Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal cortical thickness measured at ultrasound: is it better than renal length as an indicator of renal function in chronic kidney disease?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to determine whether there is a relationship between renal cortical thickness or length measured on ultrasound and the degree of renal impairment in chronic kidney disease (CKD). MATERIALS AND METHODS From October to December 2007, 25 patients (13 men and 12 women, mean age 73 years) were identified who had CKD but were not on dialysis. The patients were from a single institution and had undergone renal ultrasound and at least three serum creatinines within 90 days. The lowest creatinine was used for estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculation using both the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study (MDRD) equations. Ultrasounds were consensus reviewed by three radiologists (2 attendings and a resident) blinded to specific renal function. Cortical thickness was measured in the sagittal plane over a medullary pyramid, perpendicular to the capsule. Length was measured pole-to-pole. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Mean cortical thickness was 5.9 mm (range, 3.2-11.0 mm). Mean length was 10 cm (7.2-12.4 cm). Mean minimum serum creatinine was 2.1 mg/dL (1.1-6.1 mg/dL). Mean eGFR using CG was 34.8 mL/min (10.6-99.4 mL/min) and 36 mL/min (8-66 mL/min) using MDRD. There was a statistically significant relationship between eGFR and cortical thickness using both CG (p < 0.0001) and MDRD (p = 0.005). There was a statistically significant relationship between CG and length (p = 0.003) but not between MDRD and length (p = 0.08). CONCLUSION Cortical thickness measured on ultrasound appears to be more closely related to eGFR than renal length. Reporting cortical thickness in patients with CKD who are not on dialysis should be considered.
Receptor and Nonreceptor-Mediated Organ-Specific Toxicity of Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptorα-Null Mice

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptora (PPARα) is the mediator of the biological effects of peroxisome proliferators through control of gene transcription. To determine if the toxic effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) are mediated by PPARα, we examined its effect in PPARα-null mice. Male Sv/129 mice, PPARα-null (–/–) or wild-type (+/+) were fed ad libitum either a control diet or one containing 12,000 ppm DEHP for up to 24 wk. Significant body weight loss and high mortality was observed in (+/+) mice fed DEHP. By 16 wk, all DEHP-fed (+/+) mice had died of cystic renal tubular disease. In contrast, the (–/–) mice fed DEHP had no changes in body weight until later in the study nor increased mortality. Histologically, (+/+) mice fed DEHP had typical toxic lesions in liver, kidney, and testis while (–/–) mice fed DEHP had no toxic liver lesions but did show evidence of toxicity in kidney and testis after 4–8 wk of feeding, which progressed into moderate lesions by 24 wk. Analysis of hepatic and renal mRNAs showed a typical pleiotropic response in gene expression in the DEHP-fed (+/+) mice that was absent in the DEHP-fed (–/ –) mice. These results provide evidence that PPARα mediates the subacute-chronic toxicity of DEHP in liver, kidney, and testis. However, because (-/–) mice did develop toxic lesions in kidney and testis, DEHP can also act through PPARα-independent pathways in mediating renal and testicular toxicity.
Gender Specific Processing of Eye Contact within the Human Medial Temporal Lobe

Eye contact is a powerful social stimulus for human and non-human primates. However, it is unclear whether brain mechanisms that interpret eye contact are sensitive to gender. Here we show that human brain responses to eye contact are indeed gender specific. Recording event-related potentials directly from the medial temporal lobes, we found that eye contact elicited specific responses in men only when they saw female faces. Conversely, women responded specifically to eye contact only when they saw pictures of men. Thus, the human medial temporal lobes subserve specifically the processing of eye contact with persons of the opposite gender.
Repolarizing K+ currents in nonfailing human hearts. Similarities between right septal subendocardial and left subepicardial ventricular myocytes.

