Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cadmium and children: Exposure and health effects

Cadmium exposure and accumulation in the body start at young age. Exposure routes in children are mainly via food, environmental tobacco smoke and house dust. Excretion from the body is limited. Cadmium accumulation in the kidney is responsible for effects such as nephrotoxicity and osteoporosis which are observed at adult age. Cadmium exposure through inhalation is also associated with lung cancer in adulthood. Although transfer to the neonate through the placenta and through breast milk is limited, teratogenic and developmental effects were observed in experimental animals. The database on human studies involving children is limited, yet effects on motoric and perceptual behaviour in children have been associated with elevated in utero cadmium exposure. In school age children urinary cadmium levels were associated with immune suppressive effects. More studies are needed to confirm these results. Experimental data in vitro and in animals refer to effects of cadmium on the hypothalamus‐pituitary axis at different levels. This may lead to disorders of the endocrine and/or immune system. Cadmium exposure at early age should be limited as much as possible to prevent direct effects on children and to prevent accumulation of cadmium which may have serious health effects only becoming manifest at older age.
Spectrum characteristics of piano string using Non-Harmonic Analysis

In this paper, we use non-harmonic analysis (NHA), as recently proposed by the author, to analyse the change of frequency of a piano string before tuning. NHA has a high frequency resolution and the influence of the window function is smaller than DFT. The use of A4 for the tuning standard is analysed in the experiment. The observed result is that the variation of the frequency is large before the string is tuned. This is a phenomenon that originates in the way that the vibration of the string combines two large and small elliptic orbits in the direction the string was struck, as was shown by analysis of the string vibration with optical apparatus by Tanaka et al. This paper verifies the change of frequency of the string originating in the elliptic orbit not by using optical apparatus but by recording and analysing the sound of the piano with high frequency resolution NHA.
Association of Hematological Profile of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Patients with Clinicoimmunologic Stages of the Disease

Aim: This work was carried out to study the hematologic profile of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients and its association with the clinicoimmunologic stage of the disease. Materials and Methods: A total of 187 patients with HIV, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, diagnosed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method according to the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) guidelines were included in this study. Patients in the study population were divided into two groups: (1) Group A (antiretroviral therapy (ART) included patients receiving ART [ART-Y]) and (2) Group B included treatment naïve patients (ART-N). The patients were tested for hemoglobin (Hb), total red blood cells (RBC) count, RBC indices, reticulocyte count, packed cell volume (PCV), total lymphocyte counts(TLC), differential leukocyte counts (DLC), platelet count, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Cut-off values were determined as Hb < 10 g/dl, platelet count < 1.5 lakh/cumm, and TLC < 4,000/cumm. The group or categorical data were tested for statistical significance using Chi-square test and Z-test. The difference was reported as significant if P < 0.05. Results: (1) Anemia (predominantly normocytic normochromic) was prevalent in 40.1%, with slightly higher prevalence in those not receiving ART. It occurred with high frequency in patients with immunological (42.05%) and clinical acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (AIDS) (70.58%) compared with those who had an asymptomatic HIV infection with CD4 > 200/μl (28.57%). Patients on zidovudine (AZT) therapy had 34.6% anemia with increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV). (2) Thrombocytopenia was seen in 3.74% patients (higher percentage in untreated patients). (3) Leucopenia was observed in 5.88% in ART-Y (Group A) and 8.14% in ART-N (Group B) patients. (4) Pancytopenia was found in 1.6% patients.
Prognostic impact of early response to induction therapy as assessed by multiparameter flow cytometry in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Early response after induction therapy is an independent prognostic factor in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We improved the identification of this parameter by implementing multiparameter flow cytometry to quantify bone marrow cells carrying leukemia-associated immunophenotypes (LAIP). DESIGN AND METHODS In 106 uniformly treated patients flow cytometric analyses were performed at diagnosis and one week after induction therapy (day 16). The log-difference between LAIP-positive cells on day 1and day 16 (LD16) was determined for each patient. RESULTS The LD16 (median, 2.11; range, -0.37 to 4.20) was significantly correlated to CR rate, event-free survival (EFS), overall survival (OS), and relapse-free survival (RFS). Separation of patients by the median LD16 resulted in significant differences in CR rate (81% vs. 51%, p=0.002), EFS (53% at 2 years vs. median 2.8 months, p<0.0001), 2-year OS (58% vs. 43%, p=0.0133), and 2-year RFS (65% vs. 30%, p=0.0037). Multivariate analysis revealed that LD16 was an independent prognostic parameter for CR rate, EFS, and RFS. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Flow cytometric evaluation of early response may serve as a new response parameter in AML. It may be used for development of risk-adapted therapies. High-risk patients can be identified early after the first induction therapy and assigned alternative and salvage treatment strategies.
Extraction of semiconductor intrinsic laser parameters by intermodulation distortion analysis

