Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pancreas After Islet Transplantation: A First Report of the International Pancreas Transplant Registry

Pancreas after islet (PAI) transplantation is a treatment option for patients seeking insulin independence through a whole‐organ transplant after a failed cellular transplant. This report from the International Pancreas Transplant Registry (IPTR) and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) studied PAI transplant outcomes over a 10‐year time period. Forty recipients of a failed alloislet transplant subsequently underwent pancreas transplant alone (50%), pancreas after previous kidney transplant (22.5%), or simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplant (27.5%). Graft and patient survival rates were not statistically significantly different compared with matched primary pancreas transplants. Regardless of the recipient category, overall 1‐ and 5‐year PAI patient survival rates for all 40 cases were 97% and 83%, respectively; graft survival rates were 84% and 65%, respectively. A failed previous islet transplant had no negative impact on kidney graft survival in the SPK category: It was the same as for primary SPK transplants. According to this IPTR/UNOS analysis, a PAI transplant is a safe procedure with low recipient mortality, high graft‐function rates in both the short and long term and excellent kidney graft outcomes. Patients with a failed islet transplant should know about this alternative in their quest for insulin independence through transplantation.
Influence of timing of gain on growth and reproductive performance of beef replacement heifers.

Our objective was to determine whether beef heifers could be developed by delaying the majority of weight gain until the last third of the developmental period before the onset of the breeding season. Spring-born Angus x Hereford heifers were used in each of two consecutive years and were allotted at weaning to gain either . 45 kg/d for the entire developmental period (yr 1 = 159 d, n = 40; yr 2 = 168 d, n = 40; EVENGAIN) or to gain . 11 kg/d from d 0 to 112, followed by . 91 kg/d from d 112 to 159 (yr 1, n = 40) or d 168 (yr 2, n = 40; LATEGAIN). Body weights and condition scores were determined at d 0, 112, and 159 (yr 1) or d 0, 112, and 168 (yr 2). Heifers were subjected to a 60-d breeding season. Frame scores and pelvic areas were determined at the conclusion of the breeding season. Actual daily gains for EVENGAIN heifers for yr 1 and yr 2 were . 60 and . 51 kg/d, respectively. LATEGAIN heifers gained . 25 and . 05 kg/d during the restricted phases from d 0 to 112, followed by 1.14 and 1.32 kg/d during the accelerated growth phases for yr 1 and 2, respectively. Body weight at the onset of the breeding season and weight at puberty were not different between treatments in either year. Age at puberty did not differ in yr 1, but, age at puberty in yr 2 was delayed (P < .01) in LATEGAIN (406.9 d) compared to EVENGAIN (386.3 d) heifers. The LATEGAIN and EVENGAIN heifers had similar pelvic areas, frame scores, and body condition scores in each year. First-service conception rates of both groups were similar in yr 1 (55.5 vs 55.3%). In yr 2, LATEGAIN heifers tended (P = .18) to have an increase in first-service conception rate compared to EVENGAIN heifers (71.1 vs 56.4%). No treatment differences occurred in either average age of conception or overall pregnancy rates at the conclusion of the breeding season for either year. The LATEGAIN heifers were developed to a similar BW on 12 (P < .01) and 2.5% (not statistically significant) less feed for yr 1 and 2, respectively, compared to EVENGAIN heifers. We interpret these data to indicate that delaying the majority of weight gain until late in heifer development may decrease costs without detrimental effects on reproductive performance.
Improving Patient Satisfaction With Nursing Communication Using Bedside Shift Report

