Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dietary sodium and potassium intake were associated with hypertension, kidney damage and adverse perinatal outcome in pregnant women with preeclampsia

ABSTRACT Objectives: In this study, we hypothesized that dietary salt and potassium intake may be related with blood pressure, kidney damage and perinatal outcome in pregnants with preeclampsia (PE). Methods: In total, 200 women (50 control women with healthy pregnancy, 150 women with PE) were recruited for the study. Daily salt and potassium intake was estimated based on calculation of 24-hour urinary sodium U[Na+] and potassium U[K+] excretion. U[Na+]/[K+] was calculated by dividing U[Na+] by U[K+]. At the end of the measurements, the pregnant women with PE (n=150) were divided into tertiles according to U[Na+]/[K+]: low Na/K group (n=50, mean U[Na+]/[K+]: 1,04±0,32), medium Na/K group (n=50, mean U[Na+]/[K+]: 2,49± 0,54), high Na/K group (n=50, mean U[Na+]/[K+]: 6,62±3,41). Results: The mean SBP and DBP levels were significantly lower in low Na/K group compared with medium or high Na/K groups (p=0.024, p=0.0002; respectively). Serum creatinine was significantly lower in low Na/K group than high Na/K group (p=0.025). Frequency of severe preeclampsia is lower in low Na/K group than medium or high Na/K groups (p=0.002, p=0.0001; respectively). Birth weight and gestational age at birth were higher in low Na/K group compared with high Na/K group (p=0.045, p=0.0002; respectively). After adjusting for covariates, SBP and DBP and creatinine levels were independently associated with 24 hours urinary [Na+]/[K+] Conclusion: These findings suggest that pregnant with PE with high dietary salt and low potassium intake may have greater maternal and neonatal morbidity risk than pregnant with PE under low dietary salt and high potassium intake.
Evaluating ensemble prediction of coronary heart disease using receiver operating characteristics

Heart diseases may perhaps consequence in debility, severe disorder, and meager quality of lifespan. Furthermore, it could also be lethal. Hence inferring heart disease has turn into foremost distress currently. This paper centers on various machine learning practices which assist ascertaining and perceiving innumerable heart diseases. Multifarious machine learning approaches conversed here are Hidden Markov Models, Support Vector Machine, Feature Selection, Computational intelligent classifier, prediction system, data mining techniques and genetic algorithm. Scrutinizing each approach thoroughly allowed us to select most apposite one. This ultimately permits us to propose an Ensemble Model exploiting pertinent machine learning procedures which perfectly categorizes diverse heart diseases. The evaluation of the proposed technique has been conducted using state of the art technology. The proposed technique has an accuracy of 94.21%, a ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristics) of 0.981, RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of . 2568, Precision of 0.953; showing significant improvement when compared to the performance of K-Nearest Neighbor, Artificial Neural Networks and Support Vector Machines algorithms. Analysis/Evaluation of the implemented algorithms and the proposed Ensemble Model has been done expending the Receiver Operator Characteristics.
Accumulation of protein carbonyls within cerebellar astrocytes in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Recent work from our laboratory has implicated protein carbonylation in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). The present study was designed to determine the changes in protein carbonylation during disease progression and to identify the target cells and modified proteins in the cerebellum of EAE animals, prepared by active immunization of C57/BL6 mice with MOG35–55 peptide. In this model, protein carbonylation was maximal at the peak of the disease (acute phase), to decrease thereafter (chronic phase). Double‐immunofluorescence microscopy of affected cerebella showed that carbonyls accumulate in white matter astrocytes and to a lesser extent in microglia/macrophages, in both the acute and the chronic phase. Surprisingly, T cells, oligodendrocytes, and neurons were barely stained. By 2D oxyblot and mass spectrometry, β‐actin, β‐tubulin, GFAP, and HSC‐71 were identified as the major targets of carbonylation throughout the disease. Using a pull‐down/Western blot method, we found a significant increase in the proportion of carbonylated β‐actin, β‐tubulin, and GFAP in the chronic phase but not in the acute phase. These results suggest that as disease progresses from the inflammatory to the neurodegenerative phase there may be an inappropriate removal of oxidized cytoskeletal proteins. Additionally, the extensive accumulation of carbonylated GFAP in the chronic phase of EAE may be responsible for the abnormal shape of astrocytes observed at this stage. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Roles of follistatin 1 in Regulation of Zebrafish Fecundity and Sexual Differentiation1

