Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel mutation in major intrinsic protein of the lens gene (MIP) underlies autosomal dominant cataract in a Chinese family.

PURPOSE To identify the causitive mutation in a five-generation family with autosomal dominant congenital total cataract. METHODS Clinical and ophthalmological examinations were performed on the affected and unaffected family members. All the members were genotyped with microsatellite markers at loci that were considered to be associated with cataracts. Linkage analysis was performed after genotyping. A mutation was detected by direct sequencing using gene specific primers. RESULTS Affected individuals in this family showed total cataract. The disease gene was mapping between to a 15.5 Mb interval bounded by D12S368 and D12S1676. A positive two-point LOD score (3.21 at recombination fraction 0) was obtained for the marker D12S90, flanked by D12S368 and D12S1052, on chromosome 12q13.1-21.1. This chromosome encompasses the Major Intrinsic Protein (MIP, MIP26) of the lens, also called aquaporin 0 (AQP0). Sequencing the coding regions of MIP revealed a C>T transition at nucleotide 97 in exon 1 that caused a substitution of arginine (R) to cysteine (C) at codon 33 (p.R33C). This mutation cosegregated with all affected individuals and was not observed in unaffected or in 100 normal unrelated individuals. CONCLUSIONS This study has identified the first dominant cataract mutation in MIP that is located outside the phylogenetically conserved transmembrane domain.
Moins de technique, plus de nature : pour une heuristique des pratiques d'écologisation de l'agriculture

Dans cet article nous mettons en lumiere les questionnements que l’ecologisation des pratiques agricoles adresse aux cadres conceptuels de l’agronomie visant a comprendre lesdites pratiques et a concevoir de nouveaux systemes de production. En considerant que l’ecologisation repose souvent sur le retrait ou la reduction de l’usage d’intrants ou d’operations techniques, et sur leur substitution par des processus et des auxiliaires naturels, nous pointons la necessite pour l’agronomie de considerer en tant que telle l’action d’objets de la nature, et non plus seulement celle de l’agriculteur. A partir d’une analyse de textes fondateurs de l’agronomie des pratiques en France, nous montrons que ces objets et processus naturels ont jusqu’alors ete consideres en priorite comme des facteurs limitants. Nous posons alors plusieurs pistes de reflexion pour les integrer dans l’analyse, grâce notamment a la mobilisation de reflexions issues de la sociologie de l’innovation ou de la sociologie du travail. Nous invitons ainsi a redefinir le perimetre de l’action consideree, dans le temps, dans l’espace et dans la diversite des entites qu’elle engage.
Novel approaches in pain management in cardiac surgery

Purpose of review Open cardiac surgery may cause severe postoperative pain and the activation of a perioperative stress response. If not treated adequately, the patient may suffer increased morbidity, a longer hospital stay, and higher overall costs. This article reviews the literature regarding various modalities for management of postoperative pain after cardiac surgery. Recent findings Paravertebral block of the spinal nerve roots provides similar analgesia to thoracic epidural without the risk of hypotension or epidural hematoma. Continuous &agr;-2 agonist infusion reduces opioid requirements in the immediate postoperative period and may convey a morbidity and mortality benefit in cardiac surgery patients that persists for 12 months. Antiepileptics may significantly decrease opioid requirements and improve pain scores. Finally, complementary and alternative practices such as acupuncture, music, and behavioral exercises both pre and postoperatively may improve acute pain and lessen conversion to chronic pain. Summary Although published data remain limited, recent evidence indicates that patients may benefit from the addition of a variety of novel pain-management strategies currently under investigation. Selection of a multimodal approach to perioperative pain management is advocated, including selective application of regional analgesia, non-narcotic medications, and complimentary alternative options to improve patient comfort and overall outcome.
The quest for an AIDS vaccine: the state of the art and current challenges.

