Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Splanchnic perfusion during hemodialysis: Evidence for marginal tissue perfusion

ObjectiveSplanchnic perfusion may be compromised during hemodialysis because of hypovolemia, inflammatory response, and blood flow redistribution. The aim of this study was to assess the response of splanchnic blood flow and oxygen transport to hemodialysis. DesignA prospective clinical study. SettingA mixed medical-surgical intensive care unit in a university hospital. PatientsNine patients with acute renal failure. InterventionsA 4-hr period of hemodialysis. Measurements and Main Results Systemic (via a pulmonary artery catheter), hepatosplanchnic, and femoral (via dye dilution) blood flow and gastric mucosal Pco2 were measured before, during, and 2 hrs after hemodialysis. During hemodialysis, despite unchanged arterial blood pressure, cardiac output and stroke volume decreased from 3.0 ± 1.0 L/m2/min (mean ± sd) to 2.3 ± 0.7 L/m2/min (p = .02), and from 38 ± 16 mL/m2/min to 28 ± 12 mL/m2/min (p = .01), respectively. Splanchnic but not femoral blood flow decreased from 0.9 ± 0.3 L/m2/min to 0.7 ± 0.2 L/m2/min (p = .02). The blood flows returned to baseline values after dialysis without need for therapeutic interventions. Gastric mucosal-arterial Pco2 gradients were high before dialysis (35 ± 23 torr [4.6 ± 3.1 kPa]) and did not change. Renin but not atrial natriuretic peptide concentration increased during hemodialysis from 13 ± 13 &mgr;g/L to 35 ± 40 &mgr;g/L and decreased afterward to baseline values (13 ± 13 &mgr;g/L;p = .01). Whereas interleukin 6 tended to decrease, tumor necrosis factor &agr; increased during hemodialysis from 74 ± 24 pg/mL to 86 ± 31 pg/mL and continued to increase after hemodialysis to 108 ± 66 pg/mL (p = .022). ConclusionHemodialysis and fluid removal in normotensive patients with acute renal failure may result in a reduction of systemic and splanchnic blood flow that is undetectable using traditional clinical signs. In contrast to what is observed in hypovolemia, the changes in regional blood flow are rapidly reversible after hemodialysis.
Effects of fiber density and plasma modification of nanofibrous membranes on the adhesion and growth of HaCaT keratinocytes

It may be possible to regulate the cell colonization of biodegradable polymer nanofibrous membranes by plasma treatment and by the density of the fibers. To test this hypothesis, nanofibrous membranes of different fiber densities were treated by oxygen plasma with a range of plasma power and exposure times. Scanning electron microscopy and mechanical tests showed significant modification of nanofibers after plasma treatment. The intensity of the fiber modification increased with plasma power and exposure time. The exposure time seemed to have a stronger effect on modifying the fiber. The mechanical behavior of the membranes was influenced by the plasma treatment, the fiber density, and their dry or wet state. Plasma treatment increased the membrane stiffness; however, the membranes became more brittle. Wet membranes displayed significantly lower stiffness than dry membranes. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed a slight increase in oxygen-containing groups on the membrane surface after plasma treatment. Plasma treatment enhanced the adhesion and growth of HaCaT keratinocytes on nanofibrous membranes. The cells adhered and grew preferentially on membranes of lower fiber densities, probably due to the larger area of void spaces between the fibers.
Birth Rank in Schizophrenia: With a Consideration of the Bias due to Changes in Birth-Orate

Studies of the relation between birth rank and schizophrenia (or any other disorder of adults) have hitherto been based on the assumption that, for a null hypothesis, cases will be randomly distributed among the birth ranks. In other words, if the distribution of cases is found to depart significantly from random (i.e. from equal numbers in each birth rank for each sibship size) then an association between birth rank and the disorder is held to have been demonstrated. However, we have recently shown, both from theoretical considerations (Price and Hare, 1969) and from the study of a large sample of psychiatric patients (Hare and Price, 1969b), that birth-rank distribution may depart very significantly from random because of bias arising from changes in the birth rate of the general population. The amount and direction of this bias will depend both on the changes in family size and on the number of families being started during the period of time when the patients (or any other population sample) and their siblings were born. The amount of bias is thus likely to be different in geographically different populations or in the same population at different periods of time.
Safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in children with severe sepsis.

