Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autosomal-dominant medullary cystic kidney disease type 1: clinical and molecular findings in six large Cypriot families.

BACKGROUND Autosomal-dominant medullary cystic kidney disease (ADMCKD), a hereditary chronic interstitial nephropathy, recently attracted attention because of the cloning or mapping of certain gene loci, namely NPHP1, NPHP2 and NPHP3 for familial juvenile nephronophthisis (NPH) and MCKD1 and MCKD2 for the adult form of medullary cystic kidney disease. Our aim was to present and discuss the clinical, biochemical, sonographic and histopathological findings in six large Cypriot families in whom molecular analysis has confirmed linkage to the MCKD1 locus on chromosome 1q21. METHODS The clinical, biochemical, sonographic and histopathological findings in 186 members of six large Cypriot families with ADMCKD-1 are presented. Creatinine clearance was calculated according to the Cockroft-Gault formula and was corrected to a body surface area (BSA) of 1.73 m2. DNA linkage analysis was performed with previously identified flanking polymorphic markers. RESULTS This disease is characterized by the absence of urinary findings in the vast majority of patients, leading to end-stage renal failure (ESRF) at a mean age of 53.7 years. Hypertension and hyperuricemia are common, especially in males, the former encountered more frequently in advanced chronic renal failure (CRF). Gout has been noted in a small percentage of male patients. Loss of urinary concentrating ability was not a prominent early feature of the disease, while severe natriuresis was observed in a few males toward ESRF. Renal cysts are mainly corticomedullary or medullary, and they are present in about 40.3% of patients and appear more frequently near ESRF. CONCLUSION ADMCKD type 1 is a common cause of ESRF among our dialysis population. The disease is difficult to diagnose clinically, particularly in the early stage when renal cysts are not usually present, making them a weak diagnostic finding. A dominant pattern of inheritance and DNA linkage analysis are helpful in the diagnosis of this disease.
An energy management system for hybrid microgrids in remote communities

A new energy management system is proposed in this paper to optimally schedule different generation technologies in hybrid AC/DC microgrid for remote communities. The proposed scheme relies on a microgrid controller (MGC), which minimizes the operational costs for different distributed generation (DG) units in the islanded microgrid by sending droop characteristics parameters to the DG units to ensure optimum power sharing for each time slot. Moreover, the MGC controls the customers' appliances and water desalination units to ensure optimal utilization of the system assets with minimum operational costs while satisfying the customer requirements. In addition, the MGC sends operational parameters for the interlinking converters between the AC and DC subsystems to ensure stable operation of the microgrid by controlling power exchange between the AC and DC sides. The energy management problem is formulated as a mixed-integer non-linear programming, which is solved by the MGC. Optimal decisions are sent to local controllers and smart meters to be implemented. Simulation results on an islanded hybrid AC/DC microgrid are provided. The results demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed approach.
Early Mother-Child Interaction and Later Quality of Attachment in Infants with an Orofacial Cleft Compared to Infants without Cleft

Objective The main objective of this study was to assess mother-child patterns of interaction in relation to later quality of attachment in a group of children with an orofacial cleft compared with children without cleft. Design Families were contacted when the child was 2 months old for a direct assessment of mother-child interaction and then at 12 months for a direct assessment of the child's attachment. Data concerning socioeconomical information and posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers were collected at the first appointment. Participants Forty families of children with a cleft and 45 families of children without cleft were included in the study. Families were recruited at birth in the University Hospital of Lausanne. Results Results showed that children with a cleft were more difficult and less cooperative during interaction at 2 months of age with their mother compared with children without a cleft. No significant differences were found in mothers or in dyadic interactive styles. Concerning the child's attachment at 12 months old, no differences were found in attachment security. However, secure children with a cleft were significantly more avoidant with their mother during the reunion episodes than secure children without cleft. Conclusion Despite the facial disfigurement and the stress engendered by treatment during the first months of the infant's life, children with cleft and their mothers are doing as well as families without cleft with regard to the mothers' mental health, mother-child relationships, and later quality of attachment. A potential contribution for this absence of difference may be the pluridisciplinary support that families of children with cleft benefit from in Lausanne.
Por el amor y la tierra: las inversiones emocionales de los migrantes nicaragüenses.