A new technique is described for the extraction of the intrinsic semiconductor parameters from intermodulation measurement of composite second-order (CSO) and composite third-order (CTB) distortion products. The effect of the parasitics elements are eliminated, by taking the distortion measurements at constant optical modulation depth, which enables one to obtain the laser parameters on packaged laser diodes. An optimization algorithm is then described that extracts the relevant laser parameters from the distortion data. This method was applied to a commercially available packaged laser diode and very good agreement was obtained between the measured and theoretical results.
Dietary Exposure to Heterocyclic Amines in a Chinese Population

Abstract: Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) formed in meat during high-temperature cooking have been associated with risk of colorectal and breast cancer. Incidence of these cancers is increasing in Singapore, a country with 77% ethnic Chinese. The purpose of this study was to estimate HAA levels in the Chinese diet and individual levels of exposure to these compounds because little is known. Twenty-five samples (each pooled from three sources) of meat and fish, cooked as commonly consumed, were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography for concentrations (ng/g) of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline, 2-amino-3, 4-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (MeIQ), 2-amino-3,8- dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx), 2-amino-3, 4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (4,8-DiMeIQx), 2- amino-3,7,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline, 2-amino -1,6-dimethylfuro[3,2-e]imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, and 2- amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP). Dietary meat consumption data (g/day), including meat type and cooking method, were gathered from food-frequency questionnaires completed by 497 randomly sampled Chinese men and women aged 20-59 yr. PhIP, MeIQx, and 4,8-DiMeIQx were the most abundant HAAs detected. Total HAA concentrations ranged from <0.10 to 6.77 ng/g, of which Chinese-style roasted pork had the highest levels. The estimated mean daily exposure to HAA was 49.95 ng/day (P10 14.0 ng/day, P90 95.8 ng/day); this was 50% higher among younger (20-39 yr) compared with older individuals. Seven specific meat-cooking method combinations contributed 90.1% of this intake, namely, pan-fried fish, pork, and chicken, deep-fried chicken as well as fish, roasted/barbecued pork, and grilled minced beef.
Changes in Farms` Economic Sustainability: The Picture of Polish Farms in the Last Decade

The European Union took a course on sustainable agriculture and rural development. This direction of agricultural policy has been implemented for many years. With the passage of time is increasing need to determine the actual effects in terms of sustainability. Agriculture sustainability takes into account three basic aspects, i.e. economic, environmental and social. In the case of farms, the economic sustainability is particularly important because it is associated with the basic economic objective of farmers and motive of their economic activity. Sustainability of agriculture and farms is the subject of increasing interests of society and researchers. In recent years, various research institutions take attempts to measure sustainability, including economic issues, but there was no uniform approach to this research subject. The aim of the paper is to present the changes that have taken place in agriculture economic sustainability in Poland. Using public statistic, 2005 and 2016 data of Central Statistical Office, the direction in which tends the Polish agriculture was indicated. There was used a set of useful economic indicators that can be applied in other EU countries. Farms` economic sustainability was assessed on the basis of land and labour productivity and profitability, households income sources and farms market activity. The analysis concerns all individual agricultural holdings with at least 1 ha of agricultural land. Keywords: economic sustainability, farms` economic sustainability, agriculture, Central Statistical Office data, Poland
Resilience under conditions of extreme stress: a multilevel perspective

