Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells and Its Application in Alveolar Defect Restoration

The present study investigated the detailed in vitro osteogenic differentiation process and in vivo bone regenerative property of human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs). The in vitro osteogenic differentiation process of hAECs was evaluated by biochemical staining, real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. Next, β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) scaffolds alone or loaded with hAECs were implanted into the alveolar defects of rats. Micro‐computed tomography evaluation and histologic studies were conducted. Our results validated the in vitro osteogenic capacity of hAECs by upregulation of Runx2, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, collagen I, and osteopontin, with positive biochemical staining for osteoblasts. An epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation process might be involved in the osteogenic differentiation of hAECs by increased expression of transforming growth factor‐β1. Our data also demonstrated that in vivo implantation of hAECs loaded on β‐TCP scaffolds, not only improved bone regeneration by direct participation, but also reduced the early host immune response to the scaffolds. The presented data indicate that hAECs possess proper osteogenic differentiation potential and a modulatory influence on the early tissue remodeling process, making these cells a potential source of progenitor cells for clinical restoration of the alveolar defect.
Hepatitis B viral load predicts survival of HCC patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy

HCC is a common cause of morbidity and mortality. For patients who are not candidates for curative surgery, systemic chemotherapy is one of the standard treatments. In parts of China and the Far East, over 80% of HCC patients have chronic HBV infection. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between pre‐chemotherapy HBV viral load and the survival of HCC patients. HBV infection status was determined prior to chemotherapy in 188 patients, 170 of whom had evidence of HBV chronic infection/exposure (160 hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]‐positive, 10 HBsAg‐negative/hepatitis B core antibody–positive). Of these, 125 had pretreatment HBV DNA levels determined via real‐time PCR. Virological data were analyzed using conventional clinical variables to identify factors that influenced survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that high total bilirubin (P = 0.0016; hazard ratio = 1.040 per 1 μM increase; 95% CI 1.015–1.065), HCV infection (P = 0.0095; hazard ratio = 6.955; 95% CI 1.606–30.129), and high HBV DNA level (P = 0.0217; hazard ratio = 1.650; 95% CI 1.076–2.531) affected survival significantly. Exploratory analysis revealed that high levels of pretreatment HBV DNA had a significantly higher incidence of severe hepatitis during chemotherapy. Conclusion: For HCC patients with HBV chronic infection/exposure, a high viral load prior to treatment is an adverse factor for survival and may be associated with a higher incidence of severe hepatitis during chemotherapy. Future strategies to improve the prognosis of HCC patients undergoing chemotherapy should consider supportive therapy that incorporates antiviral therapies to reduce HBV viral load. (HEPATOLOGY 2007;45:1382–1389.)
Exposure‐Response Modeling of Darbepoetin Alfa in Anemic Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Not Receiving Dialysis

A population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model (PK/PD) of darbepoetin alfa following intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) administration in participants with chronic kidney disease (CKD) was developed. Darbepoetin alfa concentrations from 96 CKD participants, who received IV or SC darbepoetin alfa, and Hgb concentration from 332 CKD participants not on dialysis, who received SC doses of darbepoetin alfa, were used to develop the PK/PD model. An open 2‐compartment model with sequential zero‐ and first‐order absorption was used to characterize darbepoetin alfa pharmacokinetics. Darbepoetin alfa was assumed to trigger concentration‐dependent stimulation of production of progenitor cells of red blood cells (RBCs) in bone marrow, which become red blood cells and died after life span expiration. Model evaluation was performed through nonparametric bootstrap and posterior predictive checks. Absolute bioavailability, total mean absorption time, clearance, and volume of distribution were estimated to be 44%, 52 h, 3.4 L/d/70 kg, and 5.9 L/70 kg, respectively. The estimates of drug potency, efficacy, and RBC life span were 0.41 ng/mL, 64%, and 77 days, respectively. Pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic parameters of darbepoetin alfa were not affected by age and sex. The qualified model supports the use of darbepoetin alfa administered biweekly (SC) in CKD patients for anemia correction and monthly (SC) for hemoglobin maintenance. In addition, the model is deemed appropriate to conduct simulations to support dose selection for additional clinical studies.
Spontaneous longitudinally orientated axonal regeneration is associated with the Schwann cell framework within the lesion site following spinal cord compression injury of the rat

