Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evolution, Development, and Initial Function of the Mammalian Neocortex: Response of the Germinal Zones to Endothermy

In the mouse the release of neocortical neurons from the periventricular germinal layers of the forebrain commences towards the ventral margin of the lateral pallium at the level of the interventricular foramen and is propagated from there across the lateral wall of the hemisphere. In the adult cortex the origin of the gradient corresponded to the ventral portion of the somatotopic map of the body, that is, to the area representating structures derived from the embryonic branchial arches, namely, the peri‐oral region and laryngo‐pharyngeal masticatory apparatus. Branchial arch nerves also innervate the fore‐ and mid‐gut and all the related exocrine and endocrine glands. This suggests that the mammalian neocortex evolved from a visceral integration area in a positionally equivalent area in the pallium of a reptilian ancestor which expanded in relation to extensive changes taking place in the visceral and branchial systems of the body during the transition from reptilian ectothermy to mammalian endothermy. The practical problem facing early mammals was to acquire and process the extra energy required to sustain a continuously high metabolic rate. Improvements to the food processing capabilities of the visceral and branchial systems and the expansion of their neural control were important components in the conglomerate of changes required to sustain the increased energy demands of endothermic tissues. Endothermy also bestowed the ability to sustain greater numbers of metabolically expensive neurons and this, in turn, required an appropriate response from the cell production mechanisms in the periventricular germinal layers. Anat Rec, 291:28–48, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the Interplay Between Proof Complexity and SAT Solving

Cook proved in 1971 that SAT is NP complete, thus beginning the amazingly fruitful study of NP completeness. I’ve been teaching all my career that it is well-believed that SAT is intractable in the worst case. Over the years, however, SAT solvers have improved incredibly; they are now extensively used as general-purpose problem solvers. In the Summer of Logic last year in Vienna, I heard an enlightening talk by Jakob Nordström on understanding the complexity of SAT using insights from Proof Complexity. I felt that this would make a great complexity column for SIGLOG News. The following column is a valuable and readable introduction to proof complexity from the point of view of helping us understand the practical and theoretical complexity of SAT.
Perineural Dexmedetomidine Added to Ropivacaine Causes a Dose-dependent Increase in the Duration of Thermal Antinociception in Sciatic Nerve Block in Rat

Background:The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine would increase the duration of antinociception to a thermal stimulus in a dose-dependent fashion in a rat model of sciatic nerve blockade. Methods:Fifty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (10 rats/group) received unilateral sciatic nerve blocks with 0.2 ml ropivacaine (0.5%) or 0.2 ml ropivacaine (0.5%) plus dexmedetomidine (2.7 &mgr;m [0.5 &mgr;g/kg], 11.7 &mgr;m [2 &mgr;g/kg], 34.1 &mgr;m [6 &mgr;g/kg], or 120.6 &mgr;m [20 &mgr;g/kg]) in a randomized, blinded fashion. Time to paw withdrawal latency to a thermal stimulus for both paws and an assessment of motor function were measured every 30 min after the nerve block until a return to baseline. Results:Dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine increased the duration of dense sensory blockade and time for return to normal sensory function in a dose-dependent fashion (P < 0.005). There was a significant time (P < 0.005), dose (P < 0.005), and time-by-dose effect (P < 0.005) on paw withdrawal latencies of the operative paws. There were no significant differences in paw withdrawal latencies of the control paws, indicating little systemic effect of the dexmedetomidine. The duration of motor blockade was also increased with dexmedetomidine. High-dose dexmedetomidine (120.6 &mgr;m) was not neurotoxic. Conclusion:This is the first study showing that dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine increases the duration of sensory blockade in a dose-dependent fashion in rats. The findings are an essential first step encouraging future efficacy studies in humans.
The Phenomenology of Posttraumatic Stress Disorders following a Natural Disaster

