Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin in renal failure

By using a highly specific chromatographic technique, the effect of renal failure on the pharmacokinetics of the six main components of teicoplanin, taken individually or as a whole, was assessed for over 120 h after administration of a 3-mg/kg intravenous dose to healthy volunteers (group 1, n = 6) and to noninfected patients with moderate (group 2, n = 6) or severe (group 3, n = 7) renal failure. In subjects with normal renal function, total teicoplanin was mainly excreted in urine and its concentrations in plasma could be adequately fitted to a three-compartment model. Renal failure did not affect the model or the distribution of teicoplanin but strongly decreased its renal clearance (9.3, 3.2, and 0.6 ml/h per kg, respectively, for the three groups of subjects), in close relationship with the creatinine clearance (r = 0.973, n = 18, P less than 0.001). The cumulative urinary excretion of unchanged total teicoplanin was decreased (50, 21, and 5% of the given dose for groups 1 to 3) and the terminal half-life was enhanced (62, 96, and 111 h for groups 1 to 3) by renal impairment. The relative behavior of the six major components was only slightly affected by renal failure. Consequently, the dosage regimen adjustment could be based on the total teicoplanin concentration, and simulations with the mean estimated pharmacokinetic parameters suggest that the 6-mg/kg daily dose, known to be effective in patients with normal renal function, could be given every 2 and 3 days in patients with moderate and severe renal insufficiency, respectively.
Domestic pets as risk factors for alveolar hydatid disease in Austria.

To identify the risk of pet ownership (i.e., cats and dogs) for alveolar echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, the habits and activities of 21 patients (histologic confirmation or positive serology with corresponding evidence on an ultrasonogram, radiograph, or computed tomography scan) in Austria during the period 1967-1997 were compared with the habits and activities of 84 controls matched by sex, age, and residence. Cat ownership (odds ratio (OR) = 6.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54-27.29) and hunting (OR = 7.83, 95% CI 1.16-52.77) were independent risk factors associated with alveolar hydatid disease. The study is not in agreement with the hypothesis that eating mushrooms or certain wild berries which grow near the ground are the main risk factors for acquiring this disease. No other behavior patterns or activities studied were identified as risk factors.
One Overview of Sauropod Phylogeny and Evolution