BACKGROUND Studies of cardiac K+ channels from animal models have documented tissue-dependent and species-dependent diversity in the types and properties of K+ channels responsible for the repolarization of cardiac action potentials. Recent reports of human ventricular K+ currents emphasized differences in transient outward K+ current (Ito1) recorded from left ventricular (LV) subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes. These myocytes are usually isolated only from the LV free wall. The surface of the interventricular septum is continuous with the endocardium of both ventricular chambers. However, the septum contracts in unison with the left ventricle and therefore might have electric properties consonant with this function. In this study, we compare the characteristics of human cardiac K+ currents (Ito1 and inward rectifier K+ current [IK1]) of myocytes isolated from either the LV subepicardium or subendocardium of the right ventricular (RV) septum. METHODS AND RESULTS Subendocardial tissues were obtained during routine biopsies of the right interventricular septum of seven heart transplant recipients. Subepicardial tissues were obtained from five patients with normal LV function during open heart surgery. IK1 amplitude was the same in myocytes isolated from both regions. Delayed rectifier K+ currents were small or absent in these cells. Ito1 was only slightly larger in LV subepicardial versus RV septal subendocardial myocytes. For example, at +60 mV, Ito1 was 7.2 +/- 0.4 pA/pF (n = 33) in subepicardial cells compared with 6.0 +/- 0.5 pA/pF (n = 36) in subendocardial cells. All characteristics of Ito1 examined, including the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, rate of inactivation, and percent decline of peak current during repetitive pulsing, were similar in myocytes isolated from both regions. These findings are in contrast to previous studies that demonstrated that Ito1 of subendocardial myocytes isolated from the LV free wall of human hearts was smaller and that recovery from inactivation of this current was much slower compared with that observed in subepicardial myocytes. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that the major repolarizing K+ currents in normal human ventricular myocytes are IK1 and Ito1 and that the properties of Ito1 of subendocardial cells isolated from the right interventricular septum are more similar to subepicardial cells than to subendocardial cells of the LV free wall. The similar electric properties shared by myocytes from these two regions may be functionally important inasmuch as the right side of the interventricular septum functions as an extension of the subepicardium of the left ventricle during the contractile cycle.
Novel Protein-Based Pneumococcal Vaccines Administered with the Th1-Promoting Adjuvant IC31 Induce Protective Immunity against Pneumococcal Disease in Neonatal Mice

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae is responsible for many vaccine-preventable deaths, annually causing around 1 million deaths in children younger than 5 years of age. A new generation of pneumococcal vaccines based on conserved proteins is being developed. We evaluated the immunogenicities and protective efficacies of four pneumococcal protein vaccine candidates, PcsB, StkP, PsaA, and PspA, in a neonatal mouse model. Mice were immunized three times and challenged intranasally with virulent pneumococci. All four proteins were immunogenic in neonatal mice, and antibody (Ab) responses were significantly enhanced by the novel adjuvant IC31, which consists of an antibacterial peptide (KLKL5KLK) and a synthetic oligodeoxynucleotide, ODN1a, that signals through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). Two single proteins, StkP and PspA, combined with IC31 significantly reduced pneumococcal bacteremia but had no effects on lung infection. Three proteins, PcsB, StkP, and PsaA, were evaluated with alum or IC31. IC31 enhanced Ab responses and avidity to all three proteins, whereas alum enhanced Ab responses and avidity to StkP and PsaA only. Mice receiving the trivalent protein formulation with IC31 had significantly reduced bacteremia and lung infection compared to unvaccinated mice, but the level of protection was dependent on the dose of IC31. When PspA was added to the trivalent protein formulation, the dose of IC31 needed to obtain protective immunity could be reduced. These results demonstrate that a novel pneumococcal protein-based vaccine is immunogenic at an early age of mice and emphasize the benefits of using a combination of conserved proteins and an effective adjuvant to elicit potent protective immunity against invasive pneumococcal disease.
Effects of intermittent games activity on postprandial lipemia in young adults.

PURPOSE To investigate whether a single session of intermittent games activity would reduce postprandial lipemia. METHODS Twelve male volunteers completed three 2-d trials: rest, continuous exercise, and intermittent games activity. Trials were performed a minimum of 6 d apart in a balanced crossover design. In the rest trial, subjects took no exercise on day 1. On day 1 of the continuous and intermittent games trials, subjects completed four blocks (approximately 15 min per block) of uphill treadmill walking or intermittent games activity with 3 min of rest between each block. On day 2, subjects came to the laboratory for an oral fat tolerance test (blood taken fasted and for 6 h following a high-fat test meal (1.25 g of fat and 1.07 g of carbohydrate per kilogram of body mass)). RESULTS The intermittent games protocol elicited a higher exercise intensity than the continuous trial (lactate: 4.3+/-0.6 vs 2.4+/-0.3 mmol.L; % VO2max: 72+/-2 vs 62+/-1, respectively; mean+/-SE). The total area under the plasma triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration versus time curve was lower in both the intermittent games (25%, P=0.001) and the continuous (19%, P=0.028) trials than in the rest trial. CONCLUSION These findings show for the first time that intermittent games activity can reduce postprandial lipemia, and confirm that continuous exercise reduces postprandial lipemia in young adults.
Mitochondrial Factors and VACTERL Association-Related Congenital Malformations

