Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why confine chorionic villus biopsy to single pregnancies?

Prenatal diagnosis from chorionic villi is becoming more and more widespread around the world. Rapid karyotyping, biochemical, DNA, indeed even infectious disease studies can be obtained from chorionic villi, whatever the term of the pregnancy (Holzgreve et a[., 1990). This rapidity, especially with regard to karyotyping, diminishes the psychological as well as the physiological trauma experienced by women when termination is necessary. The use of the transabdominal route, first proposed by Smidt-Jensen and Hahnemann (1984) for early CVS and by Nicolaides et ai. (1986) for late CVS, has enabled us to reduce the fetal loss rate; indeed, in our centre, having conducted more than 2500 tests, the rate of fetal loss fell to 1.3 per cent when the tests were done in the absence of ultrasonic abnormalities (Saura etal . , 1990a,b,c, 1991). Because of these positive results, we decided to begin prenatal diagnosis using this method involving multiple pregnancies, particularly in light of the 15.2 per cent rate of fetal losses occurring following amniocentesis performed in our centre (7 out of 46 pregnancies). This fetal loss rate appears to be significantly higher than that reported in the literature: 4.5 per cent (37 out of 832 pregnancies) (Anderson et al., 1991). Sometimes when using amniocentesis in multiple pregnancies, it is difficult to locate the dividing membrane which renders sampling in both amniotic sacs difficult (Bahadosing et a[., 1992). In contrast, the utilization of CVS by the transabdominal route enables sampling in multiple pregnancies, because it is easier to sample the placentae, whatever their sites. When the placentae are in contact, however, it is preferable to perform the sampling close to the cord insertion sites, in order to avoid double sampling of the same placenta. Following amniocentesis, the delay time for obtaining karyotyping results is long. During this time, the twins may have changed their positions, rendering fetal identification problematical, especially in
Simulated resonant characteristics of embedded metamaterial patch antenna

This paper presents various observations, from electromagnetic simulations, of a metamaterial embedded patch antenna. The composite right left handed (CRLH) transmission line (TL) metamaterial is the metamaterial under consideration. The schematic structure of the CRLH TL embedded in a patch antenna is shown. This structure is supported on a substrate of thickness 1.59 mm and dielectric constant 2.4. Compared to a simple probe fed patch antenna there is an improvement for the metamaterial embedded patch. Simulations have been done by inserting a single and a double metamaterial structure in the patch antenna. There is an increase in gain, antenna efficiency, shift in resonant frequency and dual frequency of operation for the embedded metamaterial patch.
Regulatory B cells correlate with HIV disease progression

A rare subset of IL‐10‐producing B cells, named Breg, was recently identified in mice and humans. Currently, there are no unified cell surface markers to identify Breg, and the relationship between the frequency of Breg and HIV disease progression in chronic HIV infection is unclear. In the present study, we determined whether the cell surface markers of Breg reported for other diseases are suitable for identifying Breg in HIV‐infected patients. In addition, we examined the relationship between Breg and HIV disease progression. We found that Breg frequency correlated positively with viral load and negatively with CD4 count in chronic HIV infection. Following antiretroviral treatment, the CD4 count increased and the frequency of Breg decreased stepwise. There was no difference in IL‐10 expression of CD1dhi or CD1dlo cells isolated from HIV‐infected patients. Therefore, CD1d may not be a marker of Breg in HIV‐infected patients.
Free radicals, oxidative stress and importance of antioxidants in human health -