Despite intense efforts worldwide, using state-of-the-art methods and techniques and despite ever-increasing knowledge about the molecular and structural make-up of HIV, a practical vaccine against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has yet to be developed. The increasing use of recombinant DNA techniques and synthetic peptide technology has allowed many groups to identify at the epitope level the regions of HIV proteins which act as targets for (and stimulate) the immune response. Epitopes which stimulate and bind neutralizing antibodies have been examined in detail and an ever-increasing number of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) epitopes are being defined, as are potentially harmful (immunosuppressive or enhancing) domains. It still is not clear which of the different immune responses (or combinations thereof) it will be necessary to stimulate in order to protect from infection. Infected humans develop neutralizing antibodies, ADCC-inducing antibodies and CTL responses against a variety of viral proteins but it is not known which of these can control or prevent infection in vivo. The extensive knowledge of HIV and the immune response it elicits is being used to design and produce a wide variety of putative vaccines, ranging from whole inactivated virus, through recombinant organisms/proteins, to synthetic peptides although each has its inherent advantages and disadvantages. The very nature of HIV makes vaccine development difficult at best. However, recent successes using whole inactivated virus or virus-infected cells in the macaque simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVmac) model system at least show that protection against lethal lentivirus infection can be achieved. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Consumo de vegetales y factores relacionados en estudiantes universitarios de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia

Antecedentes: conocer el consumo de vegetales y factores relacionados es de interés para establecer programas tendientes a incrementar su consumo. Objetivo: caracterizar el consumo de vegetales y factores relacionados en universitarios, según sexo, estrato socioeconómico y tipo de universidad. Materiales y métodos: estudio descriptivo exploratorio de tipo multidimensional de corte transversal, en 420 estudiantes universitarios de ambos sexos, pertenecientes a dos universidades públicas y dos privadas, en quienes se indagó cuales vegetales consumían de una lista posible de 52, para cada vegetal se hizo una frecuencia de consumo cualitativa. También se evaluaron gustos y preparaciones preferidas. Se utilizó un análisis multivariado de la varianza (manova) con contraste canónico de tipo ortogonal. Resultados: las mujeres incluyeron un mayor número de vegetales en su dieta que los hombres (P=0,0142), sin embargo, el consumo total de vegetales fue similar en ambos sexos (P=0,8589). El menor consumo de vegetales se evidenció en el estrato más bajo (P=0,0065), de igual manera se detectó diferencia en el consumo entre estudiantes pertenecientes a las universidades públicas con respecto a las universidades privadas (P=0,0354). Conclusiones: el consumo de vegetales en universitarios es bajo, especialmente en los de universidades públicas y los de menor estrato socioeconómico. Lo cual refleja una distribución inequitativa del consumo de estos alimentos.
Online Web Genre Classification, is it Doable?

This paper investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of online clustering of Web search results by genre. Although there are several research studies that have investigated the accuracy of classifying Web pages by genres, research has focused only on off-line clustering and classification due to the large number of documents on the Web. This research intends to investigate the feasibility of creating sets of Web pages to represent main genres on the Web. Each genre, as identified in the work of Santini (2006), will be represented by a set of Web pages. Web search results will be compared to those sets and classified accordingly. Search results will be grouped according to their similarities to which set of genre representatives. The resulting clusters of Web search results will be rendered to the user. A user study will be conducted to examine the validity and accuracy of online clustering based on Web genres.
Statistical evaluation of diffusion‐weighted imaging of the human kidney

The signal of diffusion‐weighted imaging of the human kidney differs from the signal in brain examinations due to the different microscopic structure of the tissue. In the kidney, the deviation of the signal behavior of monoexponential characteristics is pronounced. The aim of the study was to analyze whether a mono‐ or biexponential or a distribution function model fits best to describe diffusion characteristics in the kidney. To determine the best regression, different statistical parameters were utilized: correlation coefficient (R2), Akaike's information criterion, Schwarz criterion, and F‐test (Fratio). Additionally, simulations were performed to analyze the relation between the different models and their dependency on signal noise. Statistical tests showed that the biexponential model describes the signal of diffusion‐weighted imaging in the kidney better than the distribution function model. The monoexponential model fits the diffusion‐weighted imaging data the least but is the most robust against signal noise. From a statistical point of view, diffusion‐weighted imaging of the kidney should be modeled biexponentially under the precondition of sufficient signal to noise. Magn Reson Med, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antigen Specificity Is not Required for Modulation of Lung Allergic Responses by Naturally Occurring Regulatory T Cells1

