Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Population Dynamics of a Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) Variant in East Central Illinois Commercial Maize and Soybean Fields

Abstract Three on-farm sites in Iroquois County, IL, each containing an adjacent 16.2-ha commercial production maize, Zea mays L. , and soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr. , field, were monitored for western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), adults from June through September 1999–2001. Mean captures of D. v. virgifera adults as measured with Pherocon AM yellow sticky traps were significantly greater in maize than in soybean. Overall mean numbers of D. v. virgifera adults captured with vial traps were significantly greater in soybean than in maize. Emergence cage data revealed that after 50% emergence of D. v. virgifera adults occurred, peak captures of D. v. virgifera adults occurred in maize as measured with vial and Pherocon AM traps. After maize reached the R2 (blister stage, 10–14 d after silking) stage of development and 90% emergence of D. v. virgifera adults had occurred, peak captures of D. v. virgifera adults were observed in soybean by using vial and Pherocon AM traps. Also, after maize reached the R2 stage of development, numbers of females significantly increased in soybean and decreased in maize. Captures of female D. v. virgifera adults frequently exceeded published economic thresholds in soybean, regardless of trap type used. Estimated survival of variant D. v. virgifera (egg to adult) in these commercial rotated maize fields was 10.7 and 9.4% from 1999 to 2000 and from 2000 to 2001, respectively. This compares with nonvariant D. v. virgifera survival estimates in continuous maize production systems in Iowa of 6.7 and 11% from 1983 to 1984 and from 1984 to 1985, respectively.
Mucinous histology of colon cancer predicts poor outcomes with FOLFOX regimen in metastatic colon cancer

Abstract Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MA) of colorectal cancer seems associated with reduced responsiveness to chemotherapy. The overexpression of markers of resistance to fluorouracil and oxaliplatin has recently been demonstrated. We revised the outcomes of metastatic MA of the colon treated with FOLFOX. From January 2002 to December 2009, we treated 198 patients with metastatic colon cancer, of which 21 (10·6%) had diagnosis of MA and were compared with 42 control patients with non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (NMA). In MA group, three patients [14%; inhibitory concentration 95: ±7·5%] reached partial response, and in NMA group, two patients obtained complete response and 16 obtained partial response with an overall response rate of 43% (inhibitory concentration 95: ±7·6%) with a significant statistical difference (P = 0·027). Median progression-free survival for MA group was 4 months with respect to 8 months for NMA (P = 0·0001); regarding overall survival, we registered a median of 8 months with respect to 18 months for MA and NMA (P = 0·001). In multivariate analysis, MA histology, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 2, more than two metastatic sites, and peritoneal metastatic involvement resulted in negative independent prognostic factors. Also in our study, MA is connected to poor prognosis and reduced activity of chemotherapy. In the absence of randomised studies, it may be convenient to analyse this subgroup of patients within the large trials carried out on colorectal cancer.
Polymorphonuclear Leucocytes Have Two Opposing Roles in Fibrinolysis

Summary Polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) are important in the resolution of human thrombi, with u-PA as a key player. We have shown that the u-PA activity of PMN depends on the presence of plasma; the study presented here provides an explanation for that requirement. Here we show that PMN degraded scu-PA and also tcu-PA, t-PA and plasmin, resulting in loss of fibrinolytic activity. Plasma protected against this degradation; α1-antitrypsin was identified as a protective factor. Purified human neutrophil elastase mirrored the effects of PMN, again neutralized by plasma inhibitors. These findings illustrate the dual role of PMN in the breakdown of thrombi, in that they contribute both u-PA, which lyses fibrin, and other proteases, including elastase, which can cleave fibrin and plasminogen activators/plasmin. Similarly, plasma can potentiate fibrinolysis by neutralization of PMN elastase, in addition to direct inhibition of fibrinolytic proteases. Our previous studies show that PMN in thrombi are mostly pro-fibrinolytic; the antifibrinolytic role defined here may be important in other pathologies where fibrin persists.
Rapid Up-Regulation of CXC Chemokines in the Airways after Ag-Specific CD4+ T Cell Activation

