Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence from Bioassay Studies Indicating a Role for Adenosine in Cardiac Ischemic and Hypoxic Dilation in the Dog

Previous studies using bioassay demonstrated the presence of a vasoactive substance or substances in coronary sinus blood during myocardial reactive hyperemia which had, on bioassay, characteristics of adenosine and/or AMP. In the present studies, specific blockers were applied to an improved bioassay system to define more precisely the nature of the substance or substances and to determine whether it also appears during local cardiac hypoxia. In the anesthetized dog, coronary sinus blood was bioassayed in an isolated autologous kidney during reactive and hypoxic dilation. During reactive dilation, the bioassay kidney responded with a large resistance increase which was blocked by theophyUine and adenosine deaminase and converted to a decrease by adenosine autoblockade. The same was true for hypoxic dilation, except in this instance, only adenosine deaminase reduced the response (40%). TheophyUine and adenosine autoblockade eliminated responses of the bioassay organ to both exogenous adenosine and exogenous AMP, but adenosine deaminase was specific for adenosine. These results confirm that one or more vasoactive substances appear in sinus blood in vasoactive quantities during cardiac reactive dilation, and that the peak concentration correlates roughly with the peak flow. In addition, they show that this also is the case for hypoxic dilation. More importantly, they demonstrate that the substance almost certainly is adenosine in the case of reactive dilation, and that increased adenosine levels also are present during hypoxic dilation, but in addition, suggest that AMP sometimes appears in coronary sinus blood during severe cardiac hypoxia in the dog heart. Ore Res 45: 451-459, 1979
Modified multilag methods for Volterra functional equations

Linear multistep methods for ordinary differential equations in conjunction with a family of computationally efficient quadrature rules are employed to define a class of so-called multilag methods for the solution of Volterra integral and integro-differential equations. In addition, modified multilag methods are proposed which have the property that the stability behavior is independent of the choice of the quadrature rules. High order convergence of the methods is established. In particular, a special class of high order convergent methods is presented for the efficient solution of first-kind Volterra equations. Numerical experiments are reported.
Not All Passes Are Created Equal: Objectively Measuring the Risk and Reward of Passes in Soccer from Tracking Data

In soccer, the most frequent event that occurs is a pass. For a trained eye, there are a myriad of adjectives which could describe this event (e.g., "majestic pass", "conservative" to "poor-ball"). However, as these events are needed to be coded live and in real-time (most often by human annotators), the current method of grading passes is restricted to the binary labels 0 (unsuccessful) or 1 (successful). Obviously, this is sub-optimal because the quality of a pass needs to be measured on a continuous spectrum (i.e., 0 to 100%) and not a binary value. Additionally, a pass can be measured across multiple dimensions, namely: i) risk -- the likelihood of executing a pass in a given situation, and ii) reward -- the likelihood of a pass creating a chance. In this paper, we show how we estimate both the risk and reward of a pass across two seasons of tracking data captured from a recent professional soccer league with state-of-the-art performance, then showcase various use cases of our deployed passing system.
Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease: Classical or Connatal?

The clinical features and investigation results of 7 patients with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) are described; one patient had a brain biopsy and two patients had an autopsy. This paper tries to differentiate the clinical features of the connatal and classical types of PMD. Transient stridor and nystagmus were early signs in both types of PMD. Our findings support the view that the more severe connatal form shows rapid neurological deterioration from an early age leading to death usually in the first decade. In younger patients in whom the evolution is still unclear, severe feeding problems and extrapyramidal features may suggest the connatal form. By contrast, in the classical form of PMD, cerebellar signs and cognitive deterioration are more prominent with a more slowly progressive course. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and brainstem auditory evoked potentials were very helpful in supporting the diagnosis of PMD either in a known affected family or in sporadic cases, but were not useful in distinguishing between the two types of PMD. Genetic counseling in this condition is difficult, particularly in the connatal form in which inheritance may be either X-linked or autosomal recessive.
A Clinical Trial Design Avoiding Undue Placebo Treatment

A design is descirbed of a modified placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial procedure. The design was evolved in attempt to overcome certain problems inherent in the conventional double-blind procedure, in particular the ethical problem of prolonged exposure of the patient to placebo treatment. The modified designs consist of two phases. In the first (open) phase, patients selected according to the normal protocol requirements are given the medication under study for a predetermined time. Patients responding favorably to such treatment then enter a second (double blind) phase during which is tested the null hypothesis that all the favorable effects observed during the open phase are placebo effects. Experience with this clinical trial design in the evaluation of an antianginal agent is briefly described. In this case, the null hypothesis was disproved, and a potent therapeutic action was evidenced.
Elevated troponin levels are associated with higher mortality following intracerebral hemorrhage

