Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Contrast-induced nephropathy and acute renal failure following emergent cardiac catheterization: incidence, risk factors and prognosis].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The aim was to investigate the incidence and prognosis of, and predictive factors for, acute renal failure following emergent cardiac catheterization. METHODS The study involved 602 consecutive patients who underwent emergent cardiac catheterization. Acute renal failure (ARF) was defined as an increase in serum creatinine level > or =0.5 mg/dL within 72 hours following the procedure. Predictive factors for and the prognosis of ARF were evaluated in an initial cohort of 315 patients, and a risk score was derived. The risk score was validated in a second cohort of 287 patients. The median (interquartile) follow-up time was 1.3 years (0.8-2.0 years). RESULTS Seventy-two of the 602 patients (12.0%) developed ARF. In the initial cohort of 315 patients, the following factors were predictors of ARF: cardiogenic shock at admission (odds ratio [OR] 4.56), diabetes mellitus (OR 2.98), time to reperfusion >6 hours (OR 3.18), anterior myocardial infarction (OR 2.61), baseline serum creatinine level > or =1.5 mg/dL (OR 3.51), and baseline serum urea level > or =50 mg/dL (OR 3.00). A risk score based on these variables was constructed in which cardiogenic shock = 3 points and each of the remaining variables = 2 points. Patients in the validation cohort were divided into five risk categories: in those with 0 points, the incidence of ARF was 1.2%; with 2-3 points, 8.7%; with 4-5 points, 12.5%; with 6-7 points, 46.2%; and with > or =8 points, 66.7% (P< .0001). Cox regression analysis showed that ARF was a powerful predictor of total mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 5.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.54-14.03; P< .0001) and of a major cardiovascular event (HR 3.29, 95% CI 1.61-6.75; P=.001). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of ARF after emergent cardiac catheterization is high. Cardiogenic shock, diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction location, time to reperfusion, and serum creatinine and urea levels are predictors of ARF. Patients who developed this complication had higher mortality and major cardiovascular events rates.
Network versus Economic Incentives: an economic sociological account of the transition from unemployment to employment

The article supplements the traditional economic line of reasoning with an economic sociological account of the transition from unemployment to employment. The lack of full information is recognised by economic theory while the focus on network within the tradition of economic sociology has not been adopted. The article argues that the importance of network actually might be very well understood within recent economic theories that emphasise the lack of full information. The empirical evidence for the importance of network both for employed and unemployed is provided by analysing a best case for formal recruitment. A number of factors make it likely that the recruitment processes in Denmark are less informal and dependent on network than in most other countries. However, based on a comprehensive survey material it is shown that employers to a large extent announce vacancies through informal network and that recommendations strongly affect employment chances. It is also shown that employed and unemployed are differently embedded in networks and despite intensive use of active labour market policy the unemployed are still dependent on their network. Therefore it is argued that lack of contacts might be an important part of the vicious circles of unemployment. Finally, the article analyse the importance of network versus the importance of economic incentives. The result supports the thesis that economic sociology provides a better account of the transition from unemployment to employment than the neo-classic theory.
Event-related potential component associated with the recognition of three-dimensional objects

To understand the physiological process underlying view-invariant object recognition, we designed a delayed matching-to-sample task under two different conditions: in the first condition, the sample and test stimuli were presented in the same view, and in the second, the two stimuli were presented in different views. The event-related potential (ERP) component, posterior N1, exhibited a significantly larger amplitude when the test image was in the same view as the sample image than when the test and the sample images were in different views. The result indicates that the posterior N1 is significantly sensitive to view association, and clarifies the difference between the neuronal activity that occurs in 3D object recognition and 2D image identification at the level of N1.
Contemporary Themes Levels and sources of stress in medical students

Levels of stress, as measured by the general health questionnaire, were assessed in 318 medical students in their fourth year at three British universities. Mean scores were higher than those in other groups within the general population, and the estimated prevalence of emotional disturbance was 31-2%, a proportion similar to that reported in medical students in the United States. There were no differences in prevalence or in mean scores of stress between the sexes. Twelve (4%) students reported high intake of alcohol, and almost half of the students had increased their intake in the past two years. The four categories most commonly cited in answers to an open ended question on recent stressful events were talking to psychiatric patients, effects on personal life, presenting cases, and dealing with death and suffering. Relationships with consult-ants raised the strongest negative feelings, with 102 (34%) students finding these particularly stressful. Stress among medical students should be acknowledged and attempts made to alleviate it.
Effect of Norepinephrine on Myocardial Free Fatty Acid Uptake and Oxidation,∗