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine if standardizing shift report improves patient satisfaction with nursing communication. Background: Patient surveys taken after discharge from the hospital show that patients perceive nursing communication during their stay could be improved. Standardizing bedside reporting is one step toward improving communication between nurses, patients, and their families. Project: A pilot bedside shift report process was developed on a medical/surgical intermediate care unit to improve patient satisfaction scores in the area of “nurse communicated well,” with the goal of reaching 90% satisfaction rates, which increased from 76% and 78%. Peplau’s interpersonal relations theory was used in the adoption of this practice. This theory is based on the idea that the nurse-patient relationship is therapeutic and that it is crucial for nurses to assess, plan, and put context behind the care delivered to their patients. Lewin’s Change Theory and the tenets of unfreezing, moving, and refreezing were crucial to the implementation of this practice change. Conclusion: Monitoring of patient satisfaction was continued for 3 months. There was a rise in patient satisfaction in nursing communication to 87.6%, an increase from 75% in the previous 6 months. This score did not meet the goal of 90%, but did show that this practice change did impact this particular area of patient satisfaction. Implications: This process was instituted organization-wide. Reaching the goal of 90% satisfaction in the area of patient perceptions of nursing communication is the overall goal of this program.
Volumetric MRI assessment of brain and spinal cord in Finnish twins discordant for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Brain size, white matter hyperintensity, and the development of brain atrophy are known to be highly heritable. The decrease of brain volume starts from the very onset of multiple sclerosis and is 10-fold compared with normal aging. The aim of this study was to assess whether the brain and spinal cord volumes and the volume of white matter lesions differed between twins with multiple sclerosis and their asymptomatic co-twins. MATERIAL AND METHODS A co-twin control method was used to evaluate whether the brain and spinal cord volumes differ between twins with multiple sclerosis and their co-twins. Nineteen twin pairs were studied neurologically, and the volumes of T1, T2, FLAIR, and gadolinium-enhanced lesions and those of the brain and the spinal cord were obtained by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Significant differences in the brain (P=0.064) or spinal cord (P=0.648) volumes were not detected. Four of the 7 monozygotic and 5 of the 12 dizygotic co-twins had focal brain white matter lesions, but none fulfilled the magnetic resonance imaging criteria of Barkhof. Spinal cord lesions were not seen in any of the co-twins. CONCLUSIONS The absence of a significant difference in the brain or spinal cord volume between the twins with multiple sclerosis and their co-twins supports the recent observation of brain size and the development of brain atrophy being highly heritable.
Estradiol Rapidly Regulates Membrane Estrogen Receptor α Levels in Hypothalamic Neurons

Estrogen receptors (ERs) and estrogen-binding proteins have been localized intracellularly and on the cell surface. The membrane-associated proteins initiate signaling that activates a myriad of cellular responses including the modulation of ion channels and ultimately transcription. Although many of the downstream actions of membrane ERs, including ERα and ERβ, have been characterized, the mechanisms regulating membrane ER levels have remained elusive in the nervous system. In the present study, we used surface biotinylation to identify and study the estradiol regulation of membrane ERα in mixed-sex, cultured hypothalamic neurons from rat. Following surface biotinylation, Western blot analysis revealed full-length 66 kDa ERα and several ERα splice variants, most notably a biotinylated 52 kDa ERα-immunoreactive protein. Treatment of the neurons with estradiol caused a rapid and transient increase of the biotinylated 52 kDa and 66 kDa ERα proteins in the plasma membrane. Exposure of the neurons to estradiol also significantly increased internalization of 52 kDa and 66 kDa ERα membrane proteins, a measure of receptor activation. In the hypothalamus, membrane ERα signaling depends on transactivation of metabotropic glutamate receptor-1a (mGluR1a). Estradiol treatment increased the internalization of mGluR1a in parallel with ERα, a finding consistent with the hypothesis of an ERα-mGluR1a signaling unit. These results demonstrate that estradiol regulates the amount of ERα in the membrane, suggesting estradiol can regulate its own membrane signaling.
Preparation of Alendronate Liposomes for Enhanced Stability and Bioactivity: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

