Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Associations of glomerular number and birth weight with clinicopathological features of African Americans and whites.

BACKGROUND Hypertension and its cardiovascular complications affect African Americans more severely than whites, a disparity variously ascribed to low birth weight, low glomerular number, an exaggerated arteriolonephrosclerotic blood pressure response, and inflammation-induced oxidative stress. STUDY DESIGN Case series. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Autopsy kidneys of 107 African Americans and 87 whites aged 18 to 65 years at a single medical center between 1998 and 2005. Excluded were persons with known premorbid kidney disease; pathological findings of severe arterioarteriolonephrosclerosis, nodular and diffuse diabetic glomerulosclerosis, or nonischemic cardiomyopathy. PREDICTORS & OUTCOMES Associations of: (1) race, age, sex, birth weight, obesity, and glomerular number (predictors) with hypertension and death from coronary artery (CAD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD; outcomes); and (2) age, blood pressure, and race (predictors) with arteriolonephrosclerotic changes, including chronic tubulointerstitial inflammation (outcomes). MEASUREMENTS Hypertension ascertained from chart review and heart weight. Cause of death determined from chart review and autopsy findings. Birth weight obtained from birth records (115 persons). Total glomerular number (N(glom)) estimated by using the dissector/fractionator technique. Arteriolosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, cortical fibrosis, and chronic inflammation by using CD68 density were measured morphometrically. RESULTS 59 African Americans (55%) and 32 whites (37%) were classified as hypertensive. CAD and CVD were the cause of death in 64 (33%) and 18 persons (9%), respectively. By using multiple linear regression, birth weight (P < 0.001) and sex (P < 0.01), but not race (P = 0.3) or age (P = 0.2), predicted N(glom) (P < 0.001; adjusted r(2) = 0.176). Hypertension was associated with African American race (P = 0.04), older age (P < 0.001), and male sex (P = 0.01), but not with N(glom) (P = 0.9), body mass index (P = 0.9), or birth weight (P = 0.4). Hypertension was the only significant factor associated with CAD and CVD (P < 0.001 for both). Interactions of age and blood pressure with race showed that although African Americans had more severe hypertension (P < 0.001) and arteriolosclerosis (P = 0.01) at a younger age than whites, there were no significant racial differences in degrees of arteriolosclerosis, glomerulosclerosis, cortical fibrosis, or CD68 density for any level of increased blood pressure. LIMITATIONS The study is observational and descriptive. CONCLUSIONS The more severe hypertension found in African Americans could not be attributed to racial differences in N(glom) or birth weight. CAD and CVD death and increased arteriolonephrosclerosis, including CD68 density, were determined by using blood pressure without a significant interacting contribution from race.
Cytodiagnosis of nipple discharge: A study of 602 samples from 484 cases

To find out the gross and microscopic differentiating features between nipple discharges (ND) due to various breast lesions, smears of 602 ND samples from 484 cases were reviewed by one of the investigators (D.K.D.). The reviewed cytodiagnoses were as follows: benign nipple discharge (59.1%), inflammatory ND (6.5%), ? papillary lesions (2.5%), papillary lesions (20.6%), papillary lesions with atypia (3.8%), duct cells with atypia (0.2%), suspicious for malignancy (0.5%), malignant ND (1.2%), and inadequate (5.6%). Following review, samples with epithelial abnormalities (? papillary lesion, papillary lesion with and without atypia, duct cells with atypia, suspicious for malignancy, and malignancy) increased from 16.6% to 30.4% of adequate samples (P < 0.0001). 37.9% unilateral ND samples showed epithelial abnormalities, as opposed to 18.9% of bilateral ND samples (P < 0.0001). Bloodstained ND showed epithelial abnormalities in 41.5% samples, as compared to 22.1% of ND with other specified gross characteristics (P<0.0001). The samples with epithelial abnormalities differed significantly from benign and inflammatory ND in respect of frequency of benign duct cells, duct cells with atypia, papillary clusters with or without atypia, malignant cells, columnar cells, red blood cells, inflammatory cells, and background lipid vacuoles (P < 0.01 to < 0.0001). The ND samples with suspicious and malignant cytology, besides the presence of malignant cells (P < 0.0001), differed significantly from rest of the lesions in respect of foam cells (P < 0.0001), red blood cells (P<0.01), and inflammatory cells (P < 0.05). When compared with histopathological diagnosis in 20 cases, the benign or malignant nature of the lesion was correctly identified in ND in 80% cases. The ND cytologies in 7 histologically proved malignant cases were malignancy (3 cases), suspicious for malignancy (1 case), papillary lesion with atypia (1 case), papillary lesion (1 case), and benign ND (1 case). Diagn. Cytopathol. 25:25–37, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla: A rare case report

