Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sialoadhesin, a macrophage sialic acid binding receptor for haemopoietic cells with 17 immunoglobulin‐like domains.

Sialoadhesin is a macrophage‐restricted adhesion molecule of 185 kDa that mediates sialic acid‐dependent binding to cells. It is expressed strongly by macrophages in lymphoid and haemopoietic tissues where it is likely to mediate cell‐cell interactions. Here we report the molecular cloning of murine sialoadhesin and show that it is a new member of the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily with 17 Ig‐like domains. COS cells transfected with a cDNA encoding full‐length sialoadhesin bound mouse bone marrow cells in a sialic acid‐dependent manner. Alternatively spliced cDNAs, predicting soluble forms of sialoadhesin containing the first three or 16 Ig‐like domains of sialoadhesin, were expressed in COS cells and the respective proteins purified. When immobilized on plastic, the 16‐domain form bound cells in a sialic acid‐dependent manner, suggesting that sialoadhesin can function in both secreted and membrane‐bound forms. The most similar proteins in the database were CD22, myelin‐associated glycoprotein, Schwann cell myelin protein and CD33. Like sialoadhesin, CD22 mediates sialic acid‐dependent cell adhesion. The sequence similarity of sialoadhesin to CD22 and related members of the Ig superfamily indicates the existence of a novel family of sialic acid binding proteins involved in cell‐cell interactions.
Microtubule-associated protein MAP2 shares a microtubule binding motif with tau protein

The microtubule-associated protein MAP2 is a prominent large-sized component of purified brain microtubules that, like the 36- to 38-kilodalton tau proteins, bears antigenic determinants found in association with the neurofibrillary tangles of Alzheimer's disease. The complete sequence of mouse brain MAP2 was determined from a series of overlapping cloned complementary DNAs. The sequence of the carboxyl-terminal 185 amino acids is very similar (67 percent) to a corresponding region of tau protein, and includes a series of three imperfect repeats, each 18 amino acids long and separated by 13 or 14 amino acids. A subcloned fragment spanning the first two of the 18-amino acid repeats was expressed as a polypeptide by translation in vitro. This polypeptide copurified with microtubules through two successive cycles of polymerization and depolymerization, whereas a control polypeptide derived from the amino-terminal region of MAP2 completely failed to copurify. These data imply that the carboxyl-terminal domain containing the 18-amino acid repeats constitutes the microtubule binding site in MAP2. The occurrence of these repeats in tau protein suggests that these may be a general feature of microtubule binding proteins.
Amelin: An enamel‐related protein, transcribed in the cells of epithelial root sheath

Since 1974, when Slavkin and his collaborators proposed the epithelial origin of cementum, many experiments have been carried out to provide evidence for deposition of enamel‐related proteins along the root surface. However, neither amelogenin nor other proteins have fully satisfied expectations. In previous studies, we have identified a novel mRNA coding for an extracellular‐like protein which we called amelin. It was expressed at high levels in secretory and postsecretory ameloblasts in rat molars and incisors. In situ hybridization experiments described in the present study also localized the amelin message to epithelial cells adjacent to the peripheral surface of newly deposited dentin in the root end and to cells embedded in cellular cementum in molars. In incisors, the amelin RNA positive cells were detected in the area where cementum formation had been initiated. No amelogenin RNA signal was found in the cells at the root surface. We postulate that the epithelial cells of the root sheath as well as the ameloblasts are synthesizing amelin which might be one of the key proteins coupled to the process of cementogenesis. (J Bone Miner Res 1996;11:892‐898)
Continuing risk for hepatitis B virus transmission among Southeast Asian infants in Louisiana.

