Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MECHANISM OF CERTAIN ABNORMALITIES OF THE CIRCULATION TO THE LIMBS IN THYROTOXICOSIS.

Several studies (1-4) have shown that thyrotoxic patients have increased cutaneous blood flow, presumably for increased heat dissipation. The mechanisms that increase skin blood flow in thyrotoxicosis are not known. arterial-deep forearm venous oxygen and carbon dioxide differences respectively; V02 and Vco2 = oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production respectively. Experimental procedure. After completion of arterial and venous punctures a rest period of 30 to 45 minutes was allowed. Observations were made in the following order: hand blood flow, oxygen consumption and cardiac output, forearm blood flow, effect of atropine on limb blood flow. In experiments in which the effect of atropine on hand blood flow was studied, the order was changed and hand blood flow was measured last. In experiments in which epinephrine iontophoresis was done, measurement of oxygen consumption, cardiac output, and in some cases hand blood flow was omitted. Statistical analysis of the results was done with a t test (14).
Identifying Factors of Consumer Perceived Risk towards Online Shopping in India

Online Shopping in India is in its nascent stages and is expected to rise above $700 million by the end of March 2010, promising a bright future. However, many people still locate information on the internet and purchase products offline at traditional stores, conversion rate being very low. This paper attempts to investigate the factors influencing customer perceived risk of online shopping in Indian context. Reliability coefficient for the scale was satisfactory and factor analysis generated 6 major factors: Monetary, Performance, Time, Source, Social, and Psychological. Monetary and performance risks have highest mean scores and social and psychological risks being the lowest. Further T test confirmed that all of these factors had significant impact. Managerial implications and measures for improvement are discussed.
Paced respiration as a technique for the modification of autonomic response to stress.

This study was designed to test the efficacy of a paced respiration procedure in reducing subjects' reactions to real and anticipated aversive events. The main hypothesis was that subjects who were taught how to pace their respiration at a slower than normal rate in accordance with a specified signal would show decreased autonomic responsiveness to an electric shock and its anticipation. Three groups of 13 subjects were employed. A Respiration Control group was compared with a group which received all the same stimuli but were instructed merely to pay attention to them without any respiration instructions (Attention Control group) and with a control group for whom the stimuli were or no significance. Results for electrodermal measurement, but not for cardiac measurement, indicated that the learning of a short series of breathing exercises can have significant facilitative effects on reducing autonomic responsivity to a stressful stimulus.
Onset of clinical signs in children with HIV‐1 perinatal infection

