Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Memory Dysfunction and Vigilance: Neurophysiological and Psychopharmacological Aspects

Human brain function as measured by the computer-assisted spectral analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) shows significant alterations in normal and pathological aging characterized by an increase of delta and theta activity and by a decrease of alpha and alpha-adjacent beta activity as well as by a slowing of the dominant frequency. These changes are indicative of deficits in the vigilance-regulatory systems. By the term vigilance we understand the availability and grade of organization of man's adaptive behavior, which in turn is dependent of the dynamic state of the total neural activity. An impairment of vigilance was found to be significantly correlated with the clinical symptomatology of the organic brain syndrome (OBS) as well as with mnestic performance deficits. Elderly subjects with bad memory exhibit slower activity and less alpha and alpha-adjacent beta activity than those with good memory. This was found to be true for both the time of acquisition and recall. Antihypoxidotic/nootropic drugs, such as the ergotalkaloids dihydroergotoxine and nicergoline, vincamine-alkaloids, piracetam, aniracetam, etiracetam, piridoxilate and others, induce interestingly just oppositional changes in human brain function, thereby improving vigilance. Other methods for proving therapeutic efficacy in man, like experimentally induced hypoxic hypoxidosis and the reversible alcoholic OBS, are discussed.
Being in Nature

This article describes a creative framework in which nature is incorporated in therapy with older adults. Using an example from practice, it illustrates how the integration of concepts from the narrative approach and the innovative nature therapy framework can help older people expand their perspectives, connect with strength, and expand their coping strategies, while gaining a wider sense of acceptance and completion in life.
Grau de parentesco e relações sociais em ariranhas (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Analises moleculares tem revolucionado o conhecimento sobre os sistemas sociais das especies. Ariranhas sao animais sociais que apresentam uma forte cooperacao entre os individuos dos grupos e observacoes de comportamento sugerem que sao compostos por um par dominante reprodutivo e seus filhotes de anos subsequentes, que nao reproduzem dentro do grupo de origem. Este trabalho teve como objetivos (1) estabelecer um metodo semi-invasivo de retirada de amostra genetica (tecido) para ariranhas em vida livre; (2) desenvolver marcadores de microssatelites especificos para Pteronura brasiliensis; e (3) acessar o grau de parentesco dentro e entre grupos de ariranhas, em uma populacao do Pantanal Sul, Brasil. Dardos de biopsia foram capazes de coletar amostras de tecido de alta qualidade de DNA, de um grande numero de ariranhas (n=41), ha um custo menor e de forma menos invasiva do que a captura, alem de possibilitar a escolha do individuo a ser amostrado. Oportunisticamente, amostras geneticas de outras fontes, que nao dardos de biopsia, foram coletadas. Doze loci polimorficos de microssatelites especificos para P. brasiliensis foram isolados. Todos os 50 individuos de ariranhas genotipados pertenciam a uma unica populacao, indicando substancial fluxo genico na escala examinada. A variabilidade nuclear encontrada para a populacao do Pantanal estava na faixa observada para ariranhas em escalas geograficas maiores e para outras especies de lontras. Os grupos de ariranhas foram geralmente compostos por um casal dominante nao relacionado e seus parentes proximos. Entretanto, uma alta diversidade de graus de parentesco dentro dos grupos foi encontrada, contradizendo o conhecimento corrente de que grupos de ariranhas sao exclusivamente formados por um casal dominante reprodutor e seus filhotes. Os mecanismos evolutivos que levam a alta variacao de parentesco dentro dos grupos de ariranhas ainda nao estao claros, mas alta taxa de migracao de individuos entre os grupos, copula extra-par e reproducao de subordinados podem desempenhar um papel importante, como acontece em outras especies aparentemente monogâmicas.
Effect of Timing of Artificial Insemination on Fertility and Hatchability of Shikabrown Breeder Hens