Spontaneous cellular reorganisation at the lesion site has been investigated following massive spinal cord compression injury in adult rats. By 2 days post operation (p.o.), haemorrhagic necrosis, widespread axonal degeneration, and infiltration by polymorphnuclear granulocytes and OX42‐positive macrophages were observed in the lesion site. By 7 days p.o. , low affinity nerve growth factor receptor‐positive Schwann cells, from activated spinal roots, were identified as they migrated far into the lesion. Between 7 and 14 days p.o. , the overlapping processes of Schwann cells within the macrophage‐filled lesion formed a glial framework which was associated with extensive longitudinally orientated ingrowth by many neurofilament‐positive axons. Relatively few of these axons were calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐, substance P (SP)‐, or serotonin (5HT)‐positive; however, many were glycinergic or gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic. At 21 and 28 days p.o. (the longest survival times studied), a reduced but still substantial amount of orientated Schwann cells and axons could be detected at distances of up to 5 mm within the lesion. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunoreactivity demonstrated the slow formation of astrocytic scarring which only became apparent at the lesion interface between 21 and 28 days p.o. The current data suggest the possibility of developing future therapeutic strategies designed to maintain or even enhance these spontaneous and orientated regenerative events. J. Neurosci. Res. 53:51–65, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A quadrature finite element method for semilinear second‐order hyperbolic problems

In this work we propose and analyze a fully discrete modified Crank–Nicolson finite element (CNFE) method with quadrature for solving semilinear second‐order hyperbolic initial‐boundary value problems. We prove optimal‐order convergence in both time and space for the quadrature‐modified CNFE scheme that does not require nonlinear algebraic solvers. Finally, we demonstrate numerically the order of convergence of our scheme for some test problems. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2008
An evaluation of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in paediatric practice.

Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid was used as a sedative for 54 children undergoing cardiac catherization and as a form of anaesthesia in 159 children undergoing paediatric surgery and various paediatric investigations. In 16 of the cardiac group and 22 of the surgical group, an assessment of blood-gas status was made. Clinical impressions were favourable and the biochemical findings underline the safety, efficacy and usefulness of this drug in paediatric practice.
Admission neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio predicts 90 day outcome after endovascular stroke therapy

Objective Immune dysregulation influences outcome following acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Admission white blood cell (WBC) counts are routinely obtained, making the neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) a readily available biomarker of the immune response to stroke. This study sought to identify the relationship between NLR and 90 day AIS outcome. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent endovascular therapy for AIS at West Virginia University Hospitals, Morgantown, West Virginia. Admission WBC differentials were analyzed as the NLR. Stroke severity was measured by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and outcome by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days. Univariate relationships between NLR, age, NIHSS, and mRS were established by correlation coefficients; the t test was used to compare NLR with recanalization and stroke location (anterior vs posterior). Logistic regression models were developed to identify the ability of NLR to predict mRS when controlling for age, recanalization, and treatment with IV tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Results 116 patients were reviewed from 2008 to 2011. Mean age of the sample was 67 years, and 54% were women. Mean baseline NIHSS score was 17 and 90 day mRS score was 4. There was a significant relationship between NLR and mRS (p=0.02) that remained when controlling for age, treatment with IV tPA, and recanalization. NLR ≥5.9 predicted poor outcome and death at 90 days. Conclusions This study shows that the NLR, a readily available biomarker, may be a clinically useful tool for risk stratification when evaluating AIS patients as candidates for endovascular therapies.
Health care spending as determinants of health outcomes.

