Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degree and duration of corneal anesthesia after topical application of 0.4% oxybuprocaine hydrochloride ophthalmic solution in ophthalmically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE To assess the anesthetic efficacy and local tolerance of topically applied 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution to in dogs and compare its effects with those of 1% tetracaine solution. ANIMALS 34 ophthalmically normal Beagles. PROCEDURES Dogs were assigned to 2 groups, and baseline corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured bilaterally with a Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometer. Dogs of group 1 (n = 22) received a single drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in one eye and saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (control treatment) in the contralateral eye. Dogs of group 2 (n = 12) received a single drop of 0.4% oxybuprocaine ophthalmic solution in one eye and 1% tetracaine ophthalmic solution in the contralateral eye. The CTT of each eye was measured 1 and 5 minutes after topical application and then at 5-minute intervals until 75 minutes after topical application. RESULTS CTT changes over time differed significantly between oxybuprocaine-treated and control eyes. After instillation of oxybuprocaine, maximal corneal anesthesia (CTT = 0) was achieved within 1 minute, and CTT was significantly decreased from 1 to 45 minutes, compared with the baseline value. No significant difference in onset, depth, and duration of corneal anesthesia was found between oxybuprocaine-treated and tetracaine-treated eyes. Conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis were detected more frequently in tetracaine-treated eyes than in oxybuprocaine-treated eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Topical application of oxybuprocaine and tetracaine similarly reduced corneal sensitivity in dogs, but oxybuprocaine was less irritating to the conjunctiva than was tetracaine.
Synergistic and antagonistic interactions between LPS and superantigens

Superantigens trigger polyclonal activation of T lymphocytes with cytokine release that eventually may lead to lethal cytokine syndrome (toxic shock). In contrast, bacterial components that are recognized by Toll-like receptors (e.g. LPS or CpG DNA) primarily target macrophages and dendritic cells. We have analyzed whether superantigens and TLR ligands interact with each other. We found that superantigens synergize with LPS in an IFN-γ-dependent pathway. More important, we found compelling evidence that superantigens prime the innate immune cell system to a subsequent challenge with endotoxin. This sensitization was critically dependent on T-cell derived IFN-γ. When we analyzed the underlying molecular mechanisms, we additionally found that TLR stimulation enhanced IFN-γ-mediated cellular responses. Moreover, TLR ligands induced proteins of the SOCS family thus shutting off IFN-γ-mediated cellular activation. Since IFN-γ is synthesized by T cells after superantigen triggering, these results show that superantigen and TLR pathways are interconnected and regulate each other. They further show that the outcome of this interaction may include activation as well as down-regulation of the respective response pattern.
The "Out of Africa" Hypothesis, Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Development

This research argues that deep-rooted factors, determined tens of thousands of years ago, had a signi.cant e¤ect on the course of economic development from the dawn of human civilization to the contemporary era. It advances and empirically establishes the hypothesis that in the course of the exodus of Homo sapiens out of Africa, variation in migratory distance from the cradle of humankind to various settlements across the globe a¤ected genetic diversity and has had a direct long-lasting e¤ect on the pattern of comparative economic development that could not be captured by contemporary geographical, institutional, and cultural factors. In particular, the level of genetic diversity within a society is found to have a hump-shaped e¤ect on development outcomes in the pre-colonial era, re.ecting the trade-o¤ between the bene.cial and the detrimen- tal e¤ects of diversity on productivity. Moreover, the level of genetic diversity in each country today (i.e., genetic diversity and genetic distance among and between its ancestral populations) has a similar non-monotonic e¤ect on the contemporary levels of income per capita. While the intermediate level of genetic diversity prevalent among the Asian and European populations has been conducive for development, the high degree of diversity among African populations and the low degree of diversity among Native American populations have been a detrimental force in the development of these regions. Further, the optimal level of diversity has increased in the process of industrialization, as the bene.cial forces associated with greater diversity have intensi.ed in an environment characterized by more rapid technological progress.
The Recreational Drug Ecstasy Disrupts the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Reproductive Axis in Adult Male Rats

