Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Human and Autologous Adipose-derived Stromal Cells Increase Flap Survival in Rats Independently of Host Immune Response

Introduction There is a rising interest in adipose-derived stromal cells for clinical use; however, it is unknown whether freshly isolated stromal cells (SVF) or culture-expanded cells (ASCs) are more efficacious. We therefore aimed to compare the 2 cellular therapies in an in vivo model of angiogenesis, the ischemic flap in rats, which induces acute ischemia. We also aimed to determine the importance of cell presence and the host immune response. Methods A total of 96 rats (n = 12 in each group) were used, and in each rat, a caudally based random flap measuring 2 × 7 cm was made. The study was conducted in 3 phases. First, each rat was treated with human SVF cells, human ASCs, or vehicle. Second, each rat was treated with human SVF, human SVF lysate, or vehicle. Finally, each rat was treated with rat (autologous) SVF cells or vehicle. Flap survival, vessel density, and stromal cell retention were evaluated after 7 days. Results The mean survival rates for SVF treatment regardless of human or autologous origin were significantly increased as compared with the control group. Adipose stem/stromal cell and SVF lysate injection did not increase flap survival. Vessel density was increased for human and rat SVF and human ASC but not for SVF lysate. Human cells were not detected in the flaps after 7 days. Conclusions Flap survival increased with SVF treatment regardless of human or autologous origin, suggesting that increased flap survival is independent of the host immune response. All cell injections lead to increased vessel density, but it did not necessarily lead to increased flap survival. Further research should elaborate which molecular events make SVF treatment more efficacious than ASC.
Osteoimmunology and the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines on osteoclasts

Bone and immune system are functionally interconnected. Immune and bone cells derive from same progenitors in the bone marrow, they share a common microenvironment and are being influenced by similar mediators. The evidence on increased bone resorption associated with inappropriate activation of T cells such as during inflammation, is well established. However, the molecular mechanisms beyond this clinical observation have begun to be intensively studied with the advancement of osteoimmunology. Now days, we have firm evidence on the influence of numerous proinflammatory cytokines on bone cells, with the majority of data focused on osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells. It has been shown that some proinflammatory cytokines could possess osteoclastogenic and/or anti-osteoclastogenic properties and can target osteoclasts directly or via receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK)/RANK ligand(RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) system. Several studies have reported opposing data regarding (anti)osteoclastogenic properties of these cytokines. Therefore, the first part of this review is summarizing current evidence on the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines on osteoclasts and thus on bone resorption. In the second part, the evidence on the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in osteoporosis and osteoarthritis is reviewed to show that unravelling the mechanisms beyond such complex bone diseases, is almost impossible without considering skeletal and immune systems as an indivisible integrated system.
Evaluation of a multi-drum magnetorheological brake via finite element analysis considering number of drums and fluid gap selection in optimization

Under the same excitation, the multi-drum magnetorheological brake has a nonuniform distribution of flux density over fluid gaps. Each fluid gap has its own flux density and shear area. Therefore, the number of drums and the fluid gap selection in optimization are two important parameters to be considered in a multi-drum brake design. When a fluid gap is selected in optimization, the brake is optimized to reach the maximum required flux density over this gap. This article focuses on evaluating the influence of these two parameters on the performance of the multi-drum brake. According to the number of drums and the fluid gap selection in optimization, the brakes were marked and optimized via finite element analysis. After all optimal designs were obtained, the performance in terms of torque, volume, mass, and power consumption as well as the torque–volume, torque–mass, and torque–power ratios were calculated and compared. Based on the evaluation results, suggestions on the number of drums and the fluid gap selection in optimization are given.
A review of sutures and other skin closure materials

Abstract More than ever, dermatologic surgeons are faced with a multitude of suture and other closure materials when evaluating a surgical wound. Given there is no single material that is ideal for all situations, the physician must decide which material is best suited for that particular closure. This review seeks to summarize the major properties of common suture materials as well as other closure materials including adhesive tapes, glues and staples.
Structural Characterization of the Erythrocyte Binding Domain of the Reticulocyte Binding Protein Homologue Family of Plasmodium yoelii

ABSTRACT Invasion of the host cell by the malaria parasite is a key step for parasite survival and the only stage of its life cycle where the parasite is extracellular, and it is therefore a target for an antimalaria intervention strategy. Multiple members of the reticulocyte binding protein homologues (RH) family are found in all plasmodia and have been shown to bind to host red blood cells directly. In the study described here, we delineated the erythrocyte binding domain (EBD) of one member of the RH family, termed Py235, from Plasmodium yoelii. Moreover, we have obtained the low-resolution structure of the EBD using small-angle X-ray scattering. Comparison of the EDB structure to other characterized Plasmodium receptor binding domains suggests that there may be an overall structural conservation. These findings may help in developing new approaches to target receptor ligand interactions mediated by parasite proteins.
Pretreatment with nitrous oxide enhances induction of anesthesia with sevoflurane: A randomized controlled trial