This year marks the one hundred sixty-fourth anniversary of Richard Owen’s (1841) description of the first sauropod—Cetiosaurus, the “whale lizard”—on the basis of vertebrae and limb elements from localities across England. Although these remains “had been examined by Cuvier and pronounced to be cetaceous” (Buckland 1841:96), Owen (1841:458–459) demonstrated the saurian affinities of Cetiosaurus on the basis of several features, including the absence of epiphyses (growth plates) on caudal vertebrae (fig. 1.1). He differentiated Cetiosaurus from other extinct saurians on the basis of its large size and characteristics of its vertebrae (see Upchurch and Martin 2003:215). Owen (1841:462) concluded his initial description with this assessment: “The vertebræ, as well as the bones of the extremities, prove its marine habits . the surpassing bulk and strength of the Cetiosaurus were probably assigned to it with carnivorous habits, that it might keep in check the Crocodilians and Plesiosauri. ” He regarded Cetiosaurus as a crocodilian by the “form of the long bones” and “the toes being terminated by strong claws” (Owen 1842:102), but this assessment was based on limited anatomical evidence (Owen 1875:27). Key data emerged with the discovery of abundant Cetiosaurus bones in Oxfordshire by John Phillips. Thomas Huxley examined this “splendid series of remains” before the publication of Phillips’ (1871) monograph and was the first to place Cetiosaurus within Dinosauria (Iguanodontidae [Huxley, 1869:35]). Phillips (1871) interpreted Cetiosaurus as a planteating dinosaur and hypothesized that its limb bones were “suited for walking. ” He could not rule out the possibility that it was amphibious, however, concluding that it was a “marsh-loving or riverside animal. ” Owen (1875:27) later acquiesced, referring Cetiosaurus to the Dinosauria because of its four sacral vertebrae. He admitted that it may have had some terrestrial capabilities but concluded that Cetiosaurus was an estuarine or marine animal based on its “organ of swimming,” the tail (Owen 1875:41). These early interpretations, based on somewhat limited samples, were followed by the discovery of abundant sauropod skeletons in western North America and eastern Africa during
Prediction of mortality rate after major hepatectomy in patients without cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of preoperative biological parameters to predict a fatal outcome after a major liver resection in patients without cirrhosis. DESIGN Retrospective descriptive cohort study. SETTING Department of Digestive Surgery and Transplantation, University of Strasbourg. PATIENTS From January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2007, 67 consecutive patients underwent resection of at least 4 contiguous liver segments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Perioperative data were prospectively recorded, and predictors of postoperative mortality rate and liver failure were analyzed. RESULTS Five patients (7%) died after a mean (SD) of 32.4 (11.8) postoperative days. The overall morbidity was 73% (49 patients). Univariate analysis revealed that a preoperative alanine aminotransferase blood level greater than 40 U/L (to convert to microkatals per liter, multiply by 0.0167), a preoperative prothrombin ratio less than 70%, a preoperative Indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes of greater than 15%, preoperative biliary drainage, and performance of extrahepatic bile duct resection significantly predict the occurrence of in-hospital death. The number of preoperative biological parameters in each patient significantly increased the mortality rate. Indeed, the mortalities were 0%, 3%, and 67% in patients presenting with none, 1, and 2 or more risk factors, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that preoperative liver tests and function can predict postoperative fatal outcome in patients presenting with biliary carcinomas and requiring a major liver resection. On the basis of these preoperative biological parameters, a decision-making algorithm is provided.
Multiple Indicators of Sexual Interest in Prepubescent or Pubescent Children as Predictors of Sexual Recidivism

Objective: Sexual interest in children is a well-known risk factor for sexual reoffending (recidivism). The present study examined the relationship between sexual interest in prepubescent children (pedophilia) or pubescent children (hebephilia) and sexual recidivism. It extended previous work by using multiple indicators of sexual interest, using a more sensitive phallometric procedure that measures change in penile blood volume, and examining both hebephilia alongside pedophilia, as well as noncontact sexual recidivism. Method: Six hundred fifty-six men who had committed a sexual offense underwent a comprehensive sexological assessment that included multiple sexual interest measures: volumetric phallometry, self-report, and sexual behavior. Criminal record data were acquired to examine recidivism. Offenders were followed for an average of 10 years of opportunity. Results: Indicators of hebephilia and pedophilia were significantly associated with noncontact sexual recidivism, but inconsistently associated with contact recidivism. The relationship with phallometrically assessed pedophilia and contact sexual recidivism was significant after controlling for offender age statistically. Phallometrically assessed sexual arousal to children did not add to risk appraised by an actuarial measure. Conclusion: Both hebephilia and pedophilia were predictive of noncontact sexual recidivism. The results for contact sexual recidivism are discussed, including a potential confound in previous work on the assessment of sexual interest in children.
The hospital admission decision for patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Results from the pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team cohort study.

