Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Appendectomies: Retrospective Study of 2074 Cases

Purpose To determine feasibility and safety of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). Patients From January 1991 to June 2006, 2209 consecutive patients underwent appendectomy; for 2074 patients, appendectomy was performed laparoscopically. One thousand and fifty (53%) were women; mean age was 30.8 (11 to 96) years. Mean body mass index was 23.6 (18 to 58 kg/m2). Mean American Society of Anesthesiology score was 1.3 (I to III). Results Mean operating time was 52 minutes (15 to 200). Conversion to open appendectomy occurred for 84 patients (3.6%) mainly for acute or generalized peritonitis, abscess, or adhesion. Mean hospital stay was 3.75 (1 to 27) days. There was no mortality. Morbidity occurred in 4.5% of the patients: parietal (1.15%), peritoneal complications (1.1%), and others (2.25%). Additional interventions were required for 30 patients (1.5%) primarily for residual abscesses. In this study, 10.9% (n=226) of the specimens were considered normal by the pathologist. In 3.9% (77 cases), laparoscopy did not find any cause for nonspecific abdominal pain. In these cases, appendix was not removed. Conclusions LA is technically feasible and safe. Diagnostic laparoscopy is recommended in cases suspicious for acute appendicitis. Laparoscopy permits a complete exploration of the abdominal cavity, helps to localize the appendix, allows for the eliminations of other diagnoses when the appendix is normal, and to facilitate a better peritoneal lavage in case of peritonitis. It is recommended to perform LA routinely in young women and obese. Although advantages of LA still need to be evaluated, in view of the excellent results, we have decided to perform it routinely. We also recommend not removing macroscopically normal appendices discovered during diagnostic laparoscopy for abdominal pain of unexplained origin.
Slow spontaneous secretion from single large dense‐core vesicles monitored in neuroendocrine cells

Hormones are released from cells by passing through an exocytotic pore that forms after vesicle and plasma membrane fusion. In stimulated exocytosis vesicle content is discharged swiftly. Although rapid vesicle discharge has also been proposed to mediate basal secretion, this has not been studied directly. We investigated basal hormone release by preloading fluorescent peptides into single vesicles. The hormone discharge, monitored with confocal microscopy, was compared with the simultaneous loading of vesicle by FM styryl dye. In stimulated vesicles FM 4‐64 (4 μM), loading and hormone discharge occurs within seconds. In contrast, in ~50% of spontaneously releasing vesicles, the vesicle content discharge and the FM 4‐64 loading were slow (~3 min). These results show that in peptide secreting neuroendocrine cells the elementary vesicle content discharge differs in basal and in stimulated exocytosis. It is proposed that the view dating back for some decades, which is that, at rest, the vesicle discharge of hormones and neurotransmitters is similar to that occurring after stimulation, needs to be extended. In addition to the classical paradigm that secretory capacity of a cell is determined by controlling the probability of occurrence of elementary exocytotic events, one will have to consider activity modulation of elementary exocytotic events as well.
Aedes aegypti Densonucleosis Virus Amplifies, Spreads, and Reduces Host Populations in Laboratory Cage Studies

ABSTRACT Aedes densonucleosis virus (family Parvoviridae, genus Brevidensovirus, AeDNV) is a mosquito pathogen that increases Aedes aegypti larval mortality and reduces adult life span. We conducted three laboratory population cage trials, each lasting 16–25 wk. We tested two broad hypotheses. First, Ae. aegypti raised in containers seeded with 108 AeDNV genome equivaIents/ml (geq/ml), a concentration feasible for field application, increase AeDNV to concentrations that cause significant adult and larval mortality. Second, infected female mosquitoes disperse AeDNV to uninfected larval habitats. In hypothesis 1, we addressed the rate at which infected larvae secrete virus, how AeDNV titers change in seeded containers over time, whether AeDNV decays over time, and whether AeDNV exposed populations are reduced. In hypothesis 2, we monitored AeDNV concentrations in novel containers after oviposition by infected females. Both hypotheses were supported. Larvae increased AeDNV, secreting virus at a rate of 2.14 × 106 geq/larva/d when exposed to 108 geq/ml. AeDNV titers reached an asymptote of 1010 geq/ml by week 10 in seeded containers. AeDNV decayed by 1 log every 4 d as indicated by a reduction in larval mortality. Adult population size was reduced in treated populations. Infected females dispersed AeDNV to novel containers, with titers reaching 108 geq/ml. The parameters were used in a Leslie-Lewis matrix model. This model predicted that AeDNV negatively affects Ae. aegypti densities and population structure and thus vectorial capacity.
Histological Evaluation of Acute Mucocutaneous Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Nonmyeloablative Hematologic Stem Cell Transplants with an Observation Predicting an Increased Risk of Progression to Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease

