Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of Oenococcus oeni freeze‐dried culture to assess the importance of cell acclimation to conduct malolactic fermentation in wine

Cultures of Oenococcus oeni, the most important malolactic bacterium, are used to induce malolactic fermentation in wine. Survival assays in two different wines confirmed that cells acclimated for 24 h in half‐strength wine‐like medium (acclimation medium) enhanced the malolactic performances. To investigate the effect of the pre‐incubation phase on cell physiology, a proteomic study was carried out. Total protein extracts of acclimated and non‐acclimated cell cultures (control) were analyzed by 2‐D‐PAGE. A total of 20 out of approximately 400 spots varied significantly. All the spots were identified by MS analysis and most of them were proteins involved in metabolism, transcription/translation processes and stress response. The results revealed the different physiological status between non‐acclimated and acclimated cells explaining, in part, their different behavior in wine. Regulation of stress proteins such as heat and cold shock proteins was involved. Moreover, the availability of sugars and amino acids (even if at low concentration) in acclimation medium determined a modulation of energy metabolism enhancing the resistance to stressful conditions (as those that cells find in wine when inoculated). Finally, this proteomic study increased knowledge concerning the physiological changes in freeze‐dried culture occurring with pre‐inoculation procedures.
MECHANICAL IMPEDANCE OF HUMAN BODY IN VARIOUS POSTURES

In order to study vibration transmission to the human body and to design seats or suspensions for vibration isolation in the vehicles, a driving point mechanical impedance was measured on various kinds of body postures. A force pickup which was newly developed using a sheet of thin polymer film and an accelerometer were used as a detector for the impedance measurement. An instrument with analogue computing circuits was also employed, which could automatically calculate the im-pendance and draw an impedance chart expressed by magnitude and phase within 90 sec after the start of measurementThe mechanical impedance were measured in the frequency range from 3 to 200 Hz on kneeling, sitting, and standing postures and in addition, at local parts of the body such as the head, hands, and legs. Because of contraction of measur-ing time, the impedances even in unstable postures were able to be measured. As a result, the difference of mechanical impedance was clarified among various sorts of the postures, and transmission mechanism of the vibration in the body could be estimated through the change of the mechanical impedance.
China-Sweden Partnership: Areas of Ongoing Development in Intellectual Disabilities

At the initiative of the Government of the People's Republic of China, a letter of intent concerning a joint undertaking for studying children with intellectual disability in China was formulated together with the Swedish Government's Ministry of Social Affairs in the early 1990s. The Swedish Board of Health and Welfare invited Uppsala University to set up a consulting team through the Centre for Disability Research. On the Chinese side, the task was given to China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), whose overriding task is the representation of and guarding the legal rights of persons with disabilities. Under the auspice of the CDPF, researchers from China and Sweden jointly identified three areas of work: iodine deficiency, developmental screening, and rehabilitation. This article describes the project's activities within the Sino-Swedish Project, initiated in 1995. The Sino-Swedish Project was implemented in the least developed and consequently poorest western/northwestern interior parts of the country and overall work was carried out on a county-level (i.e., target areas were predominately rural albeit located in townships and villages). The experiences gained have formed the basis for further implementation throughout the country.
Acupuncture in a Rheumatology Clinic

An acupuncture clinic was established, for a limited period, within a rheumatology department of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital Trust. Courses of six to eight sessions of traditional and trigger-point acupuncture were offered for a specified range of conditions. Pain and use of analgesics were measured routinely. A prospective observational study is presented of the outcome for a series of 41 patients, who had a mean age of 57 years and pain duration of 3 years. The mean score for daytime pain fell from 6.8 (SD 1.2) to 4.9 (2.5) points which is highly significant (p < 0.001). A total of 30 patients (73%) had reduction in pain of at least 33% and 22 patients (54%) had a reduction in pain of at least 50%. Analgesic intake (without distinguishing between different analgesic medication) was reduced from a mean of 17 (15.3) tablets per week to a mean of 6 (7.9). Patients with normal X-rays had a much better response to acupuncture than those whose X-rays showed significant degenerative changes. In response to these findings, financial support has been provided to continue the acupuncture clinic.
Significant Restenosis of Multiple Saphenous Vein Grafts Early After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Case Report

Despite the benefits of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery, 15% to 25% of patients develop graft closure within one year following the procedure. The patency rate of grafts mainly predicts both the short- and long-term benefit from surgery. Here we report a patient diagnosed as acute coronary syndrome five months after surgery with significant stenosis of multiple saphenous vein grafts. doi:10.4021/jmc248e
Increased expression of TDP‐43 in the skin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Suzuki M, Mikami H, Watanabe T, Yamano T, Yamazaki T, Nomura M, Yasui K, Ishikawa H, Ono S. Increased expression of TDP‐43 in the skin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 367–372. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard.
Recovery in personal care related to cognitive impairment before and after stroke – a 1‐year follow‐up

