Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise-enhanced preoxygenation increases protection from decompression sickness.

INTRODUCTION Prevention of decompression sickness (DCS) during exposure to altitude equivalents of 30,000 ft (9144 m) requires extensive denitrogenation. In preparation for extravehicular activity (EVA), present NASA policy is to denitrogenate using a 10.2 psia staged decompression of the entire shuttle for at least 12 h, including 100 min of preoxygenation (breathing 100% oxygen at 14.7 psia prior to decompression), before decompression to the 4.3 psia (30,000 ft; 9144 m) suit pressure. This staged decompression provides the same or better protection from DCS as a 3.5- or 4-h preoxygenation used on earlier Shuttle EVA's. For high altitude reconnaissance flights at similar cockpit altitudes, a 1-h preoxygenation is currently required. METHODS We have investigated the use of a 1-h and a 15-min preoxygenation period, each beginning with 10 min of dual-cycle ergometry performed at 75% of each subject's peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) to enhance preoxygenation efficiency by increasing perfusion and ventilation. Male subjects accomplished a 1-h preoxygenation with exercise, a 15-min preoxygenation with exercise, or a 1-h resting preoxygenation before exposure to 4.3 psia for 4 h while performing light to moderate exercise. RESULTS Incidence of DCS following the 1-h preoxygenation with exercise (42%; n = 26) was significantly less than that following the 1-h resting preoxygenation (77%; n = 26). Incidence and onset of DCS following the 15-min preoxygenation with exercise (64%; n = 22) was not significantly different from the incidence following the 1-h resting control. CONCLUSION Preoxygenation with exercise has been shown to provide significantly improved DCS protection when compared with resting preoxygenation.
Epstein-Barr virus transmission via the donor organs in solid organ transplantation: polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of IR2, IR3, and IR4

Two organ transplant recipients who received organs from a common donor and were diagnosed as having an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder were studied to determine the mode of EBV transmission. The results of restriction fragment length polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction, and minisatellite DNA analyses demonstrate that both patients had a common strain of EBV and that this strain was transmitted from the donor's organs to both recipients. Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder resulted from the proliferation of EBV-immortalized B lymphocytes of the recipient, not those of the donor.
Dissociable Roles of Ventral and Dorsal Striatum in Instrumental Conditioning

Instrumental conditioning studies how animals and humans choose actions appropriate to the affective structure of an environment. According to recent reinforcement learning models, two distinct components are involved: a “critic,” which learns to predict future reward, and an “actor,” which maintains information about the rewarding outcomes of actions to enable better ones to be chosen more frequently. We scanned human participants with functional magnetic resonance imaging while they engaged in instrumental conditioning. Our results suggest partly dissociable contributions of the ventral and dorsal striatum, with the former corresponding to the critic and the latter corresponding to the actor.
Effects of phototherapy on cerebral haemodynamics in preterm infants: is fibre‐optic different from conventional phototherapy?

We hypothesized that conventional phototherapy (CPT) and fibre‐optic phototherapy (FPT) could exert different effects on cerebral blood perfusion. Our aim was to assess this hypothesis in a prospective study of the cerebral haemodynamics in preterm infants. Twenty‐three infants (gestational age <34 weeks) were randomized for CPT (n=12) and for FPT (n=11). Cerebral Doppler ultrasounds were performed on all infants immediately before phototherapy (time 0), 6–12 hours (time 1) and 24–36 hours (time 2) after the start of phototherapy, and 6–12 hours after discontinuing phototherapy (time 3). CPT and FPT were associated with a significant increase of peak‐systolic blood flow velocity and mean blood flow velocity at time 1 and 2, which disappeared at time 3, whereas end‐diastolic blood flow velocity and resistance index were unchanged. No difference was shown between the groups. CPT and FPT were found to exert similar effects on cerebral haemodynamics. Both were associated with an increase of cerebral blood flow velocity which ended when phototherapy was stopped.
Fallacies in clinical cardiovascular trials

