Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subepithelial Corneal Amyloid Deposits in a Case of Congenital Glaucoma: A Case Report

Purpose. To report a rare association of subepithelial amyloid deposits in a long-standing case of congenital glaucoma. Methods. A 5-year-old girl was brought to the emergency service with complaints of bleeding from the left eye after injury to the eye with the door handle. Parents gave history of enlarged black portion of the eye since birth with increasing white opacity from the age of 6 months. On examination under general anesthesia, the left eye showed a limbal tear extending from 7 to 3.30 o'clock position and uveal prolapse. The right eye showed corneal edema, megalocornea, central white raised plaque, and high intraocular pressure. A diagnosis of bilateral congenital glaucoma with open globe injury, left eye, corneal scarring with degeneration, right eye was made and was advised enucleation. The enucleated eye was submitted for routine histologic examination. At a 3-year follow-up, there was an increase in the corneal scarring, with no significant improvement in vision. The child refused keratoplasty and was referred to low vision centre for visual rehabilitation. Results. The enucleated eye was distorted and filled with blood. The cornea showed confluent pink homogenous wavy deposits in the subepithelial region. These deposits appeared brick red with Congo Red stain and showed apple green birefringence when viewed under polarized filters, confirming the amyloid nature of the deposits. There was loss of ganglion cell layer in the detached retina. Conclusion. The subepithelial amyloid deposits, presumably bilateral, in advanced case of congenital glaucoma were possibly secondary to the long-standing edema, scarring and vascularization. These secondary changes should be kept in mind as they could contribute to further deterioration in vision in advanced cases.
Dominant role for osmolality in the efficacy of glucose and glycine‐containing oral rehydration solutions: studies in a rat model of secretory diarrhoea

The effect of osmolality on the efficacy of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and the contribution of the amino acid glycine to water absorption from ORS have been studied in an animal model of secretory diarrhoea. After exposure to pure cholera toxin, rat small intestine (excluding the duodenum) was perfused in situ with seven different ORS. All ORS were derived from a “basic” solution containing Na 50, K 25, Cl 75 and glucose 50 mmol/l to which 25 or 50 mmol/l of glycine, glucose, or mannitol was added. All ORS reversed water secretion to absorption, but maximum water absorption was obtained with the “basic” solution with an osmolality of 200 mOsm/kg. When the osmolality of the “basic” solution was raised to 225 and 250 mOsm/kg by adding mannitol, water absorption decreased. At each of these osmolalities, substitution of mannitol by glycine or glucose resulted in similar increases in water absorption, but all modifications compared unfavourably with the “basic” solution. Net sodium secretion occurred with all ORS tested, despite net water absorption. These findings in a perfusion model of rat small intestine suggest that osmolality is a key factor influencing the efficacy of ORS and that addition of a second substrate, such as glycine, has no beneficial effects. Our results suggest that there is a maximal rate for water absorption from the small intestine which is inversely related to the osmolality of the perfusate.
An investigation into general practitioners associated with high patient mortality flagged up through the Shipman inquiry: retrospective analysis of routine data

Abstract Objective To identify a credible explanation for the excessively high mortality associated with general practitioners who were flagged up by the Shipman inquiry. Design Retrospective analysis of routine data. Setting Primary care. Participants Two general practitioners in the West Midlands who were associated with an unacceptably high mortality of patients during 1993-2000. Main outcome measures Observed and expected number of deaths and deaths in nursing homes. Results Preliminary discussions with the general practitioners highlighted deaths in nursing homes as a possible explanatory factor. No relation was found between the expected number of deaths and deaths in nursing homes in each year during 1993-2000 for either general practitioner. In contrast, the magnitude and shape of the curves of a cumulative sum plot for excess number of deaths (observed minus expected) in each year were closely mirrored by the magnitude and shape of the curves of the number of patients dying in nursing homes; and this was reflected in the high correlations (R2 = 0.87 and 0.89) between excess mortality and the number of deaths in nursing homes in each year for the general practitioners. These findings were supported by administrative data. Conclusions The excessively high mortality associated with two general practitioners was credibly explained by a nursing home effect. General practitioners associated with high patient mortality, albeit after sophisticated statistical analysis, should not be labelled as having poor performance but instead should be considered as a signal meriting scientific investigation.
Bupropion-induced hypomania in a patient with unipolar depression