ABSTRACT Follistatin 1 (Fst1) is a binding protein of activin and some other members of the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. It plays a key role in the regulation of gonadal function in vertebrates. An oocyte-specific promoter, derived from the zona pellucida 3 (zp3) gene, was used to create transgenic fst1 zebrafish (Danio rerio). Three independent oocyte-specific overexpression fst1 transgenic zebrafish lines were generated. Decreased levels of phosphorylated Smad3 were observed in ovarian tissues in fst1 transgenic fish compared with those from their control female siblings. Analyses on the numbers of mature eggs also indicated the attenuated oocyte maturation in the fst1 transgenic fish and in the females administered recombinant human Fst protein. Remarkably, when raised in the same tank with their control siblings, a significantly larger proportion of the fst1 transgenic population developed as males compared to the controls. Moreover, assessing the levels of active caspase 3 in gonadal tissues at 30 days postfertilization, we observed increased levels of apoptosis in the transitioning gonads of the transgenic fish compared to nontransgenic control siblings. Our results demonstrate that zebrafish Fst1 not only acts as an inhibitory binding protein of activin in the regulation of oocyte maturation in adult females but also plays a potential role in the masculinization of juveniles. Overall, the present study contributes to our understanding of the paracrine roles of fst1 as well as normal oocyte maturation and gonadal differentiation.
Stem Cell Transplantation for Primary Immunodeficiency Disease: Experience of a Singapore Hospital

We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in 7 patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases treated at the National University Hospital, Singapore, over the period from December 1996 to January 2010. The primary immunodeficiency diseases managed were X-linked hyperimmunoglobulin M syndrome (n = 3), severe combined immunodeficiency (n = 1), leukocyte adhesion deficiency type 1 (n = 1), chronic granulomatous disease (n = 1), and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (n = 1). The age of the patients ranged from 5 months to 17 years. Conditioning regimen depended on the type of immunodeficiency, whereas supportive treatment was tailored for differing pretransplant conditions. Eight stem cell transplantations were performed for 7 patients. Donors were HLA-matched sibling donors for 2 patients and unrelated donors for the rest. At the median follow-up of 8.6 years (range 2.2-15.0 years) as of December 2011, 6 patients were alive and cured of their primary diseases.
Networks to the Rescue - From Big "Omics" Data to Targeted Hypotheses

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of scientific research documents, whether they are published or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et à la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés. Networks to the Rescue – From Big “Omics” Data to Targeted Hypotheses Klau Gunnar
Thiazide–associated hyponatremia in the elderly: what the clinician needs to know

Thiazide-induced hyponatremia is one of the main causes of decreased sodium levels in elderly individuals. This review presents the current evidence regarding the thiazide-associated hyponatremia. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia is observed mainly in patients with certain risk factors such as those receiving large doses of thiazides, having much comorbidity, such as heart failure, liver disease or malignancy, and taking several medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors or tricyclic antidepressants. Sodium concentration should be monitored in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia and clinicians should measure promptly serum sodium levels in patients with neurologic signs indicating reduced sodium levels. The clinical and biochemical profile of patients with thiazide-associated hyponatremia may be that of extracellular volume depletion or the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). The investigation of possible thiazide-associated hyponatremia includes the exclusion of other causes of decreased sodium levels and the identification of the characteristics of hyponatremia due to thiazides (extracellular volume depletion-related or SIADH-like). Treatment should be carefully monitored to avoid serious neurologic complications due to overcorrection. Clinicians should discourage prescribing thiazides in patients with a history of diuretic-associated hyponatremia and should prefer low doses of thiazides in patients with risk factors for developing thiazide-associated hyponatremia.
A food-group based algorithm to predict non-heme iron absorption