Background: Elevated troponin levels are an independent indicator of poor outcome in ischemic stroke. The authors performed a retrospective study to ascertain whether elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) influences outcome from intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Methods: Patients were included if they had a cTnI level measured and a head CT performed within 24 hours of presentation with a spontaneous ICH. Those with recent stroke, angina, or myocardial ischemia were excluded. CT scans were reviewed to determine the hematoma size, location, presence of intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage, hydrocephalus, and midline shift. Results: Of the 729 ICH patients admitted over 4 years, 235 were included in the analysis. Most exclusions were for medical reasons or because of lack of a CT. Mortality was higher in the 18% with a peak cTnI level > 0.4 ng/mL (58 vs 34%, p = 0.009) and having elevated cTnI was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (Exp [β] 3.68, 95% CI 1.2 to 11.2, p = 0.023). Three patients (1.2%) died due to cardiac events, all of whom had an elevated cTnI level on admission. Conclusions: Elevated cardiac troponin I (cTnI) values occur frequently in ICH and are independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality. Although cardiac causes of death were higher in those with elevated cTnI levels, due to its very low frequency (1.2%) this finding remains preliminary.
Sensory and pain thresholds to orofacial argon laser stimulation in patients with chronic burning mouth syndrome.

OBJECTIVE Psychophysical assessments of orofacial sensory function were performed in order to investigate neurophysiological aspects of the burning mouth syndrome (BMS). DESIGN Sensory and pain thresholds to brief argon laser stimulation were determined on six test regions, which included the tip of tongue, the lower lip mucosa and skin, the buccal mucosa, the anterior hard palate, and the dorsum of the hand. SETTING The experimental examination was performed at the Pain Clinic Unit at the Royal Dental College. PATIENTS Twenty-three elderly denture-wearing patients diagnosed as suffering from BMS were studied, and a control group included 23 age-, sex-, and denture-matched subjects. The obtained thresholds were compared between groups. RESULTS Sensory thresholds were significantly higher and ratios between pain and sensory thresholds significantly lower in patients with BMS on all the tested regions. Pain thresholds were significantly elevated on the lower lip skin, the anterior hard palate, and the hand in patients with BMS. At sensory threshold level, a faint pinprick perception was often reported by patients with BMS contrary to a perception of warmth described by control subjects. The intraregional variations in sensory and pain thresholds on the hard palate, the lower lip mucosa, and on the skin were similar in both groups, but differences occurred in sensory thresholds on the tongue in patients with BMS. CONCLUSIONS The presence of abnormal prepain perceptions and disturbances in the perception of nonnociceptive and nociceptive thermal stimuli applied on both pain-affected and normal regions suggest a perceptual deficit unrelated to specific pathophysiological mechanisms in BMS. However, it appears that a psychological explanation of BMS should be used cautiously, as the present results suggest alterations in sensory function.
Soft Tissue Injuries With the Use of Safe Corridors for Transfixion Wire Placement During External Fixation of Distal Tibia Fractures: An Anatomic Study

Objectives To determine which soft tissue structures are at risk and when joint violation can occur during small wire placement for hybrid external fixation of distal tibial fractures while adhering to published guidelines. Design Cadaver anatomic experiment. Setting University orthopaedic program. Sujbects Five embalmed cadavers. Intervention Placement of small wire transfixion pins in the distal tibia. Main Outcome Measurements Dissection and measurements. Methods Four orthopaedic surgeons were shown diagrams that have been widely accepted as allowing for placement of transfixion pins in the distal tibia through safe corridors. Each of the orthopaedic surgeons was then asked to place two transfixion pins into each of five cadaver legs in a position that would provide stable external fixation of the metaphysis to the diaphysis with a circular fixator (forty pins total) for a distal tibial fracture within five centimeters of the plafond. The specimens were dissected, and pins impaling neurovascular structures, tendons, or the ankle capsule were recorded. The superior capsular synovial reflections were measured from the anterior joint line and the tip of the medial malleolus. These measurements were also performed on arthrograms of two extremities before their dissection. Results Fifty-five percent of the pins placed impaled at least one tendon that crosses the ankle joint. Neurovascular structures that were impaled included the saphenous vein (±10.5 percent) and the superficial peroneal nerve (±7.5 percent). One pin violated the superior capsular synovial reflection, which was an average of thirty-two millimeters (±1.58 millimeters) from the tip of the medial malleolus and twenty-one millimeters (±1.63 millimeters) from the anteromedial joint line. Conclusions This study shows that tendons and neurovascular structures above the ankle are at risk during small transfixion pin placement, even when using safe corridors. Pins placed within two centimeters of the anterior joint line or three centimeters from the medial malleolus may be intracapsular.
Between Scylla and Charybdis: A bleomycin‐exposed patient with Cohen syndrome