> “The further you can look back, the longer you can look forward. ” > > Winston Churchill, Royal College of Physicians, 1944 Cardiovascular medicine has developed dramatically over the past 20–30 years, with major advances in the understanding and treatment of such diseases as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, hypertension, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure. Of major importance in this improved treatment are the many clinical trials and the advancement of evidence based medicine that these trials have documented. However, in this development not all trials have been successful and, in fact, the intervention in several trials has been associated with increased risk. Furthermore, the interpretation of trial outcomes has not always been correct and we know that history can bring about a different answer. The intention with this article is to provide some examples of fallacies in cardiovascular trials that can improve our understanding in the design, conduct and interpretation of future trials. Randomised, large intervention outcome trials are usually not designed to assess mechanisms. Interpretation of mechanisms based on trial results will most often be difficult and can easily result in wrong conclusions being drawn. The reason is that an outcome trial needs a large number of patients and usually many more than what are needed to analyse effects of an analogue variable. Often trials include sub-studies to address questions about mechanisms. However, the sub-study can be underpowered and therefore it has to be designed based on the overall trial that might not allow for a focused recruitment that a mechanistic study can allow. In the ILLUMINATE trial, patients were randomised to atorvastatin or atorvastatin combined with torcetrapib, a cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, in order to optimise blood lipid values.1 Because previous studies had shown beneficial effects when using such a surrogate, a positive effect on outcome …
Structural relationships between the surface antigens of ground squirrel hepatitis virus and human hepatitis B virus

Several physical, chemical, and serological properties of surface antigen particles from ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHsAg) and human hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) were compared. GSHsAg and HBsAg particles were purified from positive sera by gel chromatography and isopycnic centrifugation. Both antigens consisted mainly of spherical particles with an average diameter of approximately 20 nm and a buoyant density in CsCl of approximately 1.19 g/ml. Their UV absorption spectra indicated the presence of more tryptophane than tyrosine and the absence of detectable nucleic acid. GSHsAg was found to contain two major polypeptides of approximately 23,000 and 27,000 daltons, with electrophoretic migration rates distinctly faster than those of the two major polypeptides of HBsAg particles. After radiolabeling of purified antigen preparations with Bolton-Hunter reagent, the two major polypeptides of GSHsAg showed almost identical tryptic peptide maps. The tryptic peptide map of the major polypeptide from GSHsAg contained 13 of 37 spots also present in the map of the major HBsAg polypeptide, and 13 of 27 spots in the map of the major HBsAg polypeptide were also present in the map of the major GSHsAg polypeptide. This suggests considerable sequence homology between the major surface antigen polypeptides of the two viruses. However, there was only a weak serological cross-reactivity between antigens of the two viruses. Using an anti-HBs-containing serum with a relatively strong cross-reactivity, GSHsAg was found to consist of at least two antigenically different subspecies. The more strongly cross-reacting from had a slightly higher buoyant density than the other antigenic form.
Percutaneous coronary interventions in octogenarians: Acute and 12 month results in a large single‐centre experience

Objectives: To review the results of PCI in patients aged ≥80 years. Background: Octogenarians represent a growing proportion of patients treated with PCI; in this subset of high‐risk patients, the role of complete revascularization is still controversial. Methods: We examined in‐hospital, 30 days, and 12‐month events in 356 patients aged ≥80 years submitted to PCI from 2004 to 2006 and 754 patients aged <80 years treated in 2006. Results: Octogenarians had a higher risk profile. A complete revascularization was obtained in 48% of them and in 65% of younger patients (P < 0.001); glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) use was common in both groups (43 vs. 46.5%). In‐hospital mortality was higher in octogenarians (3.9 vs. 1.3%, P = 0.01) as well as vascular complications (2.8 vs. 1%, P = 0.058). Mortality resulted 5.9 vs. 1.2% at 30 days (P < 0.001), and 16.3 vs. 3.9% at 12 months (P <0.001) in the two groups whereas repeat revascularization procedures did not differ (9.3 vs. 8.4%, respectively). In patients aged ≥80, there was no difference in 12 months total events (20 vs. 28%, P = 0.07) and repeat revascularizations (8 vs. 10%, P = 0.498) in completely or uncompletely revascularized subjects. At multivariate analysis age (P = 0.002), diabetes (P = 0.002), three vessel disease (P = 0.020) and procedural success (P = 0.002) were independent predictors of total events at 12 months. Conclusions: In our experience, frequent GPI use and multivessel PCI in 41% of ≥80 years‐old patients resulted in good immediate and mid‐term clinical outcomes, irrespective of the completeness of revascularization achieved. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seismic Evidence for Olivine Phase Changes at the 410- and 660-Kilometer Discontinuities

