Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fibrinogen is associated with silent myocardial ischaemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective — Because traditional risk factors only partially explain coronary events, it is necessary to search for new ones like fibrinogen which has been related with coronary disease in healthy middle-aged adults.We attempted to determine the impact of fibrinogen on silent myocardial ischaemia (SMI) in diabetic patients. Methods and results — In a cross-sectional study, 134 type 2 diabetes patients with no history of cardiovascular disease were assessed for SMI. A personal history and physical evaluation of each patient was conducted as well as evaluation of cholesterol, glucose, fibrinogen, blood cell counts, glycated haemoglobin, urine albumin quantification, and urinalysis.A modified Bruce test was performed on all study participants to evaluate the presence of SMI. Results — Eleven patients had SMI (8.2%) that was associated with systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, hypertension, and fibrinogen.The correlation coefficient was obtained for quintiles of fibrinogen with the percentage of patients with SMI in that quintile (r = 0.97;95% = 0.66-0.99). Fibrinogen levels were associated with SMI. A receiver-operator curve analysis showed that the cutoff value for fibrinogen to predict SMI was 400 mg/dL (82% sensitivity, 81% specificity). A cutoff value of 306 mg/dL of fibrinogen would rule in the diagnosis of SMI (100% sensitivity, 17% specificity), while fibrinogen cutoff of 682 mg/dL would rule out SMI (100% specificity, 9% sensitivity). Conclusions — Fibrinogen strongly predicts SMI in diabetic patients and may identify individuals with high cardiovascular risk. Fibrinogen should be evaluated in diabetic patients for a more accurate cardiovascular evaluation.
The Inhibitory Effect of Haemophilic Plasma

THE theory that the haemophilic coagulation defect is, in part at least, due to the presence of inhibitory substances finds much experimental evidence to support it. The clotting time of undiluted haemophilic plasma is usually longer than that of diluted plasma. Haemophilic patients require large amounts of antihaemophilic globulin (AHG) for adequate treatment; they readily become resistant to treatment and AHG disappears fast from their blood. All of these observations suggest the presence of some inhibitory substance. Using the throinboplastin-generation test and modified assay methods inhibitory phenomena have been encountered which have complicated the quantitative assessment of results. These phenomena were studied in the first instance because they interfered with the interpretation of the results. But with cumulative evidence from different sources suggesting an inhibitory component of the haemophilic defect it was thought that such a study might provide a clue to the pathogenesis of haemophilia.
The partial smoking ban in licensed establishments and health inequalities in England: modelling study

The UK government's white paper Choosing Health proposes prohibiting smoking in public places in England, but exempts public houses (pubs) not serving catered food and licensed establishments that require membership.1 However, passive inhalation of smoke at work may cause 600 deaths per year in the United Kingdom and increases morbidity and mortality among bar workers.2 Furthermore, people attempting to quit smoking find that socialising with other smokers makes quitting difficult, and lapses in quitting are more likely in premises where smoking is permitted.3 Concerns exist that exempt establishments are located primarily in deprived areas with the highest smoking prevalence and that a partial ban worsens health inequalities.4 We examined if exempt establishments were located predominantly in deprived areas in the borough of Telford and Wrekin. We determined the catering status of pubs from regularly updated records of local authority licensing and environmental health. These allowed us to identify premises preparing catered food, those serving manufactured snacks, and those not serving food. Choosing Health proposes prohibiting smoking …
The Quality of Lower Secondary Students' Discussions During Labwork in Chemistry

The aim of this project is to study the quality of the discussions in groups of students during laboratory work. The project builds on a study of the role of communication in science classrooms with students aged 14-15 years. An intervention with role-playing for example reporting to another group is carried out to foster discourses that focus students’ use of science knowledge. The discussions have been divided into sequences. In each sequence the students are discussing one separate part of the lab work activity. A revised version of the SOLO-taxonomy has been used in the analysis of tape recordings from students’ discussions during lab work and from the reporting to another group. The students talk about the experimental procedure as well as the science content. In most of the groups the analysis show a long-term development towards higher quality mixed with unistructural sequences. During the reporting to another group the students describe the experiment using new knowledge and new concepts. Almost all the reporting groups use two or more concepts well integrated. The reporting to another group stimulates students’ discussions. The SOLOtaxonomy makes it possible to assess group learning and interaction in lab groups.
Borrelia burgdorferi, Host-Derived Proteases, and the Blood-Brain Barrier

