Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pulse Pressure and Risk of Adverse Outcome in Coronary Bypass Surgery

BACKGROUND: Among ambulatory patients, an increase in pulse pressure (PP) is a well-established determinant of vascular risk. The relationship of PP and acute perioperative vascular outcome among patients having coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is less well known. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 5436 patients having elective CABG surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Of these, 4801 met final inclusion criteria. Comprehensive data were captured for medical history, intraoperative and postoperative physiologic and laboratory measures, diagnostic testing, and clinical events. The relationship between preoperative hypertension (systolic, diastolic, PP) and ischemic cardiac and cerebral outcomes and death was assessed using multivariable logistic regression; P < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventeen patients (19.1%) had fatal and nonfatal vascular complications, including 146 patients (3.0%) with cerebral and 715 patients (14.9%) with cardiac events. In-hospital mortality occurred in 147 patients (3.1%). Among all blood pressure variables measured preoperatively, PP was most strongly associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. PP increments of 10 mm Hg (above a threshold of 40 mm Hg) were associated with an increased risk of cerebral events (adjusted odds ratio: 1.12; 95% CI [1.002–1.28]; P = 0.026). The incidence of a cerebral event and/or death from neurologic complications nearly doubled for patients with PP >80 mm Hg versus ≤80 mm Hg (5.5% vs 2.8%; P = 0.004). PP more than 80 mm Hg was also found to be associated with cardiac complications, increasing the incidence of congestive heart failure by 52%, and death from cardiac cause by nearly 100% (P = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: An increase in PP was independently and significantly associated with greater fatal and nonfatal adverse cerebral and cardiac outcomes in patients having CABG surgery. These findings highlight the associated risks of preoperative PP on acute postoperative vascular outcomes.
Effect of cytoplasmic pH on Ca2+‐stimulated eicosanoid biosynthesis in human platelets

1 We have investigated the effect of cytoplasmic pH (pH;) on the relationship between platelet cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]1) and eicosanoid biosynthesis. Stirred gel‐filtered human platelets loaded with fluorescent indicators of Ca2+ and H+ were suspended in balanced salt solutions at 37°C. [Ca2+]i was controlled by calcium ionophore (ionomycin). Increased [Ca2+]i was associated with increased production of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) as determined by radioimmunoassay of its stable hydrolysis product TXB2, and of 12‐hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (12‐HETE) measured by high performance liquid chromatography. 2 Varying pHi with a K+/H+ ionophore (nigericin) in platelets suspended in K+ rich solutions of pH 6.8, 7.4 or 7.8 with subsequent resuspension in solution of pH 7.4 containing albumin (1 g 1−1) and Ca2+ (mM) resulted in pH1 of 6.72 ± 0.05, 7.31 ± 0.02 and 7.71 ± 0.04 (mean ± s.e.mean, n = 5). Ionomycin (1.2 μm) increased [Ca2+1 by 97.1 ± 17.6, 191.9 ± 48.7 and 322.8 ± 55.7 nm at the different values of pH1 respectively; TXB2 production was 0.7 ± 0.2, 2.1 ± 0.4 and 10.7 ± 3.3 ngjig−1 protein, and 12‐HETE production was 150.9 ± 68.2, 184.4 ± 77.9 and 302.3 ± 62.8 ng μg−1 protein. 3 Ammonium chloride (50 μm) caused a small reduction in pHo while increasing pHi from 7.32 ± 0.04 to 7.89 ± 0.05 and increasing ionomycin (1.2μm)‐induced [Ca2+]4 responses from 94.1 ± 67.3 to 721.6 ± 288.3 nm. TXB2 production increased from 3.1 ± 2.1 to 17.3 ± 8.2 and 12‐HETE production increased from 100.5 ± 26.7 to 203.2 ± 36.4 ngμg−1 protein. Responses of [Ca2+]i and TXB2 production to epoxymethano prostaglandin H2 (U46619, an endoperoxide‐thromboxane receptor agonist) increased significantly in the presence of NH4Cl. 4 Alterations of pH1 (such as may occur under pathological conditions) influence [Ca2+]i responses and eicosanoid synthesis in human platelets.
Architecture-Based Multiscale Computational Modeling of Plant Cell Wall Mechanics to Examine the Hydrogen-Bonding Hypothesis of the Cell Wall Network Structure Model1[C][OA]