Liposomes containing bisphosphonates have been shown to deplete circulating monocytes and reduce experimental restenosis. However, acceptable shelf life was not achieved, and the disruption extent and rate of the vesicles in the circulation has not been examined. Designing an optimal liposomal formulation in general, and for an anti-inflammatory effect in particular, requires careful consideration of the factors that contribute to their in vitro stability and integrity in the blood after injection. An improved liposomal alendronate formulation was prepared by a modified thin lipid film hydration technique followed by extrusion, resulting in relatively smaller size vesicles, narrow size distribution, and low drug to lipid ratio in comparison to the reverse phase evaporation method. In order to rule out premature leakage of the drug, the integrity of the vesicles was examined by means of size-exclusion chromatography in vitro and in vivo, with subsequent analysis of size, drug (fractions of encapsulated and free) and lipid concentrations. Vesicles were found to be stable in serum, with 15 ± 3% leakage of the drug after 10 min in rabbit’s circulation, and intact liposomes were detected in the circulation 24 h following administration. It is concluded that the new formulation results in increased stability (2.5 years) as determined by the insignificant changes in vesicle size, drug leakage, lipid and drug stability, in vitro bioactivity (macrophages inhibition), as well as in vivo in depleting circulating monocytes and inhibition of restenosis in rabbits. Our in vitro stability results regarding dilution in serum paralleled in vivo data. Thus, in vitro assessment may provide a valuable tool in assessing in vivo integrity of liposomal formulations.
Dural Metastasis of Atypical Extraventricular Neurocytoma with the Codeletion of Chromosomes 1p/19q

Extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare neoplasm described in the 2007 World Health Organization classification of tumours of the nervous system. Due to the rarity of the tumour, there is limited literature available. The clinical characteristics, pathological features, biological behaviour and outcome of EVN remain unclear, and there are challenges regarding its diagnosis and management. The present case was a 75-year-old man who had been experiencing slow responses to stimuli for 1 month prior to hospital admission. A diagnosis of atypical EVN was made on the basis of pathology and immunohistochemistry results. Atypical pathological features included vascular proliferation, the presence of mitosis and a high MIB-1 (an antibody against Ki-67) labelling index. The disease recurred 7 months after the initial complete resection and radiation treatment, presenting with dural metastasis and codeletion of chromosomes 1p/19q. The present case history and treatment course are discussed with respect to the literature.
An Integrated Approach to RF Antenna-Filter Co-Design

In this letter, a co-designed antenna-filter is presented. The antenna-filter is composed of a microstrip patch antenna and a hairpin filter, both of which share the same ground plane to reduce the size. Instead of using the traditional 50-Omega interfaces, the impedance between the filter and antenna is optimized to improve the performance. The simulated and measured results have demonstrated that co-designed antenna-filter has a better bandwidth (4.7%, 4.064.26 GHz) and a larger gain (4.3 dBi) than the traditional version with 50-Omega interfaces impedance.
TRICHOMELESS1 regulates trichome patterning by suppressing GLABRA1 in Arabidopsis

The patterning of epidermal cell types in Arabidopsis is a simple and useful model for studying the molecular basis of cell specification in plants. The distribution of different cell types in the Arabidopsis epidermis is regulated by a lateral inhibition mechanism that relies on interactions between transcription factors. However, it is unclear how temporal- or organ-specific differences in epidermal patterning are achieved. Here we identify TRICHOMELESS1 (TCL1) as a new and major single-repeat MYB-type transcription factor that negatively regulates trichome formation in the inflorescence epidermis. A dominant mutant with elevated expression of TCL1 has a glabrous (trichomeless) phenotype, whereas a loss-of-function mutation in TCL1 uniquely confers ectopic trichome formation on inflorescence stem and pedicels. Genetic analyses demonstrate that TCL1 and CAPRICE work synergistically to regulate trichome patterning on these organs. Interestingly, overexpression of TCL1 specifically suppresses the expression of GLABRA1 (GL1), a crucial component in the trichome initiation complex, whereas loss-of-function of TCL1 enhances GL1 expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results show that TCL1 can be recruited to the cis-acting regulatory elements of GL1. These results provide the first molecular and genetic evidence that an R3 MYB may negatively regulate trichome cell specification in a novel manner by directly suppressing the transcription of GL1.
In vitro generated antibodies specific for telomeric guanine-quadruplex DNA react with Stylonychia lemnae macronuclei