Antidepressant-induced switch episodes of hypomania/mania can occur in patients with bipolar depression [1]. Such switch episodes occur much less commonly in unipolar depression [2]. Although all antidepressants have been implicated, bupropion is thought to carry much less risk [3,4]. Contrary to this belief, we present a case that highlights bupropioninduced hypomania in a patient with unipolar depression. This is, to our knowledge, the first such reported case. The patient, a 31-year-old woman, had been under our treatment due to a 3 month history of depressed mood, impaired concentration, worthlessness, disturbed sleep and loss of appetite. Past history was suggestive of chronic depression successfully treated with antidepressant monotherapy. No previous trial of mood stabilizers was reported. The patient admitted to two previous suicide attempts but denied any current suicidal thoughts. The patient did not report any previous episode of hypomania/mania. Historically or at the time of assessment there were no delusions or hallucinations. The patient had an extensive family history of psychiatric problems. Her biological mother and sister as well as all of her children were suffering from unipolar depression. There was no family history of bipolar illness. General physical examination and all relevant laboratory investigations including thyroid function were within normal limits. The patient was diagnosed with unipolar depression and started on bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, GlaxoSmithKline, Memphis, TN, USA) 150 mg day . When seen at follow up after 3 weeks of treatment, the patient reported significant improvement in her symptoms of depression. She reported euthymic mood, improvement in concentration, no anhedonia and some improvement in sleep and appetite. The patient reported no side-effects from medications. But 5 weeks after starting bupropion the patient reported elated mood, increased energy level, decreased need for sleep, and racing thoughts. During assessment the patient seem restless and was pacing all around the interview room (psychomotor agitation). She reported no grandiose or other delusions but scored 9 on the Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale [5] (score 6 suggests hypomania or mania), and the patient met DSM-IV criteria for hypomania. We decided to stop bupropion. Two weeks later the hypomanic symptoms subsided (Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale score 5) and the patient’s mood reverted to euthymia. It was obvious that the patient had had an episode of medication-induced hypomania. On follow up the patient continues to be treated for unipolar depression only, with a history of medication-induced hypomania. In light of the aforementioned findings we emphasize the need for prescribers to maintain a high index of suspicion regarding medication-induced hypomania, even with regard to bupropion, and even when the patient has unipolar depression only.
An Essential Yeast Gene Encoding a Homolog of Ubiquitin-activating Enzyme (*)

Ubiquitin (Ub) activation by the Ub-activating (E1) enzyme is the initial and essential step common to all of the known processes that involve post-translational conjugation of Ub to itself or other proteins. The “activated” Ub, linked via a thioester bond to a specific cysteine residue of E1 enzyme, can be transferred to a cysteine residue in one of several Ub-conjugating (E2) enzymes, which catalyze the formation of isopeptide bonds between the C-terminal glycine of Ub and lysine residues of acceptor proteins. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a 114-kDa E1 enzyme is encoded by an essential gene termed UBA1 (McGrath, J. P., Jentsch, S., and Varshavsky, A.(1991) EMBO J. 10, 227-236). We describe the isolation and analysis of another essential gene, termed UBA2, that encodes a 71-kDa protein with extensive sequence similarities to both the UBA1-encoded yeast E1 and E1 enzymes of other organisms. The regions of similarities between Uba1p and Uba2p encompass a putative ATP-binding site as well as a sequence that is highly conserved between the known E1 enzymes and contains the active-site cysteine of E1. This cysteine is shown to be required for an essential function of Uba2p, suggesting that Uba2p-catalyzed reactions involve a transient thioester bond between Uba2p and either Ub or another protein. Uba2p is located largely in the nucleus. The putative nuclear localization signal of Uba2p is near its C terminus. The Uba1p (E1 enzyme) and Uba2p cannot complement each others essential functions even if their subcellular localization is altered by mutagenesis. Uba2p appears to interact with itself and several other S. cerevisiae proteins with apparent molecular masses of 52, 63, 87, and 120 kDa. Uba2p is multiubiquitinated in vivo, suggesting that at least a fraction of Uba2p is metabolically unstable. Uba2p is likely to be a component of the Ub system that functions as either an E2 or E1/E2 enzyme.
Use of automatic tube current modulation with a standardized noise index in young children undergoing chest computed tomography scans with 64-slice multidetector computed tomography

