Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep Disturbances and Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACT Although Parkinson's disease is defined by its motor symptoms, the symptoms that are most devastating to patients and caregivers are dementia and psychosis. In addition, sleep has a tremendous impact on patient well being and quality of life. Eighty percent to 90% of Parkinson's disease patients have a sleep disorder affecting their ability to fall asleep, ability to stay asleep, dreams, motor activity during sleep, post-sleep behavior, or day-time somnolence. Treatment plans for patients with Parkinson's disease who experience sleep disorders aim to improve nighttime sleep or daytime wakefulness, and treatment options vary by sleep disorder.
Photosynthetic Redox Imbalance Governs Leaf Sectoring in the Arabidopsis thaliana Variegation Mutants immutans, spotty, var1, and var2[W]

We hypothesized that chloroplast energy imbalance sensed through alterations in the redox state of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, measured as excitation pressure, governs the extent of variegation in the immutans mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana. To test this hypothesis, we developed a nondestructive imaging technique and used it to quantify the extent of variegation in vivo as a function of growth temperature and irradiance. The extent of variegation was positively correlated (R2 = 0.750) with an increase in excitation pressure irrespective of whether high light, low temperature, or continuous illumination was used to induce increased excitation pressure. Similar trends were observed with the variegated mutants spotty, var1, and var2. Measurements of greening of etiolated wild-type and immutans cotyledons indicated that the absence of IMMUTANS increased excitation pressure twofold during the first 6 to 12 h of greening, which led to impaired biogenesis of thylakoid membranes. In contrast with IMMUTANS, the expression of its mitochondrial analog, AOX1a, was transiently upregulated in the wild type but permanently upregulated in immutans, indicating that the effects of excitation pressure during greening were also detectable in mitochondria. We conclude that mutations involving components of the photosynthetic electron transport chain, such as those present in immutans, spotty, var1, and var2, predispose Arabidopsis chloroplasts to photooxidation under high excitation pressure, resulting in the variegated phenotype.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease in chronic renal failure patients: evaluation by endoscopic examination.

BACKGROUND The association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic renal failure (CRF) remains unclear. The aim of the present study is to assess the gastroendoscopic findings and the prevalence of GERD in CRF patients by endoscopic examination. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study consisted of 156 CRF patients (97 men and 59 women, mean age: 64.2 years) whose creatinine level was more than 2 mg/dl and who underwent endoscopic examination. We checked their renal function, gastrointestinal symptoms and gastroendoscopical findings, and examined the relationship between renal function and gastroendoscopic findings, and the prevalence of GERD. RESULTS In the gastroendoscopic findings of the 156 CRF patients who underwent endoscopic examination, the prevalence of GERD was 34.0%. Especially, in symptomatic cases, the prevalence of GERD was 44.0%. In hemodialysis patients, the prevalence of GERD was 50.0%. The prevalence of GERD tended to increase as renal function become worse. There were statistically significant differences between the patients on hemodialysis and pre-dialysis in the prevalence of GERD (P < 0.01). The severity of GERD tended to be mild. CONCLUSIONS Compared to the reported prevalence of GERD in 6010 Japanese adults (16.3%), the prevalence of GERD in CRF patients, especially who underwent hemodialysis (50.0%), was increased.
Hypnosis with untrained, nonvolunteer patients in labor.

Abstract Contradictory opinions and poorly controlled studies appear in the literature on the use of hypnosis in labor. A group of non-volunteer, untrained patients were individually hypnotized during active labor and compared with a control group selected by the same criteria and receiving the same obstetrical treatment. Hypnotized patient required less medication and obtained greater relief of pain than the control group The time involved in induction of hypnosis was only 20 minutes, and the total time added by hypnotic procedures was only 45 minutes longer that the regular care of the control patient group. It was conclude that hypnosis can be used easily on non volunteer, untrained patient in active labor, even in a noisy environment without any serious sequelae.
Autoxidation versus covalent binding of quinones as the mechanism of toxicity of dopamine, 6-hydroxydopamine, and related compounds toward C1300 neuroblastoma cells in vitro.