The influence of timing of artificial insemination on fertility and hatchability of breeder hens was carried out by inseminating breeder hens at 10:00 hr and 15:00 hr with pooled semen from Shikabrown White breeder cocks for four weeks. Fertile eggs were collected two days after the first insemination and stored at a temperature of 16 C for seven days before incubation. Fertility was higher (P < 0.05) in hens o inseminated at 10:00 hr when sperm quality was optimal. The fertility values of 82.1±1.0% and 85.0±2.3% obtained in Shikabrown White and Shikabrown Red hens, respectively, for 10:00 hr insemination were significantly (P < 0.01) different from the corresponding values of 76.0±3.2% and 78.3±2.5% recorded at 15:00 hr insemination in the Shikabrown White and Shikabrown Red hens, respectively. The hatchability values of 72.5±2.8% and 67.0±3.3% were obtained for Shikabrown White and Shikabrown Red hens, respectively, for the morning hour insemination. These values were significantly (P < 0.01) different from the corresponding values of 65.0±1.0% and 63.0±1.1% obtained in the Shikabrown White and Shikabrown Red hens, respectively, for 15:00 hr insemination. The results showed that timing of artificial insemination influence fertility in Shikabrown breeder hens and this is probably mediated by meteorological factors. In conclusion for better fertility of Shikabrown hens, insemination should be carried out at 10:00 hr.
Induction of organ dysfunction and up-regulation of inflammatory markers in the liver and kidneys of hypotensive brain dead rats: a model to study marginal organ donors.

BACKGROUND Marginal donors exposed to the full array of effects induced by brain death are characterized by low success rates after transplantation. This study examined whether organs from marginal brain dead animals show any change in organ function or tissue activation making them eventually more susceptible for additional damage during preservation and transplantation. METHODS To study this hypothesis we first focused on effects of brain death on donor organ quality by using a brain death model in the rat. After induction of brain death, Wistar rats were ventilated for 1 and 6 hr and then killed. Sham-operated rats served as controls. Organ function was studied using standard serum parameters. Tissue activation of liver and kidney was assessed by staining of immediate early gene products (IEG: FOS, JUN), and inflammatory markers; cell adhesion molecules (Intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), leukocyte infiltrates (CD45, T cell receptor, CD8, CD4), and MHC class II. RESULTS During brain death progressive organ dysfunction was observed that coincided with a significant increase in activation of immediate early genes, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, CD45, and MHC class II versus nonbrain dead controls. In liver tissue also the markers for T cell receptor and CD8 significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that an immune activation with increased endothelial cell activation and immediate early gene expression occurs in marginal donors after brain death induction. We suggest that brain death should not longer be regarded as a given nondeleterious condition but as a dynamic process with potential detrimental effects on donor organs that could predispose grafts for increased alloreactivity after transplantation.
Low birth weight and maternal socio-biological determinants situation in a medical college hospital.

Maternal and child health services in India over the years had been overwhelmingly dominated by the services aimed at meeting mostly the family planning targets and to some extent the immunization targets. The interventions for ensuring child Survival were paid less attention. The initiatives undertaken through the National Child Survival and Safe Motherhood programme and later the Reproductive and Child Health programme sought to rectify the situation. One of the major child survival goal is to reduce the proportion of low birth weight (LBW) newborns to below 10%. Birth Weight is a critical determinant of survival growth and development as well as a sensitive indicator of the access and adequacy of the health care services rendered by the health systems. The present study sought to measure the proportion of LBW in a tertiary level medical college hospital and to assess the some of the maternal socio-biological determinants of LBW. (excerpt)
Long-term Retrospective Study of Implants Placed after Sinus Floor Augmentation with Fresh-frozen homologous block

Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze and follow-up implants placed in the posterior maxillary regions previously grafted with homologous bone. Materials and Methods: Forty-one grafts with homologous bone blocks were performed in maxillary sinuses, and 121 implants were placed in premolar and molar regions approximately 6 months after the grafts. Patients were followed up for periods varying from 12 to 124 months after rehabilitation. Results: The results showed two implant failures, for a 98.3% success rate during the follow-up period. Discussion: The implants placed had an average torque of 40 N-cm, regardless of the, design, diameter, and length of the implants used. Conclusion: After following up on the implants placed in this study, we concluded that those placed in regions of the maxillary sinuses previously grafted with homologous bone blocks had high long-term success rates and met the functional masticatory requirements.
Choline Supplementation With a Structured Lipid in Children With Cystic Fibrosis: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Choline depletion is seen in cystic fibrosis (CF) and pancreatic insufficiency in spite of enzyme treatment and may result in liver, fatty acid, and muscle abnormalities. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of an easily absorbed choline-rich structured lipid (LYM-X-SORB™ [LXS]) to improve choline status. Methods: Children with CF and pancreatic insufficiency were randomized to LXS or placebo in a 12-month double blind trial. Dietary choline intake, plasma cholines, plasma and fecal phospholipids, coefficient of fat absorption, pulmonary function, growth status, body composition, and safety measures were assessed. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy for calf muscle choline and liver fat were assessed in a subgroup and compared with a healthy comparison group matched for age, sex, and body size. Results: A total of 110 subjects were enrolled (age 10.4 ± 3.0 years). Baseline dietary choline, 88% recommended, increased 3-fold in the LXS group. Plasma choline, betaine, and dimethylglycine increased in the LXS but not placebo (P = 0.007). Plasma lysophosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylcholine increased, and fecal phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine ratio decreased (P ⩽ 0.05) in LXS only, accompanied by a 6% coefficient of fat absorption increase (P = 0.001). Children with CF had higher liver fat than healthy children and depleted calf muscle choline at baseline. Muscle choline concentration increased in LXS and was associated with improvement in plasma choline status. No relevant changes in safety measures were evident. Conclusions: LXS had improved choline intake, plasma choline status, and muscle choline stores compared with placebo group. The choline-rich supplement was safe, accepted by participants, and improved choline status in children with CF.
Carboplatin plus paclitaxel for advanced or recurrent uterine malignant mixed mullerian tumors. The British Columbia Cancer Agency experience.

OBJECTIVES Uterine MMMTs are aggressive malignancies that are rarely cured by purely local therapies. Effective chemotherapy is needed. The phase III proven, ifosfamide-based combinations are inconvenient and costly. Carboplatin and paclitaxel (CT) are easy to deliver and is effective against endometrial carcinoma and should be against MMMT (as they are now regarded as epithelial in nature). METHODS A review of all women with uterine MMMT treated with CT. Paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 over 3 h preceded carboplatin (AUC 5-6) every 4 weeks for 3-6 cycles+/-subsequent pelvic irradiation. RESULTS Twenty-eight newly diagnosed women (20 evaluable) and 12 recurrent (11 evaluable) were treated. Response rates were 60% (12 of 20, CR 5, PR 7) and 55% (6 of 11, CR 2, PR 4) with median PFS of 16 and 12 months. Dose reduction occurred in 5%, treatment delay in 10%. CONCLUSIONS Carboplatin-paclitaxel is effective against uterine MMMT, with similar efficacy to ifosfamide combinations. It is more convenient, less costly and easy to deliver.
Risk factors associated with postoperative hospital stay after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study

Background Postoperative hospital stay after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is relatively longer than after other gastrointestinal operations. The aim of the current study was to investigate the risk factors associated with prolonged hospital stay after PD. Methods Patients who had PD at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between December 2008 and November 2012 were selected for this retrospective study. Clinical and pathological data were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was postoperative length of stay. Normal discharge or recovery was defined as a postoperative hospital stay of no more than 10 days; otherwise it was defined as delayed discharge or recovery (including hospital death). Results A total of 152 patients were enrolled in the present study. Postoperative hospital stay was (19.7±7.7) days (range 7‐57). Of the 152 patients, 67 were discharged within the normal time and 85 had delayed discharge. Postoperative complications occurred in 62.5% (95/152), and the mortality rate was 3.29% (5/152). Multiple regression analysis showed that delayed discharge was significantly associated with postoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 10.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.58‐30.22), age (adjusted OR 4.09, 95% CI 1.16‐14.39), body mass index (BMI) (adjusted OR 4.40, 95% CI 1.19‐16.23), surgical procedure (adjusted OR 26.14, 95% CI 4.94‐153.19), blood transfusion (adjusted OR 7.68, 95% CI 2.09‐28.27), and fluid input (adjusted OR 3.47, 95% CI 1.24‐11.57). Conclusions Postoperative complications increase the time to postoperative hospital discharge. The length of hospital stay after PD is also associated with age, BMI, blood transfusion, surgical procedure, and fluid input. Further studies with more patients are needed in future.
Impact of Heart Transplantation on Survival in Patients on Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation at Listing in France