Objective To develop an algorithm to predict the percentage non-heme iron absorption based on the foods contained in a meal (wholemeal cereal, tea, cheese, etc.). Existing algorithms use food constituents (phytate, polyphenols, calcium, etc.), which can be difficult to obtain. Design A meta-analysis of published studies using erythrocyte incorporation of radio-isotopic iron to measure non-heme iron absorption. Methods A database was compiled and foods were categorized into food groups likely to modify non-heme iron absorption. Absorption data were then adjusted to a common iron status and a weighted multiple regression was performed. Results Data from 53 research papers (3,942 individual meals) were used to produce an algorithm to predict non-heme iron absorption (R2=0.22, P<0.0001). Conclusions The percentage non-heme iron absorption can be predicted from information on the types of foods contained in a meal with similar efficacy to that of food-constituent-based algorithms (R2=0.16, P=0.0001).
Serum adipokines and vitamin D levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Introduction Adiponectin, leptin and resistin are adipokines that play important roles in the regulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). However, their influence in type 1 diabetes mellitus is still unknown. The aim of this study was to measure serum adiponectin, leptin and resistin levels and to investigate their relationships with vitamin D and other clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with type 1 diabetes. Material and methods Fifty subjects with type 1 diabetes and 50 healthy age- and sex-matched subjects were selected from the Endocrinology Outpatient Clinic of Cairo University Pediatrics Hospital. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Vitamin D levels were measured using electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Results There were no significant differences in adiponectin and leptin levels between diabetic and control subjects (p = 0.6 and p = 0.5 respectively). Resistin levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group compared to controls (p < 0.001) and in postpubertal patients compared to prepubertal patients (p < 0.04). Serum resistin in type 1 diabetes showed a negative correlation with vitamin D (p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = 0.006), while other adipokines were not interrelated. Conclusions These results strongly support a role of resistin and vitamin D deficiency in the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes. Vitamin D may be involved in resistin regulation through an unknown mechanism. Further studies are recommended to understand resistin regulation in type 1 diabetes.
Incentive Mechanism Design for Wireless Energy Harvesting-Based Internet of Things

Radio frequency energy harvesting is a promising technology to charge unattended Internet of Things (IoT) low-power devices remotely. To enable this, in future IoT system, besides the traditional data access points (DAPs) for collecting data, energy access points (EAPs) should be deployed to charge IoT devices to maintain their sustainable operations. Practically, the DAPs and EAPs may be operated by different operators, and the DAPs thus need to provide effective incentives to motivate the surrounding EAPs to charge their associated IoT devices. Different from existing incentive schemes, we consider a practical scenario with asymmetric information, where the DAP is not aware of the channel conditions and energy costs of the EAPs. We first extend the existing Stackelberg game-based approach with complete information to the asymmetric information scenario, where the expected utility of the DAP is defined and maximized. To deal with asymmetric information more efficiently, we then develop a contract theory-based framework, where the optimal contract is derived to maximize the DAP’s expected utility as well as the social welfare. Simulations show that information asymmetry leads to severe performance degradation for the Stackelberg game-based framework, while the proposed contract theory-based approach using asymmetric information outperforms the Stackelberg game-based method with complete information. This reveals that the performance of the considered system depends largely on the market structure (i.e., whether the EAPs are allowed to optimize their received power at the IoT devices with full freedom or not) than on the information availability (i.e., the complete or asymmetric information).
Supra- and Infrasylvian Conduction Aphasia

