Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collagen Metabolism Is Markedly Altered in the Hypertrophic Cartilage of Growth Plates from Rats with Growth Impairment Secondary to Chronic Renal Failure

Skeletal growth depends on growth plate cartilage activity, in which matrix synthesis by chondrocytes is one of the major processes contributing to the final length of a bone. On this basis, the present work was undertaken to ascertain if growth impairment secondary to chronic renal insufficiency is associated with disturbances of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the growth plate. By combining stereological and in situ hybridization techniques, we examined the expression patterns of types II and X collagens and collagenase‐3 in tibial growth plates of rats made uremic by subtotal nephrectomy (NX) in comparison with those of sham‐operated rats fed ad libitum (SAL) and sham‐operated rats pair‐fed with NX (SPF). NX rats were severely uremic, as shown by markedly elevated serum concentrations of urea nitrogen, and growth retarded, as shown by significantly decreased longitudinal bone growth rates. NX rats showed disturbances in the normal pattern of chondrocyte differentiation and in the rates and degree of substitution of hypertrophic cartilage with bone, which resulted in accumulation of cartilage at the hypertrophic zone. These changes were associated with an overall decrease in the expression of types II and X collagens, which was especially marked in the abnormally extended zone of the hypertrophic cartilage. Unlike collagen, the expression of collagenase‐3 was not disturbed severely. Electron microscopic analysis proved that changes in gene expression were coupled to alterations in the mineralization as well as in the collagen fibril architecture at the hypertrophic cartilage. Because the composition and structure of the ECM have a critical role in regulating the behavior of the growth plate chondrocytes, results obtained are consistent with the hypothesis that alteration of collagen metabolism in these cells could be a key process underlying growth retardation in uremia.
African American High-Achieving Girls: STEM Careers as Options

This paper examines the effectiveness of the Nash, Borman, and Colson (1980) 3-phase career education model for gifted and talented 12th grade student on African American girls' decisions to study STEM disciplines after high school. Using qualitative methodology to collect and analyze data from participants at a small urban math and science focused high school, the findings suggest that the model is only as beneficial as its implementation. The paper recommends useful strategies that will ensure students are able to receive the benefits of experience that the model offers, thus aligning their academic strengths with their career options.
Intercultural and Career Experiences of African American Women Midlevel Leaders at Predominately White Institutions

Intercultural and Career Experiences of African American Women Midlevel Leaders at Predominately White Institutions by Rabekah D. Stewart MA, University of Missouri, Kansas City, 2008 BSEd, Lincoln University of Missouri, 2001 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Isolated human astrocytes are not susceptible to infection by M‐ and T‐tropic HIV‐1 strains despite functional expression of the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4

Within the brain, HIV‐1 targets the microglia and astrocytes. Previous studies have reported that viral entry into astrocytes is independent of CD4, in contrast to microglia. We aimed to determine whether chemokine receptors play a role in mediating CD4‐independent HIV‐1 entry into astrocytes. We found that embryonic astrocytes and microglial cells express CCR5, CCR3, and CXCR4 transcripts. Intracellular calcium levels in astrocytes were found to increase following application of RANTES, MIP‐1β (CCR5‐agonist), SDF‐1α (CXCR4‐agonist), but not eotaxin (CCR3‐agonist). In microglial cells, eotaxin was also able to modulate internal calcium homeostasis. CD4 was not present at the cell surface of purified astrocytes but CD4 mRNA could be detected by RT‐PCR. Neither HIV‐19533 (R5 isolate) nor HIV‐1LAI (X4 isolate) penetrated into purified astrocytes. In contrast, mixed CNS cell cultures were infected by HIV‐19533 and this was inhibited by anti‐CD4 mAb in 4/4 tested cultures and by anti‐CCR5 mAb in 2/4. Thus, the HIV‐1 R5 strain requires CD4 to penetrate into brain cells, suggesting that CCR5 cannot be used as the primary receptor for M‐tropic HIV‐1 strains in astrocytes. Moreover, inconstant inhibition of HIV‐1 entry by anti‐CCR5 mAb supports the existence of alternative coreceptors for penetration of M‐tropic isolates into brain cells. GLIA 34:165–177, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High levels of platelet/lymphocyte ratio are associated with metastatic gastric cancer.