The mechanism of cytotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine, 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine, dopa, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine was explored by asking whether cytotoxicity was a reflection of the potential for autoxidation of each polyphenol or of the sulfhydryl reactivity of its quinone products. The cytotoxicity of the polyphenols, as measured by inhibition of [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by C1300 neuroblastoma cells in tissue culture, correlated with the rate of autoxidation, as measured spectrophotometrically or by oxygen electrode studies. Polarographic determinations of the oxidation potentials of the polyphenols were also predictive of cytotoxicity; the most cytotoxic compounds had the most negative half-wave potentials and thus were the most readily oxidized. By contrast, the sulfhydryl reactivity of the quinone oxidation products of the polyphenols, as measured by inhibition of purified calf thymus DNA polymerase α, exhibited an inverse relationship to the cytotoxicity of the polyphenols; the most toxic compounds, 6-hydroxydopamine and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine, were oxidized to the least reactive quinone products. An alternative mechanism of toxicity was observed with N -acetyldopamine, which was oxidized to 4-(2- N -acetylaminoethyl)-1,2-benzoquinone, a potent sulfhydryl reagent. N -Acetyldopamine was more toxic than predicted by its half-wave potential or its rate of autoxidation. Furthermore, while norepinephrine completely neutralized 6-hydroxydopamine and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine as cytotoxic agents, the toxicity of N -acetyldopamine was minimally affected. Thus we conclude that 6-hydroxydopamine and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine kill cells through the production of H2O2, O2[unknown], and OH·, while for dopamine and dopa the reaction of quinone oxidation products with nucleophiles probably also contributes to their cytotoxicity.
Substantia Nigra Hyperechogenicity as a Marker for Parkinson's Disease: A Population-Based Study

Background: The clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is currently anchored in its cardinal motor symptoms. According to hospital-based studies, an enlarged echogenicity in the area of the substantia nigra (SN) assessed with transcranial sonography (TCS) may represent a useful biomarker in the diagnosis of PD. Objective: To evaluate SN hyperechogenicity as a marker for PD in the Bruneck Study cohort, which is representative of the general elderly community. Methods: The diagnostic accuracy of TCS in distinguishing clinically diagnosed PD from nonparkinsonian subjects was assessed in 574 subjects from this cohort. Results: There was a good diagnostic accuracy of TCS in distinguishing PD subjects from nonparkinsonian subjects with an area under the curve value of 0.82. At a receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis-based cutoff value for SN hyperechogenicity of 0.18 cm2, TCS had a sensitivity of 88.2% (95% confidence interval, CI, 64.4-98.0), a specificity of 77.0% (95% CI 72.8-80.6), a positive predictive value of 12.7% (95% CI 7.8-20.0) and a negative predictive value of 99.4% (95% CI 97.8-100.0) for subjects with clinically definite PD at baseline. When analyzing the same population after 5 years with regard to the presence of known and newly diagnosed PD cases, baseline TCS yielded very similar diagnostic accuracy values. Conclusion: SN hyperechogenicity may represent a useful biomarker for PD not only in a hospital-based setting but also in the general community.
Regeneration of spinal neurons in inframammalian vertebrates: morphological and developmental aspects.