Reproductive function involves an interaction of three regulatory levels: hypothalamus, pituitary, and gonad. The primary drive upon this system comes from hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurosecretory cells, which receive afferent inputs from other neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system to result in the proper coordination of reproduction and the environment. Here, we hypothesized that the recreational drug (±)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’), which acts through several of the neurotransmitter systems that affect GnRH neurons, suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal reproductive axis of male rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats self-administered saline or MDMA either once (acute) or for 20 days (chronic) and were euthanized 7 days following the last administration. We quantified hypothalamic GnRH mRNA, serum luteinizing hormone concentrations, and serum testosterone levels as indices of hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal functions, respectively. The results indicate that the hypothalamic and gonadal levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are significantly altered by MDMA, with GnRH mRNA and serum testosterone levels suppressed in rats administered MDMA compared to saline. Furthermore, our finding that hypothalamic GnRH mRNA levels are suppressed in the context of low testosterone concentrations suggests that the central GnRH neurosecretory system may be a primary target of inhibitory regulation by MDMA usage.
Fungal isolates and metabolites in locally processed rice from five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study reports the distribution of fungal isolates and fungal metabolites that naturally contaminate locally processed rice from five agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The fungal species were isolated by the dilution plate technique and identified by appropriate diagnostics, while metabolites were determined by a liquid chromatographic tandem mass spectrometric method. Aspergillus and Penicillium species were the predominant isolates found in the rice samples while Fusarium spp. were not isolated. The mean fungal count differed significantly (p < 0.05) across the zones and ranged from 9.98 × 102 cfu g−1 in the Southern Guinea Savannah to 96.97 × 102 cfu g−1 in the Derived Savannah. For 16 fungal metabolites, selected from 63 positively identified fungal metabolites based on their concentration and spread across the zones, an occurrence map was constructed. The Northern Guinea Savannah recorded the highest contamination of fungal metabolites while the Sudan Savannah zone recorded the least.
A new premixed self-etch adhesive for bonding orthodontic brackets.

OBJECTIVE To determine if a new premixed self-etch adhesive can be used to successfully bond orthodontic brackets to enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty human molars were cleaned, mounted, and randomly divided into two groups. In group 1, 20 teeth were conditioned using the self-etching primer Transbond Plus (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif). In group 2, 20 teeth were conditioned using a new premixed self-etching adhesive, AdheSE One (Ivoclar Vivadent Inc, Amherst, NY). Both groups were bonded using brackets precoated with a composite adhesive. The teeth were debonded within half an hour following initial bonding using a universal testing machine. After debonding, the enamel surface was examined under 10x magnifications to determine the amount of residual adhesive remaining on the tooth. A Student's t-test was used to compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of the two groups, and the Chi-square test was used to compare the adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores for the two adhesive systems. RESULTS The mean SBS of the brackets bonded to the teeth using AdhesSE One was 3.6 +/- 1.3 MPa and was significantly lower (t = 2.80, P = .01) than the SBS of the brackets bonded using Transbond Plus (x = 5.9 +/- 3.2 MPa). The comparisons of the ARI scores between the two groups (chi2 = 19.26) indicated that bracket failure mode was also significantly different (P < .001), with more adhesive remaining on the teeth bonded using Transbond Plus. CONCLUSIONS The SBS of the new premixed self-etching adhesive needs to be increased for it to be successfully used for bonding orthodontic brackets.
Development of specificity in corticospinal connections by axon collaterals branching selectively into appropriate spinal targets