Objective: To investigate the timing of onset of each clinical sign in infants and children with HIV‐1 perinatal infection. Design and methods: A total of 200 HIV‐1‐infected children followed‐up from birth were studied. Failure and conditional probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan‐Meier product‐limit method. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used to evaluate independently associated factors. Results of 934 seroreverters were used to calculate reference values of CD4+ cell counts and predictivity of early signs. Results: Median age at the onset of any sign was 5.2 months (range, 0.03‐56 months). The probability of remaining asymptomatic was 19% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14‐25.1] at 12 months and 6.1% (95% Cl, 2.6‐11.7) at 5 years. Lymphadenopathy (69.5%), splenomegaly (62.4%) and hepatomegaly (58.4%) were the most common signs in the first year of life. Peculiar to the first year of life (compared with subsequent ages) was the onset of primary HIV‐1 hepatitis and diarrhoea (rate ratios, 23.3 and 15.2, respectively). When CD4+ cell counts in the asymptomatic stage (age, 2 months; range, 0.03‐5.9 months) were below rather than above the fifth percentile in seroreverters, onset of signs was earlier [3 (range, 0.03‐19) versus 5 (range, 0.03‐56) months]. Children manifesting signs before the 5.2‐month breakpoint had a lower survival rate [74% (range, 65.9‐82%) at 12 months and 45% (range, 32.9‐57%) at 5 years] than children manifesting signs later 198% (range, 92.2‐100%) at 12 months and 74% (range, 60.3‐87.7%) at 5 years]. Children whose birthweight was ≤2400g had an earlier onset (24 months; range, 1‐57 months) of severe conditions than children with higher birthweight (71 months; range, 1‐71 months). Development of lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly within 3 months of life were reliable indicators of infection. Conclusions: This study describes the sequence of onset of signs in perinatal HIV‐1 infection. Infection is shown to progress faster than in adults and in a different manner. Low birthweight, early decreased CD4+ cell counts, and early onset of signs are predictive of rapid progression. AIDS 1995, 9:455‐461
Clinical effect of qigong practice on essential hypertension: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES This study was designed to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for treatment of essential hypertension. METHODS Six major electronic databases were searched up to July 2006 to retrieve any potential randomized controlled trials designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of self-practiced qigong for essential hypertension reported in any language, with main outcome measures as systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The quality of included studies were assessed with the Jadad Scale and a customized standard quality assessment scale. RESULTS Ninety-two (92) studies were identified. Nine (9) of these studies qualified for meta-analysis, comprising a total of 908 cases. Results were as follows: (1) The mean decrease of SBP in those practicing qigong was a 17.03 mm Hg reduction (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.53-22.52) compared with nonspecific intervention controls, but not superior to that in drug controls (1.19 mm Hg, 95% CI -5.40-7.79) and conventional exercise controls (-1.51 mm Hg, 95% CI -6.98-3.95). (2) Mean decrease of DBP in those practicing qigong was 9.98 mm Hg (95% CI 2.55-17.41) compared with nonspecific intervention controls, but not superior to that in drug controls (2.49 mm Hg, 95% CI -0.16-5.13) and conventional exercise controls (-1.59 mm Hg, 95% CI -4.91-1.74). (3) No obvious side effects were identified. CONCLUSIONS Self-practiced qigong for less than 1 year is better in decreasing BP in patients with essential hypertension than in no-treatment controls, but is not superior to that in active controls. More methodologically strict studies are needed to prove real clinical benefits of qigong, and to explore its potential mechanism.
Stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer classified solely by lymph node metastasis has a more favorable prognosis than other types of stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE To verify whether it can be justified to classify patients to stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer based on nodal involvement only. METHODS This study included all consecutive patients with stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent upfront cytoreductive surgery according to the FIGO guideline followed by platinum based chemotherapy from September 1989 to September 2006 at Asan Medical Center. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 272 patients met the inclusion criteria. Optimal cytoreduction was achieved in 213 patients, and complete cytoreduction was achieved in 85 patients. Median follow-up time was 37 months (range, 6-181 months). The 5-year disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate of all patients were 23% and 57%, respectively. Forty-one patients were allocated to stage IIIC by positive nodes only. Patients with stage IIIC disease due to positive nodes only had significantly longer DFS and OS compared to other stage IIIC patients (p<0.001 and p<0.001). The DFS and OS of these patients was significantly better than those of other stage IIIC patients who achieved complete or optimal cytoreduction (p<0.001 and p<0.001). The outcome was even better than that of stage IIIA and IIIB patients (p<0.05 and p<0.05). CONCLUSION Patients with stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer due to positive nodes only had a more favorable prognosis compared to other stage IIIC patients. Therefore, reevaluation of the current FIGO staging system for stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer is required.
Involvement of nitric oxide in inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in equine jejunum.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and a transmitter acting through an apamin-sensitive mechanism in mediating inhibitory transmission in the equine jejunal circular muscle, and to determine the distribution of VIP-and NO-producing nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus and circular muscle. PROCEDURE Circular muscle strips were suspended in tissue baths containing an oxygenated modified Krebs solution and attached to isometric force transducers. Responses to electrical field stimulation (EFS), tetrodotoxin, the NO antagonists L-N-nitro-arginine-methyl-ester (L-NAME) and N-nitro-L-arginine, apamin, VIP, authentic NO, and the NO donar sodium nitroprusside were tested. Immunostaining for VIP-like and NADPH diaphorase histochemical staining were performed on paraformaldehyde fixed tissue. RESULTS Subpopulations of myenteric neurons and nerve fibers in the circular muscle were positive for NADPH diaphorase and VIP-like staining. EFS caused a frequency-dependent inhibition of contratile activity. Tetrodotoxin prevented the EFS-induced inhibition of contractions. L-NAME (200 microM) and apamin (0.3 microM) significantly (P < 0.01) reduced EFS-stimulated inhibition of contractile activity at most frequencies tested. The effects of L-NAME and apamin were additive. In their combined presence, EFS induced excitation instead of inhibition (196.7% increase at 5 Hz, n = 28, P < 0.01). Inhibition of contractile activity by EFS was mimicked by sodium nitroprusside. Authentic NO (3-6 microM) abolished contractile activity. VIP induced a dose-dependent inhibition of contractile activity (89.1 +/- 6.3% reduction at approximately 0.3 microM, n = 16). Antagonism of NO synthesis did not alter the response to VIP. CONCLUSION NO, VIP, and a substance acting through an apamin-sensitive mechanism appear to comediate inhibitory transmission in the equine jejunal circular muscle. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These findings may suggest new therapeutic targets for motility disorders, such as agents that inhibit the synthesis or actions of NO.
Growth hormone restores glucocorticoid‐induced T cell suppression

