Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Oncolytic viruses as therapeutic agents

The concept of using viruses as oncolytic agents has a long history. However, relatively new developments are the use of these viruses as gene delivery vehicles and the restriction of viral replication and lysis to tumour cells. The latter is attempted by the use of tumour-specific promoters, which transcriptionally target viral genes involved in replication, or by deletion of viral functions dispensable for replication in tumour cells but essential for productive infection of normal cells. In addition, retargeting of the viral tropism towards tumours by capsid modifications has been examined. Although much progress has been made in developing oncolytic vectors for clinical use, there is still a long way to go to determine which combinations of virus, gene therapy, surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy will provide improved therapy for the control and eradication of a variety of human cancers. First controlled clinical trials with an oncolytic adenovirus in combination with chemotherapy have shown encouraging antineoplastic activity. For future vector developments it will be crucial to achieve maximum vector distribution and transgene expression within tumours, to trigger a specific systemic immune effector response against treated and untreated lesions, and to modulate the immune system to avoid immune-mediated inactivation or destruction of the virus. In the context of replication-competent vectors, suicide genes might be used as fail-safe mechanism in the case of a runaway infection.
Plasmapheresis therapy of immunologic disease. Report of nine cases and review of the literature.

Department of Blood Banking and Hematology T h e term plasmapheresis (removal of p lasma with or wi thout replacement with physiologic solutions) was first used in 1914 by Abel et al in their pape r "P lasma removal with re turn of corpuscles," which was an account of their a t t emp t to develop an artificial kidney. Modern experience with plasmapheresis began in the early 1950s when the technique was used to remove a b n o r m a l p lasma protein in a pat ient with mul t ip le myeloma. 2 In the early 1960s, the procedure was successfully employed to t reat the clinical manifestat ions of hyperviscosity in a pat ient with Waldens t rom's macroglobulinemia. In the past decade, great advances have been m a d e in the technique of p lasma exchange, a n d the scope of diseases t reated with this me thod has broadened greatly. In theory, any disease in which a humora l phase is impor tan t in pathogenesis m a y be at least part ia l ly mit igated by removal of patients' p lasma and subsequent replacement wi th another physiologic solution. Th is the rapy might benefit pa t ients with either of two types of immunologic disease: tha t media ted by an t ibody (either blocking or cytotoxic) or that media ted by circulating i m m u n e complexes (CIC) or both . W e report our experience in t reat ing nine pat ients with a n u m b e r of different disease states, all of whom had
Multisite Single-Blinded Randomized Control Study of Transfer and Retention of Knowledge and Skill Between Nurses Using Simulation and Online Self-Study Module

Introduction Obstetric (OB) nurses must be proficient in performing a basic neurologic examination to assess and detect changes in a patients’ neurologic status. This study aimed to compare knowledge and skill acquisition for a basic neurologic examination between OB nurses who participated in simulation and those who participated in an online self-study module. Short- and long-term knowledge retention and skill transfer between groups were evaluated. Methods Nurses were randomized to either simulation or online self-study module and assessed by direct observation and completion of a standardized instrument by the observer at 3 time points: baseline (time 1), within 7 days of baseline in the clinical setting (time 2), and at 2 months (time 3) using a validated12-item Neurologic Knowledge Assessment and a 14-item performance skill checklist. Results Among OB nurses, those in the simulation group demonstrated higher levels in both short-term (time 2) [mean (SD), 67.6 (20.2) vs. 29.6 (19.0); P < 0.001] and long-term (time 3) [mean (SD), 46.1 (17.6) vs. 27.5 (15.9); P < 0.001] skill performance compared with nurses in the online self-study module. Nurses in the simulation and online self-study module groups had similar mean levels on Neurologic Knowledge Assessment scores at time 2 (P = 0.86) and time 3 (P = 0.59), but these mean scores were not significant. Conclusions The greater transfer of skills by nurses who received simulation education is an important finding because few studies have addressed this level of translation with practicing nurses. There was a lack of differences in short- and long-term knowledge acquisition between nurses in the simulation and online self-study module groups. More research is needed to determine the timing of simulation-based education repetition over time to aid in knowledge and skills retention.
A revised global estimate of dissolved iron fluxes from marine sediments

Literature data on benthic dissolved iron (DFe) fluxes (µmol m−2 d−1), bottom water oxygen concentrations (O2BW, μM), and sedimentary carbon oxidation rates (COX, mmol m−2 d−1) from water depths ranging from 80 to 3700 m were assembled. The data were analyzed with a diagenetic iron model to derive an empirical function for predicting benthic DFe fluxes: DFeflux=γ⋅tanhCOXO2BW where γ (= 170 µmol m−2 d−1) is the maximum flux for sediments at steady state located away from river mouths. This simple function unifies previous observations that COX and O2BW are important controls on DFe fluxes. Upscaling predicts a global DFe flux from continental margin sediments of 109 ± 55 Gmol yr−1, of which 72 Gmol yr−1 is contributed by the shelf (<200 m) and 37 Gmol yr−1 by slope sediments (200–2000 m). The predicted deep‐sea flux (>2000 m) of 41 ± 21 Gmol yr−1 is unsupported by empirical data. Previous estimates of benthic DFe fluxes derived using global iron models are far lower (approximately 10–30 Gmol yr−1). This can be attributed to (i) inadequate treatment of the role of oxygen on benthic DFe fluxes and (ii) improper consideration of continental shelf processes due to coarse spatial resolution. Globally averaged DFe concentrations in surface waters simulated with the intermediate‐complexity University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model were a factor of 2 higher with the new function. We conclude that (i) the DFe flux from marginal sediments has been underestimated in the marine iron cycle and (ii) iron scavenging in the water column is more intense than currently presumed.
Transfusion in the Operating Room and the Intensive Care Unit: Current Practice and Future Directions