This study examined the utility of the DSM-III diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a high-risk group of 50 firefighters who had had an intense exposure to a natural disaster 8 months before being interviewed. Follow-up over the next 3 years allowed examination of the ability of these diagnostic criteria to predict a pattern of chronic posttraumatic morbidity. They predicted a pattern of chronic disorder, demonstrated by the finding that eight of the 15 subjects who had definite or borderline PTSD at 8 months remained symptomatic 3 years later. A disturbance of attention and concentration appeared to be the best predictor of chronic PTSD. The longitudinal course of posttraumatic morbidity in these 50 firefighters was compared with a matched group of 96 uninterviewed subjects 11 and 29 months after the disaster. Although the interview provoked an emotional catharsis in a number of firefighters, the long-term morbidity in the two groups was comparable. Fourteen subjects who did not have PTSD continued to experience intense imagery 8 months after the disaster. This observation raises questions about whether such thoughts and feelings have adequate specificity as diagnostic criteria for PTSD in a group that has recently been exposed to a traumatic event.
Bovine Colostrum in the Management of Nonorganic Failure to Thrive: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of oral bovine colostrum in the management of nonorganic failure to thrive (FTT). Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 120 children (1–10 years of age) of either sex with mild or moderate nonorganic FTT were divided into 2 groups. Both groups were matched with regard to age, sex, weight, and height. One group (control) received routine treatments for FTT and the other group (case), besides routine treatments, received supplementary bovine colostrum at the dose of 40 mg · kg−1 · day−1 for a 3-month period. Following the initial visit, subsequent visits were completed following 1, 2, and 3 months of supplementation. For quantitative measurements, Waterlow I (height for age) and Gomez (weight for age) indices were used. Results: The mean value of Gomez index in the case group (81.72) was significantly higher than the control group (77.12) at the end of the third month of supplementation (P = 0.003). Such a difference was not reported based on Waterlow I index between the case and control groups (92.91 vs 91.71; P = 0.094). According to Gomez index 12 patients (20%) who received colostrum became healthy at the end of the third month, which was significantly higher than the control group (2 cases, 3.3%); P = 0.006. Conclusions: Bovine colostrum supplementation for a 3-month period is a useful method without any side effects, in addition to known medical and psychological treatments, to increase the weight of children with nonorganic FTT.
Stimulation of both aerobic glycolysis and Na 1 -K 1 -ATPase activity in skeletal muscle by epinephrine or amylin

Stimulation of both aerobic glycolysis and Na 1 -K 1 -ATPase activity in skeletal muscle by epinephrine or amylin. Am. J. Physiol. 277 ( Endocrinol. Metab. 40): E176–E186, 1999. — Epinephrine and amylin stimulate glycogenolysis, glycolysis, and Na 1 -K 1 -ATPase activity in skeletal muscle. However, it is not known whether these hormones stimulate glycolytic ATP production that is speciﬁcally coupled to ATP consumption by the Na 1 -K 1 pump. These studies correlated glycolysis with Na 1 -K 1 -ATPase activity in resting rat extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles incubated at 30°C in well-oxygenated medium. Lactate production rose three- to fourfold, and the intracellular Na 1 -to-K 1 ratio (Na 1 /K 1 ) fell with increasing concentrations of epinephrine or amylin. In muscles exposed to epinephrine at high concentrations (5 3 10 2 7 and 5 3 10 2 6 M), ouabain signiﬁcantly inhibited glycolysis by , 70% in either muscle and inhibited glycogenolysis by , 40 and , 75% in extensor digitorum longus and soleus, respectively. In the absence of ouabain, but not in its presence, statistically signiﬁcant inverse correlations were observed between lactate production and intracellular Na 1 /K 1 for each hormone. Epinephrine had no signiﬁcant effect on oxygen consumption or ATP content in either muscle. These results suggest for the ﬁrst time that stimulation of glycolysis and glycogenolysis in resting skeletal muscle by epinephrine or amylin is closely linked to stimulation of active Na 1 -K 1 transport.
Effect of Triage Training on Concordance of Triage Level between Triage Nurses and Emergency Medical Technicians.

