Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
α1-Antitrypsin, Transferrin, Alkaline Phosphatase, Phosphohexoseisomerase and γ-Glutamyltransferase in Breast Cyst Fluid

The levels of α1-antitrypsin, transferrin, alkaline phosphatase, phosphohexoseisomerase and γ-glutamyltransferase were measured in 32 samples of breast cyst fluid, and a wide range of values was obtained. The levels observed in some samples for these parameters, being similar to those of normal serum, might suggest a mechanism of plasma exudation for the formation of breast cyst fluid. Nevertheless, a comparison with the maximum normal serum reference value revealed very high levels of γ-glutamyltransferase in all of the samples; about 50% also exhibited high levels of phosphohexoseisomerase. These results indicate that the formation of breast cyst fluid takes place with a specific local production, in addition to the mechanism of selective plasma exudation. Moreover, elevated transferrin levels in some cyst fluids are probably the expression of a high biosynthetic activity and could be diagnostically useful in the course of breast gross cystic disease. The importance of these observations from the point of view of diagnostic and prognostic trends are discussed.
Genetics and outcome of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome: a nationwide French series comparing children and adults.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare complement-mediated kidney disease that was first recognized in children but also affects adults. This study assessed the disease presentation and outcome in a nationwide cohort of patients with aHUS according to the age at onset and the underlying complement abnormalities. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A total of 214 patients with aHUS were enrolled between 2000 and 2008 and screened for mutations in the six susceptibility factors for aHUS and for anti-factor H antibodies. RESULTS Onset of aHUS occurred as frequently during adulthood (58.4%) as during childhood (41.6%). The percentages of patients who developed the disease were 23%, 40%, 70%, and 98% by age 2, 18, 40, and 60 years, respectively. Mortality was higher in children than in adults (6.7% versus 0.8% at 1 year) (P=0.02), but progression to ESRD after the first aHUS episode was more frequent in adults (46% versus 16%; P<0.001). Sixty-one percent of patients had mutations in their complement genes. The renal outcome was not significantly different in adults regardless of genetic background. Only membrane cofactor protein (MCP) and undetermined aHUS were less severe in children than adults. The frequency of relapse after 1 year was 92% in children with MCP-associated HUS and approximately 30% in all other subgroups. CONCLUSION Mortality rate was higher in children than adults with aHUS, but renal prognosis was worse in adults than children. In children, the prognosis strongly depends on the genetic background.
Sarcopenia and Skeletal Muscle Quality as Predictors of Postoperative Complication and Early Mortality in Gynecologic Cancer

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the influence of sarcopenia and the indicators of skeletal muscle (SM) quality on surgical outcomes in women with ovarian and endometrial cancer who underwent oncologic surgery. Methods Endometrial and ovarian cancer patients admitted between 2008 and 2015 and who had computerized tomography images available within 45 days before surgery were enrolled in a retrospective cohort (n = 250). Computerized tomography images at the third lumbar vertebra were used to assess SM. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated in the range from −29 to +150 Hounsfield Units; reduced muscle attenuation (range, −29 to +29 HU) was classified as low-radiodensity skeletal muscle index (LRSMI). By subtracting the LRSMI area from total SMI, high-radiodensity skeletal muscle index (HRSMI) was created. Sarcopenia was defined when SMI was less than 38.9 cm2/m2. Multiple logistic regression evaluated predictors of surgical complications. Results Patients in lower HRSMI quartiles and in the highest quartiles of LRSMI had more postoperative surgical complication and had prolonged hospital stay. Both sarcopenia and the quality indicators of SM were predictors of increased risk of surgical complication, HRSMI being the strongest predictor. However, in a combined adjustment with sarcopenia, only HRSMI remained in the model as an independent predictor for surgical complication. In addition, HRSMI was the only indicator associated with early mortality (<30 days). Conclusions The indicators of SM quality were the most significant predictors of surgical complications. Classifying muscle quality in terms of low-radiodensity or high-radiodensity area is a promising strategy to understand the impact of SM quality on unfavorable surgical outcomes in cancer patients.
Is blood pressure inversely related to birth weight? The strength of evidence from a systematic review of the literature