ABSTRACT Neurological manifestations of Lyme disease in humans are attributed in part to penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by Borrelia burgdorferi. However, how the spirochetes cross the BBB remains an unresolved issue. We examined the traversal of B. burgdorferi across the human BBB and systemic endothelial cell barriers using in vitro model systems constructed of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) and EA.hy 926, a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) line grown on Costar Transwell inserts. These studies showed that B. burgdorferi differentially crosses human BMEC and HUVEC and that the human BMEC form a barrier to traversal. During the transmigration by the spirochetes, it was found that the integrity of the endothelial cell monolayers was maintained, as assessed by transendothelial electrical resistance measurements at the end of the experimental period, and that B. burgdorferi appeared to bind human BMEC by their tips near or at cell borders, suggesting a paracellular route of transmigration. Importantly, traversal of B. burgdorferi across human BMEC induces the expression of plasminogen activators, plasminogen activator receptors, and matrix metalloproteinases. Thus, the fibrinolytic system linked by an activation cascade may lead to focal and transient degradation of tight junction proteins that allows B. burgdorferi to invade the CNS.
Chandelier cartridges in the prefrontal cortex are reduced in isolation reared rats

Chandelier neurons are a subset of parvalbumin containing cortical interneurons characterised by their preferential targeting of the axon initial segments of pyramidal neurons. They have been the focus of recent interest after evidence that the arrays of boutons are reduced in the prefrontal cortex of schizophrenic patients, post mortem. Since one chandelier neuron may innervate the axon initial segments of several hundred pyramidal neurons, it is hypothesized that their special connectivity might facilitate synchronisation of cortical outputs and play a key role in working memory. Disruption in their function is therefore thought to play a potentially important role in cortically associated symptoms of schizophrenia. Using the isolation rearing animal model of schizophrenia, we examined immunolabelling for GABA‐transporter 1, a marker of chandelier cartridges. We show that the numbers of arrays of chandelier axons are reduced by 36% in the ventral prelimbic cortex of isolation‐reared rats, compared with their socially‐housed litter mates. This mimics findings in the PFC of schizophrenic patients where GAT‐1‐positive cartridges are reduced by 40% and is the first study to demonstrate changes in chandelier cartridges in an animal model of schizophrenia. Synapse 62:628–631, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Remifentanil, Fentanyl, and Cardiac Surgery: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial of Costs and Outcomes

Remifentanil may be beneficial in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, by promoting hemodynamic stability, reducing drug requirements, and attenuating the neurohumoral “stress response. ” We enrolled 77 cardiac surgical patients in a double-blinded, randomized trial and randomly allocated them to one of three groups: remifentanil infusion at 0.83 &mgr;g · kg−1 · min−1 (Group R); fentanyl bolus, small dose, at 12 &mgr;g/kg (Group FLD); and fentanyl bolus, moderate dose, at 24 &mgr;g/kg (Group FMD). We found a significant difference in the median time to tracheal extubation: Group FLD, 6.5 h; Group R, 7.3 h; and Group FMD, 9.7 h (P = 0.025). Group R patients had similar times to those of Groups FLD (P = 0.14) and FMD (P = 0.30). Group FLD patients had a longer length of hospital stay (P = 0.030). Patients in Group R had a significantly infrequent rate of hypertension but a frequent rate of hypotension (P < 0.01). The urinary cortisol excretion was larger in Group FLD patients (P < 0.0005), and urine flow was smaller (P < 0.0005). Remifentanil was associated with a propofol dose reduction (P = 0.0005) and a concomitant higher bispectral index (P = 0.032). Three Group FLD patients, but none in groups FMD and R, had postoperative myocardial infarctions (P = 0.032). Remifentanil has larger drug acquisition costs but does not increase the total hospital costs associated with cardiac surgery.
Studies on the relation between serum and spinal fluid bilirubin during early infancy.