Most eukaryotic telomeres contain a repeating motif with stretches of guanine residues that form a 3′-terminal overhang extending beyond the telomeric duplex region. The telomeric repeat of hypotrichous ciliates, d(T4G4), forms a 16-nucleotide 3′-overhang. Such sequences can adopt parallel-stranded as well as antiparallel-stranded quadruplex conformations in vitro. Although it has been proposed that guanine-quadruplex conformations may have important cellular roles including telomere function, recombination, and transcription, evidence for the existence of this DNA structure in vivo has been elusive to date. We have generated high-affinity single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) probes for the guanine-quadruplex formed by the Stylonychia telomeric repeat, by ribosome display from the Human Combinatorial Antibody Library. Of the scFvs selected, one (Sty3) had an affinity of Kd = 125 pM for the parallel-stranded guanine-quadruplex and could discriminate with at least 1,000-fold specificity between parallel or antiparallel quadruplex conformations formed by the same sequence motif. A second scFv (Sty49) bound both the parallel and antiparallel quadruplex with similar (Kd = 3–5 nM) affinity. Indirect immunofluorescence studies show that Sty49 reacts specifically with the macronucleus but not the micronucleus of Stylonychia lemnae. The replication band, the region where replication and telomere elongation take place, was also not stained, suggesting that the guanine-quadruplex is resolved during replication. Our results provide experimental evidence that the telomeres of Stylonychia macronuclei adopt in vivo a guanine-quadruplex structure, indicating that this structure may have an important role for telomere functioning.
Docetaxel induced gene expression patterns in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using cDNA microarray and PowerBlot.

PURPOSE The purpose is to identify gene expression patterns induced by docetaxelin head and neck squamous carcinoma (HNSCC) cells using high throughput techniques. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN HNSCC cells were treated with docetaxel or solvent. After mRNA extraction, cDNA fluorescent (Cy3 or Cy5)-labeled probes were synthesized. Then, Cy3 and Cy5-labeled samples were hybridized onto a microarray slide. The fluorescent images were scanned and analyzed for quantification. PowerBlot immunoblotting technique was used to measure protein expression level. Using this dual approach, we focused on genes in established pathways (cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and signal transduction) of tumorigenesis and confirmed these results with conventional techniques. RESULTS Using cDNA microarray, we found that docetaxel altered the expression of >100 genes in HNSCC cells. A total of 153 of 1191 genes was found to have altered expression in either HN12 (n = 102), HN30 (n = 72), or both (n = 21) by docetaxel. For the PowerBlot analysis, a subset of genes (n = 46) in the cDNA microarray analysis and an additional 98 genes in the cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and signal transduction pathways were chosen. We found that PowerBlot data agreed with cDNA microarray in 65% of genes examined. The expression of a cell cycle inhibitor (p19) and promoters (cyclin A, cyclin B1, and cyclin E2F) were increased and decreased, respectively. Apoptosis induced by docetaxel was independent of p53 and, in part, related to increased Fas expression. Both vascular endothelial growth factor secretion and basic fibroblast growth factor expression were inhibited by docetaxel, whereas thrombospondin-1 expression was increased by docetaxel. Epidermal growth factor receptor, activated epidermal growth factor receptor, and activated c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase expression was lowered by docetaxel. Activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase was elevated by docetaxel, but not total extracellular signal-regulated kinase levels. CONCLUSIONS The identification of altered gene expression induced by docetaxel demonstrates additional biological activity in HNSCC cells, and the altered expression of these genes may serve as potential biomarkers to both predict clinical activity and provide information regarding potential efficacy of adding novel agents.
Toward improved management of NIDDM: A randomized, controlled, pilot intervention using a lowfat, vegetarian diet.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether glycemic and lipid control in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) can be significantly improved using a low-fat, vegetarian (vegan) diet in the absence of recommendations regarding exercise or other lifestyle changes. METHODS Eleven subjects with NIDDM recruited from the Georgetown University Medical Center or the local community were randomly assigned to a low-fat vegan diet (seven subjects) or a conventional low-fat diet (four subjects). Two additional subjects assigned to the control group failed to complete the study. The diets were not designed to be isocaloric. Fasting serum glucose, body weight, medication use, and blood pressure were assessed at baseline and biweekly thereafter for 12 weeks. Serum lipids, glycosylated hemoglobin, urinary albumin, and dietary macronutrients were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks. RESULTS Although the sample was intentionally small in accordance with the pilot study design, the 28% mean reduction in fasting serum glucose of the experimental group, from 10.7 to 7.75 mmol/L (195 to 141 mg/dl), was significantly greater than the 12% decrease, from 9.86 to 8.64 mmol/L (179 to 157 mg/dl), for the control group (P < 0.05). The mean weight loss was 7.2 kg in the experimental group, compared to 3. 8 kg for the control group (P < 0.005). Of six experimental group subjects on oral hypoglycemic agents, medication use was discontinued in one and reduced in three. Insulin was reduced in both experimental group patients on insulin. No patient in the control group reduced medication use. Differences between the diet groups in the reductions of serum cholesterol and 24-h microalbuminuria did not reach statistical significance; however, high-density lipoprotein concentration fell more sharply (0.20 mmol/L) in the experimental group than in the control group (0.02 mmol/L) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION The use of a low-fat, vegetarian diet in patients with NIDDM was associated with significant reductions in fasting serum glucose concentration and body weight in the absence of recommendations for exercise. A larger study is needed for confirmation.
Targeted Analysis of Orthologous Phytochrome A Regions of the Sorghum, Maize, and Rice Genomes using Comparative Gene-Island Sequencing1