PURPOSE The predictive and prognostic value of cheap, easily accessible and commonly available complete blood count parameters has already been studied in a variety of cancers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between pretreatment platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and metastatic gastric cancer. METHODS The records of 228 patients dating from January 2010 to June 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients who had undergone radical (N=157) or palliative gastrectomy (N=71) for metastatic gastric cancer were included and divided into two groups according to stage (early-advanced) and metastasis (absence-presence) status, and PLR values were compared. RESULTS 38 (16.6%) of 228 patients had early gastric cancer (non metastatic cases). PLR values of advanced gastric cancer (not including metastatic cases) were significantly higher compared to early gastric cancer (231.6±107.45 and 160.3±71.5, respectively; p<0.001). Seventy one (31.1%) of 228 patients had distant metastasis. PLR values of metastatic gastric cancer were significantly higher than in non-metastatic gastric cancer (251.0±94.8 and 192.7±88.8, respectively; p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that PLR was an independent predictive factor for tumor burden in both stage and metastasis groups (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). Also, in correlation analysis, PLR showed mild correlation with stage and metastasis groups (r=0.291 and r=0.299, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Pretreatment PLR values were correlated with tumor burden, and most higher values were detected in metastatic disease. Our findings may be useful, especially in the decision-making for laparoscopic staging in patients who have no radiological evidence of metastatic disease.
Achilles Tendon Rupture in Women

Background: The incidence of Achilles rupture appears to be less in women, although this notion has not been specifically investigated in the literature. Methods: The medical records of 7 foot-and-ankle orthopaedic surgeons at 1 institution were reviewed by Current Procedural Terminology (code 27650) and International Classification of Diseases–9 (code 727.67) to establish all Achilles tendon ruptures seen and/or treated by these surgeons. Sex, age, side, and mechanism of injury were recorded. Whether the patient had an acute Achilles tendon rupture or nonacute Achilles pathology was also noted. Results: A total of 468 patients were identified, of whom 358 had acute ruptures: 302 male and 56 female (5.39:1). Patients with acute ruptures were significantly younger than those with nonacute pathology (43.8 vs 55.1, P < .001). For acute ruptures, the mean age was not significantly different between men and women (43.9 vs 43.2; P = .780). Athletic activity was causative in 243 of 302 men (80.5%) and in 40 of 56 women (71.4%). This difference was not statistically significant (P = .130). Six men (2.0%) and 6 women (10.7%) had comorbidities that were thought to increase their risk of rupture (P = .005). Conclusion: Achilles tendon rupture is more common in men than women. Previous studies using the aforementioned codes to identify patients without chart review may have overestimated the number of women with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.
The effect of orlistat on body weight and coronary heart disease risk profile in obese patients: The Swedish Multimorbidity Study

Abstract. Lindgärde F (Department of Vascular Disease, Malmö University Hospital, University of Lund, Malmö, Sweden). The effect of orlistat on body weight and coronary heart disease risk profile in obese patients: The Swedish Multimorbidity Study. J Intern Med 2000; 248: 245–254.
IL‐6 levels decrease with SSRI treatment in patients with major depression

Some evidence indicates that an immune response with an increased production of proinflammatory cytokines often accompanies major depression. The objective of this study was to examine the serum levels of IL‐6 in patients with major depression and the changes occurring in IL‐6 levels during treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI).
Apoptotic insults to human chondrocytes induced by sodium nitroprusside are involved in sequential events, including cytoskeletal remodeling, phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase‐1/c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and Bax‐Mitochondria‐Mediated caspase activation

