Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pro forma: impact on communication skills?

A doctor performs 160 000–300 000 interviews during a lifetime career, thus making the medical interview the most common procedure in clinical medicine. It is reported that 60–80 per cent of diagnosis is based on history taking, yet there is little published data advising on the best method for medical students to initially attain and further refine these core skills during their medical degree.
Beta-cell function and visceral fat in lactating women with a history of gestational diabetes.

Lactation has been recommended as beneficial for the maternal metabolic abnormalities associated with glucose intolerance and diabetes risk, although associations between breastfeeding (BF), glucose tolerance, and adipose tissue distribution are unknown. Therefore, a population of women with recent gestational diabetes (GDM) was evaluated with comparison of results for lactating versus nonlactating women. A total of 26 women participated (14 BF and 12 nonbreastfeeding [nonBF]) with a singleton vaginal delivery after 36 weeks gestation. At 3 months postpartum, each woman completed a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT), and computed tomography (CT) scanning for adipose distribution and mass. Insulin sensitivity was not significantly different between BF and nonBF groups (4.97 +/- 0.78 v 3.44 +/- 1.0 x 10(-4) min(-1)/(microU/mL) nor was glucose effectiveness (1.92 +/- 0.22 v 1.56 +/- 0.19 x 10(-2) min(-1)). However, the disposition index (DI) (insulin sensitivity [S(I)] x acute insulin response to glucose [AIRg]) was higher in the BF group (129.9 +/- 26.0 v 53.4 +/- 18.0 x 10(-4) min(-1); P =. 03). Visceral fat (103 +/- 14 v 97 +/- 15 cm(2)) and subcutaneous fat (362 +/- 36 v 460 +/- 68 cm(2)) were similar between the groups. We conclude that 3 months of BF in a population with previous GDM was associated with improved pancreatic beta-cell function, but not with any difference in measures of adiposity.
Stock and Mobility of Researchers and Industrial Leadership

We propose an evolutionary model which shows the relevance of the stock and mobility of researchers in explaining industrial leadership and catch‐up. Likewise, it shows how leading firms and nations may benefit from their competitors' investments in scientific training. On the other hand, international knowledge diffusion may jeopardize apparently solid leadership positions. Thus, under certain conditions, technological convergence at a worldwide level mitigates the migrant‐sending role of emergent nations. In fact, taking advantage of knowledge diffusion to make the transition from migrant‐sending to migrant‐receiving nation proves to be a source of leadership in the model.
Cerebral Metabolic, Vascular and Protective Effects of Midazolam Maleate: Comparison to Diazepam

The effects of midazolam maleate and diazepam on cerebral metabolism and circulation were examined for each drug in six dogs maintained on N2O 70 per cent and halothane < 0.1 per cent. Midazolam maleate at 0.2 mg/kg and diazepam at 0.3 mg/kg (the ED 100 per cent for induction of anesthesia for each drug in humans) did not decrease metabolic rate for oxygen (CMRO2) but did decrease cerebral blood flow (CBF) to about 55 per cent of control. Additional drug administrations (2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 mg/kg midazolam maleate, and 3.0 and 7.5 mg/kg diazepam) resulted in dose-related decreases in CMRO2 to a maximum of 55 per cent of control after 10.0 mg/kg midazolam maleate. Concomitant with the initial decreases in CMRO2 there was a change in the EEG as reflected by a decrease in frequency and an increase in amplitude. This EEG change suggests that 2.0 mg/kg midazolam maleate and 3.0 mg/kg diazepam represent a comparable canine anesthetic dose. Each additional dose of midazolam maleate decreased CBF to a greater extent than did the added doses of diazepam. Brain biopsies taken at the end of the midazolam maleate studies revealed a normal cerebral energy state (phosphocreatine, ATP, ADP, and AMP) and normal glucose, lactate, and pyruvate concentrations. In a hypoxic mouse model (FlO2 = 0.05), midazolam maleate provided greater protection from hypoxia (2.8 X control survival time) than diazepam (1.6 X control survival time). By comparison barbiturates in this model provide a survival time which is 4.0 X control.
Hydrogen bonding and Raman, IR, and 2D-IR spectroscopy of dilute HOD in liquid D2O