Ag-specific activation of CD4+ T cells is known to be causative for the cytokine production associated with lung allergy. Chemokine-induced leukocyte recruitment potentially represents a critical early event in Ag-induced lung inflammation. Whether Ag-specific, lung CD4+ T cell activation is important in lung chemokine production is currently not clear. Using αβ-TCR transgenic BALB/c DO11.10 mice, we investigated the ability of Ag-specific CD4+ T cell activation to induce lung chemokine production and leukocyte recruitment. Within 1 h of exposure of DO11.10 mice to OVA aerosol, lung mRNA and protein for the neutrophil chemokines KC and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 were greatly increased. Accordingly, neutrophils in the airways increased by >50-fold, and KC and MIP-2 proved to be functional because their neutralization significantly reduced airway neutrophilia. CD4+ T cell activation was critical because CD4+ but not CD8+ T cell depletion reduced KC production, which correlated well with the previously observed inhibition of neutrophil influx after CD4+ T cell depletion. In vitro studies confirmed that OVA-induced KC and MIP-2 production was conditional upon the interaction of CD4+ T cells with APCs. A likely secondary mediator was TNF-α, and a probable source of these chemokines in the lung was alveolar macrophages. Thus, Ag-specific CD4+ T cell activation in the lung leads to rapid up-regulation of neutrophil chemokines and the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of Ag exposure. This may be a key early event in the pathogenesis of Ag-induced lung inflammation.
Dynamical Breaking of Charge Neutrality in Intrinsic Josephson Junctions: Common Origin for Microwave Resonant Absorptions and Multiple-branch Structures in the I-V Characterisitcs

We demonstrate that both microwave resonant absorptions and multiple-branch structures in the I-V characterisitcs observed in intrinsic Josephson junctions (IJJ's) are caused by dynamical breaking of charge neutrality (DBCN) inside the atomic-scale superconducting layer. The Lagranginan for the time-dependent Lawrence-Doniach model incorporating the effect of the DBCN is proposed, and the longitudinal collective Josephson plasma mode is proved to exist based on the Lagrangian. On the other hands, the branching behaviors in the I-V curves are almost completely reproduced by careful numerical simulations for the model equation derived from the Lagragian.
Stigmatizing attitudes toward mental illness among racial/ethnic older adults in primary care

The current study applies the perceived stigma framework to identify differences in attitudes toward mental health and mental health treatment among various racial/ethnic minority older adults with common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders, or at‐risk alcohol use. Specifically, this study examines to what extent race/ethnicity is associated with differences in (1) perceived stigma of mental illness and (2) perceived stigma for different mental health treatment options.
The evolutionary nature of musical meaning

The paper will draw on ethnomusicological, cognitive and neuroscientific evidence in suggesting that music and language constitute complementary components of the human communicative toolkit. It will start by outlining an operational definition of music as a mode of social interaction in terms of its generic, cross-cultural properties that facilitates comparison with language as a universal human faculty. It will argue that, despite the fact that music appears much more heterogeneous and differentiated in function from culture to culture than does language, music possesses common attributes across cultures: it exploits the human capacity to entrain to external (particularly social) stimuli, and presents a rich set of semantic fields while under-determining meaning. While language is held to possess both combinatoriality and semanticity, music is often claimed to be combinatorial but to lack semanticity. This paper will argue that music has semanticity, but that this semanticity is adapted for a different function from that of language. Music exploits the human capacity for entrainment, increasing the likelihood that participants will experience a sense of ‘shared intentionality’. It presents the characteristics of an ‘honest signal’ while under-specifying goals in ways that permit individuals to interact even while holding to personal interpretations of goals and meanings that may actually be in conflict. Music allows participants to explore the prospective consequences of their actions and attitudes towards others within a temporal framework that promotes the alignment of participants’ sense of goals. As a generic human faculty music thus provides a medium that is adapted to situations of social uncertainty, a medium by means of which a capacity for flexible social interaction can be explored and reinforced. It will be argued that a faculty for music is likely to have been exaptive in the evolution of the human capacity for complex social interaction.
Major Cause of Organ and Carcass Condemnation in Apparently Healthy Small Ruminant Slaughtered at Addis Ababa Abattoir Enterprise, Ethiopia

