Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gonadotropins mediate DNA synthesis and protection from spontaneous cell death in human ovarian surface epithelium

Gonadotropins have been implicated in the development of epithelial ovarian cancers. These tumors are derived from ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of these hormones on DNA synthesis and spontaneous cell death in primary cultures of OSE and three immortalized OSE cultures. Primary cultures of OSE cells were generated from the ovaries of women with benign disease. The effects of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) on DNA synthesis and cell death were determined using [3H]thymidine incorporation and JAM assays. Significant inductions of DNA synthesis were demonstrated with LH in 4/12 (33%) primary cultures of OSE and 2/3 OSE cell lines and with FSH in 4/11 (36%) primary cultures of OSE and 2/3 OSE cell lines. A significant protection from cell death was also observed in the presence of FSH in 2/4 primary cultures of OSE and 1/3 OSE cell lines and in the presence of LH in 1/4 primary cultures of OSE and 2/3 OSE cell lines. The results indicate that while gonadotropins have the potential to induce cell proliferation and protect from cell death in OSE cells in vitro, their effects are variable in OSE cells from different women.
Evaluation of stray radiofrequency radiation emitted by electrosurgical devices

Electrosurgery refers to the passage of a high-frequency, high-voltage electrical current through the body to achieve the desired surgical effects. At the same time, these procedures are accompanied by a general increase of the electromagnetic field in an operating room that may expose both patients and personnel to relatively high levels of radiofrequency radiation. In the first part of this study, we have taken into account the radiation emitted by different monopolar electrosurgical devices, evaluating the electromagnetic field strength delivered by an electrosurgical handle and straying from units and other electrosurgical accessories. As a summary, in the worst case a surgeon's hands are exposed to a continuous and pulsed RF wave whose magnetic field strength is 0.75 A m−1 (E-field 400 V m−1). Occasionally stray radiation may exceed ICNIRP's occupational exposure guidelines, especially close to the patient return plate. In the second part of this paper, we have analysed areas of particular concern to prevent electromagnetic interference with some life-support devices (ventilators and electrocardiographic devices), which have failed to operate correctly. Most clinically relevant interference occurred when an electrosurgery device was used within 0.3 m of medical equipment. In the appendix, we suggest some practical recommendations intended to minimize the potential for electromagnetic hazards due to therapeutic application of RF energy.
An Analysis of Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality in Azare, North- Eastern Nigeria.

An Analysis Of Neonatal Morbidity And Mortality In Azare, North- Eastern Nigeria. Background: Mortality occurring among babies less than 28 days of life comprises about 40% of all under-five deaths. Improvement on neonatal statistics is thus crucial to the attainment of the fourth millennium development goal (MDG). Objective: To describe the pattern of morbidity and mortality of in-patients as seen in the Special Care Baby Unit of the Federal Medical Centre Azare, North-eastern Nigeria over a 12-month period. Methods: Retrospective data of sequential admissions into the SCBU from 1st January to 31st December 2012 were analysed. Results: A total of 328 babies were admitted in the SCBU during the study period. Of these 179(54.6%) were males and 149(45.6%) females. Major causes of admission were neonatal sepsis with 108 (32.9%), prematurity 78 (23.8%), and Perinatal asphyxia 62 (18.9%). Two hundred and eight (63.4%) were discharged, and 17(5.2%) discharged against medical advice (DAMA). The mortality rate was 25.9% (85 patients), with prematurity accounting for 27 (31.8%), and perinatal asphyxia 23 (27.1%) of the mortalities. Conclusion: There is a high neonatal mortality rate as well as high case fatality rates from largely preventable diseases. Improvement can be achieved by accelerated action in the context of Integrated Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (IMNCH) strategy and MDGs' objectives.
Summary and discussion of “ The central role of the propensity score in observational studies for causal effects

Observational studies draw inferences about the possible effect of a treatment on subjects, where the assignment of subjects into a treated group versus a control group is outside the control of the investigator. Let r1(x) be the response when a unit with covariates x receives the treatment (z = 1), and r0(x) be the response when that unit does not receive the treatment (z = 0). Then one is interested in inferring the effect size:
Diclofenac exhibits synergism with azoles against planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida tropicalis