OBJECTIVE Implementation and evaluation of a hepatitis B vaccination program for Southeast Asian infants in Louisiana. METHODS A baseline seroprevalence survey of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in US-born Southeast Asian children was conducted in 1991 before the implementation of a vaccination program. Hepatitis B vaccination and postvaccination serologic testing of survey participants 10 years of age and younger was performed. Eighteen months after the hepatitis B vaccine was integrated into infant immunization schedules in July 1993, a vaccination coverage survey was performed. RESULTS Baseline serologic testing was conducted on 96% of persons from 225 randomly selected households in a Southeast Asian community in Louisiana. Of 676 US-born children, 28 (4.1%) had chronic HBV infection; 61% of children with chronic HBV infection were born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-negative women. Among children born to HBsAg-negative women, the prevalence of chronic HBV infection increased with age, reaching 7.3% for children 13 to 16 years of age. Children born to HBsAg-negative women and living with carriers were 5.4 times more likely to have evidence of HBV infection than were children who did not live with carriers. Before the survey, only one child had received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. In July 1993, 43% of Southeast Asian infants 9 to 18 months of age born in Louisiana had received three doses of hepatitis B vaccine. Infants who received immunizations from private providers were more likely to be fully vaccinated than were infants who received services from public sector clinics (prevalence ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4, 3.1). CONCLUSIONS HBV transmission occurs throughout childhood in US-born Southeast Asian children, and the prevalence of chronic HBV infection approaches that of the country of origin. Few US-born Southeast Asian children have received hepatitis B vaccine. Because of the high rates of early childhood HBV transmission and the high risk of chronic infection in Asian and Pacific Islander communities, prevention efforts should be enhanced to ensure that all Asian and Pacific Islander infants receive hepatitis B vaccine in the first 12 months of life and that older children are vaccinated.
Reduced Scleral TIMP-2 Expression Is Associated With Myopia Development: TIMP-2 Supplementation Stabilizes Scleral Biomarkers of Myopia and Limits Myopia Development.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the endogenous regulation pattern of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in the tree shrew sclera during myopia development and investigate the capacity of exogenous TIMP-2 to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in vitro and both scleral collagen degradation and myopia development in vivo. Methods TIMP-2 expression in the sclera during myopia development was assessed using polymerase chain reaction. In vitro TIMP-2 inhibition of MMP-2 was investigated using a gelatinase activity plate assay and zymography. Tree shrews were injected with a collagen precursor before undergoing monocular form deprivation and concurrent daily subconjunctival injections of either TIMP-2 or vehicle to the form-deprived eye. In vivo ocular biometry changes were monitored, and scleral tissue was collected after 12 days and assayed for collagen degradation. Results The development of myopia was associated with a mean reduction in TIMP-2 mRNA expression after 5 days of form deprivation (P < 0.01). Both activation and activity of MMP-2 were inhibited by TIMP-2 with an IC50 of 10 to 20 and 2 nM, respectively. In vivo exogenous addition of TIMP-2 significantly reduced myopia development (P < 0.01), due to reduced vitreous chamber elongation (P < 0.01). In vivo TIMP-2 treatment also significantly inhibited posterior scleral collagen degradation relative to vehicle-treated eyes (P < 0.01), with levels similar to those in control eyes. Conclusions Myopia development in mammals is associated with reduced expression of TIMP-2, which contributes to increased degradative activity in the sclera. It follows that replenishment of this TIMP-2 significantly reduced the rate of both scleral collagen degradation and myopia development.
Impact of anastomotic complications on outcome after laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer

The effects of anastomotic complications after laparoscopically assisted gastrectomy (LAG) have not been studied widely. The aims of this observational study were to identify potential factors that predict anastomotic complications and investigate the impact of anastomotic complications in patients undergoing gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.
Thermal imaging of ultrasonic scaler tips during tooth instrumentation.

OBJECTIVES During ultrasonic scaling procedures, contact of the scaler tip with the tooth surface will produce frictional heating. The aim of this study was to assess this heat generation using an Agema 900 thermal imaging system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Both the Cavitron sustained performance system (SPS) with TFI-3 tip and the Mini Piezon with P-tip were tested. Handpieces were fixed with their sides facing the thermal camera and thermal image sequences or "movies" created. Measurements were performed with tips under loads of 25, 50 and 100 g, at water flow rates of 10, 20 and 40 ml/min and low, medium and high generator power settings. A measurement point was superimposed on the resulting thermal images at the tip/tooth contact site and the temperature variation with time recorded. RESULTS All combinations of instrumentation produced an increase in temperature. An increase in temperature was generally observed with increasing load (for given power/water), power setting (for given load/water) and a decrease in water flow rate (for given load/power). CONCLUSION Heat generation is minimised by using low/medium power settings and light contact. Care must be taken to ensure adequate water is present at the site of instrumentation to prevent patient discomfort due to excessive heating.
Empathy, Justice, and Moral Behavior