Background and Aims: Inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane may be enhanced by several drugs or techniques. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of nitrous oxide (N2O) pretreatment on the speed of anesthesia induction with sevoflurane. Material and Methods: Eighty patients scheduled for hysteroscopy under general anesthesia were randomly assigned to inhale for 10 min before induction 50% N2O in oxygen or air via a facemask. Anesthesia was induced with 7-8% sevoflurane in oxygen via a facemask. Bispectral index (BIS), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) tidal volume, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation (SpO2), and heart rate were recorded every minute during the 10 min pretreatment periods and every 30 s during the first 300 s of induction with sevoflurane. During induction of anesthesia inspired and end-tidal sevoflurane concentrations were also recorded. Results: During the 10 min of inspired 50% N2O or air BIS, EtCO2, tidal volume, respiratory rate and heart rate values did not differ between the two groups except for the SpO2, which was higher in the N2O group (P < 0.001). During induction of anesthesia the N2O group exhibited lower BIS values (P = 0.001), being significant at 60-150 s (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.002, P = 0.014) as well as at 270 s (P = 0.004). EtCO2 and tidal volume were consistently lower in the N2O group (P = 0.001, P = 0.041 respectively) and respiratory rate was higher (P = 0.007). Conclusion: Our results show that pretreatment of the patients with 50% N2O for 10 min enhances the speed of induction with sevoflurane as assessed by the BIS monitoring.
Factor Analysis of the MSVT, NV-MSVT, and RBANS Memory Subtests.

OBJECTIVE The current investigation sought to define the relationship between established performance validity tests and measures of memory via a factor analytic strategy first published by Heyanka, Thaler, Linck, Pastorek, Miller, Romesser, & Sim (2015). A Factor analytic approach to the validation of the Word Memory Test and Test of Memory Malingering as measures of effort and not memory. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 30, 369-376. METHOD The full range of Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT) and Non-Verbal Medical Symptom Validity Test (NV-MSVT) subtests were factor analyzed with the memory scales of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) in a sample of 346 service members with a history of concussion. RESULTS A two-factor solution was extracted with the MSVT and NV-MSVT effort and paired associate subtests loading on one factor and the RBANS subtests loading on a second factor. CONCLUSIONS Results support the conclusion that the effort subtests of the MSVT and NV-MSVT tap a different construct from established memory measures.
Factors Affecting Medical Service Quality

Abstract Background A better understanding of factors influencing quality of medical service can pinpoint better strategies for quality assurance in medical services. This study aimed to identify factors affecting the quality of medical services provided by Iranian physicians. Methods Exploratory in-depth individual interviews were conducted with sixty-four physicians working in various medical institutions in Iran. Results Individual, organizational and environmental factors enhance or inhibit the quality of medical services. Quality of medical services depends on the personal factors of the physician and patient, and factors pertaining to the healthcare setting and the broader environment. Conclusion Differences in internal and external factors such as availability of resources, patient cooperation and collaboration among providers affect the quality of medical services and patient outcomes. Supportive leadership, proper planning, education and training and effective management of resources and processes improve the quality of medical services. This article contributes to healthcare theory and practice by developing a conceptual framework for understanding factors that influence medical services quality.
Number of electrocardiogram leads displaying the diagnostic coved-type pattern in Brugada syndrome: a diagnostic consensus criterion to be revised.

