Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Specificity of epidermal growth factor action on maturation of the murine oocyte and cumulus oophorus in vitro.

Experiments were carried out to determine the specificity of growth factor action on maturation of the oocyte-cumulus cell complex in vitro. Cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes (CEO) from primed mice were maintained in meiotic arrest in vitro with hypoxanthine (HX) and treated with one of ten different growth-promoting factors. The percentage of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB) in the HX controls ranged from 44 to 64.7% after 21-22 h. Oocytes responded to treatment with growth-promoting factors in one of three ways: (1) no response; (2) low response; or (3) high response. The nonresponding groups included transforming growth factor-beta, platelet-derived growth factor, bombesin, sodium orthovanadate, nerve growth factor, and insulin-like growth factors I and II, each of which had no statistically significant effect on GVB. Insulin and fibroblast growth factor were members of the low response group and stimulated increases in GVB of 21.2 24.9%. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was the only factor that produced a high frequency of maturation in the CEO; 100% of the arrested CEO were stimulated to undergo GVB in response to EGF treatment (a 51% increase over controls). No interaction was observed when EGF was tested with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on hormone-induced GVB. When tested for an action on cumulus cell expansion, EGF was the only growth-promoting factor that triggered this response and did so more effectively than FSH. Heparin suppressed cumulus expansion in both EGF- and FSH-treated CEO, but did not prevent GVB stimulated by either hormone. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Liver and Intestine Transplantation in the United States, 1997–2006

Liver transplantation in 2006 generally resembled previous years, with fewer candidates waiting for deceased donor liver transplants (DDLT), continuing a trend initiated with the implementation of the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD). Candidate age distribution continued to skew toward older ages with fewer children listed in 2006 than in any prior year. Total transplants increased due to more DDLT with slightly fewer living donor liver transplants (LDLT). Waiting list deaths and time to transplant continued to improve. In 2006, there also were fewer DDLT for patients with MELD <15, fewer pediatric Status 1A/B transplants and more transplants from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors. Adjusted patient and graft survival rates were similar for LDLT and DDLT. This article also contains in‐depth analyses of transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recipients with HCC had lower adjusted 3‐year posttransplant survival than recipients without HCC. HCC recipients who received pretransplant ablative treatments had superior adjusted 3‐year posttransplant survival compared to HCC recipients who did not. Intestinal transplantation continued to slowly increase with the largest number of candidates on the waiting list since 1997. Survival rates have increased over time. Small children waiting for intestine grafts continue to have the highest waiting list mortality.
Sertindole for the treatment of schizophrenia

Importance of the field: Despite considerable progress in the pharmacological treatment of schizophrenia, unmet needs remain concerning refractory patients, as well as improvement of negative symptoms, cognition, quality of life, adherence and tolerability. Sertindole, a second-generation antipsychotic with high affinity for dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and α1-adrenergic receptors, is the first phenylindole-derived antipsychotic agent. Areas covered in this review: Pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness of sertindole are covered based on a literature review (PubMed) from 1990 to 2010. Pivotal as well as supportive randomized controlled trials are reviewed along with observational and/or naturalistic safety studies. What the reader will gain: This review of sertindole will allow the reader to determine the place for sertindole in the schizophrenia treatment landscape. Take home message: Studies conducted so far suggest a beneficial effect of sertindole on positive and negative symptoms as well as on cognition, relapse prevention and quality of life. There is also some evidence for the treatment of refractory patients. Sertindole induces moderate weight gain, with few extrapyramidal symptoms and metabolic changes. More head-to-head comparisons with other second-generation antipsychotics are, however, still needed as well as further clarification on cardiac safety.
Distribution and Load of Amyloid-&bgr; Pathology in Parkinson Disease and Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Parkinson disease (PD), Parkinson disease with dementia (PDD), and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) differ clinically with regard to the presence and timing of dementia. In this postmortem study, we evaluated whether the burden and distribution pattern of amyloid-&bgr; (A&bgr;) pathology differs among these disease entities. We assessed A&bgr; phases and neuritic plaque scores in 133 patients fulfilling clinical diagnostic criteria for PD, PDD, and DLB, and determined the presence and load of A&bgr; pathology in 5 cortical and 4 subcortical regions in a subset of patients (n = 89) using a multispectral imaging system. A&bgr; phases and neuritic plaque scores were higher in DLB versus PDD (both p < 0.001) and in PDD vs PD patients (p = 0.020 and 0.022, respectively). A&bgr; pathology was more often observed in the entorhinal cortex, amygdala and putamen in DLB versus PDD patients; A&bgr; load was higher in both cortical and subcortical regions. PDD patients had more frequent A&bgr; pathology in temporal cortex and higher A&bgr; load in cortical regions and striatum versus PD patients. Our findings suggest that the load and extent of A&bgr; pathology may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in PDD and the early-stage severe dementia in DLB.
Women, Business and the Law 2019