Study was conducted from November 2008 to March 2009 to determine the major causes of organ and carcass condemnation and associated annual magnitude of financial loss at Addis Ababa abattoir enterprise. Out of 1052 examined sheep and goats 459 (43.6%) livers, 307 (29.18%) lungs, 130 (12.36%) Hearts, 108 (20.27%) kidney and 28 (2.66%) carcass were condemned. The major causes of condemnation were parasite 52.24%, cirrhosis (11.2%), hepatitis (9.2%) and mechanical damage (8.12%) for liver; pneumonia (32.2%), emphysema (19.5%) and hydatidosis (15.9%) for lung; pericarditis (43.07%), calcification (17.7), Abscess (5.4%), Cysticercus ovis (8.4%) and other (25.4%) for heart; nephritis (30.5%) for kidneys, abscess (50%), bruising (29%) and other causes for carcasses. Rate of condemnation due to hydatidosis was higher in the lungs (4.3% in sheep and 5.0% in goats) than in the liver (3.3% in sheep and 3.4% in goats) significant higher rate of liver, lung, heart, kidney and carcass condemnation were not observed between age groups (p>0.05), but significantly higher rate of organ and carcass condemnation were observed with in sex group of sheep (P 0.05). Total annual loss due to organ and carcass condemnation was estimated one million Ethiopian Birr (90909.09 USD). Result of the present work warrant immediate need for the prevention of causes of organ and carcass condemnation and pathological abnormalities through development of and animal health delivery, enforcement of slaughter policy, education of sheep and goat traders, and training of slaughter house personnel on standard slaughter operations.
The role of feature-based discrimination in driving health disparities among Black Americans

ABSTRACT Objective: A growing body of research finds that darker skin tone is often associated with poorer physical and mental health in Blacks. However, the psychosocial mechanisms underlying the skin tone-health link remain elusive. The present study seeks to address this knowledge gap by investigating the direct and indirect (through perceived discrimination, socioeconomic status, and self-esteem) effects of skin tone on self-reported physical and mental health. Design: An urban sample of 130 Blacks aged 35 and above completed a self-administered computerized survey as a part of larger cross-sectional study. Results: Self-esteem played a particularly important role in mediating the associations between skin tone and self-reported physical and mental health. This suggests that self-esteem could be a point of intervention to help Blacks with darker skin tone achieve better health. Conclusion: The present study highlights the important role feature-based discrimination plays in determining mental and physical health outcomes among Blacks.
Addition of probiotics to norfloxacin does not improve efficacy in the prevention of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized-controlled trial