Chemotherapy with bleomycin may cause a syndrome of pulmonary sensitivity to supranormal inspired oxygen concentrations that persists for an unknown period of time after exposure. We present a mentally retarded adolescent patient in whom supranormal inspired oxygen was temporarily necessary to manage her difficult airway. Subsequently her pulmonary function deteriorated acutely and, after intermittent stabilization, irreversibly. In this case, bleomycin exposure may have played a pivotal role in modulating minor insults to trigger fatal acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Acute liver failure impairs function and expression of breast cancer‐resistant protein (BCRP) at rat blood–brain barrier partly via ammonia‐ROS‐ERK1/2 activation

We once reported that P‐glycoprotein (P‐GP) and multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2 (MRP2) were oppositely regulated at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) of thioacetamide‐induced acute liver failure (ALF) rats. This study aimed to investigate whether ALF affected function and expression of breast cancer‐resistant protein (BCRP) at the BBB of rats and the role of ammonia in the regulation. ALF rats were developed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of thioacetamide (300 mg/kg) for 2 days. Hyperammonemic rats were developed by NH4Ac (i.p. 4.5 mmol/kg). BCRP function and expression were measured by brain distribution of specific substrates (prazosin and methotrexate) and western blot, respectively. MDCK‐BCRP cells and primarily cultured rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (rBMECs) were employed to investigate possible mechanisms through which ammonia regulated BCRP function and expression. The results showed that both ALF and hyperammonemia significantly weakened function and expression of BCRP in the brain of rats. The function and expression of BCRP in MDCK‐BCRP cells and rBMECs were strikingly decreased after exposure to NH4Cl and H2O2, accompanied by remarkable increases in the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The altered BCRP expression and function by ammonia and H2O2 were restored by ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Markedly increased levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and ROS were found in the brains of ALF rats and hyperammonemic rats. All above results indicated ALF down‐regulated expression and function of BCRP at BBB of rats partly via hyperammonemia. Activation of ROS‐mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation may be one of the reasons that ammonia impaired BCRP expression and function at the BBB.
Strategic Identities in Cyberspace

This paper aims at describing, according to the recent advances in social psychology and Computer Mediated Communication, how identities are perceived and constructed in cyberspace. All interactions analyzed in this study were performed within "Euroland," a collaborative virtual environment. The interacting community was composed of students, teachers, and researchers working on a transnational educational project. Practices and dialogues within Euroland are analyzed using an ethnographic and conversational method. A sample of discourses and actions that occurred during 8 months of time, selected according to the research aims, was analyzed. During online connections, users were personified by an "Avatar. " Avatars are able to walk, fly, and look around the virtual world. They are also able to build and manipulate three-dimensional objects, perform virtual actions, and chat with other connected users. Results showed that "Eurolanders" showed and constructed their identities using strategic "positioning" depending on the interactive situation. Identities are thus dynamic and strongly related to the context, created and constantly recreated by the users. It is concluded that specific features offered by the Euroland environment are exploited by the users as resources to play with, while moving from one strategic positioning to another. Cyber identities involve resources given by specific technological tools and by community. The cyber-identity construction process seems to be highly congruent to the advances in the dialogical perspective in psychology, where identities are considered in their conceptualizations as multiple, "multivoiced," "positioned," and context-dependent.
Ultrasonic diagnosis of primary carcinoma of the gallbladder: A review of 16 cases

Sonographic findings in 16 patients (10 women, six men) with surgically documented gallbladder carcinoma are reported. Two principal forms are described: localized infiltrating, or fungating, tumors (eight patients) and diffuse tumors infiltrating the entire gallbladder wall (eight patients). In all cases, the tumors were adenocarcinomas. Eleven patients also had cholelithiasis. Contiguous extension and metastasis did not correlate with tumor size. The difficulties encountered in the differential diagnosis are discussed in relation to the different sonographic appearances.
LEAF AREA INDEX IN WINTER WHEAT: RESPONSE ON SEED RATE AND NITROGEN APPLICATION BY DIFFERENT VARIETIES

