Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactational and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls induces sex‐specific anxiolytic behavior and cognitive deficit in mice offspring

The central nervous system is affected by polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Previous studies have indicated that developmental exposure to PCBs impairs behavioral performance and alters cognitive abilities. This study assessed the effects of lactational and postnatal exposure to a commercial PCBs mixture, Aroclor 1254 (A1254), on mice performing several neurobehavioral tasks including the open field test, novel object test, elevated plus maze test, Y‐maze test, and tail suspension test. In the open field test, PCBs treatment (6 and 18 mg/kg/day) was associated with increased movement, time duration, and frequency in the central zone in female but not male mice. PCBs‐treated female mice (6 and 18 mg/kg/day) also showed decreased novel object recognition, indicating impairment in recognition memory. Finally, we performed autoradiographic receptor binding assays for dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors, dopamine transporter (DAT), and the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor after behavioral tests to examine whether alterations occurred in the dopaminergic and NMDAergic systems of the brain. Our results showed that PCBs treatment did not change D1 and D2 receptors or DAT binding in the dorsal striatum of female mice. However, PCBs treatment significantly decreased NMDA receptor binding in the dorsal striatum, frontal cortex, cingulate cortex, and motor cortex, and CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus in female mice. Collectively, our results suggest that long‐term PCBs exposure can induce anxiolytic behavior, cognitive deficits, and changes of NMDA receptors. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley©Liss, Inc.
Laparoscopic surgery in obese women.

OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility and complications of operative laparoscopy in women with high body mass indices (BMIs). METHODS Forty-seven consecutive patients with BMIs exceeding 30 who underwent operative laparoscopy were compared with 160 consecutive patients with BMIs of 30 or less who underwent the same procedure. Patient characteristics, ultrasound features of adnexal masses, and details of operative procedures were compared. Operative and postoperative complications, the percentage of failed laparoscopies, and length of hospital stay were compared between groups. RESULTS There were no significant differences between groups in terms of age, parity, menopausal status, history of laparotomy, ultrasound features of adnexal masses, complexity of laparoscopic procedures, and the presence and degree of adhesions at the time of laparoscopy. Estimated blood loss, operative times, operative and major postoperative complications, and lengths of hospital stay also did not differ significantly between women with high BMIs and those with low BMIs (180.3 versus 151.4 mL, P = .41; 150.5 versus 146.5 minutes, P = .78; 2.1 versus 1.9%, P = .90; 2.1 versus 1.9%, P = .91; and 2.3 versus 1.9 days, P = .51, respectively). However, women with BMIs exceeding 30 had a significantly higher incidence of procedure conversion to laparotomy (14.9 versus 5.6%, P = .04). CONCLUSION Operative laparoscopy is safe and feasible in women with high BMIs. Although there is an increased chance of procedure conversion to laparotomy in these women, the morbidity and length of hospitalization associated with the procedure are similar to those among women with low BMIs.
Teachers' Beliefs About Integrating Digital Literacy Into Classroom Practice: An Investigation Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract This study explored teachers' behavioral, normative, and control beliefs related to digital literacy integration into their classrooms. Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used as a theoretical framework to collect and analyze data. Findings revealed that teachers' integration of digital literacy were related to their behavioral beliefs (attitude toward outcomes of a behavior) about the value of digital literacy for developing students' 21st-century skills, increasing student engagement, and preparation for future careers; normative beliefs (social support) about meeting the expectations of administrators, parents, colleagues, and students; and control beliefs (perceived behavioral control) about ease of integrating digital literacy due to access to technology, professional development, and curriculum resources.
Evaluation of Hydraulic Retention Time on Treatment of Coffee Processing Wastewater (CPWW) in EGSB Bioreactor

