Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safe Extensive Tumescent Liposuction With Segmental Infiltration of Lower Concentration Lidocaine Under Monitored Anesthesia Care

AbstractTumescent anesthesia makes it feasible to perform liposuction in an office setting. There are often patients who desire extensive liposuction on approximately 30% of total body surface area, which means the lidocaine total dose might be over the dosing recommendation. So the segmental infiltration is applied, although the concentration of lidocaine in tumescent fluid is gradually reduced to 0.0252%. Moreover, supplemental intravenous (IV) sedation using monitored anesthesia care is usually applied concurrently to help alleviate discomfort and pain of the patients during tumescent anesthetic infusion and fat extraction which in turn increases the risks of potential lidocaine toxicity due to possible drug interactions. This study was to demonstrate the safety of segmental infiltration of tumescent fluid with lower lidocaine concentration combined with IV sedation in extensive liposuction and determine whether the risk of lidocaine toxicity is increased in this protocol. Ten female patients who requested the extensive liposuction participated in the study. The targeted areas were divided into 2 segments and treated in turn in 1 session. Lidocaine (1600 mg) was infiltrated into the first segment, and approximately 928 mg lidocaine was subsequently infiltrated after accomplishment of the first segment operation. Serum levels of lidocaine were taken every 4 hours during the first 24 hours after the second infiltration. The average time of the procedure is 222 (33) minutes. The dose and total amount of lidocaine injected are 40.7 (5.8) mg/kg and 2528.2 (155.2) mg, respectively. The total volume of the infusates and aspirates are 9918.1 (494) and 6325 (1461.6) mL, respectively, the ratio of total infusates to total aspirates is 1.66 (0.45). The total aspirated fat and fluids are 3280 (1051.8) and 3045 (824.1) mL, respectively. The peak lidocaine levels [2.18 (0.63) &mgr;g/mL] occurred after 12 to 20 hours [16.4 (2.27) hours]. No significant correlation between dose per kilogram body weight or total dose of lidocaine infiltrated and its peak levels or time existed. The extensive liposuction covering the 30% total body surface areas was well tolerated by the patients under tumescent anesthesia in combination with the supplemental IV sedation. Our previous study on the fluid management has demonstrated the risk of hypovolemia or fluid overload is very low with this technique, although the patients who received only maintenance fluid (500 mL) in the operating room and could discharge and resume oral intake after 6 hours of recovery room stay. The adequate anesthesia support is available in our office-based setting with adequate recovery facilities in place. It has a high margin of safety, without increasing of lidocaine toxicity or adverse cardiopulmonary sequelae while using a segmental tumescent infiltration with lower concentration of lidocaine.
Mandibular dysmorphology due to abnormal embryonic osteogenesis in FGFR2-related craniosynostosis mice

ABSTRACT One diagnostic feature of craniosynostosis syndromes is mandibular dysgenesis. Using three mouse models of Apert, Crouzon and Pfeiffer craniosynostosis syndromes, we investigated how embryonic development of the mandible is affected by fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (Fgfr2) mutations. Quantitative analysis of skeletal form at birth revealed differences in mandibular morphology between mice carrying Fgfr2 mutations and their littermates that do not carry the mutations. Murine embryos with the mutations associated with Apert syndrome in humans (Fgfr2+/S252W and Fgfr2+/P253R) showed an increase in the size of the osteogenic anlagen and Meckel's cartilage (MC). Changes in the microarchitecture and mineralization of the developing mandible were visualized using histological staining. The mechanism for mandibular dysgenesis in the Apert Fgfr2+/S252W mouse resulting in the most severe phenotypic effects was further analyzed in detail and found to occur to a lesser degree in the other craniosynostosis mouse models. Laser capture microdissection and RNA-seq analysis revealed transcriptomic changes in mandibular bone at embryonic day 16.5 (E16.5), highlighting increased expression of genes related to osteoclast differentiation and dysregulated genes active in bone mineralization. Increased osteoclastic activity was corroborated by TRAP assay and in situ hybridization of Csf1r and Itgb3. Upregulated expression of Enpp1 and Ank was validated in the mandible of Fgfr2+/S252W embryos, and found to result in elevated inorganic pyrophosphate concentration. Increased proliferation of osteoblasts in the mandible and chondrocytes forming MC was identified in Fgfr2+/S252W embryos at E12.5. These findings provide evidence that FGFR2 gain-of-function mutations differentially affect cartilage formation and intramembranous ossification of dermal bone, contributing to mandibular dysmorphogenesis in craniosynostosis syndromes. This article has an associated First Person interview with the joint first authors of the paper. Summary: FGFR2 gain-of-function mutations differentially affect cartilage formation and intramembranous ossification of dermal bone, resulting in abnormal embryonic osteogenesis of the mandible.
Oestrogen supplementation attenuates responses to psychological stress in elderly men rendered hypogonadal after treatment for prostate cancer