Resilience has been conceptualized as a dynamic developmental process encompassing the attainment of positive adaptation within the context of significant threat, severe adversity, or trauma. Until the past decade, the empirical study of resilience predominantly focused on behavioral and psychosocial correlates of, and contributors to, the phenomenon and did not examine neurobiological or genetic correlates of and contributors to resilience. Technological advances in molecular genetics and neuroimaging, and in measuring other biological aspects of behavior, have made it more feasible to begin to conduct research on pathways to resilient functioning from a multilevel perspective. Child maltreatment constitutes a profound immersion in severe stress that challenges and frequently impairs development across diverse domains of biological and psychological functioning. Research on the determinants of resilience in maltreated children is presented as an illustration of empirical work that is moving from single-level to multilevel investigations of competent functioning in the face of adversity and trauma. These include studies of personality, neural, neuroendocrine, and molecular genetic contributors to resilient adaptation. Analogous to neural plasticity that takes place in response to brain injury, it is conjectured that it may be possible to conceptualize resilience as the ability of individuals to recover functioning after exposure to extreme stress. Multilevel randomized control prevention and intervention trials have substantial potential for facilitating the promotion of resilient functioning in diverse high-risk populations that have experienced significant adversity. Determining the multiple levels at which change is engendered through randomized control trials will provide insight into the mechanisms of change, the extent to which neural plasticity may be promoted, and the interrelations between biological and psychological processes in the development of maladaptation, psychopathology, and resilience.
The role of platelets in inflammatory immune responses in generalized aggressive periodontitis

AIM To investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and platelet size in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). MATERIAL AND METHODS Periodontal, inflammatory and platelet indices were compared between 59 GAgP patients and 59 healthy subjects. Gingival biopsies from five patients and five healthy subjects were examined by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. Changes in patient periodontal and platelet indices were re-evaluated at 3 months after periodontal therapy. RESULTS Platelet size was decreased significantly in GAgP patients compared to healthy subjects (p ≤ 0.003). Weak negative correlations between platelet size and periodontal parameters were found in GAgP patients (p ≤ 0.025). Platelet aggregates and adhesion to the endothelium or leucocytes were found in venules and connective tissues of gingival biopsies from GAgP patients. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet large cell ratio increased after periodontal therapy in GAgP patients (p ≤ 0.038). The increase in MPV was related to the decrease in bleeding index in GAgP patients after periodontal therapy (p < 0.001; r = 0.357). CONCLUSION Platelet size was reduced in GAgP patients compared to healthy controls, possibly due to the consumption of large platelets at sites of periodontal inflammation. Platelets may be involved in host responses to periodontal infection in GAgP.
Gender differences in amniotic fluid cytokine levels

Objective: Placental trophoblast invasion and amniotic fluid cytokine receptor levels have been reported to vary with fetal gender. We investigated whether fetal gender affects amniotic fluid levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 and the pro-angiogenesis cytokine angiogenin. Methods: Specimens from singleton gestations undergoing mid-trimester amniocentesis for genetic indications were used. Inclusion criteria were (1) outcome information available, (2) no structural or chromosomal anomaly and (3) no conditions associated with preterm delivery. Amniotic fluid IL-6, IL-10 and angiogenin levels were measured by immunoassay. Statistical analysis included the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher's exact test with p < 0.05 indicating significance. Results: A total of 74 samples were analyzed. Angiogenin levels were significantly lower in amniotic fluid samples from pregnancies with a male than with a female fetus (median (range): 22.2 (5.9–66.4) vs. 32.0 (11.4–159.2) ng/ml, p = 0.007), in contrast to no differences in amniotic fluid IL-6 and IL-10 levels (p = 0.4 and p = 0.1, respectively). In pregnancies with male fetuses delivering preterm (< 37 weeks), angiogenin was also detected at lower levels (p = 0.02). There were no gender differences with respect to race, nulliparity or maternal age. Conclusion: Angiogenin levels, but not IL-6 or IL-10 levels, are significantly lower in second-trimester amniotic fluid of women with male compared with female fetuses, including those women delivering preterm.
Staphylococcus aureus Peptidoglycan Is a Toll-Like Receptor 2 Activator: a Reevaluation