Women, business and the law 2018 is the fifth edition in a series of biennial reports measuring the legal obstacles to women who engage in economic activity around the world. Since the World Bank started this study a decade ago, our understanding has increased about how laws influence women’s decisions to start and run businesses or get jobs. The analysis draws on newly-collected data across seven indicators: accessing institutions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to work, going to court, building credit, and protecting women from violence. The study expands coverage to 189 economies around the world. The data show the challenge many women face in the quest for economic opportunity. One hundred and four economies still prevent women from working in certain jobs, simply because they are women. In 59 economies there are no laws on sexual harassment in the workplace. And in 18 economies, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working. By informing politicians about the legal obstacles to women’s economic opportunities, women, business and the law contributes towards promoting gender equality. The study celebrates the progress that has been made while emphasizing the work that remains to ensure equality of opportunity.
Achilles Tendon Properties of Minimalist and Traditionally Shod Runners.

CONTEXT Tendon adapts to load through alterations in its composition and mechanical properties. Mechanical adaptation to increased load often involves increases in cross-sectional area (CSA), stiffness, and modulus. Runners exhibit these adaptations. OBJECTIVE To determine if runners wearing minimalist shoes had larger and stiffer Achilles tendons (AT) than traditionally shod runners. DESIGN Cross-sectional study of well-trained, traditionally and minimally shod runners. SETTING Laboratory assessment of trained runners. PARTICIPANTS 23 men (11 traditional, 12 minimalist) and 8 women (6 traditional, 2 minimalist). Runners wearing minimalist shoes had 4.2 ± 1.6 y of training experience in minimalist shoes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The authors used diagnostic ultrasound and isokinetic dynamometry to generate a force-elongation curve and its derivatives. RESULTS Minimalist runners had a greater CSA: mean difference (MD) = 9.2 mm2, stiffness (MD = 268.1 N/mm), and modulus (MD = 202.9 MPa). ATs of minimalist runners experienced greater stress (MD 8.6 N/mm2) during maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the plantar-flexor muscles due to greater force of contraction (MD 798.9 N). CONCLUSION The AT in minimalist runners adapts by increasing size, stiffness, and modulus, which is consistent with our understanding of mechanical adaptation of tendon to increased loading. Increased stress to the AT likely requires a slow transition to minimalist running to allow the AT to adapt without evidence of injury.
Can local infiltration analgesia increase satisfaction in postoperative short-term pain control in total knee arthroplasty?