Although bilirubin has been identified in the cerebrospinal fluid of jaundiced patients, the concentration gradient between serum and spinal fluid has not been accurately determined because of the technical difficulties involved in the measurement of minute quantities of bilirubin (1-6). In young infants, the problem is further complicated by having to distinguish between the xanthochromia caused by intracranial hemorrhage from that associated with physiologic hyperbilirubinemia (7). Sharpe and MacLaire (8) and Levinson, Greengard and Lifvendahl (9) noted that 10 to 25 per cent of newborn infants had blood-tinged spinal fluid and assumed that xanthochromia in this age group was the result of hemorrhage. A few years later, Roberts (10) showed by means of the van den Bergh reaction that the pigment was in reality not heme, but bilirubin. Furthermore, he found that the rise and fall of bilirubin during the first few days of life corresponded with the changes in the bilirubin levels in the serum. Using the icteric index, he estimated the concentration of pigment was about 125 times greater in the serum than in the spinal fluid in normal infants, but this ratio is reduced to only 30 times if intracranial hemorrhage should occur. Stempfel and Zetterstr6m (11) have made similar observations on infants with erythroblastosis fetalis. They found that the bilirubin in the spinal fluid in such infants is predominantly indirect-reacting, and showed that a correlation exists between indirect bilirubin and total protein in the spinal fluid. The blood-spinal fluid barrier for proteins has previously been studied (12-17). Otila (14) found that among premature infants, the spinal fluid protein during the first week of life averaged
MCPS - an MCNPX Based Simulation Tool for Modeling the Physical Behavior of PET Systems

Monte Carlo simulation is an effective tool for modeling imaging equipment of nuclear medicine such as PET systems. The aim of this paper is to present a novel simulation tool called MCPS (Monte Carlo for PET Systems) to demonstrate that MCNPX can be made capable of performing PET system simulations. The general purpose Monte Carlo code MCNPX serves in many cases as reference. It has numerous advantages: it is more flexible than dedicated programs, every interaction data can be retrieved, but has limited ability to handle time depending processes (e.g., source activity cannot be defined). Therefore, unlike the GEANT4 based GATE program, MCNPX is not widely used for PET simulations. MCPS is capable of modeling the physical behavior of PET systems. The processing steps can be tailored to a wide range of applications, such as digital SiPM sensors or non-conventional geometries such as PET probes. For the verification of the tool described below, the parameters of the nanoScan-PC system (Mediso Ltd.) were used. Verification of the simulation tool has been performed by comparing the MCPS simulation results with measured data.
The potential of 4D sonography in the assessment of fetal behavior in high-risk pregnancies

Objective. To assess differences of fetal behavior in normal and high-risk pregnancies. Methods. In the 1-year period (1 January 2007–31 December 2007), four-dimensional ultrasound has been used to assess Kurjak antenatal neurodevelopmental test (KANET) in low- and high-risk pregnancies after randomization in prospective longitudinal cohort study. Based on the KANET scores, the fetuses were considered as normal (≥14 points), borderline (6–13), or abnormal (0–5). Results. Comparison of KANET scores in low- and high-risk pregnancies were expectedly statistically significant. The largest incidence of fetuses with abnormal KANET was in the group of fetuses who had siblings with cerebral palsy. The largest incidence of the borderline KANET has been found in the group of fetuses whose mothers had fever during pregnancy. The following parameters of KANET test significantly differed between the fetuses from low- and high-risk pregnancies: overlapping cranial sutures, head circumference, isolated eye blinking, facial expressions, mouth movements, isolated hand movements, isolated leg movements, hand to face movement, finger movements, and general movements. Conclusion. KANET test has the potential to detect and discriminate normal from borderline and abnormal fetal behavior in normal and in high-risk pregnancies.
A proposed equation of state of stishovite