Empathy shapes the landscape of our social lives. It motivates prosocial and caregiving behaviors, plays a role in inhibiting aggression, and facilitates cooperation between members of a similar social group. Thus, empathy is often conceived as a driving motivation of moral behavior and justice, and, as such, everyone would think that it should be cultivated. However, the relationships between empathy, morality, and justice are complex. We begin by explaining what the notion of empathy encompasses and then argue how sensitivity to others' needs has evolved in the context of parental care and group living. Next, we examine the multiple physiological, hormonal, and neural systems supporting empathy and its functions. One troubling but important corollary of this neuro-evolutionary model is that empathy produces social preferences that can conflict with fairness and justice. An understanding of the factors that mold our emotional response and caring motivation for others helps provide organizational principles and ultimately guides decision making in medical ethics.
Application of Subarray Averaging and Entropy Minimization Algorithm to Stepped-Frequency ISAR Autofocus

Subarray averaging and entropy minimization (SAEM) algorithm is applied to stepped-frequency ISAR autofocus to compensate for the phase error along the down-range due to high target speed and low pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of radar systems. In stepped-frequency radar systems, the phase error due to target motion in each burst make range profiles blur. Thus, the stepped-frequency ISAR often adopts a high PRF radar system in order to suppress the effect of target motion in each burst. However, it inevitably leads to loss of many advantages by adopting low PRF radars in stepped-frequency ISAR imaging. In order to take advantage of a low PRF radar in stepped-frequency ISAR imaging, this paper makes use of a method called SAEM (subarray averaging and entropy minimization) that uses a subarray averaging concept in conjunction with the entropy cost function in order to find the target's motion parameters. Well-focused ISAR images also can be provided from the combination of the SAEM and a traditional autofocus algorithm, even when low PRF stepped-frequency waveform is used. The effectiveness of this method is illustrated and analyzed with simulated targets comprised of point scatters and measured Boeing-737 data.
Quantitative export of FGF‐2 occurs through an alternative, energy‐dependent, non‐ER/Golgi pathway

Although basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF/FGF‐2) is found outside cells, it lacks a conventional signal peptide sequence; the mechanism underlying its export from cells is therefore unknown. Using a transient COS‐1 cell expression system, we have identified a novel membrane‐associated transport pathway that mediates export of FGF‐2. This export pathway is specific for the 18‐kD isoform of FGF‐2, is resistant to the anti‐Golgi effects of Brefeldin A, and is energy‐dependent. In FGF‐2‐transfected COS‐1 cells, this ER/Golgi‐independent pathway appears to be constitutively active and functions to quantitatively export metabolically‐labeled 18‐kD FGF‐2. Co‐transfection and co‐immunoprecipitation experiments, using a vector encoding the cytoplasmic protein neomycin phosphotransferase, further demonstrated the selectivity of this export pathway for FGF‐2. When neomycin phosphotransferase was appended to the COOH‐terminus of 18‐kD FGF‐2, the chimera was exported. However, the transmembrane anchor sequence of the integral membrane glycoprotein (G protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) blocked export. The chimeric protein localized to the plasma membrane with its FGF‐2 domain extracellular and remained cell‐associated following alkaline carbonate extraction. Taken together, the data suggest that FGF‐2 is “exported” from cells via a unique cellular pathway, which is clearly distinct from classical signal peptide‐mediated secretion. This model system provides a basis for the development and testing of therapeutic agents which may block FGF‐2 export. Such an intervention may be of considerable use for the treatment of angiogenesis‐dependent diseases involving FGF‐2. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fertility assessment of hydatid cyst by proton MR spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND Hydatid cysts, the larvae of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, may lodge in any organ of intermediate hosts, namely, man and sheep. Complete cyst removal is the treatment of choice; however, spillage of fertile cysts during surgery leads to disease recurrence that may be prevented by preoperative detection of the fertility status of the cyst. With this perspective, ex vivo proton (1H) MR spectroscopy of hydatid fluid of human and sheep origin was performed to differentiate fertile from sterile cysts on the basis of their metabolite pattern. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS Cysts of sheep and human origin were used as source of hydatid fluid. A fraction of this fluid was tested for cyst fertility and the rest was used for ex vivo1H spectroscopy. Histopathology of the cyst wall was done as a gold standard for this study. RESULTS Of 10 sheep samples, 7 were fertile and 3 were sterile, while among 6 human samples, 5 were fertile and 1 was sterile. Spectroscopic and histopathological results corroborated each other. The fluid from microbiologically proven fertile cysts contained malate and fumarate along with other resonances and the histopathology of the fertile cyst wall demonstrated germinal lining and protoscoleces. CONCLUSIONS The ex vivo spectroscopic differentiation of fertile and sterile cysts may be a stepping-stone for their in vivo separation in future and thus help in framing strategies for percutaneous/surgical management.
Interhospital differences in nosocomial infection rates: importance of case-mix adjustment.