This review discusses regeneration of spinal neurons in inframammalian vertebrates. In contrast to the limited regeneration of nerve fibers in mammalian spinal cord, relatively complete regeneration of spinal cord, including the formation of new neurons, occurs in cyclostomes, selachians, teleosts, and urodele amphibians. The various experimental techniques which have been used to accelerate or enhance regeneration of spinal cord, such as implantation of peripheral nerve bridges, application of growth factors or chemical agents, and the application of exogenous electrical fields, are discussed. Processes involved in regeneration of other systems, e.g., the trophic effect of nerve fibers, the effect of certain hormones, and the effects of the blastema, are discussed as they may relate to regeneration in the spinal cord. Recent work on the factors which influence nerve outgrowth is discussed. Factors such as diffusible chemical gradients, contact with other cells, pre-formed channels for nerve growth, and differences in adhesivity of neurites for the substratum may act to control the direction of axon outgrowth in regeneration as well as normal embryonic development. This article next reviews work from our laboratory on regeneration of spinal neurons in the teleost, Sternarchus albifrons. We have used Sternarchus as a model system for the study of regeneration and remyelination since: 1. spinal cord readily regenerates after amputation of the tail, 2. new nerve cell bodies are formed during this regeneration, and 3. Sternarchus contains large neurogenic electric organs which also regenerate after tail amputation. The axons of the electric organ arise from spinal neurons and have a highly specific and complex morphology which is recapitulated after regeneration. Studies on Sternarchus indicate that new nerve cell bodies are produced during regeneration from the enlarged ependymal cells. Initially, many more of the electromotor neurons are produced in regenerated spinal cord than are present normally. Cell death subsequently occurs in some of these asynaptic cells, reducing the number of electrocytes in older regenerated cord to a more normal condition. The spinal electromotor neurons in Sternarchus have also been used to demonstrate that section of the axon in an asynaptic neuron will produce a typical "axon reaction" in the cell body. It is interesting that cell death during regeneration and the retrograde axon reaction both appear to occur without loss of synaptic elements in these normally asynaptic cells. Neurites grow through regenerating Sternarchus spinal cord in small bundles, in close contact with adjacent ependymal cell processes. Longitudinal channels, filled with neurites, are seen extending through many stages of regenerating Sternarchus cord, usually near the periphery of the cord. There are numerous invaginations of the peripheral edge of regenerating cord and its associated external lamina. These infoldings may be involved in the generation of the neurite filled channels. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Agonist‐independent internalization of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a is arrestin‐ and clathrin‐dependent and is suppressed by receptor inverse agonists

Three group I mGluR antagonists CPCCOEt, LY367385 and BAY36‐7620, were analyzed for their effect on cell surface expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1a and 1b. All three antagonists inhibited glutamate‐induced internalization of mGluR1a and mGluR1b. However, when added alone, either LY367385 or BAY36‐7620 increased the cell surface expression of mGluR1a but not mGluR1b. Both LY367385 and BAY36‐7620 displayed inverse agonist activity as judged by their ability to inhibit basal inositol phosphate accumulation in cells expressing the constitutively active mGluR1a. Interestingly, mGluR1a but not mGluR1b was constitutively internalized in HEK293 cells and both LY367385 and BAY36‐7620 inhibited the constitutive internalization of this splice variant. Furthermore, coexpression of dominant negative mutant constructs of arrestin‐2 [arrestin‐2‐(319–418)] or Eps15 [Eps15(EΔ95‐295)] increased cell surface expression of mGluR1a and blocked constitutive receptor internalization. In the presence of these dominant negative mutants, incubation of cells with LY367385 and BAY36‐7620 produced no further increase in cell surface expression of mGluR1a. Taken together, these results suggest that the constitutive activity of mGluR1a triggers the internalization of the receptor through an arrestin‐ and clathrin‐dependent pathway, and that inverse agonists increase the cell surface expression of mGluR1a by promoting an inactive form of mGluR1a, which does not undergo constitutive internalization.
Efficient ECG multi-level wavelet classification through neural network dimensionality reduction

In this article, we explore the use of a unique type of wavelets for ECG beat detection and classification. Once the different beats are segmented, classification is performed using at the input of a neural network different wavelet scales. This improves the noise resistance and allows a better representation of the different morphologies. The results, evaluated on the MIT/BIH database, are excellent (97.69% on the normal and PVC classes) thanks to the use of a regularization technique.
Host-feeding patterns of Florida mosquitoes. 3. Culex (Culex) and Culex (Neoculex).

The host blood sources of 5 species of Culex collected from several sites on both Florida coasts were identified by precipitin tests. Results indicate that in Florida (1) Culex territans is essentially a parasite of cold-blooded vertebrates as it is elsewhere, (2) Culex Pipiens quinquefasciatus is a general feeder, mostly on domestic birds and mammals, and passerines, (3) Culex salinarius is also a general feeder but C. salinarius tends to feed primarily on mammals in certain habitats, (4) Culex nigripalpus is an extremely opportunistic mosquito which feeds mainly on cattle and rabbits, and ciconiiform, passerine, and galliform birds. C. nigripalpus showed an annual shift in feeding during all 6 years of the study. This vector species feeds mainly on avian hosts in winter and spring and then shifts to near equal or greater feeding on mammals in summer and fall. The time and magnitude of the shift varied from year to year in correspondence with the onset and duration of the rainy season. Possible explanations for the feeding shift are discussed and evidence in support of a seasonal change in mosquito flight habits as a result of changing moisture levels is presented.
Campylobacters in water, sewage and the environment

