Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testosterone Levels Among Men with Spinal Cord Injury Admitted to Inpatient Rehabilitation

Schopp LH, Clark M, Mazurek MO, Hagglund KJ, Acuff ME, Sherman AK, Childers MK: Testosterone levels among men with spinal cord injury admitted to inpatient rehabilitation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006;85:678–684. Objective:Although previous research has shown an association between spinal cord injury (SCI) and testosterone production, these studies have yielded inconsistent results. The present study documented the prevalence of low testosterone among men with SCI. Design:Participants were 92 men with SCI participating in inpatient rehabilitation. Data included total serum testosterone level, demographic and injury information, neurologic level and degree of incomplete function, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grade, and additional laboratory values, including prealbumin, albumin, hematocrit, and aspartate aminotransferase. Results:The median testosterone level for men who sustained injuries <4 mos earlier was 160 ng/dl. Testosterone categories were significantly associated with age, time since injury, hematocrit, albumin level, and aspartate aminotransferase in the univariate analyses. Age, time since injury, and hematocrit levels were significant predictors of low testosterone in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion:The prevalence of low testosterone among men with acute SCI seems to be high. The results suggest the need for routine screening for low testosterone among men with SCI and consideration given to testosterone replacement therapy. Future research is needed to investigate the etiology, pathogenesis, and potential avenues for treatment of low testosterone among men with SCI.
High Levels of Inflammatory Phospholipase A2 Activity in Lumbar Disc Herniations

Inflammation of neural elements is frequently mentioned clinically in association with lumbar radiculopathy. Mechanical embarrassment of neural elements by definable structural abnormalities is inadequate as a sole explanation of nerve injury in this condition. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate whether an enzymatic marker for inflammation (phospholipase A2) could be identified in human disc samples removed at surgery for radiculopathy due to lumbar disc disease. Samples were assayed for phospholipase A2 activity. The level of activity in the disc samples was compared with values obtained from other human tissues using the same assay. Specific activity (percent hydrolysis radiolabelled substrate) ranged from 238 to 1,014.5 nmol/min/mg. Mean activity for the human disc material was 568.7 nmol/min/mg, compared with 0.006 nmol/min/mg for human PMN, and 12.1 nmol/min/mg for inflammatory human synovial effusion. The pH and cation-related activity were identical to those demonstrated for phospholipase A2 inflammatory conditions. Human lumbar disc phospholipase A2 activity is from 20- to 100,000-fold more active than any other phospholipase A2 that has been described. As the enzyme responsible for the liberation of arachidonic acid from cell membranes, phospholipase A2 is the rate-limiting step in the production of prostaglandins and leukotrienes. These data establish biochemical evidence of inflammation at the site of lumbar disc herniations.
Pain Tolerance in Persons With Recognized and Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction: A Population‐Based, Cross‐Sectional Study

Background Unrecognized myocardial infarction (MI) is a prevalent condition associated with a similar risk of death as recognized MI. It is unknown why some persons experience MI with few or no symptoms; however, one possible explanation is attenuated pain sensitivity. To our knowledge, no previous study has examined the association between pain sensitivity and recognition of MI. Methods and Results We conducted a population‐based cross‐sectional study with 4849 included participants who underwent the cold pressor test (a common experimental pain assay) and ECG. Unrecognized MI was present in 387 (8%) and recognized MI in 227 (4.7%) participants. Participants with unrecognized MI endured the cold pressor test significantly longer than participants with recognized MI (hazard ratio for aborting the cold pressor test, 0.64; CI, 0.47–0.88), adjusted for age and sex. The association was attenuated and borderline significant after multivariable adjustment. The association between unrecognized MI and lower pain sensitivity was stronger in women than in men, and statistically significant in women only, but interaction testing was not statistically significant (P for interaction=0.14). Conclusions Our findings suggest that persons who experience unrecognized MI have reduced pain sensitivity compared with persons who experience recognized MI. This may partially explain the lack of symptoms associated with unrecognized MI.
Urban French mortality in the nineteenth century.

Summary Following population reconstructions, age-specific death rates and life tables are computed for five-year periods during 1816-1905 for the three largest urban departements of France. During the early decades of the period, life expectancy at birth in the urban departements is about five to ten years lower than that of France as a whole. At some point after the mid-century, the gap in each of the three is reduced. However, the timing of accelerated mortality reduction varies considerably and appears to be related to the timing of improvements in water supply and sewerage. This inference is supported by cross-sectional and time series records on causes of death. In Bouches-du-Rhone, where water-support systems were not modernised until the 1890s, life expectancy in 1871-90 was only 1-5 years higher than in 1816-45; and water- and food-borne diseases account for a major amount of its disadvantage relative to the other departements. A striking tendency is revealed for mortality gains after mid-century.
Development and Validation of Limited Sampling Strategies for Estimation of Cyclosporine Area Under the Concentration–Time Curve in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients

The aim of this study was to develop and validate limited sampling strategies for accurately predicting 12-hour area under the concentration–time curve (AUC0–12 h) to provide a practical method for more precise therapeutic drug monitoring of cyclosporine A in stem cell transplant patients. Steady-state cyclosporine blood concentrations were measured within a dosing interval (12 hours post administration) in 35 allogeneic bone marrow transplant patients receiving 238 mg (±117 mg) twice-daily dose of cyclosporine. Limited sampling strategies were developed by multiple linear regression analysis of relationship between cyclosporine A full AUC0–12 h values and different combinations of preselected blood concentrations. Validation of the estimating equations was done by a bootstrap-like cross-validation method. Cross-validation results showed that cyclosporine AUC0–12 h could be estimated using either 2 or 3 samples within the first 4 hours after drug administration with good accuracy and precision (absolute prediction error of less than 6.2%). The number of estimated area under the drug concentration–time curves within 15% of observed values was greater than 26 (74%) for models used predose concentration with either c2h and c4h or both. Most of the previously reported single-sample models showed a systematic error in predicting AUC0–12 h. Although a statistically significant difference in precision of prediction was seen between 3-sample model using c0, c2h, and c4h and 2-sample models (c0, c2h or c0, and c4h), such a difference (2%) could not be of clinical importance. Other 2-sample estimating equations (models using c2h with either c6h or c10h) with the same degree of precision appear to be less feasible clinically. Cyclosporine AUC0–12 h in bone marrow transplant patients could be estimated using 2 or 3 samples within the first 4 hours after drug administration with good accuracy and precision.
Nodal spread of squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity detected with PET-tyrosine, MRI and CT.

UNLABELLED The uptake of L-1-[11C]-tyrosine (TYR) in cervical lymph nodes of eleven patients with squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity was studied with PET to detect lymphogenic metastases. METHODS The TYR-PET results were compared with clinical, MRI, CT, histopathologic findings and historical data of patients studied with FDG. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and the positive and negative predictive values were calculated. RESULTS TYR-PET had sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 95%. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity for MRI were 33% and 96%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for CT were 55% and 91%, respectively. TYR-PET results compared favorably with FDG. CONCLUSION With TYR-PET, SCC metastases of the oral cavity can be visualized with high sensitivity and specificity. TYR-PET can be an additional tool for further evaluation of neck malignancies.
Role of Endothelins in Hypertension

There are three peptides of endothelial origin, called endothelins (ETs), having different receptors that mediate a potent vasoconstrictor effect and also a mild vasodilation. Their renal effects are characterized by natriuresis in spite of the renal vasoconstriction. This effect, along with the stimulation of ETs by high sodium intake, suggests that ETs may be responsible for maintaining sodium balance when the renin angiotensin system is depressed. ET is activated in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) salt hypertension models and salt-sensitive hypertension. In humans, the role of ET seems to be similar to that shown in experimental animals; in both, ET participates in the regulation of salt metabolism. Salt-sensitive patients exhibit a blunted renal ET-1 response during sodium load. The role of ETs in humans has been investigated with use of nonspecific ET receptor blockers that inhibit the vasoconstriction and vasodilator components of ET. However, the effects of ET blockade should be investigated with ETA receptor blockers that mediate vasoconstriction alone. Effects of ET blockade should also be evaluated with respect to stimulation of oxidative stress and tissue damage, important mechanisms responsible for tissue fibrosis.
Incorporación de nuevas estrategias de enseñanza en la Universidad: blogs en "Didáctica General"

El presente estudio se desarrolla durante el segundo cuatrimestre del curso academico 2008-09, y tiene su origen en el planteamiento del uso socio-pedagogico de los blogs como recurso educativo en la asignatura Didactica General, impartida en la Facultad de Formacion del Profesorado de la Universidad de Extremadura. El estudio se fundamenta a traves de diversos objetivos, los cuales guiaron la investigacion llevada a cabo, y de los cuales podriamos destacar algunos como, conocer una herramienta social relacionada con la tecnologia web 2.0, adquirir las competencias necesarias para el manejo de los blogs como recurso didactico en el desarrollo academico y profesional de los futuros estudiantes, capacidad para expresar y difundir las ideas previas sobre el concepto de Didactica a traves de una aplicacion del software social, fomentar el papel activo del discente, crear comunidades de conocimientos compartidos, y por ultimo, elaborar un repositorio (basico) de unidades didacticas para futuras promociones academicas. A traves de una metodologia de corte cualitativa y descriptiva, el estudio permite llegar a diferentes conclusiones en lo que respecta a la incorporacion de los blogs como herramienta didactica en las aulas universitarias. Por ejemplo, reafirmar por parte de los estudiantes que los blogs son faciles de elaborar y utilizar, favorecen la expresion de sus ideas y pensamientos, potencian la creacion de comunidades de conocimientos, y que su utilizacion en el contexto universitario es una practica adecuada y util.
A review of equid herpesvirus 1 for the veterinary practitioner. Part B: pathogenesis and epidemiology

