Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increased serum concentrations of macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus: the influence of very low calorie diet.

OBJECTIVE Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) is a novel regulator of energy homeostasis. We explored whether alterations in MIC-1 levels contribute to metabolic disturbances in patients with obesity and/or obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). DESIGN We measured serum MIC-1 levels and its mRNA expression in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue of 17 obese nondiabetic women, 14 obese women with T2DM and 23 healthy lean women. We also explored the relationship of MIC-1 with anthropometric and biochemical parameters and studied the influence of 2-week very low calorie diet (VLCD) on serum MIC-1 levels. METHODS Serum MIC-1 levels were measured by ELISA and its mRNA expression was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS Both obese and T2DM group had significantly elevated serum MIC-1 levels relative to controls. T2DM group had significantly higher serum MIC-1 levels relative to obese group. Serum MIC-1 positively correlated with body weight, body fat, and serum levels of triglycerides, glucose, HbAlc, and C-reactive protein and it was inversely related to serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Fat mRNA MIC-1 expression did not significantly differ between lean and obese women but it was significantly higher in subcutaneous than in visceral fat in both groups. VLCD significantly increased serum MIC-1 levels in obese but not T2DM group. CONCLUSION Elevated MIC-1 levels in patients with obesity are further increased by the presence of T2DM. We suggest that in contrast to patients with cancer cachexia, increased MIC-1 levels in obese patients and diabetic patients do not induce weight loss.
Cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW To provide an updated literature review on the status of cultivated limbal (corneal) epithelial transplantation. Cultivated limbal stem-cell transplantation recently received regulatory approval. We provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the field. RECENT FINDINGS The current article reviews and highlights recent developments in the field of cultivated limbal stem-cell transplantation as retrieved from a literature search for the last year. SUMMARY The implications of clinical/research findings in terms of transplanted cell source and cultivation methods in limbal stem-cell transplantation are reviewed.
How can a government research and development initiative contribute to reducing health inequalities?

The Health Inequalities Research Collaboration (HIRC) is a research initiative to address health inequalities, established in July 1999 by the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Aged Care. Its ability to offer policy options to the government, like similar initiatives in other countries, is circumscribed by numerous factors. They include lack of consensus about the causes of health status differentials, inadequate evidence on how to intervene to reduce health inequalities, and an infrastructure that is underdeveloped in terms of intersectoral action. This article reflects on the work done during the first eighteen months of the Collaboration; on the dynamics that need to be accounted for in any research and development (RD and on some opportunities offered by the Collaboration in meeting these challenges.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Study of the Lithium–Pilocarpine Model of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy in Adult Rats

Summary: Purpose: In temporal lobe epilepsy, it remains to be clarified whether hippocampal sclerosis is the cause or the consequence of epilepsy. We studied the temporal evolution of the lesions in the lithium–pilocarpine model of epilepsy in the rat with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the progressive morphologic changes occurring before the appearance of chronic epilepsy.
Dissemination of Lipid A Deacylases (PagL) among Gram-negative Bacteria