Cederfeldt M, Gosman‐Hedström G, Gutiérrez Pérez C, Sävborg M, Tarkowski E. Recovery in personal care related to cognitive impairment before and after stroke – a 1‐year follow‐up. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 430–437. © 2010 The Authors Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Munksgaard.
Demographics, treatment patterns, and healthcare utilization and cost of repository corticotropin injection in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract Objective: To evaluate healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs among patients who initiated repository corticotropin injection (RCI; H.P. Acthar Gel) treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years with ≥2 diagnoses for either RA or SLE between July 1, 2006 and April 30, 2015 were identified in the HealthCore Integrated Research Database. Index RCI date was the earliest date of a medical or pharmacy claim for RCI after diagnosis. Baseline characteristics, pre- and post-initiation HRU and costs were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results: This study identified 180 RA patients (mean age = 60 years, 56% female) and 29 SLE patients (mean age = 45 years, 90% female) who initiated RCI. First RCI use averaged 7.1 and 22.6 months after the initial RA and SLE diagnosis, respectively. After RCI initiation, RA patients incurred significantly lower per-patient-per-month (PPPM) all-cause medical costs ($1,881 vs $682, p < .01) vs the pre-initiation period, driven by lower PPPM hospitalizations costs ($1,579 vs $503, p < .01). Overall PPPM healthcare costs were higher ($2,751 vs $5,487, p < .01) due to higher PPPM prescription costs ($869 vs $4,805, p < .01). Similarly, SLE patients had decreased PPPM hospitalization costs ($3,192 vs $799, p = .04) and increased PPPM prescription costs ($905 vs $7,443, p < .01) after initiating RCI; the difference in overall PPPM healthcare costs was not statistically significant likely, due to small sample size. Conclusion: This study, across a heterogeneous population of variable disease duration, described clinical and healthcare utilization and costs of RA and SLE patients initiating RCI in a real-world setting. We observed that patients receiving RCI had lower utilization and costs for medical services in both disease populations, which partially offset the increased prescription costs by 30% and 37%. Future research is needed to explore factors associated with RCI initiation and its impact on long-term outcomes.
Implications for prevention drawn from the Birmingham Untreated Heavy Drinkers Project

Background : Greater understanding of untreated heavy drinking is required to provide the basis for the development of effective procedures to initiate positive change and prevent drinking-related harms. The Birmingham Untreated Heavy Drinkers Project sought to meet this need by investigating a cohort of 500 untreated heavy (at or above 50 UK units per week if male and 35 UK units per week if female) drinkers recruited from the West Midlands community, at two-year intervals over a ten-year period. Design : A two-hour confidential interview containing structured and open-ended components was used to collect data for Wave One ( n = 500) during 1997 and Wave Two ( n = 403) during 1999. Assessments : Last week's and last 12 month's drinking, Leeds dependence questionnaire, readiness to change, SF36 health questionnaire, social risks and health, criminal justice and social service usage. Findings : Intra sample analysis according to drinking style found overall consumption to be a stronger indicator of risks and harms to individual health; but a heavy sessional style of drinking was found to be more strongly associated with greater use of Accident and Emergency services, criminal justice service usage and an increased likelihood of experiencing a violent incident or fight. These findings provide a basis for identification of sub-groups at greatest risk for different alcohol-related harms and for the assessment of the unique needs of certain sub-groups, both of which are important stages in the design of effective prevention measures.
10 000‐fold concentration increase in proteins in a cascade microchip using anionic ITP by a 3‐D numerical simulation with experimental results

This paper describes both the experimental application and 3‐D numerical simulation of isotachophoresis (ITP) in a 3.2 cm long “cascade” poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) microfluidic chip. The microchip includes 10× reductions in both the width and depth of the microchannel, which decreases the overall cross‐sectional area by a factor of 100 between the inlet (cathode) and outlet (anode). A 3‐D numerical simulation of ITP is outlined and is a first example of an ITP simulation in three dimensions. The 3‐D numerical simulation uses COMSOL Multiphysics v4.0a to concentrate two generic proteins and monitor protein migration through the microchannel. In performing an ITP simulation on this microchip platform, we observe an increase in concentration by over a factor of more than 10 000 due to the combination of ITP stacking and the reduction in cross‐sectional area. Two fluorescent proteins, green fluorescent protein and R‐phycoerythrin, were used to experimentally visualize ITP through the fabricated microfluidic chip. The initial concentration of each protein in the sample was 1.995 μg/mL and, after preconcentration by ITP, the final concentrations of the two fluorescent proteins were 32.57±3.63 and 22.81±4.61 mg/mL, respectively. Thus, experimentally the two fluorescent proteins were concentrated by over a factor of 10 000 and show good qualitative agreement with our simulation results.
Diagnosis of and treatment for symptomatic carotid stenosis: an updated review