Background Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is increasingly used as a short-term circulatory support in patients with refractory cardiogenic shock providing a bridge to long-term mechanical circulatory support or transplantation. In France, a higher priority status is granted to transplant candidates on VA-ECMO than to those on long-term mechanical circulatory support. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of transplantation as primary therapy on survival in patients on VA-ECMO at listing. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of data from the French national registry CRISTAL including all patients (n = 866) newly registered on the waiting list for heart transplantation between January 2010 and December 2011. We compared outcomes of 80 patients on VA-ECMO at listing to outcomes of the comparison group. In the VA-ECMO group, a Cox proportional hazard model with transplantation as a time dependent variable was used to evaluate the effect of transplantation on survival. Results Patients on VA-ECMO were more often on ventilator and dialysis and had a higher bilirubin level than other candidates. One-year overall survival rate was lower in candidates from the study group (52.2%) compared with comparison group (75.5%), (P < 0.01). One-year posttransplant survival was 70% in the VA-ECMO group and 81% in comparison group (P = 0.06). In the VA-ECMO group, transplantation was associated with a lower risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-0.9). Conclusions Transplantation provides a survival benefit in listed patients on VA-ECMO even if posttransplant survival remains inferior than for patients without VA-ECMO. Transplantation may be considered to be an acceptable primary therapy in selected patients on VA-ECMO.
Effect of Suppression, Reappraisal, and Acceptance of Emotional Pictures on Acoustic Eye-Blink Startle Magnitude

To examine the effects of different emotion regulation strategies on acoustic eye-blink startle, 65 participants viewed positive, neutral, and negative pictures and were instructed to suppress, reappraise, or accept their emotional responses to these pictures using a within-group experimental design with separate blocks of pictures for each strategy. Instructions to suppress the emotional response led to an attenuation of the eye-blink startle magnitude, in comparison with instructions to reappraise or accept. Reappraisal and acceptance instructions did not differ from one another in their effect on startle. These results are discussed within the context of the existing empirical literature on emotion regulation.
Regulation of Plasmid Replication JUNE

INTRODUCTION . 2 ColEl . 2 Host Functions Required . 2 Origin and Direction of Replication . 3 Primer. 3 Negative Regulation by RNA I . 3 A Second Negative Regulator . 4 Summary . 5 PLASMIDS OF THE FII INCOMPATIBILITY GROUP . 5 Host Functions Required . 5 Origin . 5 Plasmid-Coded Functions. 5 Promoters in the Replication Region . 6 CopB = RepA2 . 6 CopA(RNA I=RNA E). 7 Action of copA . 7 Product of the copA gene. 7 Target and interaction of CopA . 7 In Vitro Replication . 8 Summary . 8 pT181 . 8 Requirement for Plasmid-Coded Function . 9 In Vitro Replication . 9 Origin and Direction of Replication . 9 RepC Protein . 9 Negative Regulation of RepC. 9 PLASMIDS OF THE Fl INCOMPATIBILITY GROUP . 9 Origin and Direction of Replication . 10 Required Host Factors . 10 Required Plasmid Functions . 10 Regulation Is Negative . 10 Products of the Minimal Replicon . 10 Sequence Analysis of the Origin Region . 11 Summary . 11 REPLICATION OF P1 . 11 Host Functions Required . 12 Isolation of Smaller Replicons. 12 Evidence for Negative Regulation of Replication . 12 Plasmid-Encoded Function(s) Required for Replication . 12 Repeated Sequences . 13 Models for P1 Replication Regulation . 13 R6K. 13 Host Functions Required . 13 Origin and Direction of Replication . 13 Replication Terminus and Direction of Replication . 14 Required Plasmid Function . 14 Regulation of Pi Protein Production. 14 In Vitro Replication System and Identification of Pi Protein . 15 Origin Usage In Vitro. 15 Terminus In Vitro. 15 Negative Regulation of Replication. 15 Summary . 15 COMPARISONS AND CONCLUSIONS. 16 Importance of RNA Secondary Structure . 16 Efficient Utilization of DNA. 16 Alternative Origins . 16 Secondary Limitations on Plasmid Copy Number . 17
BACTERIOPHAGY IN URINARY INFECTION PART I. THE INCIDENCE OF BACTERIOPHAGE AND OF BACILLUS COLI SUSCEPTIBLE TO DISSOLUTION BY THE BACTERIOPHAGE IN URINES. PRESENTATION OF CASES OF RENAL INFECTION IN WHICH BACTERIOPHAGE WAS USED THERAPEUTICALLY