Summary An intravenous infusion of labeled palmitic acid was repeated after an interval of about 90 minutes on the same intact anesthetized dog. During the second period, an infusion of NE (0.2 or 0.4 μg/kg/min) was also given. Arterial FFA, CS-A difference for FFA and myocardial uptake of FFA were increased by the higher dose of XK; the specific activity of arterial FFA, the extraction ratio of FFA and myocardial R.Q. were decreased. Infusion of nicotinic acid, preceding administration of NE eliminated the above changes. It appears that myocardial FFA oxidation is indirectly influenced. by NE, through FFA mobilization and the elevated arterial level of this metabolite.
A novel herpes simplex virus 1 gene, UL43.5, maps antisense to the UL43 gene and encodes a protein which colocalizes in nuclear structures with capsid proteins

An open reading frame mapping antisense to the UL43 gene of herpes simplex virus 1 encodes a protein with an apparent Mr of 38,000. The protein was detected in wild-type-infected cells with rabbit monospecific polyclonal antibody directed against a fusion protein containing all of the sequences encoded by the open reading frame. The antibody did not react with mutants from which the open reading frame was deleted. Expression of this gene, designated UL43.5, was grossly decreased or abolished in infected cells incubated in medium containing inhibitory concentrations of phosphonoacetic acid, suggesting that it is regulated as a gamma gene. UL43.5 is dispensable in cell culture. UL43.5 protein colocalized with the major capsid protein (infected cell protein 5) and the capsid scaffolding proteins (infected cell protein 35) in nuclear structures situated at the periphery of the nucleus. The predicted amino acid sequence indicates that the UL43.5 protein is a highly hydrophilic protein. The colocalization of UL43.5 protein with capsid proteins in discrete nuclear structures suggests that the former may be involved in assembly of viral particles in an accessory role in cells in culture.
COX-2 expression in striated muscle under physiological conditions.

OBJECTIVES The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in disease has been extensively studied, (Annu Rev Med (2002) 53:35; N Engl J Med (2001) 345:433) but less information is available with respect to possible physiological functions of COX-2. Information on how and where COX-2 is expressed under physiological conditions may increase our understanding of its physiological role. Previous studies have revealed a COX-2 dependent production of prostanoids under physiological conditions, without entirely determining the source of this production. MATERIALS AND METHODS To assess COX-2 expression under normal conditions, we analyzed tissue specimens that were removed from 30 healthy study subjects in conjunction with surgical procedure related to insertion of dental implants and from three patients which had muscle tissue from Quadriceps femoris muscle removed as part of surgical treatment of soft tissue sarcomas not directly affecting the muscle tissue. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting (Western blotting) was used to assess the presence of COX-2 protein. RESULTS In 25 of 30 patients (83%), COX-2 protein was expressed in striated muscle, as assessed by immunohistochemistry. All cases had COX-2 expression verified by Western blotting. In none of the 25 subjects with COX-2 expression did we notice concomitant inflammation of the adjacent submucosal tissue. CONCLUSIONS It is a novel finding that COX-2 is expressed in striated muscle under physiological conditions. COX-2 activity in striated muscle is a possible explanation for the hitherto unknown localization of prostanoids synthesis under physiological conditions.
Supporting learners in clinical practice: capacity issues.

AIM The aim of this paper is to report a study exploring, from the perspective of key stakeholders (mentors of nurses, managers of nurses, and modern matrons) in one English acute sector hospital, how decisions are made on how many learner nurses can be supported in clinical practice. The objective was to identify what factors are taken into consideration in making these decisions. BACKGROUND Supporting increasing numbers of students is a demand of current service provision in the English National Health Service, as part of an expansion in the numbers of all healthcare professionals. This is particularly the case in nursing, where the government announced a required increase in numbers of qualified nurses of 20 000. This expansion of numbers has implications for the quality of placement learning in clinical placements. METHODS Data were collected using three focus group interviews with a total of 12 participants in 2003/04. Recruitment was on a purposive basis. Subsequent analysis identified themes, which were compared across groups. A short questionnaire was also used to establish participants' biographical details prior to the focus groups. FINDINGS Three key themes were identified: 'capacity issues', 'enhancing support in practice' and 'issues impacting on learning in practice'. 'Capacity issues' identified factors that impact on the capacity of placements to support learners. 'Enhancing support in practice' identified necessary roles and strategies to enhance learning in practice. Finally, 'issues impacting on learning in practice' identified learner groups where support could be enhanced through structured management of the placement experience. CONCLUSIONS Decisions on learner numbers to be supported at any one time are complex, with a multitude of dimensions. These include identification of types of learners and numbers of mentors available to support them and other operational issues. 'Educational staff' are needed at operational and strategic levels to support learning in practice. Timely and appropriate audit information to support allocation decisions and identify strategies to enhance the quality and support of learning in practice, are also required. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Increases in learner numbers and National Health Service modernization have had an impact on clinical placements' capacity to support learning, and potentially, on learners' achievements in practice. Findings from this study are thus important in evaluating the impact of these policy initiatives.
Atrial Fibrillation Burden Estimates Derived from Intermittent Rhythm Monitoring are Unreliable Estimates of the True Atrial Fibrillation Burden