Background Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) may occur despite antibiotic prophylaxis. We investigated whether the addition of probiotics to norfloxacin enhances its efficacy in the prevention of SBP. Methods A double-blind, randomized-controlled trial was conducted among consecutive cirrhotic patients who had either recovered from SBP (secondary prophylaxis) or who were at a high risk for the development of SBP (low ascitic fluid protein or serum bilirubin ≥2.5 mg/dl; primary prophylaxis). Norfloxacin 400 mg/day with probiotics capsules (Enterococcus faecalis JPC 30 million, Clostridium butyricum 2 million, Bacillus mesentericus JPC 1 million, Bacillus coagulans 50 million spores) at a dose of two capsules three times daily (group 1) or norfloxacin with a placebo (group 2) was given and the occurrence of SBP within a period of 6 months (primary endpoint) or side-effects of therapy and mortality (secondary endpoints) were recorded. Results From April 2005 through August 2007, 110 patients were randomized to group 1 (n=55) or group 2 (n=55) and 45 (82%) and 43 (78%) of them completed the trial, respectively. The baseline characteristics were comparable. On intention-to-treat analysis, the cumulative probability of treatment failures was similar in both the groups [19/55 (34%) in group 1 vs. 20/55 (36%) in group 2, P=0.840]. The cumulative probability of mortality was also similar [13/45 (29%) in group 1 vs. 14/43 (32%) in group 2, P=0.834]. The frequency of side-effects was also comparable. In subgroup analyses, the frequencies of SBP and deaths were similar in the two groups in the subgroups of primary and secondary prophylaxes. The presence of encephalopathy and serum bilirubin of greater than 3.65 mg/dl were found to predict mortality independently. Conclusion The addition of probiotics to norfloxacin does not improve its efficacy in primary or secondary prophylaxis of SBP or in reducing the mortality in cirrhotic patients with ascites.
Localization of RNAPII and 3′ end formation factor CstF subunits on C. elegans genes and operons

ABSTRACT Transcription termination is mechanistically coupled to pre-mRNA 3′ end formation to prevent transcription much beyond the gene 3′ end. C. elegans, however, engages in polycistronic transcription of operons in which 3′ end formation between genes is not accompanied by termination. We have performed RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) and CstF ChIP-seq experiments to investigate at a genome-wide level how RNAPII can transcribe through multiple poly-A signals without causing termination. Our data shows that transcription proceeds in some ways as if operons were composed of multiple adjacent single genes. Total RNAPII shows a small peak at the promoter of the gene cluster and a much larger peak at 3′ ends. These 3′ peaks coincide with maximal phosphorylation of Ser2 within the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNAPII and maximal localization of the 3′ end formation factor CstF. This pattern occurs at all 3′ ends including those at internal sites in operons where termination does not occur. Thus the normal mechanism of 3′ end formation does not always result in transcription termination. Furthermore, reduction of CstF50 by RNAi did not substantially alter the pattern of CstF64, total RNAPII, or Ser2 phosphorylation at either internal or terminal 3′ ends. However, CstF50 RNAi did result in a subtle reduction of CstF64 binding upstream of the site of 3′ cleavage, suggesting that the CstF50/CTD interaction may facilitate bringing the 3′ end machinery to the transcription complex.
The Efficacy of Continuous Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Pain Management in Burn Patients Undergoing Skin Grafting Procedures

Postoperative pain from split skin donor sites is often more intense than the pain at the grafted site. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study we assessed the efficacy of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in reducing the pain at the thigh donor site. Twenty patients, with a total burn surface area of 16% ± 13% (mean ± sd) were randomized 1:1 to receive either ropivacaine 0.2% or saline 0.9%. All patients received a general anesthesic followed by preincision continuous FICB with 40 mL of the randomized solution, then an infusion of 10 mL/h of either ropivacaine or saline until the first dressing change (72 h later). Postoperative analgesia consisted of propacetamol 2g/6h, IV patient-controlled analgesia of morphine chlorhydrate (2 mg/mL), and morphine hydrochlorate 0.5 mg/kg PO once 60 min before first dressing change. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test preoperatively, 24 and 48 h postoperatively, and during the first dressing change. The cumulative morphine consumption was compared with repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Scheffé’s method if indicated. Patients with continuous FICB had significantly reduced postoperative morphine consumption at all time points (23 ± 20 versus 88 ± 29 mg after 72 h, study versus control groups, respectively; P < 0.05). In both groups, VAS scores remained low but were only significantly lower for patients with continuous FICB during the first dressing change (3 [1] versus 7 [3]; median [interquartile range]; P < 0.05). We conclude that continuous FICB is an efficient method for diminishing pain at the thigh donor site. (250 words)
Predictors of Brachial Artery Spasm during Transradial Cardiac Catheterization