Equid herpesvirus (EHV) type 1 is a common pathogen of horses with worldwide distribution. Infection with EHV-1 can be subclinical, or can result in sociologically and economically important outcomes such as abortion, neonatal death or neurological disease. The perceived recent increase in the reported cases of EHV-1 neurological disease in the United States of America and Europe over the past decade has caused concerns amongst veterinarians and horse owners worldwide. This review provides an update on the recent developments in our understanding of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of EHV-1 and associated diseases, with an emphasis on epidemiological data from Australasia. Many aspects of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy still remain to be elucidated. This is an active area of current research worldwide.
A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE TRADITIONAL RISK FACTORS IN YAZD URBAN POPULATION, YAZD HEALTHY HEART PROJECT

Correspondence: Z Ansari Cardiovascular Research Center, Afshar Hospital, Jomhoori Blvd, Yazd, Iran Tel: +98-351-5231421 Fax: +98-351-5253335 Email:drnamayandeh@gmail.com Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors are increasing in developing countries. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of CAD risk factors in Iran but Geographical prevalence is not uniform. The present study was performed to determine the prevalence of CAD risk factors among Yazd urban population. Method: This crosssectional study performed in 2004, comprised a total 2000 Yazd citizens (1000 males), and the corresponding data were recorded in questionnaires carrying 500 items. Results: About 85% of Yazd citizens had at least one and 61.1% had at least two coronary artery risk factors. The following data in brackets refer to the males and females respectively. The present study showed obesity in 16.38% of Yazd citizens (9.2 and 24.2%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia 12.1% (10.6 and 13.8%), dyslipidemia 58.5% (59% and 57.6%), high blood pressure 25.6% (27.5% and 23.5%), diabetes mellitus 11% (10.48% and 11.5%), impaired glucose tolerance test 8.5% (7.9% and 9.1%) and cigarette smoking 13.12% (24.45% and 0.5%). Also 43.3% of men and 62.05% of women had excess weight. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertention (HTN), and abdominal obesity increased significantly with age (P< 0.005). The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypercholesterolemia and DM were significantly higher in women. Conclusion: Yazd did not carry the highest levels of risk factors in Iran, but the present study showed excess weight, dyslipidemia and HTN were the most prevalent risk factors found in this region. Thus it is recommended to consider the preventive and therapeutic measures as the major health priorities in this area.
Adolescents’ Perceptions of Socializers’ Beliefs, Career-Related Conversations, and Motivation in Mathematics

Research based on the Eccles model of parent socialization demonstrated that parents are an important source of value and ability information for their children. Little is known, however, about the bidirectional effects between students’ perceptions of their parents’ beliefs and behaviors and the students’ own domain-specific values. This study analyzed how students’ perceptions of parents’ beliefs and behaviors and students’ mathematics values and mathematics-related career plans affect each other bidirectionally, and analyzed the role of students’ gender as a moderator of these relations. Data from 475 students in 11th and 12th grade (girls: 50.3%; 31 classrooms; 12 schools), who participated in 2 waves of the study, were analyzed. Results of longitudinal structural equation models demonstrated that students’ perceptions of their parents’ mathematics value beliefs at Time 1 affected the students’ own mathematics utility value at Time 2. Bidirectional effects were not shown in the full sample but were identified for boys. The paths within the tested model varied for boys and girls. For example, boys’, not girls’, mathematics intrinsic value predicted their reported conversations with their fathers about future occupational plans. Boys’, not girls’, perceived parents’ mathematics value predicted the mathematics utility value. Findings are discussed in relation to their implications for parents and teachers, as well as in relation to gendered motivational processes.
Chloroplast transit peptide prediction: a peek inside the black box.

Previous work in predicting protein localization to the chloroplast organelle in plants led to the development of an artificial neural network-based approach capable of remarkable accuracy in its prediction (ChloroP). A common criticism against such neural network models is that it is difficult to interpret the criteria that are used in making predictions. We address this concern with several new prediction methods that base predictions explicitly on the abundance of different amino acid types in the N-terminal region of the protein. Our successful prediction accuracy suggests that ChloroP uses little positional information in its decision-making; an unexpected result given the elaborate ChloroP input scheme. By removing positional information, our simpler methods allow us to identify those amino acids that are useful for successful prediction. The identification of important sequence features, such as amino acid content, is advantageous if one of the goals of localization predictors is to gain an understanding of the biological process of chloroplast localization. Our most accurate predictor combines principal component analysis and logistic regression. Web-based prediction using this method is available online at http://apicoplast.cis. upenn.edu/pclr/.
Deoxycytidine kinase. II. Purification and general properties of the calf thymus enzyme.

