Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of epidural analgesia on postoperative insulin resistance as evaluated by insulin clamp technique

The influence of epidural neural blockade on postoperative insulin resistance was studied using the euglycaemic insulin clamp technique. Eighteen patients undergoing elective upper abdominal surgery of moderate severity were allocated to two groups: group G patients underwent operation under general anaesthesia, and postoperative pain was relieved by systemic administration of analgesia; and group E patients received epidural analgesia during surgery and epidural morphine postoperatively. In each patient the euglycaemic insulin clamp test was performed twice: several days before surgery and on postoperative day 1. Peroperative catecholamine and cortisol responses were also measured to investigate possible endocrine mechanisms of the insulin resistance. Glucose disposal (M) decreased in both groups on postoperative day 1 at plasma insulin concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 10.0 milliunits ml−1, resulting in the downward shift of dose‐response curves. However, this downward shift was significantly smaller in group E than in group G patients. Urinary adrenaline excretion increased markedly on the day of operation in group G, but was significantly inhibited in group E. Urinary noradrenaline excretion increased mainly on postoperative day 1 in group G, but was significantly inhibited in group E. Plasma cortisol response was lower in group E than in group G during and shortly after operation, and was significantly inhibited in group E on postoperative day 1. These results indicate that insulin resistance after elective abdominal surgery is due to a postreceptor deficit in glucose utilization, as indicated by the downward shift of the dose‐response curves. This disturbance in glucose metabolism was reduced by epidural analgesia, the results being associated with inhibited catecholamine and cortisol responses.
Adaptational changes in cellular fatty acids of cultured bacteria as a response to trophic differences

The adaptational changes in cellular fatty acids and morphology of γ-Proteobacteria belonging to different genera ; Vibrio, Halomonas, Pseudoalteromonas ; isolated from northern Adriatic waters and cultured in four media (Marine Broth, R2 Broth and tenfold dilutions of both) was investigated. The bacterial strains with identical 16S rRNA sequences isolated from different waters used different- mechanisms or -extent of the same mechanism to adapt their growth in equal culture media. In contrast, a similar growth strategy in each of used cultures was employed by different strains isolated from the same water body. Divergence in nutrient quality and requirement in cultures from that presented in bacteria natural environment induced important changes in cellular fatty acids (i) unsaturation, (ii) cis to trans isomerisation, (iii) chain elongation (iv) branching and/or morphology (Winnie-the-Pooh effect) or even cell division blocking. The results strongly suggest that growth and appropriate cellular response of bacteria in culture is predetermined by nutritional conditions in their genuine environment and can be useful for interpretation of trophic differences between proximate environments.
Impacto da Resolução CFM 1.805/06 sobre os médicos que lidam com a morte

A preservacao da vida e considerada inerente a atuacao medica, que pode aumentar a sobrevida do paciente com o uso de metodos tecnologicos. Surgem, entao, questionamentos acerca dos aspectos eticos do prolongamento da vida, o que fomenta a criacao da ResolucaoCFM 1.805/06. O presente artigo decorre de pesquisa destinada a levantar o perfil dos medicos que atuam nos hospitais da Faculdade de Medicina de Marilia (Famema), bem como apreender suas opinioes sobre eutanasia, distanasia e ortotanasia, considerando o disposto na citadaresolucao, alem de investigar os impactos desse documento sobre seu cotidiano profissional. (AU) La preservacion de la vida es considerada inherente a la actuacion medica, que puede aumentar la supervivencia del paciente con la utilizacion de metodos tecnologicos. Eso plantea cuestionamientos sobre los aspectos eticos de la prolongacion de la vida, lo que favorece lacreacion de la Resolucion CFM 1.805/06. El presente articulo se deriva de la investigacion destinada a levantar el perfil de los medicos que trabajan en los hospitales de la Facultad de Medicina de Marilia (Famema) asi como aprender sus opiniones sobre eutanasia, distanasia e ortotanasia, teniendo en cuenta lo dispuesto en la resolucion, ademas de investigar los impactos de ese documento sobre su cotidiano profesional. (AU) The preservation of life is considered inherent to medical performance, which may increase patient? s survival through the usage of technological methods. This raises questions concerning the ethical aspects of prolonging life, which fosters the creation of CFM Resolution 1,805/06.This paper derives from (was created as a result of a) research aimed at raising physicians? profile working at Marilia Medical School hospitals (Famema), as well as seizing their opinion about euthanasia, dysthanasia and orthotanasia, regarding the provisions of resolution, and investigatingthe impact of such document over their professional routine. (AU)
Cerebrospinal fluid β-amyloid 1–42 concentration may predict cognitive decline in older women