The coffee processing agro-industry generates large quantities of wastewater requiring systematic treatment prior to disposal. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the hydraulic retention times (HRT) in treatment of coffee processing wastewater (CPWW) using a laboratory scale Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) bioreactor at different HRT (3 to 9 days). The EGSB was evaluated in mesophilic condition (26 ± 2 °C) with an average pH of 7.5 ± 0.2 to determine the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency. According to the results, the COD removal efficiency increases from 94 to 98% when the HRT increase from 3 to 9 days; the α factor remained stable (0.98) throughout the evolution of the bioreactor. The HRT´s between 7–9 days generated effluents capable to be dischargeable into water bodies with a permitted COD concentration according to World Health Organization (WHO) and Official Mexican Environmental Regulations permissible limits. Results evidenced that the HRT of 9 days was the one that greater COD removal generated, so the EGSB bioreactor can be a sustainable alternative to solve the environmental problems, compared to other conventional methods to CPWW treatment.
The Use of Optokinetic Stimulation in Vestibular Rehabilitation

Individuals with vestibular dysfunction may experience visual vertigo (VV), in which symptoms are provoked or exacerbated by excessive or disorienting visual stimuli (eg, supermarkets). Individuals with VV are believed to be overly reliant on visual input for balance (ie, visually dependent). VV can significantly improve when customized vestibular rehabilitation exercises are combined with exposure to optokinetic stimuli. However, the frequency of treatment sessions (twice weekly for 8 weeks) and the equipment used (expensive and space consuming) make it difficult to incorporate these techniques into everyday clinical practice where exercises may be practiced unsupervised. The aim of this focused review is to provide an overview of recent findings investigating (a) responses of individuals with vestibular deficits to a customized exercise program incorporating exposure to optokinetic stimuli via a “high-tech” visual environment rotator or a “low-tech” DVD with and without supervision, and (b) the mechanism of recovery. Optokinetic stimulation will also be discussed in relation to other new innovations in vestibular rehabilitation techniques and future work.
The effect of parity and gravidity on the outcome of medical termination of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND Previous pregnancies may influence the success of medical termination of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of parity and gravidity on the successful termination of pregnancy using mifepristone and misoprostol. METHODS The medical files of all patients attending a department of obstetrics and gynecology during the years 2006 and 2007 for the purpose of medical termination of pregnancy at < or = 49 days of gestation were analyze retrospectively. The medical history, previous pregnancies and deliveries were recorded. Mifepristone was administered orally followed by 400 mg of misoprostol 48 hours later. A second dose of misoprostol was offered 2 weeks later if uterine content thickness was more than 15 mm. Then, after 24 hours, if uterine content thickness was more than 15 mm the uterus was evacuated by dilation and curettage. RESULTS Of 403 women, 349 (86.6%) aborted following the basic regime; 207 (51.4%) (group A) were primiparous while 196 (48.6%) (group B) had at least one prior pregnancy. Uterine curettage was performed in 17 patients (8.2%) in group A and in 37 (18.9%) in group B (P = 0.002). When patients with a history of a previous abortion were excluded from group B, 32 of 143 (22.4%) required curettage (P < 0.001). When patients without a history of previous cesarean section were excluded, 10 of 52 (19.2%) underwent curettage (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS Previous pregnancies negatively affect the success of medical termination of pregnancy, especially in women with a previous term pregnancy. This information is important when counseling women about the method of pregnancy termination.
Long-term effectiveness of extraanatomic renal artery revascularization.

BACKGROUND The efficacy of direct aortorenal bypass and renal artery endarterectomy are well established. The purpose of this study is to define better the results of extraanatomic renal revascularization procedures. METHODS From April 1987 to March 1993, 124 patients underwent renal artery revascularization. Forty-eight (39%) of them (33 women, 15 men; average age, 65.9 years) underwent 49 extraanatomic renal artery bypasses. Preoperative risk factors included smoking in 30 patients (61%), history of myocardial infarction in 14 (29%), diabetes mellitus in 11 (22%), congestive heart failure in nine (18%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 11 (22%), and stroke in six (12%). The average creatinine level was 2.3 mg/dl. The average number of antihypertensive medications was 2.4. Thirty iliorenal, 10 gastroduodenal-renal, seven hepatorenal, and two splenorenal bypasses were performed together with 10 contralateral nephrectomies. RESULTS Six major postoperative complications occurred. There were no deaths. Forty-one (85%) of patients had improvement or cure of their hypertension. Seven (15%) of patients failed to respond to treatment, and three required subsequent nephrectomy. After operation the average creatinine level was 1.7 mg/dl and the average number of medications was 1.7. Mean follow-up period has been 23.2 months (range, 1 to 79 months). CONCLUSIONS Extraanatomic bypass proved to be efficacious in treating hypertension and preserving renal function and has an acceptable rate of morbidity and mortality. We conclude that these procedures are an acceptable alternative to direct aortorenal artery revascularization.
A Review on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Perceptions of New Zealand’s Mangroves: Can We Make Informed Decisions about Their Removal?