The view that the seismic discontinuities bounding the mantle transition zone at 410- and 660-kilometer depths are caused by isochemical phase transformations of the olivine structure is debated. Combining converted-wave measurements in East Asia and Australia with seismic velocities from regional tomography studies, we observe a correlation of the thickness of, and wavespeed variations within, the transition zone that is consistent with olivine structural transformations. Moreover, the seismologically inferred Clapeyron slopes are in agreement with the mineralogical Clapeyron slopes of the (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 spinel and postspinel transformations.
Alterations in lung mechanics and gas exchange following training in chronic obstructive lung disease.

Fourteen patients with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease participated in an in-patient exercise training program to investigate possible correlations between improved exercise tolerance and changes in certain pulmonary and metabolic parameters. The patients were all clinically stable and no changes in medication were made. Daily increasing periods of treadmill walking were performed breathing room air in six patients, and initially breathing 60 per cent oxygen in eight patients. All achieved 30 minutes of continuous treadmill walking, breathing room air (12 patients at one mile per hour and 4 per cent grade, and two patients at two miles per hour and 8 per cent grade). There was a change of breathing pattern towards slower and deeper breathing. Improved ventilation-perfusion relationships were suggested by a smaller alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient and improvement in venous admixture, as well as a shorter 90 per cent desaturation time. Dynamic compliance increased and work of breathing during exertion decreased. Blood lactate levels decreased following the training period.
cDNA Microarray Analysis of Differential Gene Expression in Candida albicans Biofilm Exposed to Farnesol

ABSTRACT Candida albicans biofilms are structured microbial communities with high levels of drug resistance. Farnesol, a quorum-sensing molecule that inhibits hyphal formation in C. albicans, has been found to prevent biofilm formation by C. albicans. There is limited information, however, about the molecular mechanism of farnesol against biofilm formation. We used cDNA microarray analysis to identify the changes in the gene expression profile of a C. albicans biofilm inhibited by farnesol. Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to visualize and confirm normal and farnesol-inhibited biofilms. A total of 274 genes were identified as responsive, with 104 genes up-regulated and 170 genes down-regulated. Independent reverse transcription-PCR analysis was used to confirm the important changes detected by microarray analysis. In addition to hyphal formation-associated genes (e.g., TUP1, CRK1, and PDE2), a number of other genes with roles related to drug resistance (e.g., FCR1 and PDR16), cell wall maintenance (e.g., CHT2 and CHT3), and iron transport (e.g., FTR2) were responsive, as were several genes encoding heat shock proteins (e.g., HSP70, HSP90, HSP104, CaMSI3, and SSA2). Further study of these differentially regulated genes is warranted to evaluate how they may be involved in C. albicans biofilm formation. Consistent with the down-regulation of the cell surface hydrophobicity-associated gene (CSH1), the water-hydrocarbon two-phase assay showed a decrease in cell surface hydrophobicity in the farnesol-treated group compared to that in the control group. Our data provide new insight into the molecular mechanism of farnesol against C. albicans biofilm formation.
A novel acute lymphoid leukaemia type BCR/ABL transcript in chronic myelogenous leukaemia