Ewing's sarcoma is uncommon malignancy of childhood, frequently involving the mandible. The occurrence in maxilla is rare. It is histopathologically characterized by sheets of round cells positive for CD99. Although the prognosis is poor but early diagnosis and long term follow up can improve the survival. This article presents a rare case of Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla in a 15 year old male patient showing excessive fibro-osseous response which is not a frequent presentation. A retrospective analysis of cases of Ewings sarcoma of maxilla published in the English litreture is reviewed. In our case, diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry where sheets of round tumor cells were positive for CD 99. Ewings sarcoma of maxilla is a rare and aggressive tumor. Hence early diagnosis, combined therapy and long term follow up is suggested in such cases.
Key Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA): A Systematic Review and Presentation of Early Research Findings.

OBJECTIVES To conduct a systematic literature review of selected major provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) pertaining to expanded health insurance coverage. We present and synthesize research findings from the last 5 years regarding both the immediate and long-term effects of the ACA. We conclude with a summary and offer a research agenda for future studies. STUDY DESIGN We identified relevant articles from peer-reviewed scholarly journals by performing a comprehensive search of major electronic databases. We also identified reports in the "gray literature" disseminated by government agencies and other organizations. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Overall, research shows that the ACA has substantially decreased the number of uninsured individuals through the dependent coverage provision, Medicaid expansion, health insurance exchanges, availability of subsidies, and other policy changes. Affordability of health insurance continues to be a concern for many people and disparities persist by geography, race/ethnicity, and income. Early evidence also indicates improvements in access to and affordability of health care. All of these changes are certain to ultimately impact state and federal budgets. CONCLUSIONS The ACA will either directly or indirectly affect almost all Americans. As new and comprehensive data become available, more rigorous evaluations will provide further insights as to whether the ACA has been successful in achieving its goals.
Relationships among tempo of maturation, midparent height, and growth in height of adolescent boys and girls

The influence of rate of skeletal maturation and midparent height on growth in height during adolescence was analyzed on longitudinal data for 184 boys and 166 girls from the Wrocław Growth Study. Seven biological parameters describing the shape of the growth curve in stature were derived from the Preece–Baines model 1 applied to individual serial data. Rate of skeletal maturation inferred from the difference between chronological and skeletal ages at 12 years in girls and 14 in boys. Principal components analysis of the biological parameters extracted three factors for boys and four for girls. The factors explained 90% and 97% of the total variance in boys and girls, respectively. The factors reflected attained size and the timing and intensity of the adolescent spurt in height. Multiple regression showed a high relationship between skeletal maturation rate, midparent height, and principal component scores. Three aspects of adolescent growth: size, timing, and intensity show an apparent sex difference. The timing and intensity of the spurt are highly affected by tempo of maturation in girls, but less so than in boys. It might suggest in girls a less efficient compensatory effect for reduced length of overall growth period in early maturers that increases height gain. Midparent height influences the size component during the spurt, thus adjusting the height parameters. The dependency between attained stature (height at take‐off, PHV, and adult stature), timing, and initial intensity of the growth spurt of daughters and midparent height is greater than in sons. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 13:15–22, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in the stiffness of demineralized dentin following application of tooth whitening agents