The incorporation of nonmyeloablative conditioning prior to the transplantation of allogeneic hematopoietic cells has emerged as an alternative to myeloablative chemo- and/or radiotherapy for the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a significant complication of both types of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The clinical phenomenon of late-onset (>100 days after HCT) acute GVHD recently has been described following nonmyeloablative allogeneic transplantation (NMAT); however, there has been no detailed histologic description of acute GVHD in this setting. We sought to characterize the histopathologic features of acute GVHD following NMAT. The clinical and pathologic features of 20 patients with acute GVHD following NMAT over a three-year period were reviewed. Late-onset acute GVHD was diagnosed in 10 of 20 patients with a mean onset of 109.8 days (range 8-410 days); eight (40%) of these subjects with acute GVHD also had concomitant histologic features of chronic lichenoid chronic GVHD. Cases with “composite” histologic features were more likely to progress to fully developed chronic GVHD compared to those without this finding (87.5% vs 25%, P < 0.01). These findings support the existence of late-occurring mucocutaneous GVHD after NMAT and define a strong clinical/laboratory predictor for the subsequent development of chronic GVHD. Patients with composite skin GVHD may benefit from an earlier, more aggressive immunosuppressive interventional strategy.
Transformation of Diffuse &bgr;-Amyloid Precursor Protein and &bgr;-Amyloid Deposits to Plaques in the Thalamus After Transient Occlusion of the Middle Cerebral Artery in Rats

Background and Purpose— The present study examined the long-term presence of &bgr;-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and &bgr;-amyloid (A&bgr;) accumulation in the rat thalamus after focal cerebral ischemia. Methods— Male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours. Sensorimotor outcome was assessed using a tapered/ledged beam-walking task after operation. The distribution of APP and A&bgr; was examined immunohistochemically at 1 week, 1 month, and 9 months after MCAO. Results— MCAO caused a long-lasting deficit in forelimb and hind limb function assessed using the beam-walking test. Histologic examination revealed a transient increase in APP and A&bgr; staining in axons in the corpus callosum and in neurons at the border of the ischemic region. APP and A&bgr; deposits persisted in the thalamic nuclei (ventroposterior lateral and ventroposterior medial nuclei), eventually leading to dense plaque-like deposits by the end of the 9-month follow-up. The deposits were surrounded by an astroglial scar. The deposits were positive for A&bgr; and N-terminal APP, but not for C-terminal APP. Antibodies against the C-terminal of A&bgr;, ie, A&bgr;42 and A&bgr;40, showed a preferential staining for A&bgr;42. Congo red or thioflavine S did not stain the deposits. Conclusions— The present results demonstrated the persistent presence and aggregation of APP and A&bgr;, or their fragments, to dense plaque-like deposits in the ventroposterior lateral and ventroposterior medial nuclei of rats subjected to focal cerebral ischemia.
Attitudes to the importance of retaining natural teeth in an adult Swedish population.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the attitudes to retaining natural teeth in an adult Swedish population, and to correlate the attitude to retaining natural teeth with some presumed influencing background factors. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using a newly developed questionnaire. SUBJECTS From the national census register of four municipalities in the southern part of the province of Holland, Sweden, with a total population of 126,878 adult (> or = 20 years) inhabitants, 4,200 persons were selected at random. The sample was randomised by age and sex, and 300 men and 300 women from the age groups 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 years were included. INTERVENTION AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The questionnaire aimed to evaluate the number of remaining natural teeth, the dental care habits, the self-estimated quality of natural teeth, and the attitude to retaining natural teeth in the studied population, and also to evaluate the possible correlation between those factors, in particular, the attitude to retaining natural teeth versus the other factors. RESULTS It was found that the attitude to the importance of retaining natural teeth was strongly correlated with the number of remaining natural teeth, the dental care habits, and the self-estimated quality of natural teeth. Also sex had an influence on this attitude but not age. CONCLUSIONS The attitude to the importance of retaining natural teeth in an adult Swedish population is correlated with the number of remaining natural teeth, the dental care habits, the self-estimated quality of natural teeth, and sex, but not with age.
Deficiencies of Circulating Mucosal-associated Invariant T Cells and Natural Killer T Cells in Patients with Multiple Trauma

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells and natural killer T (NKT) cells are known to play important roles in autoimmunity, infectious diseases and cancers. However, little is known about the roles of these invariant T cells in multiple trauma. The purposes of this study were to examine MAIT and NKT cell levels in patients with multiple trauma and to investigate potential relationships between these cell levels and clinical parameters. The study cohort was composed of 14 patients with multiple trauma and 22 non-injured healthy controls (HCs). Circulating MAIT and NKT cell levels in the peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The severity of injury was categorised according to the scoring systems, such as Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Circulating MAIT and NKT cell numbers were significantly lower in multiple trauma patients than in HCs. Linear regression analysis showed that circulating MAIT cell numbers were significantly correlated with age, APACHE II, SAPS II, ISS category, hemoglobin, and platelet count. NKT cell numbers in the peripheral blood were found to be significantly correlated with APACHE II, SAPS II, and ISS category. This study shows numerical deficiencies of circulating MAIT cells and NKT cells in multiple trauma. In addition, these invariant T cell deficiencies were found to be associated with disease severity. These findings provide important information for predicting the prognosis of multiple trauma.
Dementia with Lewy bodies may present as dementia and REM sleep behavior disorder without parkinsonism or hallucinations

