Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extracurricular participation in research and audit by medical students: Opportunities, obstacles, motivation and outcomes

Background: Medical students should learn to critically evaluate research to inform future evidence-based practice. Participation in research and audit at medical school can help develop these skills whilst prompting interest in academic pursuits. Aims: We investigate medical student attitudes and participation in extracurricular research and audit focusing on their opportunities, obstacles, motivation and outcomes. Method: A 60-item questionnaire was distributed to final-year medical students graduating from the University of Nottingham Medical School in the United Kingdom. Results: A total of 238 questionnaires were returned (response rate 75%). Of these, 86% felt research or audit experience was useful for medical students. The main driver for involvement was curriculum vitae (CV) improvement (51%). Male students and those involved in extracurricular research were more likely to agree that this experience should influence selection into training programmes (p = 0.017, p = 0.0036). Overall, 91 respondents (38%) had been involved in such activity with a mean number of projects undertaken of two (range one to four). Those interested in a surgical career were most likely to have undertaken projects (58%). Frequently cited obstacles to involvement were time constraints (74%) and a perceived lack of interest from potential supervisors (63%). Conclusions: Despite significant CV motivation, many are enthusiastic regarding extracurricular research opportunities but frustrated by obstacles faced. Our study suggests there is scope for providing further opportunities to participate in such activities at medical school.
Metabolic Effects of Long-Acting Somatostatin Analogue (Sandostatin) in Type I Diabetic Patients on Conventional Therapy

We evaluated the effectiveness of a more potent and longer-acting somatostatin analogue (SMS 201–995) as an adjunct to insulin therapy, in a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study of 26 C-peptide-negative type I (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients (20 women, 6 men, aged 22–40 yr) on their conventional drug regimens for 12 wk. Eight patients received a low dose (10 μg) of the analogue, 9 received a high dose (50 μg) of the analogue, and 9 received placebo subcutaneously before breakfast and dinner. Twenty-four-hour serum glucose, free insulin, plasma growth hormone (GH), and glucagon profiles were obtained before and during treatment at 4-wk intervals. The mean age, duration of diabetes, daily insulin dose, and body weight were not significantly different among the groups. The mean weekly capillary blood glucose values and exogenous insulin requirements were not changed by the SMS 201–995 therapy. Mean glycosylated hemoglobin A1 levels were unchanged in both the analogue- and placebo-treated groups at wk 12. Basal and postprandial glucose, free insulin, GH, and glucagon profiles were not influenced by the SMS 201–995 therapy throughout the study. Nocturnal glucose turnover rates (D-[3-3H]glucose technique) remained unaltered by the analogue therapy. Dose-dependent gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects (e.g., diarrhea) were documented in the analogue-treated patients. Visual acuity and fundic photomicrographs of our patients were not changed by the analogue therapy. In conclusion, the prominent adverse GI effects our patients experienced preclude the use of larger doses of the analogue that may be necessary to suppress GH and glucagon and improve glucose control in type I diabetic patients.
Persistent infection of a glioma cell line generates a Theiler's virus variant which fails to induce demyelinating disease in SJL/J mice.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces demyelinating disease which is associated with persistent virus infection of the central nervous system. To study the interaction between TMEV and host cells, we infected the G26-20 glioma cell line in vitro, and this resulted in a lytic infection in which most, but not all, cells were killed. Surviving cells divided and formed a viable monolayer in which a small proportion of cells displayed viral cytopathic effects. Levels of virus produced by these cultures over a 6 month period fluctuated between 6 and 8 log10 p.f. u. /ml as measured by viral plaque assay. Similarly, the percentage of cells producing both viral antigen and viral RNA, as measured by a simultaneous immunoperoxidase/in situ hybridization technique, varied between 5 and 30%. Although persistently infected cultures were susceptible to challenge by both vesicular stomatitis virus and herpes simplex virus, they were resistant to infection by homologous viruses. Interferon activity was not identified. TMEV isolated from passage 12 produced smaller plaques than wild-type Daniels strain virus (wt-DAV) on L-2 cell monolayers. In contrast to demyelination induced in SJL/J mice after intracerebral inoculation with wt-DAV, mice infected with the small plaque variant virus failed to develop viral persistence or chronic demyelination. However, following immunosuppression by total body irradiation, SJL/J mice infected with the small plaque variant developed viral persistence but no demyelination. Characterization of the biochemical and molecular determinants of the variant will lead to a better understanding of determinants important in viral persistence.
β‐Catenin (CTNNB1) gene amplification: A new mechanism of protein overexpression in cancer