The extensive and rapidly increasing literature on the subject of bacteriophagy contains but few instances of a complete and thorough investigation of the r6le played by the bacteriophage in a given disease. No investigator, with the exception of the discoverer of the phenomenon of bacteriophagy, d'Herelle, has attempted to ascertain the exact conditions obtaining in a localized infection with respect to the bacteriophage or to the type of bacterium encountered, although in his studies of typhoid fever, barbone and fowl typhoid he has indicated in a very positive manner the value, as measured by results, of an extensive inquiry into the conditions prevailing in a particular infection. That no one has elected to follow d'Herelle's lead is perhaps not surprising in view of the enormous number of attractive problems resulting from the discovery of the phenomenon of bacteriophagy. Therapeutic work with the bacteriophage undertaken without the knowledge gained by studies such as have been made on typhoid fever, barbone and fowl typhoid must, however, be at best empirical. Realizing the importance of a knowledge of the conditions prevailing in a given disease as a basis for therapeutic experiments with bacteriophage, an inves-
The evolution of the hard X-ray luminosity function of AGN

We present new observational determinations of the evolution of the 2–10 keV X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We utilize data from a number of surveys including both the 2 Ms Chandra Deep Fields and the AEGIS-X 200 ks survey, enabling accurate measurements of the evolution of the faint end of the XLF. We combine direct, hard X-ray selection and spectroscopic follow-up or photometric redshift estimates at z 50 per cent of black hole growth takes place at z > 1 , with around half in L_X < 10^(44) erg s^(−1) AGN.
Role of serum angiopoietin‐2 level in screening for esophageal squamous cell cancer and its precursors

Background Angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2) is one of the critical regulators of tumor angiogenesis. Studies have shown a significant correlation of Ang‐2 expression to tumor invasion and metastasis in various human cancers, but little is known about the serum Ang‐2 (sAng‐2) levels in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) and its precursors. In this study, we aimed to investigate its role in screening for ESCC and its precursors. Methods We carried out a free endoscopic screening in Feicheng City, a high ESCC incidence area in Shandong Province of China. Serum samples were collected as follows: 91 from normal subjects, 44 from patients with esophagitis, 85 from patients with hyperplasia, and 13 from patients with early ESCC. In addition, 28 serum samples were obtained from patients with invasive ESCC undergoing surgery in People's Hospital of Feicheng City. All the subjects of the five groups were diagnosed by histopathology. The sAng‐2 levels were tested and compared, and the diagnostic power in early or/and invasive ESCC was calculated in terms of sensitivity and other parameters. Results The sAng‐2 levels were (22.0±5.5), (21.3±3.2), (20.5±3.3), (24.0±5.0), and (29.8±5.0) U/ml in normal, esophagitis, hyperplasia, early ESCC, and invasive ESCC groups respectively. It was significantly higher in early ESCC than inhyperplasia group (P=0.009). The invasive ESCC group showed the highest Ang‐2 level among all groups (all P=0.000). The sensitivities of sAng‐2 to early and invasive ESCC were 23.1% and 78.6% respectively. Conclusion sAng‐2 level is related to carcinogenesis and progression of ESCC, but it can not be used to screen for early ESCC. Chin Med J 2007;120(14):1216–1219
Determination of the Minimal Distance between the Matrix and Transmembrane Domains of the Large Hepatitis B Virus Envelope Protein

ABSTRACT The cytosolic matrix domain (MD) located between amino acids (aa) 103 and 124 of the large hepatitis B virus envelope protein L is essential for virion formation. We reduced the distance between MD and the transmembrane domain (TD; aa 254 to 272) by deletions starting at aa 132. Six mutants with deletions of up to aa 234 were wild type, and four mutants with slightly larger deletions were blocked with respect to virion morphogenesis. Thus, the minimal distance between MD and TD was around 26 aa. This spacer might be required by MD to reach contact sites on the capsid.