We present improvements on our previous approaches for calculating vibrational spectroscopy observables for the OH stretch region of dilute HOD in liquid D2O. These revised approaches are implemented to calculate IR and isotropic Raman spectra, using the SPC/E simulation model, and the results are in good agreement with experiment. We also calculate observables associated with three-pulse IR echoes: the peak shift and 2D-IR spectrum. The agreement with experiment for the former is improved over our previous calculations, but discrepancies between theory and experiment still exist. Using our proposed definition for hydrogen bonding in liquid water, we decompose the distribution of frequencies in the OH stretch region in terms of subensembles of HOD molecules with different local hydrogen-bonding environments. Such a decomposition allows us to make the connection with experiments and calculations on water clusters and more generally to understand the extent of the relationship between transition frequency and local structure in the liquid.
PERFORMANCE. A TQ POINT/COUNTERPOINT EXCHANGE WITH DAVID T. HARTGEN AND LANCE A. NEUMANN

We all agree about some things. We should all be accountable. Government agencies should steward public resources carefully. We should constantly strive for better performance. But generalities of this sort become controversial when translated into specific performance measures, particularly in public enterprises with complex missions. They raise difficult questions about agency missions, the nuances of specific measures, the possibility of misapplication, or fears that system performance will be interpreted as agency performance. How far have transportation agencies come in using performance measures? What are the benefits and pitfalls? How far should they go? Are avoidable obstacles blocking progress here? These are difficult questions being faced by all transportation agencies, by the public that supports them, and by the elected leaders that oversee them. In the exchange that follows, the authors discuss past experiences and future opportunities relative to performance measures.
Cholangiocyte‐derived exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 promotes cholestatic liver injury in mouse and humans

Cholestatic liver injury is an important clinical problem with limited understanding of disease pathologies. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles released by a variety of cells, including cholangiocytes. Exosome‐mediated cell‐cell communication can modulate various cellular functions by transferring a variety of intracellular components to target cells. Our recent studies indicate that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), H19, is mainly expressed in cholangiocytes, and its aberrant expression is associated with significant down‐regulation of small heterodimer partner (SHP) in hepatocytes and cholestatic liver injury in multidrug resistance 2 knockout (Mdr2−/−) mice. However, how cholangiocyte‐derived H19 suppresses SHP in hepatocytes remains unknown. Here, we report that cholangiocyte‐derived exosomes mediate transfer of H19 into hepatocytes and promote cholestatic injury. Hepatic H19 level is correlated with severity of cholestatic injury in both fibrotic mouse models, including Mdr2−/− mice, a well‐characterized model of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), or CCl4‐induced cholestatic liver injury mouse models, and human PSC patients. Moreover, serum exosomal‐H19 level is gradually up‐regulated during disease progression in Mdr2−/− mice and patients with cirrhosis. H19‐carrying exosomes from the primary cholangiocytes of wild‐type (WT) mice suppress SHP expression in hepatocytes, but not the exosomes from the cholangiocytes of H19−/− mice. Furthermore, overexpression of H19 significantly suppressed SHP expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Importantly, transplant of H19‐carrying serum exosomes of old fibrotic Mdr2−/− mice significantly promoted liver fibrosis (LF) in young Mdr2−/− mice. Conclusion: Cholangiocyte‐derived exosomal‐H19 plays a critical role in cholestatic liver injury. Serum exosomal H19 represents a noninvasive biomarker and potential therapeutic target for cholestatic diseases. (Hepatology 2018).
A Chimeric Dengue Virus Vaccine using Japanese Encephalitis Virus Vaccine Strain SA14-14-2 as Backbone Is Immunogenic and Protective against Either Parental Virus in Mice and Nonhuman Primates