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a sleep disturbance that commonly occurs in Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Retrospective examination of DLB course has shown that RBD and cognitive decline may precede the onset of parkinsonism and visual hallucinations. Therefore, some patients with DLB may initially present with dementia and RBD, but would not meet current formal criteria for probable DLB at that time. The purpose of this study is to determine whether patients with dementia and RBD, who do not have parkinsonism or visual hallucinations, have cognitive profiles that can be distinguished from autopsy-confirmed definite AD, but not from clinically probable DLB. If so, this would support the hypothesis that the presence of RBD and dementia, as the only presenting symptoms, reflects the early manifestation of DLB. Results show that early dementia in probable DLB and dementia with RBD are neuropsychologically indistinguishable. Both groups differ from definite AD of a similar early stage with significantly worse visual perceptual organization, sequencing and letter fluency but significantly better confrontation naming and verbal memory. In addition, follow-up data from a subset of patients with dementia and RBD reveal the subsequent development of parkinsonism or hallucinations 1 to 6 years later. Results indicate that the presentation of dementia and RBD is suggestive of underlying Lewy body disease and not Alzheimer's disease. This provides further evidence in support of including RBD as one of the core diagnostic features of DLB. (JINS, 2002, 8, 907–914.)
Reduction of house dust mites and mite allergens: effects of spraying carpets and blankets with Allersearch DMS, an acaricide combined with an allergen reducing agent

Two studies were made to determine the acaricidal and allergen reducing properties of Allersearch DMS solution. In Study 1, samples of dust and carpet containing living mites were treated, in vitro, with DMS solution. No living mites were found in dust after3–4 min or in carpets 50 min after treatment. In Study 2, mite counts and allergen estimation made on bed blankets before and after spraying with DMS solution showed a marked reduction in mite numbers (95%) and allergenicity (100‐fold). Mite numbers and allergenicity stayed at this low level for 6 weeks. At 16 weeks both mites and allergens showed a slight increase, but were still significantly (P < 0.001) below pretreatment levels.
Carbonic Anhydrase II Binds to and Enhances Activity of the Na+/H+ Exchanger*

We examined the ability of carbonic anhydrase II to bind to and affect the transport efficiency of the NHE1 isoform of the mammalian Na+/H+ exchanger. The C-terminal region of NHE1 was expressed in Escherichia coli fused with an N-terminal glutathionineS-transferase or with a C-terminal polyhistidine tag. Using a microtiter plate binding assay we showed that the C-terminal region of NHE1 binds carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) and binding was stimulated by low pH and blocked by antibodies against the C-terminal of NHE1. The binding to NHE1 was confirmed by demonstrating protein-protein interaction using affinity blotting with CAII and immobilized NHE1 fusion proteins. CAII co-immunoprecipitated with NHE1 from CHO cells suggesting the proteins form a complex in vivo. In cells expressing CAII and NHE1, the H+ transport rate was almost 2-fold greater than in cells expressing NHE1 alone. The CAII inhibitor acetazolamide significantly decreased the H+ transport rate of NHE1 and transfection with a dominant negative CAII inhibited NHE1 activity. Phosphorylation of the C-terminal of NHE1 greatly increased the binding of CAII. Our study suggests that NHE1 transport efficiency is influenced by CAII, likely through a direct interaction at the C-terminal region. Regulation of NHE1 activity by phosphorylation could involve modulation of CAII binding.
Serotonin 5-HT1A agonist improves motor complications in rodent and primate parkinsonian models

Background: Serotoninergic transmission in the basal ganglia is known to influence dopaminergic mechanisms and motor function. Objective: To evaluate the possibility that serotoninergic 5-HT1A autoreceptors (by regulating the release of serotonin as well as dopamine formed from exogenous levodopa) affect the response alterations complicating levodopa treatment of PD. Methods: The 5-HT1A receptor agonist sarizotan (EMD128130) was systemically administered alone and together with levodopa to parkinsonian rats and nonhuman primates. Results: In 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats, sarizotan (2.5 mg/kg PO) had no effect on the acute rotational response to levodopa but did attenuate the shortening in motor response duration induced by chronic levodopa treatment. In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-lesioned monkeys, sarizotan (2 mg/kg PO) alone had no effect on parkinsonian severity or on the antiparkinsonian response to levodopa. In contrast, the same dose of sarizotan reduced levodopa-induced choreiform dyskinesias by 91 ± 5.9%. In both species, the motoric effects of sarizotan were blocked by the selective 5-HT1A antagonist WAY100635 (0.1 mg/kg SC), indicating that the observed sarizotan responses were probably mediated at the 5-HT1A autoreceptor. Conclusion: Pharmaceuticals acting to stimulate 5-HT1A receptors could prove useful in the treatment of the motor response complications in parkinsonian patients.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma shows no detectable retinoblastoma susceptibility gene alterations.