Thermophilic campylobacters are widespread in the environment, where they are a sign of recent contamination with animal and avian faeces, agricultural run-off and sewage effluent. Although intestinal carriage of campylobacters is ubiquitous in livestock, domestic animals, wild animals, wild birds and poultry, contamination of the environment with the bacteria in faeces is intermittent and varies seasonally, depending on factors such as stress and changes in diet. Wild birds, and not sewage effluent, are the source of campylobacters in some coastal waters. The density of Campylobacter spp. in sewage effluent depends on the source of the sewage and the type of treatment. There is a qualitative, but not a quantitative, correlation between campylobacters and faecal indicators in environmental samples. The marked seasonal pattern of campylobacters in temperate, aquatic environments is a result of variations in Campylobacter die-off rates at different times of the year.
First reported incursion of highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza A H5N1 viruses from clade 2.3.2 into European poultry.

This study reports the first incursion into European poultry of H5N1 highly pathogenic notifiable avian influenza A (HPNAI) viruses from clade 2.3. 2 that affected domestic poultry and wild birds in Romania and Bulgaria, respectively. Previous occurrences in Europe of HPNAI H5N1 in these avian populations have involved exclusively viruses from clade 2.2. This represents the most westerly spread of clade 2.3. 2 viruses, which have shown an apparently expanding range of geographical dispersal since mid-2009 following confirmation of infections in wild waterfowl species in Mongolia and Eastern Russia. During March 2010, AI infection was suspected at post-mortem examination of two hens from two backyard flocks in Tulcea Country, Romania. HPNAI of H5N1 subtype was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A second outbreak was confirmed 2 weeks later by RT-PCR, affecting all hens from another flock located 55 km east of the first cluster. On the same day, an H5N1 HPNAI virus was detected from a pooled tissue sample collected from a dead Common Buzzard found on the Black Sea coast in Bulgaria. Detailed genetic characterization of the haemagglutinin gene revealed the cleavage site of the isolates to be consistent with viruses of high pathogenicity belonging to clade 2.3. 2 of the contemporary Eurasian H5N1 lineage. Viruses from a clade other than 2.2 have apparently spread to wild birds, with potential maintenance and spread through such populations. Whilst the scale of threat posed by the apparent westward spread of the clade 2.3. 2 viruses remains uncertain, ongoing vigilance for clinical signs of disease as part of existing passive surveillance frameworks for AI, and the prompt reporting of suspect cases in poultry is advised.
Modulation of LMP1 protein expression by EBV-encoded microRNAs

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) was the first human virus found to encode microRNAs (miRNAs), but the function of these miRNAs has been obscure. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is associated with EBV infection, and the EBV-encoded LMP1 is believed to be a key factor in NPC development. However, detection of LMP1 protein in NPC is variable. Here, we report that EBV-encoded BART miRNAs target the 3′ UTR of the LMP1 gene and negatively regulate LMP1 protein expression. These miRNAs also modulate LMP1-induced NF-κB signaling and alleviate the cisplatin sensitivity of LMP1-expressing NPC cells. Consistent with a previous study on the NPC C666-1 cell line and C15 xenograft, we found abundant expression of BART miRNAs in NPC tissues. Furthermore, DNA sequencing revealed that the 3′ UTR of LMP1 is highly conserved in NPC-derived EBV isolates. The data provide insight into the discrepancy between LMP1 transcript and protein detection in NPC and highlight the role of the EBV miRNAs in regulating LMP1 downstream signaling to promote cancer development.
The cytochrome P450 1A2 active site: topology and perturbations caused by glutamic acid-318 and threonine-319 mutations.