background We have shown previously that oestrogens attenuate cardiovascular and hormonal responses to stress in perimenopausal women. The cardiovascular role of oestrogens in men is uncertain, despite preliminary evidence that endogenous oestrogens produced by aromatization of androgenic precursors are of physiological importance; hypogonadal men have very low levels of circulating oestrogen.
Dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium current mediates neurotransmitter release from bipolar cells of the goldfish retina

The release of neurotransmitter is evoked by activation of the Ca current (ICa) at presynaptic terminals. Though multiple types of ICa have been reported in various cells, little is known about the properties of presynaptic ICa in the vertebrate CNS. The aim of this article is to identify the type of ICa involved in the release of neurotransmitter from retinal bipolar cells. Bipolar cells with a large axon terminal were isolated enzymatically from the goldfish retina, and studied by the following techniques: (1) recordings of ICa in the whole- cell recording configuration, (2) visualization of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) with the Fura-2 imaging system, and (3) real-time electrophysiological bioassay of released excitatory amino acid transmitter by a voltage-clamped horizontal cell isolated from the catfish retina. The only ICa found in bipolar cells was the high- voltage-activated, dihydropyridine-sensitive type. This result supports the recent study by Heidelberger and Matthews (1992). When ICa was activated by a short depolarizing pulse, a rapid increase of [Ca2+]i was restricted to the axon terminal. A much slower and smaller increase of [Ca2+]i was sometimes observed at the cell body, probably due to the diffusion of intracellular free Ca2+ from the axon terminal. The increase of [Ca2+]i was completely suppressed by nicardipine, suggesting that Ca2+ entered through dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca channels located mainly at the axon terminal. Activating ICa of the bipolar cell evoked a transmitter-induced current in the excitatory amino acid probe (i.e., the catfish horizontal cell). Both currents were suppressed concomitantly by nifedipine but not by omega- conotoxin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Estimating the Impact of Means-Tested Subsidies Under Treatment Externalities with Application to Anti-Malarial Bednets

Regular use of effective health-products such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITN) by a household benefits its neighbors by (a) reducing chances of infection and (b) raising awareness about product-effectiveness, thereby increasing product-use. Due to their potential social benefits and high purchase price, causing free-riding and sub-optimal private procurement, such products may be subsidized in developing countries through means-testing. Owing to associated spillover effects, cost-benefit analysis of such subsidies requires modelling behavioral responses of both the subsidized household and its neighbors. Using experimental data from Kenya where subsidies were randomized, coupled with GPS-based location information, we show how to estimate aggregate ITN use resulting from means-tested subsidies in the presence of such spatial spillovers. Accounting for spillovers introduces infinite-dimensional estimated regressors corresponding to continuously distributed location coordinates and makes the inference problem novel. We show that even if individual ITN use unambiguously increases with increasing incidence of subsidy in the neighborhood, ignoring spillovers may over- or under-predict overall ITN use resulting from a specific targeting rule, depending on the resulting aggregate incidence of subsidy. Applying our method to the Kenyan data, we find that (i) individual ITN use rises with neighborhood subsidy-rates, (ii) under means-testing, predicted ITN use is a convex increasing function of the subsidy incidence and (iii) ignoring spillovers implies a nearly-linear increasing relationship leading to over-estimation of ITN use at lower and under-estimation at higher subsidy rates.
Sampling and Selection Factors that Enhance the Diversity of Microbial Collections: Application to Biopesticide Development