ABSTRACT The development of a safe and efficient dengue vaccine represents a global challenge in public health. Chimeric dengue viruses (DENV) based on an attenuated flavivirus have been well developed as vaccine candidates by using reverse genetics. In this study, based on the full-length infectious cDNA clone of the well-known Japanese encephalitis virus live vaccine strain SA14-14-2 as a backbone, a novel chimeric dengue virus (named ChinDENV) was rationally designed and constructed by replacement with the premembrane and envelope genes of dengue 2 virus. The recovered chimeric virus showed growth and plaque properties similar to those of the parental DENV in mammalian and mosquito cells. ChinDENV was highly attenuated in mice, and no viremia was induced in rhesus monkeys upon subcutaneous inoculation. ChinDENV retained its genetic stability and attenuation phenotype after serial 15 passages in cultured cells. A single immunization with various doses of ChinDENV elicited strong neutralizing antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. When vaccinated monkeys were challenged with wild-type DENV, all animals except one that received the lower dose were protected against the development of viremia. Furthermore, immunization with ChinDENV conferred efficient cross protection against lethal JEV challenge in mice in association with robust cellular immunity induced by the replicating nonstructural proteins. Taken together, the results of this preclinical study well demonstrate the great potential of ChinDENV for further development as a dengue vaccine candidate, and this kind of chimeric flavivirus based on JE vaccine virus represents a powerful tool to deliver foreign antigens.
Cholesterol and triglyceride levels in first-episode psychosis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The extent of metabolic and lipid changes in first-episode psychosis (FEP) is unclear. Aims To investigate whether individuals with FEP and no or minimal antipsychotic exposure show lipid and adipocytokine abnormalities compared with healthy controls. Method We conducted a meta-analysis of studies examining lipid and adipocytokine parameters in individuals with FEP and no or minimal antipsychotic exposure v. a healthy control group. Studies reported fasting total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and leptin levels. Results Of 2070 citations retrieved, 20 case–control studies met inclusion criteria including 1167 patients and 1184 controls. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly decreased in patients v. controls, corresponding to an absolute reduction of 0.26mmol/L and 0.15mmol/L respectively. Triglyceride levels were significantly increased in the patient group, corresponding to an absolute increase of 0.08 mmol/L However, HDL cholesterol and leptin levels were not altered in patients v. controls. Conclusions Total and LDL cholesterol levels are reduced in FEP, indicating that hypercholesterolaemia in patients with chronic disorder is secondary and potentially modifiable. In contrast, triglycerides are elevated in FEP. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a feature of type 2 diabetes mellitus, therefore this finding adds to the evidence for glucose dysregulation in this cohort. These findings support early intervention targeting nutrition, physical activity and appropriate antipsychotic prescription.
Prostate-specific antigen as a predictor of radiotherapy response and patterns of failure in localized prostate cancer.

PURPOSE A study of preradiation and postradiation, serial serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels was performed in patients who had clinically localized prostate cancer. The prognostic value of the PSA in pretreatment evaluation and posttreatment follow-up was assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-three patients who presented with clinically localized prostate cancer and who were treated with external-beam radiation therapy were followed-up for a median of 25 months. A serum PSA and physical examination were performed at 3-month intervals, and a bone scan was done yearly. An increase in PSA triggered an additional metastatic workup. Prostate rebiopsy was performed for new, palpable nodules or for a serial increase in PSA in the context of a negative metastatic workup. RESULTS Forty-one patients remained recurrence-free and 22 recurred clinically, 15 distantly and seven locally. The PSA was the strongest, independent, pretreatment prognostic indicator (P = .019) among pretreatment PSA, stage, and grade, but lost significance when the serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) status was included. The initial rate of the PSA decrease after radiation (median half-life, 2.6 months) failed to predict outcome. Recurrence-free patients reached postradiation PSA levels that were equivalent to those reported in disease-free male populations; failure of the PSA to reach such normal levels was a multivariate predictor of subsequent failure (P less than .037). All clinicopathologic documentations of failure were preceded by an increase in PSA levels during follow-up. Delayed versus early PSA increase was associated with clinically localized versus metastatic first recurrence. CONCLUSIONS The serum PSA is an independent pretreatment and posttreatment predictor of outcome. Additionally, for a median follow-up of 25 months, delayed PSA failure is associated with clinically localized rather than metastatic recurrence, a relationship that may help in selection for local salvage therapy.
The Impact of Macroeconomic Announcements on Real Time Foreign Exchange Rates in Emerging Markets