ABSTRACT Since the ability of peptidoglycan (PGN) to activate Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was recently questioned, we reevaluated activation of TLR2 by PGN. Polymeric soluble or insoluble Staphylococcus aureus PGN, repurified by sodium dodecyl sulfate or phenol extraction, activated TLR2 at 0.1 to 1 or 10 μg/ml, respectively, and induced tumor necrosis factor alpha production. The TLR2 activation by PGN, but not by lipoteichoic acid, was abolished by muramidase digestion. We conclude that polymeric S. aureus PGN is a TLR2 activator.
Behavior of SCN-Lesioned Chipmunks in Natural Habitat: A Pilot Study

The necessity of a circadian pacemaker, the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), for survival was evaluated in a population of approximately 65 wild eastern chipmunks, Tamias striatus. The research involved over 3000 h of fieldwork between May 1995 and October 1997 on a study siteat Mountain Lake Biological Station, Virginia. The 28 chipmunks randomly designated as project animals included 10 SCN-lesioned chipmunks, 5 surgical controls (shamlesioned), and 13 intact controls. Visual observation, live trapping, and radio telemetric tracking were used to assess 6aspects of survival and reproduction. Upon release after surgery, every animal returned to its den site and was able to maintain its home territory. In warm months from May through October, all chipmunks were active above ground with a strictly day-active pattern. During the remainingcold months, they were normothermic but relatively torpid in their underground densfor extendedperiods of time. Short-term mortality for the initial 3 months included only a single intact control chipmunk; loss for the extended period from August 1995 to October 1996 was 40% for the SCN-lesioned animals, 0% for surgical controls, and 15.4% for the intact controls.Survival differences were not significant between surgical control and intact control groups but were significant ([.alpha] = .10) between SCN-lesioned and pooled control groups. Annual bodyweight patterns were similar for both groups. Most individuals in both SCN-lesioned and controlgroups were reproductively active in the spring and fall breeding periods. Lack of major differences may be attributable to the exceptionally favorable conditions for survival such as a veryabundant fallacorn crop, medium population size, and absence of heavy predation.
Therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy in the newborn infant: review

Purpose of reviewThis review examines recent findings from experimental models and clinical trials of induced hypothermia as treatment after cerebral hypoxia–ischaemia in term newborn infants. Recent findingsExperimental hypothermia inhibits many steps in the biochemical cascade that produces severe brain injury after hypoxia–ischaemia. This is in contrast to pharmacological agents, which tend to target only one step in the process that leads to brain injury. In adult humans hypothermia initiated immediately after cardiac arrest has improved outcomes. Delayed cooling after brain trauma has also been effective in a subgroup of adult patients. Seventy-two hours of selective head cooling with mild systemic hypothermia (rectal temperature 34.5°C) in term infants with hypoxic–ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) reduced death or disability in the infants with less severe electroencephalographic changes at entry (no benefit in those with advanced electroencephalographic changes). Cooling had no apparent adverse effects. A smaller randomized clinical trial of 48 h whole body cooling (rectal T 33°C) found a reduction in death and neurological impairment. SummaryIn term infants with HIE there is emerging evidence that both selective head cooling and whole body cooling are neuroprotective and safe. This is consistent with a wealth of experimental animal data and adult trials. Neuroprotection seems to be lost if cooling is started after 6 h. The challenge now is to complete ongoing trials. If meta-analysis confirms a therapeutic effect, then this may lead to selection criteria and treatment protocols for very early hypothermia in HIE at term.
Large-scale, saturating insertional mutagenesis of the mouse genome