Diverse bacteria are known to colonize plants. However, only a small fraction of that diversity has been evaluated for their biopesticide potential. To date, the criteria for sampling and selection in such bioprospecting endeavors have not been systematically evaluated in terms of the relative amount of diversity they provide for analysis. The present study aimed to enhance the success of bio-prospecting efforts by increasing the diversity while removing the genotypic redundancy often present in large collections of bacteria. We developed a multivariate sampling and marker-based selection strategy that significantly increase the diversity of bacteria recovered from plants. In doing so, we quantified the effects of varying sampling intensity, media composition, incubation conditions, plant species, and soil source on the diversity of recovered isolates. Subsequent sequencing and high-throughput phenotypic analyses of a small fraction of the collected isolates revealed that this approach led to the recovery of over a dozen rare and, to date, poorly characterized genera of plant-associated bacteria with significant biopesticide activities. Overall, the sampling and selection approach described led to an approximately 5-fold improvement in efficiency and the recovery of several novel strains of bacteria with significant biopesticide potential.
Plant Vibrations at all Scales: A Review.

Plant vibrations is a wide subject that covers topics ranging from the swaying of trees under wind to elastic waves made by an insect on a leaf to communicate with its neighbors. For this reason, the state of the art is somehow fragmented over several communities. This reviews aims at giving a general overview of the main results and challenges in plant vibrations. Several scales are considered, from the very small and local, in leaves or fruits, to large canopies of many plants.
Network and pathway‐based analysis of microRNA role in neuropathic pain in rat models

The molecular mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain (NP) remain poorly understood. Emerging evidence has suggested the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the initiation and development of NP, but the specific effects of miRNAs in NP are largely unknown. Here, we use network‐ and pathway‐based methods to investigate NP‐induced miRNA changes and their biological functions by conducting a systematic search through multiple electronic databases. Thirty‐seven articles meet the inclusion criteria. Venn analysis and target gene forecasting are performed and the results indicate that 167 overlapping target genes are co‐regulated by five down‐regulated miRNAs (rno‐miR‐183, rno‐miR‐96, rno‐miR‐30b, rno‐miR‐150 and rno‐miR‐206). Protein‐protein interaction network analysis shows that 77 genes exhibit interactions, with cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)‐dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit beta (degree = 11) and cAMP‐response element binding protein 1 (degree = 10) having the highest connectivity degree. Gene ontology analysis shows that these target genes are enriched in neuron part, neuron projection, somatodendritic compartment and nervous system development. Moreover, analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes reveals that three pathways, namely, axon guidance, circadian entrainment and insulin secretion, are significantly enriched. In addition, rno‐miR‐183, rno‐miR‐96, rno‐miR‐30b, rno‐miR‐150 and rno‐miR‐206 are consistently down‐regulated in the NP models, thus constituting the potential biomarkers of this disease. Characterizing these miRNAs and their target genes paves way for their future use in clinical practice.
Instrumental measurement of pomegranate texture during four maturity stages.