Abstract Objective . The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the bleaching agents on the elastic modulus of bovine demineralized dentin matrix (EMDM). Materials and methods. Eighty-five slices were obtained from 17 bovine teeth. The slices were divided randomly into five experimental groups (n = 17): unbleached control group (CG), 4% hydrogen peroxide (HP4), 4% hydrogen peroxide + 0.05% Ca (HP4 + Ca), 7.5% hydrogen peroxide + ACP (HP7.5) and 10% carbamide peroxide (CP10). The HP4, HP4 + Ca and CP10 groups were treated with the bleaching agents for 8 h/day (14 days), while the samples of HP7.5 group were exposed to bleaching agent for 30 min twice a day (14 days). The CG was kept in 100% humidity. After bleaching treatments, the enamel of the samples was removed and 85 dentin beams (0.5 × 1.7 × 7.0 mm) were prepared. Afterwards, the beams were immersed in 10% phosphoric acid solution (5 h) and rinsed with water (10 min). The beams were tested after 24 h, 7 and 14 days of storage in distilled water, using three-point bend method. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Fisher's test. Results. All bleaching treatments reduced the EMDM. After 14 days post-bleaching, the EMDM increased for HP4 and HP4+Ca groups. Conclusions. The use of bleaching agents promoted a decrease in EMDM, which indicates that the bleaching treatment interacts with the dentin organic matrix. The EMDM measurement for the specimens of the 7.5% hydrogen peroxide group that were immersed in water at 14 days post-bleaching did not recover the EMDM values when compared to the control group.
Shape classification with a vertex clustering graph kernel

Graph kernels are powerful tools for structural analysis in computer vision. Unfortunately, most existing state-of-the-art graph kernels ignore the locational or structural correspondence information between graphs, based on the visual background. This drawback influences the performance of existing kernels for computer vision based classification problems, e.g., classification of shapes, point clouds and digital images. The aim of this paper is to address the problem with existing kernels, by developing a novel vertex clustering graph kernel. We show that this kernel not only overcomes the shortcoming of ignoring correspondence information between isomorphic substructures that arises in most existing graph kernels, but also guarantees the transitivity between the correspondence information. Our kernel can easily outperform state-of-the-art graph kernels in terms of classification accuracy on standard shape based graph datasets.
Selection of Recombinant, Library-Derived Antibody Fragments against p24 for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Diagnostics

ABSTRACT By application of combinatorial library technology, we generated the first recombinant antibody fragments directed against the major capsid protein p24 of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). A library of single-chain Fv fragments (scFvs) was constructed by using the antibody variable-region (V) genes of B cells derived from the spleen of a viral lysate-immunized mouse. Antibodies were selected by panning or by enrichment with biotinylated antigen, yielding four different families of antibody fragments. The different types of scFvs were characterized by affinity measurements, by antigen recognition on Western blots, and by pepscan analysis. The epitope of one of the scFvs is located near the residues involved in CypA binding, thereby making it an attractive candidate for therapeutic applications. Comparison of the V gene sequence of this scFV with that of a previously described monoclonal antibody reactive against this immunodominant epitope revealed the usage of the identical combination of VH and Vκ regions. Thus, this is one of the rare examples in which the original combination in a library-derived antibody fragment was retrieved. After appropriate affinity and format improvements, the best of our recombinant scFvs may form the basis for a sensitive p24 assay as a measure of viral load. In addition, anti-p24 scFvs could be expressed as intracellular antibodies (intrabodies) to aid in the treatment of HIV infections.
Fetal liver position and perinatal outcome for congenital diaphragmatic hernia

Despite advances in postnatal care, patients born with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) suffer substantial morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to determine the prognostic influence of prenatally‐diagnosed liver herniation in the hemithorax in fetuses with CDH.
Novel Helicobacter pylori Sequencing Test Identifies High Rate of Clarithromycin Resistance

