Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osmotic effects on the CA1 neuronal population in hippocampal slices with special reference to glucose.

1. Lowered osmolality promotes epileptiform activity both clinically and in the hippocampal slice preparation, but it is unclear how neurons are excited. We studied the effects of altered osmolality on the electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices by the use of field and intracellular recordings. The excitability of these neurons under various osmotic conditions was gauged by population spike (PS) amplitude, single cell properties, and evoked synaptic input. 2. The orthodromic PS recorded in stratum pyramidale and the field excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) in stratum radiatum were inversely proportional in amplitude to the artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) osmolality over a range of +/- 80 milliosmoles/kgH2O (mosM). The effect was osmotic because changes occurred within the time frame expected for cellular expansion or shrinkage and because permeable substances such as dimethyl sulfoxide or glycerol were without effect. Dilutional changes in ACSF constituents were experimentally ruled out as promoting excitability. 3. To test whether the field data resulted from a change in single-cell excitability, CA1 cells were intracellularly recorded during exposure to +/- 40 mosM ACSF over 15 min. There was no consistent effect upon CA1 resting potential, cell input resistance, or action potential threshold. 4. Osmotic alteration of orthodromic and antidromic field potentials might involve a change in axonal excitability. However, the evoked afferent volley recorded in CA1 stratum pyramidale or radiatum, which represents the compound action potential (CAP) generated in presynaptic axons, remained osmotically unresponsive with regard to amplitude, duration, or latency. This was also characteristic of CAPs evoked in isolated sciatic and vagus nerve preparations exposed to +/- 80 mosM. Therefore axonal excitability and associated extracellular current flow generated periaxonally are not significantly affected by osmotic shifts. 5. The osmotic effect on field potential amplitudes appeared to be independent of synaptic transmission because the inverse relationship with osmolality held for the antidromically evoked PS. Moreover, as recorded with respect to ground, the intracellular EPSP-inhibitory postsynaptic potential (IPSP) sequence (evoked from CA3 stratum radiatum) was not altered by osmolality. 6. The PS could occasionally be recorded intracellularly as a brief negativity interrupting the evoked EPSP. In hyposmotic ACSF, the amplitude increased and action potentials arose from the trough of the negativity as expected for a field effect. This is presumably the result of enhanced intracellular channeling of current caused by the increased extracellular resistance that accompanies cellular swelling. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
HYDRENCEPHALY IN A BABY AFTER AN AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT TO THE MOTHER: CASE REPORT AND AUTOPSY

Summary A woman at the 22nd week of pregnancy crashed in an aircraft. She suffered severe traumatic shock and had her left lower leg amputated. At operation to screw the symphysis pubis, the uterus was found to be uninjured. The baby, born at the 38th week, showed retarded mental development with poor temperature control. Autopsy, at the age of 6 weeks, demonstrated hydrencephaly. The scarcity of information on the outcome of injuries to pregnant women is emphasized. Brief reference is made to the literature on hydrencephaly, concerning both morphology and pathogenesis; infection by Toxoplasma gondii is a direct cause whereas vascular factors may be implicated by inference only. In the present case the period of maternal circulatory insufficiency following the accident is postulated as the cause of the hydrencephaly.
Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of patients presenting at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria: a prospective study of 2501 subjects

Background Echocardiography remains a key noninvasive cardiac investigative tool in the management of patients, especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the indications for transthoracic echocardiography and spectrum of cardiac disease found in patients referred to our cardiac unit for echocardiography. Methods A prospective two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous, and color-flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was done using the transthoracic approach in 2501 patients over an eight-year period. Univariate data analysis was performed for mean age, gender, clinical indications, and diagnoses. Results The subject age range was less than 12 months to 97 years (mean 52.39 years). There were 1352 (54.06%) males and 1149 (45.94%) females. The most common indication for echocardiography was hypertension (52.1%) followed by congestive cardiac failure (13.9%). Others were for screening (6.1%), arrhythmias (5%), cerebrovascular disease (5%), chest pain (3.3%), chronic kidney disease (3.2%), congenital heart disease (2.6%), cardiomyopathy (1.8%), rheumatic heart disease (1.7%), diabetes mellitus (1.3%), thyrocardiac disease (1.2%), ischemic heart disease (1.2%), and pericardial disease (1.1%). The echocardiographic diagnosis was hypertensive heart disease in 59.4% of subjects and normal in 14.1%. Other echocardiographic diagnoses included rheumatic heart disease (3.1%), congenital heart disease (2.1%), cardiomyopathy (1.7%), pericardial disease (1.1%), and ischemic heart disease (0.1%). Conclusion Hypertension and its cardiac complications is the most common echocardiographic indication and diagnosis at our unit.
Adaptive minimum supply voltage for subthreshold circuits considering noise margin and PT variations