Background: Low levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) β-amyloid 1–42 (Aβ42) and high total tau (T-tau) are diagnostic for manifest Alzheimer’s disease. It is not known, however, whether these biomarkers may be risk indicators for cognitive decline in otherwise healthy older people. Methods: The longitudinal relationship between CSF markers, Aβ42 and T-tau, measured in 1992, and change in Mini-Mental State Examination (ΔMMSE) score between 1992 and 2002 were investigated in 55 women (aged 70–84 years, mean (SD) MMSE score = 28.3 (1.5)), who were participants in the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg, Sweden. These women did not have dementia when they experienced lumbar puncture in 1992–3. Results: Over the 8-year follow-up period, ΔMMSE (range = +3 to −21 points) was correlated with Aβ42 (Spearman’s r = 0.40, p = 0.002), such that lower levels of Aβ42 were related to greater decline. This was also observed after excluding 4 women who developed dementia between 1992 and 2002 (Spearman’s r = 0.34, p = 0.019). A multivariate logistic regression model predicting a decline of ⩾5 points on the MMSE (observed in six women), or a risk of developing dementia over the 8-year follow-up period (observed in four women), including age, education, Aβ42 and T-tau as covariates, showed that Aβ42 was the sole predictor of significant cognitive decline or dementia (OR per 100 pg/ml Aβ42 = 2.24, 95% CI 1.19 to 4.22, p = 0.013). Conclusions: Low levels of CSF Aβ42 may predict cognitive decline among older women without dementia.
Comprehensive phenotypic characterization of PTLD reveals potential reliance on EBV or NF‐κB signalling instead of B‐cell receptor signalling

Post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) are a major problem in transplant medicine. So far, the insights into pathogenesis and potentially druggable pathways in PTLD remain scarce. We investigated a cohort of PTLD patients, consisting of both polymorphic (n = 3) and monomorphic (n = 19) B‐cell lymphoproliferations. Several signalling pathways, cell of origin of PTLD and their relation to viruses were analysed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Most PTLD were of activated B‐cell origin. Two‐thirds of cases showed an Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection of the neoplastic cells. NF‐κB signalling components were present in the majority of cases, except for EBV‐infected cases with latency type III lacking CD19 and upstream B‐cell signalling constituents. Proteins involved in B‐cell receptor signalling like Bruton tyrosine kinase were only present in a minority of cases. Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) was expressed in 94% of cases and the druggable PI3K class 1 catalytic subunit p110 in 76%, while proteins of other signalling transduction pathways were expressed only in single cases. Unsupervised cluster analysis revealed three distinct subgroups: (i) related to EBV infection, mainly latency type III and mostly lacking CD19, upstream B‐cell signalling and NF‐κB constituents; (ii) mostly related to EBV infection with expression of the alternative NF‐κB pathway compound RelB, CD10, and FOXP1 or MUM1; and finally, (iii) mostly unrelated to virus infection with expression of the classic NF‐κB pathway compound p65. EBV and NF‐κB are important drivers in PTLD in contrast to B‐cell receptor signalling. The main signal transduction pathway is related to PI3K. This links PTLD to other subgroups of EBV‐related lymphomas, highlighting also new potential treatment approaches. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased Prevalence of Optic Disc Drusen after Papilloedema from Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: On the Possible Formation of Optic Disc Drusen