Background: One of the major challenges to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is optimal pain control. Effective analgesia is capital in fast-track surgery programs to allow patient’s early functional outcomes. Objectives: Compare length of stay (LOS) short-term pain control, and patients’ satisfaction at 1 month between local infiltration analgesia (LIA) combined with femoral nerve block (FNB) and FNB only in patients undergoing TKA. Patients and methods: Two hundred and fifty-four patients were included in a randomized prospective study and distributed in two groups. The first group received an intraoperative LIA (150 mL mixture of ropivacaine 2.0 mg/mL + ketorolac 30 mg + adrenaline 10 μg/mL) combined to an FNB. The control group had only an FNB. Demographical data and visual analog scale (VAS) score were obtained preoperatively, at 36 h after surgery and at the 15-day follow-up. Patients’ satisfaction at 1 month was also evaluated. Statistical analysis data was performed. Results: No differences in demographical data and preoperative VAS score were observed between both groups. LIA group had a lower VAS score at 36 h after surgery (1.34 ± 1.31 vs. 3.68 ± 1.932 in the control group, p = 0.00), but these differences were not maintained at the 15-day follow-up (4.51 ± 1.889 vs. 4.11 ± 1.940 in the control group, p > 0.05). LOS and patients’ satisfaction were comparable between groups. Patients with LIA had no additional complications. Conclusions: LIA is a safe adjuvant to FNB to reduce perioperative pain during the first 36 h after TKA. Its effects wean with time, but do cover the first crucial hours of rehabilitation in a fast-track program. LIA seems don’t modify postoperative course nor patient’s satisfaction at short-term follow-up. The final impact of LIA on surgical outcome is still to be determined.
SPX1 is a phosphate-dependent inhibitor of PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 in Arabidopsis

Significance When P levels are low, plants activate an array of adaptive responses to increase efficient acquisition and use of phosphate (Pi), the form in which P is preferentially absorbed, and to protect themselves from Pi starvation stress. Considerable progress has been made recently in dissecting the plant Pi starvation signaling pathway. Nonetheless, little is known as to how Pi levels are perceived by plants. Here, we identify the nuclear protein SPX1 as a Pi-dependent inhibitor of DNA binding by PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1), a master regulator of Pi starvation responses. We show that the Pi dependence of SPX1 inhibition of PHR1 activity can be recreated in vitro using purified proteins, which indicates that the SPX1/PHR1 module links Pi sensing and signaling. To cope with growth in low-phosphate (Pi) soils, plants have evolved adaptive responses that involve both developmental and metabolic changes. PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE 1 (PHR1) and related transcription factors play a central role in the control of Pi starvation responses (PSRs). How Pi levels control PHR1 activity, and thus PSRs, remains to be elucidated. Here, we identify a direct Pi-dependent inhibitor of PHR1 in Arabidopsis, SPX1, a nuclear protein that shares the SPX domain with yeast Pi sensors and with several Pi starvation signaling proteins from plants. Double mutation of SPX1 and of a related gene, SPX2, resulted in molecular and physiological changes indicative of increased PHR1 activity in plants grown in Pi-sufficient conditions or after Pi refeeding of Pi-starved plants but had only a limited effect on PHR1 activity in Pi-starved plants. These data indicate that SPX1 and SPX2 have a cellular Pi-dependent inhibitory effect on PHR1. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that the SPX1/PHR1 interaction in planta is highly Pi-dependent. DNA-binding and pull-down assays with bacterially expressed, affinity-purified tagged SPX1 and ΔPHR1 proteins showed that SPX1 is a competitive inhibitor of PHR1 binding to its recognition sequence, and that its efficiency is highly dependent on the presence of Pi or phosphite, a nonmetabolizable Pi analog that can repress PSRs. The relative strength of the SPX1/PHR1 interaction is thus directly influenced by Pi, providing a link between Pi perception and signaling.
Action potentials, ionic currents and cell water in guinea pig ventricular preparations exposed to dimethyl sulfoxide.

Superfusion of guinea pig papillary muscles with Tyrode's solution that contained 0.3% to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) caused a small hyperpolarization, a prolongation of the action potential (e.g., 4%, 15% and 33% prolongation with 1%, 5% and 10% DMSO, respectively) and a reduction (< or = 14%) in the maximal upstroke velocity (Vmax). Action potential prolongation was also induced by DMSO in muscles treated with the inorganic Ca++ channel blocker Co++ (5 mM) and in those depolarized with 24 mM K(+)-containing Tyrode's solution. In the latter case, there was no significant change in Vmax. In voltage-clamp experiments, superfusion of guinea pig ventricular myocytes with 0.1% to 10% DMSO solution had little effect on Ca++ and inward-rectifier K+ currents, moderately inhibited Cl- and Na+ currents, partially inhibited Na+ pump current and markedly depressed delayed-rectifier K+ current. The cell water shrinkages measured in muscles and myocytes superfused with DMSO solution appear to be only partially responsible for the solvent's effects. Other mechanisms that may be of greater importance in explaining the action of DMSO include direct block of channels by DMSO molecules and hindrance of channel hydration and opening related to osmotic stress.
Attitudes and beliefs of South African medical students toward organ transplantation