The most important photosynthesis acceptor – leaf area vary among cultivation measures and it is limited factor for creating exact growth models in common winter wheat. The objective of this study was to investigate changes of leaf area index (LAI) affected by agricultural treatments – 4 sowing rates and 9 nitrogen treatments based on fertilising rates, target values based on soil mineral nitrogen and plant sap tests target values including different varieties. Increasing sowing rates from 350 to 800 viable seeds m-2 increased LAI at EC 75 stage from 2.9 to 5.5, where LAI 4.1 at 500 seeds m-2 did not vary between lower and higher rates; also at EC 85 stage LAIs did not differ significantly. At EC 75 stage LAI differed among control and nitrogen treatments from 1.0 to 6.5 and at EC 85 stage from 0.1 to 2.4, with differences in interaction among varieties. Higher nitrogen rates for first and second top dressing increased LAI in both stages compared without dressing treatments. Due to significant differences among LAI as consequence of production system, we suggest to take this into account in every prediction and modelling of growth in winter wheat.
Frequency of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Objective: Metabolic syndrome is a clustering of cardio-metabolic risk factors. Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease. The aim of this study was to elucidate the frequency of traditional and novel cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease. Identification of these risk factors will allow for precautions to be taken earlier to prevent cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome in chronic kidney disease patients. Methods: A total of 214 patients (91 females, 123 males, mean age 56.1±14.4 years) with chronic kidney disease who were followed in the Nephrology Department of Istanbul Goztepe Training and Research Hospital were included in the study. Anthropometric and biochemical measurements for cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome parameters were recorded. Glomerular filtration rates (GFR) were estimated using the Cockroft Gault formula. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to International Diabetes Federation criteria. Results: Thirty-seven percent of patients with chronic renal failure were found to have three or more major cardiovascular risk factors. Seventy percent of patients were found to have metabolic syndrome. The mean numbers of major cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome parameters in patients with different GFR stages were: 1.8±1.0, 2.6±1.2 (GFR <15mL/min per 1.73 m2, n=102); 2.4±1.0, 3.0±1.0 (GFR 15–29 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n=51 ); 2.5±1.1, 3.3±1.0 (GFR 30–59 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n=39); 2.4±1.1, 3.5±0.7 (GFR 60–89 mL/min per 1.73 m2, n=22), respectively (P=.001). Conclusion: Although the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome were high in patients with chronic kidney disease, they were negatively correlated with the stage of renal failure.
Erythropoietin and intravenous iron therapy in postpartum anaemia

Background. We assessed whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) enhances a rise in haemoglobin concentration in postpartum anaemia compared to intravenous iron alone. Design. Some 60 patients with haemoglobin values≤80 g/l were randomized within 72 h after parturition into 3 different treatment groups. All 3 groups were given a total dose of 450 mg intravenous iron sucrose. In addition, 2 groups were given 20,000 or 40,000 U of total rhEPO. All treatments were given on 2 occasions with an interval of 3 days (day 0 and 3). Results. Haemoglobin increased significantly in all 3 groups over time (p<0.001), and there were no differences between the different treatment groups on any day of evaluation (p = 0.59). The total mean increment in haemoglobin in all subjects was 18 g/l after 1 week, and 28 g/l after 2 weeks. Conclusion. In comparison to intravenous iron alone, the addition of rhEPO did not further increase haemoglobin concentration in women with postpartum anaemia.
Multiple Molecular pathways explain the anti‐proliferative effect of valproic acid on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Valproic acid (VPA), is a drug approved by the FDA for epilepsy and bipolar disorders. It is a known Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor (HDACI). We tested VPA, for its anti‐proliferative activity in prostate cancer (PCa) cell lines in vitro and in vivo.
A systematic review of shockwave therapies in soft tissue conditions: focusing on the evidence

Background ‘Shock wave’ therapies are now extensively used in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. This systematic review summarises the evidence base for the use of these modalities. Methods A thorough search of the literature was performed to identify studies of adequate quality to assess the evidence base for shockwave therapies on pain in specific soft tissue injuries. Both focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (F-ESWT) and radial pulse therapy (RPT) were examined. Results 23 appropriate studies were identified. There is evidence for the benefit of F-ESWT and of RPT in a number of soft tissue musculoskeletal conditions, and evidence that both treatment modalities are safe. There is evidence that F-ESWT is effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis, calcific tendinitis, and that RPT is effective in plantar fasciitis. Where benefit is seen in F-ESWT, it appears to be dose dependent, with greater success seen with higher dose regimes. There is low level evidence for lack of benefit of low-dose F-ESWT and RPT in non-calcific rotator cuff disease and mixed evidence in lateral epicondylitis.
Comparison of three standardized questionnaires on respiratory symptoms.

A new questionnaire (ATS-DLD) developed by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) for the Division of Lung Diseases (DLD) of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, designed to elicit more details about various symptoms and factors associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, was compared with 2 previous questionnaires, those developed by the British Medical Research Council (MRC) and by the National Heart and Lung Institute (NHLI). From a private census list of residents of Washington County, Md. , 6 similar population samples of white men and women 25 to 64 yr of age were selected, one each for administration of the 3 questionnaires by telephone and by mail. A total of 1,004 interviews were obtained. Indicated prevalences of chronic cough and chronic phlegm were essentially the same for all 3 questionnaires; the ATS-DLD elicited significantly more symptoms of any wheeze, whereas the NHLI elicited more mild breathlessness. The MRC and ATS-DLD were virtually identical in indicated prevalence.