Background: Brachial artery spasms may occur during transradial cardiac catheterization. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between brachial artery spasms after transradial cardiac catheterization and coronary artery disease. Methods: Two hundred and forty-one patients who received transradial cardiac catheterization for diagnosis of coronary artery disease were enrolled in this study. Brachial artery angiography was performed after cardiac catheterization in order to document brachial artery spasms. Age, sex, coronary risk factors, clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic characteristics were included in our assessment. Results: In 241 patients enrolled, 99 patients had coronary artery disease and the others did not. The rate of brachial artery spasm was 9.09% (9/99) in patients with coronary artery disease and 23.94% (34/142) in patients without coronary artery disease (p=0.001). In univariate analysis, factors associated with brachial artery spasms included heart rate, diameter of brachial artery and coronary artery disease. In multivariate analysis, the absence of coronary artery disease (p=0.019) and the diameter of brachial artery (p=0.005) were the independent predictors of brachial artery spasms after transradial cardiac catheterization. The patient with coronary artery disease was less likely to have brachial artery spasms after transradial cardiac catheterization. Conclusion: Our study suggests that brachial artery spasms do not affect the feasibility of transradial coronary intervention in patients with coronary artery disease. Furthermore, small brachial artery and the absence of coronary artery disease predict brachial artery spasm during transradial cardiac catheterization.
Unit Characteristics and Patient Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to discover if there was relationship between nurse perception of autonomy, control over practice, or relationships with physicians and patient satisfaction with care related to pain management, teaching, or physical care on medical surgical units. The study design was correlational, descriptive, and cross-sectional. The hospital sample was a purposive convenience sample of acute care hospitals in California, with a total of 21 hospitals, 60 medical surgical nursing units, 314 nurses, and 470 patients. Findings indicated that higher patient functional status and having a doctor in the hospital 24 hours/day were related to patient satisfaction with pain management. Lower nurse perception of autonomy, having a doctor in the hospital 24 hours/day, and higher number of patient years of education were related to higher patient satisfaction with teaching. Lower total hours worked by the nurses was related to higher patient satisfaction with physical care.
Low power laser therapy and analgesic action.

OBJECTIVE The semiconductor or laser diode (GaAs, 904 nm) is the most appropriate choice in pain reduction therapy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Low-power density laser acts on the prostaglandin (PG) synthesis, increasing the change of PGG2 and PGH2 into PG12 (also called prostacyclin, or epoprostenol). The last is the main product of the arachidonic acid into the endothelial cells and into the smooth muscular cells of vessel walls, that have a vasodilating and anti-inflammatory action. METHODS Treatment was performed on 372 patients (206 women and 166 men) during the period between May 1987 and January 1997. The patients, whose ages ranged from 25 to 70 years, with a mean age of 45 years, suffered from rheumatic, degenerative, and traumatic pathologies as well as cutaneous ulcers. The majority of patients had been seen by orthopedists and rheumatologists and had undergone x-ray examination. All patients had received drug-based treatment and/or physiotherapy with poor results; 5 patients had also been irradiated with He:Ne and CO2 lasers. Two-thirds were experiencing acute symptomatic pain, while the others suffered long-term pathology with recurrent crises. We used a pulsed diode laser, GaAs 904 nm wavelength once per day for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 2-day interval. The average number of applications was 12. We irradiated the trigger points, access points to the joint, and striated muscles adjacent to relevant nerve roots. RESULTS We achieved very good results, especially in cases of symptomatic osteoarthritis of the cervical vertebrae, sport-related injuries, epicondylitis, and cutaneous ulcers, and with cases of osteoarthritis of the coxa. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with 904-nm diode laser has substantially reduced the symptoms as well as improved the quality of life of these patient, ultimately postponing the need for surgery.