A primary plant cell wall network was computationally modeled using the finite element approach to study the hypothesis of hemicellulose (HC) tethering with the cellulose microfibrils (CMFs) as one of the major load-bearing mechanisms of the growing cell wall. A computational primary cell wall network fragment (10 × 10 μm) comprising typical compositions and properties of CMFs and HC was modeled with well-aligned CMFs. The tethering of HC to CMFs is modeled in accordance with the strength of the hydrogen bonding by implementing a specific load-bearing connection (i.e. the joint element). The introduction of the CMF-HC interaction to the computational cell wall network model is a key to the quantitative examination of the mechanical consequences of cell wall structure models, including the tethering HC model. When the cell wall network models with and without joint elements were compared, the hydrogen bond exhibited a significant contribution to the overall stiffness of the cell wall network fragment. When the cell wall network model was stretched 1% in the transverse direction, the tethering of CMF-HC via hydrogen bonds was not strong enough to maintain its integrity. When the cell wall network model was stretched 1% in the longitudinal direction, the tethering provided comparable strength to maintain its integrity. This substantial anisotropy suggests that the HC tethering with hydrogen bonds alone does not manifest sufficient energy to maintain the integrity of the cell wall during its growth (i.e. other mechanisms are present to ensure the cell wall shape).
Feasibility of Early and Repeated Low-dose Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block for Residual Pain in Acute Cervical Radiculopathy Treated with NSAIDS

Background To improve residual pain management in acute cervical radiculopathy treated with NSAIDs, the feasibility of early and repeated low-dose interscalene brachial plexus block (IS-BPB) needs to be assessed. Methods This was a prospective study on patients receiving NSAIDs (loxoprofen) for cervical radiculopathy of ≤ 2-week onset. Pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). A low-dose ultrasonography (USG)-guided IS-BPB (dexamethasone [1.65 mg; 0.5 ml] and mepivacaine [1%; 3.0 ml]) was performed at baseline and weekly thereafter for 4 weeks in an outpatient setting for the intervention group. All patients were evaluated using a visual satisfaction score (VSS) at week 4. Patients with baseline VAS scores < 70 (mild to moderate pain; MM group) and ≥ 70 (severe pain; SE group) were compared to the controls receiving NSAIDs. Results A total of 316 IS-BPBs were performed in the intervention group. There was a significant difference in the decline in the VAS from week 0 to week 3 in the MM and SE groups (P < 0.05); however, from week 3 to week 4, the therapeutic effect exhibited no significant difference. Thirteen patients at week 2 (15.5%; MM: 27.7%; SE: 0%), 43 at week 3 (51.2%; MM: 83.0%; SE: 10.8%), and 47 at week 4 (56.0%; MM: 85.1%; SE: 18.9%) achieved a VAS score of ≤ 20. Patient satisfaction was high, and the decrease in VAS scores in both groups was significant (P < 0.05) compared to the controls. Conclusions Weekly, low-dose, USG-guided IS-BPB can be implemented for early pain relief in acute cervical radiculopathy, with high patient satisfaction.
Essays in applied microeconomics

Defence date: 29 September 2014 Examining Board: Prof. Jerome Adda, EUI & Bocconi University, Supervisor; Prof. Andrea Ichino, EUI; Prof. Kjell G. Salvanes, Norwegian School of Economics; Prof. Guy Michaels, LSE
Blood Pressure and Renal Function after Kidney Donation from Hypertensive Living Donors