Fifteen cases of conduction aphasia which were tested with the Aachen Aphasia Test (AAT), are presented. The CT lesion data were transformed to a standard 3D-reference brain referring to the ACPC line. According to the lesion profiles a group of 6 patients had pure suprasylvian lesions, a group of 4 patients had pure infrasylvian lesions, and a group of 5 patients had lesions in both supra- and infrasylvian regions. Suprasylvian conduction aphasics are superior to infrasylvian conduction aphasics in the token test and in repetition tasks. Infrasylvian conduction aphasics use more stereotypes in spontaneous speech than suprasylvian conduction aphasics. Conduction aphasics with both lesion sites perform less well in tests of naming, writing, and comprehension than the pure types. Thus conduction aphasia is a heterogeneous syndrome anatomically and linguistically.
Oral immunization of mice and swine with an attenuated Salmonella choleraesuis [delta cya-12 delta(crp-cdt)19] mutant containing a recombinant plasmid

Salmonella choleraesuis chi 3781, an attenuated [delta cya-12 delta(crp-cdt)19] mutant, was electroporated with the plasmid pBA31-R7, which codes for the expression of a 31-kDa protein from Brucella abortus (BCSP31). Recombinant S. choleraesuis chi 3781 stably maintained the pBA31-R7 plasmid and continued to express the cloned protein following recovery of the organism from orally inoculated animals. Unlike previous studies using S. typhimurium chi 4064(pBA31-R7), S. choleraesuis chi 3781(pBA31-R7) was able to colonize both the gut mucosa and deep tissues of both BALB/cByJ mice and crossbred swine. Orally inoculated mice developed serum antibodies to both the cloned 31-kDa protein (rBCSP31) and to S. choleraesuis chi 3781 endotoxin. These mice also developed a local intestinal antibody response to Salmonella endotoxin but not to rBCSP31. Similarly, mice inoculated with recombinant S. choleraesuis chi 3781 did not develop a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) footpad response following injection with rBCSP31; however, these mice did respond to S. choleraesuis chi 3781 soluble antigen. Conversely, orally inoculated swine did not develop significant serum or intestinal antibody responses to cloned protein or Salmonella endotoxin, but DTH responses to both cloned protein and S. choleraesuis chi 3781 soluble antigen were strongly positive. The cell-mediated nature of these DTH responses was confirmed by histological examination. Results suggest that S. choleraesuis chi 3781 may be a suitable choice for further studies of vaccine efficacy in swine, especially for diseases which require cell-mediated immunity for resolution.
Cardiopulmonary responses to eccentric and concentric resistance exercise in older adults.

BACKGROUND In older ambulatory persons, exercise strategies that are expected to generate beneficial muscle adaptations with low cardiopulmonary demands are needed. OBJECTIVE We hypothesised that eccentric resistance exercise would be less demanding on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems than bouts of concentric resistance exercise. DESIGN The effects of eccentric and concentric resistance exercise were compared during leg squats at a submaximal intensity known to increase muscle mass. SUBJECTS 19 Older persons (15 women/four men, age 65 +/- 4 years) and 19 young reference controls (10 women/nine men; age 25 +/- 2 years) were enrolled. METHODS Participants completed eccentric-only and concentric-only exercise bouts 5-7 days apart. RESULTS Cardiovascular and pulmonary measures were collected from subjects during bouts consisting of three sequential sets of 10 repetitions at 65% of their voluntary concentric 1-repetition maximum force (68+/-16 kg for older participants and 94 +/- 36 kg for young participants). Peak heart rate (119 +/- 10 versus 155 +/- 16 b.p.m.), systolic blood pressure (129 +/- 18 versus 167 +/- 14 mmHg), cardiac index (7.8 +/- 2.0 versus 9.2 +/- 1.5 l/min/m2) and expired ventilation (20.5 +/- 5.7 versus 29.8 +/- 9.1 l/min) were significantly lower during eccentric than during concentric bouts in the older subjects, respectively (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Similarly, peak heart rate, systolic blood pressure, cardiac index and expired ventilation were significantly lower during eccentric bouts in the young control subjects. CONCLUSIONS Eccentric resistance exercise produced less cardiopulmonary demands and may be better suited for older persons with low exercise tolerance and at risk of adverse cardiopulmonary events.
Strong expression of the lymphoattractant C‐X‐C chemokine Mig is associated with heavy infiltration of T cells in human malignant melanoma