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is one of the main constituents of the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane. It usually consists of a highly variable O-antigen, a less variable core oligosaccharide, and a highly conserved lipid moiety, designated lipid A. Several bacteria are capable of modifying their lipid A architecture in response to external stimuli. The outer membrane-localized lipid A 3-O-deacylase, encoded by the pagL gene of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, removes the fatty acyl chain from the 3 position of lipid A. Although a similar activity was reported in some other Gram-negative bacteria, the corresponding genes could not be identified. Here, we describe the presence of pagL homologs in a variety of Gram-negative bacteria. Although the overall sequence similarity is rather low, a conserved domain could be distinguished in the C-terminal region. The activity of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bordetella bronchiseptica pagL homologs was confirmed upon expression in Escherichia coli, which resulted in the removal of an R-3-hydroxymyristoyl group from lipid A. Upon deacylation by PagL, E. coli lipid A underwent another modification, which was the result of the activity of the endogenous palmitoyl transferase PagP. Furthermore, we identified a conserved histidine-serine couple as active site residues, suggesting a catalytic mechanism similar to serine hydrolases. The biological function of PagL remains unclear. However, because PagL homologs were found in both pathogenic and nonpathogenic species, PagL-mediated deacylation of lipid A probably does not have a dedicated role in pathogenicity.
Effects of Anthocyanins on Cardiometabolic Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Numerous clinical trials have examined the role of anthocyanins on cardiometabolic health, but their effects have not been quantitatively synthesized and systematically evaluated. The aim of our study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of anthocyanins on glycemic regulation and lipid profiles in both healthy populations and those with cardiometabolic diseases. The MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane database, OVID EBM Reviews, and clinicaltrials.gov databases were searched until February 2017. RCTs with a duration of ≥2 wk that evaluated the effects of anthocyanins on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and lipids as either primary or secondary outcomes were included. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the study quality. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were determined by random-effects models. Meta-regression, sensitivity, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore the influence of covariates on the overall effects. Thirty-two RCTs (1491 participants) were eligible for meta-analysis. Anthocyanins significantly reduced fasting glucose (SMD: -0.31; 95% CI: -0.59, -0.04; I2 = 80.7%), 2-h postprandial glucose (SMD: -0.82; 95% CI: -1.49, -0.15; I2 = 77.7), glycated hemoglobin (SMD: -0.65; 95% CI: -1.00, -0.29; I2 = 72.7%), total cholesterol (SMD: -0.33; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.03; I2 = 86.9%), and LDL (SMD: -0.35; 95% CI: -0.66, -0.05; I2 = 85.2%). Sensitivity analyses showed that the overall effects remained similar by excluding the trials with a high or unclear risk of bias. The significant improvements in glycemic control and lipids support the benefits of anthocyanins in the prevention and management of cardiometabolic disease. Further well-designed RCTs are needed to evaluate the long-term effects of anthocyanins on metabolic profiles and to explore the optimal formula and dosage. The protocol for this review was registered at https://www.crd. york.ac. uk/PROSPERO/#index.php as CRD42016033210.
FOXC1-associated phenotypes in humans may not always exhibit corneal neovascularization

The transcription factor gene FOXC1 has been implicated with Axenfeld–Rieger syndrome (ARS) in humans. Mutations in this gene have been suggested to contribute to the mechanism leading to developmental defects in the anterior chamber of the eye. In PNAS, Seo et al. (1) demonstrated that mutations in FOXC1 led to corneal angiogenesis in mice and in anterior segment anomalies like ARS in humans. Although the data on mice are very convincing, we provide a different perspective based on our observations in two different patient cohorts with FOXC1 mutations. Our screening of patients (n = 10) with Axenfeld–Rieger anomaly (ARA) for FOXC1 mutations did not reveal any form of corneal neovascularization among the heterozygous mutation carriers (2). We also screened the FOXC1 gene in a large cohort (n = 210) of another related disease, primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) without any anterior segment anomalies, and, similarly, the mutations carriers were devoid of any corneal neovascularization as observed in our ARA cohort (3). Interestingly, the results were consistent across PCG cases that harbored heterozygous alleles of FOXC1 alone or in combination with an accompanying allele of CYP1B1.
Contamination of firefighter personal protective equipment and skin and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures

ABSTRACT Firefighters' skin may be exposed to chemicals via permeation/penetration of combustion byproducts through or around personal protective equipment (PPE) or from the cross-transfer of contaminants on PPE to the skin. Additionally, volatile contaminants can evaporate from PPE following a response and be inhaled by firefighters. Using polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as respective markers for non-volatile and volatile substances, we investigated the contamination of firefighters' turnout gear and skin following controlled residential fire responses. Participants were grouped into three crews of twelve firefighters. Each crew was deployed to a fire scenario (one per day, four total) and then paired up to complete six fireground job assignments. Wipe sampling of the exterior of the turnout gear was conducted pre- and post-fire. Wipe samples were also collected from a subset of the gear after field decontamination. VOCs off-gassing from gear were also measured pre-fire, post-fire, and post-decon. Wipe sampling of the firefighters' hands and neck was conducted pre- and post-fire. Additional wipes were collected after cleaning neck skin. PAH levels on turnout gear increased after each response and were greatest for gear worn by firefighters assigned to fire attack and to search and rescue activities. Field decontamination using dish soap, water, and scrubbing was able to reduce PAH contamination on turnout jackets by a median of 85%. Off-gassing VOC levels increased post-fire and then decreased 17–36 min later regardless of whether field decontamination was performed. Median post-fire PAH levels on the neck were near or below the limit of detection (< 24 micrograms per square meter [µg/m2]) for all positions. For firefighters assigned to attack, search, and outside ventilation, the 75th percentile values on the neck were 152, 71.7, and 39.3 µg/m2, respectively. Firefighters assigned to attack and search had higher post-fire median hand contamination (135 and 226 µg/m2, respectively) than other positions (< 10.5 µg/m2). Cleansing wipes were able to reduce PAH contamination on neck skin by a median of 54%.
[18F]FHPG Positron Emission Tomography for Detection of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) in Experimental HSV Encephalitis