This paper utilizes a unique high-frequency database to measure how exchange rates in nine emerging markets react to macroeconomic news in the U.S. and domestic economies from 2000 to 2006. We find that major U.S. macroeconomic news have a strong impact on the returns and volatilities of emerging market exchange rates, but many domestic news do not. Emerging market currencies have become more sensitive to U.S. news in recent years. We also find that market sentiment could sway the impact of news on these currencies systematically, as good (bad) news seems to matter more when optimism (pessimism) prevails. Market uncertainty also interacts with macroeconomic news in a statistically significant way, but its role varies across currencies and news.
Automated Double Labeling of Proliferation and Apoptosis in Glutathione S-transferase-positive Hepatocytes in Rats

Immunohistochemical markers for proliferation (bromodeoxyuridine, BrdU) and apoptosis (in situ terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end-labeling, TUNEL) were localized within glutathione S-transferase (GSTP)-positive hepatic foci in rats. Using the TechMate Automated Staining System (BioTek Solutions; Santa Barbara, CA), formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections were run through a double-label avidin–biotin–immunoperoxidase protocol in less than 10 hr. Steam heat-induced epitope retrieval and/or proteolytic digestion preceded each labeling procedure. Color development was achieved using diaminobenzidine (DAB) with nickel enhancement for BrdU and TUNEL and VIP for GSTP. Results illustrate clear staining, brown-black BrdU-positive nuclei or TUNEL-positive apoptotic bodies within purple GSTP-positive hepatocytes. This automated procedure provides a method to easily identify and quantitate proliferating or apoptotic cells within foci of altered hepatocytes in rat liver and may have general applications for studies of cell or tissue kinetics during development, differentiation, and various pathological conditions in animals and humans.
Systematic review of patient‐reported outcome measures in patients with varicose veins

Varicose veins can affect quality of life. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide a direct report from the patient about the impact of the disease without interpretation from clinicians or anyone else. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of the psychometric evidence for PROMs used in patients with varicose veins.
Enhanced suppression of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici by retention of residues in a cereal cropping system

The effects of stubble management and crop rotation on suppression of soilborne pathogens was studied in wheat cropping soils taken from established trials at Moree, Warialda and Croppa Creek in northern New South Wales, Australia. Biological resilience was evaluated in two ways: by measuring severity of take-all when the pathogen (Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici) was introduced to soil, and by assessing displacement of Fusarium pseudograminearum, the cause of crown rot of wheat, from buried straw pieces. No effects of stubble management or rotation with sorghum were found on suppression of either the introduced or resident pathogens at the Moree site. At Warialda and Croppa Creek, the severity of take-all in pot bioassays was significantly lower in soils from zero-tillage plots with stubble retained than in cultivated plots where the stubble was burnt. This effect was seen in soils from both continuous wheat and wheat-chickpe a rotation treatments. There were no consistent differences between treatments in soil microbial biomass or respiration, or in soil carbon contents. Stubble retention also significantly increased the rate of displacement of F. pseudograminearum from infested straw at Croppa Creek, but not at Warialda. The results showed that, at two out of three sites, retention of crop residues increased the ability of the soil to resist the effects of introduction of a major plant disease.
Tadalafil Facilitates the Distal Ureteral Stone Expulsion: A Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in facilitating the spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones. METHODS The relevant studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to November 2016. Randomized controlled trials evaluating effects of tadalafil for distal ureteral stones were included. RESULTS Six publications involving 921 patients were included. Compared with tamsulosin monotherapy, tadalafil monotherapy or combined with tamsulosin has a significantly higher stone expulsion rate (relative risk [RR], 1.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 1.29; p = 0.004; RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.42; p = 0.001, respectively) and shorter time to stone expulsion (mean difference [MD], -1.33 days; 95% CI, -2.44 to -0.23; p = 0.02; MD, -1.98 days; 95% CI, -3.08 to -0.88; p = 0.0004, respectively). Statistically significant differences were noted in pain episodes and analgesic use in favor of group tadalafil alone compared to group tamsulosin alone. The analgesic use was significantly lower in the combined group than in the tamsulosin alone group. Although the occurrence of drug-related adverse events in the tadalafil alone or combined with tamsulosin was higher than that in the use of tamsulosin-alone group, the most common adverse events were mild and tolerable. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that medical expulsive therapy for the distal ureteral stones using tadalafil alone or combined with tamsulosin is safe, efficacious, and well tolerated.
The use of mice and rats as animal models for cardiopulmonary resuscitation research

