. At room temperature, these materials exhibit metallic behavior characterized by the presence of a Fermi surface. Electronic correlations lead to a modification of the low-energy electronic structure near the Fermi level resulting in the opening of gaps or partial gaps due to such phenomena as density waves or superconductivity. We describe the results of optical pump-probe studies of quasi-particle dynamics in the spin density wave metal UNiGa5, the heavy-fermion superconductor PuCoGa5, and the pnictide high-temperature superconductor (Ba,K)Fe2As2.
The Asymmetric Volatility of Platinum and Palladium Futures

I test for the presence of asymmetric volatility in the Platinum and Palladium futures markets. My investigation is based on a variant of the heterogeneous autoregressive volatility model, using daily realized variance and return series from 2004 through 2009. I find that a decline in oil futures leads to significantly lower volatility for Palladium futures. Relative to volatility on days following a positive one-standard-deviation return, volatility on days following a negative one-standard-deviation return is lower by 20% for Palladium futures. These results are robust to the removal of the jump component from realized volatility. The asymmetry in Palladium crude futures appears to be embedded in the continuous component of realized volatility. Platinum futures volatility exhibits no asymmetry.
A Critique of the Bucket Classification of Journals: The ABDC List as an Example

Journal ranking is a hazardous endeavour even if it is based on objective criteria. Additional problems arise from the use of an opinion-based bucket classification of journals. As a bucket classification system, the ABDC list encourages rent-seeking and arbitrage whereby a researcher goes for the lowest-quality journal within each bucket or moves to another bucket. The quality of research output should not be judged on the basis of a predetermined list. It would be beneficial if the Australian Business Deans Council list were abandoned for the same reasons that led to the abandonment of the Excellence in Research for Australia list.
Constitutive expression of yeast phospholipid biosynthetic genes by variants of Ino2 activator defective for interaction with Opi1 repressor

Regulated expression of structural genes involved in yeast phospholipid biosynthesis is mediated by inositol/choline‐responsive element (ICRE) upstream motifs, bound by the heterodimeric activator complex Ino2 + Ino4. Gene repression occurs in the presence of sufficient inositol and choline, requiring an intact Opi1 repressor which binds to Ino2. For a better understanding of interactions among regulators, we mapped an 18 aa repressor interaction domain (RID, aa 118–135) within Ino2 necessary and sufficient for binding by Opi1. By alanine scanning mutagenesis of the entire RID we were able to identify nine residues critical for Opi1‐dependent repression of Ino2 function. Consequently, the corresponding dominant Ino2 variants conferred constitutive expression of an ICRE‐dependent reporter gene and were no longer inhibited even by overproduction of Opi1. Interestingly, Ino2 RID partially overlaps with transcriptional activation domain TAD2. As certain mutations exclusively affect repression while others affect both repression and activation, both functions of Ino2 can be functionally uncoupled. Correspondingly, we mapped the RID–binding activator interaction domain (AID, aa 321–380) at the C‐terminus of Opi1 and introduced missense mutations at selected positions. An Opi1 variant simultaneously mutated at three highly conserved positions showed complete loss of repressor function, confirming RID–AID interaction as the crucial step of regulated expression of ICRE‐dependent genes.
Mycophenolates in transplantation

Abstract: The discovery of mycophenolic acid (MPA) as a potent immunosuppressant, able to inhibit B‐ and T‐cell proliferation by blocking production of guanosine nucleotides required for DNA synthesis, allowed its potential in the field of transplantation to be realized. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), an MPA prodrug, has been shown to be an effective immunosuppressant in transplant therapy. Clinical trials in renal, heart, and liver transplant recipients have demonstrated that, in combination with cyclosporine and steroids, MMF therapy can reduce the incidence and severity of acute rejection episodes and improve graft and patient survival as well as graft function. Although MMF is generally well tolerated, optimal therapy may be limited by associated side effects, in particular gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity, which may occur in over 40% of patients. Dose changes resulting from GI side effects may potentially lead to sub‐therapeutic dosing and impaired clinical outcomes. An enteric‐coated formulation delivering MPA – enteric‐coated mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS) has been developed to improve MPA‐related upper GI adverse events. EC‐MPS delays the release of MPA, consistent with a functional enteric‐coating. Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that EC‐MPS is as effective and safe as MMF in both de novo and maintenance renal transplant patients.
DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES OF SOFT CORALS (COELENTERATA: OCTOCORALLIA) OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. II. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TOXICITY AND FEEDING DETERRENCE.

