Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mitochondrial DNA clone is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer disease.

Severe mitochondrial genetic mutations lead to early degeneration of specific human tissues; milder mitochondrial mutations may cause degeneration at a later point in life. A mutation at position 4336 was reported to occur at increased frequency in individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease [Shoffner, J. M. , Brown, M. D. , Torroni, A. , Lott, M. T. , Cabell, M. F. , Mirra, S. S. , Beal, M. F. , Yang, C. -C. , Gearing, M. , Salvo, R. , Watts, R. L. , Juncos, J. L. , Hansen, L. A. , Crain, B. J., Fayad, M. , Reckord, C. L. & Wallace, D. C. (1993) Genomics 17, 171-184]. We have investigated the notion that this mutation leads to excess risk of AD by using a case-control study design of 72 AD autopsies and 296 race- and age-matched controls. The 4336G mutation occurred at higher frequency in AD autopsies than age-matched controls, a statistically significant difference. Evolutionary analysis of mtDNAs bearing the 4336G mutation indicated they were more closely related to each other than to other mtDNAs, consistent with the model of a single origin for this mutation. The tight evolutionary relatedness and homoplasmy of mtDNAs that confer elevated risk for a late-onset disease contrast strikingly with the distant relatedness and heteroplasmy of mitochondrial genomes that cause early-onset disease. The dichotomy can be explained by a lack of selection against mutations that confer a phenotype at advanced age during most of the evolution of humans. We estimate that approximately 1.5 million Caucasians in the United States bear the 4336G mutation and are at significantly increased risk of developing mitochondrial AD in their lifetime. A mechanism for 4336G-mediated cell death is proposed.
High platelet count associated with venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: results from the Vienna Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS)

Summary. Background: In cancer patients, laboratory parameters that predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) are scarce. Increased platelet count has been found to be a risk factor for VTE in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (CHT). We have assessed high platelet count as a risk predictor for VTE in patients with cancer undergoing discriminative anti‐cancer treatments and investigated whether platelet count correlates with thrombopoietin (TPO) levels. Design and methods: The Cancer and Thrombosis Study (CATS) is an ongoing prospective observational study of patients with newly diagnosed cancer or progression of disease, which started in October 2003. Occurrence of VTE and information on the patients’ anti‐cancer treatment during follow‐up were recorded. Results: Between October 2003 and February 2008, 665 patients with solid tumors were included (314 female/351 male, mean age 62 years). VTE occurred in 44 patients (18 female/26 male, mean age 62 years). The cumulative probability of VTE after 1 year was 34.3% in patients with a platelet count (PC) above the 95th percentile representing 443 × 109/L compared with 5.9% in those below 443 × 109/L. High platelet count [hazard ratio (HR): 3.50, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52–8.06, P = 0.0032], soluble P‐selectin [HR: 2.66, 95% CI: 1.42–4.96, P = 0.0021] and surgery [HR: 4.05, 95% CI: 1.74–9.46, P = 0.0012] were statistically significant risk factors for VTE in multivariable analysis along with leucocyte count, age, gender, radio‐ and CHT. We found no correlation between platelet count and TPO levels. Conclusions: High PC is a clinically important, independent risk predictor for VTE in cancer patients. PC was not found to be associated with TPO levels.
Youth suicide and parasuicide in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION Suicide and parasuicide rates are important markers of the health of a nation. Suicide is a common cause of mortality in youth and parasuicide has its peak prevalence in adolescence and early adulthood. Both pose a tremendous burden to individuals, families and society. Historical and current studies on suicide and parasuicide in Singapore are reviewed and discussed in the light of available worldwide research. METHODS Studies on suicide and parasuicide in Singapore were identified through a MEDLINE search (from 1979). Information from these studies were supplemented with relevant local monographs on suicide and parasuicide. RESULTS Suicide is extremely rare in children under 10 years of age. Rates rise in the 10 to 14 years age group and increase markedly in the 15 to 19 years age group. The male to female ratio is about 2:1 for youths 10 to 14 years old and 1:1 for the 15 to 19 years age group. The historical preponderance of female suicide is much less clearly seen in recent years. Jumping from a height is the commonest method used, and mental illness and recent life stress are common causative factors. A peak in suicides in the young was found for June and October, and a trough for November and December. Parasuicide is extremely rare in children under 10 years of age. There was a peak in the months of October and November in the student population, corresponding to the examination months. Youths of Indian ethnicity were over-represented. CONCLUSIONS Preventing suicide and parasuicide is of paramount importance, given the severe burden of such acts on individuals, families and society. Current studies on youth suicide in Singapore and a national study on parasuicide are urgently needed to increase our understanding of these phenomena.
Heat stability of Mycobacterium leprae immunogenicity