A “gene-island” sequencing strategy has been developed that expedites the targeted acquisition of orthologous gene sequences from related species for comparative genome analysis. A 152-kb bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone from sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) encoding phytochrome A (PHYA) was fully sequenced, revealing 16 open reading frames with a gene density similar to many regions of the rice (Oryza sativa) genome. The sequences of genes in the orthologous region of the maize (Zea mays) and rice genomes were obtained using the gene-island sequencing method. BAC clones containing the orthologous maize and ricePHYA genes were identified, sheared, subcloned, and probed with the sorghum PHYA-containing BAC DNA. Sequence analysis revealed that approximately 75% of the cross-hybridizing subclones contained sequences orthologous to those within the sorghum PHYA BAC and less than 25% contained repetitive and/or BAC vector DNA sequences. The complete sequence of four genes, including up to 1 kb of their promoter regions, was identified in the maize PHYA BAC. Nine orthologous gene sequences were identified in the rice PHYA BAC. Sequence comparison of the orthologous sorghum and maize genes aided in the identification of exons and conserved regulatory sequences flanking each open reading frame. Within genomic regions where micro-colinearity of genes is absolutely conserved, gene-island sequencing is a particularly useful tool for comparative analysis of genomes between related species.
PCM1 and schizophrenia: A replication study in the Northern Swedish population

Previous studies implicated centrosomal dysfunction as a source of various neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia (SZ). Two recent reports [Gurling et al., 2006 ; Datta et al., 2008 . Mol Psychiatry] described an association between polymorphisms in the PCM1 gene and SZ in a UK/Scottish population. In this study, we aimed to replicate these findings in a Northern Swedish association sample of 486 research subjects with SZ and 512 unrelated control individuals. We genotyped 12 previously described SNP markers and carried out haplotype analyses using the same multi‐marker haplotypes previously reported. Though we could not replicate the association with SNPs rs445422 and rs208747, we did observe a significant protective association with intronic SNP rs13276297. Furthermore, we performed a meta‐analysis comprising 1,794 SZ patients and 1,553 controls, which confirmed the previously reported association with rs445422 and rs208747. These data provide further evidence that PCM1—though certainly not a major risk factor in the Northern Swedish population—cannot be ruled out as a contributor to SZ risk and/or protection, and deserves further replication in larger populations to elucidate its role in disease etiology. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.