Naturally occurring Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells isolated from lungs of naive mice regulate lung allergic airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, levels of Th2 cytokines, and mucus production. OVA-specific (αβTCR+) CD4+CD25+ T cells suppressed ragweed-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation as did anti-TCR-treated OVA-specific CD4+CD25+ T cells, suggesting that Ag-specificity was not required for expression of regulatory activities. Suppression was associated with increased levels of IL-10 and TGF-β; decreased levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; and reduced recruitment and activation of CD8+ T cells in the airways. Following intratracheal administration, OVA-specific CD4+CD25+ T cells were identified in both the airway lumens and lung parenchyma, and in some instances in close proximity to host CD8+ T cells. These results demonstrate that the regulatory activities of naturally occurring Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells on lung allergic responses are Ag-nonspecific and thus, independent of Ag-specific recognition.
The leukocytic pattern during streptomycin treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

1) A study of the leukocytic pattern during streptomycin treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis on 867 blood films of 42 patients is presented. 2) During the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with streptomycin, the alterations in the blood picture are due to changes in the disease process, except for the frequently observed eosinophilia, which is a specific drug effect. The rapidity of these changes in many cases facilitates observation of the corresponding alterations in the leukocytic pattern. 3) In this study, the more or less generally accepted view that lymphocytosis is a favorable, and monocytosis an unfavorable, sign was found to be true with the following modifications: (a) Lymphocytosis, or more correctly, the return of the previously low lymphocyte count to normal or hypernormal, is a favorable sign only if it is accompanied by subsidence of shift to the left and diminished toxic granulation of the neutrophils. (b) Monocytosis per se is not an unfavorable sign, unless it is accompanied by a shift to the left of the neutrophils and by lymphopenia. In tuberculosis, a shift to the left of the neutrophils is not always manifested in the band cell/segmented cell relation; in many cases, one has to resort to the more time-consuming examination of the degree of segmentation (Arneth count). 4) The serial examination of the leukocytic pattern during streptomycin treatment has very limited practical value because (a) streptomycin is not considered definitive therapy in the large majority of the cases, and because (b) radiologic examination is the only adequate means of following the effect on the disease process; the hematological findings are merely confirmatory of x-ray in most of the cases. Only in the rare instance, where there is a discrepancy between the radiographic and hematological findings, are the latter of some prognostic significance.
Chaperone Properties of Bacterial Elongation Factor EF-Tu*

Elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) is involved in the binding and transport of the appropriate codon-specified aminoacyl-tRNA to the aminoacyl site of the ribosome. We report herewith that theEscherichia coli EF-Tu interacts with unfolded and denatured proteins as do molecular chaperones that are involved in protein folding and protein renaturation after stress. EF-Tu promotes the functional folding of citrate synthase and α-glucosidase after urea denaturation. It prevents the aggregation of citrate synthase under heat shock conditions, and it forms stable complexes with several unfolded proteins such as reduced carboxymethyl α-lactalbumin and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. The EF-Tu·GDP complex is much more active than EF-Tu·GTP in stimulating protein renaturation. These chaperone-like functions of EF-Tu occur at concentrations that are at least 20-fold lower than the cellular concentration of this factor. These results suggest that EF-Tu, in addition to its function in translation elongation, might be implicated in protein folding and protection from stress.
Why is lightening sedation in critically ill patients so difficult?*.