This paper revisits the relationship between health care spending and health outcomes. While previous researchers found it difficult to establish such a relationship based on international comparisons, the results based on rather homogenous province-specific Canadian data show that lower health care spending is associated with a statistically significant increase in infant mortality and a decrease in life expectancy in Canada. This relationship is independent of various economic, socio-demographic, nutritional and lifestyle factors, as well as provincial specificity or time trend. It is based on annual data collected from the ten Canadian provinces over 15 years.
Risk factors for complications of induced abortions in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND The prevalence and risk factors for unsafe abortions and their complications are not well defined. METHODS A cross-sectional study of patient-reported reproductive history was conducted in three hospitals in southwest Nigeria from 1998 to 1999. Data on pregnancy outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics were collected for 1836 women ages 15-49 seeking family planning and antenatal services. Independent predictors for complications from induced abortion of first pregnancies were analyzed using logistic regression models. RESULTS Four hundred twenty-four women (29.7%) terminated their first pregnancy. As many as 43.1% of women unmarried at first pregnancy had an abortion, and being unmarried at pregnancy was the strongest predictor of abortion in the adjusted model. Almost 30% experienced complications at the time of abortion (heavy bleeding, high fever, and other), and 22.9% reported complications subsequent to and within 6 weeks of abortion. Heavy bleeding and 6-week complications were significantly associated with age at pregnancy, circumcision, and religion, and 87.6% of women with 6-week complications reported complications for 1 day. Type of provider was the sole significant predictor of fever, and doctor provider reduced the risk of fever. Induced abortion and related complications were common despite the widespread provision by doctors. CONCLUSIONS Policies and programs should address improving abortion practices and postabortion care, increasing contraceptive use, and reducing the practice of female circumcision.
Short-term ethanol exposure increases the expression of Kupffer cell CD14 receptor and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in rat liver.

Gut-derived endotoxins (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) complexed to LPS-binding protein (LBP) activate liver Kupffer cells via their CD14 receptor. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are released and this is postulated to promote liver injury. We previously demonstrated enhanced expression of CD14 endotoxin receptor after 2 weeks of alcohol administration. A similar result, based on 6 weeks of ethanol treatment, was recently reported and suggested to correlate with alcohol-induced liver injury. To establish whether this occurs prior to or after the initiation of damage, we investigated the temporal effect of continuous ethanol exposure on the expression of CD14 and the associated LBP. In addition, we studied the effect of treatment with gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) that inactivates Kupffer cells and alleviates alcohol-induced liver damage. The amount of CD14 and LBP mRNA, as determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), was unchanged 4-8 h after intragastric ethanol administration. However, after 24-48 h of repeated ethanol administration, CD14 and LBP mRNA both increased significantly and reached a level similar to that observed after 6 weeks of ethanol exposure by liquid diet. Immunostaining experiments with ED2 antibody demonstrated that GdCl3 efficiently inactivated Kupffer cells. However, there was no concomitant reduction in the expression of CD14 mRNA, suggesting that compensatory infiltration by ED2-negative, but CD14-positive, macrophages had occurred. Our results demonstrate that soon after the initiation of ethanol exposure, i.e. within 24-48 h, the hepatic expression of both the CD14 receptor and LBP is increased. This suggests that these increases could contribute to the initiation of alcoholic damage rather than being a consequence of the injury.
Peripheral plasma levels of oestrogens, progesterone and 17 -hydroxyprogesterone during the menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey.