VACTERL/VATER association is a group of congenital malformations characterized by at least 3 of the following findings: vertebral defects, anal atresia, cardiac defects, tracheo-esophageal fistula, renal anomalies, and limb abnormalities. To date, no unifying etiology for VACTERL/VATER association has been established, and there is strong evidence for causal heterogeneity. VACTERL/VATER association has many overlapping characteristics with other congenital disorders that involve multiple malformations. In addition to these other conditions, some of which have known molecular causes, certain aspects of VACTERL/VATER association have similarities with the manifestations of disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction can result from a number of distinct causes and can clinically manifest in diverse presentations; accurate diagnosis can be challenging. Case reports of individuals with VACTERL association and confirmed mitochondrial dysfunction allude to the possibility of mitochondrial involvement in the pathogenesis of VACTERL/VATER association. Further, there is biological plausibility involving mitochondrial dysfunction as a possible etiology related to a diverse group of congenital malformations, including those seen in at least a subset of individuals with VACTERL association.
The Dual Processing of Donation Size in Cause-Related Marketing (CRM): The Moderating Roles of Construal Level and Emoticons

Donation size is known to be one of the factors that determines the success of cause-related marketing (CRM), which is the most practical form of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Although various studies have investigated the influence of donation size on CRM, they have not shown clear results. In addition, no research has examined the mechanism of how consumers process donation-size information. In this study, we examined the effect of donation size on consumer responses, focusing on the differences in perceived benefits and perceived monetary sacrifice according to the construal level. Furthermore, we investigated the role of emoticons as a way to increase the intention to participate in CRM by lowering the consumers’ perceptions of monetary sacrifice. Study 1 showed that for consumers with a higher construal level who perceive donation size as benefits, donation size had positive effects on consumer responses, whereas for those with a lower construal level who perceive donation size as monetary sacrifice, it had negative effects on their responses. Study 2 showed that emoticons attenuated the interaction effect of donation size and construal level. Finally, the implications of this study are discussed.
Prostate Cancer Prevention Through Pomegranate Fruit

Prostate cancer (CaP) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among U.S. males with a similar trend in many Western countries. CaP is an ideal candidate disease for chemoprevention because it is typically diagnosed in men over 50 years of age, and thus even a modest delay in disease progression achieved through pharmacological or nutritional intervention could significantly impact the quality of life of these patients. In this regard we and others have proposed the use of dietary antioxidants as candidate CaP chemopreventive agents. The fruit pomegranate derived from the tree Punica granatum has been shown to possess strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In a recent study, we showed that pomegranate fruit extract (PFE), through modulations in the cyclin kinase inhibitor-cyclin-cyclin-dependent kinase machinery, resulted in inhibition of cell growth followed by apoptosis of highly aggressive human prostate carcinoma PC3 cells. These events were associated with alterations in the levels of Bax and Bcl-2 shifting the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio in favor of apoptosis. Further, we showed that oral administration of a human acceptable dose of PFE to athymic nude mice implanted with CWR22R1 cells resulted in significant inhibition of tumor growth with concomitant reduction in secretion of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the serum. The outcome of this study could have a direct practical implication and translational relevance to CaP patients, because it suggests that pomegranate consumption may retard CaP progression, which may prolong the survival and quality of life of the patients.
[Pediatric thoracic spine radiographs: Comparison of two scintillators].

PURPOSE To compare image quality and radiation exposure from pediatric thoracic spine radiographs from two systems, one using a granular structure scintillator and another using a needle structure scintillator with 40% reduction of exposure. PATIENTS AND METHODS Randomized prospective study of 296 patients divided into 2 groups of 5 weight categories from 4 to 60 kg. Standard technique parameters are used for granular structure scintillators with dose reduction of 40% applied for needle structure scintillators based on results from a phantom study. Image quality based on detectability of 8 anatomical structures for both types of scintillators was assessed by 6 blinded radiologists. Exposure was expressed by DLP. Results underwent statistical analysis. RESULTS Overall, image quality was superior with corresponding dose reduction between 33-46% according to weight with needle structure scintillators. For the 4 lower weight categories, image quality was identical. CONCLUSION With image quality at least equal, new needle structure scintillator units allow a dose reduction of about 40%.
An Efficient Time Synchronization Scheme for Broadband Two-Way Relaying Networks Based on Physical-Layer Network Coding

We present an efficient time synchronization scheme for broadband two-way relaying networks based on two-phase physical layer network coding. Especially, a preamble structure is proposed in this letter for the synchronization. The synchronization approach exploits the preamble in frequency domain and time domain to effectively separate the mixed signals, and jointly estimate timing-offsets and channel parameters, respectively. Numerical results confirm that the suggested method is superior to the conventional scheme, and is very suitable for the synchronization in broadband two-way relaying networks based on two-phase physical layer network coding.
Unitary hypothesis for multiple triggers of the pain and strain of migraine