ABSTRACT Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is one of the most common causes of sporadic encephalitis. The initial clinical course of HSV encephalitis (HSE) is highly variable, and the infection may be rapidly fatal. For effective treatment with antiviral medication, an early diagnosis of HSE is crucial. Subtle brain infections with HSV may be causally related to neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's dementia. We investigated the feasibility of a noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging technique using [18F]FHPG as a tracer for the detection of HSE. For this purpose, rats received HSV-1 (infected group) or phosphate-buffered saline (control group) by intranasal application, and dynamic PET scans were acquired. In addition, the distribution of tracer accumulation in specific brain areas was studied with phosphor storage imaging. The PET images revealed that the overall brain uptake of [18F]FHPG was significantly higher for the infected group than for control animals. Phosphor storage images showed an enhanced accumulation of [18F]FHPG in regions known to be affected after intranasal infection with HSV. High-performance liquid chromatography metabolite analysis showed phosphorylated metabolites of [18F]FHPG in infected brains, proving that the increased [18F]FHPG uptake in infected brains was due to HSV thymidine kinase-mediated trapping. Freeze lesion experiments showed that damage to the blood-brain barrier could in principle induce elevated [18F]FHPG uptake, but this nonspecific tracer uptake could easily be discriminated from HSE-derived uptake by differences in the tracer kinetics. Our results show that [18F]FHPG PET is a promising tool for the detection of HSV encephalitis.
Experiment of component-based software development on multiple distributed object environments

To realize the open and global software marketplace and to enable the virtual enterprise along with software life-cycle, we have completed a two year project named the NGSE (Next Generation Software Engineering) program which is a part of Software CALS (Continuous Acquisition and Lifecycle Support) project sponsored by IPA (Information technology Promotion Agency). The NGSE program developed and demonstrated the enabling technologies for CBSD (Component-Based Software Development) or Componentware, which consist of technology standards, application guidelines and environments for sharing software information and providing network security. This paper reports the results of the NGSE program including the business model and experiments of CBSD. We discuss the following CBSD technologies for the enabling cooperative software development in a distributed object environment. (i) Component trading on Internet. (ii) Software integration technologies using prefabricated software components. (iii) System integration technologies. (iv) Internet security technologies. From these experiments, we can conclude the proposed CBSD enabling technologies for next generation software engineering is feasible.
Water distribution systems as living ecosystems: Impact on taste and odor

Six waters from different U.S. cities with known diverse taste and odor (TO) evaluations were selected for additional microbial characterization. All waters were subjected to microbial and cultural analyses, and four of the waters were further analyzed by cloning and sequencing of community 16S rRNA. The purpose of the study was to evaluate water distribution systems as living ecosystems, and the impact of these ecosystems on TO. All waters had total bacterial counts of at least 103 per ml. The water with lowest TO ranking had 106 total counts per ml. Community DNA sequence analysis identified diverse bacterial communities representing five different phyla and over forty genera. Included in this diversity were heterotrophic and autotrophic species that were both aerobic or anaerobic. Additionally, waters with the lowest TO evaluations contained significant sulfide concentrations, as well as bacteria associated with both the oxidation and reduction of inorganic sulfur compounds. Low redox conditions could have resulted in the reduced sulfur compounds and concomitant TO related problems, and an increase in redox could help alleviate these problems. Overall, data show that water distribution systems contain living ecosystems that evolve based on specific environments within particular distribution systems that impact water TO.
Gimbal angle restricted control moment gyroscope clusters

Momentum envelopes for a cluster of four CMGs in pyramid mounting are obtained. The envelopes when gimbal travel is limited to ±90° are also presented. CMG steering simulations using Moore Penrose pseudo inverse as well as blended inverse are presented, and success of the pre planned blended inverse in avoiding gimbal angle limits is demonstrated. Also given is a successful satellite slew maneuver example using blended inverse, showing the completion of the maneuver without violating gimbal angle travel restrictions.
Life-Span Extension in Yeast

