Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Moderate-level prenatal alcohol exposure induces sex differences in dopamine d1 receptor binding in adult rhesus monkeys.

BACKGROUND We examined the effects of moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and/or prenatal stress exposure on (D1 R) binding in a non human primate model. The dopamine D1 R is involved in executive function, and it may play a role in cognitive behavioral deficits associated with prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure. Little is known, however, about the effects of prenatal alcohol and/or stress exposure on the D1 R. We expected that prenatal insults would lead to alterations in D1 R binding in prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum in adulthood. METHODS Rhesus macaque females were randomly assigned to moderate alcohol exposure and/or mild prenatal stress as well as a control condition during pregnancy. Thirty-eight offspring were raised identically and studied as adults by noninvasive in vivo neuroimaging using positron emission tomography with the D1 antagonist radiotracer [(11) C]SCH 23390. Radiotracer binding in PFC and striatum was evaluated by 2 (alcohol) × 2 (stress) × 2 (sex) analysis of variance. RESULTS In PFC, a significant alcohol × sex interaction was observed with prenatal alcohol exposure leading to increased [(11) C]SCH 23390 binding in male monkeys. No main effect of prenatal alcohol or prenatal stress exposure was observed. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that prenatal alcohol exposure results in long-term increases in prefrontal dopamine D1 R binding in males. This may help explain gender differences in the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders consequent to prenatal alcohol exposure.
Completely reversed acute rejection is not a significant risk factor for the development of chronic rejection in renal allograft recipients

Abstract Although acute rejection (AR) has been shown to correlate with decreased long-term renal allograft survival, we have noted AR in recipients who subsequently had stable function for more than 5 years. We reviewed 109 renal graft recipients with a minimum of 1 year graft survival and follow-up of 5–8 years. Post-transplant sodium iothalamate clearances (IoCl) measured at 3 months and yearly thereafter were used to separate recipients into 2 groups. In 61 patients (stable group), there was no significant decrease ( > 20 % reduction in IoCl over 2 consecutive years) in IoCl. Forty-eight patients had significant declines in IoCl (decline group). Groups were compared for incidence, severity, timing, and completeness of reversal of AR. Rejection was considered completely reversed if the post-AR serum creatinine (Scr) returned to or below the pre-AR nadir Scr after antirejection therapy. The incidence of AR was not significantly different between groups (47 % vs 52 %). A trend toward a lower mean number of AR episodes per patient was noted in the stable group (0.69 vs 1.04, P = 0.096), but the timing of AR was not different. Steroid-resistant AR occurred in approximately 25 % of both groups. A striking difference was seen in complete reversal of AR, with the stable group having 100 % (42/42 episodes of AR in 29 patients) complete reversal whereas only 32 % (8/25) of the patients in the decline group had complete reversal (P < < 0.001). Of 8 declining patients with complete reversal, graft loss was due to chronic rejection (CR) in only 3. Seventeen declining patients had incomplete reversal of AR, and 82 % (14/17) lost their grafts to CR. Overall, only 8 % (3/37) of the recipients with complete reversal of AR developed CR. No patients with incompletely reversed AR had stable long-term function as measured by IoCl. AR is not invariably deleterious to long-term renal graft function if each episode of AR can be completely reversed.
NMR reassignment of stictic acid isolated from a Sumatran lichen Stereocaulon montagneanum (Stereocaulaceae) with superoxide anion scavenging activities

Abstract The phytochemical study of Stereocaulon montagneanum harvested in Sumatra (Indonesia) led to the isolation of 11 known compounds including two metabolites not previously described in the genus Stereocaulon, peristictic acid (8) and menegazziaic acid (10). The complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignments of stictic acid derivatives are reported with some revisions. Five depsidones belonging to the stictic acid chemosyndrome were superoxide anion scavengers as potent as ascorbic acid and with no toxicity on two human cell lines.
A Statewide, Population‐Based Time‐Series Analysis of the Increasing Frequency of Nonoperative Management of Abdominal Solid Organ Injury