β‐Catenin nuclear translocation is frequently observed in different types of malignancies, including gastric cancer. In gastric cancer, however, the molecular mechanisms leading to accumulation of this protein in the nucleus remain unknown. In this setting, β‐catenin (CTNNB1) mutations have been reported, but studies of mutation frequency have yielded conflicting results. Mutations or silencing of other partners of β‐catenin (i.e., APC and AXIN) are also considered rare genetic events in gastric tumorigenesis. Gene amplification is a common mechanism of activation and/or overexpression of oncogenes in gastric and other cancers. In this study, we investigated whether gene amplification is a possible mechanism of β‐catenin activation in gastric cancer by determining its presence in 49 patients with gastric cancer and two gastric‐derived cell lines (KATO III and ST2957). Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we identified β‐catenin amplification in one of the tumor samples as well as in KATO III cells. β‐Catenin immunostaining revealed nuclear translocation of the protein in both cases. In the KATO III cells, β‐catenin overexpression was confirmed by quantitative real‐time PCR and Western blot analyses and β‐catenin gene amplification by Southern blot analysis and multiplex ligation probe amplification. In the KATO III cell line, no correlation was found between β‐catenin nuclear translocation and increased expression of the WNT1 target gene CCND1 (cyclin D1). Our data suggest that gene amplification is a possible mechanism of β‐catenin overexpression in cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
[Clinical risk factors for proliferative vitreoretinopathy after retinal detachment surgery].

PURPOSE To identify the clinical risk factors for the development of severe proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) after scleral buckling procedures for retinal detachment (RD). METHODS A retrospective study of 124 patients with rhegmatogeneus RD treated initially with buckling procedures, with either no PVR or with no PVR of grade C-l or less at initial examination was conducted. After surgery, severe PVR was defined as grade C-2 or worse. Univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression evaluated the data relating to 34 statistical series (96 variables). RESULTS Severe PVR develop after surgery in 13 patients (10.48%). Seven significant predictive variables were identified: grade A preoperative PVR (p=0.005), detachment involving more than 2 quadrants (p=0.019), preoperative vitreous traction (p=0.002), intravitreal injection (p=0.046), scleral perforation (p=0.001), unsealed break (p=0.001), and postoperative vitreous traction (p=0.012). CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that in addition to the extent of detachment, and presence of preoperative inflammation or low grade PVR, iatrogenic problems also are important factors in the pathogenesis of severe PVR after surgery for RD.
Up‐Regulation of Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase mRNA in Reactive Astrocytes Following Traumatic Brain Injury in the Rat

Abstract: Type 2 5′‐deiodinase (5′‐D2), which converts thyroxine to the more active thyroid hormone 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3), is believed to be an important source of intracellular T3 in the brain. The activity of this enzyme is increased in hypothyroidism and decreased in hyperthyroidism, and as such, it serves an important role to protect the brain from wide fluctuations in T3 during changes in thyroidal state. Although it has been hypothesized that T3 may facilitate neuronal regeneration after CNS injury, the 5′‐D2 response to brain injury is unknown. To assess the 5′‐D2 mRNA response to injury, we performed in situ hybridization following traumatic brain injury. In unlesioned animals, 5′‐D2 mRNA was undetectable. At 3 days posttrauma, 5′‐D2 mRNA was detected in ipsilateral cortex near the contusion. A significant further increase of 5′‐D2 mRNA was noted 7 days posttrauma in both hippocampus and cortex. Similar response was also observed on the contralateral side. Colocalization of 5′‐D2 mRNA with glial fibrillary acidic protein indicates that reactive astrocytes were the major cellular source for the trauma‐induced 5′‐D2 expression. These data demonstrate, for the first time, a trauma‐induced, astrocytic up‐regulation of 5′‐D2 mRNA, suggesting a potential role for T3 action in adult brain's response to injury and recovery.
Adenocarcinoma arising within a gastric duplication cyst