BACKGROUND The hospital admission decision directly influences the magnitude of resource use in patients with community-acquired pneumonia, yet little information exists on how medical practitioners make this decision. OBJECTIVES To determine which factors medical practitioners consider in making the hospital admission decision and which health care services they believe would allow ambulatory treatment of low-risk hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia. METHODS Medical practitioners responsible for the hospital admission decision for low-risk patients with community-acquired pneumonia were asked to describe patient characteristics at initial examination that influenced the hospitalization decision, and to identify the health care services that would have allowed initial outpatient treatment of hospitalized patients. RESULTS A total of 292 medical practitioners completed questionnaires for 472 (76%) of the 624 low-risk patients eligible for this study. Although all patients had a predicted probability of death of less than 4%, practitioners estimated that 5% of outpatients and 41% of inpatients had an expected 30-day risk of death of more than 5%. Univariate analyses identified 3 practitioner-rated factors that were nearly universally associated with hospitalization: hypoxemia (odds ratio, 173.3; 95% confidence interval, 23.8-1265.0), inability to maintain oral intake (odds ratio, 53.3; 95% confidence interval, 12.8-222.5), and lack of patient home care support (odds ratio, 54.4; 95% confidence interval, 7.3-402.6). In patients without these 3 factors, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that practitioner-estimated risk of death of more than 5% had a strong independent association with hospitalization (odds ratio, 18.4; 95% confidence interval, 6.1-55.7). Practitioners identified home intravenous antibiotic therapy and home nursing observation as services that would have allowed outpatient treatment of more than half (68% and 59%, respectively) of the patients initially hospitalized for treatment. CONCLUSIONS Practitioners' survey responses suggest that the availability of outpatient intravenous antimicrobial therapy and home nursing care would allow outpatient care for a large proportion of low-risk patients who are hospitalized for community-acquired pneumonia. These data also suggest that methods to improve practitioners' identification of low-risk patients with community-acquired pneumonia could decrease the hospitalization of such patients. Future studies are required to help physicians identify which low-risk patients could safely be treated in the outpatient setting on the basis of clinical information readily available at presentation.
Lysoplasmalogenase–A Microsomal Enzyme from Rat Brain

Abstract: An enzymic activity of rat brain that liberates radioactive free aldehydes from 1‐[1‐14C]alk‐1′‐enyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (lysoplasmalogen) is described. It was present mainly in microsomal fractions (crude) of brains of rats of different ages. The highest specific enzyme activity was found in 21‐day‐old animals. The formation of free aldehyde was dependent on the amount of enzyme protein as well as the amount of substrate added, and was linear to the incubation time up to 60 min. The pH optimum was between 7.1 and 7.3. Bivalent cations (Mg2+, Ca2+) and detergents inhibited the reaction. However, the same cell fractions as well as extracts of acetone‐dried powder of brain from young or old rats possessed no enzyme activity for liberating the aldehyde from the acylated substrates: 1‐[1‐14C]alk‐1′‐enyl‐2‐acyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine (plasmalogen) or plasmalogen of ox corpus callosum.
Absence of somatostatin receptor type 2 A mutations and gip oncogene in pituitary somatotroph adenomas

Somatostatin, acting via specific receptors in the anterior pituitary, tonically inhibits pituitary growth hormone secretion and somatotroph proliferation. Reduction of growth hormone secretion and tumour regression in GH‐secreting pituitary adenomas treated with long‐acting somatostatin analogues varies widely. In 30–40% of these tumours dominant somatic mutations of the Gsα gene (gsp) have been demonstrated leading to constitutive adenylyl cyclase induction. A relationship between somatostatin sensitivity and tumour pathogenesis in some tumours has been suggested. Changes in the function of the somatostatin receptor or intracellular signal elements may be of relevance. Somatostatin receptor type 2 A (sst2A) and Gi2 are proposed to mediate selectively the inhibition of GH release in the somatotroph. We therefore investigated the presence of sst2A mutations and gip oncogene in somatotrophic pituitary adenomas.
Is Karenia a synonym of Asterodinium-Brachidinium (Gymnodiniales, Dinophyceae)?