Objective To assess the strength of evidence for an inverse relationship between blood pressure and birth weight. Design A systematic review of the published literature. Setting Published studies describing the relationship between blood pressure and birth weight since 1956. Subjects More than 66 000 subjects aged 0–71 years. Results Thirty-four studies described the relationship of blood pressure with birth weight. The majority of the studies of children and adults showed that blood pressure fell with increasing birth weight. Studies of adolescents were inconsistent. In neonates there was a positive relationship between blood pressure and birth weight. The pattern with age was supported by the limited number of studies with repeated measures and was dependent neither on the method of analysis nor on work from a single academic group or country. Conclusions Blood pressure is inversely related to birth weight in children and in adults. The positive results in neonates and the inconsistency in adolescence may be related to the unusual growth dynamics during these phases of growth. Further studies should concentrate on the mechanisms which underlie the relationship.
Industry cluster’s innovation network structure and competitiveness in Zhejiang Province

Zhejiang Province, China, is known as a home of industrial clusters. Academic interests on Zhejiangpsilas industrial clusters have been attracted to the peculiar development experiences of Wenzhou, Taizhou and Shaoxing in Zhejiang. Most of the literature on Zhejiangpsilas industrial clusters, however, is case studies of some clusters. It is necessary to analyze the cluster as a whole from the view of innovation network. Innovation is often identified as a key to region competitiveness and prosperity, and is promoted through various policy initiatives in many areas. Yet innovation today is no longer carried out within individual firm, but often crosses borders in the form of innovation networks. The paper analyzed he innovation network structure. The innovation network structure can be divided in three sectors including core network, auxiliary network and external supporting network. The paper investigated Zhejiang innovation network structure and concluded the role of innovation network to the industry cluster change.
Relationship Between the Remaining Dentin Thickness and Coronal Pulp Status of Decayed Primary Molars

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the remaining dentin thickness (RDT) in deep decayed primary molars and the inflammatory status and bacterial composition of the corresponding coronal pulp. We hypothesized that RDT could be used as a reference for clinicians in assigning the indication for pulpotomy. Materials and Methods: Pulpotomies were conducted on the cameral pulp of 48 primary molars. Microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus sp. , Streptococcus sp. , and Prevotella sp. , were identified and quantified and levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed. The correlation between the pre-operative RDT based on radiographic images and inflammatory-microbial profiles in vitro was evaluated using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. All data analysis was performed using a statistical software program (SPSS 20.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Immunological and microbiological studies revealed elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, and Lactobacillus sp. , Streptococcus sp. and Prevotella sp. in the cameral pulp with an RDT measuring up to 1.1 mm. No significant relationship could be established between RDT, inflammatory status and microbial content of the pulps. Conclusion: The RDT remains a key clinical factor that needs to be assessed when establishing the indication for pulpotomy. Additional parameters that can improve this therapy should be investigated in the future.
The effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline and isoprenaline on skeletal muscle contractions in the cat

Adrenaline, noradrenaline and other sympathomimetic amines have been shown to increase the maximal twitch tension of unfatigued skeletal muscles (Oliver & Schaefer, 1895; Gruber, 1922a, b; Goffart & Brown, 1947; West & Zaimis, 1949; Brown, Goffart & Vianna Dias, 1950; Goffart & Ritchie, 1952; Huidobro, Cubillos & Eyzaguirre, 1952; Goffart, 1952, 1954; Montagu, 1955). This response, however, is not characteristic of all skeletal muscles. In fact the present experiments show that, in the cat, slow contracting muscles such as the soleus respond in a completely opposite way. A short account of the results has already been published (Bowman & Zaimis, 1955).
Arctic sea ice thickness, volume, and multiyear ice coverage: losses and coupled variability (1958–2018)