Using a reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), we identified a patient with typical clinical features of chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) in the chronic phase who showed no amplification of the CML‐type BCR/ABL transcript. RT‐PCR with primers detecting the acute lymphoid leukaemia (ALL)‐type transcript disclosed a novel fragment co‐amplified with an ALL‐type fragment. Sequencing revealed the novel transcript to be a chimaeric mRNA produced by fusion of a segment of BCR exon 2 (e2) to ABL exon 2 (a2), with a 21 base‐pair insertion of ABL intron 1b sequence between them. This transcript has not been reported previously.
Tweetations ( 8 ) Metrics An Internet-and Mobile-Based Tailored Intervention to Enhance Maintenance of Physical Activity After Cardiac Rehabilitation : Short-Term Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: An increase in physical activity for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cardiac rehabilitation has multiple therapeutic benefts, including decreased mortality. Internetand mobile-based interventions for physical activity have shown promising results in helping users increase or maintain their level of physical activity in general and specifcally in secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cardiac rehabilitation. One component related to the effcacy of these interventions is tailoring of the content to the individual. Citation Please cite as: Antypas K, Wangberg SC An Internetand Mobile-Based Tailored Intervention to Enhance Maintenance of Physical Activity After Cardiac Rehabilitation: Short-Term Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial J Med Internet Res 2014;16(3):e77 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.3132 PMID: 24618349 PMCID: 3967125  Export Metadata END for: Endnote BibTeX for: BibDesk, LaTeX RIS for: RefMan, Procite, Endnote, RefWorks Add this article to your Mendeley library Add this article to your CiteULike library
An original histological method for studying the volar skin of the fetal hands and feet.

AIMS The human fetal period of life is when there is complete development of the dermatoglyphic pattern. However, to date not enough is known about the differentiation of the papillary terrain during prenatal life and which mechanisms are involved in this differentiation. The aims of the present study are to contribute to the clarification of the embryogenesis of the papillary ridges and to compare their development on the hands and feet. METHODS The hands and feet of 35 human embryos and fetuses were examined in the present study. We used a new and original method of orientation. The right hand with right foot or left hand with left foot of each embryo/fetus were placed together into one paraffin block. Three different planes of orientation were used. RESULTS Volar pad development and papillary ridge formation are identical on hands and feet, but the developmental stages on feet lag one week behind those of hands. Papillary ridge embryogenesis follows the cranio-caudal developmental direction. After developmental week 14 the configuration of the future dermatoglyphic pattern has already ocurred at the dermo-epidermal junction. We consider the 6(th) month of prenatal development to be the gestational age when the papillary ridge development is completed. CONCLUSION Our observations lead to the conclusion that the increased vascularization of dermis considerably affects papillary ridge formation.
Early postnatal development of contractile performance and responsiveness to Ca2+, verapamil and ryanodine in the isolated rat heart.

Contractile performance of the isolated perfused rat heart and its inotropic response to Ca2+, verapamil and ryanodine was studied in 1-, 2-, 4-, 7- and 12-day-old animals. Values of the developed force revealed two different phases: a slow decrease from day 1 to day 4 followed by a steep increase up to day 12. A similar biphasic time course was observed in the magnitude of the inotropic effect of Ca2+ (0.6-10.0 mmol.l-1): decrease from day 1 to day 4 followed by an increase up to day 7. The sensitivity to Ca2+ was, however, not changed. An analogous biphasic response was also observed during perfusion with the calcium antagonist verapamil (10(-9) to 3.3 x 10(-7) mol.l-1): the sensitivity to negative inotropic effect rose from day 1 to day 4 and then decreased at day 7 (values of IC50 were 170 +/- 61, 17 +/- 6 and 171 +/- 60 10(-9) mol.l-1 S.E. M. on day 1, 4 and 7, respectively). The contractile response to the inhibitor of calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR)--ryanodine (10(-6) mol.l-1)--was surprisingly high already in 1-day-old animals (inhibition of contraction by more than 50%) indicating the presence of functionally active SR in the rat heart just after birth. Our data clearly shows that the early development of contractile function and inotropic responsiveness of the rat heart is not linear and changes dramatically during the first week of life.
Steep-Gain Bidirectional Converter With a Regenerative Snubber

This paper introduces a SEPIC-derived bidirectional dc-dc converter. The proposed converter utilizes tapped inductor and charge pump techniques to achieve steep voltage conversion ratio and an active lossless regenerative snubber to attain lossless switching and high efficiency. The paper presents the principle of operation, steady-state analyses, and experimental results obtained from a 400-W, 48-V/380-V prototype. The efficiency of the proposed topology is demonstrated to peak at 96.4% for boost mode and 95.0% for buck mode.
Persistent left hepatic venous connection with the right atrium and the ductus venosus

