Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acupuncture and related interventions for smoking cessation.

BACKGROUND Acupuncture and related techniques are promoted as a treatment for smoking cessation in the belief that they may reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this review are to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture and the related interventions of acupressure, laser therapy and electrostimulation, in smoking cessation in comparison with no intervention, sham treatment, or other interventions. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group specialized register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews, PsycINFO, Science and Social Sciences Citation Index, AMED and CISCOM. Date of last search January 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials comparing a form of acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy or electrostimulation with either no intervention, sham treatment or another intervention for smoking cessation. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We extracted data in duplicate on the type of smokers recruited, the nature of the acupuncture and control procedures, the outcome measures, method of randomization, and completeness of follow up. We assessed abstinence from smoking at the earliest time-point (before six weeks), and at the last measurement point between six months and one year. We used the most rigorous definition of abstinence for each trial, and biochemically validated rates if available. Those lost to follow up were counted as continuing smokers. Where appropriate, we performed meta-analysis using a fixed-effect model. MAIN RESULTS We identified 24 reports of studies. The only comparison for which there were sufficient studies to combine meaningfully was acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture. The fixed-effect odds ratio (OR) for the short-term effect was 1.36 (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 1.72), but the studies are heterogeneous and the result is strongly influenced by one individual positive study. The significant short-term effect was lost with the random-effects model for pooling, or by removing the outlying study that led to heterogeneity. The long-term result shows no effect of acupuncture compared with sham acupuncture. There was no consistent evidence that acupuncture is superior to no treatment, and no evidence that the effect of acupuncture was different from that of other anti-smoking interventions, or that any particular acupuncture technique is superior to other techniques. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is no consistent evidence that acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy or electrostimulation are effective for smoking cessation, but methodological problems mean that no firm conclusions can be drawn. Further research using frequent or continuous stimulation is justified.
Pharmacologically induced hypothermia with cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55, 212-2 after cardiopulmonary resuscitation*

Objective:To investigate whether hypothermia could be induced pharmacologically after resuscitation with the cannabinoid CB1/CB2 receptor agonist in a rat model and its effects on outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Design:Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled experimental study. Setting:University-affiliated animal research laboratory. Subjects:Ten healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions:Ventricular fibrillation was induced and untreated for 6 mins. Defibrillation was attempted after 8 mins of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Thirty minutes after resuscitation, animals were randomized to receive either WIN55, 212-2 (1.0 mg/kg/hr) or vehicle placebo (1.4 mL/kg/hr) for 6 hrs. Before infusion, the temperature was maintained at 37°C in all the animals with the help of a heating lamp. The same temperature environment was maintained for both groups after infusion. Measurements and Main Results:Hemodynamic measurements and cardiac output, ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured at baseline and hourly for 6 hrs after resuscitation. Survival time up to 72 hrs was observed. Results:Blood temperature decreased progressively after infusion of WIN55, 212-2 from 37°C to 34°C 4 hrs after resuscitation. There was no significant change in blood temperature after 6 hrs of placebo infusion of the same volume and same infusate temperature. Significantly better postresuscitation myocardial function and longer durations of survival were observed in WIN55, 212-2-treated animals. Conclusions:The selective cannabinoid agonist, WIN55, 212-2, produced a significant reduction in blood temperature and improved postresuscitation myocardial functions and survival after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The study results may provide a further option for early and effective induction of therapeutic hypothermia in settings of cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The actions of capsaicin applied topically to the skin of the rat on C‐fibre afferents, antidromic vasodilatation and substance P levels

1 Single applications of solutions of capsaicin were made to the intact skin of anaesthetized rats and the effects on cutaneous blood flow and the firing of C‐nociceptor afferents determined. Blood flow was measured by laser‐Doppler flowmetry. C‐fibre activity was recorded from filaments dissected from the saphenous nerve. 2 Following the application of a capsaicin solution (concentration ≥ 1 mm) to rat saphenous skin, low frequency firing occurred in C‐polymodal nociceptors that sometimes continued for > 10 min. At the some time, large increases in skin blood flow occurred exceeding 300% in some instances. 3 After the initial excitation, some C‐polymodal nociceptors lost their sensitivity to pressure whilst their sensitivity to heat was lost or enhanced depending on the vehicle used. 4 Sensitivity of C‐polymodal nociceptors to heat recovered in > 1 day following a single application of 33 mm capsaicin. Thresholds to mechanical pressure, however, were still significantly elevated by 123% on day 1, but had recovered on day 2. 5 Vasodilatation in response to saphenous nerve stimulation (‘antidromic vasodilatation’) was significantly reduced by 35%, 2 days after a single application of 33 mm capsaicin, but was normal at 4 days. 6 Following a single application of 33 mm capsaicin, skin substance P levels fell to only half the normal value at day 1 and remained at this level throughout the 4 day period examined. 7 It is suggested that the ability of relatively low concentrations of capsaicin to desensitize C‐fibre nociceptors may underlie the analgesic action of topical capsaicin in man.
On the implications of aerosol liquid water and phase separation for organic aerosol mass