From material collected in open waters of the NW and Equatorial Pacific Ocean the detailed morphology of brachidiniaceans based on two specimens of Asterodinium gracile is reported for the first time. SEM observations showed that the straight apical groove, the morphological characters and orientation of the cell body were similar to those described for species of Karenia. Brachidinium and Asterodinium showed high morphological variability in the length of the extensions and intermediate specimens with Karenia. Karenia-like cells that strongly resemble Brachidinium and Asterodinium but lacking the extensions co-occurred with the typical specimens. The life cycle and morphology of Karenia papilionacea should be investigated under natural conditions because of the strong similarity with the brachidiniaceans.
Chymase inhibition attenuates tetrachloride‐induced liver fibrosis in hamsters

Aim: Chymase converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, which may promote the development of liver fibrosis. In this study, whether a chymase inhibitor TY‐51469 attenuated tetrachloride (CCl4)‐induced liver fibrosis was examined.
Patterns of medication use for the treatment of menopausal symptoms before and after the women’s health initiative; implications for decision-making practices of women and women’s health professionals

Background: The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) published findings in 2002 that changed the perception of the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for the reduction of cardiovascular risks. Menopausal women using HRT for the relief of vasomotor symptoms were advised to use the lowest possible dose of HRT over the shortest possible duration. Objective: This study sought to examine patterns of HRT use for the treatment of menopausal symptoms before and after the WHI among women at least 40 years of age. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on a total of 1367 women in the pre-WHI group and 6467 women in the post-WHI group using the U.S. General Electric (GE) Centricity electronic medical record database. Menopause diagnosis was assessed using ICD-9 codes. Clinical characteristics and medication use were assessed for women with at least 3 years of enrollment (1 year baseline, 2 years follow-up). Results: The proportion of women in the post-WHI group that initiated HRT was significantly less than that of women in the pre-WHI group (31.3% vs. 56.9%, respectively; p < 0.001). Combination HRT use declined significantly (21.9% pre-WHI cohort vs. 7.2% post- WHI cohort, p < 0.001) among increases in non-HRT use, namely SSRIs (15.2% pre-WHI cohort v. 22.3% post-WHI cohort, p < 0.001) and tranquilizers (9.5% pre-WHI cohort v. 15.8% post-WHI cohort, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the WHI 2002 publication made an impression on the perception of HRT’s role in the relief of menopausal symptoms. Decision-making on the part of women seeking treatment for vasomotor symptoms and women’s health professionals demonstrates that despite HRT precautions, women continue to exhibit a need for HRT use. This study’s findings suggest that women seeking treatment for menopausal symptom relief and women’s health professionals continue to work together to find the appropriate balance between therapy use and adherence to therapy use guidelines.
Experimental vision regulation of a quadrotor

In this paper, the vision regulation of a quadrotor is introduced. The objective of the regulation is to maintain the vehicle in a desired and constant position. The proposed strategy consists in three steps: 1) a camera is employed as a retro to obtain the position, 2) the optical flow of the Lucas and Kanade method is applied to obtain the linear velocity, 3) the position and velocity are employed by a proportional integral derivative control (PID) with nested saturation for the quadrotor regulation. In addition, the comparison between the monocular and stereo visions is showed.
A Combined Vector and Direct Power Control for DFIG-Based Wind Turbines

In this paper, a combined vector and direct power control (CVDPC) is proposed for the rotor side converter (RSC) of doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs). The control system is based on a direct current control by selecting appropriate voltage vectors from a switching table. In fact, the proposed CVDPC enjoys the benefits of vector control (VC) and direct power control (DPC) in a compacted control system. Its benefits in comparison with VC include fast dynamic response, robustness against the machine parameters variation, lower computation, and simple implementation. On the other hand, it has benefits in comparison with DPC, including less harmonic distortion and lower power ripple. An extensive simulation study, using MATLAB/Simulink, is conducted on a 9-MW wind farm composed of six 1.5-MW DFIG-based wind turbines. The performance of the proposed CVDPC method is compared with both VC and DPC under steady-state and transient conditions. Simulation results confirm the superiority of the CVDPC over either VC or DPC.
The clinical toxicology of the designer “party pills” benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine

Introduction. Benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) are synthetic phenylpiperazine analogues. BZP was investigated as a potential antidepressant in the early 1970s but was found unsuitable for this purpose. More recently, BZP and TFMPP have been used as substitutes for amfetamine-derived designer drugs. They were legally available in a number of countries, particularly in New Zealand, and were marketed as party pills, but are now more heavily regulated. This article will review the mechanisms of toxicity, toxicokinetics, clinical features, diagnosis, and management of poisoning due to BZP and TFMPP. Methods. OVID MEDLINE and ISI Web of Science were searched systematically for studies on BZP and TFMPP and the bibliographies of identified articles were screened for additional relevant studies including nonindexed reports. Nonpeer-reviewed sources were also accessed. In all, 179 papers excluding duplicates were identified and 74 were considered relevant. Mechanisms of action. BZP and TFMPP have stimulant and amfetamine-like properties. They enhance the release of catecholamines, particularly of dopamine, from sympathetic nerve terminals, increasing intra-synaptic concentrations. The resulting elevated intra-synaptic monoamine concentrations cause increased activation of both central and peripheral α- and 𝛃-adrenergic postsynaptic receptors. BZP has primarily dopaminergic and noradrenergic action while TFMPP has a more direct serotonin agonist activity. Toxicokinetics. There is limited information on the kinetics of these drugs. Following ingestion, peak plasma concentrations are reached after 60 to 90 min. Both drugs would be expected to cross the blood brain barrier and they are metabolized mainly by hydroxylation and N-dealkylation catalyzed by cytochrome P450 and catechol-o-methyl transferase enzymes. In humans, only small amounts of both BZP and TFMPP are excreted in the urine, suggesting a low bioavailability. The serum half-lives of BZP and TFMPP are relatively short with elimination being essentially complete in 44 h for BZP and 24 h for TFMPP. Clinical features. These compounds can cause harmful effects when taken recreationally. Commonly reported features include palpitations, agitation, anxiety, confusion, dizziness, headache, tremor, mydriasis, insomnia, urine retention, and vomiting. Seizures are induced in some patients even at low doses. Severe multiorgan toxicity has been reported, though fatalities have not been recorded conclusively. Management. Supportive care including the termination of seizures is paramount, with relief of symptoms usually being provided by benzodiazepines alone. Conclusions. BZP and TFMP can cause sympathomimetic effects in the intoxicated patient. Appropriate, symptom-directed supportive care should ensure a good recovery.
Reduced E-cadherin expression is associated with invasiveness and unfavorable prognosis in breast cancer.

E-cadherin (E-cad) is a calcium-dependent, epithelial cell adhesion molecule whose reduced or lost expression has been associated with tumor dedifferentiation and increased metastatic potential in human carcinomas. The authors studied immunohistochemically E-cad expression in frozen sections of 362 breast carcinomas using a monoclonal antibody (HECD-1). The immunohistochemical detection of reduced E-cad expression was confirmed by mRNA in situ hybridization with two different oligonucleotide probes. THe proportion of tumors with reduced or lost E-cad expression increased significantly from pure intraductal carcinomas (20%, 4 of 20) through invasive ductal (IDCs; 52%, 124 of 239) to recurrent carcinomas (64%, 18 of 28; chi square test for trend, P = .004). Invasive lobular carcinomas (ILCs) and IDCs differed from each other in their E-cad expression. None of the ILCs (n=55) retained normal E-cad expression in contrast to 48% (115 of 239) of the IDCs. In 259 primary IDCs, reduced E-cad expression was associated with high histologic grade (chi square test for trend, P < .001), negative estrogen receptor status (ER; Fisher's exact test; P = .042), and marginally with axillary node involvement (Fisher's exact test, P = .063). In a subset of 109 primary IDC patients whose clinical follow-up was available (median follow-up 51 months), reduced E-cad expression was associated with shortened disease-free survival (DFS; Mantel-Cox test, P = .027). In Cox's multivariate regression analysis, progesterone receptor status (P = .018) and E-cad expression (P = .072) were selected as independent predictors of DFS. Our findings provide clinical evidence that loss of normal E-cad expression is an indicator of increased invasiveness and dedifferentiation in breast carcinoma. E-cad is a potentially important prognostic factor in primary IDCs.