Nitric oxide (NO) can regulate chondrocyte activities. This study was aimed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP)‐induced insults to human chondrocytes. Exposure of human chondrocytes to SNP increased cellular NO levels but decreased cell viability in concentration‐ and time‐dependent manners. SNP time dependently induced DNA fragmentation and cell apoptosis. Treatment with 2‐phenyl‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐imidazoline‐1‐oxyl 3‐oxide, an NO scavenger, significantly lowered SNP‐induced cell injuries. Administration of SNP interrupted F‐actin and microtubule cytoskeletons and stimulated phosphorylation of mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase kinase‐1 (MEKK1) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Similar to SNP, cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of F‐actin formation, disturbed F‐actin polymerization and increased MEKK1 and JNK activations. Overexpression of a dominant negative mutant of MEKK1 (dnMEK1) in human chondrocytes significantly ameliorated SNP‐induced cell apoptosis. Exposure to SNP promoted Bax translocation from the cytoplasm to mitochondria, but application of dnMEKK1 lowered the translocation. SNP time dependently decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, complex I NADH dehydrogenase activity, and cellular ATP levels, but increased the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Activities of caspase‐9, ‐3, and ‐6 were sequentially increased by SNP administration. This study shows that SNP can induce apoptosis of human chondrocytes through sequential events, including cytoskeletal remodeling, activation of MEKK1/JNK, Bax translocation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cytochrome c release, caspase activation, and DNA fragmentation. © 2008 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:1018–1026, 2008
Standardization in Immunohistochemistry

Over the last few years, the role of immunohistochemical analysis has been changing from that of an ancillary diagnostic technique to that of a stand-alone diagnostic method, the results of which determine treatment approach. With this change comes a need for increasing standardization of both preanalytical and analytical methods, so that results emanating from different laboratories are directly comparable. These efforts have been aided to some degree by the development of automated staining systems and by the increased use of test kits, but interlaboratory reproducibility for immunohistochemical methods is still far lower than that of most clinical analytical measurements. In this article, the author presents some approaches to further reduce intra-and interlaboratory variation in the performance of immunohistochemical assays, focusing attention on guidelines recently published by NCCLS.
The importance of immediate destruction in epidemics of foot and mouth disease.

Foot and mouth disease is still prevalent in many parts of the world, as emphasised by the recent devastating epidemic in pig farms in Taiwan. A discrete time mechanistic model has been used to describe the spread of infection in both this epidemic and the 1967 to 1968 epidemic in the UK. The force of infection and basic reproduction number are estimated and the sensitivity of these results to the distributions of both the latent and infectious periods of the disease is examined. Epidemic simulations were performed to evaluate the disease control policy whereby all herds are slaughtered on the same day as disease confirmation. These simulations showed that implementing this policy could have resulted in a dramatic reduction (of over 60 per cent) in the number of pig farms affected in the Taiwan epidemic. It is thus imperative that the necessary resources are available to implement this policy, should an outbreak occur.
Effects of age on genetic influence on bone loss over 17 years in women: The Healthy Ageing Twin Study (HATS)

The rate of bone loss varies across the aging period via multiple complex mechanisms. Therefore, the role of genetic factors on bone loss may also change similarly. In this study, we investigated the effect of age on the genetic component of bone loss in a large twin‐based longitudinal study. During 17 years of follow‐up in TwinsUK and Healthy Ageing Twin Study (HATS), 15,491 hip and lumbar spine dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were performed in 7056 twins. Out of these subjects, 2716 female twins aged >35 years with at least two scans separated for >4 years (mean follow‐up 9.7 years) were included in this analysis. We used a mixed‐effects random‐coefficients regression model to predict hip and spine bone mineral density (BMD) values for exact ages of 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, and 80 years, with adjustment for baseline age, weight, height, and duration of hormone replacement therapy. We then estimated heritability of the changes in BMD measures between these age ranges. Heritability estimates for cross‐sectional hip and spine BMD were high (ranging between 69% and 88%) at different ages. Heritability of change of BMD was lower and more variable, generally ranging from 0% to 40% for hip and 0% to 70% for spine; between age 40 and 45 years genetic factors explained 39.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25%–53%) of variance of BMD loss for total hip, 46.4% (95% CI, 32%–58%) for femoral neck, and 69.5% (95% CI, 59%–77%) for lumbar spine. These estimates decreased with increasing age, and there appeared to be no heritability of BMD changes after the age of 65 years. There was some evidence at the spine for shared genetic effects between cross‐sectional and longitudinal BMD. Whereas genetic factors appear to have an important role in bone loss in early postmenopausal women, nongenetic mechanisms become more important determinants of bone loss with advanced age. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Detection of quantitative trait loci for growth and carcass composition in cattle 1 , 2