IntroductionEmergency operative intervention has been one of the cornerstones of the care of the injured patient. Over the past several years, nonoperative management has increasingly been recommended for the care of selected blunt abdominal solid organ injuries. The purpose of this study was to utilize a large statewide, population-based data set to perform a time-series analysis of the practice of physicians caring for blunt solid organ injury of the abdomen. The study was designed to assess the changing frequency and the outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatments for blunt hepatic and splenic injuries. MethodsData were obtained from the state hospital discharge data base, which tracks information on all hospitalized patients from each of the 157 hospitals in the state of North Carolina. All trauma patients who had sustained injury to a solid abdominal organ (kidney, liver, or spleen) were selected for initial analysis. ResultsDuring the 5 years of the study, 210,256 trauma patients were admitted to the state's hospitals (42,051 ± 7802 per year). The frequency of nonoperative interventions for hepatic and splenic injuries increased over the period studied. The frequency of nonoperative management of hepatic injuries increased from 55% in 1988 to 79% in 1992 in patients with hepatic injuries and from 34% to 46% in patients with splenic injuries. The rate of nonoperative management of hepatic injuries increased from 54% to 64% in nontrauma centers compared with an increase from 56% to 74% in trauma centers (p = 0.01). In patients with splenic injuries, the rate of nonoperative management increased from 35% to 44% in nontrauma centers compared with an increase from 33% to 49% in trauma centers (p < 0.05). The rate of nonoperative management was associated with the organ injury severity, ranging from 90% for minor injuries to 19%–40% for severe injuries. Finally, in an attempt to compare blood use in operatively and nonoperatively treated patients, the total charges for blood were compared in the two groups. When compared, based on organ injury severity, the total blood used, as measured by charges, was lower for nonoperatively treated patients.
Comparisons of the Nottingham Health Profile and the SF-36 health survey for the assessment of quality of life in individuals with chronic stroke.

BACKGROUND Appropriate instruments for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains are useful for planning therapeutic interventions for individuals with stroke. The generic quality of life (QOL) instruments, Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), have been frequently employed in the Brazilian literature. However, the literature is still scarce regarding their psychometric properties when applied to stroke individuals. OBJECTIVES To compare the Brazilian versions of the SF-36 and the NHP to verify which had better psychometric properties for the assessment of HRQOL in 120 individuals with chronic stroke. METHOD Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the comparable domains and total scores of the SF-36 and the NPH; Cronbach's alpha coefficients, to evaluate internal consistency; intra-class correlation coefficients, to assess reliability; and Bland-Altman plots, to assess the levels of agreement, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS Significant positive associations were observed between the common domains and the total scores of the SF-36 and the NPH. Ceiling effects were more frequent for the NPH. The total scores of both instruments achieved adequate reliability levels, and the agreement levels were within the normal limits in 95% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS The SF-36 and the NPH were shown to measure similar constructs and proved to be useful measures for the assessment of QOL of chronic stroke subjects. However, the SF-36 yielded better results and appeared to be more appropriate.
Serum prostate-specific antigen in a community-based population of healthy men. Establishment of age-specific reference ranges.

OBJECTIVE To define the characteristics of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a population of healthy men without clinically evident prostate cancer, but who are at risk for developing the malignancy. The influence of patient age and prostatic size on the serum PSA concentration was assessed in order to use PSA more appropriately to detect clinically significant prostate cancer at an early, potentially curable stage. DESIGN Prospective, community-based study. PARTICIPANTS Between December 1989 and March 1991, 2119 healthy men aged 40 to 79 years from Olmsted County, Minnesota, were entered into a prospective study to assess the natural history of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Of these, 537 (25%) were randomly chosen to participate in a detailed clinical examination that included a serum PSA determination (Tandem-R PSA assay), digital rectal examination, and transrectal ultrasonography. Four hundred seventy-one (88%) completed the prostatic evaluation and had no evidence of prostate cancer by any of these three diagnostic tests; these men formed the study population on which all analyses were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Serum PSA concentration, prostatic volume, and PSA density (serum PSA level/prostatic volume) as a function of patient age. RESULTS The serum PSA concentration is correlated with patient age (r = .43; P < .0001) and prostatic volume (r = .55; P < .0001). Prostatic volume, in turn, is directly correlated with patient age (r = .43; P < .0001), whereas the PSA density value is only weakly correlated with patient age (r = .25; P < .001). For a healthy 60-year-old man with no evidence of prostate cancer, the serum PSA concentration increases by approximately 3.2% per year (0.04 ng/mL per year). The recommended reference range for serum PSA (95th percentile) for men aged 40 to 49 years is 0.0 to 2.5 ng/mL; for 50 to 59 years, 0.0 to 3.5 ng/mL; 60 to 69 years, 0.0 to 4.5 ng/mL; and 70 to 79 years, 0.0 to 6.5 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS The serum PSA concentration is directly correlated with patient age and prostatic volume, the latter of which also is directly related to age. Thus, rather than rely on a single reference range for men of all age groups, it is more appropriate to have age-specific reference ranges. These age-specific reference ranges have the potential to make serum PSA a more discriminating tumor marker for detecting clinically significant cancers in older men (increasing specificity) and to find more potentially curable cancers in younger men (increasing sensitivity).
Microbiological analysis after complete or partial removal of carious dentin using two different techniques in primary teeth: A randomized clinical trial