Estimates of atrial fibrillation (AF) burden (AFB) derived from intermittent rhythm monitoring (IRM) are increasingly being used as an outcome measure after therapeutic interventions; however, their accuracy has never been validated. The aim of this study was to compare IRM‐derived AFB estimates to the true AFB as measured by implantable continuous monitoring (CM) devices.
The Role of Translocation in Recovery of Woodland Caribou Populations

Abstract: Maintenance of viable populations of many endangered species will require conservation action in perpetuity. Efforts to conserve these species are more likely to be successful if their reliance on conservation actions is assessed at the population level. Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) were extirpated recently from Banff National Park, Canada, and translocations of caribou to Banff and neighboring Jasper National Park are being considered. We used population viability analysis to assess the relative need for and benefits from translocation of individuals among caribou populations. We measured stochastic growth rates and the probability of quasi extinction of four populations of woodland caribou with and without translocation. We used two vital rates in our analysis: mean adult female survival and mean number of calves per breeding‐age female as estimates of mean fecundity. We isolated process variance for each vital rate. Our results suggested the Tonquin caribou population in Jasper is likely to remain viable without translocation, but that translocation is probably insufficient to prevent eventual extirpation of the two other populations in Jasper. Simulated reintroductions of caribou into Banff resulted in a 53–98% probability of >8 females remaining after 20 years, which suggests translocation may be an effective recovery tool for some caribou populations.
FGF-1 Triggers Pannexin-1 Hemichannel Opening in Spinal Astrocytes of Rodents and Promotes Inflammatory Responses in Acute Spinal Cord Slices

We show here that the growth factor FGF-1 is proinflammatory in the spinal cord and explore the inflammatory mechanisms. FGF-1 applied to rat spinal astrocytes in culture initiates calcium signaling and induces secretion of ATP that within minutes increases membrane permeability to ethidium (Etd+) and Ca2+ by activating P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) that open pannexin hemichannels (Px1 HCs) that release further ATP; by 7 h treatment, connexin 43 hemichannels (Cx43 HCs) are also opened. In acute mouse spinal cord slices ex vivo, we found that FGF-1 treatment for 1 h increases the percentage of GFAP-positive astrocytes that show enhanced Px1 HC-mediated Etd+ uptake. This response to FGF-1 was not observed in astrocytes in slices of cerebral cortex. FGF-1-induced dye uptake by astrocytes is prevented by BAPTA-AM or a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor. Furthermore, in spinal cord slices, P2X7R antagonists (BBG and A740003) and Px1 HC blockers (10Panx1 and carbenoxolone) prevent the increase in Etd+ uptake by astrocytes, whereas Gap19, a selective Cx43 HC blocker, has no effect on dye uptake at this time. Microglia are not required for the increase in Etd+ uptake by astrocytes induced by FGF-1, although they are activated by FGF-1 treatment. The morphological signs of microglia activation are inhibited by P2X7R antagonists and 10Panx1 and are associated with elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines in cord slices treated with FGF-1. The FGF-1 initiated cascade may play an important role in spinal cord inflammation in vivo. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We find that FGF-1 elevates [Ca2+]i in spinal astrocytes, which causes vesicular release of ATP and activation of P2X7Rs to trigger opening of Px1 HCs, which release further ATP. This regenerative response occurs in astrocyte cultures and in acute spinal cord slices. In the latter, FGF-1 application promotes the activation of microglia and increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines through mechanisms depending on P2X7 receptors and Px1 HCs. This proinflammatory microenvironment may favor recruitment of leukocytes into the spinal cord and impacts negatively on neuronal structure and function in vivo. Any step in these processes provides a potential therapeutic target for treatment of secondary damage in various spinal cord pathologies.
Prognostic Immune Markers in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Tumor-associated immune responses have polarized effects in regulating tumor growth. Although a clear association has been shown between the tumor immune response and clinical outcome in colorectal and ovarian cancers, the role of immune markers for stratifying prognosis in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is less defined. Herein, we review the prognostic significance of published immune markers in the tumor microenvironment and peripheral blood of NSCLC patients. To identify prognostic immune genes, we reviewed all published gene-profiling studies in NSCLC and delineated the significance of immune genes by doing subanalysis on the microarray database of the NIH Director's Challenge study. This first comprehensive review of prognostic immune markers provides a foundation for further investigating immune responses in NSCLC. Clin Cancer Res; 17(16); 5247–56. ©2011 AACR.
Costs and Benefits of In-Kind Transfers: The Case of Medicaid Home Care Benefits