The objective of the present study was to detect quantitative trait loci for economically important traits in a family from a Bos indicus × Bos taurus sire. A Brahman × Hereford sire was used to develop a half-sib family (n = 547). The sire was mated to Bos taurus cows. Traits analyzed were birth (kg) and weaning weights (kg); hot carcass weight (kg); marbling score; longissimus area (cm2); USDA yield grade; estimated kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (%); fat thickness (cm); fat yield (%); and retail product yield (%). Meat tenderness was measured as Warner-Bratzler shear force (kg) at 3 and 14 d postmortem. Two hundred and thirty-eight markers were genotyped in 185 offspring. One hundred and thirty markers were used to genotype the remaining 362 offspring. A total of 312 markers were used in the final analysis. Seventy-four markers were common to both groups. Significant QTL (expected number of false-positives < 0.05) were observed for birth weight and longissimus area on chromosome 5, for longissimus area on chromosome 6, for retail product yield on chromosome 9, for birth weight on chromosome 21,
Association of Thymidylate Synthase Gene with Endometrial Cancer Risk in a Chinese Population

We comprehensively evaluated genetic variants in the thymidylate synthase (TYMS) gene in association with endometrial cancer risk in a population-based case-control study of 1,199 incident endometrial cancer cases and 1,212 age frequency-matched population controls. Exposure information was obtained via in-person interview, and DNA samples (blood or buccal cell) were collected. Genotyping of 11 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) for the TYMS gene plus the 5-kb flanking regions was done for 1,028 cases and 1,003 controls by using the Affymetrix MegAllele Targeted Genotyping System. Of 11 haplotype-tagging SNPs identified, 7 that are located in flanking regions of the TYMS gene are also in the ENOSF1 (rTS) gene. The SNP rs3819102, located in the 3′-flanking region of the TYMS gene and in an intron of the ENOSF1 gene, was associated with risk of endometrial cancer. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for the CC genotype was 1.5 (1.0-2.2) compared with the TT genotype. Haplotype TTG in block 2 of the TYMS gene, which includes SNPs rs10502289, rs2298583, and rs2298581 (located in introns of the ENOSF1 gene), was associated with a marginally significant decrease in risk of endometrial cancer under the dominant model (odds ratio, 0.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.6-1.0). This study suggests that genetic polymorphisms in the TYMS or ENOSF1 genes may play a role in the development of endometrial cancer among Chinese women. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(2):579–84)
Telemedicine in Prehospital Stroke Evaluation and Thrombolysis: Taking Stroke Treatment to the Doorstep.