We describe the construction of a large-scale, orderly assembly of mutant ES cells, generated with retroviral insertions and having mutational coverage in >90% of mouse genes. We also describe a method for isolating ES cell clones with mutations in specific genes of interest from this library. This approach, which combines saturating random mutagenesis with targeted selection of mutations in the genes of interest, was successfully applied to the gene families of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and nuclear receptors. Mutant mouse strains in 60 different GPCRs were generated. Applicability of the technique for the GPCR genes, which on average represent fairly small targets for insertional mutagenesis, indicates the general utility of our approach for the rest of the genome. The method also allows for increased scale and automation for the large-scale production of mutant mice, which could substantially expedite the functional characterization of the mouse genome.
Initial apoptosis is followed by increased proliferation of apoptosis‐resistant endothelial cells

We have demonstrated that VEGF receptor blockade in combination with chronic hypoxia causes in rats severe angioproliferative pulmonary hypertension (SAPH) associated with arterial occlusion by proliferating endothelial cells, and we postulate that the established, lumen‐occluding lesions are the result of the emergence of apoptosis‐resistant proliferating cells. To study the dependence of exuberant endothelial cell proliferation on initial apoptosis, we adapted the CELLMAX artificial capillary system to analyze the effects of a VEGF receptor antagonist (SU5416) on human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells under pulsatile shear stress. Immunohistochemical staining for caspase‐3 and PCNA and flow cytometry for Annexin‐V and BrdU supported our concept, since SU5416 caused initial apoptosis (35.8% at 24 h after the SU5416 addition and 4.8% in control cells) whereas the surviving cells became hyperproliferative (PCNA positive). Flow cytometry showed that apoptosis inhibition prevented the proliferation following the initial apoptosis. These lumen‐filling endothelial cells were apoptosis resistant, grew without serum, and were phenotypically altered in that they express the tumor marker survivin. Hyperproliferative apoptosis‐resistant cells were also generated by adding apoptosed cells instead of the VEGF receptor blocker to the CELLMAX system. In conclusion, endothelial cell death resulted in the selection of an apoptosis‐resistant, proliferating phenotypically altered endothelial cell phenotype.
Diagnosis and treatment of severe acute radiation pneumonitis

Concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the main treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Acute Radiation Pneumonitis (ARP) is one of the most important complications of radiotherapy for lung cancer and is difficult to treat and causes high mortality rates. In this study, we reported a patient with grade IV ARP who underwent 2 months of radiotherapy. This patient showed significantly different clinical features from common ARP, he had early symptoms of illness without evident signs and imaging manifestations, rapid short-term illness progression, wide range of lesions, and bystander effect. We described our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of ARP, and discussed the importance of early prevention of ARP during radiotherapy.
Minimally invasive aortic valve replacement: how does this perform in high-risk patients?

Purpose of review Minimally invasive techniques are increasingly important in aortic valve surgery. The aim of this publication is to review our experience and recent literature to assess and present the current ‘state-of-the-art’-role of minimally invasive aortic valve operations for high-risk patients. Recent findings Minimally invasive aortic valve operation for high-risk patients (e.g. patients with left ventricular dysfunction, reoperation, elderly, multimorbid patients, etc.) can be performed with an operative mortality similar to standard sternotomy approach. Less postoperative bleeding, fewer blood transfusions, better cosmesis, lower ICU and in-hospital stays as well as the absence of sternal wound infection are the main advantages of this technique. Summary Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery has evolved into a well tolerated, efficient surgical treatment option in experienced centers, providing greater patient satisfaction and lower complication rates in high-risk patients.