Sobnach S, Borkum M, Millar AJW, Hoffman R, Muller E, McCurdie F, Kahn D. Attitudes and beliefs of South African medical students toward organ transplantation. Clin Transplant 2011 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2011. 01449.x. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Prognostic significance of JC virus DNA levels in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with HIV-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

BACKGROUND Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) remains a frequent and life-threatening complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although one-half of patients with this disease will survive, the outcome is unpredictable at diagnosis, and prognostic markers are needed. METHODS JC virus (JCV) DNA levels were measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples obtained from 61 HIV-infected patients with PML, including 38 patients who were treated with HAART and 23 patients who did not receive HAART, with use of real-time polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic reliability of the assay was evaluated by comparing CSF findings with histopathological findings in patients with PML or other HIV-related diseases of the central nervous system. The prognostic value was assessed by comparing JCV DNA levels with survival and other patient variables. RESULTS The assay had a diagnostic sensitivity of 76% and specificity of 100%. In the first CSF sample obtained after onset of PML symptoms, JCV DNA values ranged from undetectable to 7.71 log copies/mL (median, 3.64 log copies/mL). JCV DNA levels >3.64 log copies/mL correlated significantly with shorter survival and lower CD4+ cell counts in patients not receiving HAART. However, neither relationship was found in patients who were treated with HAART. The analysis of sequential CSF samples obtained from 24 patients demonstrated a marked decrease in JCV DNA levels over time in HAART-treated patients showing PML stabilization, but not in untreated or HAART-treated patients with progressively fatal disease. CONCLUSIONS Measurement of JCV DNA levels in CSF samples may be a useful virological marker for management of PML in patients receiving HAART.
Replication of simian virus 40 DNA after UV irradiation: evidence of growing fork blockage and single-stranded gaps in daughter strands

The molecular mechanisms of in vivo inhibition of mammalian DNA replication by exposure to UV light (at 254 nm) was studied in monkey and human cells infected with simian virus 40. Analysis of viral DNA by electron microscopy and sucrose gradients confirmed that the presence of UV-induced lesions severely blocks DNA synthesis, and thus the conversion of replicative intermediates (RIs) into fully replicated form I DNA is inhibited by UV irradiation. These blocked RI molecules present several special features when visualized by electron microscopy. (i) In excision repair-proficient monkey and human cells they are composed of a double-stranded circular DNA with a double-stranded tail whose size corresponds to the average interpyrimidine dimer distance, as determined by the dimer-specific T4 endonuclease V. (ii) In excision repair-deficient human cells from patients with xeroderma pigmentosum, UV-irradiated RIs present a Cairns-like structure similar to that observed for replicating molecules obtained from unirradiated infected cells. (iii) Single-stranded gaps are visualized in the replicated portions of UV-irradiated RI molecules; such regions are detected and clearly distinguishable from double-stranded DNA when probed by a specific single-stranded DNA-binding protein such as the bacteriophage T4 gene 32 product. Consistent with the presence of gaps in UV-irradiated RI molecules, single-strand-specific S1 nuclease digestion causes a shift in their sedimentation properties when analyzed in neutral sucrose gradients compared with undamaged molecules. These results are in agreement with and reinforce the model in which UV lesions are a barrier to the replication fork movement when present in the template for the leading strand; when lesions are in the template for the lagging strand they inhibit synthesis or completion of Okazaki fragments, leaving gaps opposite the lesion. Moreover, cellular DNA repair-linked endonucleolytic activity may induce double-stranded breaks in the blocked region of the replication forks, resulting in the tailed structures observed in viral DNA molecules obtained from excision repair-proficient cell lines.
Validation and reproducibility of a semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for use in elderly Swiss women.

