Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Apolipoprotein Superfamily and Parkinson's Disease

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is featured with motor disorder and nonmotor manifestations including psychological symptoms, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and paresthesia, which results in great inconvenience to the patients’ life. The apolipoprotein (Apo) superfamily, as a group of potentially modifiable biomarkers in clinical practice, is of increasing significance in the diagnosis, evaluation, and prognosis of PD. The present review summarized the current understanding and emerging findings of the relationship between Apo superfamily and PD. Data Sources: All literatures were identified by systematically searching PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane electronic databases with terms “Parkinson disease,” “apolipoprotein,” and their synonyms until May 2017. Study Selection: We have thoroughly examined titles and abstracts of all the literatures that met our search strategy and the full text if the research is identified or not so definite. Reference lists of retrieved articles were also scrutinized for additional relevant studies. Results: The levels of plasma ApoA1 are inversely correlated with the risk of PD and the lower levels of ApoA1 trend toward association with poorer motor performance. Higher ApoD expression in neurons represents more puissant protection against PD, which is critical in delaying the neurodegeneration process of PD. It is suggested that APOE alleles are related to development and progression of cognitive decline and age of PD onset, but conclusions are not completely identical, which may be attributed to different ApoE isoforms. APOJ gene expressions are upregulated in PD patients and it is possible that high ApoJ level is an indicator of PD dementia and correlates with specific phenotypic variations in PD. Conclusions: The Apo superfamily has been proved to be closely involved in the initiation, progression, and prognosis of PD. Apos and their genes are of great value in predicting the susceptibility of PD and hopeful to become the target of medical intervention to prevent the onset of PD or slow down the progress. Therefore, further large-scale studies are warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms of Apos in PD.
Perturbation of autophagic pathway by hepatitis C virus

Autophagy removes long-lived proteins and damaged organelles and is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. It can also serve in innate immunity to remove intracellular pathogens. As such, viruses have evolved different mechanisms to subvert this innate immune response. We have recently demonstrated that hepatitis C virus (HCV) can also suppress autophagic protein degradation by suppressing the fusion between autophagosomes and lysosomes. This suppression causes the accumulation of autophagosomes and enhances HCV RNA replication. Our further analysis indicated that the induction of autophagosomes by HCV is dependent on the unfolded protein response (UPR). Our studies thus delineate a molecular pathway by which HCV induces autophagosomes. The prolonged perturbation of the autophagic pathway by HCV likely plays an important role in HCV pathogenesis. Addendum to: Sir D, Chen W-l, Choi J, Wakita T, Yen TSB, Ou J-hJ. Induction of incomplete autophagic response by hepatitis C virus via the unfolded protein response; Hepatology 2008; In press.
Social communication competence and functional adaptation in a general population of children: preliminary evidence for sex-by-verbal IQ differential risk.

OBJECTIVE The proportion of schoolchildren with mild social communicative deficits far exceeds the number diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). We aimed to ascertain both the population distribution of such deficits and their association with functional adaptation and cognitive ability in middle childhood. METHOD The parent-report Social and Communication Disorders Checklist was administered to participants (n = 8,094) in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. We correlated impairment severity with independent clinical diagnoses of ASD, cognitive abilities, and teacher-rated maladaptive behavior. RESULTS Social and Communication Disorders Checklist scores were continuously distributed in the general population; boys had mean scores 30% higher than girls. Social communicative deficits were associated with functional impairment at school, especially in domains of hyperactivity and conduct disorders. A sex-by-verbal IQ interaction effect occurred: verbal IQ was protective against social communication impairments across the range of abilities in female subjects only. In male subjects, this protective effect did not exist for those with above-average verbal IQ. CONCLUSIONS Social communicative deficits are of prognostic significance, in terms of behavioral adjustment at school, for boys and girls. Their high general population prevalence emphasizes the importance of measuring such traits among clinically referred children who do not meet diagnostic ASD criteria. Above-average verbal IQ seems to confer protection against social communication impairments in female subjects but not in male subjects.
Increased platelet sensitivity among individuals with aspirin resistance – Platelet aggregation to submaximal concentration of arachidonic acid predicts response to antiplatelet therapy