INTRODUCTION The transfer of care occurs frequently between emergency medical technicians and emergency ward nurses during which emergency medical technicians transfer the patients from the society to the hospital. This transfer of care often occurs under crowded conditions and in high acuity which would pave the way for a disruption of communication. AIM This study aimed to investigate the effect of training Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage on concordance of triage level between emergency medical technicians and triage nurses. MATERIALS AND METHODS This interventional study was conducted on all triage nurses and emergency medical technicians in Iranshahr City in winter of 2014. Five triage nurses and 30 emergency medical technicians were included into the study using census. To collect data, Personal Information Form (PIF) and ESI Triage Criterion were used. During the project implementation, patients were separately classified before and after triage training by emergency medical technicians and triage nurses. To analyse the data, kappa coefficient under SPSS 16 statistical software was used. RESULTS According to the study results, Cohen's kappa concordance coefficient showed that triage concordance between emergency medical technicians and triage nurses before training was 0.20 which was at an unfavorable level. After training, Cohen's kappa concordance coefficient reached 0.62, which showed a desirable level of concordance as well as a significant difference after training. CONCLUSION It is recommended to train and use common triage system to facilitate transfer or delivery of care between emergency medical technicians and triage nurses.
Effect of hemodialysis on serum complexed prostate-specific antigen levels

Objective. The measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tool in the screening and follow-up of prostate cancer, but its diagnostic validity is uncertain in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hemodialysis on serum complexed PSA (cPSA) levels. Material and methods. A total of 36 men (mean age 62.54±8.20 years) with end-stage renal disease were enrolled in a prospective study. Serum total PSA (tPSA), free PSA (fPSA) and cPSA, and hematocrit levels were measured before and immediately after dialysis using low-flux membranes in the serum and in the dialysis ultrafiltrate. Results. After hemodialysis, cPSA, fPSA and the fPSA:tPSA ratio increased significantly (p<0.05). However, there was no significant increase in tPSA. fPSA, cPSA and tPSA were not detected in ultrafiltrate. Hematocrit levels increased significantly (p<0.0001) due to hemoconcentration. Of patients with initial serum tPSA and cPSA values and fPSA:tPSA ratios below the cut-off values, none had a post-hemodialysis value greater than the cut-off point. There were weak correlation between the difference in values after and before hemodialysis of hematocrit and cPSA (p=0.035), and between the percentage change in levels before and after hemodialysis of hematocrit and cPSA (p=0.041). Conclusions. Hemodialysis induced elevations in all forms of PSA, but tPSA was the least affected form. cPSA did not show any diagnostic superiority over other forms of PSA. Thus, serum tPSA remains a reliable parameter for follow-up of prostate cancer in uremic patients receiving long-term dialysis. However, further research is needed to explain the pathophysiology of alterations in the concentrations of different forms of PSA.
Nutritional status in head and neck cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE Patients suffering from cancer of head and neck are at risk of nutritional depletion. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of type, location and stage of tumors in nutritional status. PATIENTS AND METHODS A population of 230 consecutive patients with head and neck cancer was enrolled. A nutritional evaluation was realized. RESULTS The distribution of tumour sites was: oral cavity (77 patients), pharynx (30 patients) and larynx (123 patients). Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) test showed significant differences. Midly malnourished frequency is higher in larynx site than others. Severely malnourished is higher in larynx and oral cavity than pharynx. In pharynx, larynx and oral cavity tumours is more frequent to be well nourished than severely malnourished. In pharynx and larynx tumours is more frequent to be mildly malnourished than severely malnourished. In stages II, III and IV are more frequent to be well nourished than severely malnourished and in stages II and III is more frequent to be mildly malnourished than severely malnourished. CONCLUSIONS SGA test shows a good nutritional status in patients with head and neck tumours. However, SGA test shows statistical differences in some categories of tumours stages or sites.
[Association between HLA and leukemia in a mixed Brazilian population].