Background: Rising numbers of patients reaching end-stage kidney disease intensify the demand for expansion of the living–kidney-donor pool. On the basis of low risk in white donors with essential hypertension, our transplant center undertook a structured program of accepting hypertensive donors if kidney function and urine protein were normal. This study reports outcomes of hypertensive donors 1 year after kidney donation. Methods: We studied detailed measurements of blood pressure (oscillometric, hypertensive therapy nurse [RN], and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring [ABPM]), clinical, and renal characteristics (iothalamate glomerular filtration rate [GFR], urine protein, and microalbumin) in 148 living kidney donors before and 6 to 12 months after nephrectomy. Twenty-four were hypertensive (awake ABPM>135/85 mm Hg and clinic/RN BP>140/90 mm Hg) before donation. Results: After 282 days, normotensive donors had no change in awake ABPM pressure (pre 121±1/75±2 vs. post 120±1/ 5±1 mm Hg), whereas BP in hypertensive donors fell with both nonpharmacologic and drug therapy (pre 142±3/85±2 to post 132±2/80±1 mm Hg, P<.01). Hypertensive donors were older (53.4 vs. 41.4 years, P<.001) and had lower GFR after kidney donation (61±2 vs. 68±1 mL/min/1.73m2, P<.01). After correction for age, no independent BP effect was evident for predicting GFR either before or after nephrectomy. Urine protein and microalbumin did not change in either group after donor nephrectomy. Conclusions: Our results indicate that white subjects with moderate, essential hypertension and normal kidney function have no adverse effects regarding blood pressure, GFR, or urinary protein excretion during the first year after living kidney donation. Although further studies are essential to confirm long-term safety, these data suggest that selected hypertensive patients may be accepted for living kidney donation.
Routing Renewable Energy Using Electric Vehicles in Mobile Electrical Grid

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) is that the energy stored in the batteries of electric vehicles can be utilized to send back to the power grid. And then, the energy in the batteries of electric vehicles can move with electric vehicles (EVs). Based on above characteristics, this paper introduces the concept of a mobile electrical grid and discusses the energy routing problem. It focuses on the optimization problem of how to find routes from the energy sources to charge stations, especially, when some paths are clogged by traffic jam. A bipartite graph model is used to analyze the route problem and two algorithms are presented to compute minimal energy metric route. Both of algorithms are tested by real-world transporting data in Manhattan and the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority(PVTA). Simulations show that the method is efficient.
Ameloblastoma in children.

PURPOSE The purpose of this report was 1) to report the experience of the University of Maryland, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS Department) in the treatment of ameloblastoma in children and 2) to review the world literature on the treatment of ameloblastoma in children from 1970 to 2001. METHODS AND MATERIALS This study first reviews the experience of the OMS Department of the University of Maryland with ameloblastomas in children and then reviews the literature on this subject. The first part of the study was undertaken by a retrospective chart review of all patients with a diagnosis of ameloblastoma in the OMS Department between May 1991 and December 1999. The literature on ameloblastoma in Western societies and Africa was separately reviewed from 1970 through 2001. Reports earlier than 1970 were not reviewed, as the histologic diagnosis of ameloblastoma was not well defined before that period. RESULTS In the Maryland series, 11 patients under the age of 20 years with ameloblastoma were treated. Eight patients were seen primarily, and 3 presented with recurrent lesions. The average age was 15.5 years; 5 of 11 patients were black, and 9 of 11 tumors were unicystic ameloblastomas. The literature review showed 85 children in the Western reports and 77 reported from Africa. The average ages were 14.3 and 14.7 years, respectively, but unicystic ameloblastomas accounted for 76.5% of the Western and only 19.5% of the African children, with an increased frequency of occurrence in the mandibular symphisis in African (44.2%) versus Western (5.8%) patients. Analysis of recurrence after enucleation of unicystic ameloblastomas in 20 children followed at least 5 years or until recurrence showed a recurrence of 40%. CONCLUSIONS Ameloblastomas in children differ from adults, with a higher percentage of unicystic tumors. African children appear to resemble the adult pattern. Although enucleation has been claimed to give acceptable recurrence rates in unicystic ameloblastoma, there are no large series with long follow-up in children. The histologic pattern that exhibits mural invasion in unicystic ameloblastoma suggests that more aggressive surgery is necessary.
Cigarette smoke exposure greatly increases alcohol consumption in adolescent C57BL/6 mice.