Mangrove cover is increasing in estuaries and harbours in many areas on North Island, New Zealand. The expansion of mangroves has been attributed to anthropogenic land-use change, including urbanisation and conversion of land to agriculture. Rapid expansion of mangroves in the coastal landscape has created discord in local communities over their importance in terms of the services they deliver to both wildlife and people. Some community groups have been advocates for the large-scale removal of mangrove habitat, whilst other local residents oppose this removal. This review paper investigated and discussed pertinent biodiversity and ecosystem services studies based in New Zealand mangroves from 1950 to 2017. Results showed that the majority of biodiversity studies have targeted particular species or groups of organisms, with a focus on benthic invertebrate communities. Deficits remain in our knowledge of this expanding forest and shrub ecosystem, notably the terrestrial component of biodiversity, species community-shifts with landscape fragmentation, and associated cultural values. It is recommended that broader species assessments and a longer-term approach be applied to biodiversity monitoring in mangroves, coupled with Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and western science for holistic management of this coastal ecosystem.
Prevention of Late Onset Sepsis and Central-line Associated Blood Stream Infection in Preterm Infants

Aim: Late onset sepsis (LOS) and central-line associated blood stream infection (CLA-BSI) contribute toward the mortality and morbidity in prematurely born infants. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hospital-wide and unit-based interventions on LOS and CLA-BSI in infants born at <32 weeks gestation. Methods: Intensive care, high dependency days and catheter days were obtained from the unit database and blood culture results from a microbiology laboratory database. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the effects of interventions on LOS and CLA-BSI. Results: Quarterly rates of LOS reduced from 26.1 to 2.9 per 1000 intensive care, high dependency days and CLA-BSI from 31.6 to 4.3 per 1000 catheter days between 2007 and 2012. Appointment of a hospital specialist vascular device nurse, a change in the mode of administration of vancomycin, standardization of the hospital skin and hub disinfection policy and the introduction of a venous infusion phlebitis scoring system were associated with a reduction of LOS to 55% (95% confidence interval: 40–74%) and CLA-BSI 45% (95% confidence interval: 33–61%) of pre-intervention levels. The standardization of the neonatal unit policy for skin disinfection and a move to a new building were associated with reductions of LOS to 64% (47–87%) and 54% (34–88%), respectively, and aseptic no touch technique for infusion access with CLA-BSI to 53% (37–75%) of pre-intervention levels. Conclusion: A multifaceted approach involving changes in antimicrobial and skin disinfection policy, training for aseptic no touch technique and surveillance resulted in sustained reduction in LOS and CLA-BSI rates.
HCN Channels Expressed in the Inner Ear Are Necessary for Normal Balance Function