Background: The automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) technique is available on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners, and its dose reduction benefits in clinical applications have been documented primarily in adult patients. Purpose: To evaluate the use of ATCM to reduce radiation dose while maintaining consistent image quality for young children undergoing 64-slice MDCT chest scans. Material and Methods: Chest scans (120 kV, small-scan field of view, 5-mm image slice thickness) were performed for 50 consecutive young children (0.2–3 years) using 64-slice volume computed tomography (VCT) with ATCM method and a noise index (NI) of either 8 or 9, depending on the patient's age. The scanner automatically selected the actual tube current based on NI values and patient attenuation as determined by scout scans for the study group. Image quality and volume-weighted CT dose index (CTDIvol) values (measured with small-scan field of view and 16-cm diameter CTDI phantom) were compared with images from a control group of 50 children acquired earlier using a standard protocol with fixed tube current. Two experienced pediatric radiologists assessed image quality, including resolution, noise, and artifacts, on a five-point scale. Scores greater than or equal to 3 were considered to be clinically acceptable. Results: The mean image quality score and CTDIvol for the study and control groups were 3.46 and 2.34±0.71 mGy, and 4.65 and 6.68±0.62 mGy, respectively. While there was a statistically significant decrease in image quality in the study group, all studies had acceptable image quality, and CTDIvol with ATCM was about 65% lower than that with fixed tube current. The average image noise for the control group was 4.78±0.58, versus 7.53±0.42 and 8.28±0.40 for children under and above 1 year of age, respectively, in the study group. Despite a higher average noise level, the study group with ATCM demonstrated a lower standard deviation of image noise. Conclusion: The z-axis ATCM method produces consistent image quality for young children undergoing 64-slice MDCT chest scans. With noise levels of NI=8 and 9 at 5-mm image slice thickness, one may obtain clinically acceptable images with significantly reduced radiation dose.
Standar Etika Bagi Perusahaan Yang Menggunakan Media Sosial Sebagai Enterprise's Official Presence

Kemudahan fitur adalah salah satu alasan Perusahaan menggunakan media sosial. Tetapi semua desain tersebut belum membahas mengenai risiko privasi berkaitan dengan publikasi di internet. Perlu ada standar etika bagi Perusahaan dalam menggunakan media sosial. Pengelolaan media sosial yang baik akan mengurangi risiko yang berpotensi merusak citra Perusahaan. Untuk menyusun standar, dilakukan survei ke beberapa Perusahaan yang sudah menggunakan media sosial. Hasil survei menyebutkan bahwa Perusahaan menyadari adanya risiko yang perlu diperhatikan ketika menggunakan media sosial. Risiko yang muncul dari penggunaan media sosial adalah risiko reputasi, risiko privasi, risiko keamanan, risiko hukum, dan risiko waktu. Beberapa Perusahaan bahkan telah memiliki langkah untuk memitigasi risiko-risiko tersebut. Dari tiga risiko yang sudah didefinisikan di atas, yaitu risiko reputasi, risiko privasi, dan risiko hukum, kemudian disusun standar etika penggunaan media sosial bagi Perusahaan. Standar ini digunakan sebagai pedoman penggunaan media sosial bagi Perusahaan, agar penggunaan media sosial sesuai dengan sasaran yang diharapkan Perusahaan.
Emotional incontinence and executive function in ischemic stroke: A case-controlled study