In 1994, the Food and Drug Administration issued a regulation for labeling drugs and biologicals for pediatric use. Known as the “pediatric rule,” it permits the Food and Drug Administration to label a product for a pediatric disease based on efficacy findings in adults. This extrapolation of efficacy from adult data are limited to situations in which the disease is similar and the drug behaves in a similar manner (ie, the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and/or side-effect profile) in adults and children. Barton et al1 describe results of a nonrandomized, dose-finding study of drotrecogin alfa in 83 pediatric patients with sepsis. Over the age range of pediatric patients studied (term newborn to 18 … Address correspondence to Karen D. Weiss, MD, Food and Drug Administration, 1401 Rockville Pike, Ste 380, Rockville, MD 20852. E-mail: weissk{at}cber.fda. gov
Donor-derived exosomes: key in lung allograft rejection?

In a recent publication, Gunasekaran and colleagues conducted a case-control observational study in patients who underwent bilateral lung transplantation (LTx), determining whether exosomes are generated during allograft rejection and define their origin and antigenic phenotype (1). LTx is the sole effective treatment to save the life for patients with end-stage lung disorders (2). One of the major drawbacks for the clinical outcome of LTx is allograft rejection by acute rejection (AR) or bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) (2). A link between autoimmunity and immune responses to tissue restricted self-antigens (SAgs) such as K-alpha-1-tubulin (K-α1T) and Collagen V (Col-V) with acute or chronic lung allograft rejection has been proposed (3,4). However, the mechanisms underlying the evolution of acute or chronic lung rejection are poorly understood.
Interactions between pharmaceutical representatives and doctors in training

AbstractOBJECTIVE: Medical school and residency are formative years in establishing patterns of prescribing. We aimed to review the literature regarding the extent of pharmaceutical industry contact with trainees, attitudes about these interactions, and effects on trainee prescribing behavior, with an emphasis on points of potential intervention and policy formation. DESIGN: We searched MEDLINE from 1966 until May 2004 for English language articles. All original articles were included if the abstract reported content relevant to medical training and the pharmaceutical industry. Editorials, guidelines, and policy recommendations were excluded. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Contact with pharmaceutical representatives was common among residents. The majority of trainees felt that the interactions were appropriate. A minority felt that their own prescribing could be influenced by contact or gifts, but were more likely to believe that others’ prescribing could be influenced. Resident prescribing was associated with pharmaceutical representative visits and the availability of samples. A variety of policy and educational interventions appear to influence resident attitudes toward interactions with industry, although data on the long-term effects of these interventions are limited. Overall, residents reported insufficient training in this area. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmaceutical industry has a significant presence during residency training, has gained the overall acceptance of trainees, and appears to influence prescribing behavior. Training programs can benefit from policies and curricula that teach residents about industry influence and ways in which to critically evaluate information that they are given. Recommendations for local and national approaches are discussed.
Cognitive Critique Volume 1 Neural Temporal Codes for represeNTaTioN of iNformaTioN iN The CeNTral Nervous sysTem

The goal of neural coding research is to understand how the brain uses adaptive neural signals to represent and transmit information. This review surveys recent evidence concerning the nature of representation implemented by neural circuits. We contrast rate coding with different forms of temporal codes, arguing that at the level of a single neuron, this dichotomy is a simple problem of demonstrating the optimal window size for integration that could carry the behaviorally relevant information. Also, we draw on examples from vision and from other systems to illustrate how information may be coded hierarchically along a pathway. More-over, we stress 1 Neural Temporal Codes the importance of higher-order interactions, such as the relative timing of first-spike latencies from ensembles of neurons, which gives the cortex a potentially large immense representational capacity. Evidence derived from coupling massive multirecording techniques and 3D real-time voltage and/or magnetic imaging should yield enough information to reveal a more realistic picture of neural codes and network interactions. (Cogn Critique 1: 1-30, 2008)
The Power Delay Profile of the Single Antenna Full-Duplex Self-Interference Channel in Indoor Environments at 2.4 GHz

The power delay profile (PDP) of the single antenna full-duplex self-interference channel (SIC) is studied in the indoor environments in this paper. We perform the measurements at the center frequency of 2.4 GHz with 100 MHz bandwidth. The PDP can be decomposed into three components: leakage path (LP), antenna reflection path (ARP), and space multipath (SMP). Furthermore, we get the model of the profiles of the leakage path and the antenna reflection path. The space multipath can be modeled as power-law decay plus a random variable with lognormal statistics.
Do multivitamin or folic acid supplements reduce the risk for congenital heart defects? Evidence and gaps

Congenital heart defects are among the most common congenital anomalies and are the leading cause of infant death due to congenital anomalies. Except for a few known measures, effective primary prevention is not yet feasible for most heart anomalies. Recent reports have associated the use of multivitamin supplements around the time of conception and during early pregnancy with a reduced risk for heart defects in the offspring. We review and discuss the evidence and suggest a framework for further investigation in this area. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of oxidative stress in methyl parathion and parathion‐induced toxicity and genotoxicity to human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells

Methyl parathion (C8H10NO5PS) and parathion (C10H14NO5PS) are both organophosphate insecticides (OPI) widely used for household and agricultural applications. They are known for their ability to irreversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase which often leads to a profound effect on the nervous system of exposed organisms. Many recently published studies have indicated that human exposure to OPI may be associated with neurologic, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and reproductive adverse effects. Studies have also linked OPI exposure to a number of degenerative diseases including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Also, oxidative stress (OS) has been reported as a possible mechanism of OPI toxicity in humans. Hence, the aim of the present investigation was to use human liver carcinoma (HepG2) cells as a test model to evaluate the role of OS in methyl parathion‐ and parathion‐induced toxicity. To achieve this goal, we performed the MTT [3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2, 5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay for cell viability, lipid peroxidation assay for malondialdehyde (MDA) production, and Comet assay for DNA damage, respectively. Results from MTT assay indicated that methyl parathion and parathion gradually reduce the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose‐dependent manner, showing 48 h‐LD50 values of 26.20 mM and 23.58 mM, respectively. Lipid peroxidation assay resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) of MDA level in methyl parathion‐ and parathion‐treated HepG2 cells compared with controls, suggesting that OS plays a key role in OPI‐induced toxicity. Comet assay indicated a significant increase in genotoxicity at higher concentrations of OPI exposure. Overall, we found that methyl‐parathion is slightly less toxic than parathion to HepG2 cells. The cytotoxic effect of these OPI was found to be associated, at least in part, with oxidative cell/tissue damage. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2013.
Comparative serial quantitative measurements of chimaerism following unmanipulated allogeneic transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells and bone marrow

Serial samples were collected from 38 patients following allogeneic transplantation using either unmanipulated peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) (n = 18) or bone marrow (BM) (n = 20) to assess the incidence of mixed chimaerism using PCR amplification of five VNTR regions. After amplification, products were analysed using the Applied Biosystems ABI PRISM 377 Automated DNA Sequencer and GeneScan software GenoTyper program to determine a quantitative measure of chimaerism. The sensitivity of detection using this method was 0.1%.
Informed consent in the Pakistani milieu: the physician’s perspective

Informed consent enjoys an unassailable position in both clinical and research situations as a safeguard of patients’ rights. Keeping the patient involved in the decision making process is easier when there is direct communication with the individual. The Pakistani milieu offers challenges to this process because crucial decision making is often done by family members or is left entirely up to the attending physician. There seems to be a general acceptance of this shifting of focus from the individual to other players. This also raises certain ethical dilemmas for physicians who may feel uncomfortable with communication which excludes the patient or in accepting a paternalistic primary decision making role. The objective of this informal qualitative study was to ascertain physicians’ perceptions regarding the process of information delivery to the patient in the Pakistani context and the various influences acting upon it.
Beckmann , Joscha Working Paper Nonlinear Adjustment , Purchasing Power Parity and the Role of Nominal Exchange Rates and Prices Ruhr Economic

Although the literature on purchasing power parity (PPP) is rich in controversy, the relative contribution of prices and nominal exchange rates to real exchange rate movements which restore PPP disequilibria has rarely been put under any close scrutiny. Using monthly data from 1973:01 to 2009:12 from the USA, UK, Germany, France and Japan, this paper as a fi rst step applies a cointegrated VAR framework to test for stationary real exchange rates and linear adjustments in prices and nominal exchange rates. As a second step, ESTR error correction models are fi tted to test whether nonlinear error correctional behaviour characterizes the data. The results clearly indicate that the nominal exchange rate is responsible for the nonlinear mean reverting behaviour in real exchange rates and also mainly drives overall adjustment. Applying dynamic stochastic simulations based on the estimated models, this study also confi rms recent results that the half-life times of real exchange rate shocks are signifi cantly smaller than the consensus benchmark of three to fi ve years. JEL Classifi cation: E44, F31, G15
Molecular Detection of Plasmodium knowlesi in a Dutch Traveler by Real-Time PCR

ABSTRACT Plasmodium knowlesi infection with low parasitemia presents a diagnostic challenge, as rapid diagnostic tests are often negative and identification to the species level by microscopy is difficult. P. knowlesi malaria in a traveler is described, and real-time PCR is demonstrated to support fast and reliable diagnosis and identification to the species level.
Cenozoic palaeocanyon evolution, Ancestral Cascades arc volcanism, and structure of the Hope Valley–Carson Pass region, Sierra Nevada, California