OBJECTIVE The main purpose of this study was to investigate the class I HLA antigens and class II HLA allele frequencies in 164 patients with leukemia: 35 patients with ALL (acute lymphoid leukemia), 50 with AML (acute myeloid leukemia) and 78 with CML (chronic myeloid leukemia). METHODS The genotyping of class I HLA was performed by microlymphocytotoxicity and of class II by PCR-SSP (polymerase chain reaction - sequence specific of primers) (One Lambda, Canoga Park, CA, USA). RESULTS In patients with LLA, frequencies of HLA-B45 and HLA-B56 were higher (P = 0.02; OR = 3.13; 95%IC = 0.94-10.44; P = 0.03; OR = 3.61; 95%IC = 0.47-27.64, respectively), than in controls. In patients with AML, the frequency of HLA-B7 (P = 0.01; OR = 2.41; 95%IC = 1.25-4.67) was higher than in controls. The presence of HLA-B45 (P= 0.01; OR = 3.29; 95%IC = 1.46-7.40), HLA-DRB1*04 (P = 0.002; OR = 2.17; 95%IC = 1.36-3.46) and HLA-DRB1*08 (P = 0.004; OR = 2.36; 95%IC = 1.34-4.16) was associated to increased risk of CML developing. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that variants of HLA confer susceptibility to the same forms of leukemia, and could provide new tools for the investigation of genetics and etiology of this disease.
Helicobacter pylori and the birth cohort effect: evidence of a continuous decrease of infection rates in childhood.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the decrease in rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in subsequent birth cohorts has continued during the last decades. METHODS Determination by ELISA of IgG H. pylori antibodies in 314 serum samples from Dutch children (age 6-8 yr, n = 154) and young adolescents (age 12-15 yr, n = 160), collected in 1978 and 1993. RESULTS The prevalence of H. pylori declined from 19% to 9% at age 6-8 yr and from 23% to 11% at age 12-15 yr. For the whole study population, a decline from 21% to 10% (p = 0.01) was observed between 1978 and 1993. On the basis of these data and an incidence of infection with H. pylori of 0.3% per year during the same period, a model for both past and future prevalence rates of H. pylori in the Dutch population was calculated. The outcome demonstrates a decrease from more than 50% around World War II to less than 20% for the whole population around year 2040. CONCLUSIONS H. pylori infection rates in childhood have continued to decline until recent decades, demonstrating a persistent birth cohort effect. This decline will result in a very low prevalence of H. pylori infection in the Dutch population during the next decades, becoming even lower as the observed decline in children and young adolescents continues.
Cross‐cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Chinese Voice Handicap Index‐10

Objectives/Hypothesis: Recent developments in voice assessment propose the use of quality of life measurements. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) is one of the most psychometrically robust and well‐studied instruments among the various instruments for measuring quality of life. Two versions of VHI (VHI‐30 and VHI‐10) have been shown to be valid instruments for distinguishing dysphonic from nondysphonic individuals and also for documenting treatment effect for dysphonic patients. The VHI has been used worldwide; however, the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of VHI remains untested. This study aimed to investigate such properties of the Chinese VHI‐30 and VHI‐10 in the Hong Kong Chinese population.
The pathophysiological relationship and clinical significance of left atrial function and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in β‐thalassemia major

Iron deposition in combination with inflammatory and immunogenetic factors is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in β‐thalassemia major. We investigated the mechanical and endocrine function of the left atrium and ventricle to identify early signs of dysfunction. We studied 90 patients (mean age: 29 ± 11 years) with β‐thalassemia and normal left ventricular function and 90 age and sex‐matched healthy controls. Patients and controls underwent a thorough cardiac echocardiographic study and measurements of the b‐type (NT‐proBNP) and atrial natriuretic peptides (proANP). Patients underwent 24‐hr Holter recordings for arrhythmia monitoring. In the patient group, atria were affected early during the course of the disease, prior to diastolic and systolic left ventricular dysfunction. The E/E′ratio (E Doppler mitral fast inflow to the corresponding tissue Doppler E) continually increased with age (P < 0.05) and reached levels indicating left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (E/E′ > 15) in the third decade whereas indexes of active and passive atrial function decreased gradually throughout life. In controls, the E/E′ ratio continually increased with age but with later (fifth decade) appearance of diastolic dysfunction and a compensatory increase in atrial active function. Both natriuretic peptides were significantly increased in patients compared to controls (558 ± 141 and 2,580 ± 1,830 fmol/mL for NT‐proBNP and proANP versus 332 ± 106 and 1,331 ± 1,134 fmol/mL, respectively). Atrial fibrillation was found in a subgroup of 23 (26%) patients, older in age with mild diastolic function and enlarged, depressed atria. In conclusion, atrial mechanical depression seems to be a very early sign of cardiac damage. It may become echocardiographically evident even before diastolic and systolic dysfunction and is associated to supraventricular arrhythmias. Am. J. Hematol. 89:13–18, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ROLA JAKOŚCI W PODEJMOWANIU DECYZJI NABYWCZYCH PRZEZ KONSUMENTÓW NA PRZYKŁADZIE RYNKU MIĘSA I WĘDLIN