HCN1–4 subunits form Na+/K+-permeable ion channels that are activated by hyperpolarization and carry the current known as Ih. Ih has been characterized in vestibular hair cells of the inner ear, but its molecular correlates and functional contributions have not been elucidated. We examined Hcn mRNA expression and immunolocalization of HCN protein in the mouse utricle, a mechanosensitive organ that contributes to the sense of balance. We found that HCN1 is the most highly expressed subunit, localized to the basolateral membranes of type I and type II hair cells. We characterized Ih using the whole-cell, voltage-clamp technique and found the current expressed in 84% of the cells with a mean maximum conductance of 4.4 nS. Ih was inhibited by ZD7288, cilobradine, and by adenoviral expression of a dominant-negative form of HCN2. To determine which HCN subunits carried Ih, we examined hair cells from mice deficient in Hcn1, 2, or both. Ih was completely abolished in hair cells of Hcn1−/− mice and Hcn1/2−/− mice but was similar to wild-type in Hcn2−/− mice. To examine the functional contributions of Ih, we recorded hair cell membrane responses to small hyperpolarizing current steps and found that activation of Ih evoked a 5–10 mV sag depolarization and a subsequent 15–20 mV rebound upon termination. The sag and rebound were nearly abolished in Hcn1-deficient hair cells. We also found that Hcn1-deficient mice had deficits in vestibular-evoked potentials and balance assays. We conclude that HCN1 contributes to vestibular hair cell function and the sense of balance.
Activation of A(3)adenosine receptor protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Adenosine exerts a marked protective effect on the heart during cardiac ischemia. This protection is mediated by binding to the A(1)and A(3)subtypes of adenosine receptor (A(1)R and A(3)R, respectively). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether activation of A(1)and A(3)adenosine receptors may reduce doxorubicin-induced damage to cardiomyocytes in culture. Cultured cardiomyocytes from newborn rats were treated with 0.5--5 microm doxorubicin (DOX) for 18 h and then incubated in drug-free medium for an additional 24 h. This treatment resulted in cell damage and lactate dehydrogenase release, even after low (0.5 microm) doses of the drug, and increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Activation of A(3)-subtype but not A(1)-subtype receptors attenuated doxorubicin-cardiotoxicity after drug treatment for 18 h followed by 24 h incubation in drug-free medium. Modulation of intracellular calcium mediated by activation of A(3)R, but not by A(1)R, in cultured myocytes suggested an important pathophysiological significance of this subtype of adenosine receptors. Protection by A(3)R agonist Cl-IB-MECA (2-chloro-N(6)-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5'-N-methyluronamide) following DOX treatment is evident in: (1) decreases in intracellular calcium overloading and abnormalities in Ca(2+)transients; (2) reduction of free-radical generation and lipid peroxidation; (3) attenuation of mitochondrial damage by protection of the terminal link (COX-complex) of respiratory chain; (4) attenuation of the decrease in ATP production and irreversible cardiomyocyte damage. Cardioprotection caused by Cl-IB-MECA was antagonized considerably by the selective A(3)adenosine receptor antagonist MRS1523.
Flux Measurements of Volatile Organic Compounds by Relaxed Eddy Accumulation method combined with GC-FID system in north of downtown Houston , Texas

A tall tower flux measurement setup was established in metropolitan Houston, Texas, to measure energy and trace gas fluxes from both anthropogenic and biogenic emission sources in the urban surface layer. We describe a new relaxed eddy accumulation (REA) system combined with a dual-channel GC-FID used for VOC flux measurements, focusing on benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) results. Ambient air sampled from 60 m above the ground next to a sonic anemometer is subsampled by a membrane pump and pushed into an REA valve system with two Teflon bag reservoirs, then transferred to the GC preconcentration units for thermal desorption. We discuss the performance of our system and the selected BTEX measurement results using approximately 7 weeks of data (June 1 – July 22, 2008), presenting diurnal variations of concentrations and fluxes of these traffic tracers. The measured values exhibited diurnal cycles with a dominant morning peak during weekdays related to rush-hour traffic and additional workday daytime flux maxima for toluene and xylenes. A two-way comparison with EPA National Emission Inventories (NEI) suggests potential underestimates in the NEI.
The Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration (JeffSATIC): development and multi-institution psychometric data