Migraine headache is triggered by and associated with a variety of hormonal, emotional, nutritional, and physiological changes. The perception of migraine headache is formed when nociceptive signals originating in the meninges are conveyed to the somatosensory cortex through the trigeminal ganglion, medullary dorsal horn, and thalamus. Is there a common descending pathway accounting for the activation of meningeal nociceptors by different migraine triggers? We propose that different migraine triggers activate a wide variety of brain areas that impinge on parasympathetic neurons innervating the meninges. According to this hypothesis, migraine triggers such as perfume, stress, or awakening activate multiple hypothalamic, limbic, and cortical areas, all of which contain neurons that project to the preganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the superior salivatory nucleus (SSN). The SSN, in turn, activates postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the sphenopalatine ganglion, resulting in vasodilation and local release of inflammatory molecules that activate meningeal nociceptors. Are there ascending pathways through which the trigeminovascular system can induce the wide variety of migraine symptoms? We propose that trigeminovascular projections from the medullary dorsal horn to selective areas in the midbrain, hypothalamus, amygdala, and basal forebrain are functionally positioned to produce migraine symptoms such as irritability, loss of appetite, fatigue, depression, or the quest for solitude. Bidirectional trafficking by which the trigeminovascular system can activate the same brain areas that have triggered its own activity in the first place provides an attractive network of perpetual feedback that drives a migraine attack for many hours and even days. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:9–14, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Designing, Manufacturing and Testing of a Piezoelectric Polymer Film In-Sole Sensor for Plantar Pressure Distribution Measurements

We have designed, manufactured, and tested a prototype of an in-sole plantar pressure sensor. The sensor is made of a piezoelectric polymer film (polyvinylidenefluoride, PVDF) with evaporated copper electrodes. The size and the location of measuring sites are carefully considered to produce a light-weighted, practical, and inexpensive matrix sensor for measurement of plantar pressure distribution. The sensor consists of eight measurement locations: hallux, first metatarsal head (under both sesamoid bones), metatarsal heads 2–5 and heel. The developed in-sole sensor was evaluated through piezoelectric sensitivity measurements and test measurements with subjects (used as a platform sensor). Average peak-to-peak pressures from 58 to 486 kPa were obtained in plantar pressure measurements. The in-sole sensor can be used to prevent pressure ulcers. Also other application areas for the sensor are available, e.g., rehabilitation and sports. The developed sensor enables unobtrusive and long-term plantar pressure measurements. In future, an option for manufacturing the PVDF in-soles may be printing of desired electrode pattern on PVDF material, that would allow fast production, and if needed, the production of even individual in-soles.
High step-up interleaved stack DC-DC converter with zero voltage switching

A novel high step-up DC-DC converter with ZVS turn-on switches and ZCS turn-off diodes based on several existed techniques such as coupled-inductor, active clamping, stacked capacitor and interleaved technique is designed and implemented in this paper. The main objective of proposed circuit is soft-switching operation. The leakage inductance of coupled inductors resonates with two secondary-side capacitors during steady-state operating modes. When the converter is operated at different resonant frequencies, ZVS turn-on and ZCS turn-off can be respectively accomplished by some power switches and rectifying diodes. Besides, by applying interleaved technology, the capacity of circuit can be increased. Operating principles, steady-state analysis, and component parameter designs are presented. Hardware prototype with 24V input voltage, 400V output voltage and 800W output power is implemented to prove the feasibility of proposed converter. The highest efficiency is around 95.6% when operating at 450W.
Emerging zoonotic encephalitis viruses: Lessons from Southeast Asia and Oceania

The last decade of the 20th Century saw the introduction of an unprecedented number of encephalitic viruses emerge or spread in the Southeast Asian and Western Pacific regions (Mackenzie et al, 2001; Solomon, 2003a). Most of these viruses are zoonotic, either being arthropod-borne viruses or bat-borne viruses. Thus Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has spread through the Indonesian archipelago to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and to the islands of the Torres Strait of northern Australia, to Pakistan, and to new areas in the Indian subcontinent; a strain of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) was described for the first time in Hokkaido, Japan; and a novel mosquito-borne alphavirus, Me Tri virus, was described from Vietnam. Three novel bat-borne viruses emerged in Australia and Malaysia; two, Hendra and Nipah viruses, represent the first examples of a new genus in the family Paramyxoviridae, the genus Henipaviruses, and the third, Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is new lyssavirus closely related to classical rabies virus. These viruses will form the body of this brief review.