BACKGROUND Alcohol and tobacco are often used together, and alcoholism is much more common among smokers compared with nonsmokers. Studies in humans suggest that nicotine (an active ingredient in cigarette smoke) can increase the consumption of alcohol. Research on rats and mice demonstrated mixed results; some studies report that nicotine increases alcohol consumption, while others show a decrease in drinking. Because cigarette smoke includes many other chemicals, these also may play a significant role in alcohol consumption. For example, 2 of these other constituents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors and acetaldehyde, increase alcohol tolerance and/or alcohol consumption in rodents. This study was designed to investigate how cigarette smoke from tobacco may modify self-administration of alcohol in adolescent C57BL/6 mice, a critical time when adolescent humans begin abusing drugs. METHODS C57BL/6 male mice (4 to 5 weeks old) were acclimated for 3 weeks to consume a 10% (w/v) alcohol solution during a 2-hour daily access in the dark. Subsequently, half the animals were exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d for 16 days. The remaining animals (control) were placed in a smoke-free adjacent chamber. Immediately following the 6-hour period in the chambers, the control and smoke-exposed mice were given access to the 10% alcohol solution for 2 hours. RESULTS Animals exposed to cigarette smoke for 6 h/d consumed approximately 3- to 5-fold more alcohol than the mice in the control group throughout the 16-day study. The mice in the smoke group had a blood alcohol concentration that was nearly 4-fold that of the control mice. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette smoke increases alcohol consumption several fold higher than reported studies using nicotine treatment alone in adolescent rodents. Thus, this model should be useful to determine the roles of other bioactive components in cigarette smoke that may be important in the high co-abuse of smoking and alcohol consumption.
Trends in Speciated Fine Particulate Matter and Visibility across Monitoring Networks in the Southeastern United States

Abstract Trends in fine particulate matter <2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and visibility in the Southeastern United States were evaluated for sites in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments, Speciated Trends Network, and Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization Study networks. These analyses are part of the technical assessment by Visibility Improvement–State and Tribal Association of the Southeast (VISTAS), the regional planning organization for the southeastern states, in support of State Implementation Plans for the regional haze rule. At all of the VISTAS IMPROVE sites, ammonium sulfate and organic carbon (OC) are the largest and second largest contributors, respectively, to light extinction on both the 20% haziest and 20% clearest days. Ammonium nitrate, elemental carbon (EC), soils, and coarse particles make comparatively small contributions to PM2.5 mass and light extinction on most days at the Class I areas. At Southern Appalachian sites, the 20% haziest days occur primarily in the late spring to fall, whereas at coastal sites, the 20% haziest days can occur through out the year. Levels of ammonium sulfate in Class I areas are similar to those in nearby urban areas and are generally higher at the interior sites than the coastal sites. Concentrations of OC, ammonium nitrate, and, sometimes, EC, tend to be higher in the urban areas than in nearby Class I areas, although differences in measurement methods complicate comparisons between networks. Results support regional controls of sulfur dioxide for both regional haze and PM2.5 implementation and suggest that controls of local sources of OC, EC, or nitrogen oxides might also be considered for urban areas that are not attaining the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5.
Behavioral stress modifies hippocampal plasticity through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation.