Large-scale changes in Arctic sea ice thickness, volume and multiyear sea ice (MYI) coverage with available measurements from submarine sonars, satellite altimeters (ICESat and CryoSat-2), and satellite scatterometers are summarized. The submarine record spans the period between 1958 and 2000, the satellite altimeter records between 2003 and 2018, and the scatterometer records between 1999 and 2017. Regional changes in ice thickness (since 1958) and within the data release area of the Arctic Ocean, previously reported by Kwok and Rothrock (2009 Geophys. Res. Lett. 36 L15501), have been updated to include the 8 years of CryoSat-2 (CS-2) retrievals. Between the pre-1990 submarine period (1958–1976) and the CS-2 period (2011–2018) the average thickness near the end of the melt season, in six regions, decreased by 2.0 m or some 66% over six decades. Within the data release area (∼38% of the Arctic Ocean) of submarine ice draft, the thinning of ∼1.75 m in winter since 1980 (maximum thickness of 3.64 m in the regression analysis) has not changed significantly; the mean thickness over the CS-2 period is ∼2 m. The 15 year satellite record depicts losses in sea ice volume at 2870 km3/decade and 5130 km3/decade in winter (February–March) and fall (October–November), respectively: more moderate trends compared to the sharp decreases over the ICESat period, where the losses were weighted by record-setting melt in 2007. Over the scatterometer record (1999–2017), the Arctic has lost more than 2 × 106 km2 of MYI—a decrease of more than 50%; MYI now covers less than one-third of the Arctic Ocean. Independent MYI coverage and volume records co-vary in time, the MYI area anomalies explain ∼85% of the variance in the anomalies in Arctic sea ice volume. If losses of MYI continue, Arctic thickness/volume will be controlled by seasonal ice, suggesting that the thickness/volume trends will be more moderate (as seen here) but more sensitive to climate forcing.
Effect of hydrocortisone on the macrophage content, growth and metastasis of transplanted murine tumors

Hydrocortisone (HC) reduced the macrophage content of four murine tumors to less than half of control values. Since HC causes monocytopenia and inhibits the recruitment of mononuclear phagocytes at sites of inflammation but does not affect the viability and proliferative capacity of macrophages, this finding suggests that the maintenance of macrophage levels in growing tumors is in part dependent upon the entry into the neoplasm of circulating monocytes. HC inhibited the growth of these tumors. The effect of HC was most marked on the mFS6 and MN/MCA1 sarcomas and 3LL carcinoma, with only marginal inhibition in the M109 carcinoma. HC augmented spontaneous and/or artificial (i.v.) metastasis in these tumor models. Cells from metastatic foci of the mFS6 sarcoma and M109 carcinoma inoculated i.m. were as susceptible to HC as cells from primary tumors. The effects of HC on macrophage content, growth and metastasis of the M109 carcinoma and mFS6 sarcoma were similar in mice with defective T‐cell function (nude or thymectomized) or defective NK activity (beige or antiasialo GM1‐treated) and in controls. The in vitro growth of the mFS6 and MN/MCA1 sarcomas was not modified by HC. Some inhibition of tumor‐cell proliferative capacity was observed with the 3LL and M109 tumors. Tumor cell had high‐affinity binding sites for glucocorticoid hormones, but these were not correlated to susceptibility in vivo. Thus it is unlikely that a direct interaction of HC with tumor cells accounts for the inhibition of tumor growth observed in vivo. To evaluate whether HC affected tumor growth by reducing the macrophage content of tumors, mFS6 sarcoma cells were transplanted, mixed with peritoneal macrophages into normal or HC‐treated mice. Macrophages did not affect the growth of tumor cells in normal mice, whereas in HC‐created animals lesions from mixtures of macrophages and sarcoma cells appeared earlier and weighed more than those from tumor cells alone or tumor cells and thymocytes. However, macrophages did not reconstitute growth of the other sarcoma (MN/MCA1) in HC‐treated mice. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that HC inhibited growth of some poorly immunogenic transplanted murine tumors, at least in part, by interfering with the macrophage levels in neoplastic tissues, tumor‐associated macrophages providing the conditions for optimal tumor‐cell proliferation at least in some neoplasms.
Virus isolations from pet birds submitted for importation into the United States.