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of diclofenac on minimum inhibitory concentrations of antifungals against planktonic cells and biofilms of Candida tropicalis. Susceptibility testing of planktonic cells was evaluated using the broth microdilution assay and checkerboard method. Biofilm formation by C. tropicalis in the presence of diclofenac, alone or in combination with antifungals, was also evaluated, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal microscope (CLSM) analyses were performed. Diclofenac showed an MIC of 1024 μg ml−1 against planktonic cells. The MICs of fluconazole and voriconazole against azole-resistant isolates were reduced 8- to 32-fold and 16- to 256-fold, respectively, when in combination with diclofenac. When in combination with fluconazole or voriconazole, diclofenac reduced the antifungal concentration necessary to inhibit C. tropicalis biofilm formation. In conclusion, diclofenac presents synergism with fluconazole and voriconazole against resistant C. tropicalis strains and improves the activity of these azole drugs against biofilm formation.
Low-dose clozapine for the treatment of drug-induced psychosis in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND Drug-induced psychosis is a difficult problem to manage in patients with Parkinson's disease. Multiple open-label studies have reported that treatment with clozapine at low doses ameliorates psychosis without worsening parkinsonism. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of low doses of clozapine (6.25 to 50 mg per day) in 60 patients at six sites over a period of 14 months. The patients (mean age, 72 years) had idiopathic Parkinson's disease and drug-induced psychosis of at least four weeks' duration. All the patients continued to receive fixed doses of antiparkinsonian drugs during the four weeks of the trial. Blood counts were monitored weekly in all the patients. RESULTS The mean dose of clozapine was 24.7 mg per day. The patients in the clozapine group had significantly more improvement than those in the placebo group in all three of the measures used to determine the severity of psychosis. The mean (+/-SE) scores on the Clinical Global Impression Scale improved by 1.6+/-0.3 points for the patients receiving clozapine, as compared with 0.5+/-0.2 point for those receiving placebo (P<0.001). The score on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale improved by 9.3+/-1.5 points for the patients receiving clozapine, as compared with 2.6+/-1.3 points for those receiving placebo (P=0.002). The score on the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms improved by 11.8+/-2.0 points for the patients receiving clozapine, as compared with 3.8+/-1.9 points for those receiving placebo (P=0.01). Seven patients treated with clozapine had an improvement of at least three on the seven-point Clinical Global Impression Scale, as compared with only one patient given placebo. Clozapine treatment improved tremor and had no deleterious effect on the severity of parkinsonism. In one patient, clozapine was discontinued because of leukopenia. CONCLUSIONS Clozapine, at daily doses of 50 mg or less, is safe and significantly improves drug-induced psychosis without worsening parkinsonism.
La surmortalité des jeunes adultes : réalité individuelle ou artefact des inégalités sociales ?

La surmortalite des jeunes adultes est un phenomene demographique largement connu mais encore mal compris. Les theories explicatives qu’il a suscitees suivent souvent une interpretation endogene, inspirees des theories (neuro-)psychologiques de l’adolescence, supposant une hausse temporaire du risque de deces individuel au cours de la transition a l’âge adulte. Or, la bosse de surmortalite observee sur le taux de deces par âge agreges pourrait alternativement etre due a la presence de sous-populations non-observees engendrant une modification progressive de la composition de la cohorte sous l’effet de la force de selection. Cette contribution propose de formuler un modele statistique a fragilite discrete coherent avec cette seconde hypothese, de maniere a tester sa pertinence. Ce type de modele etant plus difficile a estimer que les autres modeles de mortalite homogenes, deux algorithmes d’optimisation sont compares afin de ne conserver que le plus efficace. Enfin, ce modele est applique au cas reel des cohortes nees en Suisse entre 1876 et 1981. Cela permet notamment de conclure que dans les cohortes de naissance les plus recentes, il suffit de supposer que la sous-population vulnerable couvre moins d’un pourcent de la cohorte totale pour generer au niveau agrege une bosse de surmortalite telle qu’observee dans la realite. Ce resultat suggere que la surmortalite des jeunes adultes pourrait parfaitement etre le resultat de la presence de fortes inegalites de mortalite, plutot que d’une augmentation du risque de deces commune a tous les individus.
STUDIES ON HEADACHE: Cranial Artery Vasoconstriction and Muscle Contraction Headache

IT HAS been established * that some headaches arise from sustained contraction of skeletal muscle about the face, scalp, and neck. Conspicuous in this category are the recurrent headaches associated with feelings of tension, fatigue, and depression; many instances of recurrent "post-traumatic" headaches, and some of the headaches associated with arterial hypertension. CLINICAL PHENOMENA TO BE INVESTIGATED The muscle contraction headache is a steady, nonpulsatile ache. Additional descriptive terms include "tightness" bitemporally or at the occiput; "band-like" sensations about the head, which may become cap-like in distribution; "vise-like" ache; "weight," "pressure," "drawing," and "soreness. " Distinct cramp-like sensations and a "feeling as if the neck and upper back were in a cast" are also described. These head pains and other sensations occur frequently in the forehead and temples or in the back of the head and neck, but in other sites as well. They may be unilateral or bilateral, involving the temporal,
Urinary Dimethylamine (DMA) and Its Precursor Asymmetric Dimethylarginine (ADMA) in Clinical Medicine, in the Context of Nitric Oxide (NO) and Beyond

