Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparative proteomic analysis reveals important proteins for the fertilization and early embryonic development of the oyster Crassostrea gigas

Molluscan development involves important features that are important to understanding not only molluscan ontogeny but also animal evolution. To gain insight into the gamete proteome and protein function in fertilization and early development, we analyzed the proteomes of unfertilized oocytes and early embryos (2/4‐cell stage) of the Pacific oyster, Crassostrea gigas. An oocyte reference map containing 116 protein spots, of which 69 were identified, revealed a high abundance of vitellogenin‐derived protein spots. The differentially regulated protein spots during fertilization were screened using comparative proteomic approaches. In total, 18 differentially regulated protein spots were screened, and 15 of these were identified and divided into three groups. The proteins belonging to the first group function in energy supply and antioxidation and are proposed to ensure successful fertilization by regulating the levels of adenosine triphosphate, resisting oxidative stress, and preventing polyspermy. The proteins of the second group are associated with protein synthesis and modification, reflecting active protein synthesis after fertilization. The three proteins belonging to the final group are hypothesized to function in the regulation of embryonic development through the establishment of cell polarity and modulation of methylation reactions in nuclei. These results will enhance our knowledge of molluscan fertilization and development.
Genetic causes of familial hypercholesterolaemia in patients in the UK: relation to plasma lipid levels and coronary heart disease risk

Aims: To determine the relative frequency of mutations in three different genes (low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), APOB, PCSK9), and to examine their effect in development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients with clinically defined definite familial hypercholesterolaemia in UK. Patients and methods: 409 patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia patients (158 with CHD) were studied. The LDLR was partially screened by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) (exons 3, 4, 6–10 and 14) and by using a commercial kit for gross deletions or rearrangements. APOB (p.R3500Q) and PCSK9 (p.D374Y) were detected by specific assays. Coding exons of PCSK9 were screened by SSCP. Results: Mutations were detected in 253 (61.9%) patients: 236 (57.7%) carried LDLR, 10 (2.4%) carried APOB p.Q3500 and 7 (1.7%) PCSK9 p.Y374. No additional mutations were identified in PCSK9. After adjusting for age, sex, smoking and systolic blood pressure, compared to those with no detectable mutation, the odds ratio of having CHD in those with an LDLR mutation was 1.84 (95% CI 1.10 to 3.06), for APOB 3.40 (0.71 to 16.36), and for PCSK9 19.96 (1.88 to 211.5; p = 0.001 overall). The high risk in patients carrying LDLR and PCSK9 p.Y374 was partly explained by their higher pretreatment cholesterol levels (LDLR, PCSK9 and no mutation, 10.29 (1.85), 13.12 and 9.85 (1.90) mmol/l, respectively, p = 0.001). The post-statin treatment lipid profile in PCSK9 p.Y374 carriers was worse than in patients with no identified mutation (LDL-C, 6.77 (1.82) mmol/l v 4.19 (1.26) mmol/l, p = 0.001, HDL-C 1.09 (0.27) mmol/l v 1.36 (0.36) mmol/l, p = 0.03). Conclusions: The higher CHD risk in patients carrying PCSK9 p.Y347 or a detected LDLR mutation supports the usefulness of DNA testing in the diagnosis and management of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Mutations in PCSK9 appear uncommon in patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia in UK.
Indomethacin blocks interleukin 1beta-induced myometrial contractions in pregnant rhesus monkeys.