A rare case of carcinoma arising within a gastric duplication cyst in a 72 year old woman is presented. This is the oldest patient in whom neoplastic transformation of this usually benign developmental abnormality has been reported. The clinical and pathologic features of this patient are demonstrated and reviewed in the context of prior reported cases. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A critical role of CD30 ligand/CD30 in controlling inflammatory bowel diseases in mice.

BACKGROUND & AIMS A CD30-ligand (CD30L) is a 40-kilodalton, type II membrane-associated glycoprotein belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family. Serum levels of soluble CD30 increased in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), suggesting that CD30L/CD30 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of IBD. In this study, we investigated the role of CD30L in oxazolone (OXA)- and trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in CD30L knockout (KO) mice. METHODS Colitis was induced by OXA or TNBS in CD30LKO mice with BALB/c or C57BL/6 background, respectively, and diverse clinical signs of the disease were evaluated. Cytokine production from lamina propria T cells of the colon was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-interleukin (IL)-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) or agonistic anti-CD30 mAb was inoculated in mice with colitis induced by OXA or TNBS. RESULTS CD30LKO mice were susceptible to OXA-induced colitis but resistant to TNBS-induced acute colitis. The levels of T helper cell 2 type cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-13 in the LP T cells were significantly higher, but the levels of interferon gamma were lower in OXA- or TNBS-treated CD30LKO mice than in wild-type mice. In vivo administration of agonistic anti-CD30 mAb ameliorated OXA-induced colitis but aggravated TNBS-induced colitis in CD30LKO mice. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that CD30L/CD30 signaling is involved in development of both OXA- and TNBS-induced colitis. Modulation of CD30L/CD30 signaling by mAb could be a novel biologic therapy for IBD.
Hand Grip — A Simple Test for Morbidity after Fracture of the Neck of Femur

Seventy-six female patients, having sustained a fracture of the neck of femur, were assessed preoperatively by measuring their muscle strength in the form of grip using a hand-held dynamometer and by measuring serum albumin. A grip strength of less than 15 kg was found to be a reliable predictor of subsequent postoperative complications in female patients over the age of 80. Serum albumin had no predictive value. There was no significant difference in complication rates between different surgeons.
A Low Concentration of Tacrolimus/Semifluorinated Alkane (SFA) Eyedrop Suppresses Intraocular Inflammation in Experimental Models of Uveitis

Purpose: Corticosteroids remain the mainstay therapy for uveitis, a major cause of blindness in the working age population. However, a substantial number of patients cannot benefit from the therapy due to steroids resistance or intolerance. Tacrolimus has been used to treat refractory uveitis through systemic administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of 0.03% tacrolimus eyedrop in mouse models of uveitis. Methods: 0.03% tacrolimus in perfluorobutylpentane (F4H5) (0.03% Tacrolimus/SFA) was formulated using a previously published protocol. Tacrolimus suspended in PBS (0.03% Tacrolimus/PBS) was used as a control. In addition, 0.1% dexamethasone (0.1% DXM) was used as a standard therapy control. Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) were induced in adult C57BL/6 mice using protocols described previously. Mice were treated with eyedrops three times/day immediately after EIU induction for 48 h or from day 14 to day 25 post-immunization (for EAU). Clinical and histological examinations were conducted at the end of the experiment. Pharmacokinetics study was conducted in mice with and without EIU. At different times after eyedrop treatment, ocular tissues were collected for tacrolimus measurement. Results: The 0.03% Tacrolimus/SFA eyedrop treatment reduced the clinical scores and histological scores of intraocular inflammation in both EIU and EAU to the levels similar to 0.1% DXM eyedrop treatment. The 0.03% Tacrolimus/PBS did not show any suppressive effect in EIU and EAU. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that 15 min after topical administration of 0.03% Tacrolimus/SFA, low levels of tacrolimus were detected in the retina (48 ng/g tissue) and vitreous (2.5 ng/ml) in normal mouse eyes, and the levels were significantly higher in EIU eyes (102 ng/g tissue in the retina and 24 ng/ml in the vitreous). Tacrolimus remained detectable in intraocular tissues of EIU eyes 6 h after topical administration (68 ng/g retinal tissue, 10 ng/ml vitreous). Only background levels of tacrolimus were detected in the retina (2-8 ng/g tissue) after 0.03% Tacrolimus/PBS eyedrop administration. Conclusion: 0.03% Tacrolimus/SFA eyedrop can penetrate ocular barrier and reach intraocular tissue at therapeutic levels in mouse eyes, particularly under inflammatory conditions. 0.03% Tacrolimus/SFA eyedrop may have therapeutic potentials for inflammatory eye diseases including uveitis.
Performance Analysis of RSS Fingerprinting Based Indoor Localization