The autonomous, energy-harvesting devices need to maintain tasks with power consumption as low as possible. Scaling down the digital supply voltage into subthreshold range is one of the effective schemes. However, the signal integrity, depending on hard-to-predict inter- and intra-die process variations, restricts the voltage scalability. The minimum supply voltage varies with processes and environments, and the predefined minimum operating voltage may cause functional errors. This work therefore proposes an adaptive formulation of the minimum supply voltage. Compared with previous works, the proposed formulation enhances the effectiveness by considering noise margin and process variations. The formulation also leads to the low-overhead implementation, enabling the run-time calculation in the power-constrained devices.
Treatment of Articular Cartilage Defects

A RTICULAR CARTILAGE IS a wonderful thing” was stated by Henry Mankin, MD, describing the mechanical properties of the white, smooth, and glossy tissue in synovial joints.1 Articular cartilage provides diarthrodial joints with remarkably resilient and long-lasting gliding surfaces capable of self-renewal and self-lubrication, thereby supporting joint function with a coefficient of friction approximately one fifth that of ice on ice. These biomechanical properties allow the transmission of joint loading from one skeletal element to another and to dissipate stress in a way that is far beyond the properties of the polished metal and polyethylene that are used in total joint replacement. Articular cartilage is composed of a hydrated gel matrix including a well-ordered network of type II collagen fibers that are linked to macromolecules of proteoglycans lined up on long filaments of hyaluronate. Other small amounts of essential molecules like types IX and XI collagen, fibronectin, decorin, or biglycan serve to build up the pristine architecture of articular cartilage and are not yet fully understood. Although the ultrastructural appearance of cartilage suggests a random arrangement of the components, the ordered structure is an essential feature of this tissue. The remarkable biomechanical properties are strictly related to the structure and chemical composition of healthy, articular cartilage. 2
Long-term prognostic value of positive peritoneal washing in colon cancer.

BACKGROUND We examined the potential prognostic value of free malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity of patients with colon adenocarcinoma. METHODS In 1991 and 1992, 88 patients underwent peritoneal washing with cytologic analysis immediately before elective colon resection for adenocarcinoma with no evidence of peritoneal metastases. Peritoneal washing fluid was collected before abdominal exploration, centrifuged immediately, and stained with the May-Grünwald-Giemsa and Harris Shorr methods. Malignancy was defined as recommended by Papanicolaou. RESULTS Free malignant cells in peritoneal fluid (positive peritoneal washing) were found in 25 of 88 (28%) patients (Dukes A, 0 of 11; Dukes B, 10 of 31; Dukes C, 11 of 37; Dukes D, 4 of 9). The positivity rate was 24 of 75 (32%) among patients with tumours involving the serous layer and 1 of 13 (8%) among the others (P = 0.0989). With a follow-up of 66.7 to 78.7 months the 5-year survival rates were 48% (95% confidence interval, 28.4-67.6) and 68% (95% CI, 56.2-79.8) among patients with positive and negative peritoneal washing, respectively (P = 0.09). Positive peritoneal washing was not significantly associated with survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION The presence of free malignant cells in the peritoneal cavity of patients with colon cancer provided no further prognostic information relative to the Dukes classification in this study. Nevertheless, further study is needed, particularly in a larger series of Dukes B patients, for whom a new prognostic factor would be useful for deciding adjuvant therapy.
Antibiotic therapy in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: rifaximin versus metronidazole.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Few controlled trials on antibiotic therapy for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth are available at present. Aim of the study was to assess efficacy, safety and tolerability of rifaximin with respect to metronidazole for the treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 142 consecutive patients with diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Diagnosis of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth based on the clinical history and the positivity of glucose breath test. Patients were randomised to two 7-day treatment groups: rifaximin 1200 mg/day and metronidazole 750 mg/day. Glucose breath test was reassessed 1 month after. Compliance and side-effect incidence were also evaluated. RESULTS One drop-out was observed in rifaximin group. Five drops-out occurred in metronidazole group. The glucose breath test normalization rate was significantly higher in the rifaximin with respect to the metronidazole group (63.4% versus 43.7%; p < 0.05; OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.14-4.38). The overall prevalence of adverse events was significantly lower in rifaximin with respect to metronidazole group. DISCUSSION Rifaximin showed an higher SIBO decontamination rate than metronidazole at the tested doses, both with a significant gain in terms of tolerability. Either the present study or recent evidencies suggest that rifaximin represents a good choice for the management of patients affected by SIBO.
Recombinant soybean protein beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit expression and induced hypersensitivity reaction in rats.