IMPORTANCE Mobile stroke treatment units (MSTUs) with on-site treatment teams that include a vascular neurologist can provide thrombolysis in the prehospital setting faster than treatment in the hospital. These units can be made more resource efficient if the need for an on-site neurologist can be eliminated by relying solely on telemedicine for physician presence. OBJECTIVE To test whether telemedicine is reliable and remote physician presence is adequate for acute stroke treatment using an MSTU. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective observational study conducted between July 18 and November 1, 2014. The dates of the study analysis were November 1, 2014, to March 30, 2015. The setting was a community-based study assessing telemedicine success of the MSTU in Cleveland, Ohio. Participants were the first 100 residents of Cleveland who had an acute onset of stroke-like symptoms between 8 am and 8 pm and were evaluated by the MSTU after the implementation of the MSTU program at the Cleveland Clinic. A vascular neurologist evaluated the first 100 patients via telemedicine, and a neuroradiologist remotely assessed images obtained by mobile computed tomography (CT). Data were entered into the medical record and a prospective registry. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The study compared the evaluation and treatment of patients on the MSTU with a control group of patients brought to the emergency department via ambulance during the same year. Process times were measured from the time the patient entered the door of the MSTU or emergency department, and any problems encountered during his or her evaluation were recorded. RESULTS Ninety-nine of 100 patients were evaluated successfully. The median duration of telemedicine evaluation was 20 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 14-27 minutes). One connection failure was due to crew error, and the patient was transported to the nearest emergency department. There were 6 telemedicine disconnections, none of which lasted longer than 60 seconds or affected clinical care. Times from the door to CT completion (13 minutes [IQR, 9-21 minutes]) and from the door to intravenous thrombolysis (32 minutes [IQR, 24-47 minutes]) were significantly shorter in the MSTU group compared with the control group (18 minutes [IQR, 12-26 minutes] and 58 minutes [IQR, 53-68 minutes], respectively). Times to CT interpretation did not differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE An MSTU using telemedicine is feasible, with a low rate of technical failure, and may provide an avenue for reducing the high cost of such systems.
Response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from lupus patients to stimulation by CpG oligodeoxynucleotides.

OBJECTIVES Increased levels of hypomethylated CpG-containing DNA in sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may contribute to the initiation and/or perpetuation of the disease. This study characterizes the in vitro response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from SLE patients to CpG DNA. METHODS Secretion of cytokines and IgM, cell proliferation and up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules were evaluated in PBMC from SLE patients (n=24) and normal controls (n=24) after stimulation with synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) containing CpG motifs. RESULTS Up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules and the secretion of interferon-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in response to CpG ODN was significantly reduced in monocytes and dendritic cells from SLE patients. Secretion of interferon-gamma by natural killer (NK) cells was also reduced. In contrast, the IgM and IL-10 response of B cells to CpG ODN was normal. CONCLUSION Monocytes, dendritic cells and NK cells from SLE patients respond abnormally to CpG ODN stimulation, which may contribute to the cytokine imbalance observed in SLE.
Diagnosis of Invasive Pneumococcal Infection by Serotype-Specific Urinary Antigen Detection

ABSTRACT Widespread use of conjugate pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein vaccines may alter the spectrum of pneumococci producing invasive disease. Novel sensitive diagnostic methods would be valuable for monitoring the epidemiology of pneumococcal disease within populations and vaccine recipients. Ideally, these methods should allow determination of the serotype of the infecting clone. Serotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for 13 capsular polysaccharides (types 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) were developed. Experiments with pure capsular polysaccharide demonstrated that the assays were sensitive (0.01 to 1.0 ng/ml) and specific. These assays were used to detect capsular polysaccharide in urine from 263 adult patients with proven (blood culture-positive) invasive pneumococcal disease and pneumonia of unknown etiology and from patients with positive blood cultures yielding bacteria other than pneumococci (control group). Among 76 patients with invasive pneumococcal disease from whom blood culture isolates had been serotyped, 62 (82%) had infections with pneumococci of serotypes represented in the ELISA panel. Capsular antigen matching the serotype of the blood culture isolate was detected in the urine of 52 of these patients, giving a sensitivity of 83.9% for the target serotypes. The tests were significantly more sensitive for urine from patients with pneumococcal pneumonia (89.8%) than for urine from patients with nonpneumonic invasive infection (61.5%; P < 0.05). Data from the control group indicated a specificity of 98.8%. These assays should prove valuable in epidemiological investigation of invasive pneumococcal infection in adults, particularly if combined with a sensitive C-polysaccharide detection assay to screen for positive samples.