Critical Care Medicine www.ccmjournal. org 1573 5. Gattinoni L, Brazzi L, Pelosi P, et al: A trial of goal-oriented hemodynamic therapy in critically ill patients. SvO2 Collaborative Group. N Engl J Med 1995; 333:1025–1032 6. Rivers E, Nguyen B, Havstad S, et al; Early Goal-Directed Therapy Collaborative Group: Early goal-directed therapy in the treatment of severe sepsis and septic shock. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:1368–1377 7. Monnet X, Julien F, Ait-Hamou N, et al: Lactate and VenoArterial Carbon Dioxide Difference/Arterial-Venous Oxygen Difference Ratio, but Not Central Venous Oxygen Saturation, Predict Increase in Oxygen Consumption in Fluid Responders. Crit Care Med 2013; 41:1412–1420 8. Levy RJ, Deutschman CS: Cytochrome c oxidase dysfunction in sep sis. Crit Care Med 2007; 35(9 Suppl):S468–S475 9. Spronk PE, Ince C, Gardien MJ, et al: Nitroglycerin in septic shock after intravascular volume resuscitation. Lancet 2002; 360: 1395–1396 10. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Clinical Trials Network: Comparison of two fluid-management strategies in acute lung injury. N Engl J Med 2006; 354:2564–2575 3. Hébert PC, Wells G, Blajchman MA, et al: A multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial of transfusion requirements in critical care. Transfusion Requirements in Critical Care Investigators, Canadian Critical Care Trials Group. N Engl J Med 1999; 340:409–417 4. De Backer D, Biston P, Devriendt J, et al; SOAP II Investigators: Comparison of dopamine and norepinephrine in the treatment of shock. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:779–789 Figure 1. Algorithm for fluid challenges based on markers of anaerobiosis. SBP = systolic blood pressure, UO = urine output, HR = heart rate. P(v-a)CO2/C(a-v)O2 > 1.8 mmHg/ml or Lactate > 2.5 mmol/L SBP < 90 mmHg + one of the following: HR > 100 bpm UO < 0.5 ml/kg/hr for 2 hours
Preclinical memory decline in cognitively normal apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 homozygotes.

OBJECTIVE To determine, in a cross-sectional evaluation of nondemented individuals, if age-related memory decline is influenced by apolipoprotein E (apoE) genotype. BACKGROUND The apoE-4 allele is an important risk factor for AD. PET in cognitively normal apoE-4 carriers (mean age, 56 years) shows reduced cerebral metabolism suggestive of very early AD that precedes clinically evident memory loss or MRI-based hippocampal atrophy. METHODS Tests of immediate and delayed recall (primary outcome measures) and other neuropsychological measures (secondary outcome measures) were given to three genetically defined groups of cognitively normal individuals (age, 49 to 69 years) including apoE-4 homozygotes (n = 25), apoE-4 heterozygotes (n = 25, all epsilon3/4), and apoE-4 noncarriers (n = 50). Groups were matched for age, gender, and educational background. Cross-sectional comparisons between the genetic subgroups of the relationship between age and test score were performed for each neuropsychological measure. RESULTS There were no intergroup differences in mean scores on any neuropsychological measure, but tests sensitive to immediate and delayed recall showed a significant negative correlation with age in the apoE-4 homozygote group relative to the noncarrier group. CONCLUSION Consistent with previous neuropsychological studies of early AD, this cross-sectional study suggests that age-related memory decline occurs earlier in cognitively healthy apoE-4 homozygotes than in apoE-4 heterozygotes and noncarriers, and precedes clinically detectable AD.
Characterization of Dog Allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2. 2. A Comparison of Can f 1 with Can f 2 Regarding Their Biochemical and Immunological Properties