From October 1973 to September 1981, 2,882,111 birds were offered for importation into the United States. All were quarantined for 30 days, and specimens were submitted to the laboratory for virus-isolation studies. Viruses were isolated from specimens from 26.3% (598/2,274) of the quarantined lots of birds. Viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (VVNDV) was isolated from 141 lots. Nonviscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus (VNDV) was isolated from six lots. All VVNDV- and VNDV-positive lots were refused entry. The percentage of lots refused entry declined from 31.6% in 1974 to 2.9% in 1981. Mesogenic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from three lots, and lentogenic NDV was isolated from 23 lots. Lots positive for mesogenic and lentogenic NDV were allowed to enter the United States. Hemagglutinating (HA) viruses other than NDV were isolated from 24.5% (373/1,521) of the lots imported through privately owned quarantine facilities. Of the 8,563 HA viruses isolated, 1,558 were selected for identification. Forty-six percent were identified as paramyxovirus (PMV)-2, 34% were PMV-3, and 20% were influenza A viruses possessing the hemagglutinin subtypes H3, H4, H7, and H10 and the neuraminidase subtypes N1, N6, N7, and N8. The frequency of PMV-2 and PMV-3 isolations fluctuated from year to year, whereas the frequency of isolations of influenza A viruses decreased from 64% in 1974 to 0.2% in 1981. Viruses that did not agglutinate chicken red blood cells were isolated from 52 lots. Psittacine herpesvirus (Pacheco's disease) was isolated from 25 lots of psittacines. Viruses identified by electron microscopy as reoviruses were isolated from 24 lots. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An user identity authentication scheme adaptive to changes in face appearance

Digital identities (i.e. DIDs) are often used to access e-mails, e-banks, e-shops, physical environments, shared computers, and other restrict access environments. Nowadays, the simple access control methods like passwords or PINs can not be considered sufficiently secure, because an impostor can obtain and use these information without the user knowing it. To make these systems more reliable, multi-modal DID authentication techniques combining different verification steps have been proposed. Biometric features are one of the most reliable alternatives for the authentication problem because, theoretically, they are unique for each person. In this paper, we propose to perform the authentication task by integrating the traditional login information (e.g. username and password) with an adaptive face analysis scheme. A low complexity facial feature extraction method is presented along with our proposed face appearance management method, which could work with more complex facial representation schemes. The preliminary experimental results are encouraging, since 98% of the identities are correctly verified using our proposed authentication scheme, while different face appearances of the same subjects are learned with a relatively small computational effort (i.e. with or without glasses, beard, hat, different poses, etc.).
Antenatal glucocorticoids and growth: single versus multiple doses in animal and human studies.

In recent years, many clinicians have prescribed repeated courses of glucocorticoids to pregnant women at risk of early preterm birth. The published literature has provided reassurance from randomized controlled trials that single-course treatment improves postnatal lung function without deleterious consequences, but we do not yet have data from randomized trials designed specifically to investigate the effects of repeated courses. Data from animal studies have, for many years, provided evidence that prenatal exposure to glucocorticoids restricts fetal growth and, more recently, has suggested a role in programming the individual to adult disease. Multivariate analyses from non-randomized cohorts have also suggested associations between repeated treatments and reduced birth weight, but we await results from randomized controlled trials currently in progress to provide more definitive answers. Regardless of any effect on growth, the possibility that adult health and disease may be programmed by fetal exposure to glucocorticoids will ensure our need to balance the ability of these agents to improve newborn survival with the potential consequences in later life.
Power-law relationship of heart rate variability as a predictor of mortality in the elderly.

BACKGROUND The prognostic role of heart rate (HR) variability analyzed from 24-hour ECG recordings in the general population is not well known. We studied whether analysis of 24-hour HR behavior is able to predict mortality in a random population of elderly subjects. METHODS AND RESULTS A random sample of 347 subjects of > or =65 years of age (mean, 73+/-6 years) underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and 24-hour ECG recordings and were subsequently followed up for 10 years. Various spectral and nonspectral measures of HR variability were analyzed from the baseline 24-hour ECG recordings. Risk factors for all-cause, cardiac, cerebrovascular, cancer, and other causes of death were assessed. By the end of 10-year follow-up, 184 subjects (53%) had died and 163 (47%) were still alive. Seventy-four subjects (21%) had died of cardiac disease, 37 of cancer (11%), 25 of cerebrovascular disease (7%), and 48 (14%) of various other causes. Among all analyzed variables, a steep slope of the power-law regression line of HR variability (< -1.50) was the best univariate predictor of all-cause mortality (odds ratio, 7.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7 to 17.0; P<.0001). After adjusting for age and sex and including all univariate predictors of mortality in the proportional hazards analysis, ie, measures of HR variability, history of heart disease, functional class, smoking, medication, and blood cholesterol and glucose concentrations, all-cause mortality was predicted only by the slope of HR variability (adjusted relative risk, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.42 to 2.13; P<.0001) and a history of congestive heart failure (adjusted relative risk, 1.70; P=.0002). The slope of HR variability predicted both cardiac (adjusted relative risk, 2.05; P=.0002) and cerebrovascular death (adjusted relative risk, 2.84; P=.0001) but not cancer or other causes of death. CONCLUSIONS Power-law relationship of 24-hour HR variability is a more powerful predictor of death than the traditional risk markers in elderly subjects. Altered long-term behavior of HR implies an increased risk of vascular causes of death rather than being a marker of any disease or frailty leading to death.
Inhibition of Hsp90 attenuates inflammation in endotoxin‐induced uveitis