Organic compounds and liquid water are major aerosol constituents in the southeast United States (SE US). Water associated with inorganic constituents (inorganic water) can contribute to the partitioning medium for organic aerosol when relative humidities or organic matter to organic carbon (OM/OC) ratios are high such that separation relative humidities (SRH) are below the ambient relative humidity (RH). As OM/OC ratios in the SE US are often between 1.8 and 2.2, organic aerosol experiences both mixing with inorganic water and separation from it. Regional chemical transport model simulations including inorganic water (but excluding water uptake by organic compounds) in the partitioning medium for secondary organic aerosol (SOA) when RH > SRH led to increased SOA concentrations,· particularly at night. Water uptake to the organic phase resulted in even greater SOA concentrations as a result of a positive feedback in which water uptake increased SOA, which further increased aerosol water and organic aerosol. Aerosol properties· such as the OM/OC and hygroscopicity parameter (κorg), were captured well by the model compared with measurements during the Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) 2013. Organic nitrates from monoterpene oxidation were predicted to be the least water-soluble semivolatile species in the model, but most biogenically derived semivolatile species in the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model were highly water soluble and expected to contribute to water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). Organic aerosol and SOA precursors were abundant at night, but additional improvements in daytime organic aerosol are needed to close the model–measurement gap. When taking into account deviations from ideality, including both inorganic (when RH > SRH) and organic water in the organic partitioning medium reduced the mean bias in SOA for routine monitoring networks and improved model performance compared to observations from SOAS. Property updates from this work will be released in CMAQ v5.2.
A Generalized Likelihood Ratio Control Chart for Monitoring the Process Mean Subject to Linear Drifts

This article considers the problem of monitoring a normally distributed process variable when a special cause may produce a time‐varying linear drift in the mean. The design and application of a generalized likelihood ratio (GLR) control chart for drift detection are evaluated. The GLR drift chart does not require specification of any tuning parameters by the practitioner and has the advantage that, at the time of the signal, estimates of both the change point and the drift size are immediately available. An equation to accurately approximate the control limit is provided. The performance of the GLR drift chart is compared with that of other control charts such as a standard cumulative sum chart and a cumulative score chart designed for drift detection. We also compare the GLR chart designed for drift detection with the GLR chart designed for sustained shift detection because both of them require only a control limit to be specified. In terms of the expected time for detection and in terms of the bias and mean squared error of the change‐point estimators, the GLR drift chart has better performance for a wide range of drift rates relative to the GLR shift chart when the out‐of‐control process is truly a linear drift. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immune lysis of normal human and paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) red blood cells. I. The sensitivity of PNH red cells to lysis by complement and specific antibody.

time that the red cells of patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) are unusually susceptible to lysis by hetero- and isoantibodies and complement. These observations have since been confirmed by many other studies using a variety of antibodies (2). The susceptibility of these cells to lysis by antibody and complement has been utilized in the detection of hemolytic antibodies in human serum (3) and in the analysis of the kinetics of hemolysis of human cells by specific antibody and complement (4). The red cells of patients with PNH are also lysed by fresh normal serum, especially when the pH is reduced to 6.5 to 7.0 (5, 6). This reaction, the acidified serum test or Ham's test, is of major importance in the diagnosis of the disease. Lysis by acidified normal serum is abolished when the serum is treated with ammonia or heated to 56° C
Early magnitude and potential damage zone estimates for the great Mw 9 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake

The Mw 9.0, 2011 Tohoku‐Oki earthquake has re‐opened the discussion among the scientific community about the effectiveness of earthquake early warning for large events. A well‐known problem with real‐time procedures is the parameter saturation, which may lead to magnitude underestimation for large earthquakes. Here we measure the initial peak ground displacement and the predominant period by progressively expanding the time window and distance range, to provide consistent magnitude estimates (M = 8.4) and a rapid prediction of the potential damage area. This information would have been available 35 s after the first P‐wave detection and could have been refined in the successive 20 s using data from more distant stations. We show the suitability of the existing regression relationships between early warning parameters and magnitude, provided that an appropriate P‐wave time window is used for parameter estimation. We interpret the magnitude under‐estimation as a combined effect of high‐pass filtering and frequency dependence of the main radiating source during the rupture process.
GABAB receptor gene transfer into the nucleus tractus solitarii induces chronic blood pressure elevation in normotensive rats.

