Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Physical therapy in patients with COPD and tracheobronchial instability--comparison of 2 oscillating PEP systems (RC-Cornet, VRP1 Desitin). Results of a randommized prospective study of 90 patients].

UNLABELLED In a randomized prospective study in 90 patients with COAD and tracheo-bronchial instability 3 groups were formed. Group 1: Therapy as group 3+ Physiotherapy with VRP1 Desitin, Group 2: Therapy as group 3+ Physiotherapy with RC-Cornet, Group 3: CONTROL GROUP daily 40 mg prednisolon i.v. , 2 x theophylline i.v. in relation to serum levels and 3 x inhalation of beta 2+ parasympathicolytic with a compressor inhaler. Therapy group 1 and 2 received the same drug and inhalation therapy as the controls. Controls of lung function before and after physiotherapy and visual analog scales for dyspnoea, cough, sputum and acceptance of the physiotherapy were performed at days 1, 4 and 7. With RC-Cornet the residual volume decreases statistically significant in comparison to VRP1 Desitin. Hyperventilation is also statistically significant smaller in RC-Cornet compared to VRP1 Desitin. The subjective improvement of sputum, dyspnoea and acceptance of the method of physiotherapy was statistically significant better for RC-Cornet. Regarding cough the significance was just failed by p < 0.055. RC-Cornet is a comfortable, effective, small accepted tool for the long term physiotherapy of patients with COAD and tracheobronchial instability.
A review of adverse pregnancy outcomes and formaldehyde exposure in human and animal studies.

We examine the potential for reproductive and developmental effects from formaldehyde exposure. Formaldehyde is unlikely to reach the reproductive system in humans in concentrations sufficient to cause damage since it is rapidly metabolized and detoxified upon contact with the respiratory tract. While there are effects seen in in vitro studies or after injection, there is little evidence of reproductive or developmental toxicity in animal studies under exposure levels and routes relevant to humans. Most of the epidemiology studies examined spontaneous abortion and showed some evidence of increased risk (meta-relative risk=1.4, 95% CI 0.9-2.1). We found evidence of reporting biases and publication biases among the epidemiology studies and when these biases were taken into account, we found no evidence of increased risk of spontaneous abortion among workers exposed to formaldehyde (meta-relative risk=0.7, 95% CI 0.5-1.0). The small number of studies on birth defects, low birth weight, and infertility among formaldehyde workers; the limitations in the design of these studies; and the inconsistent findings across these studies make it difficult to draw conclusions from the epidemiology data alone. However, information from experimental studies and studies of metabolism indicate reproductive impacts are unlikely at formaldehyde exposures levels observed in the epidemiology studies.
Evolution of Heat Shock Protein Expression in a Natural Population of Daphnia magna

Populations often face changes in environmental conditions in a relatively short timescale, which may lead to microevolution of traits to cope with these changing selective pressures. Here, we demonstrate microevolution of a physiological trait in a natural population of the water flea Daphnia magna. Levels of the stress protein Hsp60 showed genetic variation, indicating in situ evolutionary potential, and the levels increased through time. The observed microevolutionary increase did not fit the historically documented changes in fish predation pressure in this pond, but it paralleled an increase in the load of infective stages of epibionts through time. In line with this, the locally most abundant epibiont caused an induction of Hsp60. Because stress proteins show evolutionary potential and protect organisms against a wide array of environmental factors, microevolution of stress proteins in natural populations is likely to be common.
Phase-shift perfluorocarbon agents enhance high intensity focused ultrasound thermal delivery with reduced near-field heating.