Background: The management of deep carious lesions can be done by various techniques but residual caries dilemma still persists and bacterial reduction in cavities treated by either partial or complete caries removal techniques is debatable. So the objective of the present randomized clinical trial was to compare microbial counts in cavities submitted to complete caries removal and partial caries removal using either hand instruments or burs before and after 3 weeks of restoration. Materials and Methods: Primary molars with acute carious lesions in inner half of dentine and vital pulp were randomly divided into three groups of 14 each: Group A: Partial caries removal using hand instruments atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) only; Group B: Partial caries removal using bur; Group C: Complete caries removal using bur and caries detector dye. Dentine sample obtained after caries removal and 3 weeks after restoration, were subjected to microbial culture and counting (colony-forming units [CFU]/mg of dentine) for total viable bacterial count, Streptococcus spp. , mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus spp. Results: Three techniques of caries removal showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in all microorganisms studied after 3 weeks of evaluation, but there was no statistically significant difference in percentage reduction of microbial count among three groups. Conclusion: Results suggest the use of partial caries removal in a single session as compared to complete caries removal as a part of treatment of deep lesions in deciduous teeth in order to reduce the risk of pulp exposure. Partial caries removal using ART can be preferred for community settings as public health procedure for caries management.
Dispersion of refractoriness in normal and ischaemic canine ventricle: effects of sympathetic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE Dispersion in refractoriness is considered a major factor in induction and persistence of cardiac arrhythmias. The sympathetic nervous system is known to modulate refractoriness. An index of refractoriness has therefore been assessed in normal and ischaemic myocardium simultaneously at multiple sites, with and without sympathetic stimulation. METHODS In six dogs on total cardiopulmonary bypass the average interval between local activations was measured during artificially induced ventricular fibrillation from extracellular electrograms simultaneously recorded from 32 ventricular sites. These local ventricular fibrillation intervals may be used as an index of local refractoriness. RESULTS During regional ischaemia, ventricular fibrillation intervals of ischaemic sites could prolong by up to 60% after 3 min following coronary occlusion. Left stellate ganglion stimulation during ischaemia produced either no response or prolonged the ventricular fibrillation intervals even further at ischaemic sites, whereas ventricular fibrillation intervals at non-ischaemic sites shortened. Dispersion in refractoriness across the ischaemic border increased by 14-59% in individual hearts following sympathetic stimulation during acute, regional ischaemia. CONCLUSIONS Due to opposite effects on normal and ischaemic myocardium, sympathetic stimulation increases the difference in refractoriness over the ischaemic border. This may enhance the chance for regional conduction block and the propensity to re-entrant arrhythmias.
A Systematic Review of Physical Interventions for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

ObjectivePhysical interventions (nonpharmacological and nonsurgical) are the mainstay of treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Physiotherapy is the most common of all physical interventions and includes specific vastus medialis obliquus or general quadriceps strengthening and/or realignment procedures (tape, brace, stretching). These treatments appear to be based on sound theoretical rationale and have attained widespread acceptance, but evidence for the efficacy of these interventions is not well established. This review will present the available evidence for physical interventions for PFPS. Data SourcesComputerized bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, Current Contents, CINAHL) were searched, including the keywords “patellofemoral,” “patella,” and “anterior knee pain,” combined with “treatment,” “rehabilitation,” and limited to clinical trials through October 2000. Study SelectionThe critical eligibility criteria used for inclusion were that the study be a controlled trial, that outcome assessments were adequately described, and that the treatment was a nonpharmacological, nonsurgical physical intervention. ResultsOf the 89 potentially relevant titles, 16 studies were reviewed and none of these fulfilled all of the requirements for a randomized, controlled trial. Physiotherapy interventions were evaluated in eight trials, and the remaining eight trials examined different physical interventions. Significant reductions in PFPS symptoms were found with a corrective foot orthosis and a progressive resistance brace, but there is no evidence to support the use of patellofemoral orthoses, acupuncture, low-level laser, chiropractic patellar mobilization, or patellar taping. Overall the physiotherapy interventions had significant beneficial effects but these interventions were not compared with a placebo control. There is inconclusive evidence to support the superiority of one physiotherapy intervention compared with others. ConclusionsThe evidence to support the use of physical interventions in the management of PFPS is limited. There appears to be a consistent improvement in short-term pain and function due to physiotherapy treatment, but comparison with a placebo group is required to determine efficacy, and further trials are warranted for the other interventions.
Stress management training in diabetes mellitus

Good diabetic control minimizes the risk of complications. Stress affects control directly through the release of hormones and indirectly by disrupting self-management activities. This review examines the impact of stress management interventions on glycaemic control. Qualifying studies since 1980 were identified using searches of Medline and PsycInfo databases. Ten were identified in adult populations, and four in adolescent populations. The general trend suggested that stress management interventions may be useful in management of diabetes. Further research will provide greater understanding of the particular benefits of various components of stress management training in relation to specific subgroups of the diabetic population.
Evaluation of the aortoiliac and renal arteries: comparison of breath-hold, contrast-enhanced, three-dimensional MR angiography with conventional catheter angiography.