Carotid stenoses of ≥50% account for about 15–20% of strokes. Their degree may be moderate (50–69%) or severe (70–99%). Current diagnostic methods include ultrasound, MR‐ or CT‐angiography. Stenosis severity, irregular plaque surface, and presence of microembolic signals detected by transcranial Doppler predict the early recurrence risk, which may be as high as 20%. Initial therapy comprises antiplatelets and statins. Benefit of revascularization is greater in men, in older patients, and in severe stenosis; patients with moderate stenoses may also profit particularly if the plaque has an irregular aspect. An intervention should be performed within <2 weeks. In large randomized studies comparing endarterectomy and stenting, endovascular therapy was associated with a higher risk of periprocedural stroke, yet in some studies, with a lower risk of myocardial infarction and of cranial neuropathy. These trials support endarterectomy as the first choice treatment. Risk factors for each of the two therapies have been indentified: coronary artery disease, neck radiation, contralateral laryngeal nerve palsy for endarterectomy, and, elderly patients (>70 years), arch vessel tortuosity and plaques with low echogenicity on ultrasound for carotid stenting. Lastly, in direct comparisons, a contralateral occlusion increases the risk of periprocedural complications in both types of treatment.
Mycophenolate mofetil and cardiovascular disease

Lupus is proving a fertile ground for research into mechanisms of accelerated atheroma. Often referred to as ‘the new diabetes’, lupus has a relative risk of myocardial infarction way in excess of, for example, other inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. The possible suspects are discussed in this issue of LUPUS, with the antiphospholipid antibody family becoming increasingly important. The observation that mycophenolate mofetil might have therapeutic properties in some models of accelerated vascular disease has thus added impetus to studies of mofetil in lupus and related diseases.
Cellular dielectrophoresis: Applications to the characterization, manipulation, separation and patterning of cells

Over the past decade, dielectrophoresis (DEP) has evolved into a powerful, robust and flexible method for cellular characterization, manipulation, separation and cell patterning. It is a field with widely varying disciplines, as it is quite common to see DEP integrated with a host of applications including microfluidics, impedance spectroscopy, tissue engineering, real‐time PCR, immunoassays, stem‐cell characterization, gene transfection and electroporation, just to name a few. The field is finally at the point where analytical and numerical polarization models can be used to adequately describe and characterize the dielectrophoretic behavior of cells, and there is ever increasing evidence demonstrating that electric fields can safely be used to manipulate cells without harm. As such, DEP is slowly making its way into the biological sciences. Today, DEP is being used to manipulate individual cells to specific regions of space for single‐cell assays. DEP is able to separate rare cells from a heterogeneous cell suspension, where isolated cells can then be characterized and dynamically studied using nothing more than electric fields. However, there is need for a critical report to integrate the many new features of DEP for cellular applications. Here, a review of the basic theory and current applications of DEP, specifically for cells, is presented.
PTEN gene analysis in premature ovarian failure patients

Sir, We would like to bring to attention a case of acute compartment syndrome (ACS) of the lower limb, due to its possible relevance and implications for the obstetrical clinical routine. Acute compartment syndrome is defined as a condition in which increased pressure within a closed musculofascial compartment compromises blood circulation and biomechanical function. This clinical emergency usually occurs in the setting of traumatic injury or as a complication after prolonged surgery. In obstetric care, ACS is a rare but severe complication, which occurs during and after labor. Its estimated prevalence is about two manifestations per 10 000 births (1). We encountered the case of a 32-year-old primigravida, who was admitted at 38+4weeks gestation with spontaneous onset of labor and rupture of membranes after an uncomplicated pregnancy. Seven hours after admission, the treating obstetrician opted for cesarean section due to failure to progress in the first stage of labor and a nonreassuring fetal heart rate. Cesarean section was performed without intra-operative complications and a healthy infant delivered. Five hours after the intervention, the patient complained of spasm-like pain in her right lower leg. Upon examination, a distinctive tenseness and swelling of the right pretibial region was observed. A Doppler ultrasound examination, conducted to exclude deep vein thrombosis, showed no pathology, and symptomatic analgesic treatment was started. Clinical symptoms did not improve and the patient was re-examined one hour later. The initial tenseness and swelling had progressed, and a difference in the calf diameters of 10mm was observed. Pedal pulses and sensibility were normal and tendon reflexes symmetrical. Due to the acute aggravation of clinical symptoms, a decision for surgical exploration was taken. Intraoperatively, an ACS of the anterior tibial compartment was found and a fasciotomy without resection of muscular tissue performed. In the following postoperative course, full functional recovery of the limb was achieved. As presented, ACS in obstetric care typically occurs in the setting of cesarean delivery, especially if the operation is complicated by increased blood loss, such as due to disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (2). In addition, ACS has been reported following vaginal delivery, particularly with retained placenta leading to hypovolemia (3), prolonged hypotensive episodes in the context of epior peridural pain management and the use of oxytocin to induce labor, presumably due to its vasoconstrictive properties (4). Functional outcome after an ACS is directly related to prompt surgical intervention, hence it is essential to be aware of ACS as a possible differential diagnosis in severe lower limb pain, occurring intraand postpartum.
Preconceptional stress and racial disparities in preterm birth: an overview