BACKGROUND Increasing evidence indicates that GABAergic neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) play a significant role in the arterial baroreceptor reflex and control of cardiovascular homeostasis. However, the role of these neurons in the development of hypertension is not yet fully clear. METHODS AND RESULTS In the present study, we first confirmed that GABAB receptor (GBR) expression is enhanced in the NTS of SHR as compared with WKY rats using real-time RT-PCR and western blots. To study the functional consequence of upregulated GBR expression, GBR was overexpressed in the NTS by bilateral microinjection of the AAV2-GBR1 viral vector into the NTS of WKY rats. Immunofluorescence staining and western blots demonstrated that microinjection of AAV2-GBR1 into the NTS of WKY rats resulted in a significant increase in GBR1 expression in the NTS neurons. Overexpression of GBR in the NTS induced a chronic elevation in blood pressure and heart rate in the normotensive WKY rats. In an acute study, the pressor response to baclofen microinjected into the NTS was enhanced in SHR as compared with WKY rats. CONCLUSIONS GBR1 expression is enhanced in the NTS of SHR vs. WKY rats and overexpression of this gene in the NTS results in chronic elevation of blood pressure and heart rate in normotensive rats.
Prognostic significance of the estrogen‐regulated protein, cathepsin D, in breast cancer. An immunohistochemical study

Expression of the estrogen‐regulated lysosomal protease, cathepsin D, was studied in a series of 94 breast cancers using an immunohistochemical technique. Granular staining of tumor cell cytoplasm was detected in 62 cases. Positive staining was associated with a significant increase in overall time to relapse and when survival was analyzed in terms of intensity of cathepsin D staining there was a significant trend for both increased time to relapse and increased length of survival. The presence of estrogen receptor was associated with positive cathepsin D immunostaining, and in the subgroup of estrogen receptor‐positive tumors cathepsin D staining was associated with significantly prolonged survival; this was not the case for estrogen receptor‐negative tumors. Positive cathepsin D immunostaining was associated with significant prognostic advantage in patients with confirmed lymph node metastasis but not in node‐negative patients. It is suggested that cathepsin D expression reflects the functional integrity of the estrogen response pathway. Cathepsin D may prove a clinically useful adjunct to assessment of estrogen receptor status.
Integrated Confocal and Scanning Probe Microscopy for Biomedical Research

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) continues to be developed, not only in design, but also in application. The new focus of using AFM is changing from pure material to biomedical studies. More frequently, it is being used in combination with other optical imaging methods, such as confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and fluorescent imaging, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of biological systems. To date, AFM has been used increasingly as a precise micromanipulator, probing and altering the mechanobiological characteristics of living cells and tissues, in order to examine specific, receptor-ligand interactions, material properties, and cell behavior. In this review, we discuss the development of this new hybrid AFM, current research, and potential applications in diagnosis and the detection of disease.
Unemployment - an important predictor for future smoking: a 14-year follow-up study of school leavers

Aims: To analyse predictors among pupils leaving compulsory school for smoking and high alcohol consumption as adults. Methods: A prospective cohort study in which all pupils (N=1083) in the last year of compulsory school were followed for 14 years. The data were collected through repeated comprehensive self-administered questionnaires. Results: Smoking was better predicted than alcohol intake. The best predictors were earlier high alcohol intake and earlier smoking. Among other predictors, low grades, poor teachers' prognoses and early unemployment pointed to unfavourable health habits, mainly smoking. Conclusions: It is possible already at school to identify risk groups for future smoking and high alcohol consumption.
Evaluation of the E test for quantitative antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori

The Progressive Diagnostics Manufacturers epsilometer test (E test; AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden), a quantitative variant of the disk diffusion technique, was evaluated comparatively to an agar dilution method for the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Helicobacter pylori. A collection of 79 H. pylori clinical strains, including isolates with known resistance to various antimicrobial agents, was tested against 12 different antimicrobial agents. All strains were tested on Columbia agar supplemented with 10% horse blood. Plates were incubated at 37 degrees C in microaerobic atmosphere (5% O2, 10% CO2), and readings were done after 3 days of incubation. In general, E test MICs were easy to interpret and the correlation between MICs by the agar dilution method and the E test was good, with 86 and 99.5% of results being within, respectively, 1 and 2 log2 dilution steps in a total of 936 tests. All strains of H. pylori with documented resistance to the tested agents were detected by the E test. Thus, the E test appears to be an easy and reliable method for determination of MICs of antibiotics for H. pylori, and it may offer an interesting alternative to MIC determination by the agar dilution technique.
Identification of long non-coding RNAs GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC in plasma as novel biomarkers for systemic lupus erythematosus