PURPOSE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of breath-hold, contrast material-enhanced, three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography in the assessment of the aortoiliac inflow tract and renal arteries with conventional catheter angiography as the standard of reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 39 patients with symptomatic peripheral vascular disease, both catheter and contrast-enhanced, 3D MR angiography were performed. In a prospective blinded analysis, each vascular segment (23 segments per arterial tree) was evaluated for the presence of obstructive stenosis, graded as mild (<50%), severe (50%-99%), or occlusion (100%), as well as for aneurysmal disease. RESULTS Obstructive (n = 2) and aneurysmatic aortic (n = 6) lesions and 10 of 11 accessory renal arteries were identified and graded correctly with MR angiography. For detection of hemodynamically significant stenotic lesions (>50%) or occlusions with MR angiography, sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were 93% and 98% for the renal arteries, 96% and 100% for the common iliac arteries, 93% and 93% for the external iliac arteries, and 96% and 94% for the internal iliac arteries. CONCLUSION The diagnostic performance of contrast-enhanced 3D MR angiography is comparable with that of catheter angiography and thus may contribute to assessment of the aorta, the renal arteries, and the pelvic arterial system in patients with peripheral vascular disease before they undergo therapy.
Reversal of Lidocaine with Epinephrine Epidural Anesthesia Using Epidural Saline Washout

Background and Objectives Prolonged motor and sensory block following epidural anesthesia can be associated with extended postoperative care unit stays and patient dissatisfaction. Previous studies have demonstrated a more rapid motor recovery following the administration of epidural crystalloids in patients who had received plain bupivacaine and lidocaine epidural anesthesia. However, epinephrine is commonly added to local anesthetics to improve the quality and prolong the duration of the epidural block. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship of 0.9% NaCl epidural catheter flush volume (i.e., washout) to the recovery of motor and sensory block in patients undergoing 2% lidocaine with epinephrine epidural anesthesia. Methods A prospective, randomized, double-blind study design was utilized. Thirty-three subjects scheduled for elective gynecologic or obstetrical surgical procedures underwent epidural anesthesia using 2% lidocaine with epinephrine (1:200,000). A T4 dermatome level of analgesia, determined by toothpick prick, was maintained intraoperatively. Following surgery, subjects were randomized to 1 of 3 treatment groups. Group 1 (control, n = 11) received no epidural 0.9% NaCl (normal saline [NS]) postoperatively. Group 2 (15 mL NS × 1, n = 10) received an epidural bolus of 15 mL NS. Group 3 (15 mL NS × 2, n = 12) received an epidural bolus of 15 mL NS postoperatively and a second 15-mL NS bolus 15 minutes later. Assessment of motor and sensory block was performed at 15-minute intervals until complete motor and sensory recovery. Results Times to partial and full motor and sensory recovery were significantly faster in the epidural NS groups than in the control group. Full motor recovery was more rapid in subjects receiving two 15-mL NS epidural NS boluses (30 mL total) compared with those receiving a single 15-mL NS bolus (108 ± 9 min v 136 ± 13 min) and significantly faster than control group subjects (153 ± 14 min). Both NS × 1 and NS × 2 epidural bolus groups experienced significantly reduced times to complete sensory recovery when compared with the control group (NS × 1 = 154 ± 13 min, NS × 2 = 153 ± 9 min, control 195 ± 14 min). Conclusions A more rapid recovery of motor and sensory block in patients undergoing 2% lidocaine with epinephrine epidural anesthesia can be achieved with the use of 30 mL NS epidural washout.
Explaining the sudden creation of a banking supervisor for the euro area

ABSTRACT While banking supervision in the European Union (EU) had been subject to slow incremental changes in the 2000s, the establishment of the Single Supervisory Mechanism (SSM) in 2012/2013 amounted to a comparably swift and significant transfer of sovereignty. This article explores the institutional dynamics behind this sudden shift from incremental to punctuated change. We show that powerful ‘reproduction mechanisms’ of institutional stability were decisively weakened by the euro area crisis and the existential need to break the feedback loop between banks and sovereigns. The institutional breakthrough came about as a package deal, linking banking supervision to a short-term crisis management measure for direct bank recapitalization. In focusing on the twin dynamics of previous stability and sudden change and structural and institutional factors behind the decisive turning point at the June 2012 summit, this article adds a new perspective to previous accounts and their emphasis on individual actors, functionalist learning processes or ideational aspects.