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a collective term used for oxygen containing free radicals, depending on their reactivity and oxidizing ability. ROS participate in a variety of chemical reactions with biomolecules leading to a pathological condition known as oxidative stress. Antioxidants are employed to protect biomolecules from the damaging effects of such ROS. In the beginning, antioxidant research was mainly aimed at understanding free radical reactions of ROS with antioxidants employing biochemical assays and kinetic methods. Later on, studies began to be directed to monitor the ability of anti-oxidants to modulate cellular signaling proteins like receptors, secondary messengers, transcription factors, etc. Of late several studies have indicated that antioxidants can also have deleterious effects on human health depending on dosage and bio-availability. It is therefore, necessary to validate the utility of antioxidants in improvement of human health in order to take full advantage of their therapeutic potential.
Metabolic profile of the hippocampus of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats assessed by in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Localized in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to investigate metabolite levels in the brain of adult Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats, an animal model for type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study focussed on the hippocampus, assumed to be one of the main brain areas affected by this disease. Together with an almost 5‐fold increase in blood glucose concentration measured by glucose oxidation, significant increases were found in the hippocampal concentrations of glucose (4.93 vs 1.66 mM p < 0.001), myo‐inositol (6.52 vs 4.30 mM; p < 0.05), and total creatine (12.71 vs 10.50 mM; p < 0.05) in ZDF rats (n = 5) compared with littermates (n = 5). Although no obvious alterations were detected in the hippocampal levels of other metabolites, including NAA+NAAG and choline‐containing compounds in the ZDF rats, the increase in Glc and Ins levels is in line with elevated brain tissue contents of these metabolites in patients with diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum anticholinergic activity and motor performance in elderly persons.

BACKGROUND Medications prescribed to elderly persons often have an anticholinergic effect, as do many commonly used over-the-counter drugs. Anticholinergic medications are known to produce psychomotor slowing, especially in older persons. METHODS The present study examined whether the cumulative anticholinergic load present in the serum of community volunteers was associated with decrements on tests of psychomotor performance (gait speed and simple manual response time) known to predict falls in elderly persons. RESULTS Serum anticholinergic activity (SAA) was relatively low in this group; however, an elevated SAA was associated with a significant slowing in both gait speed and simple response time. CONCLUSION Cumulative anticholinergic burden may be one of the factors contributing to an increased risk of falls in the older population.
Determination of HER-2/Neu Overexpression and Clinical Predictors of Survival in a Cohort of 347 Patients with Primary Malignant Brain Tumors

Introduction. HER-2/neu overexpression has been associated with poor prognosis in a variety of malignancies. The extent and relevance of HER-2/neu overexpression in human central nervous system (CNS) malignancies is unclear. We retrospectively analyzed a large cohort of patients with primary malignant brain tumors to evaluate the role of HER-2/neu overexpression, clinical characteristics at presentation, and other predisposing factors as predictors of survival. Materials and Methods. Records of 347 adult patients (193 males, 154 females) diagnosed and followed between 1986 and 2001 with a biopsy-proven diagnosis of a primary malignant brain tumor at a tertiary care oncology center were reviewed. Archival pathologic samples were analyzed for HER-2/neu overexpression using the Hercep immunohistochemical (IHC) assay (DAKO). A score of 2 + or greater on the assay was considered positive for HER-2/neu overexpression. Mortality and its predictors were evaluated using multiple logistic regression. (This study was approved and reviewed by the Institutional Review Board Committee [IRB] of University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.) Results. Among the 347 adult patients with a mean age of 53 years (range; 41–73 years), overall mean survival was 23 months (range; 0–151 months). It was found that 10.4% of the archival pathologic samples showed presence of HER-2/neu overexpression by IHC. The HER-2/neu overexpression predicted significantly increased mortality [p = 0.01, analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. Other clinical predictors associated with increased mortality included site of tumor (occipital and parietal lobes) (p = 0.02, ANOVA), tumor histology (glioblastoma) (p < 0.01, ANOVA), and presenting symptom (nausea/vomiting) (p < 0.01, ANOVA). Also, there was a higher incidence of associated primary malignancies (outside the CNS) in the HER-2/neu overexpression group (30% vs. 7%). Conclusions. HER-2/neu overexpression seen in 10.4 % appears to predict a slight increased mortality in patients with primary malignant brain tumors, especially glioblastoma multiforme, and is associated with a high incidence of a second primary malignancy outside the CNS. Additionally, our data suggests that other clinical variables were predictive of increased mortality, including tumor location (occipital), histology (glioblastoma), and presenting symptoms (nausea/vomiting). The large, heterogeneous sample employed in our study allows more definitive conclusions to be made with regard to the usefulness of HER-2/neu and other clinical predictors of survival in patients with primary brain tumors.
Distinct Bacterial Communities Associated with the Coral Model Aiptasia in Aposymbiotic and Symbiotic States with Symbiodinium