Summary Aspirin ‘resistance’ (AR) is a phenomenon of uncertain etiology describing decreased platelet inhibition by aspirin. We studied whether (i) platelets inAR demonstrate increased basal sensitivity to a lower degree of stimulation and (ii) platelet aggregation with submaximal stimulation could predict responses to aspirin. Serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) levels and platelet aggregation with light transmission aggregometry (LTA ) were measured at baseline and 24 hours after 325 mg aspirin administration in 58 healthy subjects. AR was defined as the upper sixth of LTA (≥ 12%) to 1.5 mM AA. Baseline platelet aggregation with sub-maximal concentrations of agonists [ADP 2 µM, arachidonic acid (AA) 0.75 mM, collagen 0.375 and 0.5 µg/ml] was greater in AR subjects compared with non-AR subjects, but not with higher concentrations (ADP 5 µM and 20 µM, AA 1.5 mM and collagen 1 µg/ml). Post-aspirin platelet aggregation was elevated in AR subjects with both submaximal and maximal stimulation. Baseline and post-aspirin serumTxB2 were higher inAR subjects and decreased further with ex-vivo COX -1 inhibition, suggesting incompletely suppressed COX -1 activity. Pre-aspirin platelet aggregation to 0.75 AA demonstrated a dichotomous response with 29/58 subjects having aggregation ≤15% and 29/58 subjects having aggregation ≥75%. In the high aggregation group 28% had AR compared to 6% in the non-AR group (p=0.04). In conclusion, platelets in AR subjects demonstrate increased basal sensitivity to submaximal stimulation, which could predict responses to antiplatelet therapy.
A Panel Data Analysis of Relationship between Migration and Inequality

In this article, the relationship between migration and inequality in India is analyzed on the basis of an understanding of the role of migration in creating inequalities in the economy and society of the state of Kerala. The Centre for Development Studies (CDS), Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, conducts periodic Kerala Migration Surveys (KMSs) to monitor the current status of emigration from and return emigration to the state of Kerala. This data set is used to discover the dynamics of migration–inequality relationship in the state. The results of the study suggest that migration causes inequalities in mobility between migrant and non-migrant households and between different types of migrant households.
Myoferlin expression in non-small cell lung cancer: Prognostic role and correlation with VEGFR-2 expression