Background: The major dog allergens, Can f 1 and Can f 2, are members of the lipocalin protein family. The characterization of both dog allergens is still not complete. Their deduced amino acid sequences indicate the presence of three cysteine residues, probably connected with a disulfide bridge. We compared the biochemical and immunological properties of Can f 1 with those of Can f 2 using gel filtration, electrophoresis, and immunological assays. Methods: The rCan f 1, rCan f 2 and dog salivary proteins containing natural Can f 1 and Can f 2 were analyzed by HPLC gel filtration. The recombinant Can f 1 (rCan f 1) and rCan f 2 were analyzed by native and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) with or without reduction. The binding ability of rabbit IgG purified by protein G affinity chromatography from the antiserum against rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 was examined after a reduction in the recombinant allergens. The immunological cross-reaction between rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 was examined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using the rabbit IgG against rCan f 1 and rCan f 2. The cross-reaction of human IgE in the serum of a patient with dog allergy between rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 was also analyzed by competitive ELISA. Results: The molecular weights of rCan f 1 and of rCan f 2 were 18 and 21 kDa, respectively, using SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions, but the natural Can f 1 and Can f 2 were separated by HPLC gel filtration into fractions containing proteins of 31 and 34 kDa, respectively. rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 migrated as multiple bands (30–100 kDa) in native PAGE in the presence or absence of a reductant. The molecular weights of natural Can f 1 and of Can f 2 were 20 and 23 kDa, respectively, in SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. The ability of rabbit IgG to bind to rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 increased after the reduction of the recombinant allergens. The rabbit IgG against rCan f 1 bound to rCan f 2. Cross-reaction of human IgE was observed between rCan f 1 and rCan f 2. Conclusions: In the native and recombinant forms, Can f 1 and Can f 2 possessed a dimer structure under natural (non-reduced) condition. The dimers of Can f 1 and of Can f 2 were not built with a disulfide bridge but by non-covalent association. Cleavage of a disulfide bond of rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 increased the ability of binding of rabbit IgG to the allergens. The cross-reactivity of rabbit IgG and human IgE between rCan f 1 and rCan f 2 indicates that the same epitope(s) was present in Can f 1 and Can f 2.
A 67 dBm $OIP_{3}$  Multistacked Junction Varactor

A multistacked varactor is presented for ultra-linear tunable radio frequency applications. The varactor elements are applied in anti-series configuration and are characterized by an "exponential" C-VR relationship. Third-order intermodulation (IM3) is cancelled through proper harmonic loading of the terminals of the anti-series configuration. Multiple stacking is used to further increase the power handling and to minimize the remaining fifth-order distortion. The measured output intercept point (OIP3) at 2 GHz is > 67 dBm for modulated signals up to 10 MHz bandwidth, while providing a capacitance tuning ratio of 3:1 with an average quality factor of 40 and maximum control voltage of 10 V.
Ecosystems as Natural Assets

It is now standard in economics to model natural resources as a special form of capital that can be depleted or accumulated. The following review shows how such an approach can be extended to ecosystems, implying that they are a form of natural asset that produces a flow of beneficial goods and services over time. The review includes a discussion of valuing ecosystem services, focusing on the problem of benefits that vary spatially across landscapes and illustrated with the example of coastal ecosystems. The starting point of the basic natural asset model is the assumption that any ecological landscape that is conserved must compete with other assets in the portfolio of wealth owners in the economy. The model shows the importance of valuing ecosystem services to the optimal allocation of landscape among competing uses. It includes the possibility of an ecological transition, when it becomes technologically feasible to restore developed land as ecological landscape. The basic model is then extended to allow for the value of an ecosystem service and the costs of maintaining this service to vary with the spatial distance across the natural landscape; for the implications when the economy is opened to trade; and finally, for examining the effects of the risk of ecological collapse.
Controversy surrounding the safety of cerivastatin

The noted myotoxicity and subsequent withdrawal of cerivastatin from the worldwide market in August 2001 has demonstrated that the safety of statins is not a class effect. The total rhabdomyolysis rate for cerivastatin was 16 – 80 times more frequent than with other statins without providing additional efficacy. Cerivastatin has a pharmacokinetic profile (high potency, bioavailability, lipophilicity and renal excretion) that is different from other statins, which may explain the high myotoxicity rate. The cerivastatin experience has also provided insights into high-risk populations (i.e., the elderly, women, those with renal impairment, co-administration of interacting drugs) that are more prone to statin-induced myopathy. Ultimately, the lessons learned from this experience may significantly improve the safety of statin use in the future.