Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endogenous inflammatory response to dermal wound healing in the fetal and adult mouse

The recruitment of inflammatory cells to a wound may play an important role in the resulting cellular processes and ultimately the quality of the healing response in the fetus (scar‐free healing) or the adult (scar‐forming healing). Using a range of antibodies to monocytes and macrophages and also to different activation markers of activated macrophages, we have compared the inflammatory profile of scar‐free healing E16 mouse fetal wounds to those of scarring adult wounds. In the fetal wound, small numbers of monocyte derived cells (MOMA‐2 and F4/80 positive) are recruited to the wound by 3 hr post‐wounding. No Mac‐1 positive cells indicative of activated macrophages were observed until 18 hr post‐wounding. Eventually all types of macrophages studied were recruited to both adult and fetal wound sites but the numbers and persistence of these cells are lower in the fetus than in the adult. B cells were detected in healing adult wounds but not in the fetal wounds. This absence of H‐21‐A positive (B) cells in murine fetal wounds could be associated with the low levels of activated Mac‐1 positive macrophages at the murine fetal wound site. Activated macrophages in addition to releasing growth factors may also release signals to recruit B cells. Thus, the E16 mouse fetus can mount an inflammatory response to wounding. This response differs from that of the adult in the numbers of inflammatory cells recruited to the wound and the subpopulations of activated cells found at the wound site. This study indicates that there are complex differences between the inflammatory responses elicited in adult and fetal murine dermal wounds. These differences may determine the profile of growth factors and cytokines released at fetal and adult wound sites. Manipulation of either the numbers or the activation states of inflammatory cells at the adult wound site may be an approach to the control of scarring during adult wound healing. Dev. Dyn. 1998;212:385–393. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Results of wide excision for mammary recurrence after breast‐conserving therapy

Of 1,245 patients treated with breast‐conserving surgery and radiotherapy for Stage I and II breast cancers, 118 required a secondary operation subsequently for apparently isolated recurrence in the treated breast. Fifty‐two of these 118 patients were selected for salvage treatment with wide excision, with or without axillary dissection, instead of resorting to mastectomy. With a median follow‐up of 6 years, the actuarial cancer‐specific survival (Kaplan‐Meier) after treatment of recurrence was 79% at 5 years and 64% at 10 years. The probability of local control in the treated breast was 79% at 5 years after conservative salvage surgery. Of 12 patients in whom second local or regional recurrences developed, ten could be treated by further surgery. We concluded from this experience that wedge excision represents an adequate alternative to mastectomy in the salvage treatment of isolated breast recurrences that are mobile, 2 cm or smaller in diameter, and without signs of rapid growth.
Modeling student thinking: An example from special relativity

Our understanding of the nature of student ideas informs our instructional and research agendas. In this paper, I characterize student ideas in terms of five observable properties (determinacy, coherence, context-dependence, variability, and malleability) and describe how those observable properties correspond to the “misconceptions” and “pieces” models of student reasoning. I then analyze instructional materials and student thinking in a particular topic area (special relativity) in terms of each of those two models. I show that specific instructional strategies reflect specific theoretical orientations, and explore the extent to which observed student behavior corresponds to predictions made by the theoretical models. The analysis suggests that while both the misconceptions and pieces models are flexible enough to accommodate all of the data, some aspects of student thinking seem best described in terms of pieces, and others seem better characterized as misconceptions. The purpose of the analysis is to .
Improved embryo development with decreased apoptosis in blastomeres after the treatment of cloned bovine embryos with β‐mercaptoethanol and hemoglobin

