Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
, Mario A exposure to exogenous estradiol Mammary gland morphology and gene expression signature of weanling male and female rats following

In order to characterize the actions of xenoestrogens, it is essential to possess a solid portrait of the physiological effects of exogenous estradiol. We assessed effects of three doses of exogenous estradiol (E2) (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/kg/day) given between postnatal days 21 and 33 on the mammary gland morphology and gene expression profiles of male and female rats compared to vehicle-treated controls. The male mammary gland was more responsive to E2 treatment than in females, with 509 genes regulated >2-fold in a dose-dependent manner in males and only 174 in females. In males, E2 treatment significantly (P< 0.01) increased the number of terminal end buds (TEBs) and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein (P< 0.05), both of which are indicators of proliferation. This change was linked to a significant increase (P< 0.05) in the expression of the gene encoding amphiregulin, which is known to induce TEB formation. There was also a dose-dependent increase (P< 0.001) in the estrogen-regulated gene encoding the progesterone receptor. In intact females, despite lack of changes in mammary morphology, we observed a dose-dependent increase (P< 0.05) in the expression of genes encoding three milk proteins: whey acidic protein, casein beta and casein kappa. There was a significant (P< 0.05) downregulation of both estrogen receptors in response to E2 treatment. These results suggest that mammary glands of male rats are very sensitive to exogenous E2 during development post-weaning. The dose-dependent increase observed in amphiregulin and progesterone receptor gene expression was linked to morphological changes and represents a reliable and sensitive tool to evaluate estrogenicity. In contrast, intact weanling female rats were less responsive.
Parents’ views on toilet training (TT)

Background: In recent years, the age at which parents start and finish toilet training (TT) their children has increased. To cope with the problems caused by this later completion, it is essential to identify the beliefs and attitudes of the parents. Methods: Two thousand questionnaires were distributed to parents of children aged 30 to 36 months, attending 50 randomly selected schools in Antwerp, Belgium. Results: Too many children are toilet trained after the minimum school age of 30 months. Most parents are not aware of the possible negative consequences this can entail. Mothers with a paid occupation think more often that children should be toilet trained before the age of 30 months, and the higher the mother’s educational level, the more likely she will send her child to school toilet trained. More of single parents think that children who are not yet toilet trained should be allowed to go to school and more often send their not fully toilet-trained children to school. Conclusion: Parents should be better informed about the possible negative consequences of a later completion of TT. Single parents, more than other parents, should be assisted in the TT process and offered more support.
Detection of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinomas on enhanced CT: comparison with histologic findings.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of enhanced CT in making a diagnosis of combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinomas (HCC-CCs) by comparing CT findings with histologic findings. CONCLUSION One third (nine of 27 cases) of the combined HCC-CCs were correctly diagnosed on enhanced CT by detailed analysis of the enhancing pattern around or within the mass. Various factors such as an atypical enhancing pattern, the size of each component, and the presence of a mass composed of intermediate tumor cells-that is, cells with intermediate characteristics between HCC and CC-were found to be the causes of misdiagnosis of combined HCC-CC on enhanced CT.
Influence of Medical Comorbidities and Complications on FIM™ Change and Length of Stay During Inpatient Rehabilitation

Lew HL, Lee E, Date ES, Zeiner H: Influence of medical comorbidities and complications on FIM™ change and length of stay during inpatient rehabilitation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2002;81:830–837. Objective This study was performed to evaluate the influence of medical problems on functional outcome measures of patients admitted for comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation. Design In this retrospective database review of patients, demographic information, length of stay, FIM scores at admission and discharge, and FIM efficiency were collected and analyzed. Preexisting comorbidities and acute medical complications of all patients were identified, tabulated, and analyzed. Results A total of 175 patients were categorized into three major groups. In the postorthopedic surgery group, the presence of preexisting medical comorbidities did not significantly affect admission or discharge FIM scores. In contrast, traumatic brain injury patients with preexisting medical comorbidities had a tendency to be admitted and discharged with lower FIM scores. However, traumatic brain injury patients with acute medical complications still made reasonable functional improvement during their extended stay, so that their FIM efficiency was adequately maintained. In the cerebrovascular accident group, almost all patients had preexisting medical issues. Conclusions The rehabilitation population is diverse, and functional outcome measures for distinct disease entities may be differentially affected by factors such as preexisting medical comorbidities and acute medical complications. Except for life-threatening medical emergencies, rehabilitation patients may benefit by staying on the acute rehabilitation unit, where both medical management and a comprehensive rehabilitation program are provided with continuity.
Short‐term changes in pulmonary function and respiratory movements after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy

Objective—To study the changes in bilateral respiratory motion and pulmonary function following sternotomy and the relationships between the changes in respiratory movements, spirometry, radiographic analyses, and several intra‐operative surgical characteristics. Design—Respiratory motion during deep breathing and lung volumes were measured in 20 patients (mean age 65 years, SD 16) before and after median sternotomy. Chest x‐rays were analyzed pre‐ and postoperatively and a variety of perioperative variables were measured. Results—Average abdominal motion decreased to 57% of preoperative values bilaterally 1 week postoperatively, the average lower thoracic motion decreased to 72%, and the average upper thoracic motion decreased to 87%, whereas the right upper thoracic motion increased 3% compared with preoperative values. Lung volumes decreased to around 60% of preoperative values (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were found between the decrease in pulmonary function and the mean respiratory movements. Abnormal chest radiographs were found in all patients. Conclusion—The breathing pattern before sternotomy is predominantly abdominal but moves to a thoracic and upper thoracic pattern postoperatively and is associated with reduced pulmonary function. Therapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the less effective upper thoracic breathing pattern should likely be implemented.
Structural analysis of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae-RTX-toxin I (ApxI) operon

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae-RTX-toxin I (ApxI), an important virulence factor, is secreted by serotypes 1, 5, 9, 10, and 11 of A. pleuropneumoniae. However, sequences homologous to the secretion genes apxIBD of the ApxI operon are present in all 12 serotypes except serotype 3. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the structures of the ApxI operons of the 12 A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes. We focused on the nucleotide sequence comparison of the ApxI-coding genes, the structures of the ApxI operons, and the transcription of the ApxI operons. We determined the nucleotide sequences of the toxin-encoding apxICA genes of serotype 9 and found that the gene for the structural toxin, apxIA, was almost identical to the apxIA gene of serotype 1. The toxin-encoding genes of the other serotypes are also similar for the main part; nevertheless, two variants were identified, one in serotypes 1, 9, and 11 and one in serotypes 5 and 10. The two apxIA variants differ mainly within the distal 110 nucleotides. Structural analysis demonstrated that intact ApxI operons, consisting of the four contiguous genes apxICABD, are present in serotypes 1, 5, 9, 10, and 11. ApxI operons with a major deletion in the apxICA genes are present in serotypes 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 12. Serotype 3 does not contain ApxI operon sequences. We found that all ApxI operons are transcriptionally active despite the partial deletion of the operon in some serotypes. The implications of these data for the expression and secretion of ApxI and the other Apx-toxins, ApxII and ApxIII, as well as for the development of a subunit vaccine against A. pleuropneumoniae will be discussed.
A Cross-Comparative Survey of Information Seeking and Scanning About Drug-Related Sources and Topics Among U.S. and Israeli College Students

Abstract There is an increasing amount of drug-related information that is easily accessible from media and interpersonal sources. Recent research shows significant positive associations between information acquisition and nonmedical drug use intentions among college students. This study examines information about amphetamines and marijuana that was actively searched (“seeking”) as well as information that was encountered during routine media use (“scanning”). Data are drawn from a cross-national comparative survey of college students in the United States (N = 734) and in Israel (N = 800). U.S. participants reported seeking and scanning information about marijuana across a broader range of sources than Israeli participants. Among U.S. and Israeli participants, the most frequently searched marijuana-related topics included the benefits of marijuana, negative effects of marijuana use, and political reasons why marijuana should be legal. Participants from both countries reported the benefits of amphetamines, and the negative effects of amphetamine use as the most frequently searched topics about amphetamines. Participants in both countries identified the internet and friends as the most popular sources of drug-related information and noted that physicians, friends, and the internet were the most trusted sources. Implications for research on information seeking and health communication are discussed.
Severe Cellulitis/Myositis Caused by Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of cellulitis/myositis due to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in the absence of trauma and to discuss a potentially novel treatment option. CASE SUMMARY: A 57-year-old white man, having undergone an allogeneic bone marrow transplant, developed myositis with S. maltophilia of the left soleus muscle; there had been no trauma. Risk factors for infection included neutropenia, prolonged hospitalization and intensive care unit stay, and broad-spectrum antibiotic exposure. The affected area of muscle was resected and the patient successfully treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), ticarcillin/clavulanate, and aztreonam. DISCUSSION: In severe myositis/cellulitis caused by S. maltophilia, TMP/SMX is considered the drug of choice. However, bacteriostatic agents such as TMP/SMX are less than ideal in neutropenic patients. The combination of ticarcillin/clavulanate plus aztreonam has been shown to improve activity in vitro against this organism compared with TMP/SMX. This is likely due to inhibition of the 2 β-lactamases this organism produces by clavulanate and aztreonam. In our study of clinical isolates of S. maltophilia, this combination reduced the minimum inhibitory concentration at 90% by 128-fold and was synergistic against 10 of 12 isolates tested in time—kill analysis. CONCLUSIONS: S. maltophilia is emerging as an important pathogen in patients with compromised immunity, leading to severe infections that are difficult to treat. Based on in vitro synergy studied, we recommend considering ticarcillin/clavulanate plus aztreonam as a potential treatment option in immunocompromised patients with S. maltophilia infection.
Nesting, dust bathing and perching by laying hens in cages: effects of design on behaviour and welfare.