Myoferlin is a protein that is associated with cellular repair following injury. The expression of myoferlin in breast cancer and pancreatic adenocarcinoma has been reported to correlate with tumor invasiveness, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and an adverse prognosis. In the present study, myoferlin expression was investigated in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), along with its association with patient prognosis and the expression of a number of other proteins. A total of 148 patients exhibiting NSCLC were enrolled in the present study. The survival data of all patients was examined, and myoferlin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), epidermal growth factor receptor, E-cadherin, β-catenin, thyroid transcription factor-1 and tumor protein p63 expression was investigated via immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays. Myoferlin expression was detected in the cytoplasm of 75/148 (50.7%) of the NSCLC cases. In the adenocarcinoma cases, myoferlin-positive patients possessed a poorer prognosis (odds ratio, 2.94; P=0.339). In the squamous cell carcinoma cases, myoferlin expression was significantly associated with VEGFR-2 expression (P=0.001). Immunohistochemical staining for VEGFR-2 and myoferlin expression indicated similar features and cytoplasmic staining in tumor cells. As VEGFR-2 is a significant target for novel anticancer therapies, it is anticipated that myoferlin may also possess the potential to become a novel clinical target for the treatment of NSCLC.
High-affinity CCK-A receptors on the vagus nerve mediate CCK-stimulated pancreatic secretion in rats.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors are found on vagal afferent fibers. In pancreatic acini, CCK receptors exist in high- and low-affinity states. The aim of this study was to identify the vagal CCK-A receptor affinity state that mediates the effect of CCK on pancreatic protein secretion. Using a rat model with a pancreatic-biliary cannula, we studied the effects of CCK-JMV-180 on exocrine pancreatic function. CCK-JMV-180 acts as an agonist on high-affinity CCK receptors and as an antagonist on low-affinity CCK receptors. Infusion of CCK-JMV-180 (22-88 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) caused dose-dependent increases in pancreatic protein secretion, which were blocked by the CCK-A receptor antagonist L-364,718. Acute vagotomy in anesthetized rats and perivagal application of capsaicin in conscious rats abolished pancreatic responses to CCK-JMV-180 at 22 and 44 micrograms.kg-1.h-1. CCK-JMV-180 did not reduce pancreatic responses to CCK octapeptide infusion at 20 and 40 pmol.kg-1.h-1. To demonstrate that endogenously released CCK also acts on high-affinity CCK-A receptors, we showed that in conscious rats intraduodenal infusion of 18% casein produced a threefold increase in protein secretion and elevated plasma CCK levels from 0.7 to 8.4 pM. Infusion of CCK-JMV-180 at 44 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 failed to inhibit pancreatic responses to casein. In separate studies, perivagal application of 1% capsaicin inhibited 95% and 90% of the pancreatic responses to casein and casein combined with intravenous CCK-JMV-180, respectively. The neurotoxic effect of capsaicin on small-diameter sensory vagal fibers was verified by immunohistochemical and retrograde tracing studies. In conclusion, we demonstrated that in contrast to their effect on satiety, which is mediated by vagal low-affinity CCK-A receptors, exogenous CCK and endogenous CCK under physiological conditions act through high-affinity CCK-A receptors to mediate pancreatic protein secretion. These findings suggest that different affinity states of the vagal CCK receptors mediate different digestive functions.
Update on the Critical Care Management of Severe Burns

Care of the severely injured patient with burn requires correct diagnosis, appropriately tailored resuscitation, and definitive surgical management to reduce morbidity and mortality. Currently, mortality rates related to severe burn injuries continue to steadily decline due to the standardization of a multidisciplinary approach instituted at tertiary health care centers. Prompt and accurate diagnoses of burn wounds utilizing Lund-Browder diagrams allow for appropriate operative and nonoperative management. Coupled with diagnostic improvements, advances in resuscitation strategies involving rates, volumes, and fluid types have yielded demonstrable benefits related to all aspects of burn care. More recently, identification of comorbid conditions such as inhalation injury and malnutrition have produced appropriate protocols that aid the healing process in severely injured patients with burn. As more patients survive larger burn injuries, the early diagnosis and successful treatment of secondary and tertiary complications are becoming commonplace. While advances in this area are exciting, much work to elucidate immune pathways, diagnostic tests, and effective treatment regimens still remain. This review will provide an update on the critical care management of severe burns, touching on accurate diagnosis, resuscitation, and acute management of this difficult patient population.
GenoType MTBDR assays for the diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis: a meta-analysis

The global extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) response plan calls for implementation of rapid tests to screen patients at risk of drug-resistant TB. Currently, two line probe assays exist, the INNO-LiPA®Rif.TB assay (Innogenetics, Ghent, Belgium) and the GenoType® MTBDR assay (Hain LifeScience GmbH, Nehren, Germany). While LiPA studies have been reviewed, the accuracy of GenoType assays has not been systematically reviewed. The present authors carried out a systematic review and used meta-analysis methods appropriate for diagnostic accuracy. After the literature searches, 14 comparisons for rifampicin and 15 comparisons for isoniazid were identified in 10 articles that used GenoType MTBDR assays. Accuracy results were summarised in forest plots and pooled using bivariate random-effects regression. The pooled sensitivity (98.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 95.9–99.1) and specificity (98.7%, 95% CI 97.3–99.4) estimates for rifampicin resistance were very high and consistent across all subgroups, assay versions and specimen types. The accuracy for isoniazid was variable, with lower sensitivity (84.3%, 95% CI 76.6–89.8) and more inconsistent than specificity (99.5%, 95% CI 97.5–99.9). GenoType MDTBR assays demonstrate excellent accuracy for rifampicin resistance, even when used on clinical specimens. While specificity is excellent for isoniazid, sensitivity estimates were modest and variable. Together with data from demonstration projects, the meta-analysis provides evidence for policy making and clinical practice.
Directional edge registration for temporal chest image subtraction