In preliminary experiments, the treatment of donor somatic cells with β‐mercaptoethanol (ME) or hemoglobin (Hb) improved in vitro‐development of bovine cloned embryos. This study was subsequently evaluated whether the exposure to Hb and/or ME during in vitro‐maturation or embryo culture could further promote the development of embryos cloned with ME‐treated donor cells. A prospective, randomized study was conducted and, embryo development, cell number, and apoptosis in blastocysts were monitored. A significant (P < 0.05) effect was found after the combined treatment of cloned embryos with Hb (1 μg/ml) and ME (10 μM); the development of morulae (53 vs. 35%) was greatly improved, which resulted in enhanced blastocyst formation (38%). However, cell number and apoptosis in blastocysts were predominantly affected by ME rather than Hb; a significant increase in total cell number of blastomeres (142–154 vs. 123 cells/embryo), inner cell mass (ICM) (39–41 vs. 27), and trophectoderm (TE) (103–114 vs. 98), and the ratio of ICM to TE cell number (0.26–0.27 vs. 0.22) was found. Also, the apoptosis index indicating the ratio of apoptotic cell to normal blastomere number was greatly reduced after ME treatments (0.85 vs. 0.056–0.069). When embryos cloned with ME‐treated cells were cultured in Hb + ME‐containing medium, any of the treatments to recipient oocytes before enucleation did not further promote the development. In conclusion, combined treatment of cloned embryos with Hb + ME not only improved in vitro‐development but also decreased blastomere apoptosis. The use of ME‐treated donor cells and the culture of cloned embryos in Hb + ME‐containing medium yielded the optimal results for promoting the production of blastocysts with improved quality. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 67:200–206, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variable compliance with clinical practice guidelines identified in a 1-day audit at 66 French adult intensive care units*

Objective:Clinical guidelines should provide a framework for managing patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Little is known about guideline compliance in real-life practice. To evaluate compliance rates for a large bundle of intensive care unit practice guidelines and determine factors associated with noncompliance to these guidelines. Design, Setting, and Patients:A bundle of 13 clinical guidelines was elaborated by a group of senior physicians. Four external consultants validated the process. Then, a 1-day audit was performed at 66 participating adult intensive care units in 39 institutions by a group of 64 junior investigators supervised by senior intensivists. At the bedside, investigators collected data from 625 patients hospitalized in those units. Interventions and Measurements:The eligibility and compliance rates were determined for each clinical recommendation. The rate of full compliance to each eligible clinical guideline was calculated. Mortality data were requested 28 days after the completion of the audit. Main Results:The eligibility rate ranged from 11% (sepsis bundle) to 80% (identified closest relative). The median compliance rate was 75% (60–100), ranging from 24% (sedation monitoring) to 96% (identified closest relative and bacteriological sampling before initiating antibiotics). Our results showed that only 24% (20–27) of patients in our cohort received fully compliant care. The 28-day survival probability was . 77 (.73–.80). Conclusions:At the bedside, clinical guidelines are fully applied in 24% of patients. Our study underlines the need to both improve the process of implementation and become cognizant of excessive proliferation of clinical guidelines.
Influence of different lubricants on the retentive force of LOCATOR(®) attachments - an in vitro pilot study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this in vitro pilot study was to evaluate the influence of an artificial saliva (AS) lubricant on the retentive force of a stud-type attachment (LOCATOR(®) ) for implant overdentures (IODs). METHODS Twenty custom-made models simulating a two-IOD with parallel implant situation were fabricated using LOCATOR(®) attachments. The in vitro testing was carried out with an Instron(®) universal testing machine for a total of 10,000 insertion-removal cycles, for each model, in two different aqueous test mediums (Group 1: 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NaCl), n = 10; Group 2: AS, n = 10). Changes in the mean retentive force (F) were plotted against the cycle numbers #10, #100, #1000, #5000, and #10,000. Mixed regression models were applied for statistical analyses. RESULTS A mixed regression (not considering interactions) predicted, compared to cycle #10, higher retentive forces at cycles #100 (P < 0.0001), #1000 (P = 0.017), similar forces at #5000 (P = 0.277), and lower forces at #10,000 (P = 0.012); there was no overall effect of the medium (P = 0.159). A second statistical model, employing the interaction term "cycle##medium", confirmed similarly the effect. Although the interaction term was significant at cycle #100 (p = 0.045), there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.140). CONCLUSION In this in vitro pilot experiment, there was no difference in mean retentive forces of the LOCATOR(®) attachments when tested with either 0.9% NaCl or a Glandosane(®) -like artificial saliva lubricant. A larger scale study may still confirm the superiority of either lubricant for quasiclinical bench experiments.
Amino‐Functionalized ZIF‐7 Nanocrystals: Improved Intrinsic Separation Ability and Interfacial Compatibility in Mixed‐Matrix Membranes for CO2/CH4 Separation