Thirty-six specimens of soft corals (Coelenterata, Alcyonacea) were tested for toxicity by exposing Gambusia affinis (Vertebrata, Pisces) to aqueous extracts of coral macerate and assessing mortality. Fifty percent of the soft coral extracts were determined to be ichthyotoxic to the fish, supporting earlier studies. In another experiment, commercial fish food was immersed in the same aqueous soft coral extracts, dried, and offered to G. affinis at three concentrations with appropriate controls. The study of feeding deterrence showed that 88% of the 36 extracts produced negative feeding responses at the highest concentration. At intermediate concentrations, 75% of the extracts acted as feeding deterrents; 48% showed detectable deterrence at lowest concentrations. Levels of toxicity and feeding deterrence, however, were not correlated; i.e., feeding deterrence was as common among non-toxic corals as among toxic ones. This finding may help to explain why some soft corals, which apparently lack toxic defense substances, do not exhibit signs of predation in the field.
Implementation of rule-based expert systems for time-critical applications using neural networks

The process of constructing a neural-network-based expert system from a given AND/OR inference net is examined. The major purpose of such an approach is to make use of the parallel-processing capabilities of neural networks in implementing expert systems for classifications. In order to provide a clear view of the design process of the proposed neural network expert systems an example of such a classification expert system and its neural network version are given. It is clear from the results that neural networks can be used as an implementational vehicle for expert systems for time-critical applications. <<ETX>>
Cytokine production and nutritional status in hemodialysis patients.

Malnutrition is an important predictor of mortality in patients on chronic hemodialysis, however the pathogenesis of wasting in this population remains unclear. Experimental data suggest that the dialysis procedure per se leads to enhanced catabolism, as well as direct loss of plasma amino acids and proteins into the dialysate. In the present study, the primary hypothesis examined is that hemodialysis-induced cytokine production is associated with reductions in lean body mass and other plasma markers of nutrition. We used the production of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as an indicator of cytokine production. PBMC were obtained pre-dialysis on the first and second sessions of the week in a cohort of 16 patients on chronic hemodialysis using reprocessed cellulose dialyzers who fulfilled rigorous entry criteria designed to eliminate known etiologies of increased cytokine production, e.g. chronic infections. PBMCs were either immediately frozen (cell content) or incubated for 24 hours at 37 degrees C in the presence or absence of endotoxin 10 ng/ml and total IL-1Ra was measured by radioimmunoassay. Nutritional staus was assessed using body mass index (BMI), total body potassium (TBK), anthropometry-derived arm muscle area (AMA), and measurements of plasma albumin, transferrin, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Over the subsequent 3 months, patients were monitored carefully for pyrogen reactions, hemodynamic stability and intra-interdialytic symptoms. There was a direct correlation of cell content of IL-1Ra with several indices of nutritional status including BMI (r = 0.90, p = 0.0001), AMA (r = 0. 77, p = 0.0008), serum total cholesterol (r = 0.57, p = 0.03) and serum triglycerides (r = 0. 73, p = 0.002). Endotoxin-stimulated IL-1Ra production correlated directly with AMA (r = 0.59, p = 0.02), TBK (r = 0.71, p = 0.01) and serum triglycerides (r = 0.51, p = 0.05). These studies suggest a direct correlation between nutrition and cytokine production, and that malnutrition could depress cytokine production and potentially contribute to reduced immune responsiveness in patients on chronic hemodialysis.
Management of Cholesterol Granulomas of the Petrous Apex Based on Clinical and Radiologic Evaluation