Despite increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) widely take part in human diseases, the role of lncRNAs in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is largely unknown. In this study, we performed a two-stage study to explore the plasma levels of five lncRNAs (GAS5, linc0949, linc0597, HOTAIRM1 and lnc-DC) and their potential as SLE biomarkers. Compared with healthy controls, plasma levels of GAS5 and lnc-DC were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively) while linc0597 were overexpressed in SLE patients (P < 0.001). When SLE patients were divided into SLE without nephritis and lupus nephritis (LN), the levels of lnc-DC were significantly higher in LN compared with SLE without nephritis (P = 0.018), but no significant difference in levels of GAS5 and linc0597 were found between LN and SLE without nephritis; plasma linc0949 level showed no significant difference in all comparisons. Further evaluation on potential biomarkers showed that GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC may specifically identify patients with SLE, the combination of GAS5 and linc0597 provided better diagnostic accuracy; lnc-DC may discriminate LN from SLE without nephritis. In summary, GAS5, linc0597 and lnc-DC in plasma could be potential biomarkers for SLE.
Anatomical Study of the Brachial Plexus using Surface Ultrasound

The aim of this study was to define the anatomy relevant to brachial plexus regional anaesthesia and to identify the extent of variation between individuals. Surface ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus was performed on twenty volunteers. In the axilla there was considerable individual variation in the location of the median, radial and ulnar nerves in relation to the axillary artery. There was often more than one venous structure in this region, which was easily compressed by surface palpation. In the supraclavicular region, neural elements were located inferiorly to the subclavian artery in two volunteers. In one volunteer, a vein was identified between nerve trunks in the interscalene region. These findings indicate that the anatomical variation is considerable, even within the relatively small sample studied. For this reason, use of surface ultrasound may lead to increased success of brachial plexus regional anaesthesia and a decreased risk of intravascular injection.
Male gender significantly increases risk of oxidative stress related congenital anomalies in the non-diabetic population

Objective. Oxidative stress (OS) is an important mechanism of teratogenesis. Recent work suggests increased OS in males. We evaluated whether male gender increased the risk of cyanotic congenital heart defects (CCHD) whose development is linked to OS and other common congenital anomalies (CA) in non-diabetic pregnancies. Methods. CDC-National Center for Health Statistics data for 19 states in 2006 were reviewed. CCHD, anencephaly, spina bifida, congenial diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), omphalocele, gastroschisis, limb defects, cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and isolated cleft palate were evaluated. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) were calculated for CA in males with females as the reference group. Results. Of 1,194, 581, cases analyzed after exclusions, 3037 (0.25%) had major CA. Males had elevated adjusted OR (95% CI) for CCHD: 1.198 (1.027, 1.397), CDH: 1.487 (1.078, 2.051), and CL/P: 1.431 (1.24, 1.651). There was a significant interaction between cigarette use and (male) fetal gender and also with maternal age in the CL/P group. Conclusions. In non-diabetic pregnancies, male gender appears to be an independent risk factor for some types of CA believed to be associated with OS. Cigarette smoking, a well recognized source of OS only increased the risk of CL/P in males.
A long-term study of young patients with essential thrombocythemia treated with anagrelide.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Essential thrombocythemia (ET) can be complicated by life-threatening thrombosis and has a risk of converting into acute leukemia. Cytoreductive therapy may reduce the risk of thromboembolic complications. Herein, we report the results of a long-term study of patients with ET treated with anagrelide to control thrombocytosis. DESIGN AND METHODS Thirty-nine (34 evaluable) patients (median age, 33 years; 24 previously untreated) were enrolled between 1989-1996; the mean platelet count prior to therapy was 1197x10(9)/L. Only 9 out of 34 evaluable patients were at high risk of thrombosis (platelet count more than 1500x10(9)/L). The initial dose of anagrelide (0.5 mg/bid for 7 days) was increased by 0.5 mg/day (maximum dose: 3 mg/day) until a response was seen. RESULTS A complete response (platelets < 450x10(9)/L for >1 month) was seen in 15 /34 (44%) patients and a partial response (platelets 450-600x10(9)/L for >1 month) was seen in 17/34 ( 50%), so that the some kind of response was seen in 32/34 (94%) of the patients at a median time of 4.2 months after starting treatment. Seventeen patients (50%) are still being treated and have achieved platelet control for a maximum follow-up of 12.5 years. Late onset anemia occurred in 4/39 patients. Three out of 39 patients (8%) had cardiac disorders. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS Anagrelide appears suitable for controlling thrombocytosis in ET patients over the long-term. This drug may be used in patients younger than 60 years, with the exclusion of women of child-bearing potential and subjects aged 40-60 years with a history of major thrombotic events. Anagrelide should not be administered to patients with cardiac disorders, and a careful approach to patients should include monitoring of heart function before and during treatment.