Objectives: Eradication therapy selection for Helicobacter pylori gastritis requires knowledge of the local resistance rate to clarithromycin. There is minimal population-based or regional data in the United States on pediatric clarithromycin resistance. Although commercial methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization and DNA probe assays are available in Europe for the evaluation of H pylori 23S rRNA mutations associated with resistance, clinical testing for 23S rRNA in the United States is not widely available. This study examined a single pediatric institution's clarithromycin resistance rate by a DNA polymerase chain reaction/sequencing assay applied to archived gastric biopsy specimens. Methods: From the period 2010 to 2012, 38 H pylori–infected gastric biopsies were examined from archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material. The 23S rRNA gene of H pylori was polymerase chain reaction amplified and sequenced for the identification of point mutations that are associated with clarithromycin therapeutic resistance. Results: By 23S rRNA gene sequencing, 50% (n = 19) of the specimens contained H pylori with mutations significant for clarithromycin resistance. Conclusions: This study is consistent with other pediatric reports suggesting significant H pylori clarithromycin resistance in the United States. Furthermore, the method used in this study can be used by hospital-based clinical laboratories to assess local clarithromycin resistance from archived biopsy material.
Clonal Analysis of the Quasispecies of Antiviral-Resistant HBV Genomes in Patients with Entecavir Resistance during Rescue Treatment and Successful Treatment of Entecavir Resistance with Tenofovir

Background Clonal analysis of quasispecies of resistant HBV genomes in patients with entecavir (ETV) resistance receiving lamivudine (3TC) plus adefovir (ADV) rescue therapy has never been performed. Methods A sample of 10 patients with ETV resistance who were switched to 3TC+ADV treatment were analysed for changes in viral quasispecies. Serum samples at baseline, and at months 3 and 6 of 3TC+ADV treatment could be clonally analysed in 7 of 10 patients; 3–82 clones per sample (total 1,068 clones, mean 63) were sequenced. Results 3TC+ADV therapy led to a modest decline in HBV DNA. Almost all clones had L180M and M204V 3TC resistance mutations before and during combination therapy. All clones had ≥1 of the S202G, T184F, T184A, T184L, T184I and M250V ETV resistance mutations. The percentages of detected clones bearing 3TC (rtL180M and rtM204V) and ETV mutations did not change with rescue 3TC+ADV therapy. In 7 of 8 patients with detectable HBV DNA (median 5.17 log10 copies/ml) after a median 24 months of ADV therapy, HBV DNA became undetectable with 3TC plus tenofovir after 6 months of treatment. Conclusions In patients with ETV resistance tenofovir is effective. Clonal analysis data indicate no selection of specific HBV mutants during rescue 3TC+ADV.
A new function for a phosphotyrosine phosphatase: linking GRB2-Sos to a receptor tyrosine kinase

Autophosphorylated growth factor receptors provide binding sites for the src homology 2 domains of intracellular signaling molecules. In response to epidermal growth factor (EGF), the activated EGF receptor binds to a complex containing the signaling protein GRB2 and the Ras guanine nucleotide-releasing factor Sos, leading to activation of the Ras signaling pathway. We have investigated whether the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor binds GRB2-Sos. In contrast with the EGF receptor, the GRB2 does not bind to the PDGF receptor directly. Instead, PDGF stimulation induces the formation of a complex containing GRB2; 70-, 80-, and 110-kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins; and the PDGF receptor. Moreover, GRB2 binds directly to the 70-kDa protein but not to the PDGF receptor. Using a panel of PDGF beta-receptor mutants with altered tyrosine phosphorylation sites, we identified Tyr-1009 in the PDGF receptor as required for GRB2 binding. Binding is inhibited by a phosphopeptide containing a YXNX motif. The protein tyrosine phosphatase Syp/PTP1D/SHPTP2/PTP2C is approximately 70 kDa, binds to the PDGF receptor via Tyr-1009, and contains several YXNX sequences. We found that the 70-kDa protein that binds to the PDGF receptor and to GRB2 comigrates with Syp and is recognized by anti-Syp antibodies. Furthermore, both GRB2 and Sos coimmunoprecipitate with Syp from lysates of PDGF-stimulated cells, and GRB2 binds directly to tyrosine-phosphorylated Syp in vitro. These results indicate that GRB2 interacts with different growth factor receptors by different mechanisms and the cytoplasmic phosphotyrosine phosphatase Syp acts as an adapter between the PDGF receptor and the GRB2-Sos complex.
Differential sensitivity of oligodendrocytes and motor neurons to reactive nitrogen species: implications for multiple sclerosis