Abstract Frontal and basal ganglia infarcts and executive dysfunction are thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of poststroke emotional incontinence (PSEI). The study examined whether patients with PSEI have more frontal and/or basal ganglia infarcts and impairment in executive function. A total of 516 Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke consecutively admitted to the acute stroke unit of a university-affiliated regional hospital in Hong Kong were screened for PSEI 3 months after the index stroke. According to Kim’s criteria, 39 (7.6%) had PSEI. Thirty-nine stroke patients without PSEI served as matched control group. The PSEI group had significantly more frontal and/or basal ganglia infarcts, had lower Chinese Frontal Assessment Battery scores, required more time to complete the Stroop Test, and made more omission and commission errors in the Go–NoGo test. There was no significant correlation between frontal or basal ganglia infarcts and executive function. The correlation between frontal infarct and severity of PSEI was . 420. Further follow-up and functional imaging studies are warranted to explore the relationship between PSEI, brain infarcts, and executive dysfunction. (JINS, 2009, 15, 62–68.)
Characteristics of homeless HIV-positive outreach responders in urban US and their success in primary care treatment

Abstract Homeless HIV+ persons with persistent mental illness and substance use disorders need services, but are hard to reach and enrol into treatment. Connecting them to services is a major challenge of the AIDS epidemic. This report describes characteristics of homeless HIV+ substance abusers who responded to outreach and enrolled in integrated treatment services. The target population was urban, homeless, HIV+ individuals with substance dependence and/or mental illness diagnoses. Health and physical functioning were measured using a refinement of the Medical Outcomes Study Health Survey. Questions based on the PRIME-MD measured subjects’ mental health status. Outreach occurred at shelters, soup kitchens, and on the streets. The outreach team consisted of a nurse, substance abuse counsellor, and a formerly homeless person. Outreach contacted 3,059 individuals; 1,446 entered the clinic, 110 of 206 eligible candidates enrolled in the study, and 82.7% of study participants completed 12-month follow-up interviews. Enrollees exhibited 5th percentile composite health scores. They reported heavy street drug use and unmet service needs particularly for housing and financial assistance. Outreach successfully recruited targeted individuals into treatment. They stayed in treatment and demonstrated improvements on measures of physical and mental health 12-months later.
Adult stem cell homing and differentiation in vitro on composite fibrin matrix

Abstract. Strategies to generate differentiated cells from haematopoetic progenitor cells will enhance potential use of adult stem cells for therapeutic transplantation or tissue engineering. Transplantation of undifferentiated stem cells into recipient tissue hinges on the hypothesis of a milieu dependent differentiation and it has been suggested that a clot‐equivalent scaffold is crucial for these circulating cells to anchor and multiply. Here a natural scaffold, fibrin along with fibronectin, gelatin and growth factors has been used to induce endothelial progenitor cells and smooth muscle progenitor cells to differentiate into endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, respectively, from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Characteristics of endothelial cells have been verified by the detection of mRNA for and immunostaining the cells for von Willebrand factor, uptake of acetylated low‐density lipoproteins and measurement of released nitric oxide in the culture medium, as nitrite. The specific molecules that characterized smooth muscle cells were alpha smooth muscle actin and calponin, besides deposition of collagen type I and elastin, onto the culture matrix. The adhesive proteins used for the fabrication of endothelial progenitor cells matrix and smooth muscle progenitor cells matrix were the same, but specific differentiation was brought about by modulating the growth factor composition in the matrix and in the culture medium. Both endothelial and smooth muscle cells were consistently developed from 20 ml of human blood.
Changes in volatile aroma compounds of organic fragrant rice during storage under different conditions.