An anomalous left hepatic vein opening independently of the coronary sinus into the right atrium was found in the cadaver of an 88-year-old Japanese man. This vein originated from the left lobe of the liver, perforated the diaphragm at the left side of the vena caval foramen and opened into the right atrium. The left hepatic vein anastomosed mutually with the middle hepatic vein at the level of venule. The ligamentum venosum originated from the left branch of the portal vein and was connected directly to the left hepatic vein. The development of the central systemic venous system and a possible explanation for the morphogenesis of this anomaly were reviewed. As a result, the occurrence of this anomalous vein was explained as being due to the persistence of the left vitelline connection with the left sinus horn and the ductus venosus.
Melatonin administration induced reactivation in the seminal gland of the soay rams during non‐breeding season: An ultrastructural and morphometrical study

Fifteen adult Soay rams were used in this experiment. Eight animals were given subcutaneous implants containing melatonin, while the other seven animals were used as control. After 11 weeks, the rams were killed and the seminal vesicles were examined by light and electron microscope. In contrast to the control grouped animals, the melatonin treated rams showed morphological, morphometrical, and ultrastructural changes as a result of reactivation of the glandular tissues of the seminal glands. The ratio of interstitial connective tissues to glandular tissues was reduced in the treated group. Melatonin induced an evident significant increase in number and height of principal cells that showed signs of increased secretory activity; apical cytoplasmic protrusions became well developed and covering the inner surface of the glandular end‐pieces, also, the basal cells were significantly increased in number. The main cytological alteration in the principal cells of the seminal vesicles in treated animals was prominent increase in the concentrically arranged membranes of sER, secretory vacuoles and glycogen granules and appearance of numerous lysosomes and multivesicular bodies. Interstitial Cajal‐ like cells were significantly increased in number and formed a network around the epithelium and between smooth muscle cells in the treated group. The main components of these cells were mitochondria, rER, sER, and many caveolae. The cytological alterations were accompanied by subepithelial and intraepithelial nonmyelinated nerve terminals in the treated animals. The results support the view that melatonin activates and increases the secretory activity of seminal gland in sheep. J. Morphol. 277:231–243, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Midodrine, octreotide, albumin, and TIPS in selected patients with cirrhosis and type 1 hepatorenal syndrome

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a functional renal disorder complicating decompensated cirrhosis. Treatments to date, except liver transplantation, have been able to improve but not normalize renal function. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent shunt (TIPS) as a treatment for type 1 HRS in ascitic cirrhotic patients, following improvement in systemic hemodynamics with a combination of midodrine, octreotide, and albumin (medical treatment). Fourteen ascitic cirrhotic patients with type 1 HRS received medical therapy until their serum creatinine reached below 135 μmol/L for at least 3 days, followed by a TIPS if there were no contraindications. Patients were assessed before and after medical treatment, as well as at 1 week and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post‐TIPS with measurements of renal function, sodium handling, systemic hemodynamics, central blood volume, and hormonal markers. Medical therapy for 14 ± 3 days improved renal function (serum creatinine: 233 ± 29 μmol/L vs. 112 ± 8 μmol/L, P = .001) and renal sodium excretion (5 ± 2 mmol/d vs. 9 ± 2 mmol/d, P = .002) in 10 of the 14 patients. TIPS insertion in five of the responders further improved renal function and sodium excretion, so that by 12 months post‐TIPS, glomerular filtration rate (96 ± 20 mL/min, P < .01 vs. pre‐TIPS) and urinary sodium excretion (119 ± 15 mmol/d, P < .01 vs. pre‐TIPS) were normal, associated with normalization of plasma renin and aldosterone levels and elimination of ascites. In conclusion, TIPS is an effective treatment for type 1 HRS in suitable patients with cirrhosis and ascites, following the improvement of renal function with combination therapy of midodrine, octreotide, and albumin. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:55–64.)