Texture of pomegranate fruit and arils are the main quality attributes in the food process industries. In this study, the texture properties of pomegranate fruit and arils (cv. "Ashraf") at four different stage of maturity (88, 109, 124, and 143 days after full bloom) were evaluated using the puncture test (rupture force and rupture energy) and compression test (bioyield force, rupture energy, and young modulus). The tests showed that all studied textural parameters were sensitive textural parameters for distinguishing the maturity stages. Rupture force and rupture energy of pomegranate fruit were determined at top, middle, and bottom positions of the fruit. The results showed that compression load values of aril increased with advances in maturity stage of fruit, while puncture load values of fruit decreased. The textural properties of pomegranate fruit and arils exhibited a strong dependence (p < .05) on the degree of maturity at harvesting time. Also results showed that rupture force of three different studied positions of fruit was severely different. The highest and lowest values were observed at top and middle position, respectively.
Highly Sensitive Immunoassay for Rat Brain‐Type Creatine Kinase: Determination in Isolated Purkinje Cells

Ultrasensitive enzyme immunoassay method for the measurement of rat brain‐type creatine kinase BB (CK‐BB) was developed by use of purified antibodies specific to the B subunit of creatine kinase. The antibody immunoglobulin G was purified with immunoaffinity chromatography of the antiserum raised in rabbits by injecting the purified rat CK‐BB. The assay system consisted of polystyrene balls with immobilized antibody F(ab′)2 fragments and the same antibody Fab' fragments labeled with β‐D‐galactosidase from Escherichia coli. The assay was specific to the B subunit of CK (CK‐B), showing about 10% cross‐reactivity with CK‐MB, but it did not cross‐react with CK‐MM and neuron‐specific γγ enolase. The minimum detection limit of the assay was 0.1 pg or 1 amol CK‐BB, being sufficiently sensitive for the measurement of CK‐B contents in the isolated Purkinje cell bodies at the level of single cells. The average content of CK‐B in a single Purkinje cell was 1.64 pg. The CK‐B concentration in rat cerebellum (about 22 μg/mg protein) was about twofold higher than that (about 13 μg/mg protein) in the cerebrum. High levels (> 5 μ/mg protein) of CK‐B were also found in the peripheral tissues such as gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, all of which are composed of smooth muscle. Immunohistochemical localization of CK‐B antigens in the CNS revealed that the antigens is distributed not only in the neurons but also in the glial cells.
Age at Time of Surgery but Not Sex Is Related to Outcomes After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Background: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has become a well-accepted procedure for recurrent patellofemoral instability. Despite a growing volume of research assessing surgical results, the relationship of age and sex to outcomes after MPFL reconstruction surgery is unclear. Purpose: To investigate whether age at the time of surgery or sex influenced patient-reported quality of life and clinical outcome after MPFL reconstruction for recurrent lateral patellofemoral instability. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between January 2010 and May 2016, 328 patients underwent primary patellofemoral stabilization. Demographic and clinical data were collected preoperatively. Patients completed the Banff Patellofemoral Instability Instrument (BPII) at the pre- and postoperative visits and were assessed clinically at 12 and 24 months. To assess the effects of age at surgery and sex on BPII, multiple linear regression models were fit predicting BPII at 12 and 24 months. An unadjusted regression was applied with the predictors being age at the time of surgery and sex. A second regression model was applied adjusting for age at first dislocation, grade of trochlear dysplasia, knee hyperextension, and the WARPS/STAID score—a measure of the risky patellofemoral instability characteristics of the patient. Results: Of 328 patients, 298 (91%) had complete data and minimum 12-month BPII scores available for analysis. There were 11 redislocations in the cohort (3.4%), all in female patients. When stratified by sex, baseline characteristics were not statistically different except for higher age at first dislocation (P = .022) as well as higher WARPS/STAID scores (P = .006) for males. Age at the time of surgery was statistically significant for each postoperative follow-up, with lower BPII scores apparent for each 10-year increase in age at the time of surgery. In the adjusted model, the WARPS/STAID score was significantly associated with the preoperative BPII score. For the 24-month postoperative BPII scores, age at time of surgery and preoperative WARPS/STAID score were both significant. Lower BPII scores were apparent for each 10-year increase in age at the time of surgery, as well as for lower scores on the WARPS/STAID classification. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that when adjusted for risky pathoanatomy, neither age at first dislocation nor sex influences patient-reported quality of life outcomes after MPFL reconstruction. Age at the time of surgery was correlated with outcome, with lower BPII scores apparent for each 10-year increase in age at the time of MPFL reconstruction.
Testable Restrictions of General Equilibrium Theory in Exchange Economies with Externalities