The protection provided to mice by vaccines administered intradermally was measured after footpad challenge with Mycobacterium leprae. The protection offered by M. leprae suspensions was not decreased when the vaccines were killed by 60 degrees C heat or at the higher temperatures tested, which included 215 degrees C (autoclave). Even highly purified suspensions retained their immunogenicity. In contrast, the vaccine protection provided by intradermal M. bovis (strain BCG) was markedly reduced when heated to 60 degrees C. The enlargement of the lymph nodes regional to the intradermal vaccines was measured and found generally to parallel the vaccine protection provided by M. leprae and by BCG.
Correcting for artifacts in complex aqueous solutions when using the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)- 5-(and -6)carboxyfluorescein.

The pH-sensitive fluorescent indicator dye 2', 7'-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)-5-(and -6)carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) is routinely used to measure intracellular pH within cells. Surprisingly, no studies have been performed to see if various solution parameters modulate the fluorescence intensity of BCECF even though viscosity artifacts have been reported for particular Ca2+ selective dyes. In this report we demonstrate that even minor increases in the concentration of a number of different agents significantly decrease the excitation fluorescence intensity at two wavelengths routinely used to determine solution pH. Solution viscosity was varied using a number of different agents including glycerol, sucrose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and methylcellulose. In general, there was a detectable and significant decrease in the maximum fluorescence excitation ratio as the viscosity was increased, although the effect was more dramatic with Newtonian solutions than with non-Newtonian solutions. This same general effect was seen at pH 6.5, 7.0, and 7.3, a range of pH levels where BCECF is found to be particularly sensitive. To correct for these artifactually low values we used different combinations of excitation wavelengths to determine which could be used to accurately measure pH while minimizing the artifact. Choosing excitation wavelengths so that excitation ratios were collected at 470 and 435 nm allowed a significant signal to quantitatively measure pH while the artifact was nearly abolished.
THE ROLE OF PARTNERSHIP INSTITUTE IN PROMOTING THE SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGION

It is proved the value of the social infrastructure for the reproduction processes and showed the relationship of its functions with the principles of sustainable development. It is made the conclusion about the existence of regional differences in the state of infrastructure and about the presence of inconsistencies between the industrial and social development of regions. It is made the quantitative assessment of the damages resulting from the destruction of social infrastructure in the Donetsk region in the course of the antiterrorist operation. It is showed the limitations of budgetary framework for the financing of reconstruction and development of social infrastructure in the present situation. It is proved a proposal of the use of public-private partnership as a model of the gathering of sources and the coordination of the interests of the members of the social services market. It is analyzed the economic nature of the partnership and the gained experience of its development. It is identified barriers to the development of long-term forms of public-private partnership in Ukraine and offered recommendations for the elimination of this barriers. It is concluded that there is a necessity of the institutional changes and amendments to the legal framework regulating relations of public-private partnership at the level of local councils and central government bodies
Toxocariasis associated with chronic cough in childhood: a longitudinal study in Hungary