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether blockade of prostaglandin synthesis with indomethacin prevents interleukin 1beta-induced increases in uterine contractions in a nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN Maternal and fetal vascular catheters, intra-amniotic fluid pressure catheters, and fetal electrocardiographic and myometrial electromyographic electrodes were implanted in 11 rhesus monkeys at 124 +/- 2 days' gestation (term, 167 days). After postsurgical stabilization (136 +/- 2 days) indomethacin 50 mg was administered orally twice daily for 5 days (n = 6). On day 3 human recombinant interleukin 1beta 10 microg was infused into the amniotic cavity over 2 hours. Five days after the last indomethacin dose the study was repeated without indomethacin treatment. Uterine activity was continuously monitored and quantified as the hourly contraction area (millimeters of mercury. seconds per hour) in the experimental group and a control group (n = 5) that received interleukin 1beta alone. At timed intervals amniotic fluid was sampled for leukocyte counts and assayed for prostaglandin E(2) and F(2alpha), the inflammatory cytokines interleukin 1beta, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist by specific assays. RESULTS Uterine activity was increased severalfold from baseline after interleukin 1beta infusion alone and in the absence of indomethacin treatment (P <.05). There was no increase in uterine contractility when interleukin 1beta was infused concurrently with indomethacin treatment. Concentrations of amniotic fluid leukocytes and cytokines increased significantly after interleukin 1beta infusion in both the presence and absence of indomethacin. Amniotic fluid prostaglandins E(2) and F(2alpha) were suppressed during indomethacin treatment but rose significantly after interleukin 1beta infusion in the absence of indomethacin. Except for higher interleukin 6, cytokine levels were unaltered by indomethacin. CONCLUSIONS After interleukin 1beta infusion, indomethacin blocked the development of uterine activity. Amniotic fluid prostaglandins were suppressed by indomethacin treatment, but cytokines and leukocytes were not. These results suggest that prostaglandins or possibly other indomethacin-suppressible compounds stimulate uterine activity after interleukin 1beta infusion in late-gestation rhesus monkeys or that indomethacin has direct tocolytic effects.
An Outcome Measure in Schizophrenia: Mortality

Objective: To determine the current outcome of schizophrenia, with mortality rate as the outcome measure. Method: Recent health, suicide, victim of violence, and mortality statistics were reviewed. Results: The general health of individuals with schizophrenia suffers from neglect, poor life style choices, and current treatments that increase death rates. Conclusion: Mortality in schizophrenia is rising, and it is the responsibility of physicians and health care planners to intervene.
Safety and Mechanism of Action of Licensed Vaccine Adjuvants

Vaccines are some of the most effective tools for the prevention of infectious diseases. Adjuvants are included in vaccines for a variety of reasons: to increase the breadth of response, to lower antigen dose, to overcome limited immune response in some populations, or to enable complex combination vaccines. This study aims to review the safety of licensed vaccine adjuvants and describe their mechanism of action. Potential publications for inclusion were identified through a direct search of PubMed/Medline database. Results of online literature searches were supplemented by relevant papers cited in published studies along with the authors' knowledge of published studies. To date, there are 5 licensed vaccine adjuvants in US and Europe: Aluminum salts (EU, US), MF59 (EU), AS03 (EU), AS04 (EU, US), and virosomes (EU). AS03 is not available as an adjuvant in other vaccines but included within the US government's National Stockpile. All vaccines that contain these adjuvants have been proven safe in clinical trials and post-marketing studies, with the exception of the AS03, for which the rare events of narcolepsy have been reported in some countries. Every adjuvant has a complex and often multifactorial immunological mechanism, usually poorly understood in vivo. The safety profile of an adjuvant, including the actual and hypothetical risks, is a critical component that can speed up or impede adjuvant development. The increasing understanding in adjuvant sciences is fundamental to the further development of new adjuvants.
Prevalence of CagA-bearing Helicobacter pylori strains detected by the anti-CagA assay in patients with peptic ulcer disease and in controls.