Coral reefs are in decline. The basic functional unit of coral reefs is the coral metaorganism or holobiont consisting of the cnidarian host animal, symbiotic algae of the genus Symbiodinium, and a specific consortium of bacteria (among others), but research is slow due to the difficulty of working with corals. Aiptasia has proven a tractable model system to elucidate the intricacies of cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbioses, but characterization of the associated bacterial microbiome and the underlying genomic features relevant for bacterial selection and control is required to provide a complete and integrated understanding of holobiont function. In this work, we characterize and analyze the microbiome of aposymbiotic and symbiotic Aiptasia and show that bacterial associates are distinct in both conditions. We further show that key microbial associates can be cultured without their cnidarian host. Our results suggest that bacteria play an important role in the symbiosis of Aiptasia with Symbiodinium, a finding that underlines the power of the Aiptasia model system where cnidarian hosts can be analyzed in aposymbiotic and symbiotic states. The characterization of the native microbiome and the ability to retrieve culturable isolates contributes to the resources available for the Aiptasia model system. This provides an opportunity to comparatively analyze cnidarian metaorganisms as collective functional holobionts and as separated member species. We hope that this will accelerate research into understanding the intricacies of coral biology, which is urgently needed to develop strategies to mitigate the effects of environmental change.
The Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded BILF1 Protein Modulates Immune Recognition of Endogenously Processed Antigen by Targeting Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecules Trafficking on both the Exocytic and Endocytic Pathways

ABSTRACT Despite triggering strong immune responses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has colonized more than 90% of the adult human population. Successful persistence of EBV depends on the establishment of a balance between host immune responses and viral immune evasion. Here we have extended our studies on the EBV-encoded BILF1 protein, which was recently identified as an immunoevasin that functions by enhancing degradation of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) antigens via lysosomes. We now demonstrate that disruption of the EKT signaling motif of BILF1 by a K122A mutation impairs the ability of BILF1 to enhance endocytosis of surface MHC-I molecules, while subsequent lysosomal degradation was impaired by deletion of the 21-residue C-terminal tail of BILF1. Furthermore, we identified another mechanism of BILF1 immunomodulation: it targets newly synthesized MHC-I/peptide complexes en route to the cell surface. Importantly, although the diversion of MHC-I on the exocytic pathway caused a relatively modest reduction in cell surface MHC-I, presentation of endogenously processed target peptides to immune CD8+ effector T cells was reduced by around 65%. The immune-modulating functions of BILF1 in the context of the whole virus were confirmed in cells lytically infected with a recombinant EBV in which BILF1 was deleted. This study therefore extends our initial observations on BILF1 to show that this immunoevasin can target MHC-I antigen presentation via both the exocytic and endocytic trafficking pathways. The results also emphasize the merits of including functional T cell recognition assays to gain a more complete picture of immunoevasin effects on the antigen presentation pathway.
Glyoxalase system in clinical diabetes mellitus and correlation with diabetic complications.

1. The metabolism of methylglyoxal by the glyoxalase system may be linked to the development of diabetic complications. The glyoxalase system was characterized in blood samples from patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (n = 43), patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (n = 107) and 21 normal healthy control subjects. 2. The concentrations of glyoxalase metabolites, methylglyoxal, S-D-lactoylglutathione and D-lactate, were increased in diabetic patients, relative to normal control subjects: methylglyoxal [median, range (n) pmol/g], insulin-dependent patients, 470.7, 85.6-1044.3 (42), P < 0.001, non-insulin-dependent patients, 286.8, 54.7-2370 (105), P < 0.001, control subjects, 79.8, 25.3-892.9 (21); S-D-lactoylglutathione [mean +/- SD (n)pmol/10(6) erythrocytes], combined diabetic patients, 3.37 +/- 0.85 (24), control subjects 4.76 +/- 1.95 (8) P < 0.05; D-lactate [mean +/- SD or median, range (n)nmol/g], insulin dependent patients, median 18.3, 5.7-57.4 (42), P < 0.001, non-insulin-dependent patients, 20.0 +/- 8.9, 2.6-48.4 (105), P < 0.001, control subjects 9.7 +/- 4.3, 1.8-19.7 (21). The reduced glutathione concentrations in blood samples from the insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetic patient groups were not different from the control group values (P > 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
π‐Turns in proteins and peptides: Classification, conformation, occurrence, hydration and sequence