Ultrasound contrast agents are known to enhance high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation, but these perfluorocarbon microbubbles are limited to the vasculature, have a short half-life in vivo, and may result in unintended heating away from the target site. Herein, a nano-sized (100-300 nm), dual perfluorocarbon (decafluorobutane/dodecafluoropentane) droplet that is stable, is sufficiently small to extravasate, and is convertible to micron-sized bubbles upon acoustic activation was investigated. Microbubbles and nanodroplets were incorporated into tissue-mimicking acrylamide-albumin phantoms. Microbubbles or nanodroplets at 0.1 × 10(6) per cm(3) resulted in mean lesion volumes of 80.4 ± 33.1 mm(3) and 52.8 ± 14.2 mm(3) (mean ± s.e.), respectively, after 20 s of continuous 1 MHz HIFU at a peak negative pressure of 4 MPa, compared to a lesion volume of 1.0 ± 0.8 mm(3) in agent-free control phantoms. Magnetic resonance thermometry mapping during HIFU confirmed undesired surface heating in phantoms containing microbubbles, whereas heating occurred at the acoustic focus of phantoms containing the nanodroplets. Maximal change in temperature at the target site was enhanced by 16.9% and 37.0% by microbubbles and nanodroplets, respectively. This perfluorocarbon nanodroplet has the potential to reduce the time to ablate tumors by one-third during focused ultrasound surgery while also safely enhancing thermal deposition at the target site.
Direct Culture-Independent Strain Typing of Burkholderia cepacia Complex in Sputum Samples from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

ABSTRACT We examined if multilocus sequence typing (MLST), a method for genotyping and species identification of Burkholderia cepacia complex bacteria, could be applied directly to cystic fibrosis sputum. The redesigned nested-PCR MLST format was successfully used to accurately identify strains in 23 sputum samples, of which 8 were culture negative.
The history of acute promyelocytic leukaemia

Why should the British Journal of Haematology devote an article to the history of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL)? Because APL is probably the best example of a disease where the dialogue between physicians and scientists has provided a chance to make several advances in both clinical practice and basic sciences. Most patients with APL are now cured. Oncogenesis and the reversion of oncogenic events are now better understood. APL was the malignant disease to be treated by cell modulation, using agents which act specifically on oncogenic events. The recent history of APL could, in fact, be subdivided into three periods: before, during and after treatment with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). During the first period (1957–1988), the disease was defined; during the second (1988–1993), a specific treatment, later recognized as targeting the oncogenic event, dramatically improved the prognosis of the disease and, during the third post-ATRA period (1991– 2002), the main achievements were improved knowledge of cellular and molecular biology, including the control of protein expression and degradation, and a new discovery: the beneficial effect of arsenic.
Control of Trypanosoma brucei brucei infections in tsetse, Glossina morsitans

Abstract Numbers of immature Trypanosoma brucei brucei within a tsetse midgut remain remarkably constant after establishment throughout the course of an infection, irrespective of whether the infection eventually matures. These results suggest a system of self regulation of the parasite population in the insect gut based on a form of programmed cell death which would carry advantages for both the parasite and the vector.
Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among HIV infected persons in Pokhara, Nepal.

BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nepal. HIV co-infection has further added a serious challenge to control TB. An early diagnosis and treatment of TB in HIV infected individuals can help reduce not only the morbidity and mortality associated in this high risk group but also to control the TB burden in Nepal. METHODS Clinical and bacteriological examination for pulmonary TB was carried out in 184 HIV positive persons from the community in Pokhara. Questionnaire was used to screen for symptoms and collect participants' demographic information and potential risk factors for TB. RESULTS Eighty (43.5%) sero-positive participants were young adult (21-30 years), followed by 71 (38.6%) middle aged (31-40 years) persons. Eleven participants were found to have Mycobacterium tuberculosis in their sputum, giving an overall prevalence of tuberculosis of 5.97%. All 11 cases were detected by Acid Fast Bacilli (AFB) culture, of which only three cases were detected by direct microscopy of AFB stained sputum smear. The majority of TB/HIV patients were asymptomatic with low AFB smear positivity. No significant association was found between TB and risk factors like ARV status, common clinical features of tuberculosis and smoking habit. However, significant association was found between the alcohol consumption and TB (X2=4.11, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS High prevalence of tuberculosis (5.97%) was found among HIV infected persons. Alcohol consumption was associated with the development of tuberculosis. Majority of the studied subjects were asymptomatic for common signs and symptoms of TB. Weight loss was observed in 43% of the studied subjects followed by chest pain (39.2%), loss of appetite (34.8%), fever (34.8%) and night sweat (26.1%). Only 27% of the TB cases were found to be smear-positive.
The 2D Structure of the T. brucei Preedited RPS12 mRNA Is Not Affected by Macromolecular Crowding