OBJECTIVE Cytotoxin-associated gene (CagA)-bearing Helicobacter pylori strains have been associated with significant gastroduodenal pathologies. We have performed a study to evaluate the prevalence of CagA-bearing strains in a group of H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer disease and non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD) patients, and healthy asymptomatic controls. METHOD Two hundred ninety-seven peptic ulcer disease, 45 NUD subjects, and 200 asymptomatic controls were studied. The newly developed anti-CagA antibody assay was used for the purpose of this study. The assay was performed by a conventional three-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the concentration of anti-CagA antibody present in the tested sera against the recombinant CagA 17/12 fusion protein. The final results were expressed with reference to a standard curve constructed from pooled CagA+ sera. Anti-CagA antibody assay reproducibility was assessed by intraplate and interplate variations. RESULTS The mean intraplate and interplate variations were 8.0% and 11.2%, respectively. Anti-CagA antibody was present in 165/197 (84%) duodenal ulcer disease, 80/100 (80%) gastric ulcer disease, 25/45 (55.6%) NUD subjects, and 29/100 (29%) asymptomatic controls. The ulcer disease subjects were significantly more likely than the NUD subjects and the asymptomatic controls to have a positive anti-CagA antibody assay ( p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the NUD subjects were more likely to be anti-CagA+ antibody than the asymptomatic controls (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS This newly developed anti-CagA antibody assay was highly reproducible. Anti-CagA antibody positivity was present in a significantly higher percentage of peptic ulcer disease subjects than in non-ulcer and asymptomatic healthy controls. Thus, anti-CagA antibody can be used as a clinical marker for peptic ulceration.
Distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses: multi-detector row CT protocol with 10-minute delay.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of precontrast attenuation, relative percentage washout (RPW), and absolute percentage washout (APW) in distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses at multi-detector row computed tomography (CT). MATERIALS AND METHODS This HIPAA-compliant retrospective study had institutional review board approval; the need for informed consent was waived. One hundred twenty-two adrenal masses were evaluated in 99 patients (51 men, 48 women; age range, 37-86 years) who had undergone CT performed according to the study protocol and who either were given a pathologic diagnosis or underwent follow-up imaging. Unenhanced images were obtained before administration of 120 mL of an intravenous contrast agent with a 75-second scan delay. Delayed images were obtained after 10 minutes. RPW and APW were computed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare mean attenuation and both RPW and APW. Analysis was first performed with the exclusion of pheochromocytomas, myelolipomas, and cysts. Precontrast attenuation criteria specific for benignity or malignancy were determined, and ROC analysis of results for the entire nonpheochromocytoma group was then performed. RESULTS By using an RPW of 37.5% and excluding cysts and myelolipomas, all malignant lesions were detected with a sensitivity of 100% (17 of 17 lesions) and a specificity of 95% (90 of 95 lesions). Area under the binomial ROC curve (A(z)) values were 0.912, 0.985, and 0.892 for precontrast attenuation, RPW, and APW, respectively. Precontrast attenuation of less than 0 or more than 43 HU indicated benign and malignant entities, respectively. Incorporation of these criteria into the APW analysis yielded a sensitivity of 100% (17 of 17 lesions) and a specificity of 98% (93 of 95 lesions) for a threshold washout value of 52.0%. This attenuation-corrected APW generated the greatest A(z) value (ie, 0.988). Combining all the information available from the protocol yielded a sensitivity of 100% (17 of 17 lesions) and a specificity of 98% (98 of 100 lesions) for differentiating benign from malignant masses. CONCLUSION Precontrast attenuation of less than 0 HU supercedes the washout profile in the evaluation of an individual adrenal mass. Noncalcified, nonhemorrhagic adrenal lesions with precontrast attenuation of more than 43 HU should be considered suspicious for malignancy.
Interactive Selective and Adaptive Clustering for Detection of Microcalcifications in Mammograms