1. Laying hens (192 ISA Brown medium hybrids) were housed from 18 to 72 weeks as groups of 4 in conventional or experimental cages. The main area of all cages provided 675 cm2/hen. All experimental cages had perches, dust baths and nest boxes, which were of three types: litter (L), artificial turf (A) or plastic rollaway (P). These facilities provided an additional 375 to 480 cm2/hen. The nest boxes and dust baths occupied either high or low positions. Behaviour, physical condition and production of the birds were regularly recorded. 2. Mortality was low (1.6% overall) and egg production very good in all treatments. The proportion of cracked and dirty eggs was slightly (but not significantly) higher in the experimental cages. In the experimental cages 90% of eggs were laid overall in the nest boxes and 3% in the dust baths. The proportion laid in the nest boxes was lower early in the laying cycle and increased with time, reaching 99% in A. 3. The facilities were heavily used. Birds spent about 25% of day time on the perches and 10-15% in or near the nest box and dust bath. At night, the majority of birds (90 to 94%) roosted on perches, but most of the remainder were on the lips of the nest box or dust bath, fouling the interiors. 4. Pre-laying behaviour was much more settled in the experimental cages (45 min spent in the eventual laying position) than in the conventional ones (20 min) and total duration varied from 68 min in A to 87 min in P. The number of nest entries varied from 3.0 (A and P) to 4.3 (L); disturbance to sitting birds was correspondingly greater in L. 5. Dust bathing in the experimental cages generally took place during the afternoon in a single bout of about 5 min duration, whereas in the conventional cages it was brief and fragmented (3 bouts of 10 s each). The dust bath was also used for foraging behaviour (pecking and scratching). The treatments with small dust baths (A and P) caused problems for the birds. 6. Feather, foot and claw damage all tended to be less in the experimental than in the conventional cages, though only in the last case was the difference significant. Keel bone depressions appeared to be associated with perches; they were present in 43% of hens in the experimental cages but only 4% in conventional cages. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
How reliable is the Bispectral Index in critically ill patients? A prospective, comparative, single-blinded observer study*

Objective To establish a correlation between a reliable subjective measure, the Sedation-Agitation Scale (SAS), and an objective tool, the Bispectral Index (BIS), for monitoring critically ill patients with a decreased level of consciousness. Design Prospective, comparative, single-blinded observer study. Setting Surgical and medical intensive care units of the Tufts-New England Medical Center, a 349-bed tertiary care, academic medical center. Patients A convenience sample of 20 adult, critically ill patients with a decreased level of consciousness. The data from one patient were excluded because the patient did not meet inclusion criteria. Measurements and Main Results Patients were prospectively evaluated by a blinded observer using the SAS to subjectively determine their level of consciousness. Sedation levels varied from unarousable (SAS score of 1), to very sedated (SAS score of 2), to mildly sedated (SAS score of 3). Simultaneously, the patients were continuously monitored for 4–6 hrs with the BIS device. There was wide variability in BIS scores for any given level of consciousness as compared with the SAS. Unarousable patients had BIS scores ranging from 23 to 97, with a median score of 50 and an interquartile range of 24. Very sedated patients had BIS scores ranging from 35 to 98, with a median score of 68 and an interquartile range of 36. Mildly sedated patients had BIS scores ranging from 67 to 91, with a median score of 76 and an interquartile range of 8. Overall, there was a less than satisfactory correlation between BIS values and SAS scores (r = .36, p < .001). However, the correlation improved with subgroup analysis when BIS values associated with excessive muscle movement were excluded (r = .50, p < .001). Conclusions The correlation between SAS and BIS scores was suboptimal and inconsistent in a heterogeneous group of critically ill patients. The generation of BIS hardware and software, studied herein, is neither reliable nor valid for routinely monitoring the level of consciousness in the critically ill patient. Excessive muscle movement by the patient is an important and spurious influence on BIS values and seriously undermines BIS reliability.
Common genetic variation and antidepressant efficacy in major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of three genome-wide pharmacogenetic studies.