The i + 5 → i hydrogen bonded turn conformation (7r‐turn) with the fifth residue adopting αL conformation is frequently found at the C‐terminus of helices in proteins and hence is speculated to be a “helix termination signal. ” An analysis of the occurrence of i + 5 → i hydrogen bonded turn conformation at any general position in proteins (not specifically at the helix C‐terminus), using coordinates of 228 protein crystal structures determined by X‐ray crystallography to better than 2.5 Å resolution is reported in this paper. Of 486 detected π‐turn conformations, 367 have the (i + 4)th residue in αL conformation, generally occurring at the C‐terminus of α‐helices, consistent with previous observations. However, a significant number (111) of π‐turn conformations occur with (i + 4)th residue in αR conformation also, generally occurring in α‐helices as distortions either at the terminii or at the middle, a novel finding. These two sets of 7r‐turn conformations are referred to by the names παL and παR‐turns, respectively, depending upon whether the (i + 4)th residue adopts αL or αR conformations. Four π‐turns, named π'αL ‐turns, were noticed to be mirror images of παL‐turns, and four more π‐turns, which have the (i + 4)th residue in β conformation and denoted as πβ‐turns, occur as a part of hairpin bend connecting twisted β‐strands. Consecutive π‐turns occur, but only with παR‐turns. The preference for amino acid residues is different in παL and παR‐turns. However, both show a preference for Pro after the C‐termini. Hydrophilic residues are preferred at positions i + 1, i + 2, and i + 3 of παL‐turns, whereas positions i and i + 5 prefer hydrophobic residues. Residue i + 4 in παL‐turns is mainly Gly and less often Asn. Although παR‐turns generally occur as distortions in helices, their amino acid preference is different from that of helices. Poor helix formers, such as His, Tyr, and Asn, also were found to be preferred for παR‐turns, whereas good helix former Ala is not preferred. π‐Turns in peptides provide a picture of the π‐turn at atomic resolution. Only nine peptide‐based π‐turns are reported so far, and all of them belong to παL‐turn type with an achiral residue in position i + 4. The results are of importance for structure prediction, modeling, and de novo design of proteins.
Vascular and parenchymal mechanisms in multiple drug resistance: a lesson from human epilepsy.

Long term treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is the standard therapeutic approach to eradicate seizures. However, a small but significant number of patients fail AED treatment. Intrinsic drug resistance may depend on two main and not necessarily mutually exclusive mechanisms: 1) Loss of pharmacological target (e.g., GABAA receptors); 2) poor penetration of the drug into the central nervous system (CNS). The latter is due to the action of multiple drug resistance proteins capable of active CNS extrusion of drugs. These include MDR1 (P-glycoprotein, PgP), the multidrug resistance related proteins MRP1-5, and lung-resistance protein (LRP). Overexpression of MDR1 occurs in human epileptic brain. It has therefore been proposed that MDR1/PgP may contribute to multiple drug resistance in epilepsy. In addition to MDR1/PgP, other genes such as MRP2, MRP5, and human cisplatin resistance-associated protein are also overexpressed in drug-resistant epilepsy. In normal brain tissue MDR1/PgP is expressed almost exclusively by endothelial cells (EC), while in epileptic cortex both EC and perivascular astrocytes express MDR1/PgP. The underlying causes for tissue differences may be genomic (i.e., at the DNA level), or MDR1/PgP could be induced by seizures, previous drug treatment, or a combination of the above. We will present evidence showing that expression of multiple drug resistance genes in epilepsy is a complex phenomenon and that glial cells are involved. This second line of defense for xenobiotics may have profound implications for the pharmacokinetic properties of antiepileptic drugs and their capacity to reach neuronal targets.
Picosecond hot-electron energy relaxation in NbN superconducting photodetectors