Behavioral stress has detrimental effects on subsequent cognitive performance in many species, including humans. For example, humans exposed to stressful situations typically exhibit marked deficits in various learning and memory tasks. However, the underlying neural mechanisms by which stress exerts its effects on learning and memory are unknown. We now report that in adult male rats, stress (i.e., restraint plus tailshock) impairs long-term potentiation (LTP) but enhances long-term depression (LTD) in the CA1 area of the hippocampus, a structure implicated in learning and memory processes. These effects on LTP and LTD are prevented when the animals were given CGP39551 (the carboxyethylester of CGP 37849; DL-(E)-2-amino-4-methyl-5-phosphono-3-pentenoic acid), a competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, before experiencing stress. In contrast, the anxiolytic drug diazepam did not block the stress effects on hippocampal plasticity. Thus, the effects of stress on subsequent LTP and LTD appear to be mediated through the activation of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors. Such modifications in hippocampal plasticity may contribute to learning and memory impairments associated with stress.
Evidence for Network Evolution in an Arabidopsis Interactome Map

An analysis of protein-protein interactions in Arabidopsis identifies the plant interactome. Plants have unique features that evolved in response to their environments and ecosystems. A full account of the complex cellular networks that underlie plant-specific functions is still missing. We describe a proteome-wide binary protein-protein interaction map for the interactome network of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana containing about 6200 highly reliable interactions between about 2700 proteins. A global organization of plant biological processes emerges from community analyses of the resulting network, together with large numbers of novel hypothetical functional links between proteins and pathways. We observe a dynamic rewiring of interactions following gene duplication events, providing evidence for a model of evolution acting upon interactome networks. This and future plant interactome maps should facilitate systems approaches to better understand plant biology and improve crops.
Outcome and Prevention of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-Staphylococcus aureus Interactions During Pulmonary Infections in Cystic Fibrosis

Several microorganisms take advantages of the most common single gene disorder afflicting Caucasians and colonize the airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Although CF is a multisystem disorder, the associated mortality is mostly due to respiratory problems subsequent to chronic bacterial infections. CF is the result of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) which is a cAMP-regulated chloride channel and a regulator of the activity of other channels. Consequently, there is a significant dehydration of the airway mucus when CFTR is dysfunctional. However, the exact reason why CF predisposes the lungs to microbial infections is not completely understood. It is thought that the obstruction of the airways by mucus and the proinflammatory status associated with this disease may be part of the explanation (Lyczak et al., 2002; Riordan, 2008).
Overview of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research methods are a robust tool for chaplaincy research questions. Similar to much of chaplaincy clinical care, qualitative research generally works with written texts, often transcriptions of individual interviews or focus group conversations and seeks to understand the meaning of experience in a study sample. This article describes three common methodologies: ethnography, grounded theory, and phenomenology. Issues to consider relating to the study sample, design, and analysis are discussed. Enhancing the validity of the data, as well reliability and ethical issues in qualitative research are described. Qualitative research is an accessible way for chaplains to contribute new knowledge about the sacred dimension of people's lived experience.
Social work practice and identity in joined-up teams

This paper draws on an ESRC project that explored how multi-disciplinary teams work together in their practice with children. The specific aim of this paper is to examine the role of the social worker in such teams by focussing on some of the possibilities and tensions. It is concluded that, despite the many challenges, social work has a positive role to play in developing the joined up policy and practice agenda.
Stress, Coping, and Well-being in Anglo and Chinese Elderly

ABSTRACT Stress, perceived well-being, and coping behaviours were studied comparing a sample of aging Chinese immigrants with Anglos. The Chinese sample found growing old a more stressful experience, reported lower psychological well-being, depended more heavily on external and palliative coping strategies, and felt less effective in coping as compared to the Anglo counterparts. The finding supported the double jeopardy hypothesis of ethnic minority aging. RÉSUMÉ Une population d'immigrés chinois âgés et une population d'origine anglo-saxonne ont fait l'objet d'une étude comparative concernant le stress, la perception du bien-être, et les comportements d'accommodation. Le vieillissement se présente comme plus difficile à supporter, le sentiment de satisfaction psychologique est moins élevé, la dépendance à l'égard des mesures palliatives externes est plus marquée, et le sentiment d'efficacité personnelle est moins grand chez les chinois que chez les anglo-saxons. Ces résultats appuient l'hypothèse selon laquelle le vieillissement est plus difficile à vivre chez les groupes minoritaires.