The theory of general equilibrium was criticized for its apparent lack of testable implications, as seemingly implied by the results of Sonnenschein, Mantel and Debreu in the Seventies. This view was challenged by the results of Brown and Matzkin (1996), which showed the existence of testable restrictions on the equilibrium manifold of exchange economies. This paper studies a problem similar to the one posed by Brown and Matzkin, for the case of general equilibrium in the presence of externalities. The natural definition of equilibrium in such case is the Nash-Walras equilibrium concept. I first consider the case of strategic externalities, where I assume that each player chooses a consumption bundle, subject to some budget, and a strategy from a continuous domain, and where the utility of each individual depends on his consumption and on the strategies chosen by all the players. I also consider the case of consumption externalities, in which each individual’s utility depends on his consumption of all commodities and on the consumption of some particular commodity by all individuals. The results obtained here are rather negative in that they point towards the unfalsifiability of the equilibrium hypothesis. Under the assumption that one can observe individual choices for the externality, I find that there exist some extremely mild testable restrictions. This, however, is not a pure extension of the Brown-Matzkin result, since some individual decisions are assumed to be observed. If there is no information on individual choices, I find that the equilibrium concept imposes no testable restrictions. This occurs unless one imposes further assumptions, such as weak separability.
Profiles of prostaglandin F2α metabolite in dairy cattle during luteal regression and pregnancy: implications for corpus luteum maintenance†

Abstract Mechanisms of bovine corpus luteum (CL) maintenance during the second month of pregnancy have not been adequately investigated, despite significant reproductive losses. In the first month, interferon-tau is believed to suppress oxytocin-stimulated prostaglandin F2α (PGF) production, yet there are conflicting reports of circulating PGF metabolite (PGFM). In this study, characterization of PGFM and P4 occurred through continuous bihourly blood sampling in cows undergoing CL regression (day 18–21, n = 5), and during the first (day 18–21, n = 5) and second month (day 47–61; n = 16) of pregnancy. Cattle in the second month were assigned to control (n = 8) or oxytocin treatment (n = 8; three pulses to mimic luteolysis) to evaluate if oxytocin receptors were active. All cows but one (which had elevated PGFM prior to oxytocin treatment) maintained the pregnancy. Basal PGFM concentrations were low (11.6 ± 0.7 pg/mL) in the first month but increased 2.54-fold in the second month. Few (0.26 ± 0.12 pulses/day) PGFM pulses with low peak concentrations (28.8 ± 3.1 pg/mL) were observed during the first month of pregnancy, similar to cows not undergoing regression. However, in the second month, frequency (1.10 ± 0.26 pulses/day) and peak concentration (67.2 ± 5.0 pg/mL) of PGFM pulses increased, displaying similar frequency but lower peak PGFM than seen in regression (1.44 ± 0.14 pulses/day; 134.5 ± 18.9 pg/mL). Oxytocin treatment increased likelihood of PGFM pulses post-treatment and increased peak concentration (89.7 ± 10.1 pg/mL) in cows during the second month. Thus, cows have more PGFM pulses during second than first month of pregnancy, possibly induced by endogenous oxytocin, indicating suppression of PGF production is an important mechanism for CL maintenance during first but not second month of pregnancy. Summary Sentence Low basal PGFM concentration and minimal pulsatile activity are observed in first month of pregnancy before increasing during second month of pregnancy, suggesting different mechanisms maintain the CL in the first vs second month of pregnancy.