OBJECTIVE The principal aim of this study was to develop a Swiss Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) for the elderly population for use in a study to investigate the influence of nutritional factors on bone health. The secondary aim was to assess its validity and both short-term and long-term reproducibility. DESIGN A 4-day weighed record (4 d WR) was applied to 51 randomly selected women of a mean age of 80.3 years. Subsequently, a detailed FFQ was developed, cross-validated against a further 44 4-d WR, and the short- (1 month, n = 15) and long-term (12 months, n = 14) reproducibility examined. SETTING French speaking part of Switzerland. SUBJECTS The subjects were randomly selected women recruited from the Swiss Evaluation of the Methods of Measurement of Osteoporotic Fracture cohort study. RESULTS Mean energy intakes by 4-d WR and FFQ showed no significant difference [1564.9 kcal (SD 351.1); 1641.3 kcal (SD 523.2) respectively]. Mean crude nutrient intakes were also similar (with nonsignifcant P-values examining the differences in intake) and ranged from 0.13 (potassium) to 0.48 (magnesium). Similar results were found in the reproducibility studies. CONCLUSION These findings provide evidence that this FFQ adequately estimates nutrient intakes and can be used to rank individuals within distributions of intake in specific populations.
A Comparison of Cesarean Delivery Outcomes for Rural Family Physicians and Obstetricians

Purpose: Despite declining access to obstetrical care in many regions, family physicians often have difficulty obtaining Cesarean delivery privileges. We compared outcomes of Cesarean deliveries performed by family physicians (FPs) and obstetricians (OBs). The last such study done was more than 15 years ago. Methods: This study was a chart review of 250 consecutive Cesarean deliveries was done at 2 rural New England hospitals. At one hospital, Cesarean deliveries were performed by FPs; at the other they were done by OBs. Demographics, pregnancy risk factors, and maternal and neonatal complication rates at each site were compared. Results: Demographics, indications for Cesarean delivery, and prenatal risk factors were comparable at both sites except there were more hypertensive patients at the FP site. There were no differences in intraoperative or infectious complications. There were fewer postoperative complications at the FP hospital, which were mostly attributable to fewer blood transfusions and readmissions. There were no differences in neonatal outcomes, although there were more deliveries of fetuses <38 weeks' gestation at the FP site. Conclusions: Patients did not face increased risk when Cesarean deliveries were performed by FPs rather than OBs. A larger, more geographically diverse study is needed to confirm these findings. Results could support FPs seeking privileges to perform Cesarean deliveries, thus expanding access to care for pregnant women.
Cardiac weight in hypertension induced by nitric oxide synthase blockade.

Wistar rats given a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester (L-NAME), for 4 weeks develop time- and dose-dependent hypertension without cardiac hypertrophy. This initial study of the relation between left ventricular weight and L-NAME-induced hypertension has now been extended by giving 50 mg/kg per day L-NAME to Wistar rats (n = 30) for 8 weeks and comparing results with those from control rats (n = 10) and two-kidney, one clip rats (n = 14). Although L-NAME rats and two-kidney, one clip rats had increased systolic blood pressures during the last 3 weeks of the experiment (202 +/- 24 and 224 +/- 16 mm Hg, respectively), the ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight of L-NAME rats (2.12 +/- 0.32 mg/g) was not statistically different from that of control rats (1.93 +/- 0.13 mg/g), whereas that of two-kidney, one clip rats was increased (2.85 +/- 0.20 mg/g). The plasma renin activity of L-NAME rats was not significantly different from that of control rats. Two L-NAME rat subgroups were defined according to the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (ratio of left ventricular weight to body weight > 2.19 mg/g, control mean +2 SD) (6 of 25) or its absence (19 of 25). Systolic blood pressure, plasma renin activity, and cardiac angiotensin converting enzyme activity of L-NAME rats with left ventricular hypertrophy were significantly higher than those of the subgroup without. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)