OBJECTIVE Indirect evidence suggests that common genetic variation contributes to individual differences in antidepressant efficacy among individuals with major depressive disorder, but previous studies may have been underpowered to detect these effects. METHOD A meta-analysis was performed on data from three genome-wide pharmacogenetic studies (the Genome-Based Therapeutic Drugs for Depression [GENDEP] project, the Munich Antidepressant Response Signature [MARS] project, and the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression [STAR*D] study), which included 2,256 individuals of Northern European descent with major depressive disorder, and antidepressant treatment outcomes were prospectively collected. After imputation, 1.2 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms were tested, capturing common variation for association with symptomatic improvement and remission after up to 12 weeks of antidepressant treatment. RESULTS No individual association met a genome-wide threshold for statistical significance in the primary analyses. A polygenic score derived from a meta-analysis of GENDEP and MARS participants accounted for up to approximately 1.2% of the variance in outcomes in STAR*D, suggesting a weakly concordant signal distributed over many polymorphisms. An analysis restricted to 1,354 individuals treated with citalopram (STAR*D) or escitalopram (GENDEP) identified an intergenic region on chromosome 5 associated with early improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS Despite increased statistical power accorded by meta-analysis, the authors identified no reliable predictors of antidepressant treatment outcome, although they did identify modest, direct evidence that common genetic variation contributes to individual differences in antidepressant response.
Comparing sociodemographic and hospital influences on breastfeeding initiation.

BACKGROUND Healthy breastfeeding practice in the United States depends decisively on high rates of initiation at the delivery hospital. We sought to estimate the component of hospital variation in rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge that was dependent on demographic composition. Isolating that component can help to illuminate the potential independent contribution of hospital policies, practices, and staff behaviors. METHODS Electronic birth certificate data in New Jersey from 1996 to 2001 (n = 545,837) were used to measure variations in hospital-level rates of breastfeeding initiation. The method of infant feeding within 24 hours before hospital discharge was reported as exclusive breastfeeding, formula feeding, combination feedings, other methods, and unknown. Rates of exclusive breastfeeding by hospital were standardized to remove sociodemographic differences in hospitals' service populations that influence initiation rates. RESULTS Sociodemographic variables predicted about 60 percent of the variation in hospital-specific rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. Hospitals that were designated intensive or regional perinatal centers, delivered higher volumes of infants, and served more breastfeeding-prone populations were only slightly more likely to have higher adjusted rates compared with other hospitals; considerable unexplained variation remained. CONCLUSIONS Standardized exclusive breastfeeding rates pointed to the contribution of population demographics to breastfeeding initiation, and other contributions, including hospital practices, are also important. To protect, promote, and support breastfeeding, a more detailed evidence base on hospital policies and practices should be developed, and hospitals should review their policies and practices in light of documented best breastfeeding practice.
au Production of Induced Secondary Metabolites by a Co-Culture of Sponge-Associated Actinomycetes , Actinokineospora sp . EG 49 and Nocardiopsis sp . RV 163

Two sponge-derived actinomycetes, Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163, were grown in co-culture and the presence of induced metabolites monitored by 1 H NMR. Ten known compounds, including angucycline, diketopiperazine and β-carboline derivatives 1–10, were isolated from the EtOAc extracts of Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163. Co-cultivation of Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163 induced the biosynthesis of three natural products that were not detected in the single culture of either microorganism, namely N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-acetamide (11), 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine (12) and 5a,6,11a,12-tetrahydro-5a,11a-dimethyl[1,4]benzoxazino[3,2-b][1,4]benzoxazine (13a). When tested for biological activity against a range of bacteria and parasites, only the phenazine 12 was active against Bacillus sp. P25, Trypanosoma brucei and interestingly, against Actinokineospora sp. EG49. These findings highlight the co-cultivation approach as an effective strategy to access the bioactive secondary metabolites hidden in the genomes of marine actinomycetes. OPEN ACCESS Mar. Drugs 2014, 12 3047
STUDY OF GERMINATING BACILLUS CEREUS SPORES EMPLOYING TELEVISION MICROSCOPY OF LIVING CELLS AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF ULTRATHIN SECTIONS

The literature on spore germination fails to provide conclusive evidence concerning the origin and time of appearance of the vegetative cell wall. Reports range from the belief that the inner of two spore coats becomes the germ cell wall (Brefeld, 1881) to the statement that the germ cell wall is not pre-existent in the spore but is formed during germination (Preisz, 1919; Knaysi et al., 1947; Knaysi, 1955). The technique of ultrathin sectioning has led to the discovery of some interesting facts concerning spore structure and spore formation (Robinow, 1953; Chapman, 1956). It seemed reasonable, therefore, to apply the method in an attempt to determine the origin of the vegetative cell wall. The application of television microscopy of living cells permitted the establishment of appropriate time intervals for the fixing of samples for embedding and ultrathin sectioning (Zworykin and Chapman, 1956).