Corticospinal projections in adult rodents arise exlusively from layer V neurons in the sensorimotor cortex. These neurons are topographically organized in their connections to spinal cord targets. Previous studies in rodents have shown that the mature distribution pattern of corticospinal neurons develops during the first 2 weeks postnatal from an initial widespread pattern that includes the visual cortex to a distribution restricted to the sensorimotor cortex. To determine whether specificity in corticospinal connections also emerges from an intially diffuse set of projections, we have studied the outgrowth of corticospinal axons and the formation of terminal arbors in developing hamsters. The sensitive fluorescent tracer 1, 1′, dioctadecyl‐3, 3, 3′, 3′‐tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorat (DiI) was used to label corticospinal axons from the visual cortex or from small regions of the forelimb or hindlimb sensorimotor cortex in living animals at 4–17 days postnatal. Initially axon outgrowth was imprecise. Some visual cortical axons extended transiently beyond their permanent targets in the pontine nuclei, by growing through the pyramidal decussation and in some cases extending as far caudally as the lumbar enlargement. Forelimb sensorimotor axons also extended past their targets in the cervical enlargement, in many cases growing in the corticospinal tract to lumbar levels of the cord. By about 17 days postnatal these misdirected axons or axon segments were withdrawn from the tract. Despite these errors in axon trajectories within the corticospinal tract, terminal arbors branching into targets in the spinal gray matter were topographically appropriate from the earliest stages of innervation. Thus visula cortical axons never formed connections in the spinal cord, forelimb sensorimotor axons arborized only in the cervical enlargement, and hindlimb cortical axons terminated only in the lumbar cord at all stages of development examined. Corticospinal arbors formed from collaterals that extended at right angles from the shafts of primary axons, most likely by the process of interstitial branching after the primary growth cone had extended past the target. Once collaterals extended into the spinal gray matter, highly branched terminal arbors formed within 2–4 days, beginning at about 4 and 8 days postnatal for the cervical and lumbar enlargements, respectively. These results show that specificity in connectivity is achieved by selectivty growth of axon collaterals in to appropriate spinal targets from the beginning and not by the later remodeling of intially diffuse connections. In contrast, errors occur in the initial outgrowth of axons in the corticospinal tract, which are subsequently corrected. Copyright © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predicting effects of cations on copper toxicity to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) by the biotic ligand model

A biotic ligand model (BLM) was developed to estimate Cu toxicity to lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in terms of root elongation after 4 d of exposure. Effects of Na+, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ on Cu toxicity were examined. The addition of these cations resulted in a 50‐fold difference in the copper median effective activity (${\rm EC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $). However, these variations could not be interpreted entirely as a function of the concentrations of these cations alone. In particular, only the relationship between ${\rm EC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $ and the activity of protons was found to be significant in the whole range of pH examined from 5.0 to 7.0. The addition of K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ at concentrations up to 20 mM resulted in a 16‐fold difference in ${\rm EC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $ values. This difference was significant, as indicated by non‐overlapping standard deviations of the negative logarithm of ${\rm EC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $ (${\rm pEC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $) obtained with (7.37 ± 0.22) and without (6.76 ± 0.22) additions of K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+. The variations were not statistically significantly related to concentrations of these cations; therefore, only protons can be integrated in the BLM predicting Cu toxicity to lettuce L. sativa with the important parameters: log KHBL = 6.27, log KCuBL = 7.40, and $f_{{\rm CuBL}}^{{\rm 50}\%} $ = 0.36 at pH = 7. The lack of significant relationships between ${\rm EC}50_{{\rm cu}^{2 + } } $ and concentrations of the cations was not in line with the main assumption of the BLM about the competition between cations for binding sites. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012;31:355–359. © 2011 SETAC
Self-Administered Nicotine Suppresses Body Weight Gain Independent of Food Intake in Male Rats.