The available shock-wave data for solid α quartz in the stishovite pressure regime are reduced to a 25°C isotherm and an adiabat, centered at standard conditions, using recent standard density, enthalpy, and coefficient of thermal expansion data. The calculated isothermal bulk modulus, 3 Mb, as determined from the Birch-Murnaghan equation, depends critically on the value of (dK/dP)T at zero pressure and to a yet unknown extent on the form of the equation of state. The high-temperature value of Gruneisen's ratio (0.8 to 0.9) along the a quartz (stishovite regime) Hugoniot was obtained from the pressure offsets of the fused quartz and porous quartz Hugoniot. The high value for γ obtained from thermochemical data at standard conditions (1.5±0.3) suggests that a marked decrease in the value of γ to 0.8 occurs with increasing temperature.
Grading Of Corneal and Conjunctival Staining in the Context of Other Dry Eye Tests

Purpose To describe the Oxford Scheme for grading ocular surface staining in dry eye and to discuss optimization of stain detection using various dyes and filters. Also, to propose a sequence of testing for dry eye diagnosis. Methods The grading of corneal and conjunctival staining is described, using the Oxford Scheme, including biomicroscopy, optical filters, illumination conditions, and the characteristics of and instillation techniques used for, selected clinical dyes. Results A series of panels, labeled A–E, in order of increasing severity, reproducing the staining patterns encountered in dry eye, are used as a guide to grade the degree of staining seen in the patient. The amount of staining seen in each panel, represented by punctate dots, increases by 0.5 of the log of the number of dots between panels B to E. The use of the vital dyes fluorescein, lissamine green, and rose Bengal is described; fluorescein and lissamine green, used in conjunction with appropriate absorption filters, are recommended for use in clinical trials. The placement of staining in relation to the sequence of other diagnostic tests is discussed. Conclusions The monitoring and assessment of corneal and conjunctival staining can be greatly enhanced by the use of a grading scale, controlled instillation of dyes, and standard evaluation techniques. This is of particular benefit in clinical trials, where ocular surface staining is commonly employed as an outcome measure
Contrast extravasation on CT angiography predicts hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage

Background: Patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) presenting within 3 hours of symptom onset are known to be at increased risk of expansion. However, only a minority arrive within this time frame. Therefore, alternative markers for expansion risk are needed. Objective: To examine whether contrast extravasation on CT angiography (CTA) at presentation predicts subsequent hematoma expansion. Methods: Consecutive patients with primary ICH presenting to an urban tertiary care hospital were prospectively captured in a database. We retrospectively reviewed images for all patients receiving a CTA and at least one further CT scan within 48 hours. Results: Complete data were available for 104 patients. Contrast extravasation at the time of CTA was present in 56% of patients, and associated with an increased risk of hematoma expansion (22% vs 2%, p = 0.003). Patients who received a baseline CTA within 3 hours were more likely to have subsequent expansion (27%, vs 13% for those presenting later, p = 0.1). However, after multivariable analysis, contrast extravasation was the only significant predictor of hematoma expansion (OR 18, 95% CI 2.1 to 162). This effect was independent of time to presentation. Conclusions: Contrast extravasation is independently associated with hematoma expansion. Patients presenting within the first few hours after symptom onset have traditionally been considered those at highest risk of expansion. However, for those presenting later, the presence of contrast may be a useful marker to guide therapies aimed at decreasing this risk.
Mitochondria produce reactive nitrogen species via an arginine-independent pathway

We measured the contribution of mitochondrial nitric oxide synthase (mtNOS) and respiratory chain enzymes to reactive nitrogen species (RNS) production. Diaminofluorescein (DAF) was applied for the assessment of RNS production in isolated mouse brain, heart and liver mitochondria and also in a cultured neuroblastoma cell line by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. Mitochondria produced RNS, which was inhibited by catalysts of peroxynitrite decomposition but not by nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitors. Disrupting the organelles or withdrawing respiratory substrates markedly reduced RNS production. Inhibition of complex I abolished the DAF signal, which was restored by complex II substrates. Inhibition of the respiratory complexes downstream from the ubiquinone/ubiquinol cycle or dissipating the proton gradient had no effect on DAF fluorescence. We conclude that mitochondria from brain, heart and liver are capable of significant RNS production via the respiratory chain rather than through an arginine-dependent mtNOS.
Managerial ability -- a review of its basis and potential improvement using psychological concepts