Este articulo explora las tensiones entre la migracion, la tierra, el consumo y el amor en el caso de la emigracion de nicaraguenses provenientes de Achuapa, Nicaragua. Con base en entrevistas y observaciones etnograficas realizadas en Nicaragua y Costa Rica, se analizan las relaciones que los migrantes establecen con sus familiares y hogares a traves de diversas formas de propiedad. Los achuapenos, al igual que muchos migrantes nicaraguenses, invierten en tierras y recursos materiales (enviados como remesas) como parte de una estrategia transnacional de supervivencia familiar. Sin embargo, estas inversiones forman parte de discursos tanto de abandono como de cuido y vinculo familiar. En este articulo se enfatizan las tensiones entre estos discursos para sugerir que, en lugar de causar desintegracion o abandono a la familia, las formas de “cuido” a la distancia de los migrantes representan intentos por mantener relaciones familiares cercanas mediante lazos afectivos y materiales con su hogar.
STUDY OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF USING GNRH ANTAGONIST IN INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION CYCLES

Background: To assess the usefulness of premature luteinization hormone (LH) surge prevention in an intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycle by GnRH antagonist administration. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with unexplained or mild male infertility or minimal to mild endometriosis were enrolled in this prospective randomized controlled trial. There were twenty patients in group A (with GnRH antagonist) and 40 patients in group B (without GnRH antagonist). In all of the participants, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotropin (CC+HMG) were used for ovarian stimulation. When at least one follicle with ≥ 16 mm diameter was seen, LH surge was checked by a urinary LH kit. In patients with negative results, human chorionic gonadotropin was continued in both groups, but in group A 0.25 mg Ganirelix SQ was administered for two days, ,then in both groups human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) was injected on the third day and IUI was done 36-40 hours later. Ongoing pregnancy was the primary outcome. Results: Baseline characters and clinical parameters were similar in both groups with the exception of ≥14 mm follicles which were higher in group A (p value= 0.003). The pregnancy rate in both groups was not significantly different, although it was higher in group B (10% in group A and 15% in group B). Conclusion: At least in CC+HMG stimulated cycles for IUI, the occurrence of premature LH surge could have a useful rule and GnRH antagonist administration could be an inappropriate intervention.
Reconsidering the Optimality of Federal Reserve Forecasts

We investigate the econometric properties of the Federal Reserve Greenbook forecasts with an integrated real-time database of U.S. macroeconomic data that more precisely characterizes the information sets available to Fed policy makers in advance of the Open Market Committee meetings. Our data set associates historical vintages of NIPA and labor market data with the exact dates of the Greenbook forecasts, allowing us to examine multivariate relationships among the real-time forecast errors for inflation, output growth and the unemployment rate. For most forecast horizons and subsamples we examine, the hypotheses of unbiasedness and efficiency can be individually and jointly rejected. Our results suggest that shifts in lower-frequency components of the forecasted series are an important source for the rejection of forecast rationality. JEL Categories: C53, C82, E58.
Deep sternal wound infections following open heart surgery in Iceland. A population-based study

Objective. The aim of this nationwide case-control study was to study the epidemiology and identify risk factors of deep sternal wound infections (DSWI) in Iceland. Patients and methods. Between 1997–2004, 1 650 adults underwent open cardiac surgery in Iceland. For every infected patient four control subjects were chosen (n =163), matched for time of operation. The groups were compared by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. Forty one patients (2.5%) developed DSWI, most often following CABG (76%). The most common pathogens were Staphylococcus aureus (39%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (24%). All except two patients underwent debridement and rewiring of the sternum. Length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the DSWI group with a trend for increased hospital mortality and significantly greater 1-year mortality (17% vs. 5%, p =0.02). History of stroke (OR 5.12), peripheral arterial disease (OR 5), corticosteroid use (OR 4.25), smoking (OR 3.66) and re-operation for bleeding (OR 4.66) were the strongest independent predictors for DSWI. Conclusion. Incidence of DSWI in Iceland (2.5%) is comparable to other recently published studies, with similar risk factors and significantly reduced survival at one year following the infection.
Axenically Grown Amastigotes of Leishmania infantum Used as an In Vitro Model To Investigate the Pentavalent Antimony Mode of Action