ABSTRACT This is a 25-year observational retrospective review of 372 consecutive participants with optic disc drusen or resolved papilloedema from idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The prevalence of optic disc drusen at 19% among eyes with resolved papilloedema was approximately 10 times higher and significantly increased (p < 0.001) as compared with the occurrence in the general population. Eyes with both resolved papilloedema and optic disc drusen had similar visual acuity and visual field outcome as compared with resolved papilloedema alone. Eyes with exposed drusen had significantly worse visual acuity and visual field outcome (p < 0.001) than buried drusen. The high prevalence of optic disc drusen after papilloedema has resolved suggests a non-coincidental relationship. Optic disc drusen formation can be a sequela of papilloedema.
Relapse pattern of Plasmodium vivax in Mumbai: a study of 283 cases of vivax malaria.

OBJECTIVES To analyze the relapse pattern of Plasmodium vivax in the city of Mumbai. METHODS 283 cases of smear positive vivax malaria were treated with full dose (25 mg/kg) chloroquine and were asked to follow up for at least one year. None of the patients received primaquine. RESULTS Of the 150 cases who followed up for at least one year, 19 relapsed, 17/19 relapsed within the first 6 months; indicating that the relapse pattern in the city is predominantly of the tropical or Chesson strain type. CONCLUSIONS Vivax malaria patients should be monitored for at least six months. Those who do relapse should receive treatment with full dose chloroquine and 14 days of primaquine treatment.
On quantitative microwave tomography of female breast

Microwave tomography deserves attention in biomedical imaging, owing to its potential capability of providing a morphological and functional assessment of the inspected tissues. However, such a goal requires the not trivial task of solving a non linear inverse scattering problem. In this paper, the factors afiecting the complexity of the inverse problem are exploited to trace guidelines aimed at setting the matching ∞uid, the frequency range and the number of probes in such a way that the dielectric parameters of female breast tissues can be reliably retrieved. Examples, concerning 2D realistic numerical phantoms obtained by NMR images, are given to asses a posteriori the efiectiveness of the proposed guidelines.
Measuring physical function in children with airway support: A pilot study using computer adaptive testing