Abstract This study was designed to develop a psychometrically sound instrument to measure attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration in health profession students and practitioners regardless of their professions and areas of practice. Based on a review of the literature a list of 27 items was generated, 12 faculty judged the face validity of the items, and 124 health profession faculty examined the content validity of the items. The preliminary version of the instrument was administered to 1976 health profession students in three universities (Thomas Jefferson University, n = 510; Midwestern University, n = 392; and Monash University, n = 1074). Twenty items that survived the psychometric scrutiny were included in the Jefferson Scale of Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Collaboration (JeffSATIC). Two constructs of “working relationships” and “accountability” emerged from factor analysis of the JeffSATIC. Cronbach’s α coefficients for the JeffSATIC ranged from 0.84 to 0.90 in the three samples. Women obtained significantly higher JeffSATIC mean scores than men. Medical students obtained lower mean score on the JeffSATIC than most other health profession students at the same university. Psychometric support from a relatively large sample size of students in a variety of health profession programs in this multi-institutional study is encouraging which adds to the credibility of the JeffSATIC.
Prospective study of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography imaging of lymph node basins in melanoma patients undergoing sentinel node biopsy.

PURPOSE To prospectively compare positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of regional lymph node basins to sentinel node biopsy (SNB) in patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage I, II, and III melanoma localized to the skin. METHODS Patients with cutaneous melanoma with Breslow's depth greater than 1 mm (AJCC T2-4N0M0) or localized regional cutaneous recurrence (TxN2bM0) underwent whole-body imaging of glucose metabolism with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET followed by SNB. PET scans were interpreted in a blinded fashion and compared with histologic analyses of SNB specimens and clinical follow-up examination. Nodal tumor volumes were estimated. RESULTS Eighty-nine lymph node basins were evaluated by FDG-PET and SNB in 70 assessable patients. Eighteen patients (25.7%) had lymph node metastases at the time of FDG-PET imaging: 17 proved by SNB (24.3%) and one by follow-up examination (1.4%). Median tumor volume in positive sentinel node basins was 4.3 mm3 (range, 0.07 to 523 mm3). Sensitivity of SNB for detection of occult regional lymph node metastases was 94.4%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 98.6%. Sensitivity of FDG-PET was 16.7%, specificity was 95.8%, PPV was 50%, and NPV was 81.9%. At a median follow-up duration of 16.6 months, seven patients (10%) developed recurrent disease. PET predicted one recurrence (14.3%) in a node basin missed by SNB. CONCLUSION FDG-PET is an insensitive indicator of occult regional lymph node metastases in patients with melanoma because of the minute tumor volumes in this population. FDG-PET does not have a primary role for staging regional nodes in patients with clinically localized melanoma.
Segmentation induced by intraluminal fatty acid in isolated guinea‐pig duodenum and jejunum

Small intestinal movements depend on the composition of the chyme with mixing predominating at high nutrient levels and propulsion being prevalent at low nutrient levels. The mechanisms coupling nutrients to motility are unknown. We used computer analysis of video recordings of isolated guinea‐pig duodenum, jejunum and ileum to examine movements induced by a fatty acid, decanoic acid. Increasing intraluminal pressure past a threshold using control saline consistently evoked propulsive reflexes: lumen‐occluding constrictions appeared at the oral end propagating at 20.4 ± 2.4 mm s−1 (mean ±s.d., jejunum) to the anal end before being repeated until the intraluminal pressure was returned to control. Subthreshold pressure increases sometimes evoked a transient series of constrictions appearing at the oral end and propagating anally at 18.4 ± 4.7 mm s−1 (jejunum). At basal pressures, decanoic acid dose‐dependently induced motor activity consisting of 40–60 s episodes of constrictions separated by 40–200 s periods of quiescence and lasting up to 2 h. Five contraction patterns were identified within episodes including localized stationary constrictions; constrictions that propagated slowly (5–8 mm s−1) for short distances orally or anally; and constrictions that propagated orally or anally for the length of the preparation at 14–20 mm s−1. Decanoic acid induced motor activity was reversibly abolished by tetrodotoxin (3 μm), hyoscine (1 μm) and hexamethonium (100 μm), but was insensitive to blockade of P2 purinoceptors by PPADS (60 μm). Thus, decanoic acid induces motor activity equivalent to segmentation in guinea‐pig small intestine in vitro and this depends on intrinsic neural pathways.