Asymmetric protein-arginine dimethylation is a major post-translational modification (PTM) catalyzed by protein-arginine methyltransferase (PRMT). Regular proteolysis releases asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). Of the daily produced ADMA, about 10% are excreted unchanged in the urine. The remaining 90% are hydrolyzed by dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) to L-citrulline and dimethylamine (DMA), which is readily excreted in the urine. The PRMT/DDAH pathway is almost the exclusive origin of urinary ADMA and the major source of urinary DMA. Dietary fish and seafood represent additional abundant sources of urinary DMA. The present article provides an overview of urinary ADMA and DMA reported thus far in epidemiological, clinical and pharmacological studies, in connection with the L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway and beyond, in neonates, children and adolescents, young and elderly subjects, males and females. Discussed diseases mainly include those relating to the renal and cardiovascular systems such as peripheral arterial occlusive disease, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Becker muscular disease, Duchenne muscular disease (DMD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and type I diabetes. Under standardized conditions involving the abstinence of DMA-rich fresh and canned fish and seafood, urinary DMA and ADMA are useful as measures of whole-body asymmetric arginine-dimethylation in health and disease. The creatinine-corrected excretion rates of DMA range from 10 to 80 µmol/mmol in adults and up to 400 µmol/mmol in children and adolescents. The creatinine-corrected excretion rates of ADMA are on average 10 times lower. In general, diseases are associated with higher urinary DMA and ADMA excretion rates, and pharmacological treatment, such as with steroids and creatine (in DMD), decreases their excretion rates, which may be accompanied by a decreased urinary excretion of nitrate, the major metabolite of NO. In healthy subjects and in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the urinary excretion rate of DMA correlates positively with the excretion rate of dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG), the major urinary catecholamines metabolite, suggesting a potential interplay in the PRMT/DDAH/NO pathway.
Cochlear Implantation in Patients With Advanced Ménière’s Disease

Background/Objectives Ménière’s disease (MD) that results in bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss is a rare indication for cochlear implantation; only a few studies exist documenting performance in these patients. The primary objective was to compare the difference in preoperative to 12-month postoperative speech perception scores among subjects with MD and controls. Groupwise comparisons of secondary postoperative outcomes (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory [THI] scores, 36-Item Short Form [SF-36] scores, and postoperative dizziness) were also performed. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Subjects with MD and controls matched by age, device manufacturer and model, preoperative sentence score, and sentence test used for preimplantation and postimplantation performance assessments were identified from 1,130 patients in the prospectively maintained cochlear implant database at our center. Speech perception, THI, and SF-36 scores and demographic variables were obtained from the database. Vestibular outcomes were obtained by retrospective chart review. Statistical comparisons were performed to compare preoperative to postoperative change between groups. Results Twenty patients with MD were identified. At 1 year after CI, improvements in sentence and word understanding did not differ in magnitude from the controls. Tinnitus was reduced significantly in patients with MD, whereas there was a trend for improvement in the controls. Quality of life as measured by the SF-36 improved in both groups. Patients with MD had significant improvements in 1 domain compared with 5 domains for the controls. Subjects with MD had significantly more chronic dizziness in the postoperative period than did controls. Conclusions Patients with MD who have bilateral severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss benefit significantly from CI. Ongoing dizziness in some patients with MD may result in quality of life improvements that are slightly less than seen for the average adult patient with CI. Larger studies are needed to corroborate the results.
A baseline review of medication provided to older people in nursing care homes in the last month of life.

AIM Increasing numbers of older people are dying in the nursing care home setting. Little is known about the medication needs of the very old and frail in the last weeks of life and how they might differ from a model of care developed for people dying from cancer. METHOD A baseline review of medication in the last month of life was undertaken to try and establish current practice of prescribing for this population. The notes of 48 deceased residents in seven nursing care homes were examined, alongside a questionnaire sent to 67 trained nurses. RESULTS Subcutaneous prescribing only occurred where specialist palliative care teams had been involved with the residents' care. Syringe drivers were used in 23% of cases; however, only three residents required a syringe driver for more than a day and a half. Nurses' confidence and competence in setting up syringe drivers was varied. CONCLUSIONS The use of syringe drivers may not be the most appropriate way of managing symptoms during the dying phase in very frail and old people.
The sensitivity of multiple output statistics to input parameters in a krill–predator–fishery ecosystem dynamics model