We use new geologic mapping, geochronological, and geochemical data on Tertiary volcanic, volcaniclastic, and intrusive rocks to investigate the volcanic, stratigraphic, and structural evolution of the Carson Pass region south of Lake Tahoe in the central Sierra Nevada. Volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks were deposited in east–west-trending palaeocanyons carved into Mesozoic granitic and metamorphic basement rocks; sediments were transported westwards towards the present-day Central Valley of California. In the Carson Pass–Hope Valley area, two palaeotributaries are preserved in faulted terrane east of the present-day Sierran crest (Hope Valley area); these merge at the crest to form one large, >7 km wide palaeocanyon that is undisrupted by faults west of the crest (Carson Pass–Kirkwood area). This single, large palaeocanyon roughly coincides with the present-day Mokelumne River drainage. New 40Ar/39Ar dates and stratigraphic data east of the crest, integrated with previously published data west of the cre.
Changes of heart rate variability during ventilator weaning.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Despite the recognition that ventilator weaning is associated with a change in autonomic nervous system activity, there has not been any report concerning the change of heart rate variability (HRV), a reliable method to detect autonomic nervous system activity, in patients during weaning. The aim of this study was to investigate the change of autonomic nervous system activity during ventilator weaning by HRV analysis. DESIGN Prospective study. SETTING A 16-bed medical ICU of a tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS Twenty-four patients receiving mechanical ventilation were included. Twelve patients with successful extubation after a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) [T-piece trial] were classified as the success group; otherwise, the patients were placed in the failure group. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Variables, including the total power (TP), and the high-frequency (HF) and low-frequency (LF) components of HRV, were measured in three phases: assist/control mandatory ventilation, pressure support ventilation (PSV), and SBT. While shifting from PSV to SBT, the HRV components decreased significantly in the failure group (TP, p = 0.025; LF, p = 0.007; HF, p = 0.031), but not in the success group. CONCLUSIONS By HRV analysis, reduced HRV and vagal withdrawal of the autonomic nervous system activity are the main changes in patients with weaning failure.
Replication-Competent Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes of Marek's Disease Virus: Novel Tools for Generation of Molecularly Defined Herpesvirus Vaccines

ABSTRACT Marek's disease (MD), a highly infectious disease caused by an oncogenic herpesvirus, is one of the few herpesvirus diseases against which live attenuated vaccines are used as the main strategy for control. We have constructed bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) of the CVI988 (Rispens) strain of the virus, the most widely used and effective vaccine against MD. Viruses derived from the BAC clones were stable after in vitro and in vivo passages and showed characteristics and growth kinetics similar to those of the parental virus. Molecular analysis of the individual BAC clones showed differences in the structure of the meq gene, indicating that the commercial vaccine contains virus populations with distinct genomic structures. We also demonstrate that, contrary to the published data, the sequence of the L-meq of the BAC clone did not show any frameshift. Virus stocks derived from one of the BAC clones (clone 10) induced 100 percent protection against infection by the virulent strain RB1B, indicating that BAC-derived viruses could be used with efficacies similar to those of the parental CVI988 vaccines. As a DNA vaccine, this BAC clone was also able to induce protection in 6 of 20 birds. Isolation of CVI988 virus from all of these six birds suggested that immunity against challenge was probably dependent on the reconstitution of the virus in vivo and that such viruses are also as immunogenic as the in vitro-grown BAC-derived or parental vaccine viruses. Although the reasons for the induction of protection only in a proportion of birds (33.3%) that received the DNA vaccine are not clear, this is most likely to be related to the suboptimal method of DNA delivery. The construction of the CVI988 BAC is a major step towards understanding the superior immunogenic features of CVI988 and provides the opportunity to exploit the power of BAC technology for generation of novel molecularly defined vaccines.
Modeling and Control of Itô Stochastic Networked Control Systems With Random Packet Dropouts Subject to Time-Varying Sampling

In this note, we discuss the modeling and control of a class of Itô stochastic networked control systems (NCSs) with packet dropouts that are subject to time-varying sampling. The system under consideration is first modeled as a continuous-time system with input delay that is subject to double randomness via the input-delay approach. Then, by assuming the packet drop rate and recurring to the celebrated formula of total probability, an equivalent model which takes full advantage of probability distribution characteristics of both packet dropouts and sampling periods is established. In particular, the probability distribution values of the stochastic delay taking values in two given intervals can be explicitly obtained, which is of crucial importance to model and analyze the actual problem in NCSs. Based on that, robustly exponentially mean-square stability of the system with an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> performance is guaranteed, an <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$H_\infty$</tex-math></inline-formula> controller design procedure is then proposed. Finally, a numerical simulation example is exploited to show the effectiveness and applicability of the results derived and some less conservative results are obtained.