Achieving an appropriate resource allocation structure usually revolves around the farm manager. His or her ability is crucial to success. Yet, most farmers learn by experience and/or through various courses that concentrate on technical, production economic and related aspects. Putting more effort into understanding the components of managerial ability and how a managers' ability to pe1form well in each component might be improved is well overdue. As psychology is the study of people and their actions it is the obvious discipline to turn to for assistance. This paper contains a review of the psychology of decision making from a farm management perspective, outlines what psychology offers for changing a person's attributes, and considers the structure of a research programme aimed at developing methods for improving individual's managerial ability. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
An active-site peptide containing the second essential carboxyl group of dextransucrase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides by chemical modifications.

The treatment of Leuconostoc mesenteroides B-512F dextransucrase with 10 mM 1-ethyl-3-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]carbodiimide (EDC) and glycine ethyl ester (GEE) inactivated the enzyme almost completely within 24 min where the modification of one carboxyl group/mol of the enzyme by EDC was attained. Though 30 mM diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEP) also inactivated the enzyme, about 35% of the activity remained during a 36-min incubation. When 10 mol of imidazole residues/mol of the enzyme was modified by DEP, 50% of the activity was still retained. The addition of the substrate sucrose greatly retarded the enzyme inactivation by EDC. However, the addition of dextran slightly protected the inactivation of the glucosyl-transferring activity and accelerated the inactivation of the sucrose-cleaving activity. In the case of DEP, the addition of sucrose or dextran gave no influence on the inactivation of the enzyme. Therefore, the carboxyl group seemed to play a more important role in the substrate binding and in the catalytic activity of the dextransucrase than the imidazolium group. Differential labeling of Leuconostoc dextransucrase by EDC was conducted in the presence of a sucrose analog, sucrose monocaprate. The fluorescent probe N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine (EDAN) was used as the nucleophile instead of GEE. A fluorescent labeled peptide was isolated from a trypsin digest of the EDC-EDAN modified enzyme. The amino acid sequence of the isolated peptide was Leu-Gln-Glu-Asp-Asn-Ser-Asn-Val-Val-Val-Glu-Ala. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
twist: A Myogenic Switch in Drosophila

Somatic muscle is derived from a subset of embryonic mesoderm. In Drosophila, Twist (Twi), a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is a candidate regulator of mesodermal differentiation and myogenesis. Altering amounts of Twist after gastrulation revealed that high levels of Twist are required for somatic myogenesis and block the formation of other mesodermal derivatives. Expression of twist in the ectoderm drives these cells into myogenesis. Thus, after an initial role in gastrulation, twist regulates mesodermal differentiation and propels a specific subset of mesodermal cells into somatic myogenesis. Vertebrate homologs of twist may also participate in the subdivision of mesoderm.
EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE ON THE VALUE OF RECREATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S NATIONAL FORESTS

EFFECTS OF WILDFIRE ON THE VALUE OF RECREATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S NATIONAL FORESTS By Ranjit Bawa Wildfire plays an integral part of southern California’s natural ecosystems due in large part to its unique combination of vegetation, climate and topography. In an attempt to measure the level and value of ecosystem damage caused by wildfires, papers employing stated preference techniques, revealed preference techniques and combined methods are reviewed. Studies involving forested lands both in California and outside of the state are considered. Analysis of work highlighting the advantage of exploiting National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM) data to estimate impacts on recreational value from non-fire ecosystem disturbances are also explored. Synthesis of results show a portion of visitors finding conditions desirable in the initial years that follow a moderate burn. Common individual traits and other site characteristics are also found to have a significant effect on recreational trip demand. The conclusions reached in this study may assist in providing future guidance for US Forest Service resource management programs particularly in relation to the role of fire in influencing the recreational value of forest ecosystems.