We used a directional filtering technique to accurately register the ribs on temporal chest radiographs. Rib registration was the primary technical objective. In order to accurately extract the ribs, we developed a directional edge function that used rotating kernels through a dynamic search technique to extract rib edges of varying contrast. A directionally-weighted operator with a phase-contrast feature is embedded in the kernel design, which allows us to separate the upper and lower bounds of structures in the vertical direction. Broken rib edges were reconnected using a reasoning algorithm by analyzing the rib position and curve. The lung and heart boundaries were extracted using an inverted umbrella filter. Control points were designated at turning points and distributed on smooth edge segments on the temporal images. A thin-plate spline technique took the control points and performed the final registration prior to the temporal image subtraction. We found that normal chest structures (i.e. ribs, heart and normal lung structures) were greatly reduced in the subtraction images. In addition, the contrast of cancer spots was significantly increased.
Immobilization of L-Lysine on Microporous PVDF Membranes for Neuron Culture

Microporous poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes with dense or porous surface were prepared by immersion precipitation of PVDF/TEP solutions in coagulation baths containing different amounts of water. Onto the membrane surface, poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) was grafted by plasma-induced free radical polymerization. Then, L-lysine was covalently bonded to the as-grafted PGMA through ring-opening reactions between epoxide and amine to form amino alcohol. The highest attainable graft density of PGMA on a PVDF membrane was 0.293 mg/cm2. This was obtained when the reaction was carried out on a porous surface under an optimized reaction condition. For immobilization of L-lysine, the yield was found to depend on the reaction temperature and L-lysine concentration. The maximal yield was 0.226 mg/cm2, a value considerably higher than reported in the literature using other immobilization methods. Furthermore, neurons were cultured on L-lysine-immobilized PVDF membranes. The results indicated that these membrane surfaces were suited to the growth of neurons, with a MTT value higher than that of the standard culture dish.
Plasmonic Color Filters as Dual‐State Nanopixels for High‐Density Microimage Encoding

Plasmonic color filtering has provided a range of new techniques for “printing” images at resolutions beyond the diffraction‐limit, significantly improving upon what can be achieved using traditional, dye‐based filtering methods. Here, a new approach to high‐density data encoding is demonstrated using full color, dual‐state plasmonic nanopixels, doubling the amount of information that can be stored in a unit‐area. This technique is used to encode two data sets into a single set of pixels for the first time, generating vivid, near‐full sRGB (standard Red Green Blue color space)color images and codes with polarization‐switchable information states. Using a standard optical microscope, the smallest “unit” that can be read relates to 2 × 2 nanopixels (370 nm × 370 nm). As a result, dual‐state nanopixels may prove significant for long‐term, high‐resolution optical image encoding, and counterfeit‐prevention measures.
Endogenous Lipid Hydroperoxide-mediated DNA-adduct Formation in Min Mice*