Growth hormone (GH) is a potent anabolic hormone, and its clinical use has been extended to the improvement of metabolic imbalance in many disease,s including autoimmune disorders treated with glucocorticoids (GCs). GH has, however, a potential action on the immune system, and this might be a demerit in GH therapy for those diseases. We report here the anti‐GC effects of GH on T lymphocytes. Human peripheral T lymphocytes (HPTLs) expressed GH receptor mRNA. GH stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of cellular proteins, including JAK2 and STAT5b in HPTLs. GH and IGF‐I alleviated dexamethasone (Dex)‐induced suppression of [3H]thymidine incorporation into HPTLs. GH alleviated Dex‐induced apoptosis in CD4+ (positive) HPTLs. GH increased Bcl‐2 expression in CD4+ HPTLs but not in CD8+ HPTLs. In vivo, GH raised the CD4/8 ratio of T lymphocytes in rats chronically administered with Dex. These findings indicate that GH may inhibit GC‐induced apoptosis predominantly in CD4+ T lymphocytes and present important implications of GH therapy, especially for autoimmune disorders treated with GCs.
Are there brain regions related to speech perception? Evidence from a functional MRI study

Previous studies have demonstrated that the left hemisphere was specialized in language function using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). On the other hand, some studies have revealed that the right hemisphere was related with language function. The hypotheses of this study were that (1) the regions related with language function have a bilateral functional network and (2) the level of functional connectivity is dependent on the hearing conditions. To test these hypotheses, the participants were instructed to select the a numeric word (e.g., thirty or thirteen) after they heard an auditory sentence which was presented to both ear (BH), only to the left ear (MHL), or only to the right ear (MHR). To identify the brain regions related with speech perception, the general linear model (GLM) to estimate the neuronal activation and functional connectivity (FC) analysis were conducted. The results of this study showed that the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) was involved in language function. The right STG had showed the significant level of FC with the left STG. Furthermore, the level of bilateral FC was significantly diminished and the accuracy of correct word selection was significantly decreased in MHR condition compared to BH condition. These results may indicate that bilateral network within STG is related with speech perception.
Arzoxifene: the development and clinical outcome of an ideal SERM

Hormone-sensitive tumours are among the most common cancers in women. Specific inhibition of the estrogen receptor by selective estrogen receptor downregulators or selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) is effective for the treatment of breast and endometrial cancers and may be used for the prevention of breast cancer. Due to differential recruitment of co-activators and corepressors, SERMs are tissue specific and may have antiestrogenic effects in some tissues, with estrogen agonist activity in others. The ideal SERM would have antiestrogenic effects on the breast and endometrium, but pro-estrogenic effects on bone and lipids. The SERM, arzoxifene (LY-353381.HCl) meets all of these criteria. This review summarises the development, preclinical studies and the clinical outcome of arzoxifene and places it in context with other modalities in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive tumours.
Natalizumab and Beyond

This 52-year-old female had been suffering from RRMS since 2004. DMT was initiated with subcutaneous IFN1a in late 2006. Her annual relapse rate (ARR) on IFNat that time was 1. In December 2007, she experienced a severe relapse caused by myelitis of the dorsal spine despite DMT with IFN. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) increased from 2.0 to 3.5 with the last relapse. On MRI, 1 new paraventricular right frontal lesion and 1 preexisting lesion with gadolinium (Gd) enhancement in the medulla were found beside acute myelitis. Relapse treatment consisted of 2 pulses with intravenous methylprednisolone (1 g for 5 consecutive days, 2 g for another 5 days) which led to partial remission (EDSS 3.0). Treatment with IFN was stopped, and natalizumab was introduced (Tysabri , 300 mg i.v. every 4 weeks; Biogen Idec, Cambridge, Mass., USA) after a 2-week DMT-free interval. She remained relapse free for 8 months before she was hospitalized with right-sided hypo-acusis, severe Dear Sir, Natalizumab is the first monoclonal antibody licensed for the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) [1] . Natalizumab was licensed by the European Medicines Agency in 2006 with a restricted indication [2] . Mainly, natalizumab is used for patients with insufficient response to alternative first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), i.e. -interferon (IFN) or glatiramer acetate (GA), or for patients with aggressive MS. Intolerance of other DMTs may occasionally also account for switching to natalizumab. No prospective, randomized placebocontrolled trials have been conducted to provide class I or II evidence-based guidance for treatment decisions in patients with insufficient response to first-line DMTs. Also, it is unclear how to treat patients who discontinue natalizumab treatment. However, discontinuation occurs in approximately 10% in clinical practice due to hypersensitivity, neutralizing antibodies (NABs) against natalizumab, insufficient response or a combination of these [3] . Considering that about 60,000 patients worldwide have had exposure to natalizumab (of whom 6,000 will not continue this treatment) [4] , it is of clinical relevance to investigate strategies for patients who were eligible for natalizumab treatment but who have to discontinue it. The following case series aims (i) to exemplify clinically relevant reasons for disReceived: April 16, 2010 Accepted: June 22, 2010 Published online: September 4, 2010
Improving Preceptor Self-Efficacy Using an Online Educational Program