ABSTRACT The mechanism(s) of activity of pentavalent antimony [Sb(V)] is poorly understood. In a recent study, we have shown that potassium antimonyl tartrate, a trivalent antimonial [Sb(III)], was substantially more potent than Sb(V) against both promastigotes and axenically grown amastigotes of three Leishmania species, supporting the idea of an in vivo metabolic conversion of Sb(V) into Sb(III). We report that amastigotes of Leishmania infantumcultured under axenic conditions were poorly susceptible to meglumine [Glucantime; an Sb(V)], unlike those growing inside THP-1 cells (50% inhibitory concentrations [IC50s], about 1.8 mg/ml and 22 μg/ml, respectively). In order to define more precisely the mode of action of Sb(V) agents in vivo, we first induced in vitro Sb(III) resistance by direct drug pressure on axenically grown amastigotes ofL. infantum. Then we determined the susceptibilities of both extracellular and intracellular chemoresistant amastigotes to the Sb(V)-containing drugs meglumine and sodium stibogluconate plusm-chlorocresol (Pentostam). The chemoresistant amastigotes LdiR2, LdiR10, and LdiR20 were 14, 26, and 32 times more resistant to Sb(III), respectively, than the wild-type one (LdiWT). In accordance with the hypothesis described above, we found that intracellular chemoresistant amastigotes were resistant to meglumine [Sb(V)] in proportion to the initial level of Sb(III)-induced resistance. By contrast, Sb(III)-resistant cells were very susceptible to sodium stibogluconate. This lack of cross-resistance is probably due to the presence in this reagent of m-chlorocresol, which we found to be more toxic than Sb(III) to L. infantum amastigotes (IC50s, of 0.54 and 1.32 μg/ml, respectively). Collectively, these results were consistent with the hypothesis of an intramacrophagic metabolic conversion of Sb(V) into trivalent compounds, which in turn became readily toxic to theLeishmania amastigote stage.
Noise reduction based on reaction-diffusion system

Noise reduction is realized by using a FHN (FitzHugh Nagumo) model which is a typical two-variable reaction-diffusion equation. The model exhibits two characteristics of dynamics: excitability and bistability. In the bistable region the local dynamics of the system can leads to the availability of noise reduction. It is found that the effects of image smoothing by FHN model are superior that by other filters. Results show that this approach can not only remove the noise effectively, but also have the advantages of the continuity, integrity. Furthermore, accurate location of image edges can be preserved during the smoothing process. The mechanism of the new method has been studied by the linear stability analysis.
Expression of anti-Müllerian hormone mRNA during gonadal and follicular development in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

The ontogeny of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) gene expression in the brushtail possum during formation of the ovary and growth of follicles was examined using in situ hybridization. For comparative purposes, the expression pattern of AMH was also examined in the developing testis. In the female, AMH mRNA was observed in the ovary of 50% (3/6) of pouch young collected around the time of sexual differentiation of the gonad (Days 1-5): the signal was predominately localized to the inner-cortical and outer-medullary region of the ovary. Thereafter, AMH mRNA was not observed in the developing ovary until Days 78-113 of postnatal life when follicles first formed at the cortical-medullary boundary. At this time, AMH mRNA was observed in the cuboidal granulosa cells of some early growing (i.e. transitional) follicles and in the granulosa cells of primary follicles. Thereafter, AMH mRNA was present in granulosa cells at all subsequent stages of follicular growth (i.e. primary through antral), but not in preovulatory follicles. In all cases, once follicles had formed, AMH mRNA was limited to the granulosa cells and was not observed in the surface epithelium, stromal cells, oocytes, theca, corpus luteum, medullary cords, rete or interstitial glands. In the possum testis, Sertoli cells strongly expressed AMH around the time of sexual differentiation of the gonad, but expression decreased to very low levels in adults, suggesting that AMH plays a similar role in brushtail possums to that observed in other mammalian species. In conclusion, localization of mRNA for AMH exclusively to granulosa cells of growing follicles in the brushtail possum is consistent with a central role for this hormone in control of granulosa cell function in marsupials. In addition, expression of AMH in the developing ovary around the time of morphological sexual differentiation raises intriguing questions regarding the possible role of AMH at this time.
Isolation Compound Anti-Obesity from the Bark Ara (Ficus Racemosa) of Aceh