We report time-resolved characterization of superconducting NbN hot-electron photodetectors using an electro-optic sampling method. Our samples were patterned into micron-size microbridges from 3.5-nm-thick NbN films deposited on sapphire substrates. The devices were illuminated with 100 fs optical pulses, and the photoresponse was measured in the ambient temperature range between 2.15 and 10.6 K (superconducting temperature transition TC). The experimental data agreed very well with the nonequilibrium hot-electron, two-temperature model. The quasiparticle thermalization time was ambient temperature independent and was measured to be 6.5 ps. The inelastic electron–phonon scattering time τe–ph tended to decrease with the temperature increase, although its change remained within the experimental error, while the phonon escape time τes decreased almost by a factor of two when the sample was put in direct contact with superfluid helium. Specifically, τe–ph and τes, fitted by the two-temperature model, were equal to 11.6 and 21 ps at 2.15 K, and 10(±2) and 38 ps at 10.5 K, respectively. The obtained value of τe–ph shows that the maximum intermediate frequency bandwidth of NbN hot-electron phonon-cooled mixers operating at TC can reach 16(+4/−3) GHz if one eliminates the bolometric phonon-heating effect.
An Optimized Ultraviolet‐A Light Photodetector with Wide‐Range Photoresponse Based on ZnS/ZnO Biaxial Nanobelt

A novel 1D/1D nanocomposite-based photodetector is successfully fabricated from high-crystalline ZnS/ZnO biaxial nanobelts for the first time. Optimized performance of the ZnS/ZnO nanobelt photodetector is much better than that of pure ZnS or ZnO nanostructures, with a wide-range UV-A light photoresponse, high sensitivity, and very fast response speed.
A Hybrid Model for Image Databases

This paper discusses an approach to organizing and structuring databases that are rich in visual data. Such databases are in sharp contrast to those that contain significant quantities of textual and numeric data. Traditional relational database technology handles textual and numeric data very well, but is not designed to incorporate non-textual, nonnumeric data. There have been some recent approaches to addressing this problem of incorporating visual data. However, these approaches are inadequate and labor-intensive. The present proposal sets forth an automatic way of providing useful structure to databases which contain significant quantities of visual data. This proposal incorporates existing technology, that as of yet, has not been applied to the present problem. This proposal also sets forth a new approach to database management in the context of visual data.
Prescribing in pregnancy

Objective: To assess the prescribing patterns and clinical practices in the use of pharmaceutical agents in pregnancy Study Design: Observational, Cross-sectional study. Study Period: March 2002 to March 2003 Setting: Study was conducted at antenatal clinic, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Materials and Methods: 250 patients from antenatal clinic were interviewed to collect information regarding age, parity, gestational age, any medication, its indication, route, duration and prescriber during current pregnancy on a pre-designed proforma. Sampling Method: Patients were enrolled in this study on first come and enroll basis. Results: Most of the women (90%) visiting the antenatal clinic were in the age group 21-30years. 94% of the women were taking medications and the prescriptions included haematenics (88%), folic acid (61%), calcium supplements (63%), antibiotics (22%), anti-fungals (19%), antiemetics (8%) and laxatives (6%). 6% of women were not taking any medication. Commonest prescribers were general practitioners (46%). Rest of the prescribers were medical officers at antenatal clinic (28%), LHVs/nurses (11%) and specialists (9%). Self-medication was seen in 6%. 47% of the women taking self-medications were among the educated group (Matric and above) and 53% of the women were among the uneducated group (P < 0.001). 28% took treatment from general practitioners and lady health visitors without any certain diagnosis, on symptomatic grounds. Conclusion: The use of drugs in pregnancy is substantial and varied. Information on the use of drugs during pregnancy is scarce and anecdotal. Careful consideration of the benefits to the mother and risks to the fetus is required, when prescribing drugs during pregnancy. All prescriptions or drugs recommended in pregnancy must have solid evidence derived from current literature.
Dual mode delta-patch antenna for short range wireless wearable device

We proposed a compact size planar dual band delta-patch antenna in two layers of stacked PCB structure. The antenna supports two distinct operating modes at two different frequencies that a first mode of the antenna supports communication between multiple wearable devices on body and a second mode supports communication between wearable device to out body wireless network. The antenna design has been verified both in simulation and measurement to validate its operation at 950MHz and 2.4GHz bands.