Highly permeable and selective, as well as plasticization‐resistant membranes are desired as promising alternatives for cost‐ and energy‐effective CO2 separation. Here, robust mixed‐matrix membranes based on an amino‐functionalized zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐7 (ZIF‐7‐NH2) and crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide) rubbery polymer are successfully fabricated with filler loadings up to 36 wt%. The ZIF‐7‐NH2 materials synthesized from in situ substitution of 2‐aminobenzimidazole into the ZIF‐7 structure exhibit enlarged aperture size compared with monoligand ZIF‐7. The intrinsic separation ability for CO2/CH4 on ZIF‐7‐NH2 is remarkably enhanced as a result of improved CO2 uptake capacity and diffusion selectivity. The incorporation of ZIF‐7‐NH2 fillers simultaneously makes the neat polymer more permeable and more selective, surpassing the state‐of‐the‐art 2008 Robeson upper bound. The chelating effect between metal (zinc) nodes of fillers and ester groups of a polymer provides good bonding, enhancing the mechanical strength and plasticization resistance of the neat polymer membrane. The developed novel ZIF‐7 structure with amino‐function and the resulting nanocomposite membranes are very attractive for applications like natural‐gas sweetening or biogas purification.
Social responses to climate change in Iron Age north-east Thailand: new archaeobotanical evidence

New evidence from archaeological investigations in north-east Thailand shows a transition in rice farming towards wetland cultivation that would have facilitated greater yields and surpluses. This evidence, combined with new dates and palaeoclimatic data, suggests that this transition took place in the Iron Age, at a time of increasingly arid climate, and when a number of broader societal changes become apparent in the archaeological record. For the first time, it is possible to relate changes in subsistence economy to shifts in regional climate and water-management strategies, and to the emergence of state societies in Southeast Asia.
Alineación de los planes de área colombianos con los estándares básicos de competencias en matemáticas

En este artículo estudiamos en qué medida los planes de área de matemáticas de la educación media colombiana se alinean con los estándares básicos de competencia en matemáticas (Ministerio de Educación Nacional, 2006). Se describe qué significado daremos al término alineación de un plan de área con los estándares y se explica cómo se aplica esta idea a cada plan de área. Bajo un planteamiento cuantitativo, se calculó la alineación de 206 planes de área, estratificados por área geográfica, tipo de institución y modalidad académica. Mediante técnicas de estimación y contraste de hipótesis se establece la alineación de los planes de área colombianos con los estándares. Encontramos que esta alineación es reducida con una dispersión importante, y que no hay diferencias significativas en la alineación de los planes de área de los diferentes tipos de colegios.
PERSISTENT OUTPATIENT HYPERGLYCEMIA IS INDEPENDENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH DECREASED SURVIVAL AFTER PRIMARY RESECTION OF MALIGNANT BRAIN ASTROCYTOMAS