INTRODUCTION The action of nicotine to suppress body weight is often cited as a factor impacting smoking initiation and the failure to quit. Despite the weight-suppressant effects of nicotine, smokers and nonsmokers report equal daily caloric intake. The weight-suppressive effects of nicotine in animal models of smoking are poorly understood. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration has authority to implement a policy markedly reducing nicotine levels in cigarettes; such a reduction could reduce smoking behavior, but have detrimental effects on body weight. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of self-administered nicotine on body weight and food intake in rats. METHODS In Experiment 1, rats with ad libitum access to chow responded for intravenous infusions of nicotine (60 µg/kg/infusion) or saline in daily 1-hour sessions; body weight and 24-hour food intake were measured. Experiment 2 tested the effects of subcutaneous injections of nicotine on food intake. In Experiment 3, rats were food restricted and self-administered nicotine across a range of doses (3.75-60 µg/kg/infusion) while body weight was measured. In Experiment 4, rats self-administered 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine before reduction to one of several doses (1.875-15 µg/kg/infusion) for 50 days. RESULTS Self-administered nicotine suppressed weight gain independent of food intake. In food restricted rats, self-administered nicotine dose-dependently suppressed body weight gain. In rats self-administering 60 µg/kg/infusion nicotine, dose reduction increased body weight. CONCLUSIONS Self-administered nicotine, even at low doses, suppressed body independent of food intake; this may have important implications for nicotine reduction policy. IMPLICATIONS The results of the present studies demonstrate that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight independent of food intake in rats. Further, the present studies establish that self-administered nicotine suppresses body weight even at very low doses and that reduction of nicotine dose results in weight gain. These results have important implications for nicotine reduction policy.
Internal fracture fixation using the Stoppa approach in pelvic ring and acetabular fractures: technical aspects and operative results.

BACKGROUND The ilioinguinal approach is well established for the treatment of pelvic fractures. As an alternative, the modified Stoppa approach can be used to expose pelvic and acetabular fractures. We describe our experience with this approach in patients with pelvic and acetabular fractures with respect to fracture reduction, technical aspects, and the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications. METHODS This retrospective study describes a series of 25 consecutive patients where a modified Stoppa approach was used for pelvic or acetabular fracture fixation. RESULTS Fifteen patients with acetabular fractures, six patients with a pelvic ring injury not involving the acetabular joint and four patients with a combined fracture were operated through a Stoppa approach. Nine patients had a total of 13 complications, none of which required reoperation. Anatomic or satisfactory reduction was achieved in 95% of the acetabular fractures. Pelvic ring fractures had an anatomic (displacement <1 cm) postoperative result in all 10 cases. CONCLUSION The modified Stoppa approach allows an adequate exposure and good postoperative results for treatment of pelvic ring fractures and acetabular fractures that are eligible for an anterior approach.
NS1 antigen testing for the diagnosis of dengue in returned Israeli travelers