The extract n-hexane and ethyl acetate obtained from plants Ficus racemosa, respectively of 68.50 g (2.28%) and 50.52 g (1.68%), were tested their antiobesity, with dose of 100, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg / kg bw of mice. The results showed that the extract n-hexane and ethyl acetate can weight loss in mice, obtained optimal dose is 1500 mg / kg bwof mice and used as dosis of next work. Furthermore, 30 g of ethyl acetate extract were fractionated, and yielding three groups of fractions, namely fraction groups A, B and C.Test antiobesity against the fractions A, B, and C were carried out for 5 days each using three mice, can decrease mice weight of average : 2.89%; 2.57%; 0.56% while 4.14% for positive control, whereas the negative control mice increase weight of mice as much as 4.82%. Fraction A, after separated with chromatography produce a compound suspected of β-amyrin acetate. Compounds β-amyrin acetate at a dose of 1500 mg / kg bw of mice, showed a weight loss of 2.31%. β-amyrin acetate compound was characterized by Mass Spectrometry (MS), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). keywords: anti-obesity, Ficus racemosa, isolation, β-amyrin acetate.
Effect of Probe Deflection on Dual-Probe Heat-Pulse Thermal Conductivity Measurements

The dual-probe heat-pulse (DPHP) method is useful for measuring soil thermal properties; however, the probes of a DPHP sensor can deflect when inserted into the soil. Theoretical analysis has shown that measurements of thermal conductivity (X) should be unaffected by deflection-induced changes in probe spacing. To verify this result, the conductivities of water, dry sand, and saturated sand were measured using DPHP sensors with probes subject to inward deflection, no deflection, and outward deflection. No error in λ was detected when probes were deflected inward by an amount that caused a 14% reduction in probe spacing. Outward deflection (15% increase in spacing) caused error in λ estimates, but the errors were small (<0.04 W m ―1 K ―1 ) and likely to be of little consequence in most applications. We conclude that estimates of λ obtained with the DPHP method are largely unaffected by changes in probe spacing caused by deflection.
An ambient RF energy harvesting and backscatter modulating tag system enabling zero-power wireless data communication

This paper describes an Internet of Things (IoT) tag using an RF energy harvesting and a backscatter wireless communicating system in ambient wireless network environment. We propose a method to transmit data from the tag to Wi-Fi device without power consumption using Wi-Fi signal. This tag system is composed of RF energy harvesting module, backscatter communicating module and sensor. This tag operates to generate power from wireless signal and to transfer date by modulating the receiving sensitivity of Wi-Fi packet. We implemented the zero-power communication tag and tested in Wi-Fi network. As a result, an output voltage above 0.9 V for operating the tag is obtained starting from a received power of about -16 dBm. The maximum power conversion efficiency reaches 25% at 2.4 GHz band. At the communication test, the data transfer rate is achieved 30 kbps at 3 m distance between Wi-Fi devices.
Molecular basis of viral persistence: a single amino acid change in the glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is associated with suppression of the antiviral cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response and establishment of persistence