AIMS According to the diagnostic consensus criteria, the electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnosis of Brugada syndrome requires coved-type > or =2 mm ST-segment elevation in >1 right precordial lead (RPL) V1-V3 in the presence or absence of a sodium-channel blocker. However, this consensus has not been evaluated. We aimed to assess the distribution of coved-type ST-segment elevation on RPLs in a large patient cohort to reevaluate the appropriateness of the diagnostic consensus criteria. METHODS AND RESULTS We included 186 individuals with spontaneous and/or drug-induced ECGs of coved-type > or =2 mm ST-segment elevation in at least one RPL. A total of 376 ECGs were analysed for the number, distribution and maximal J-point elevation of diagnostic RPLs. Among all ECGs, 27 (7%) showed a coved-type pattern in 3 RPLs, 205 (55%) in 2 RPLs, and 144 (38%) in only 1 RPL. Leads V1 and V2 were diagnostic in 99% of all ECGs with two diagnostic RPLs. Lead V3 alone was not diagnostic in any ECG. Maximal J-point elevation was significantly higher in lead V2 than V1. Sixty case subjects (32%) had only ECGs with one RPL displaying a coved-type ST-segment elevation. There was no significant difference in clinical presentation and outcome compared with the 126 Brugada patients with ECGs displaying >1 diagnostic RPL. Major arrhythmic events occurred with the same rate (8%) in both groups during a follow-up >5 years. CONCLUSION Lead V3 does not yield diagnostic information in Brugada syndrome. Individuals with ECGs displaying only one diagnostic RPL have a similar clinical profile and arrhythmic risk as Brugada patients with ECGs displaying >1 diagnostic RPL. Revision of the consensus criteria should be considered.
Pulmonary function in diabetes: a metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND Research into the association between diabetes and pulmonary function has resulted in inconsistent outcomes among studies. We performed a metaanalysis to clarify this association. METHODS From a systematic search of the literature, we included 40 studies describing pulmonary function data of 3,182 patients with diabetes and 27,080 control subjects. Associations were summarized pooling the mean difference (MD) (standard error) between patients with diabetes and control subjects of all studies for key lung function parameters. RESULTS For all studies, the pooled MD for FEV(1), FVC, and diffusion of the lungs for carbon monoxide were -5.1 (95% CI, -6.4 to -3.7; P < .001), -6.3 (95% CI, -8.0 to -4.7; P < .001), and -7.2 (95% CI, -10.0 to -4.4; P < .001) % predicted, respectively, and for FEV(1)/FVC 0.1% (95% CI, -0.8 to 1.0; P = .78). Metaregression analyses showed that between-study heterogeneity was not explained by BMI, smoking, diabetes duration, or glycated hemoglobin (all P > .05). CONCLUSIONS Diabetes is associated with a modest, albeit statistically significant, impaired pulmonary function in a restrictive pattern. Since our results apply to the diabetic subpopulation free from overt pulmonary disease, it would next be interesting to investigate the potential clinical implications in those patients with diabetes who carry a pulmonary diagnosis, such as COPD or asthma.
Analysis of Single-breath Profiles of Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Children with Allergy and Asthma: Guideline-derived Plateau Concentrations Compared to Results of Automatic Evaluation by Two Analyzers

Current guidelines recommend the single-breath measurement of fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) at the expiratory flow rate of 50 mL/s as a gold standard. The time profile of exhaled FENO consists of a washout phase followed by a plateau phase with a stable concentration. This study performed measurements of FENO using a chemiluminescence analyzer Ecomedics CLD88sp and an electrochemical monitor NIOX MINO in 82 children and adolescents (44 males) from 4.9 to 18.7 years of age with corticosteroid-treated allergic rhinitis (N = 58) and/or asthma (N = 59). Duration of exhalation was 6 seconds for children less than 12 years of age and 10 seconds for older children. The first aim was to compare the evaluation of FENO-time profiles from Ecomedics by its software in fixed intervals of 7 to 10 seconds (older children) and 2 to 4 seconds (younger children) since the start of exhalation (method A) with the guideline-based analysis of plateau concentrations at variable time intervals (method B). The second aim was to assess the between-analyzer agreement. In children over 12 years of age, the median ratio of FENO concentrations of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99–1.02) indicated an excellent agreement between the methods A and B. Compared with NIOX MINO, the Ecomedics results were higher by 11% (95% CI: 1–22) (method A) and 14% (95% CI: 4–26) (method B), respectively. In children less than 12 years of age, the FENO concentrations obtained by the method B were 34% (95% CI: 21–48) higher and more reproducible (p < 0.02) compared to the method A. The Ecomedics results of the method A were 11% lower (95% CI: 2–20) than NIOX MINO concentrations while the method B gave 21% higher concentrations (95% CI: 9–35). We conclude that in children less than 12 years of age, the guideline-based analysis of FENO–time profiles from Ecomedics at variable times obtains FENO concentrations that are higher and more reproducible than those from the fixed interval of 2 to 4 seconds and higher than NIOX MINO concentrations obtained during a short exhalation (6 seconds). The Ecomedics FENO concentrations of children more than 12 years of age calculated in the interval of 7 to 10 seconds represent plateau values and agree well with NIOX MINO results obtained during a standard 10-second exhalation.
Syngas ash deposition for a three row film cooled leading edge turbine vane