Mitochondrial transcript maturation in African trypanosomes requires RNA editing to convert sequence-deficient pre-mRNAs into translatable mRNAs. The different pre-mRNAs have been shown to adopt highly stable 2D folds; however, it is not known whether these structures resemble the in vivo folds given the extreme “crowding” conditions within the mitochondrion. Here, we analyze the effects of macromolecular crowding on the structure of the mitochondrial RPS12 pre-mRNA. We use high molecular mass polyethylene glycol as a macromolecular cosolute and monitor the structure of the RNA globally and with nucleotide resolution. We demonstrate that crowding has no impact on the 2D fold and we conclude that the MFE structure in dilute solvent conditions represents a good proxy for the folding of the pre-mRNA in its mitochondrial solvent context.
Protein estimation directly from SDS-PAGE loading buffer for standardization of samples from cell lysates or tissue homogenates before Western blot analysis.

Western blot (5) is a powerful tool to study the regulation of specific proteins from cell cultures or tissue extracts. The standardization of the total protein content is an essential step before the analysis of specific proteins regulated by different factors in cells or tissues. Standard protein assay procedures (1,4) based on the colorimetric reactions are often affected by the concentration of detergent, salt, thiol-reducing compounds, chelating agents, lipids, or other components of homogenization buffers. The current methods used to estimate protein content before western analysis therefore limit our ability to compare protein expression in samples of different origin, cell culture, or tissue. Here, we describe a simple and reliable method for quantitative determination of total protein directly from the sample loading buffer commonly used for electrophoresis (2). The proposed method of quantification works in two steps, combining two procedures published previously; extraction of proteins by methanol-chloroform-water (6), followed by staining of protein spots on nitrocellulose membranes (2). The extraction allows the recovery of soluble and hydrophobic membrane proteins from homogenization or lysis buffers. Extracted proteins are then dissolved in the electrophoresis loading buffer and spotted on a nitrocellulose membrane to estimate protein concentration with amido black 10B before loading the sample on SDS-PAGE gel (2,3). In the present report, we have applied the procedure described above to study the expression of prostaglandin H synthase 2 (Cox-2) in cell culture by western blot analysis (Figure 2B). Endometrial cells cultured in 24-well plates were grown to confluency and washed twice in PBS, and 200 μL lysis buffer [10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 1% SDS, 1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), and 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF); Sigma, Mississauga, ON, Canada] were added to each well. The cell lysate was transferred to a microcap tube, and protein extraction was performed as follows: in a microcentrifuge tube (1.5 mL) containing 200 μL lysed cells, 600 μL methanol, 200 μL chloroform, and 500 μL water were added, and the tube was vortex mixed vigorously and centrifuged for 3 min. The upper phase was removed carefully with a handheld pipet and discarded, keeping the interphase (containing the precipitated proteins) and the lower phase in the microtube. A further 800 μL methanol were added to the rest of the microtube for protein precipitation, and the vortex and centrifugation steps were repeated. The supernatant was discarded and the protein pellet dried using a SpeedVac (5 min). The proBenchmarks
CORRELATION OF OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AND MACULAR PIGMENT OPTICAL DENSITY MEASUREMENTS IN TYPE 2 IDIOPATHIC MACULAR TELANGIECTASIA