Objective: To assess the responsiveness, examine the scoring range and determine the efficiency of a multidimensional computer adaptive testing version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-MCAT) for children admitted to inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation. Methods: The PEDI-MCAT was completed by clinician report for 30 infants and children. Mean self-care and mobility admission scores were compared with discharge scores for the total group and two diagnostic sub-groups (prematurity and congenital/neurological conditions). The scoring range of the mobility and self-care scales was examined to determine placement of the scores along the overall PEDI-MCAT scale. Efficiency was determined using an internal clock and average number of items required for score generation. Results: Mean changes for the total group and both sub-groups were significant for both self-care and mobility, except for the prematurity group's mobility scores. Effect sizes were small-to-moderate. Scores for both groups were at the low end of the scoring ranges. Average time to complete the PEDI-MCAT was 1.57 minutes. Average number of items administered was nine for self-care and 11 for mobility. Conclusion: The PEDI-MCAT was responsive to change in physical function, although only low-ability items were needed. The PEDI-MCAT can potentially minimize clinician burden in inpatient settings.
B cell depletion in lupus and Sjögren's syndrome: an update.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW The critical role of B cells in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome has provided a strong rationale to specifically target B cells. This review summarizes recent advances in the field of B cell depletion in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. RECENT FINDINGS Reports of successful B cell depletion therapy in refractory SLE have continued to surface over the last year. The accumulation of positive results therefore stands in stark contrast to the recent reports that two phase III randomized placebo controlled trials employing B cell depletion with rituximab in nonlupus and lupus nephritis (Explorer and Lunar, respectively) did not achieve. Multiple reasons, including trial design, limitations of outcome instruments and sort follow-up have been invoked to explain these disconcerting results. In the representative studies addressing B cell depletion in lupus in the last year, complete and partial remission in lupus nephritis has been achieved in 60-89% of cases. Improvements in the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group (BILAG) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores were associated with decrease in anti-dsDNA and increase in complement levels. B cell depletion seemed quite efficacious also in pediatric SLE. While more definitive studies are still lacking for primary Sjogren's syndrome, incidental reports indicating potential efficacy have also been recently published. SUMMARY Despite the disappointing results of Explorer and Lunar trials, other evidence continues to be published in support of the notion that B cell depletion could be useful for patients with refractory disease, including lupus nephritis, and antibody-mediated cytopenias, possibly in combination with other immunosuppressant medication.
Venlafaxine versus fluvoxamine in the treatment of delusional depression: a pilot double-blind controlled study.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have reported the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as monotherapy in the treatment of delusional depression. The clinical efficacy of venlafaxine, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake blocker, has been demonstrated in the treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe depression, but, to date, no evidence is available about its use in depressed patients with psychotic features. METHOD Under double-blind conditions, 28 hospitalized patients who met DSM-IV criteria for major depression, severe with psychotic features, were randomly assigned to receive fluvoxamine or venlafaxine, 300 mg/day, for 6 weeks. Severity was evaluated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) and the Dimensions of Delusional Experience Rating Scale (DDERS) administered at baseline and every week thereafter. Side effects were also recorded. Clinical response was defined as a reduction of the scores in the 21-item HAM-D to 8 or below and in the DDERS to 0. RESULTS At study completion, the response rates were 78.6% (N = 11) and 58.3% (N = 7) for fluvoxamine and venlafaxine, respectively. No significant difference was found between drugs (Fisher exact test, p = .40). Analysis of covariance on HAM-D scores did not reveal a significantly different decrease of depressive symptomatology between the 2 treatment groups (p = .14). Treatment response appeared to be unrelated to the demographic and clinical characteristics recorded. The overall safety profile of both fluvoxamine and venlafaxine was favorable. CONCLUSION The results of this pilot double-blind trial show that fluvoxamine is useful in the treatment of delusional depression and suggest that venlafaxine may also be an effective compound in the treatment of this disorder. The latter finding, although promising, warrants further replication in a larger sample of patients.
Multiple births, sex of children and subsequent breast‐cancer risk for the mothers: A prospective study in Norway

Endocrinological changes occurring during pregnancy may influence the subsequent cancer risk of the mother. Further, the endocrinological milieu may differ according to different birth characteristics. In the present study possible relations between multiple births, sex of children and breast‐cancer risk were examined in a population‐based, prospective study of 802,269 parous Norwegian women aged 20–56 years. A total of 4,782 women were diagnosed with breast cancer during follow‐up. Of these, 97 had ever experienced a multiple birth. We found a slightly lower risk of breast cancer among women ever having had a multiple birth than among women with singletons only (IRR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.73–1.09). The reduction in risk was mainly observed among women with a multiple last birth. Further, the reduction in risk seemed to diminish with increasing parity, and among women with 4 or more full‐term pregnancies, ever having had a multiple birth was associated with an elevated risk (IRR = 1.48, 95% CI = 0.97–2.25). The sex of the first or last child did not affect the subsequent breast‐cancer risk. Further, we found no associations with the sex distribution among all children or in multiple births, despite a tendency toward a reduced risk among women with several daughters only. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation classification of communication signals

In this paper we develop a novel algorithm using wavelet transform and pattern recognition to identify the modulation types of the communication signals automatically. Wavelet transform is used to estimate the symbol rate of the received signals in order to discriminate analogue signals from digital ones. Then the key features are extracted to identify the specific modulation type by threshold method. Computer simulation results demonstrate that the performance of the algorithm is efficient at the SNR /spl les/ 15 dB.
Titration of fresh meat color stability and malondialdehyde development with Holstein steers fed vitamin E-supplemented diets.