Heat shock protein (Hsp) 90 inhibitors, such as 17‐allylamino‐17‐demethoxy‐geldanamycin (17‐AAG), constitute promising novel therapeutic agents. We investigated the anti‐inflammatory activity of 17‐AAG in endotoxin‐induced uveitis (EIU) in rats. After the induction of EIU with a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), female Lewis rats received a single intraperitoneal. (i.p.) injection of 17‐AAG or vehicle. Twenty‐four hours later, the retinas were extracted and assayed for leukocyte adhesion; blood‐retinal barrier breakdown;VEGF, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and CD14 protein levels;NF‐κB and HIF‐1α activity;hsp90 and 70 levels and expression and phosphorylation of the tight junction proteins ZO‐1 and occludin. 17‐AAG treatment significantly suppressed the LPS‐induced increase in retinal leukocyte adhesion;vascular leakage; NF‐KB, HIF‐1α, p38, and PI‐3K activity;and VEGF, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β levels. 17‐AAG also suppressed phos‐phorylation of ZO‐1 and occludin by inhibiting their association with p38 and PI‐3K Although 17‐AAG treatment did not reduce the LPS‐induced increase in total CD14 levels in leukocytes, it significantly decreased membrane CD14 levels. These data suggest that Hsp90 inhibition suppresses several cardinal manifestations of endotoxin‐induced uveitis in the rat. 17‐AAG has demonstrated a favorable safety profile in clinical trials in cancer patients and represents a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of inflammatory eye diseases. –Poulaki V. , Iliaki, E. , Mitsiades, N. , Mitsiades, C. S. , Paulus, Y. M. , Bula, D. V. , Gragoudas, E. S. , Miller J. W. Inhibition of Hsp90 attenuates inflammation in endotoxin‐induced uveitis. FASEB J. 21, 2113–2123 (2007)
Proinflammatory Component of Extracellular DNA: A Major

We previously demonstrated that extracellular bacterial DNA activates neutrophils through a CpG- and TLR9-independent mechanism. Bioﬁlms are microbial communities enclosed in a polymeric matrix that play a critical role in the pathogenesis of many infectious diseases. Because extracellular DNA is a key component of bioﬁlms of different bacterial species, the aim of this study was to determine whetheritplaysaroleintheabilityofbioﬁlmstoinducehumanneutrophilactivation. Wefoundthatdegradationofmatrixextracellular DNA with DNase I markedly reduced the capacity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bioﬁlms to induce the release of the neutrophil proinﬂammatory cytokines IL-8 and IL-1 b (>75%); reduced the upregulation of neutrophil activation markers CD18, CD11b, and CD66b ( p , 0.001); reduced the number of bacteria phagocytosed per neutrophil contacting the bioﬁlm; and reduced the production of neutrophilextracellular traps.Consistentwiththese ﬁndings, we foundthatbioﬁlmsformed by the lasI rhlIP. aeruginosa mutant strain, exhibiting a very low content of matrix extracellular DNA, displayed a lower capacity to stimulate the release of proinﬂammatory cytokines by neutrophils, which was not decreased further by DNase I treatment. Together, our ﬁndings support that matrix extracellular DNA is a major proinﬂammatory component of P. aeruginosa bioﬁlms. The Journal of Immunology , 2010, 184: 6386–6395.