BACKGROUND Nosocomial infection rates are used to assess patient safety and the effectiveness of health care systems, but adjustment for case-mix, a key factor for benchmarking, is often overlooked. OBJECTIVES To perform a nationwide prevalence study of nosocomial infection and evaluate the impact of hospital size on infection rates. METHODS One-week-period prevalence study in 18 acute care hospitals ranging from small primary to large tertiary care institutions. All adult inpatients in medical, surgical, and intensive care units hospitalized at time of study were included. Infection prevalence and case-mix determinants were calculated according to hospital size. After each factor was tested for its significance on the occurrence of nosocomial infection, all factors were introduced in a multivariate model with hospital size as the main explanatory variable and nosocomial infection as the dependent variable. RESULTS Among 4252 patients, 429 developed 470 nosocomial infections, for an overall prevalence of 10.1% (intensive care units, 29.7%; medical, 9.3%; surgical, 9.2%; and mixed wards, 14.1%). Unadjusted prevalence rates were 6.1% in small, 10.0% in intermediate, and 10.9% in large hospitals (P =.007). Increased comorbidity (odds ratio, 1.80), cancer (1.68), trauma (1.75), neutropenia (4.66), antibiotic exposure (6.64), history of intensive care unit stay (2.14), referral from another hospital (1.87), intubation for 24 hours or more (2.09), and prolonged stay (3.35) were independently associated with nosocomial infection (all P<.05), but hospital size was not. CONCLUSIONS Higher infection rates observed in larger hospitals were partly associated with unfavorable case mix. Unadjusted rates may lead to erroneous assumptions for health care prioritization.
The prediction of treatment failure of the continuous positive airways pressure.

OBJECTIVE The aim of study was to find predictive factors for treatment failure of the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). BACKGROUND Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) affects 4-8 % of the general population. Despite good adherence, CPAP is ineffective in about 13 % of patients. In those patients, a higher level of treatment by bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) has to be used. METHODS Totally, 983 patients with moderate to severe SAS (AHI ≥ 15, apnea/hypopnea index) were treated with CPAP during 2005-2010 in a tertiary hospital. 506 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In all patients, sleep monitoring was performed and AHI, the presence of hyposaturation T90 (oxygen saturation less than 90 %) and ODI (oxygen distress index) were recorded and a comparison was made between CPAP-effective and CPAP-failure treatment groups. RESULTS Of all the variables evaluated, only T90 significantly predicted the failure of CPAP treatment. A T90 value above 43.5 % predicted CPAP failure in 94.5 % of patients regardless of age. CONCLUSIONS The value of T90 enables the determination of patients who will not benefit from CPAP treatment and BiPAP should be used as a treatment of the first choice (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 31).
The effectiveness of leflunomide as a co-therapy of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis: a population-based study