Many large government programs provide benefits in kind as opposed to in cash. Providing benefits in kind potentially distorts decisions and leads to a deadweight loss if recipients value the benefits less than a cost-equivalent cash transfer. Yet providing benefits in kind may have some offsetting benefits, especially in terms of improving the targeting of benefits to desired beneficiaries. We complete what is to our knowledge one of the first empirical studies of the costs and benefits of providing transfers in kind as opposed to in cash. We focus on the case of the US Medicaid program's provision of in kind home health care benefits. Three state Medicaid programs completed randomized experiments that converted the usual in-kind benefits into cash benefits for a randomly-selected subset of benefit recipients. We use the results of these experiments together with a variety of other evidence to estimate the costs and benefits of providing Medicaid home care benefits in kind. We find that in the case of Medicaid home care benefits, both the costs and benefits of providing transfers in kind as opposed to in cash are large. This suggests that alternative targeting mechanisms, if available, have the potential to significantly increase efficiency relative to traditional Medicaid policy.
LTCC Filtering Rat-Race Coupler Based on Eight-Line Spatially-Symmetrical Coupled Structure

In this paper, a compact filtering rat-race coupler implemented in low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology is presented. In order to reduce the dimensions, the schematic and the coupling topology of a planar filtering rat-race coupler are first studied and then simplified to fit the 3-D multilayer LTCC structure. An eight-line spatially symmetrical coupled structure is, therefore, proposed to obtain the required coupling topology between resonators. Thus, the filtering rat-race coupler can be constructed only by using four resonators, which is only half that of the planar one. Consequently, the size could be reduced substantially. For validation, a design example centered at 3.5 GHz is simulated, fabricated, and measured. All the measured results are in good agreement with the full-wave simulation results. Besides, the size of the circuit is only $3.8 \times 4 \times 2.1$ mm3, which demonstrates that by employing the eight-line spatiallysymmetrical coupled structure, the proposed rat-race coupler obtains good performance and compact size.
Global Warming and Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Conceptual Framework for Analysis

raise global mean temperature over the next century by 1.0–3.5 °C (Houghton et al. 1995, 1996). Ecologists from around the world have begun experiments to investigate the effects of global warming on terrestrial ecosystems, the aspect of global climate change that attracts the most public attention (Woodwell and McKenzie 1995, Walker and Steffen 1999). The effort to understand response to warming builds on a history of investigations of the effects of elevated CO 2 on plants and ecosystems (Koch and Mooney 1996, Schulze et al. 1999). There are important differences, however, between increases in atmospheric CO 2 and temperature change, both in the temporal and spatial patterns of change and in how they affect ecosystems. The scientists involved in temperature change research have had to face new technical and conceptual challenges in designing and interpreting their experiments (Schulze et al. 1999). In this paper we describe these challenges and present a conceptual framework for interpreting experimental results and predicting effects of warming on ecosystems.
Environmental Attitudes, Discourses, and Drivers of Environmental Politics: An International Longitudinal Study of ISSP Datasets

This paper explores the relationship between environmental attitudes, governance discourses, and drivers of environmental politics. Data from the International Social Science Program (ISSP) environmental modules from 1993 and 2000 contain discernible patterns among countries for items dealing with ecocentric and pessimistic environmental attitudes broadly related to the DSP and NEP. A proposed conceptual model is utilized to interpret the results of the ISSP datasets, through a bi-axial dimension scale: Ecological consciousness together with epistemological commitment, to indicate the environmental knowledge orientation of the respondents among four archetypes. Attitudes of people and changes over time are related to overarching environmental discourses, such as ‘green governmentalism', ‘ecological modernization', and ‘civic environmentalism' through movements within the typology. Moreover, drivers of environmental politics that include: Political opportunity structures, environmental NGOs, natural disasters and conditions, and cultural dynamics, may also be considered in order to understand specific contexts of different regions and countries.
Coupling of the fusion and budding of giant phospholipid vesicles containing macromolecules

Mechanisms that enabled primitive cell membranes to self-reproduce have been discussed based on the physicochemical properties of fatty acids; however, there must be a transition to modern cell membranes composed of phospholipids [Budin I, Szostak JW (2011) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 108:5249–5254]. Thus, a growth-division mechanism of membranes that does not depend on the chemical nature of amphiphilic molecules must have existed. Here, we show that giant unilamellar vesicles composed of phospholipids can undergo the coupled process of fusion and budding transformation, which mimics cell growth and division. After gaining excess membrane by electrofusion, giant vesicles spontaneously transform into the budded shape only when they contain macromolecules (polymers) inside their aqueous core. This process is a result of the vesicle maximizing the translational entropy of the encapsulated polymers (depletion volume effect). Because the cell is a lipid membrane bag containing highly concentrated biopolymers, this coupling process that is induced by physical and nonspecific interactions may have a general importance in the self-reproduction of the early cellular compartments.