Objective. We reviewed the evidence for three theories of how preconceptional psychosocial stress could act as a contributing determinant of excess preterm birth risk among African American women: early life developmental plasticity and epigenetic programming of adult neuroendocrine systems; blunting, weathering, or dysfunction of neuroendocrine and immune function in response to chronic stress activation through the life course; individuals’ adoption of risky behaviors such as smoking as a response to stressful stimuli. Methods. Basic science, clinical, and epidemiologic studies indexed in MEDLINE and Web of Science databases on preconceptional psychosocial stress, preterm birth and race were reviewed. Results. Mixed evidence leans towards modest associations between preconceptional chronic stress and preterm birth (for example common odds ratios of 1.2–1.4), particularly in African American women, but it is unclear whether this association is causal or explains a substantial portion of the Black–White racial disparity in preterm birth. The stress‐preterm birth association may be mediated by hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis dysfunction and susceptibility to bacterial vaginosis, although these mechanisms are incompletely understood. Evidence for the role of epigenetic or early life programming as a determinant of racial disparities in preterm birth risk is more circumstantial. Conclusions. Preconceptional stress, directly or in interaction with host genetic susceptibility or infection, remains an important hypothesized risk factor for understanding and reducing racial disparities in preterm birth. Future studies that integrate adequately sized epidemiologic samples with measures of stress, infection, and gene expression, will advance our knowledge and allow development of targeted interventions.
Menopause, lung function and obstructive lung disease outcomes: a systematic review

Abstract Background: The menopausal transition may have significant consequences for respiratory health, risk of chronic respiratory disease and management strategies. Objective: To systematically summarize the literature regarding the impact of menopause status on respiratory health outcomes. Methods: PubMed was searched systematically to identify population-based studies investigating the associations between menopause status and respiratory outcomes including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory symptoms and lung function. Results: Ten publications were identified for full review. Evidence on menopause and asthma was conflicting, while studies on COPD were scarce. The findings generally support an association between menopause and clinically significant reductions in lung function in a non-obstructive pattern. However, the effects of menopause are clouded by aging, menopausal hormone therapy use, and increased risk of metabolic syndrome during this period. Conclusions: As the global burden associated with respiratory conditions continues to rise, the need to understand the associations between menopause and respiratory health is essential to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for respiratory disease in adult women. More studies are needed to clarify the impact of menopause on obstructive lung disease.
Maternal emotional distress in pregnancy and delivery of a small‐for‐gestational age infant

Objective. To assess the association between maternal emotional distress in pregnancy and delivery of a small‐for‐gestational age offspring. Design. A cohort study in pregnancy. Setting. Fifty hospitals with a maternity ward in Norway during 1998–2008. Population. Seventy‐one thousand eight hundred and ninety‐eight women with a singleton pregnancy in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study were followed from early pregnancy to delivery. Methods. Information on presence of emotional distress was obtained through self‐administered questionnaires in pregnancy weeks 17 and 30 and on birthweight, gestational length at delivery and sex by linkage to the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Emotional distress was measured by short forms of the Hopkins Symptom Checklist‐25. Main Outcome Measure. Small‐for‐gestational age offspring (birthweight <2.5th percentile). Results. Being emotionally distressed at gestational weeks 17 and 30 was not significantly associated with subsequent delivery of a small‐for‐gestational age infant (adjusted odds ratio 1.16; 95% confidence interval 0.87–1.54). This estimate was adjusted for smoking in pregnancy, parity, diabetes, pre‐eclampsia, body mass index, education and maternal age. Conclusions. Emotional distress during pregnancy was not associated with subsequent delivery of a small‐for‐gestational age infant.