BACKGROUND The major storage protein in soybean seed is beta-conglycinin and this protein has been identified as being responsible for food-allergic reactions in several species. However, the mechanism through which beta-conglycinin induces an allergic reaction has not yet been elucidated. In addition, assessing the antigenic activity of beta-conglycinin by studying the activity of a subunit has rarely been conducted. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize the antigenic specificity of the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit. METHODS We established an Escherichia coli expression system to obtain beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit. The fusion proteins were then used in a rat model to induce a hypersensitive reaction. Immunoblotting, IgE and IgG1 level, histamine release, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions and intestinal histology were tested to assess the allergenic activity of the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit. RESULTS Pure beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit was obtained by expression in E. coli. The recombinant proteins were shown to have the same biological activity as the natural beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit using immunoblotting analysis. Both the IgE and IgG1 level in serum and the histamine concentration in the intestine were increased while passive cutaneous anaphylactic reactions were induced in Brown Norway rats by intragastric gavage with the alpha'-subunit. Histamine release of mast cells was also elevated in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit possesses an intrinsic immune-stimulating capacity and that it can induce an allergic reaction. Moreover, this study showed that beta-conglycinin alpha'-subunit-induced anaphylaxis is IgE mediated, and mast cell degranulation and histamine release are associated with anaphylactic symptoms.
Colour Extended Visual Cryptography based on MKGED

Visual Cryptography is a technique used to protect image based secrets. In this work, encryption method based on Modified Kernel based Gaussian Error Diffusion (MKGED) for colour extended visual cryptography, for visual quality improvement. This work depends on two important parameters and they are cluster centre points � � and pseudo covariance matrix � �. On analysis, it is found that the performance of our proposed system is much better than existing methodologies and is proved by Peak-to-Signal-Noise Ratio (PSNR) value, Normalized Correlation Coefficient (NCC) and Mean Square Error (MSE).
Obesity Prevention, Screening, and Treatment: Practices of Pediatric Providers Since the 2007 Expert Committee Recommendations

This study surveyed pediatric primary care providers at a major academic center regarding their attitudes and practices of obesity screening, prevention, and treatment. The authors compared the care providers’ reported practices to the 2007 American Medical Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Expert Committee Recommendations to evaluate their adherence to the guidelines and differences based on level of training and specialty. Of 96 providers surveyed, less than half used the currently recommended criteria for identifying children who are overweight (24.7%) and obese (34.4%), with attendings more likely to use the correct criteria than residents (P < .05). Although most providers felt comfortable counseling patients and families about the prevention of overweight and obesity, the majority felt their counseling was not effective. There was considerable variability in reported practices of lab screening and referral patterns of overweight and obese children. More efforts are needed to standardize providers’ approach to overweight and obese children.
Convoluted path, invisible force and girls' education in Ghana

The prognosis in tomorrow’s crowded competitive economic environment will be for people to sharpen their skills, build their capacities and obtain the requisite succours that can enable them achieve their dreams especially, those already disadvantaged by natural collage and human disarrangements. Even though local or indigenous knowledge is appropriate in this regard, it does not suffice as a contrivance that can radically stimulate long term growth, and by transforming or renovating human aptitude as formal education does. This study examines whether there were any differences between parents educational status and girls acquisition of formal education and the effect of girls’ acquisition of formal education. In conducting this study, a mixed method approach was adopted. The study revealed that the probability of girls acquiring formal education in Ghana can be directly related to the educational status of their parents. Thus, there were significant relationships in the response variables. About 76% of the respondents believed that formal education can help the girl child achieve her dreams in future while 24% of respondents shared a different view. In this study, we argue that any effort at promoting or enhancing the acquisition of formal education for girls in Ghana must be focused on putting greater emphasis on influencing the perception and personal beliefs of parents who have never been to school before. This is because parents provide a source of motivation and model for their children. The study concludes that the educational status of parents has a direct effect on the future of girls.
Stress in Portuguese Middle School Transition: A Multilevel Analysis

Abstract Transition from elementary to middle school is commonly seen as a period of stress, impacting students’ school adjustment. The present longitudinal study aimed to analyze the difference in stress levels between the end of 4th grade and 5th grade, while also analyzing gender differences and 5th grade retention. Two hundred fifty-eight 4th grade students (M age = 9.55; SD = 0.77) from six Portuguese public schools, from the municipality of Torres Vedras, participated in this study. Self-report questionnaires were administered at the end of the 4th and 5th grades, and 5th grade school records were also collected. Results showed that 5th graders present higher levels of Academic Stress (d = .29) and Teacher/Rules Stress (d = .28). Girls had a greater increase of Peer-related Stress with the transition (p < .01). Students who were retained at the end of 5th grade showed higher increases of Teacher/Rules Stress (p < .05). Intervention programs that aim to support the transition from elementary to middle school are needed, in order to reduce the increase of stress levels at 5th grade and to promote a better school adjustment in the first year of middle school.
Production Of Heterozygous And Homozygous Clones Of Common Carp (Cyprinus Carpio L.): Evidence From DNA Fingerprinting And Mixed Leukocyte Reaction