Isolates of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) that elicit a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response (CTL+) have been compared with isolates that suppress the CTL response (CTL-) in an effort to map this phenotype. A single amino acid change in the glycoprotein of the LCMV Armstrong (ARM) strain is consistently associated with the CTL- trait and the ability of the virus to persist (P+). The CTL+ P- parental strain spontaneously gives rise to CTL- P+ variants within lymphoid tissues of mice persistently infected from birth. To map the structural basis of the phenotype, the complete RNA sequence of LCMV ARM 53b (CTL+) was compared with that of its variant ARM clone 13 (CTL-). Differences in 5 of 10,600 nucleotides were found. Three changes are noted in the large L RNA segment, and two are noted in the small S RNA segment. Only two of the changes distinguishing CTL+ from CTL- isolates affect amino acid coding: lysine to glutamine at amino acid 1079 of the polymerase protein, and phenylalanine to leucine at amino acid 260 of the envelope glycoprotein (GP). We also analyzed two additional CTL- variants and four spontaneous CTL+ revertants. All three CTL- variants differ from the original CTL+ parental strain at GP amino acid 260, indicating that this amino acid change is consistently associated with the CTL- phenotype. By contrast the other four mutations in LCMV are not associated with the CTL- phenotype. Sequence analysis of the coding regions of four CTL+ revertants of ARM clone 13 did not reveal back mutations at the GP 260 locus. This finding indicates that the GP 260 mutation is necessary but not sufficient for a CTL- P+ phenotype and that the reversion to CTL+ P- is likely either due to secondary mutations in other regions of the viral genome or to quasispecies within the revertant population that make significant contributions to the phenotype.
Antiproliferative effects of melatonin on the growth of rat pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor cells in vitro

Abstract: Earlier studies showed that melatonin reduced the growth of 17‐β‐estradiol (E2)‐induced rat pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor (prolactinoma) in vivo. The mechanisms of melatonin's inhibitory action on the prolactin‐secreting tumor were further explored by investigating the in vitro effects of melatonin on the growth of pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor cells. Primary cultured prolactinoma cells from E2‐induced rat pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor were treated with 10−5, 10−4 or 10−3 m melatonin for 5 days. Apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry and the TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) method. In addition, cell viability was analyzed by (3,4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. It was found that incubation of prolactinoma cells with 10−5, 10−4 or 10−3 m melatonin for 5 days inhibited cell growth and increased cell apoptosis. Furthermore, melatonin increased caspase‐3 activity, Bax mRNA expression, and cytochrome c protein expression. Conversely, Bcl‐2 mRNA expression and mitochondrial membrane potential were inhibited by melatonin treatment. Our results further suggest that melatonin inhibits tumor growth by inducing apoptosis of rat pituitary prolactin‐secreting tumor directly via the damage of mitochondria.
Affiliative and “self-as-doer” identities: Relationships between social identity, social support, and emotional status amongst survivors of acquired brain injury (ABI)

Social support is an important factor in rehabilitation following acquired brain injury (ABI). Research indicates that social identity makes social support possible and that social identity is made possible by social support. In order to further investigate the reciprocity between social identity and social support, the present research applied the concepts of affiliative and “self-as-doer” identities to an analysis of relationships between social identity, social support, and emotional status amongst a cohort of 53 adult survivors of ABI engaged in post-acute community neurorehabilitation. Path analysis was used to test a hypothesised mediated model whereby affiliative identities have a significant indirect relationship with emotional status via social support and self-as-doer identification. Results support the hypothesised model. Evidence supports an “upward spiral” between social identity and social support such that affiliative identity makes social support possible and social support drives self-as-doer identity. Our discussion emphasises the importance of identity characteristics to social support, and to emotional status, for those living with ABI.
The Origins of Detente: The Genoa Conference and Soviet-Western Relations, 1921-1922

Preface List of abbreviations Technical note 1. Europe and Russia after the war 2. Approaching the Russian problem 3. From Cannes to Boulogne 4. Diplomatic preliminaries 5. Soviet Russia and Genoa 6. The conference opens 7. Rapallo 8. Closing stages 9. Genoa and after Notes Select bibliography Index.