Since multistage carcinogenesis is frequently associated with the loss of suppressor gene activity, and since in over 90% of cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) p53 alterations are not involved [Sun, Y. , Hegamyer, G.H. , Cheng, Y. -J., Hildesheim, A. , Chen, J.-Y. , Chen, I. -H. , Cao, Y. , Yao, K. -T. & Colburn, N.H. (1992). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 6516-6520] we investigated the possible involvement of the inactivation of the retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB) in nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis. We analysed the expression, gross structure and possible point mutation of the RB gene in an NPC cell line as well as seven NPC biopsies obtained from seven patients. The NPC cell line expresses the RB gene with a normal size and abundance, as assayed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Northern hybridization. No point mutation was detected in two independent E1A/large T-binding regions, which are the common sites for mutations in the RB gene. NPC biopsies also showed no point mutations at four exon-intron boundaries at which point mutations have been reported in other human carcinomas. The biopsies and cell line had no deletions in the promoter region of the gene and showed no gross deletions or rearrangements. Taken together, we conclude that, in contrast to multistage carcinogenesis leading to human retinoblastoma, osteogenic sarcomas and carcinomas of lung, breast, bladder and prostate, nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis appears unlikely to involve RB gene alterations.
Explaining the Relationship between Female Labor Force Participation and Divorce in Turkey by means of Panel Regression and Granger Causality

This study examines the relationship between the course of divorce and women's labor force participation in Turkey during 2004-2013 Period. While Trabzon has the highest rate, Mardin has the lowest rate of women participation in the labor force. A significant correlation between the participation of women in the labor force and per capita income, crude divorce rate, and added value exists. There is a significant relationship between the participation of women in the labor force and the crude divorce rate. Bi-directional causal relationships between the participation of women in the labor force and the crude divorce also exists.
Investigating New Standards for Prophylaxis in Reduction of Exacerbations—The INSPIRE Study Methodology

Bronchodilators, including long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonists and anticholinergic bronchodilators, are effective in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Evidence suggests that the addition of a long-acting β2-agonist to an inhaled corticosteroid is associated with a reduced rate of exacerbations compared with either treatment alone or placebo. However, it is not known whether a long-acting β2-agonist/inhaled corticosteroid combination is more effective than an anticholinergic bronchodilator alone in reducing exacerbations. The Investigating New Standards for Prophylaxis In Reduction of Exacerbations (INSPIRE) trial will study salmeterol (a long-acting β2-agonist) in combination with fluticasone propionate (an inhaled corticosteroid) compared with tiotropium bromide (an anticholinergic bronchodilator) in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The INSPIRE study is a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, double dummy, parallel group study conducted over 104 weeks. This is the first study to use two parallel definitions of an exacerbation; an event-based exacerbation is defined as one that requires use of healthcare resources, including additional treatment and hospitalization, whereas a symptom-based exacerbation is defined as one that satisfies the 1987 Anthonisen criteria. It is also the first study to compare the long-term effects of salmeterol/fluticasone propionate with tiotropium bromide on the rate of event-based exacerbations. Endpoints include rate of exacerbations (primary endpoint), time to first exacerbation, and duration of exacerbations. Health outcomes will be assessed via the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire. If the innovative methodology of utilizing 2 definitions of exacerbation proves successful, it will set the benchmark for future studies in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
A Dynamic Investment Development Strategy on How To Accelerate The Economic Growth

This study aims to build a model of investment development strategy in Subang Regency, West Java, especially in relation to the construction of international port in Patimban, Subang Regency. The method used in this study is the Location Quotient (LQ) Method, and the data used is secondary data obtained from Indonesian Central Bureau of Statistic as well as previous researches and government regulations. The study result finds that most of the economic sectors are the leading sectors, since their LQ value is above the minimum value of 1.0. Nevertheless, in order to maximize the multiplier effect to develop the economic growth, two sectors should be developed first in accordance with the Vision of Subang Regency during the period of 2018-2024, and also with the construction of Patimban International Port is expected to boost the economic development in Subang Regency. This research is expected to provide an input to compose the investment plan of Subang Regency. Keywords—Investment, EconomicDevelopment, Multiplier Effect, Trickle Down Effect, Patimban, Subang Regency