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a public/community health online preceptor education program on knowledge of the preceptor role and self-efficacy to perform in the preceptor role. Forty-eight public/community health nurses from five states completed an online education program, a 32-item quiz and a preceptor self-efficacy instrument. Preceptor self-efficacy and knowledge scores improved significantly after completing the online education program compared to pretest scores. Previous experience as a preceptor, age, and place of employment, were not correlated with preceptor self-efficacy scores. Previous preceptor education and highest level of education completed were positively correlated with preceptor self-efficacy scores. Previous preceptor education was reported by 39.6% of nurses. However, there was no standard curriculum for these education programs. The results of this study support the use of online education as a method for enhancing preceptor knowledge and confidence in the preceptor role.
Positive and normative use of fuzzy DEA-BCC models: A critical view on NATO enlargement

Data envelopment analysis (DEA) is a widely used mathematical programming approach for comparing the input and output of a set of comparable decision-making units (DMUs) by evaluating their relative efficiency. The traditional DEA methods require accurate measurement of both the inputs and outputs. However, the real evaluation of the DMUs is often characterized by imprecision and uncertainty in data definitions and measurements. The development of fuzzy DEA (FDEA) with imprecise and ambiguous data has extended the scope of application for efficiency measurement. The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuzzy DEA framework with a BCC model for measuring crisp and interval efficiencies in fuzzy environments. We use an α-level approach to convert the fuzzy Banker, Charnes, and Cooper (BCC) (variable returns to scale) model into an interval programming model. Instead of comparing the equality (or inequality) of the two intervals, we define a variable in the interval to satisfy our constraints and maximize the efficiency value. We present a numerical example to show the similarities and differences between our solution and the solutions obtained from four fuzzy DEA methods in the literature. In addition, a case study for NATO enlargement is presented to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method.
Id‐1 promotes proliferation of p53‐deficient esophageal cancer cells

The helix‐loop‐helix protein inhibitor of differentiation and DNA binding (Id‐1) is known to promote cellular proliferation in several types of human cancer. Although it has been reported that Id‐1 is over‐expressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), its function and signaling pathways in esophageal cancer are unknown. In our study, we investigated the direct effects of Id‐1 on esophageal cancer cell growth by transfecting an Id‐1 expression vector into an ESCC cell line (HKESC‐3), which showed serum‐dependent Id‐1 expression. Ectopic Id‐1 expression resulted in increased serum‐independent cell growth and G1‐S phase transition, as well as up‐regulation of mouse double minute 2 (MDM2) and down‐regulation of p21Waf1/Cip1 protein expressions in the transfectant clones in a p53‐independent manner. However, overexpression of Id‐1 had no effect on the pRB, CDK4 and p16INK4A expressions. Stable transfection of Id‐1 antisense expression vector to inhibit the expression of endogenous Id‐1 in another ESCC cell line (HKESC‐1) reversed the effects on MDM2 and p21Waf1/Cip1. In addition, Id‐1 expression protected ESCC cells from Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)‐α‐induced apoptosis by up‐regulating and activating Bcl‐2. In conclusion, our study provides evidence for the first time that Id‐1 plays a role in both proliferation and survival of esophageal cancer cells. Our findings also suggest that unlike prostate, hepatocellular and nasopharyngeal carcinomas in which Id‐1 induces cell proliferation through inactivation of p16INK4A/RB pathway, the increased cell proliferation observed in ESCC cells may be mediated through a different mechanism. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modified Directly Observed Therapy to Facilitate Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Beira, Mozambique: Development and Implementation

Summary:As resource-limited countries expand access to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) treatment, innovative programs are needed to support adherence in the context of significant health system barriers. Modified directly observed therapy (mDOT) is one such strategy, but little is known about the process of designing and implementing mDOT programs for HAART in resource-limited settings. In this descriptive study, we used a mixed-methods approach to describe the process of implementing mDOT for an ongoing randomized control trial (RCT) in Beira, Mozambique. Interviews with clinic staff, mDOT peers, and participants provided information on design elements, problems with implementation, satisfaction, and benefits. Acceptability and feasibility measures were obtained from the RCT. Most (81%, N = 350) eligible persons agreed to participate, and of those randomized to mDOT (n = 174), 95% reported that their time with peers was beneficial. On average, participants kept 93% of the 30 required daily mDOT visits. Key components of the intervention's success included using peers who were well accepted by clinic staff, adequate training and retention of peers, adapting daily visit requirements to participants' work schedules and physical conditions, and reimbursing costs of transportation. This study identified aspects of mDOT that are effective and can be adopted by other clinics treating HIV patients.