There is a global need to develop strategic frameworks for assessing uncertainty in ecosystem dynamics models. Such models have been used within CCAMLR to evaluate options for managing the Antarctic krill fishery in the Scotia Sea and southern Drake Passage. The model analysed here required 2 311 input values for each of four scenarios and produced 68 output statistics. Small perturbations to input values affected output statistics indicating the status of predator groups more than they affected statistics indicating the status of the target stock or the fishery. Output statistics were most sensitive to a parameter controlling predator recruitment through pre-recruit mortality. A parameter mediating the effect of a forcing function on krill recruitment, which was used to condition the model on past dynamics, was also important, and some of the parameter estimates resulting from conditioning were unstable. This highlights the tension between the parameter stability benefits of well-constrained models and the use of model conditioning to identify plausible alternative hypotheses in data-poor situations. Apparent sensitivity is a function of both input values and output statistics. Clearer specification of ecosystem-based management objectives would help to identify the important statistics for consideration when assessing uncertainty in ecosystem dynamics models.
Stereoscopic Slant Contrast and the Perception of Inducer Slant at Brief Stimulus Presentations

Slant contrast refers to a stereoscopic phenomenon in which the perceived slant of a test object is affected by the disparity of a surrounding inducer object. Slant contrast has been proposed to involve cue conflict, but it is unclear whether this idea is useful in explaining slant contrast at short stimulus presentations (<1 s). We measured both slant contrast and perceived inducer slant while varying the presentation duration (100–800 ms) of stereograms with several spatial configurations. In three psychophysical experiments, we found that (a) both slant contrast and perceived inducer slant increased as a function of stimulus duration, and (b) slant contrast was relatively stable across different test and inducer shapes at each short stimulus duration, whereas perceived inducer slant increased when cue conflict was reduced. These results suggest that at brief, not long stimulus presentations, the cue conflict between disparity and perspective plays a smaller role in slant contrast than other depth cues.
Blood – Brain Barrier : Immunologic Barrier and Dysfunction With Stroke

Stroke persists as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the world today; beyond the human toll, the economic burden is tremendous, with annual costs to the United States estimated to be $34 billion. Over the past several decades, substantial progress has been made in our understanding and the management of patients having stroke. There are 2 main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage. Because of the diversity of mechanisms and differing management approaches between the 2 types of stroke, this review will limit discussion to ischemic stroke. In ischemic stroke, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only Food and Drug Administration–approved medicine with proven clinical benefit. tPA works by inducing intravascular thrombolysis, which can restore blood flow to the ischemic brain and salvage dying neurons in the ischemic penumbra. Unfortunately, tPA must be administered with 4.5 hours of symptom onset to realize the clinical benefits. This narrow therapeutic window remains one of the major limitations of thrombolytic therapies in ischemic stroke. Newer management strategies focused on endovascular approaches to deliver thrombolytics (catheterbased approaches), and thrombectomy have shown promise, but still have limitations, including bleeding complications and limited accessibility to the specialized centers that offer these therapies. Because of these limitations, the search continues for alternative and synergistic therapeutic approaches. There have been several strategies which have been studied in clinical trials to improve brain salvage and recovery from ischemic stroke, including antioxidant strategies, neuronal Review
Characterization and removal of biofouling from reverse osmosis membranes (ROMs) from a desalination plant in Northern Chile, using Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM supernatant

Abstract Biofouling control in reverse osmosis membranes (ROMs) is challenging due to the high cost of treatments, and reduction in the life of ROMs. This study characterizes the biofouling in the ROMs from a desalination plant and reports its effective removal using the supernatant obtained from Alteromonas sp. strain Ni1-LEM. The characterization of the bacterial community revealed that the most abundant taxa in ROMs were the genera Fulvivirga and Pseudoalteromonas, and unclassified species of the families Flavobacteriaceae and Sphingomonadaceae. This bacterial community significantly decreased upon treatment with the supernatant from Alteromonas sp. Ni1-LEM, resulting in the prevalence of the genus Pseudoalteromonas. Furthermore, this bacterial supernatant significantly inhibited cell adhesion of seven benthic microalgae isolated from ROMs as well as promoting cell detachment of the existing microbial biofilms. The study showed that the extracellular supernatant modified the conformation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the biofouling of ROMs without any biocidal effects.
Recent Developments in Microfluidic Technologies for Central Nervous System Targeted Studies

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) bear a lot of weight in public health. By studying the properties of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and its fundamental interactions with the central nervous system (CNS), it is possible to improve the understanding of the pathological mechanisms behind these disorders and create new and better strategies to improve bioavailability and therapeutic efficiency, such as nanocarriers. Microfluidics is an intersectional field with many applications. Microfluidic systems can be an invaluable tool to accurately simulate the BBB microenvironment, as well as develop, in a reproducible manner, drug delivery systems with well-defined physicochemical characteristics. This review provides an overview of the most recent advances on microfluidic devices for CNS-targeted studies. Firstly, the importance of the BBB will be addressed, and different experimental BBB models will be briefly discussed. Subsequently, microfluidic-integrated BBB models (BBB/brain-on-a-chip) are introduced and the state of the art reviewed, with special emphasis on their use to study NDs. Additionally, the microfluidic preparation of nanocarriers and other compounds for CNS delivery has been covered. The last section focuses on current challenges and future perspectives of microfluidic experimentation.