Abstract Chronic cough lasting 8 weeks or more often seems to be an intractable problem in childhood. Toxocara infection is associated with an increased prevalence of airway symptoms and may be the possible aetiological agent of chronic cough. Of 425 children aged 2–17 years with chronic cough who were investigated for toxocariasis and the distribution of bronchial asthma (BA), cough variant asthma (CVA) and non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB), 136 (32%) were seropositive for Toxocara canis antigens. Ninety-three of the 136 were adequately assessed, diagnosed and followed up during 1 year. BA was diagnosed in 40%, CVA in 27% and NAEB in 33% of the children. The eosinophil cell count, serum T. canis IgG levels and symptoms are predictors of the improvement or the decline of the condition. Presuming the aetiopathogenetic role of T. canis in the inflammatory process of chronic cough, we treated the children not only with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), but also with a 1-week course of anthelminthics. We could significantly decrease the dose of ICS in 23 (62%) of the 37 with BA. The administration of anthelminthics and the avoidance of sensitizers were sufficient for those with NAEB; none needed ICS. ICS therapy could be stopped 2–3 months later in 17 (68%) of the 25 with CVA. We found that 8 of the 25 with CVA (32%) presented asthmatic symptoms at the end of the 1-year period. In Hungary, T. canis may be a potential sensitizer for chronic cough in seropositive children. Deworming therapy will then alleviate the airway symptoms without exacerbation in patients with BA, and have a positive effect on those with NAEB and the majority of those with CVA.
Distributed algorithm for K-entries to critical section based on the directed graphs

This paper proposes a token based mutual exclusion algorithm for distributed systems that allows K simultaneous entries to a critical section. In the algorithm, a logical directed graph is maintained in a connected network.This algorithm does not use sequence numbers, and the number of messages required to provide mutual exclusion, is between 0 and 2*(N-l) where N is the number of processes in the network.
The APG8/12-activating Enzyme APG7 Is Required for Proper Nutrient Recycling and Senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana *

The vacuole/lysosome serves an important recycling function during starvation and senescence in eukaryotes via a process called autophagy. Here bulk cytosolic constituents and organelles become sequestered in specialized autophagic vesicles, which then deliver their cargo to the vacuole for degradation. In yeasts, genetic screens have identified two novel post-translational modification pathways remarkably similar to ubiquitination that are required for autophagy. From searches of the Arabidopsisgenome, we have identified gene families encoding proteins related to both the APG8 and −12 polypeptide tags and orthologs for all components required for their attachment. A single APG7gene encodes the ATP-dependent activating enzyme that initiates both conjugation pathways. Phenotypic analysis of anAPG7 disruption indicates that it is not essential for normal growth and development in Arabidopsis. However, theapg7-1 mutant is hypersensitive to nutrient limiting conditions and displays premature leaf senescence. mRNAs for both APG7 and APG8 preferentially accumulate as leaves senesce, suggesting that both conjugation pathways are up-regulated during the senescence syndrome. These findings show that the APG8/12 conjugation pathways have been conserved in plants and may have important roles in autophagic recycling, especially during situations that require substantial nitrogen and carbon mobilization.
Regulation of insecticidal crystal protein production in Bacillus thuringiensis

The production of insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) in Bacillus thuringiensis normally coincides with sporulation, resulting in the appearance of parasporal crystalline inclusions within the mother cell. In most instances, the temporal and spatial regulation of ICP gene expression is determined at the transcriptional level by mother‐cell‐specific sigma factors that share homology with σE and σK from Bacillus subtilis. The crylll ICP genes are a notable exception; these genes are transcribed from σA‐like promoters during vegetative growth, are induced or derepressed at the onset of stationary phase, and are overexpressed in sporulation mutants of B. thuringiensis blocked in the phosphorylation of Spo0A, a key regulator of sporulation initiation. Transcription alone, however, cannot account for the impressive ability of this bacterium to accumulate insecticidal proteins. A variety of post‐transcriptional and post‐translational mechanisms also contribute to the efficient production of ICPs in B. thuringiensis, thus making this bacterium a cost‐effective biological control agent.
Model-based prediction of a percutaneous ventricular assist device performance