Abstract Estevez, L. , Kehtarnavaz, N. , and Wendt, R. III, Interactive Selective and Adaptive Clustering for Detection of Microcalcifications in Mammograms,Digital Signal Processing6(1996), 224–232. This paper presents a clustering algorithm, called interactive selective and adaptive clustering (Isaac), to assist radiologists in looking for small clusters of microcalcifications in mammograms. Isaac is developed to identify suspicious microcalcification regions which are missed by other classification techniques due to false positive samples in the feature space. It comprises two parts: (i) selective clustering and (ii) interactive adaptation. The first part reduces the number of false positives by identifying the microcalcification subspace or domains in the feature space. The second part allows the radiologist to improve results by interactively identifying additional false positive or true negative samples. Clinical evaluations of mammograms indicate the potential of using this algorithm as an effective tool to bring microcalcification areas to the attention of the radiologist during a routine reading session of mammograms.
Eosinophilia and Quality of Life in Patients Receiving a Bioabsorbable Steroid-Eluting Implant during Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Introduction: Bioabsorbable steroid-eluting implants are available as an adjunct for endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). It is unclear which patients are most likely to benefit from this technology. We sought to determine if the severity of preoperative sinonasal inflammation influences the postoperative changes in patient-reported quality of life (QOL) and endoscopic appearance following ESS with implant placement; Methods: Consecutive adult patients undergoing ESS for CRS with ethmoidectomy and placement of a steroid-eluting implant over an 18-month period were prospectively included for study. Pre-operative sinus computed tomography (CT) opacification was evaluated using the Lund-Mackay score (LMS). Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores and Lund-Kennedy endoscopic scores (LKES) for each patient were collected preoperatively and at three- and six-month intervals postoperatively. Serum eosinophilia (>6.0% on peripheral smear) and sinus tissue eosinophilia were recorded; Results: One hundred and thirty-six patients were included for analysis. Of these, 36.7% had polyposis, 15.4% had serum eosinophilia and 64.0% had tissue eosinophilia. The mean (standard deviation) SNOT-22 score was 45.5 (19.4) preoperatively, which improved postoperatively to 18.8 (14.1) at three months (p 6). Higher baseline LKES was observed for patients with eosinophilia or high-grade LMS, but these differences normalized at six months postoperatively; Conclusions: Patient-reported QOL and endoscopic appearance show improvement six months after placement of a steroid-eluting implant during ESS, irrespective of the presence of polyposis or eosinophilia.
Nkx2.5 and Nkx2.6, Homologs ofDrosophila tinman, Are Required for Development of the Pharynx

ABSTRACT Nkx2.5 and Nkx2.6 are murine homologs of Drosophilatinman. Their genes are expressed in the ventral region of the pharynx at early stages of embryogenesis. However, no abnormalities in the pharynges of embryos with mutations in either Nkx2.5 or Nkx2.6 have been reported. To examine the function of Nkx2.5 and Nkx2.6 in the formation of the pharynx, we generated and analyzed Nkx2.5 and Nkx2.6 double-mutant mice. Interestingly, in the double-mutant embryos, the pharynx did not form properly. Pharyngeal endodermal cells were largely missing, and the mutant pharynx was markedly dilated. Moreover, we observed enhanced apoptosis and reduced proliferation in pharyngeal endodermal cells of the double-mutant embryos. These results demonstrated a critical role of the NK-2 homeobox genes in the differentiation, proliferation, and survival of pharyngeal endodermal cells. Furthermore, the development of the atrium was less advanced in the double-mutant embryos, indicating that these two genes are essential for both pharyngeal and cardiac development.
Clinical and ecoepidemiological situation of human arboviruses in Brazilian Amazonia

The main aspects of clinic manifestations and epidemiological data about human arboviruses in the Brazilian Amazonian region is reviewed. Thirty four types of arboviruses from 183 types isolated in the Amazonia have been associated with human diseases. Four of them are important in public health and are involved with epidemics; they are namely, Dengue (DEN), Mayaro (MAY), Oropouche (ORO) and Yellow Fever (YF) viruses. ORO and DEN are associated with human epidemic diseases in urban areas while MAY and YF in rural areas. Basically, ORO causes a febrile disease, sometimes accompanied with aseptic meningitis. MAY and DEN are associated with rash febrile disease, while YF determines hemorrhagic fever. Thirty other arboviruses are involved with febrile illnesses in a few and sporadic cases. All arboviruses (apart from DEN) are maintained within a sylvatic cycle in the forest, where several species of hemathophagous insects act as vectors and wild vertebrates are involved as hosts. DEN has a cycle where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is the vector and man is the host. With the exception of the four viruses associated with epidemics which determine great economical and social impacts, including death (as in the case of YF), the real involvement of these viruses as systematic agents of human disease is unknown. Further studies are needed to clarify unclear aspects of the epidemiological cycles of these viruses.
FETAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE VOLUME AND COMPOSITION OF LIQUOR AMNII *