The perspective by Jasper Rine (“Twists in the tale of the aging yeast,” 18 Nov. 2005, p. [1124][1]) shows a serious lack of knowledge about the history and ideas of the aging field. Rine attempts to reconcile recent contrasting claims about yeast replicative aging and calorie restriction (CR).
Acute Hepatitis Related to Omeprazole

persisted, and he died in two months. Frequency of skin infiltration of internal malignancy ranges from 0.7% to 9% (2). Breast cancer is the most common origin of cutaneous metastasis in woman, and lung cancer is the most common origin in men. Gastric cancer causes only 6% of all skin metastases (3). Skin infiltration may be the first symptom or it may accompany other symptoms or it may occur during follow up. Skin involvement is the first sign of cancer in 0.8% of malign patients, and underlying cancer is undiagnosed in 60% of these patients (4). The growth pattern of skin metastases is unpredictable and may not reflect that of a primary tumor. This cutaneous metastatic cancer tends to respond to systemic anticancer treatment, surgical excision, and/or radiotherapy. Local chemotherapy and immunotherapy may also be beneficial (5). As in our patient, skin metastasis may indicate early fatal termination. Even though our patient was considered to be at stage T3N3M0 at the time of diagnosis, he died only 6 months later. Internal cancer uncommonly presents itself with skin metastasis. Despite low frequency, nonhealing ulcers, persistent indurated erythema, and all skin nodules of undetermined causes need to be biopsied to diagnose cutaneous metastasis of visceral cancer.
Genes with greater up‐regulation in the fracture callus of older rats with delayed healing

The rate of bone formation to bridge a fracture gap slows with age. To explore potential pathogenic mechanisms and possible negative‐feedback responses by the skeleton to this reduced rate of healing, mRNA transcripts up‐regulated more and/or longer were studied in older rats with delayed healing. Female rats at 6 (young), 26 (adult), and 52 (old) weeks of age received unilateral diaphyseal femoral fractures with intramedullary rod stabilization. At 0, 0.4, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks after fracture, the fracture site was harvested. Total RNA was extracted, cRNA was prepared, and the cRNA was hybridized to 54 Affymetrix U34A microarrays (three arrays/age/time point). Transcripts for 180 genes were identified as up‐regulated more and/or longer in old rats with delayed fracture healing. Of these, 60 were selected for more intense review. Significantly more and/or longer expression was seen in genes related to myofibroblasts, cell proliferation, calcification inhibition, TGF‐β activity, lipid metabolism, cell adhesion, and the cytoskeleton. Further study is needed to determine if these up‐regulated transcripts are related to the pathological processes which slow healing or are related to attempts by the fracture tissue to stimulate bone to bridge the fracture gap. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 25:488–494, 2007
Your general practice environment can improve your community's health.

The vast majority of GPs believe that they can achieve excellence in their practice when they have developed the optimal mix of knowledge, experience, skills, attitudes, and effective consultation techniques. Unfortunately, what many GPs appear to forget is that the consultation, the very heart of their clinical practice, happens within a physical space. Not surprisingly, given the traditional emphasis on the aforementioned more ‘practical’ clinically-focused attributes of general practice, a gap exists in understanding the life-enhancing potential of physical space. However, this gap is now beginning to close. The recently conducted research by Rice et al 1 (published in this issue) highlights several of the vitally important practice improvements that the sensitively designed physical environment can contribute. This new investigation by Rice et al must be commended for its intention to begin to close a gap in the research literature. Specifically, this research makes three important and very practical contributions to the literature. Firstly, it describes a range of tangible outcomes that the physical environment can be used to improve, as well as describing the actual environmental elements that were used to achieve these improvements. Secondly, this research was conducted within GP surgeries, which enhances the direct relevance and possible generalisability. Finally, is the simple fact that the research was conducted in the UK, which serves to situate it and its findings precisely where they are needed, and is beginning to close a research gap in the UK. However, both a strength and a weakness of this research is its narrow focus on the role of the physical environment. The strength comes from the very nature of conventional scientific inquiry, which necessitates the inclusion of certain variables, and the exclusion of others. Here the physical environment has been …
A COMBINED APPROACH WITH SMOS AND MODIS TO MONITOR AGRICULTURAL DROUGHT

A synergistic fusion of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) L2 soil moisture with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)-derived land surface temperature (LST) and several water/vegetation indices for agricultural drought monitoring was tested. The rationale of the calculation is based on the inverse relationship between LST and vegetation condition, related in turn with the soil moisture content. All the products were time-integrated, including the lagged response of vegetation. The product aims to detect and characterize soil moisture drought conditions and, particularly, to identify potential short-term agricultural droughts among them. The new index, so-called the Soil Moisture Agricultural Drought Index (SMADI), was retrieved at 500 m spatial resolution at the Soil Moisture Measurement Stations Network of the University of Salamanca (REMEDHUS) area from 2010 to 2014 at 8-days temporal scale. SMADI was compared with other agricultural indices in REMEDHUS through statistical correlation, affording a good agreement with them, and depicting a suitable description of the drought conditions in this area during the study period.