Indoor localization has been an active research field for decades, where received signal strength (RSS) fingerprinting based methodology is widely adopted and induces many important localization techniques, such as the recently proposed one building fingerprints database with crowdsourcing. While efforts have been dedicated to improve accuracy and efficiency of localization, performance of the RSS fingerprinting based methodology itself is still unknown in a theoretical perspective. In this paper, we present a general probabilistic model to shed light on a fundamental issue: how good the RSS fingerprinting based indoor localization can achieve? Concretely, we present the probability that a user can be localized in a region with certain size. We reveal the interaction among accuracy, reliability, and the number of measurements in the localization process. Moreover, we present the optimal fingerprints reporting strategy that can achieve the best localization accuracy with given reliability and the number of measurements, which provides a design guideline for the RSS fingerprinting based indoor localization system. Further, we analyze the influence of imperfect database information on the reliability of localization, and find that the impact of imperfect information is still under control with reasonable number of samplings when building the database.
Tauiwi1 General Practitioners’ Explanations of Maori2 Health: Colonial Relations in Primary Healthcare in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

This article reports initial findings from qualitative research investigating how general practitioners talk about Maori health. Transcripts of semistructured interviews with 25 general practitioners from urban Auckland were subjected to critical discursive analyses. Through this process of intensive, analytic reading, interpretative repertoires—patterns of words and images about a particular topic—were identified. This article presents the main features of one such repertoire, termed Maori Morbidity, that the general practitioners used in accounting for poor Maori health status. Our participants were drawing upon a circumscribed pool of ideas and explaining the inequalities in health between Maori and Tauiwi in ways that gave primacy to characteristics of Maori and their culture. We discuss the implications of this conclusion for relations between Maori patients and Tauiwi doctors in primary healthcare settings.
Ownership structure and earnings management: evidence from Jordan

The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between internal corporate governance mechanism and earnings management of Jordanian companies. More specifically, the author examines several hypotheses regarding the relationships between ownership and earnings management. ,This study measures the magnitude of discretionary accruals as a proxy for earnings management using the cross-sectional modified Jones model. A number of econometric techniques are used including ordinary least squares and generalized least squares to test the relationship between company ownership and earnings management, using a sample of 62 companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange. ,The results revealed that insider managerial ownership, institutional ownership, external blockholder, family ownership and foreign ownership have superior influence on financial reporting quality, as it is, to a greater extent, potentially able to curtail earnings management. The findings contended that the aspects of ownership structure have a significant influence on earnings management, which is in agreement with the theories of corporate governance and opinions that have been highlighted through a number of international bodies. ,Due to lack of data, the paper depends on cross-sectional data applied to isolate abnormal accruals. ,The evidence may be conceivably beneficial as a supporting fundamental for regulatory action, particularly those that affect the ownership structure. The findings have significant implications for regulators as well as supervisors, who will benefit by the comprehension of how ownership structure affects earnings management and enhance financial reporting quality. ,The current research produced its essential contribution through empirically displaying that ownership structure has different implications on earnings management. Moreover, the results recommended that both policymakers and researchers would no longer contemplate ownership structure as a whole, given that ownership structure has different implications on earnings management, measured by the discretionary accruals.
Effect of iodixanol on renal function immediately after abdominal angiography