At 18 weeks gestation the liquor volume increases by 10–13 ml. per day. The fetus swallows 4–11 ml. per day and may void 7–17 ml. per day, while fetal renal function matures with increasing age. Some anencephalic fetuses can swallow considerable volumes of liquor, but the presence or absence of swallowing plays little part in the aetiology of polyhydramnios in this condition.
Towards the post-Fordist economy: emerging organisational models

Using a vast interdisciplinary literature, this paper discusses the transition to the post-Fordist economy as an unavoidable trend which affects individual organisations and countries. One of the great dangers of the current debate about post-Fordism is the overlapping of the various levels of discussion. The absence of rigour in posing the question has confused abstract reasoning (the outline of scenarios) with the process of demonstration (the utilisation of concrete, supporting data to validate the theory). This survey is essentially dedicated to the former question, leaving aside the latter (thus, the very complex issue of finding neutral data, nationally unbiased, to test it empirically). In our view, post-Fordism is an organisational paradigm (guidelines for new principles), not a realised model. Nor will it ever be one, since our hypothesis maintains that institutions matter, and that historical modifications of firms/industries/countries are the result of hybridisation and complex co-evolution. This article discusses, in fact, the nature of change implied by the post-Fordist paradigm only in relation to four abstract domains; its model of labour regulation, its organisation of production, its firm organisational model, and its societal and spatial context.
Molecular identification of Ehrlichia ewingii infection in dogs: 15 cases (1997-2001).

OBJECTIVE To determine historical, physical examination, hematologic, and serologic findings in dogs with Ehrlichia ewingii infection. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 15 dogs. PROCEDURE In all dogs, infection with E ewingii was confirmed with a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Follow-up information and clarification of information recorded in the medical records was obtained by telephone interviews and facsimile correspondence with referring veterinarians and owners. RESULTS Fever and lameness were the most common findings with each occurring in 8 dogs. Five dogs had neurologic abnormalities including ataxia, paresis, proprioceptive deficits, anisocoria, intention tremor, and head tilt. Neutrophilic polyarthritis was identified in 4 dogs. No clinical signs were reported in 3 dogs. The predominant hematologic abnormality was thrombocytopenia, which was identified in all 12 dogs for which a platelet count was available. Reactive lymphocytes were seen in 5 of 13 dogs. Concurrent infection with another rickettsial organism was identified in 4 dogs. Of the 13 dogs tested, 7 were seroreactive to E canis antigens. Morulae consistent with E ewingii infection were identified in neutrophils in 8 dogs. Treatment with doxycycline, with or without prednisone, resulted in a rapid, favorable clinical response in the 9 dogs for which follow-up information was available. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that PCR testing for E ewingii infection should be considered in dogs with fever, neutrophilic polyarthritis, unexplained ataxia or paresis, thrombocytopenia, or unexplained reactive lymphocytes, and in dogs with clinical signs suggestive of ehrlichiosis that are seronegative for E canis. Following treatment with doxycycline, the prognosis for recovery is good.
Postlaminektomi Sendromlu İki Hastada Oktad Elektrot ile Spinal Kord Stimülasyonu Uygulaması

daviler, sağlık harcamaları içinde önemli bir yer tutmaktadır. Tedavi seçenekleri arasında konservatif yöntemler ve ilaç tedavilerinden, invaziv girişimler ve cerrahi yöntemlere kadar geniş bir spektrum söz konusudur. İlk kez 1908 yılında Oppenheim ve Krause tarafından yapılan lomber intervertebral disk operasyonu, günümüzde birçok cerrahi merkezinde uygulanabilmektedir.1 Lomber disk cerrahisi nedeni ile yapılan ameliyatların %80-85’inde sonuç mükemmeldir. Bu oranlara bakınca sonuç tatmin edici görünse de, %15-20 oranında hastanın günlük yaşama devam eden semp-
[Release of hydrogen peroxide by peritoneal macrophages from mice infested with Trypanosoma musculi].

Peritoneal macrophages from Mice infested with Trypanosoma musculi release large amounts of hydrogen peroxide. In Mice infested with T. musculi, increase in hydrogen peroxide release induced by P.M.A. is well correlated with the course of parasitemia, suggesting acute control mechanisms.