Background: Randomised trials have demonstrated that the efficacy of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents is significantly increased by concomitant methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In clinical routine, anti-TNF agents are commonly prescribed with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) than MTX, however their effectiveness in combination with anti-TNF agents is not well established. Objective: To compare the effectiveness of leflunomide (LEF) and other conventional DMARDs with MTX as co-therapy to anti-TNF agents in RA. Methods: All patients on anti-TNF agents and conventional DMARDs within the Swiss Clinical Quality Management (SCQM)-RA database were included (n = 1218) and categorised according to the type of co-therapy into anti-TNF+MTX (n = 842), anti-TNF+LEF (n = 260) and anti-TNF+other DMARDs (n = 116). Drug discontinuation rates and incidence of toxic side effects were analysed using Cox proportional hazard models. Progression of radiographic damage, the evolution of functional disability and the improvement of RA disease activity were analysed using longitudinal regression models, adjusting for potential confounders. Results: The overall discontinuation rates of anti-TNF and conventional DMARD combination therapies were relatively high with a median survival of only 16 months (interquartile range (IQR): 10–37), but they did not differ between the three regimens (p = 0.69). The progression of radiographic damage (p = 0.77), functional disability (p = 0.09) and RA disease activity (p = 0.33) were also similar between the different regimen. In addition, no significant difference in the frequency of adverse events emerged. Conclusion: Overall these results suggest that LEF and potentially other conventional DMARDs offer an effective and safe alternative to MTX as co-therapy in combination with anti-TNF agents.
18F-FDG PET/CT for the Prediction and Detection of Local Recurrence After Radiofrequency Ablation of Malignant Lung Lesions

The utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for response assessment in malignant lung tumors treated with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and for the detection and prediction of local recurrence was investigated. Methods: Between December 17, 2003, and April 9, 2008, 68 consecutive patients (mean age, 68 y) with 94 pulmonary lesions, including metastases (n = 38) and primary lung cancers (n = 44), underwent RFA. Because of inadequate imaging follow-up in 12 patients, only 82 lesions were analyzed (CT scans, n = 82; 18F-FDG PET/CT scans, n = 62). The median follow-up was 25 mo (range, 12–66 mo). A baseline study was defined as 18F-FDG PET/CT performed no more than 3 mo before RFA. The first postablation scan was defined as PET/CT performed between 1 and 4 mo after RFA; additional follow-up studies were obtained in some cases between 6 and 12 mo after RFA. The unidimensional maximum diameter of the lesion was recorded on a pretherapy diagnostic CT scan or on the CT component of a pretherapy 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, whichever was obtained most recently, using lung windows. Maximum standardized uptake values (SUVs) were recorded for all lesions imaged by 18F-FDG PET/CT. 18F-FDG uptake patterns on post-RFA scans were classified as favorable or unfavorable. Survival and recurrence probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Uni- and multivariate analyses were also performed. Results: Before RFA, factors predicting greater local recurrence-free survival included initial lesion size less than 3 cm (P = 0.01) and SUV less than 8 (P = 0.02), although the latter was not an independent predictor in multivariate analysis. Treated metastases recurred less often than treated primary lung cancers (P = 0.03). Important post-RFA factors that related to reduced recurrence-free survival included an unfavorable uptake pattern (P < 0.01), post-RFA SUV (P < 0.01), and an increase in SUV over time after ablation (P = 0.05). Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters on both preablation and postablation scans may predict local recurrence in patients treated with RFA for lung metastases and primary lung cancers.
Diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) by Detection of SARS Coronavirus Nucleocapsid Antibodies in an Antigen-Capturing Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

ABSTRACT Recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus nucleocapsid protein was employed to establish an antigen-capturing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Antinucleocapsid protein antibodies could be detected in 68.4% of probable SARS patients 6 to 10 days after illness and in 89.6% of the patients 11 to 61 days after illness. No false-positive results were observed in 20 non-SARS fever patients, 24 non-SARS respiratory illness patients, and 20 health care workers. Among 940 other non-SARS clinical serum samples, only 1 was found to be weakly positive. This method provides a new, sensitive, and specific approach for SARS diagnosis.