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after the induction of cardiac arrest (CA) has been studied in mice and rats. The anatomical and physiological parameters of the cardiopulmonary system of these two species have been defined during experimental studies and are comparable with those of humans. Moreover, these animal models are more ethical to establish and are easier to manipulate, when compared with larger experimental animals. Accordingly, the effects of successful CPR on the function of vital organs, such as the brain, have been investigated because damage to these vital organs is of concern in CA survivors. Furthermore, the efficacy of several drugs, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), vasopressin and nitroglycerin, has been evaluated for use in CA in these small animal models. The purpose of these studies is not only to increase the rate of survival of CA victims, but also to improve their quality of life by reducing damage to their vital organs after CA and during CPR.
EFFECT OF LINOLENIC ACID UPON THE METABOLISM OF LINOLEIC ACID.

Weanling rats were fed a fat-free diet supplemented with various ratios of corn and linseed oils to furnish a constant dietary level of linolenate at 1% of calories and levels of linoleate from 0.3 to 17.3% of calories. The fatty acid composition of the total liver lipids was analyzed by gas chromatography. Increasing amounts of dietary linoleate suppressed the levels of the 20:5, 22:5 and 22:6 metabo lites of linolenic acid in the liver lipids. The level of dietary vitamin E had no effect upon this phenomenon. When the level of dietary linoleate was increased, the level of 22:4 in the liver lipids, as well as the other metabolites of linoleate, was shown to increase.
State estimates of total medical expenditures attributable to cigarette smoking, 1993.

OBJECTIVE To estimate state-by-state totals of medical expenditures attributable to cigarette smoking for calendar year 1993. METHODS The smoking-attributable fractions (SAFs) of total state medical expenditures, by type of expenditure, were estimated using a national model that describes the relationship between smoking and medical expenditures, controlling for a variety of sociodemographic, economic, and behavioral factors. Employing data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the authors used the national model to estimate SAFs for the 50 states and the District of Columbia, then applied these SAFs to published state medical expenditures, by type of expenditures, to estimate total 1993 state medical expenditures attributable to smoking. National estimates are the sums of state estimates. RESULTS In 1993, the estimated proportion of total medical expenditures attributable to smoking for the U.S. as a whole was 11.8%, with a range across states from 6.6% to 14.1%. By type of expenditure, SAFs ranged from a low of 8.0% for home health expenditures to a high of 15.9% for nursing home expenditures for the nation as a whole. Total U.S. medical expenditures attributable to smoking amounted to an estimated $72.7 billion in 1993 (95% interval estimate $48.0-$97.4 billion). Estimates of total smoking-attributable state medical expenditures (SAEs) ranged from $79.6 million to $8.72 billion. CONCLUSIONS Cigarette smoking accounted for a substantial portion of state and national medical expenditures in 1993, with considerable variation among states. The range across states was due to differences in smoking prevalence, health status, other socioeconomic variables used in the model, and the magnitude and patterns of state medical expenditures.