A percutaneous ventricular assist system is an external heart assist device that bypasses blood from the left atrium and returns it to the femoral artery to support patients who suffer from acute heart failure. The system consists of a centrifugal blood pump, an atrial drainage cannula, and various sizes of arterial perfusion cannula. Because the device allows cardiologists the freedom choosing the arterial cannula based on a patient's body size, it is extremely difficult but important to predict the level of support the device can provide to the patient before the devise is up and running. In this paper, the TandemHeart pVAD (Cardiacassist Inc. Pittsburgh, PA) is modeled as a nonlinear electric circuit, including a speed dependent voltage source and current dependent resistors to predict the performance of the system by specifying pump speed, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and mean left atrial pressure (LAP). The model structure is developed based upon the pipeline theory while the model parameters are identified by least-squares fit of the model to the experimental data. The flow rate is predicted by solving a quadratic equation while coefficients in the equation are scaled, depending on the arterial cannula configurations. The model can predict the flow rates accurately with error indices of all test conditions less than 6%, comparing the predicted flow from the model with the experimental data.
Vanishing tumors of thyroid: histological variations after fine needle aspiration.

BACKGROUND Fine needle aspiration (FNA) can lead to changes that extensively replace cytological confirmed thyroid lesions. These lesions, so called "vanishing tumors" can be diagnostically challenging to pathologists and therapeutically challenging for endocrinologists and surgeons. We performed a retrospective analysis to identify these tumors. METHODS Data of 656 patients referred for thyroid surgery was reviewed. Patients with suspicious lesions on neck ultrasound (US) underwent FNA. We compared FNA cytological and surgical pathological findings to identify vanishing tumors. FNA-induced changes such as cystic degeneration, hemorrhage, calcification, cholesterol crystals, fibrosis and granulation tissue were identified. RESULTS Seventeen patients (2.5%) were identified with vanishing tumors. FNA cytology was indeterminate in seven (41.1%) and benign in ten (58.8%) patients. Surgical pathology in all nodules showed regressive changes partially or entirely replacing the tumor. The mean size of vanishing tumors was 2.4±1.5 cm in greatest dimension. Seven nodules (41.1%) were entirely replaced while remaining ten nodules showed partial replacement of tumors. Three (17.6%) nodules had focal areas of optically clear nuclei suspicious of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC); one showed an additional focus of follicular neoplasm (FN) of uncertain malignant potential. CONCLUSIONS FNA-induced changes can lead to obliteration of nodules rendering pathological diagnosis with no evidence of confirmed lesions. Pathologists and surgeons should be aware of this challenging scenario.
Analysis Of Two Years Cases Of Ectopic Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of pregnancy related deaths in the first trimester. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods and site of ectopic pregnancy. METHODS This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Gynaecology and Obstetrical Unit-A of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad from 1st October 2013 to 31st October 2015. All women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy were included in the study. A predesigned proforma was used to record the details about demographic features, risk factors, clinical features at presentation, diagnostic methods and site of ectopic pregnancy. RESULTS Out of total 6675 patients admitted during the study period, 45 cases of ectopic pregnancy were diagnosed with frequency of ectopic pregnancy to be 0.65%. Mean age of the patients was 28.98±5.525. Majority of patients were primigravida14 (31.3%), 9 (20.0%) gravida 2, 5 (11.1%) gravida 3, 4 (8.8%) gravida 4, 7 (15.5%) gravida 5, 6 (13.3%) found grand multi out of total 45 ectopic pregnancies, 45% of the patients had no identifiable risk factors, however history of infertility 20 (22.22%), history of Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) 10 (22.22%), previous ectopic 2 (4.44%) and previous abdominal pelvic surgery 3 (6.67%) were identified as common risk factors of 45 ectopic pregnancies. Out of total 45 sufferers 23 (51.11%) were clinically diagnosed, 20 (44.44%) through abdominal ultrasound and 2 (4.44%) through transvaginal ultrasound. The most frequent clinical presentation was amenorrhea 30 (66.67%) followed by abdominal pain 28 (62.22%), irregular vaginal bleeding 18 (40.00%), asymptomatic patients with routine ultrasound 18 (40.0%) and 10 (22.22%) presented in shock. Twenty-eight (62.2%) of the ectopic pregnancies were found in right sided fallopian tube and 17(37.8%) were found in left sided fallopian tube. The commonest site of ectopic pregnancy was ampulla 29 (64.44%) followed by 11 (24.44%) Isthmus, 4 (8.89%) fimbrial end and 1 (2.22%) were rudimentary horn of uterus out of total 45 ectopic pregnancies. Evidence of 32 (71.1%) patients with ruptured ectopic was recorded. Thirteen (28.9%) were unruptured ectopic. CONCLUSIONS Amenorrhea and abdominal pain are the most consistent features of ectopic pregnancy.
Nepalese Schoolchildren as Research Participants: Challenges in Qualitative Research