Antigen testing with NS1 provides rapid diagnosis of dengue in endemic regions during the febrile phase of illness before appearance of IgM in serum. This study aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of NS1 antigen testing in travelers presenting with febrile illness and serologically confirmed dengue infection, upon return from dengue endemic countries to Israel, a region endemic for West Nile virus (WNV). Cases were sera obtained from febrile returning travelers with positive dengue‐IgM antibodies. Sera of non‐travelers with confirmed WNV disease and sera of returning travelers with confirmed non‐dengue febrile illnesses were used as controls. All sera were tested for NS1 antigen using the Panbio Dengue Early ELISA assay within 21 days of symptoms. Demographic data, travel destination, and interval between disease onset and testing were retrieved from patient files. Fifty‐eight sera from 40 dengue‐infected travelers, 26 sera from 26 WNV‐ infected patients, and 15 sera of returning travelers with non‐dengue febrile illness were tested. Sensitivity of NS1 testing in dengue patients was 87% during the first 3 days of symptoms and declined to about 70% after 12 days. No cases tested positive for NS1 after day 12. Specificity was 92% for the entire testing period. The NS1 Panbio assay is sensitive for the detection of dengue viral infection in returning travelers during the febrile phase of illness, and is highly specific in a region where WNV co‐circulates. J. Med. Virol. 86:2005–2010, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laparoscopic cystogastrostomy via the posterior approach for pancreatic pseudocyst drainage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS The treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts is still being debated. Laparoscopic treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts enables definitive drainage with faster recovery. Moreover, the best drainage technique for pseudocysts located adjacent to the posterior gastric wall is pseudocystgastrostomy. Although, drainage via the anterior approach has been frequently reported, reports on the posterior approach are rare. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the posterior approach technique for pancreatic pseudocyst drainage. METHODOLOGY We retrospectively studied 28 patients who underwent cystogastrostomy for pancreatic pseudocysts: they were divided into the conventional cystogastrostomy group (CCG group) and the laparoscopic cystogastrostomy via the posterior approach group (LCGP group). RESULTS The mean operative time was significantly shorter, blood loss was significantly reduced, and the duration of hospitalization after surgery was significantly shorter in the LCGP group than in the CCG group. Recurrence was observed in 1 patient (5.6%) in the CGP group; it was an asymptomatic recurrence that did not require additional treatment. In contrast, there was no recurrence in the LCGP group patients. CONCLUSIONS We think that our technique of performing laparoscopic cystogastrosotmy via the posterior approach is easy and feasible for pancreatic pseudocyst drainage.
Asthma coaching in the pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVES Coaching and monetary incentives have been used to modify medical behavior of individuals with several chronic diseases, including asthma. The authors performed a randomized, controlled trial of an intervention combining asthma coaching during an emergency department (ED) visit for asthma, and monetary incentive to improve follow-up with primary care providers (PCP). METHODS Subjects were parents of children 2-12 years of age, with Medicaid or no medical insurance, receiving treatment for asthma in the ED. The primary outcome was a verified PCP visit for asthma within two weeks of the index ED visit. All parents received 15 dollars for their time in the ED. Parents in the intervention group were told that they would receive an additional 15 dollars monetary incentive if a PCP visit was completed. The coach engaged in a dialogue with the parent during the ED visit, and discussed the importance and advantages of seeking follow-up care with the child's PCP. All parents received the usual discharge instructions, including advice to see the PCP within three days. RESULTS The authors enrolled 92 parents; outcome data were available for 86 (42 controls, 50 intervention). Demographic characteristics were similar in both groups. There was no significant difference in the proportion of patients who had follow-up PCP visits between the intervention (22.0%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 11.5% to 36.0%) and control (23.8%; 95% CI = 12.0% to 39.4%) groups (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS An intervention combining asthma coaching during acute ED visits and a monetary incentive to return for a PCP visit does not appear to increase follow-up with the PCP.
Relative impact of flavonoid composition, dose and structure on vascular function: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials of flavonoid-rich food products.

SCOPE Previous systematic reviews suggest beneficial effects of flavonoids on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but have overlooked the impact of dose response or food complexity. The aim of the present study was to examine the relative impact of composition, flavonoid structure and dose. METHODS AND RESULTS MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of flavonoids or flavonoid-rich foods/extracts. Flavonoid composition was established using United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Phenol-Explorer databases. Effects of six flavonoid subgroups on endothelial function (flow-mediated dilation; FMD), and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were assessed by random effects meta-analyses and regression analyses. Meta-analyses of combined flavonoid subclasses showed significant improvements in FMD (chronic, 0.73% (0.17, 1.30) 14 RCTs; acute, 2.33% (1.58, 3.08) 18 RCTs) and blood pressures (systolic, -1.46 mmHg (-2.38, -0.53) 63 RCTs; diastolic, -1.25 mmHg (-1.82, -0.67) 63 RCTs). Similar benefits were observed for the flavan-3-ol, catechol flavonoids (catechins, quercetin, cyanidin etc.), procyanidins, epicatechin and catechin subgroups. Dose-response relationships were non-linear for FMD (R(2) ≤ 0.30), with greater associations observed when applying polynomial regression analyses (R(2) ≤ 0.72); there was no indication of a dose response for blood pressure. CONCLUSION The present analysis suggests that flavonoid bioactivity does not follow a classical linear dose-response association and this may have important biological implications.