This study conducted at the University of Uppsala in Uppsala Sweden is primarily concerned with peripheral plasma levels of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone in the normal menstrual cycle of the rhesus monkey. Peripheral plasma levels of progesterone and estrogens were measured primarily for reasons related to the study of 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone. Comparison with the human menstrual cycle was possible because workers in this laboratory used the same techniques for women. After column separation on hydrophobic Sephadex progesterone and 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone were assayed by competitive protein binding techniques. Estrogens were measured by rapid radioimmunoassay. 8 mature rhesus monkeys were studied for a cycle. 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone began to rise in the late follicular phase to a peak valve coinciding in time with the midcyclic estrogen peak. Thereafter a sharp decline in 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone occurred during 1-2 days a decline paralleling the decline of estrogen. In the luteal phase 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone followed a pattern similar to those of both progesterone and estrogen. In the follicular phase the ratio of estradiol-17-beta to estrone was 2:1 or higher; during the late luteal phase the ratio was reversed. The estrogen and progesterone levels were lower during the cycles than in cycles of women but the 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone levels were higher. The patterns of the levels of the 3 steroids here were similar to the corresponding patterns in women. In the preovulatory period 17-alpha-hydroxyprogesterone may be produced by the maturing Graafian follicle. The decrease of this compound and of progesterone and estrogen prior to menstrual bleeding suggests they are at that time produced by the corpus luteum which is histologically degenerating.
Offspring-generation sample : children of the NLSY 79 (

K. Paige Harden, Brian M. D’Onofrio, Carol Van Hulle, Eric Turkheimer, Joseph L. Rodgers, Irwin D. Waldman, and Benjamin B. Lahey Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, USA; Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, USA; Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, USA; Department of Psychology, Emory University. USA
Outpatient dobutamine for end‐stage congestive heart failure

Eleven patients with refractory class IV congestive heart failure who were not candidates for cardiac transplantation were given iv dobutamine therapy on an outpatient basis. All patients underwent hemodynamic evaluation to confirm a beneficial response to low dose (5 μg/kg·min) dobutamine and to establish arrhythmia control both on and off dobutamine before hospital discharge. Six of the 11 patients could not be weaned from dobutamine in hospital and were discharged on continuous infusion (maximum dose, 5 μg/kg·min), while four were discharged with an infusion regimen ranging from 3 to 5 consecutive days/wk. All patients had a chronic venous access placed and were instructed on the use of an external battery-powered infusion pump with a container holding a concentrated solution of dobutamine hydrochloride. All infusions were delivered at home on an ambulatory basis. Intravenous drug support was discontinued gradually over an average of 3.2 months; seven of 11 patients were able to be weaned entirely from iv inotropic therapy and were maintained on oral therapy alone. Seven of the 11 patients (six of whom were maintained on oral therapy alone) required no hospital readmission during the infusion or follow-up period.
Molecular Characterization of Myxozoan Parasites from Lake Sasajewun, Algonquin Park, Ontario, by Riboprinting

Abstract The small subunit-rRNA genes of 18 myxozoans from Lake Sasajewun, Algonquin Park were amplified and digested with restriction endonucleases for riboprinting analysis. Identical riboprints were not found between the myxosporeans and the actinosporeans. The distinct riboprinting patterns observed among these myxozoans indicate considerable genetic diversity within this group. Identical riboprints were found between Myxobolus pendula and Myxobolus pellicides, and between triactinomyxon ‘C’ and Triactinomyxon ignotum. Parsimony analysis of the riboprints demonstrated that neither the myxosporeans nor the actinosporeans formed a monophyletic group. Some species of Myxobolus are more closely related to forms of triactinomyxon, echinactinomyxon or raabeia than to other Myxobolus species. These results are consistent with the two-host life cycle hypothesis of myxozoans that myxosporeans and actinosporeans are alternating stages of the same organisms.
The pan‐histone deacetylase inhibitor CR2408 disrupts cell cycle progression, diminishes proliferation and causes apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells

In view of the fact that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are promising targets for myeloma therapy, we investigated the effects of the HDAC inhibitor CR2408 on multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro. CR2408 is a direct pan‐HDAC inhibitor and inhibits all known 11 HDACs with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 12 nmol/l (HDAC 6) to 520 nmol/l (HDAC 8). Correspondingly, CR2408 induces hyperacetylation of histone H4, inhibits cell growth and strongly induces apoptosis (IC50 = 0·1–0·5 μmol/l) in MM cell lines and primary MM cells. CR2408 leads to fragmentation of cells and induces an accumulation in the subG1 phase accompanied with moderately decreased levels of cyclin D1 and cdk4 and strongly decreased levels of cdc25a, pRb and p53. Interruption of the cell cycle is reflected by inhibition of cell proliferation and is accompanied by decreased phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and p70S6k. Treatment with CR2408 results in increased protein levels of Bim and pJNK and downregulation of Bad and Bcl‐xL and activation of Caspases 3, 8 and 9. Furthermore, as HDAC inhibitors have shown synergism with other drugs, these effects were investigated and synergism was observed for combinations of CR2408 with doxorubicin and bortezomib. In conclusion, we have identified potent anti‐myeloma activity for this novel HDAC inhibitor that gives further insights into the biological sequelae of HDAC inhibition in MM.
Epidemiological Profile and Clinical Characteristics of the Childhood Asthma Among School Students in Dubai , UAE

Background: Epidemiologic data estimate that nearly 300 million people worldwide suffer from asthma with expectation that this number will grow by more than 100 million by 2025. Annually 250,000 deaths are attributed to this disease. with approximately 500,000 hospitalizations per year and 13 million missed school days. Asthma is the third-ranking cause of hospitalization among children under 15 In the UAE. Objectives: To study the clinical and epidemiological profile, and sociodemographic risk factors of the childhood asthma in Dubai. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students in preparatory and secondary schools “Governmental and Private” in Dubai, U.A. E. A sample of 1639 students was selected randomly by multistage stratified random sampling technique. Results: 16.7% have had an asthma attack at some point of time. About 38.5% had asthma at age of less than 3 years. most of the studied students had no wheezing or whistling in the chest at any time in the past (83.5 while 72.9% had wheezes within the last 12 months. As regards the frequency of asthma symptoms per week it can be noted that 8.5% had the symptoms over the day. Regarding sleeping, it was disturbed less than once weekly in 35.2%. Speech limitation due to wheezing was reported by 42.2%, and 66.8% experienced wheezes during and after exercise. As regards using inhalers, the frequency of use ranged from less than or twice weekly in 57.8%. Conclusion: Early onset of asthmatic attacks was clearly eminent among the study sample. Although Boys had higher statistically significant propensity to acquire bronchial asthma, gender revealed no difference concerning severity. Emirian students and those in governmental schools were more affected with bronchial asthma. Although apparently higher among low educated mothers, illiterate fathers had statistically significant higher percentage of asthmatic children. Recommendations: A national asthma surveillance system should be developed in order to early detect and manage bronchial asthma among school children.
Immunohematological Findings in Myelodysplastic Syndrome

Background: Few immunohematological studies have been done in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Methods: Twenty-nine MDS patients were retrospectively evaluated with a direct antiglobulin test (DAT), antibody screening, serum electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis. Clinical and laboratory studies (hemoglobin level, reticulocyte count, DHL, total and indirect bilirubin) were done simultaneously, as well as the French-American-British subtype and bone marrow biopsy findings. Results: Alloantibodies were demonstrated in 17 patients (58.6%), autoantibodies in 10 (34.4%) patients and cold agglutinin in 18 (62%) patients. DAT was mediated by only IgG in 8 patients (80%), by IgG and C3 in 1 patient (10%) and by IgG, IgA and C3 in 1 (10%) patient. No hemolytic disease occurred in patients with autoantibodies. Increased serum gammaglobulin was observed in 16 (54.4%) patients. There was no correlation between the incidence of allo-/autoantibodies and the gammaglobulin level (p = 0.937) and the presence of lymphocyte infiltrates in bone marrow biopsies (p = 0.156). No significant difference was observed when the incidence of autoantibodies and number of red blood cell transfusions were compared (p = 0.334). Patients with refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts subtypes had a higher incidence of allo-/autoantibodies than other MDS subtypes (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Patients with MDS, in particular refractory anemia and refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts have a high incidence of allo- and autoantibodies, probably related to intrinsic immune disorder, without clinical or laboratory hemolysis.