Depending on its concentration, nitric oxide (NO) has beneficial or toxic effects. In pathological conditions, NO reacts with superoxide to form peroxynitrite, which nitrates proteins forming nitrotyrosine residues (3NY), leading to loss of protein function, perturbation of signal transduction, and cell death. 3NY immunoreactivity is present in many CNS diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis. Here, using the high flux NO donor, spermine‐NONOate, we report that oligodendrocytes are resistant to NO, while motor neurons are NO sensitive. Motor neuron sensitivity correlates with the NO‐dependent formation of 3NY, which is significantly more pronounced in motor neurons when compared with oligodendrocytes, suggesting peroxynitrite as the toxic molecule. The heme‐metabolizing enzyme, heme‐oxygenase‐1 (HO1), is necessary for oligodendrocyte NO resistance, as demonstrated by loss of resistance after HO1 inhibition. Resistance is reinstated by peroxynitrite scavenging with uric acid further implicating peroxynitrite as responsible for NO sensitivity. Most importantly, differential sensitivity to NO is also present in cultures of primary oligodendrocytes and motor neurons. Finally, motor neurons cocultured with oligodendrocytes, or oligodendrocyte‐conditioned media, become resistant to NO toxicity. Preliminary studies suggest oligodendrocytes release a soluble factor that protects motor neurons. Our findings challenge the current paradigm that oligodendrocytes are the exclusive target of multiple sclerosis pathology.
Investigation of Ontario's electricity market behaviour and energy storage scheduling in the market based on model predictive control

In this paper, comprehensive studies are conducted over Ontario's electricity market data in the past decade. It is indicated that the increase in renewable energy penetration into the market has altered the overall behaviour of the energy market, with negative electricity prices even starting to appear. As a result, deployment of large-scale storage units in the market is considered to address the negative price issues. A compressed-air storage unit is selected and modeled as a large-scale storage option for numerical studies. An optimization-based algorithm based on model predictive control is proposed for optimal scheduling of storage. Real-world data adopted from Ontario's market are used for numerical studies. The storage arbitrage profit in the market is computed and analyzed. It is concluded that storage arbitrage profit significantly increases using model predictive control as compared to a self-scheduling approach, thereby storage becomes more profitable.
An optimization method to simultaneously estimate electrophysiology and connectivity in a model central pattern generator

Central pattern generators (CPGs) appear to have evolved multiple times throughout the animal kingdom, indicating that their design imparts a significant evolutionary advantage. Insight into how this design is achieved is hindered by the difficulty inherent in examining relationships among electrophysiological properties of the constituent cells of a CPG and their functional connectivity. That is: experimentally it is challenging to estimate the values of more than two or three of these properties simultaneously. We employ a method of statistical data assimilation (D.A.) to estimate the synaptic weights, synaptic reversal potentials, and maximum conductances of ion channels of the constituent neurons in a multi-modal network model. We then use these estimates to predict the functional mode of activity that the network is expressing. The measurements used are the membrane voltage time series of all neurons in the circuit. We find that these measurements provide sufficient information to yield accurate predictions of the network's associated electrical activity. This experiment can apply directly in a real laboratory using intracellular recordings from a known biological CPG whose structural mapping is known, and which can be completely isolated from the animal. The simulated results in this paper suggest that D.A. might provide a tool for simultaneously estimating tens to hundreds of CPG properties, thereby offering the opportunity to seek possible systematic relationships among these properties and the emergent electrical activity.