The paper discusses the concept of quality and the factors that it consist of. It takes into account the role of the consumer in the formation of the product quality. It presents the basic quality assurance systems used in food production. Purchasing decision-making process and its implications have been presented. The situation on the market of meat and cured meat in Poland and the legal requirements for the production of food of animal origin have been described. It presents the results of their survey, comparing them with the available data.
Cambial activity and intra-annual xylem formation in roots and stems of Abies balsamea and Picea mariana.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies on xylogenesis focus essentially on the stem, whereas there is basically no information about the intra-annual growth of other parts of the tree. As roots strongly influence carbon allocation and tree development, knowledge of the dynamics of xylem production and maturation in roots at a short time scale is required for a better understanding of the phenomenon of tree growth. This study compared cambial activity and xylem formation in stem and roots in two conifers of the boreal forest in Canada. METHODS Wood microcores were collected weekly in stem and roots of ten Abies balsamea and ten Picea mariana during the 2004-2006 growing seasons. Cross-sections were cut using a rotary microtome, stained with cresyl violet acetate and observed under visible and polarized light. The number of cells in the cambial zone and in differentiation, plus the number of mature cells, was counted along the developing xylem. KEY RESULTS Xylem formation lasted from the end of May to the end of September, with no difference between stem and roots in 2004-2005. On the contrary, in 2006 a 1-week earlier beginning of cell differentiation was observed in the stem, with cell wall thickening and lignification in roots ending up to 22 d later than in the stem. Cell production in the stem was concentrated early in the season, in June, while most cell divisions in roots occurred 1 month later. CONCLUSIONS The intra-annual dynamics of growth observed in stem and roots could be related to the different amount of cells produced by the cambium and the patterns of air and soil temperature occurring in spring.
Regression analysis of controllable factors of surgical incision complications in closed calcaneal fractures

Background: In surgeries of closed calcaneal fractures, the lateral L-shaped incision is usually adopted. Undesirable post-operative healing of the incision is a common complication. In this retrospective study, controllable risk factors of incision complications after closed calcaneal fracture surgery through a lateral L-shaped incision are discussed and the effectiveness of clinical intervention is assessed. Materials and Methods: A review of medical records was conducted of 209 patients (239 calcaneal fractures) surgically treated from June 2005 to October 2012. Univariate analyses were performed of seven controllable factors that might influence complications associated with the surgical incision. Binomial multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors of statistical significance. Results: Twenty-one fractures (8.79%) involved surgical incision complications, including 8 (3.35%) cases of wound dehiscence, 7 (2.93%) of flap margin necrosis, 5 (2.09%) of hematoma, and 1 (0.42%) of osteomyelitis. Five factors were statistically significant : The time from injury to surgery, operative duration, post-operative drainage, retraction of skin flap, bone grafting, and patients’ smoking habits. The results of multivariate analyses showed that surgeries performed within 7 days after fracture, operative time > 1.5 h, no drainage after surgery, static skin distraction, and patient smoking were risk factors for calcaneal incision complications. The post-operative duration of antibiotics and bone grafting made no significant difference. Conclusion: Complications after calcaneal surgeries may be reduced by postponing the surgery at least 7 days after fracture, shortening the time in surgery, implementing post-operative drainage, retracting skin flaps gently and for as short a time as possible, and prohibiting smoking.