The production of two heterozygous and one homozygous clones of the Israeli Dor-70 line of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) was tested using DNA fingerprinting (DFP) and mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) analysis. The clones were obtained in large-scale production from mitotic gynogenetic females and males (sex-inversed). MLR analysis was used to examine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens in individuals. DFP provided evidence concerning identity in the whole genome. Both methods showed that individuals within a progeny were identical, confirming genetic uniformity within each clone and showing that no paternal DNA was transmitted during mitotic and meiotic gynogenesis. The results indicated that uniformity of DFP in progeny of the homozygous clone is obtained only when the mother is fully homozygous, and in the heterozygous clone only if both parents are fully homozygous. The results of both methods provide evidence, though indirect, that the mitotic gynogenetic parents of these fish (mother of the homozygous clone, mother and father of the heterozygous clones) were fully homozygous.
Deriving Behavior Model Parameters from Survey Data: Self‐Protective Behavior Adoption During the 2009–2010 Influenza A(H1N1) Pandemic

In this paper, we demonstrate how public opinion surveys can be designed to collect information pertinent to computational behavior modeling, and we present the results of a public opinion and behavior survey conducted during the 2009–2010 H1N1 influenza pandemic. The results are used to parameterize the Health Belief Model of individual health‐protective decision making. Survey subjects were asked questions about their perceptions of the then‐circulating influenza and attitudes towards two personal protective behaviors: vaccination and avoidance of crowds. We empirically address two important issues in applying the Health Belief Model of behavior to computational infectious disease simulation: (1) the factors dynamically influencing the states of the Health Belief Model variables and (2) the appropriateness of the Health Belief Model in describing self‐protective behavior in the context of pandemic influenza.
Larotaxel: broadening the road with new taxanes

Significant advances in cancer treatment have been achieved with novel targeted and state-of-the-art treatments. While the targeted treatments have received much attention in recent years, the more ‘traditional’ chemotherapeutic agents continue to play an important role in several malignancies. Former taxanes such as docetaxel and paclitaxel, with their broad anticancer activity, have contributed significantly to the improved treatment of a number of neoplastic diseases. Unfortunately, until now, the achievements obtained with these compounds have been mitigated by clinical limitations such as acquired or intrinsic resistance of tumors, poor CNS activity, allergic reactions and unfavorable toxicity profiles. Larotaxel (RPR 109881A) is a taxane analogue with a broad spectrum of activity and different toxicity profile and with the possible advantages of surpassing some mechanisms of resistance and penetrating into the CNS. The development path of this drug, its core clinical data and future treatment perspectives are discussed in this article.
Contribution of Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells c1 to the Transcriptional Control of Immunoreceptor Osteoclast-associated Receptor but Not Triggering Receptor Expressed by Myeloid Cells-2 during Osteoclastogenesis*

Bone homeostasis depends on the coordination of osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation. Receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) induces osteoclast differentiation through activating a transcriptional program mediated by the key transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1. Immunoreceptors, including osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) and triggering receptor expressed by myeloid cells (TREM)-2, constitute the co-stimulatory signals required for RANKL-mediated activation of calcium signaling, which leads to the activation of NFATc1. However, it remains unknown whether the expression of immunoreceptors are under the control of NFATc1. Here we demonstrate that the expression of OSCAR, but not that of TREM-2, is up-regulated during osteoclastogenesis and markedly suppressed by the calcineurin inhibitor FK506, suggesting that OSCAR is transcriptionally regulated by NFATc1. NFATc1 expression results in the activation of the OSCAR promoter, which was found to be further enhanced by co-expression of PU.1 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). We further provide evidence that NFATc1 specifically regulates OSCAR by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and quantification of OSCAR and TREM-2 mRNA in NFATc1-/- cells. Thus, OSCAR but not TREM-2 is involved in the positive feedback loop of the immunoreceptor-NFATc1 pathway during osteoclastogenesis. Although several immunoreceptors have been identified as co-stimulatory molecules for RANKL, the expression and function are differentially regulated. These mechanisms, possibly together with the delicate regulation of their ligands on osteoblasts, may provide the exquisite machinery for the modulation of osteoclastogenesis in the maintenance of bone homeostasis.