OBJECTIVEPatients with malignant brain astrocytomas are at high risk for developing hyperglycemia secondary to frequent corticosteroid administration. Several clinical studies have shown that hyperglycemia is associated with poor outcome in multiple disease states. Furthermore, hyperglycemia augments in vitro astrocytoma growth, whereas hypoglycemia attenuates in vitro astrocytoma cell growth. We hypothesized that persistent hyperglycemic states in the outpatient setting may serve as a prognostic marker of decreased survival in patients with malignant brain astrocytomas. METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed 367 cases of craniotomy for malignant brain astrocytomas (World Health Organization Grade III or IV). Persistent hyperglycemia was defined as serum glucose greater than 180 mg/dL occurring three or more times between 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Isolated hyperglycemia was defined as an isolated occurrence of serum glucose greater than 180 mg/dL. The independent association of outpatient glucose levels and recorded clinical and treatment variables with overall survival was assessed via multivariate proportional-hazards regression analysis. RESULTSA total of 367 craniotomies (209 primary, 158 secondary) were performed for malignant brain astrocytomas (glioblastoma multiforme, 297; anaplastic astrocytomas, 70); 68 (19%) and 28 (8%) of the patients experienced isolated or persistent outpatient hyperglycemia, respectively. Patients experiencing persistent hyperglycemia were older (59 ± 13 versus 51 ± 14 yr), were diabetic more frequently (7 [25%] versus 10 [3%]), continued to receive corticosteroids more frequently (21 [75%] versus 35 [10%]); and received temozolomide less often (4 [14%] versus 116 [34%]). Adjusting for intergroup differences and variables associated with survival in this model, age (P = 0.001), Karnofsky Performance Scale score (P = 0.001), tumor grade (P = 0.001), primary versus secondary resection (P = 0.008), temozolomide (P = 0.007), subsequent resection (P = 0.07), and continued outpatient dexamethasone therapy, persistent outpatient hyperglycemia (relative risk, 1.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–3.05, P = 0.03) remained independently associated with decreased survival. Median survival for persistently hyperglycemic versus normal-glycemic cohorts was 5 and 11 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONIn our experience, persistent outpatient hyperglycemia was associated with decreased survival in patients undergoing surgical resection for malignant astro- cytomas and was independent of the degree of disability, tumor grade, diabetes, prolonged dexamethasone use, or subsequent treatment modalities. Increased glucose control is warranted in this patient population and may contribute to improved outcomes in the treatment of malignant brain astrocytomas.
Abiotic, Biotic, and Evolutionary Control of the Distribution of C and N Isotopes in Food Webs

Ecosystem functioning depends on nutrient cycles and their responses to abiotic and biotic determinants, with the influence of evolutionary legacies being generally overlooked in ecosystem ecology. Along a broad elevation gradient characterized by shifting climatic and grazing environments, we addressed clines of plant N and C∶N content and of δ13C and δ15N in producers (herbs) and in primary (grasshoppers) and secondary (birds) consumers, both within and between species in phylogenetically controlled scenarios. We found parallel and significant intra- and interspecific trends of isotopic variation with elevation in the three groups. In primary producers, nutrient and isotope distributions had a detectable phylogenetic signal that constrained their variation along the environmental gradient. The influence of the environment could not be ascribed to any single factor, and both grazing and climate had an effect on leaf stoichiometry and, thus, on the resources available to consumers. Trends in consumers matched those in plants but often became nonsignificant after controlling for isotopic values of their direct resources, revealing direct bottom-up control and little phylogenetic dependence. By integrating ecosystem and mechanistic perspectives, we found that nutrient dynamics in food webs are governed at the base by the complex interaction between local determinants and evolutionary factors.
The effects of body mass index on peak seat-interface pressure of institutionalized elderly.

OBJECTIVE To determine if body mass index (BMI) influenced seat-interface pressure in a population of institutionalized elderly. DESIGN A cross-sectional comparison of peak seat-interface pressure in 4 groups of institutionalized elderly was compared with BMI scores defined as either thin (<20 kg/m(2)), desirable range (20-24.9 kg/m(2)), grade I obesity (25-29.9 kg/m(2)), or grade II obesity (30-40 kg/m(2)). SETTING Several small nursing homes and a university in a small urban community. PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 75 individuals (age range, 65-95 y) living in 1 of 3 skilled nursing facilities. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Novel Pliance seat pressure-mapping system was used to collect seat-interface pressure data. Each participant was asked to sit in the wheelchair for up to 10 minutes while the seat-interface pressures were recorded. Body weight and height of each participant were obtained from the medical chart; these characteristics were then used to calculate a BMI for each participant. RESULTS A 1-way analysis of variance on the peak seat-interface pressures revealed significant differences between the 4 groups (P<.05). Post hoc comparisons showed differences in peak seat-interface pressure between the thin and desirable range groups (P<.05), the thin and grade I obesity group (P<.05), and the thin and grade II obesity groups (P<.05). Differences in peak seat-interface pressure decreased as BMI increased. CONCLUSIONS The results are consistent with the results of a previous study of individuals with spinal cord injuries. In the current study, peak seat-interface pressure was highest in the thin elderly group, which had the lowest BMI levels of any of the 4 groups. Differences in the peak seat-interface pressures were less as BMI increased.
Alzheimer's and the Indian Appetite