Purpose: Macular telangiectasia is associated with neurodegenerative changes including focal outer retinal atrophy and a loss of macular pigment (MP). We aimed to investigate whether an association between spectral domain optical coherence tomography neurodegenerative signs and MP abnormalities can be detected. Methods: Forty-seven eyes of 27 macular telangiectasia Type 2 patients (mean age 66.7 years, range 50–82 years, 12 male) were investigated. An MP pattern was recorded using a dual-wavelength autofluorescence method and classified according to severity (I–III). Outer plexiform, inner nuclear, and photoreceptor layer thickness values were measured in Spectralis spectral domain optical coherence tomography scans. Thickness values were compared with those of a control group of 14 healthy age-matched eyes. Results: Macular pigment redistribution was found to be Class I in 11 eyes, Class II in 28 eyes, and Class III in 8 eyes. More advanced stages of MP loss were associated with a greater, statistically significant thinning of the outer plexiform and inner nuclear layer complex and photoreceptor layers (P ⩽ 0.001). Lower absolute levels of MP were also associated with a thinning of the photoreceptor layer. Thinning was restricted to within the parafovea, more severe at temporal eccentricities. Conclusion: Our findings support the hypothesis that in macular telangiectasia Type 2 cellular degenerative processes leading to a thinning of these layers also result in reduction and redistribution of MP.
Directing two-year-old's attention; some clues to understanding

ABSTRACT The behaviour of 32 mothers during an object-retrieval game was analysed in terms of the hints and ‘clues’ they used to direct their children's attention. Age-related differences were found in the type of information offered; the prompts 2; 0-year-olds received primarily concerned the target-objects' whereabouts, whereas 2; 6-year-olds' mothers referred to the target-objects (especially those unfamiliar by name) in terms of the children's background knowledge of the objects' functions or associations, as well. Possible explanations for these changes are discussed and the view is advanced that these differences should be interpreted as reflecting changes in the way mothers structure the task for their children as they become more independent problem-solvers.
Assessment of Bias Associated with Incomplete Extraction of Microbial DNA from Soil

ABSTRACT DNA extraction bias is a frequently cited but poorly understood limitation of molecular characterizations of environmental microbial communities. To assess the bias of a commonly used soil DNA extraction kit, we varied the cell lysis protocol and conducted multiple extractions on subsamples of clay, sand, and organic soils. DNA, as well as bacterial and fungal ribosomal gene copies as measured by quantitative PCR, continued to be isolated in successive extractions. When terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism was used, a significant shift in community composition due to extraction bias was detected for bacteria but not for fungi. Pyrosequencing indicated that the relative abundances of sequences from rarely cultivated groups such as Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonades, and Verrucomicrobia were higher in the first extraction than in the sixth but that the reverse was true for Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. This suggests that the well-known phylum-level bacterial cultivation bias may be partially exaggerated by DNA extraction bias. We conclude that bias can be adequately reduced in many situations by pooling three successive extractions, and additional measures should be considered when divergent soil types are compared or when comprehensive community analysis is necessary.
Compaction of Coarse-Textured Soils: Balance Models across Mineral and Organic Compositions

Soil bulk density (BD), degree of compactness (DC), maximum bulk density (MBD), and critical water content (CWC) at which MBD is reached are commonly used to characterize soil compaction, and can be predicted from soil texture and organic matter content, omitting other components such as sand sub-classes and soil cementing agents and potential biases such as data redundancy and sub-compositional incoherence. Compositional data analysis is needed to account for interactions among soil components and to avoid biases. The aim of this study was to relate soil compaction indexes to the basic components of coarse-textured soils using unbiased numerical techniques. Soil samples collected in horizons A and B at 49 sites in Quebec, Canada, were analyzed for gravimetric water content, BD, particle-size distribution, MBD, CWC, organic C, total N, Si, Fe, Al, Mn, Mg and Ca. DC was calculated as the ratio of BD to MBD. The 14 physical-chemical soil properties were expressed as isometric log-ratios balances. We conducted principal component analysis to identify the components most correlated with compaction indexes. We used regression analysis to predict MBD and CWC, and used linear mixed-effects models to predict BD and DC. The regression models accounted for up to 83% of total variation in MBD and CWC, and the linear mixed-effects models explained 58–64% of total variation in BD and DC. BD and DC were found to decrease with clay content, and increase with larger proportion of coarser particles. Organic matter content tended to reduce BD and DC, and showed little effects on MBD. Increasing evenness of sand fractions resulted in a higher MBD value. Relationships between CWC and soil texture, and between CWC and organic C were not significant. Mineral cementing agents were the major contributors to soil compaction indexes. Si, Al, Fe and Ca oxides increased BD, DC and CWC, but reduced MBD. The sensitivity of coarse-textured soils to compaction could be predicted to support decisions on soil resilience after ripping and on the need to implement corrective chemical, biological and physical methods such as soil amendments, structure-building crops or textural mixtures to rebalance soil compositions.
“It’s Got to Be on This Page”: Age and Cognitive Style in a Study of Online Health Information Seeking