Coal gasification and combustion can introduce contaminants in the solid or molten state depending on the gas clean up procedures used, coal composition and operating conditions. These byproducts when combined with high temperatures and high gas stream velocities can cause Deposition, Erosion, and Corrosion (DEC) of turbine components downstream of the combustor section. The objective of this dissertation is to use computational techniques to investigate the dynamics of ash deposition in a leading edge vane geometry with film cooling. Large Eddy Simulations (LES) is used to model the flow field of the coolant jetmainstream interaction and the deposition of syngas ash in the leading edge region of a turbine vane is modeled using a Lagrangian framework. The three row leading edge vane geometry is modeled as a symmetric semi-cylinder with a flat afterbody. One row of coolant holes is located along the stagnation line and the other two rows of coolant holes are located at ±21.3° from the stagnation line. The coolant is injected at 45° to the vane surface with 90° compound angle injection. The coolant to mainstream density ratio is set to unity and the freestream Reynolds number based on leading edge diameter is 32000. Coolant to mainstream blowing ratios (B.R.) of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 are investigated. It is found that the stagnation cooling jets penetrate much further into the mainstream, both in the normal and lateral directions, than the off-stagnation jets for all blowing ratios. Jet dilution is characterized by turbulent diffusion and entrainment. The strength of both mechanisms increases with blowing ratio. The adiabatic
The Effect of Brushing Time and Dentifrice Quantity on Fluoride Delivery in vivo and Enamel Surface Microhardness in situ

While the clinical anticaries efficacy of fluoride toothpaste is now without question, our understanding of the relation of fluoride efficacy to brushing time and dentifrice quantity is limited. The aim of this in situ study was to determine how differences in brushing time and dentifrice quantity influence (i) fluoride distribution immediately after brushing, (ii) clearance of fluoride in saliva, (iii) enamel fluoride uptake (EFU) and (iv) enamel strengthening, via the increase in surface microhardness. The study compared brushing times of 30, 45, 60, 120 and 180 s with 1.5 g of dentifrice containing 1,100 µg/g fluoride as sodium fluoride. In addition, 60 s of brushing with 0.5 g dentifrice was evaluated. A longer brushing time progressively reduced retention of dentifrice in the brush, thereby increasing the amount delivered into the mouth. A longer brushing time also increased fluoride concentrations in saliva for at least 2 h after the conclusion of brushing, showing that increased contact time promoted fluoride retention in the oral cavity. There was a statistically significant positive linear relationship between brushing time and both enamel strengthening and EFU. Compared to 0.5 g dentifrice, brushing with 1.5 g dentifrice more than doubled the fluoride recovered in saliva after brushing and increased EFU. In conclusion, the results of this preliminary, short-term usage study suggest for the first time that both brushing time and dentifrice quantity may be important determinants both of fluoride retention in the oral cavity and consequent enamel remineralization.
Effects of turbulent blood flow and hypertension on experimental atherosclerosis.

THE PATHOGENSIS of atherosclerosis is as yet incompletely understood, and it may well be that ultimately, no single process will be identified as the sole cause of this disease. There are numerous contributing factors which alter athero- genesis. Some of these are heredity, race, sex, dietary habits, endocrine diseases, hypertension, and disorders in cholesterol and lipid metabolism. The lesion in atherosclerosis is the atheroma which begins as a small, elevated, yellowish plaque in the intima. Microscopic sections reveal the lesion to consist of cholesterol and lipoid material in phagocytes which are in turn surrounded by proliferating connective tissue. Increase in connective tissue and deposition of calcium occur with the passage of time. The role played by the cholesterol in the lesion is more readily accepted by investigators at large than is the manner in which the cholesterol deposition occurs. One theory is that the cholesterol is carried into the vessel
The Rise of Finance and Firm Employment Dynamics

This article sheds light on the ongoing employment stagnation in the United States by investigating the links between the rise of finance and firm employment dynamics during the 1982–2005 period. I argue that the rise of finance marginalized the role of labor in revenue generating and sharing processes, which led to employment stagnation among the largest nonfinancial firms in the United States. Evidence suggests that increasing investment in financial assets depresses the workforce size. The growing dependence on debt reprioritizes the order of distribution, heightening the need for workforce reduction. The increasing rewards for shareholders generate a downsize-and-distribute spiral, in which labor expense becomes a primary target of cost-cutting strategies. Further analysis indicates that production and service workers are more vulnerable to shifts associated with the rise of finance than managers and professionals.
Decentralised control of thermostatic loads for ﬂexible demand response

—Thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) such as refrigerators, air-conditioners and space heaters offer signiﬁcant potential for short-term modulation of their aggregate power consumption. This ability can be used in principle to provide frequency response services, but controlling a multitude of devices to provide a measured collective response has proven to be challenging. Many controller implementations struggle to manage simultaneously the short-term response and the long-term payback, whereas others rely on a real-time command-and-control infrastructure to resolve this issue. In this work we propose a novel approach to the control of TCLs that allows for accurate modulation of the aggregate power consumption of a large collection of appliances through stochastic control. By construction, the control scheme is well suited for decentralised implementation