Purpose: To investigate the acute renal effects of three contrast media in a double-blind randomized parallel-group study. The contrast media investigated were: the nonionic dimeric iso-osmolality medium iodixanol; the nonionic monomeric medium iomeprol; and the ionic dimeric medium ioxaglate. Material and Methods: A total of 30 patients were given the following doses of contrast medium: 10 patients received iodixanol 320 mg I/ml; 10 received iomeprol 300 mg I/ml; and 10 received ioxaglate 320 mg I/ml. The doses were given intra-arterially at routine abdominal angiography and the renal effects of these three contrast media were studied for up to 120 min after injection. Results: The urinary minute volume increased immediately after angiography but tended to return to baseline values after 120 min; these changes were more pronounced with iomeprol and ioxaglate than with iodixanol. Creatinine clearance was not reduced by any of the contrast media. Fraction excretion of sodium increased immediately and lasted for 30 min after angiography; these changes were more pronounced with ioxaglate than with iomeprol and iodixanol. Urinary γ-glutamyl transferase increased for 120 min after angiography with iodixanol and iomeprol; these changes were more pronounced with iomeprol than with iodixanol. On the other hand, urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase increased for 120 min after angiography with iomeprol, but was unchanged with iodixanol. Conclusion: The use of contrast media induces osmotic diuresis and its acute effects on the proximal tubular function. However, the iso-osmolality medium iodixanol induces fewer changes than the other two media.
Criteria for the Prenatal Diagnosis of Holoprosencephaly

Holoprosencephaly is a congenital anomaly of the central nervous system whose prenatal sonographic appearance may to similar to that of ventriculomegaly. A clear differential diagnosis is extremely important because the two conditions have different prognoses and therefore require different obstetric management. Eight cases of prenatally recognized holoprosencephaly are analyzed and criteria for a specific diagnosis proposed. The specificity and limitations of ultrasound findings, such as identification of a holoventricle, presence of a dorsal sac, and facial anomalies are discussed.
Modified surgical techniques of free vascularized fibular grafting for treatment of the osteonecrosis of femoral head: Results from a series of 407 cases

The goal for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is to relieve pain, preserve the contour of the femoral head, and delay the need for total hip arthroplasty. The free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) has been shown to support the subchondral architecture as well as restore local circulation for the necrotic femoral head in treatment of ONFH. This report aimed to present the clinical results of the use of a modified surgical technique of FVFG for treatment of ONFH. Four hundred and seven patients with 578 hips of ONFH were included. The patients' average age was 36.7 years old (ranging 19–55 years old). The disease was staged from II to V based on the Steinberg classification system. By the modified procedure, the vascularized fibular graft was harvested via a lateral incision with fibular osteotomy prior to the exposure of the vascular pedicle, and the removal of necrotic tissue and inset of graft were performed through an anterior approach. The operative time averaged 90 min for unilateral ONFH (ranging 75–110 min) and 190 min for simultaneous treatment of bilateral ONFH (ranging 160–230 min). The average length of follow‐up was 5.0 years (ranging 3–10 years). The complications included one infection in one case, temporary loss of sensation of the thigh in eleven cases, and restricted motion of the great toe in nine cases. The Harris hip score of patients improved from 65.0 to 86.9 on average. Radiographic evaluation showed no changes in 331 hips (57.3%), improvement in 195 hips (33.7%) and necrosis progression in 52 hips (9.0%). Twenty‐three hips (4.0%) in 20 patients had total hip arthroplasty during the period. These results show that the modified technique of the use of FVFG for treatment of ONFH yields similar postoperative results in comparison to the traditional method. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:646–651, 2013.