Background The extensive availability of online health information offers the public opportunities to become independently informed about their care, but what affects the successful retrieval and understanding of accurate and detailed information? We have limited knowledge about the ways individuals use the Internet and the personal characteristics that affect online health literacy. Objective This study examined the extent to which age and cognitive style predicted success in searching for online health information, controlling for differences in education, daily Internet use, and general health literacy. Methods The Online Health Study (OHS) was conducted at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health and Stanford University School of Medicine from April 2009 to June 2010. The OHS was designed to explore the factors associated with success in obtaining health information across different age groups. A total of 346 men and women aged 35 years and older of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds participated in the study. Participants were evaluated for success in searching online for answers to health-related tasks/questions on nutrition, cancer, alternative medicine, vaccinations, medical equipment, and genetic testing. Results Cognitive style, in terms of context sensitivity, was associated with less success in obtaining online health information, with tasks involving visual judgment most affected. In addition, better health literacy was positively associated with overall success in online health seeking, specifically for tasks requiring prior health knowledge. The oldest searchers were disadvantaged even after controlling for education, Internet use, general health literacy, and cognitive style, especially when spatial tasks such as mapping were involved. Conclusions The increasing availability of online health information provides opportunities to improve patient education and knowledge, but effective use of these resources depends on online health literacy. Greater support for those who are in the oldest cohorts and for design of interfaces that support users with different cognitive styles may be required in an age of shared medical decision making.
Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint.

AIMS To determine the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of synovial chondromatosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). METHODS MRI was carried out in 11 cases of synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ, which had been confirmed surgically and histologically. RESULTS Severe bony changes were not apparent. One or more hypointensive loose bodies were seen in 7 of the 11 cases. A considerable amount of synovial fluid, often with capsular expansion, was a common finding. CONCLUSION A diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis of the TMJ must be considered when the amount of synovial fluid is abnormally large and the disc position is fairly normal, as seen on closed- and open-mouth MRI of the TMJ, without any associated severe changes in disc shape or bony structure.
The relationship among performance of instrumental activities of daily living, self-report of quality of life, and self-awareness of functional status in individuals with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between self-awareness of functional status and performance of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and self-reports of quality of life (QOL) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). DESIGN A between-groups design, using a correlational approach to examine the relationship between self-awareness of functional status, IADL and QOL. PARTICIPANTS We studied 47 individuals with clinically definite MS and 26 healthy controls (HCs). MEASURES The Functional Behavior Profile was completed by both participants and their informants. Participants' scores were subtracted from those of their informants', and the absolute value was used as the self-awareness/concordance score. The Executive Function Performance Test measured IADL performance; QOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Multiple Sclerosis. RESULTS MS participants showed lower levels of self-awareness relative to HCs. Significant correlations were observed between performance of IADL, reports of QOL and self-awareness levels of functional status. However, reports of QOL were not significantly correlated with performance of IADL. CONCLUSIONS The positive association between self-awareness of functional status with IADL performance and QOL reports provides support for the role of awareness in rehabilitation.