Pigment and lipid oxidations were investigated in longissimus lumborum (LL), semimembranosus (SM), and gluteus medius (GM) from Holstein steers fed four doses of vitamin E (64 [control], 295, 550, or 2,173 IU/d) for two durations (42 or 126d). Vitamin E dose did not affect (P = .30) carcass quality or yield characteristics. The LL was stored in vacuum packages at 4 degrees C for 14, 28, and 56 d, and GM and SM were stored for 14 d. Increments of dose and duration of vitamin E supplementation increased (P < .001) alpha-tocopherol concentration in blood plasma and in these muscles. During simulated retail display, accumulations of metmyoglobin (METMB) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were greater (P < .01) in beef from control than in beef from supplemented steers. In cubic models, muscle alpha-tocopherol accounted for 79% of the variation in TBARS and 66% of the variation in METMB. Color display life, calculated by the METMB threshold method, revealed fewer dose and duration effects of vitamin E than were evident following analysis of variance of the METMB responses. Across durations and muscles, color display-life of fresh beef calculated by the METMB threshold method was extended (P < .05) . 9 to 1.8 d by vitamin E supplementation (P < .05). Storage for 28 or 56 d caused only a slight decline (P < .001) in LL alpha-tocopherol concentration but diminished (P < .05) vitamin E effects on color display-life. Although the ranking of alpha-tocopherol accumulation was GM > SM > LL, the color display-life ranking of these muscles across vitamin E treatments was LL > SM > GM.
Sleep problems in autism: prevalence, cause, and intervention

Autism, Asperger's disorder (AD), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) are commonly referred to as ‘autistic spectrum disorders’ (ASD) and are classified as pervasive developmental disorders (PDD) in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual on Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Deviant and delayed development in social and communication skills and the presence of restricted routines and interests, and stereotypic behaviours are variously present in ASD. The majority of children with autism have an intellectual disability (ID) while those with AD do not.
Og4C3 circulating antigen: a marker of infection and adult worm burden in Wuchereria bancrofti filariasis.

Og4C3 circulating filarial antigen was detected in the sera of 94.5% (259/274) of microfilaremic patients, 32% (239/751) of persons with presumption of filariasis, and 23% (11/48) of chronic filariasis patients. The antigen level was correlated with the microfilariae (Mf) density and patient age (P < .01). It remained stable in patients treated with microfilaricidal drugs. Og4C3 antigen, undetectable in Mf culture media, was demonstrated to be a rare somatic Mf antigen. It appears to be an excreted or secreted antigen from adult filaria. It could be used as a marker of infection and an indicator of adult worm burden.
Noninfectious Virus-Like Particle Antigen for Detection of Swine Vesicular Disease Virus Antibodies in Pigs by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay

ABSTRACT An inactivated SVDV antigen is used in current enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of antibodies to swine vesicular disease virus (SVDV). To develop a noninfectious recombinant alternative, we produced SVDV-like particles (VLPs) morphologically and antigenically resembling authentic SVDV particles by using a dual baculovirus recombinant, which expresses simultaneously the P1 and 3CD protein genes of SVDV under different promoters. Antigenic differences between recombinant VLPs and SVDV particles were not statistically significant in results obtained with a 5B7-ELISA kit, indicating that the VLPs could be used in the place of SVDV antigen in ELISA kits. We developed a blocking ELISA using the VLPs and SVDV-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody 3H10 (VLP-ELISA) for detection of SVDV serum antibodies in pigs. The VLP-ELISA showed a high specificity of 99.9% when tested with pig sera that are negative for SVDV neutralization (n = 1,041). When tested using sera (n = 186) collected periodically from pigs (n = 19) with experimental infection with each of three different strains of SVDV, the VLP-ELISA detected SVDV serum antibodies as early as 3 days postinfection and continued to detect the antibodies from all infected pigs until termination of the experiments (up to 121 days postinfection). This test performance was similar to that of the gold standard virus neutralization test and indicates that the VLP-ELISA is a highly specific and sensitive method for the detection of SVDV serum antibodies in pigs. This is the first report of the production and diagnostic application of recombinant VLPs of SVDV. Further potential uses of the VLPs are discussed.