Despite intensive research over the last two decades, there are still no specific markers of endogenous lipid hydroperoxide-mediated DNA damage. We recently demonstrated that heptanone-etheno-2′-deoxyguanosine adducts are formed in the DNA of rat intestinal epithelial cells that stably express cyclooxygenase-2. Heptanone-etheno adducts can only arise from the reaction of lipid hydroperoxide-derived 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal with DNA. This raised the possibility that similar adducts would be formed in vivo in settings where cyclooxygenase-2 expression is increased. Therefore, DNA-adduct formation was studied in C57BL/6JAPCmin mice, a colorectal cancer mouse model in which cyclooxygenase-2 is up-regulated. 15(S)-Hydroperoxy-5Z,8Z,11Z,13E-eicosatetraenoic acid is the major lipid hydroperoxide produced endogenously by cyclooxygenase-2. It undergoes homolytic decomposition to the DNA-reactive bifunctional electrophile 4-oxo-2(E)-nonenal, which forms heptanone-etheno adducts with DNA. A quantitative comparison was made of the heptanone-etheno-DNA adducts present in C57BL/6J and C57BL/6JAPCmin mice. Using highly specific and sensitive methodology based on stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, we have detected the endogenous formation of heptanone-etheno adducts in mammalian tissue DNA for the first time. In addition, we found that there were statistically significant increased levels of the heptanone-etheno-2′-deoxyguanosine and heptanone-etheno-2′-deoxycytidine adducts in the C57BL/6JAPCmin mice when compared with the control C57BL/6J mice.
Nonpeptide angiotensin II receptor antagonists. VII. Cellular and biochemical pharmacology of DuP 753, an orally active antihypertensive agent.

2-n-Butyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxymethyl-1-[2'-(1H-tetrazole-5-yl)biphenyl-4-y l) methyl]imidazole, potassium salt (DuP 753) is a potent, p.o. active antihypertensive agent exerting its action by specific blockade of angiotensin II receptors. It inhibited the specific binding of labeled angiotensin II to its receptor sites in rat adrenal cortical membranes and in cultured rat smooth muscle cells with IC50 values of 19 and 20 X 10(-9) M, respectively. Functional antagonism was demonstrated by its blockage of angiotensin II (3 X 10(-8) M)-induced 45Ca++ efflux in rat aortic smooth muscle cells with an IC50 of 2 X 10(-8) M. In rabbit aorta, DuP 753 antagonized the contractile response to angiotensin II competitively with a pA2 value of 8.48 but had no effect on the responses induced by norepinephrine or KCl. In both in vitro and in vivo assays, no partial agonistic effect was detected even with concentrations of up to 10(-5) M. In addition, this agent (10(-5) or 10(-4) M) exhibited no direct effect on converting enzyme (rabbit lung) or renin (rat plasma). These data demonstrate that DuP 753, is a potent and highly specific angiotensin II receptor antagonist. This agent may be a useful experimental or therapeutic tool for interference with the renin-angiotensin system in health and diseases.
Impact of Superoxide Dismutase-Gliadin on Radiation-induced Fibrosis: An Experimental Study.

AIM Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) has since long been considered as irreversible. Further understanding of its mechanisms has led to trials investigating RIF treatment and prevention. The effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-gliadin, an oral form of SOD that resists gastrointestinal inactivation, on RIF treatment was evaluated in this experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 36 Wistar albino mice were randomly distributed into four groups. According to group, 25 Gy radiation or sham-radiation were performed on day 0. Acute and late reactions were recorded. After 6 months, mice were treated with SOD-gliadin, 10,000 units per kg per day, or placebo. SOD-gliadin and placebo treatments were administered daily for 8 days by oral gavage. Later the mice were sacrificed, dissected and histopathologically analyzed. Accumulated hyaline and collagen at the dermis is an indicator of fibrosis. Therefore measurements of the dermal thickness were used to quantify the degree of RIF. Additionally, the morphological changes were analyzed, and the differences reported. RESULTS The mean and standard deviation for dermal thickness were 0.45±0.09 mm in the sham-irradiated placebo-treated group, 0.51 mm±0.16 mm in the sham-irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group, 0.92 mm±0.23 mm in the irradiated placebo-treated group and 0.71 mm±0.17 mm in the irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group. The difference in mean dermal thickness between irradiated placebo-treated and irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated mice was statistically significant (p=0.002). CONCLUSION Quality of life while prolonging survival has an increasing importance in patients with cancer. RIF can be a crucial problem after all radiotherapy modalities. SOD-gliadin has advantageous effects on conditions that call for an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. The results of our study suggest that oral SOD-gliadin may prevent or ameliorate RIF and patients can benefit from the positive effects of SOD.