Phenyldiazene reacts with rat liver CYP1A2 expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to give a phenyl-iron complex that rearranges to a mixture (NB:NA:NC:ND = 12:54:14:20, subscript indicates pyrrole ring) of N-phenyl-PPIX (PPIX = protoporphyrin) regioisomers. The same isomer pattern is obtained in each instance when the purified or microsomal enzyme reacts with phenyldiazene, indicating that the active site topology is not altered by removal of the protein from the membrane. Reaction of the enzyme with biphenylhydrazine gives a similar distribution of N-biphenyl-PPIX isomers, but reaction with (2-naphthyl)-hydrazine only gives the NC and ND regioisomers and a trace of the NA isomer of N-(2-naphthyl)-PPIX. The mutations E318D, E318A, and E318V cause relatively minor changes in the observed regioisomer ratios. In contrast, the mutations T319A, T319V, and T319S suppress formation of the NC and ND isomers of N-phenyl-PPIX. The reaction of T319A with biphenylhydrazine yields major amounts of the NB adduct rather than the small amounts observed with CYP1A2 and the Glu-318 mutants, but does not give the NC and ND regioisomers. Other, less dramatic, changes in the isomer ratios are also observed. The results indicate that the active site of CYP1A2 is open above all four quadrants of the heme group including, to some extent, the region above pyrrole ring B. Pyrrole ring B is completely inaccessible in most cytochrome P450 enzymes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Age-and Gender-Related Variations in Morphometric Characteristics of Thoracic Spine Pedicle : A Study of 4 , 800

RODOLFO MORALES-AVALOS, JORGE LEYVA-VILLEGAS, GABRIELA S ANCHEZ-MEJORADA, MARCELA C ARDENAS-SERNA, F ELIX V ILCHEZ-CAVAZOS, ANGEL MART INEZ-PONCE DE LE ON, GUILLERMO ELIZONDO-RIOJAS, JORGE MART INEZ-GARC IA, OSCAR DE LA GARZA-CASTRO, RODRIGO ELIZONDO-OMA ~ NA, AND SANTOS GUZM AN-L OPEZ Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Aut onoma de Nuevo Le on, Monterrey, Nuevo Le on, M exico Laboratory of Physical Anthropology, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Aut onoma de M exico, D.F, M exico Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, University Hospital “Dr. Jos e Eleuterio Gonz alez”, Universidad Aut onoma de Nuevo Le on, Monterrey, Nuevo Le on, M exico Neurosurgery Service, University Hospital “Dr. Jos e Eleuterio Gonz alez”, Universidad Aut onoma de Nuevo Le on, Monterrey, Nuevo Le on, M exico Department of Radiology, University Hospital “Dr. Jos e Eleuterio Gonz alez” , Universidad Aut onoma de Nuevo Le on, Monterrey, Nuevo Le on, M exico
Use of Hybridization Chain Reaction-Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization To Track Gene Expression by Both Partners during Initiation of Symbiosis

ABSTRACT The establishment of a productive symbiosis between Euprymna scolopes, the Hawaiian bobtail squid, and its luminous bacterial symbiont, Vibrio fischeri, is mediated by transcriptional changes in both partners. A key challenge to unraveling the steps required to successfully initiate this and many other symbiotic associations is characterization of the timing and location of these changes. We report on the adaptation of hybridization chain reaction-fluorescent in situ hybridization (HCR-FISH) to simultaneously probe the spatiotemporal regulation of targeted genes in both E. scolopes and V. fischeri. This method revealed localized, transcriptionally coregulated epithelial cells within the light organ that responded directly to the presence of bacterial cells while, at the same time, provided a sensitive means to directly show regulated gene expression within the symbiont population. Thus, HCR-FISH provides a new approach for characterizing habitat transition in bacteria and for discovering host tissue responses to colonization.
Balloon kyphoplasty: one-year outcomes in vertebral body height restoration, chronic pain, and activity levels.

OBJECT The authors assessed the safety of balloon kyphoplasty in the reduction and repair of osteopenic vertebral compression fractures and report functional outcomes (back pain and activity levels) in the first 96 patients (with 133 fractures) at their institution. Additionally they provide radiographic outcomes in the first 26 patients (41 fractures) treated and followed for 1 year. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of functional outcomes and evaluated radiographs obtained at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS Balloon kyphoplasty safely increases vertebral body height, decreases chronic back pain, and quickly returns geriatric patients to higher activity levels, leading to increased independence and quality of life.