Activities such as cooking, feeding, and eating speak to the pleasures and difficulties of caring for a person with dementia. In this article, I draw on ethnographic data from Delhi to examine the links between three types of food and caregiving in relation to sweetness and pleasure, drug foods and containment, and the feeding tube and sustaining life. I will illustrate that food offers ways to retain identity, build relations, improve function, and show love. In so doing, I contribute to our understanding of how care is conceived cross-culturally and offer potential insight into how interventions using food can enhance personal relationships in home and institutional settings.
The relationships among ventricular arrhythmias, left ventricular dysfunction, and mortality in the 2 years after myocardial infarction.

We examined the relationships among ventricular arrhythmias, left ventricular dysfunction, and mortality after the occurrence of myocardial infarction in 766 patients who enrolled in a nine-hospital study and underwent two special tests. Frequency and repetitiveness of ventricular premature depolarizations (VPDs) were determined by computer analysis of predischarge 24 hr electrocardiographic recordings. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was determined by radionuclide ventriculography and dichotomized at its optimal value of 30%. Frequency of VPDs was divided into three categories: (1) less than one per hour, (2) one to 2.9 per hour, and (3) three or more per hour. Repetitiveness of VPDs was also divided into three categories: (1) no repetitive VPDs, (2) paired VPDs, and (3) VPD runs. These variables were related, one at a time and jointly, to total mortality and to deaths caused by arrhythmias. The hazard ratios for dying in the higher or highest risk stratum vs the lower or lowest stratum for each variable (adjusted for the effects of the others) were: LVEF below 30%, 3.5; VPD runs, 1.9; and VPD frequency of three or more per hour, 2.0. There were no significant interactions among the three variables with respect to effects on the risk of mortality. There was a suggestion of an interaction between each risk variable and time after infarction. LVEF below 30% was a better predictor of early mortality (less than 6 months) and the presence of ventricular arrhythmias was a better predictor of late mortality (after 6 months). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
[Efficacy of repeat injections of botulinum A toxin to the detrusor in neurogenic bladder overactivity].

PURPOSE Toxin injections are an effective treatment for neurogenic detrusor overactivity. The efficacy of repeat injections is not well documented. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of repeat injections of toxin A to the detrusor in patients with neurogenic overactive bladders. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients who had received 300-UI injections of Botox(R) were retrospectively studied. The clinical data included continence, duration of the absence of incontinence, changes in anticholinergic dosage or pad use and patient satisfaction. Urodynamic data analyzed were maximal cystometric capacity, bladder contraction and detrusor pressure during contraction. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. RESULTS-DISCUSSION: Data for 42 patients (30 men, 12 women) were analysed. Pathologic features were trauma to the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis or varied causes of myelopathy. Patients received 1 to 6 injections of Botox(R). The mean duration of efficacy was 6 months. Efficacy did not differ among successive injections. Anticholinergic drugs were discontinued in 43% of patients and pad use in 48%. A total of 80% of the patients were satisfied with the treatment. Bladder contraction disappeared in 70% of patients. The mean maximal cystometric capacity increase was 144 ml. CONCLUSION Clinical and urodynamic data show that repeat injection of toxins to the detrusor remains an effective therapy for neurogenic bladder overactivity. Efficacy for continence is maintained during successive injections.
The Gastrojejunostomy in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Many techniques for creating the gastrojejunal anastomosis while performing laparoscopic gastric bypass in obese patients have been described. The stapled anastomoses comprise the circular stapler technique, using either a 21 or a 25-mm anvil, and the linear stapler technique. The handsewn anastomosis, which seems to offer some advantages over the mechanical technique, is being performed with increased frequency. The three techniques are described here and discussed in the light of our own experience.