BACKGROUND Aroma of fragrant rice greatly affects palatability as well as consumer acceptability. Loss of desirable volatile compounds such as 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) and increase in volatile lipid oxidation products in aged rice have been reported. The aim of this study was to monitor the changes in key volatile compounds of organic red fragrant rice cv. Hom Daeng during storage. Effects of packaging material, storage temperature and time were evaluated using solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. RESULTS Thirteen key volatile compounds including ten lipid oxidation products were monitored. For samples vacuum packed in Nylon/LLDPE pouches at ambient temperature, significant increases in hexanal, 2-pentylfuran, 1-octanol and 4-vinyl guaiacol and significant decreases in 2-AP and geranyl acetone were found after the second month (P< or =0.05). Vacuum packing in OPP/Al/LLDPE pouches or storage at 15 degrees C better retarded the formation of volatile lipid oxidation products and greater retained desirable odorants, including 2-AP. However, accumulation of lipid oxidation products and 4-vinyl guaiacol was apparent after the sixth month under these storage conditions. CONCLUSION A greater extent and higher rate of undesirable changes in volatile compounds were found in samples stored under Nylon/LLDPE/ambient temperature condition. Nevertheless, this condition is acceptable for the retail trade of organic rice in Thailand. Storage conditions using reduced temperature or better packaging materials may be more appropriate for exported rice or superior-grade fragrant rice to better maintain the desirable rice aroma.
Multiple Biological Activities of the Mammalian Protein Hap46/BAG-1

Summary One of the most prominent features of the mammalian protein Hap46/BAG-1M and its isoforms is the ability to form complexes with an enormous variety of unrelated proteins. In the majority of these interactions, however, molecular chaperones of the hsp70 heat shock protein family are the primary interaction partners which themselves are able to bind very different protein structures by making use of their respective substratebinding domains. The carboxy terminal portion of Hap46/BAG-1M and its isoforms, called the BAG domain, interacts with the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding domain of hsp70 chaperones and thereby affects their protein folding activities. On the other hand, the amino terminal region of Hap46/BAG-1M, rich in basic amino acid residues, mediates the binding to DNA which, however, has no nucleotide sequence specificity. Hap46/BAG-1M can simultaneously interact with DNA and a chaperone of the hsp70 family. Importantly, Hap46/BAG-1M and the larger isoform Hap50/BAG-1L are able to stimulate transcription in vitro and upon overexpression in intact cells, and both the DNA binding region as well as the BAG domain participate in this effect. A model discusses how such stimulation of transcription may occur molecularly. Increased transcriptional activity in cells expressing high levels of Hap46/BAG-1M and the large isoform Hap50/BAG-1L is related to positive effects on proliferation and survival of such cells. Thus, Hap46/BAG-1M and Hap50/BAG-1L now gain significance as tumor markers.
A Nine-transmembrane Domain Topology for Presenilin 1*

Presenilin (PS) provides the catalytic core of the γ-secretase complex. γ-Secretase activity leads to generation of the amyloid β-peptide, a key event implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. PS has ten hydrophobic regions, which can all theoretically form membrane-spanning domains. Various topology models have been proposed, and the prevalent view holds that PS has an eight-transmembrane (TM) domain organization; however, the precise topology has not been unequivocally determined. Previous topological studies are based on non-functional truncated variants of PS proteins fused to reporter domains, or immunocytochemical staining. In this study, we used a more subtle N-linked glycosylation scanning approach, which allowed us to assess the topology of functional PS1 molecules. Glycosylation acceptor sequences were introduced into full-length human PS1, and the results showed that the first hydrophilic loop is oriented toward the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the N terminus and large hydrophilic loop are in the cytosol. Although this is in accordance with most current models, our data unexpectedly revealed that the C terminus localized to the luminal side of the endoplasmic reticulum. Additional studies on the glycosylation pattern after TM domain deletions, combined with computer-based TM protein topology predictions and biotinylation assays of different PS1 mutants, led us to conclude that PS1 has nine TM domains and that the C terminus locates to the lumen/extracellular space.