Abstract Deoxycytidine kinase has been purified 500-fold from calf thymus. It is concluded that the enzyme will catalyze the phosphorylation of deoxycytidine, 1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl cytosine, deoxyguanosine, and deoxyadenosine since the protein catalyzing these activities showed coincident purification. Also, this protein could not be further fractionated by isoelectric focusing, gel filtration, or sucrose density gradient centrifugation, and the nucleosides mutually inhibited each other's phosphorylation. However, the deoxycytidine-phosphorylating capacity of the preparation is considerably more stable than all other nucleoside-phosphorylating activities. The sedimentation constant, partial specific volume, and Stokes radius of the enzyme were estimated by zonal centrifugation, isodensity centrifugation, and gel filtration, respectively. These parameters were then used to calculate the molecular weight (56,000) and frictional ratio (1.36) of deoxycytidine kinase. The enzyme is very sensitive to sulfhydryl group inhibitors and is unstable in the absence of thiol; activity can be restored by incubating the enzyme with thiol compounds. Enzyme activity is fairly constant over the pH range 6 to 10, but there are marked effects of pH on nucleotide inhibition and heat stability. UDP, dTDP, dCMP, dCDP, and dCTP are all inhibitors of deoxycytidine kinase, but these inhibitions are reversed by UTP, dUTP, and dTTP.
Influence of low tidal volume ventilation on time to extubation in cardiac surgical patients.

BACKGROUND Low tidal volumes have been associated with improved outcomes in patients with established acute lung injury. The role of low tidal volume ventilation in patients without lung injury is still unresolved. We hypothesized that such a strategy in patients undergoing elective surgery would reduce ventilator-associated lung injury and that this improvement would lead to a shortened time to extubation METHODS A single-center randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 149 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Ventilation with 6 versus 10 ml/kg tidal volume was compared. Ventilator settings were applied immediately after anesthesia induction and continued throughout surgery and the subsequent intensive care unit stay. The primary endpoint of the study was time to extubation. Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients extubated at 6 h and indices of lung mechanics and gas exchange as well as patient clinical outcomes. RESULTS Median ventilation time was not significantly different in the low tidal volume group; a median (interquartile range) of 450 (264-1,044) min was achieved compared with 643 (417-1,032) min in the control group (P = 0.10). However, a higher proportion of patients in the low tidal volume group was free of any ventilation at 6 h: 37.3% compared with 20.3% in the control group (P = 0.02). In addition, fewer patients in the low tidal volume group required reintubation (1.3 vs. 9.5%; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Although reduction of tidal volume in mechanically ventilated patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery did not significantly shorten time to extubation, several improvements were observed in secondary outcomes. When these data are combined with a lack of observed complications, a strategy of reduced tidal volume could still be beneficial in this patient population.
The Selective α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist PNU-282987 [N-[(3R)-1-Azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl]-4-chlorobenzamide Hydrochloride] Enhances GABAergic Synaptic Activity in Brain Slices and Restores Auditory Gating Deficits in Anesthetized Rats

Schizophrenic patients are thought to have an impaired ability to process sensory information. This deficit leads to disrupted auditory gating measured electrophysiologically as a reduced suppression of the second of paired auditoryevoked responses (P50) and is proposed to be associated with decreased function and/or expression of the homomeric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). Here, we provide evidence that N-[(3R)-1-azabicyclo[2.2. 2]oct-3-yl]-4-chlorobenzamide hydrochloride (PNU-282987), a novel selective agonist of the α7 nAChR, evoked whole-cell currents from cultured rat hippocampal neurons that were sensitive to the selective α7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) and enhanced GABAergic synaptic activity when applied to hippocampal slices. Amphetamine-induced sensory gating deficit, determined by auditory-evoked potentials in hippocampal CA3 region, was restored by systemic administration of PNU-282987 in chloral hydrate-anesthetized rats. Auditory gating of rat reticular thalamic neurons was also disrupted by amphetamine; however, PNU-282987 normalized gating deficit only in a subset of tested neurons (6 of 11). Furthermore, PNU-282987 improved the inherent hippocampal gating deficit occurring in a subpopulation of anesthetized rats, and enhanced amphetamine-induced hippocampal θ oscillation. We propose that the α7 nAChR agonist PNU-282987, via modulating/enhancing hippocampal GABAergic neurotransmission, improves auditory gating and enhances hippocampal oscillatory activity. These results provide further support for the concept that drugs that selectively activate α7 nAChRs may offer a novel, potential pharmacotherapy in treatment of schizophrenia.