The present research explores the potential methodological challenges in conducting qualitative fieldwork using schoolgirls in Nepal as participants. It particularly focuses on the logistic, academic, and social challenges that impact on the scholarly inquiry into aspects of schooling and the wider society in rural Nepal. The participants in this study were schoolgirls, and school drop-outs girls (12 - 16 years old), from Dalit community in Nepal. Schoolchildren, both in school and school drop-outs particularly girls, are an invaluable source of information on society and schooling. Although school-aged girls have the right to express their views, perceptions, opinions, and competencies, as much as adults do. However, their participation in research activities has been very rare in Nepal. This research applies various methodological tools to carry out this qualitative study in the school setting in Nepal and highlights the challenges associated with these methodologies, particularly the challenges related to confidentiality and interactions when using children as research participants.
Interdependence, asymmetric crises, and European defence cooperation

ABSTRACT Although international crises are often believed to represent windows of opportunity to strengthen European defence cooperation, recent crises have not seemed to produce a clear convergence of European Union (EU) member states’ security interests. This article seeks to address this puzzle by arguing that European defence cooperation is a response to crises that place European states in a situation of military interdependence. Conversely, asymmetric crises, i.e. crises that affect European states unevenly, encourage those states to maintain their autonomy of action. This theoretical argument is supported by two case studies: the failure of the European Defence Community in the early 1950s and the current difficulties experienced by the EU’s military operations. These two cases illustrate a striking continuity in that, because of (neo)colonial ties in particular, European states are often unevenly affected by international crises, which tends to make defence cooperation less effective.
Inhibition of Neuronal Cell Mitochondrial Complex I with Rotenone Increases Lipid β-Oxidation, Supporting Acetyl-Coenzyme A Levels*

Background: Rotenone exposure is associated with Parkinson disease in humans and rodents, although the exact mechanism remains unknown. Results: Rotenone increased lipid breakdown and glutamine utilization. Conclusion: Metabolic shifts compensated for impaired energy production in response to rotenone. Significance: Metabolic abnormalities associated with mitochondrial dysfunction may play an important role in the development of neurodegeneration. Rotenone is a naturally occurring mitochondrial complex I inhibitor with a known association with parkinsonian phenotypes in both human populations and rodent models. Despite these findings, a clear mechanistic link between rotenone exposure and neuronal damage remains to be determined. Here, we report alterations to lipid metabolism in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to rotenone. The absolute levels of acetyl-CoA were found to be maintained despite a significant decrease in glucose-derived acetyl-CoA. Furthermore, palmitoyl-CoA levels were maintained, whereas the levels of many of the medium-chain acyl-CoA species were significantly reduced. Additionally, using isotopologue analysis, we found that β-oxidation of fatty acids with varying chain lengths helped maintain acetyl-CoA levels. Rotenone also induced increased glutamine utilization for lipogenesis, in part through reductive carboxylation, as has been found previously in other cell types. Finally, palmitoylcarnitine levels were increased in response to rotenone, indicating an increase in fatty acid import. Taken together, these findings show that alterations to lipid and glutamine metabolism play an important compensatory role in response to complex I inhibition by rotenone.