Objective The purpose of this study was to analyze the imaging characteristics of 12 cholesterol granulomas as a function of their clinical symptoms. The results of the different surgical approaches and the management of these lesions are discussed. Study Design Retrospective case review. Setting Five tertiary referral centers. Patients Twelve patients managed for a cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex. Interventions All patients were evaluated via computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Eight patients required surgical drainage: through a conservative approach in seven patients (infralabyrinthine, n = 5; infracochlear, n = 2) and a transotic approach in one patient. Clinical and radiologic follow-up without surgery was the mode of treatment for four patients. The mean follow-up period was 18 months for patients who underwent operations and ranged from 6 months to 10 years for patients without operations. Results Four patterns of clinical symptoms were noted: retrocochlear signs by an involvement of the internal auditory meatus (n = 8), headaches by a traction of the dura (n = 4), serous otitis media by a compression of the eustachian tube (n = 2), and asymptomatic lesions with no involvement of the adjacent structures (n = 2). Hearing and facial functions were preserved in all the cases treated by a noninvasive procedure. No recurrence or complication was reported in the patients who underwent operations. None of the noninvasively treated patients with cholesterol granulomas showed significant enlargement on follow-up imaging. Conclusion Clinical manifestations of cholesterol granulomas depend on their anatomic location and the involvement of the adjacent structures. Aggressive lesions in patients with residual hearing can be drained via an infralabyrinthine or an infracochlear approach with minimal morbidity. Follow-up must be preferred for patients with nonaggressive lesions. Although magnetic resonance imaging provides a specific diagnosis tool for cholesterol granulomas, computed tomography is essential for an accurate evaluation of the location of the cyst and choice of the surgical procedure.
Trunk kinematics in hemiplegic gait and the effect of walking aids

Objective: To establish baseline measurements of trunk movements during hemiplegic gait, to assess the relationship between trunk movements and walking ability, and to investigate the effect of walking aids on the trunk movements. Method: Twenty subjects with a chronic hemiplegia from a stroke, who could walk independently, were recruited. Lateral and vertical movements of the pelvis, and symmetry of these movements were measured using CODA (a three-dimensional movement analysis system) as the subjects walked at their own pace without an aid. They were also tested as they walked with a stick and a tripod to assess the effect of different walking aids. Mean values for the trunk movements and symmetry were calculated, Pearson's correlations assessed the relationship between each trunk movement and gait velocity (a measure of overall walking ability), and the influence of the different aids was assessed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Lateral displacement was large (mean = 9.9 cm, SD 3.9) and orientated to the sound side, vertical displacement was small (mean = 2.45 cm, SD 1.4). The movements showed marked asymmetry which favoured the hemiplegic side in that there was less movement of, or towards this side. There was a significant relationship (at 5% level) between walking ability and lateral movements (r= 0.6), but not vertical movements (r= 0.41). No significant differences were found with the different aids. Conclusion: These results give baseline values for trunk movements during hemiplegic gait and the relationship between the movements and walking ability. The use of walking aid and the type of walking aid did not affect the subjects' trunk movements or walking ability.
Miniature interferometer with corner cube mirrors

A miniature Wishbone type interferometer for a spectrometer is designed and fabricated, which has electrically actuated rotary comb drives. The three-dimensional corner cube mirror is mounted at the end of Si arms integrated with rotary comb drive actuators. The total size of the interferometer is approximately 8 mm × 8 mm, which is bonded with a glass substrate. The corner cube mirrors with sharp edges are fabricated using indentation technique. The size of the corner cube mirrors is approximately 1 mm × 1 mm × 0.5 mm. The rotation angle of the rotary comb drive was approximately 11 degrees at an applied voltage of 180 V. Hereby, the maximum optical path difference of approximately 2640 µm was achieved, which corresponds to the theoretical resolution of ∼ 4.0 cm−1 as a spectrometer.