Human malignant melanoma (MM) is a highly aggressive tumour which is particularly prone to specific local immune responses. To determine the microanatomical location and the species of chemokines possibly involved in the intricate control of cell migration and positioning of immune effector cells in primary and metastatic MM lesions, the expression of those chemokines with lymphocyte and/or macrophage chemoattractant properties was analysed by in situ hybridization. GROα (growth‐related oncogene) and IL‐8 (interleukin 8) were expressed at low levels by single melanoma cells, adjacent keratinocytes, and infiltrating leukocytes. In contrast, the lymphocyte‐specific chemokine Mig (monokine induced by interferon‐γ) was strongly expressed by mononuclear cells (mainly macrophages) infiltrating the tumour margin in primary MM lesions, whereas expression was less intense in MM metastasis. IP‐10 (interferon‐γ inducible protein 10) was expressed in the same loci at lower intensity. Marked infiltration of T cells was exclusively detected in those areas which exhibited strong Mig expression, whereas areas in the vicinity of tumour cells devoid of Mig expression were not infiltrated. In contrast to Mig, expression of MCP‐1 (macrophage chemotactic protein‐1) was weaker and mainly detected in lesional basal keratinocytes, occasionally at sites of macrophage infiltration, as well as in single melanoma cells. MIP‐1α (macrophage inflammatory protein 1α) showed similar, albeit weaker expression compared with MCP‐1. Other chemokines relevant for the recruitment of monocytes and lymphocytes, such as RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted) and MIP‐1β, were barely detectable. In summary, the chemokine expression profiles support the notion that particularly in heavily infiltrated primary MM lesions, Mig and to a lesser extent IP‐10 are important mediators of an IFN‐γ‐dependent pathway. Due to their lymphoattractant properties and the known inhibitory effects on the tumour vasculature, both chemokines may be critical for the control of local melanoma tumour growth. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aortic vessel wall characteristics and blood pressure in children with intrauterine growth retardation and abnormal foetal aortic blood flow

Blood pressure and pulsatile diameter changes of the abdominal aorta were measured in 68 children (mean age 9 years), with varying degrees of intrauterine growth retardation who were previously examined in their intrauterine life with Doppler velocimetry of the thoracic descending aorta. Diastolic blood pressure was lower (p < 0.05) and pulse pressure was increased (p < 0.01) in children with a birthweight small for gestational age as compared to those with a birthweight appropriate for gestational age. Systolic blood pressure was positively associated with relative increase in weight from birth up to the time of examination (p < 0.01), but not to early catch‐up growth. Aortic vessel wall diameters were smaller in children born small for gestational age, both before and after correction for current body surface area (p < 0.01). Blood pressure and aortic vessel wall characteristics exhibited no relationship to the foetal aortic Doppler wave‐form. Changes in foetal haemodynamics associated with intrauterine growth retardation do not appear to contribute to a later increase in blood pressure. Within a group of foetuses with suspected growth retardation, increasing foetal weight deviation and a birthweight small for gestational age is associated with lower diastolic blood pressure at 9 years of age.
Human Parvoviruses

SUMMARY Parvovirus B19 (B19V) and human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1), members of the large Parvoviridae family, are human pathogens responsible for a variety of diseases. For B19V in particular, host features determine disease manifestations. These viruses are prevalent worldwide and are culturable in vitro, and serological and molecular assays are available but require careful interpretation of results. Additional human parvoviruses, including HBoV2 to -4, human parvovirus 4 (PARV4), and human bufavirus (BuV) are also reviewed. The full spectrum of parvovirus disease in humans has yet to be established. Candidate recombinant B19V vaccines have been developed but may not be commercially feasible. We review relevant features of the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses, and the human immune response that they elicit, which have allowed a deep understanding of pathophysiology.