Anesthesiologists administer more blood and blood products than other physicians. Unfortunately, few prospective, randomized, controlled studies show the efficacy of the 22,000,000 units of blood components transfused in the United States each year. The paucity of sound scientific evidence has led many groups, including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) in 1984, the National Institutes of Health Consensus Conferences (NIHCC) on Fresh Frozen Plasma in 1985, NIHCC on Platelet Transfusion Therapy in 1987, NIHCC on Perioperative Red Blood Cell Transfusion in 1988, American Association of Blood Banks in 1990, American College of Physicians (ACP) in 1992, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) in 1994, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Task Force on Blood Component Therapy in 1996, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) Guidelines for Red Blood Cells and Plasma Transfusion for Adults and Children in 1997, and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) Consensus Conference on Platelet Transfusion in 1998, to publish consensus statements, practice parameters, and guidelines for blood component therapy. These guidelines are based on the best available evidence, consisting mostly of controlled and uncontrolled observational studies, and expert opinion. Despite the multiple efforts noted, there are still no specific guidelines for adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Our goal is to review the ASA and other published guidelines for indications and rational use of blood component therapy in adults, with an emphasis on the critically ill. We also discuss risks and complications of transfusion and briefly review artificial oxygen carriers. However, we do not cover pediatric or neonatal indications, intraoperative blood salvage
Alcohol and sleep restriction combined reduces vigilant attention, whereas sleep restriction alone enhances distractibility.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Alcohol and sleep loss are leading causes of motor vehicle crashes, whereby attention failure is a core causal factor. Despite a plethora of data describing the effect of alcohol and sleep loss on vigilant attention, little is known about their effect on voluntary and involuntary visual attention processes. DESIGN Repeated-measures, counterbalanced design. SETTING Controlled laboratory setting. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen young (18-27 y; M = 21.90 ± 0.60 y) healthy males. INTERVENTIONS Participants completed an attention test battery during the afternoon (13:00-14:00) under four counterbalanced conditions: (1) baseline; (2) alcohol (0.05% breath alcohol concentration); (3) sleep restriction (02:00-07:00); and (4) alcohol/sleep restriction combined. This test battery included a Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) as a measure of vigilant attention, and two ocular motor tasks-visually guided and antisaccade-to measure the involuntary and voluntary allocation of visual attention. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Only the combined condition led to reductions in vigilant attention characterized by slower mean reaction time, fastest 10% responses, and increased number of lapses (P < 0.05) on the PVT. In addition, the combined condition led to a slowing in the voluntary allocation of attention as reflected by increased antisaccade latencies (P < 0.05). Sleep restriction alone however increased both antisaccade inhibitory errors [45.8% errors versus < 28.4% all others; P < 0.001] and the involuntary allocation of attention, as reflected by faster visually guided latencies (177.7 msec versus > 185.0 msec all others) to a peripheral target (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our data reveal specific signatures for sleep related attention failure: the voluntary allocation of attention is impaired, whereas the involuntary allocation of attention is enhanced. This provides key evidence for the role of distraction in attention failure during sleep loss.
Percutaneous ethanol injection, radiofrequency and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM To evaluate the therapeutic effect and the indication of percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and their combination in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS Two hundred and fifty-five patients with HCC received treatment of PEI, RFA or their combination. Group 1 (< 3 cm in diameter, n=85) was treated with PEI, group 2 (< 3 cm in diameter, n=153) with RFA. Group 3 (> 3 cm in diameter, n=86) was divided into two groups. Group 3a (n=34) was treated with RFA, while group 3b (n=52) was treated with RFA for 2 wk after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization or PEI. Contrast-enhanced sonography was performed for 61 patients before and after RFA. Liver function and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were measured for all patients. Changes of the lesions on ultrasound and contrast-enhanced CT/MRI were evaluated for assessing the therapeutic responses. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were recorded after treatment. RESULTS In group 1, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 77.6% (66/85). The level of AFP declined conspicuously after 1 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rate after treatment was 80.0% (52/65), 60.4% (32/53), 52.5% (21/40) and 33.3% (7/21), respectively. In group 2, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 moh was 92.2% (141/153). The level of AFP decreased conspicuously after 1 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rate after treatment was 94.6% (88/93), 73.2% (52/71), 63.5% (33/52) and 46.4% (13/28), respectively. In group 3a, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 23.5% (8/34). AFP dropped down to the normal level in only one patient after 1 mo. The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rate after treatment was 47.6% (10/21), 42.9% (6/14) and 27.3% (3/11), respectively. Only one patient was still alive after 5 years. In group 3b, the complete necrosis rate of lesions after 1 mo was 57.7% (30/52). The level of AFP decreased after 1 mo. The 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-year survival rate after treatment was 68.6% (24/35), 46.2% (12/26), 36.8% (7/19) and 27.3% (3/11), respectively. CONCLUSION The therapeutic effect of RFA on small HCC is better than that of PEI. Small HCC is the optimal indication of RFA. For recurrent HCC (diameter > 3 cm), the combined treatment of RFA and PEI/ACE should be used.
The effects of an online basic life support course on undergraduate nursing students’ learning

Objectives To describe learning outcomes of undergraduate nursing students following an online basic life support course (BLS). Methods An online BLS course was developed and administered to 94 nursing students. Pre- and post-tests were used to assess theoretical learning. Checklist simulations and feedback devices were used to assess the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills of the 62 students who completed the course. Results A paired t-test revealed a significant increase in learning [pre-test (6.4 ± 1.61), post-test (9.3 ± 0.82), p < 0.001]. The increase in the average grade after taking the online course was significant (p<0.001). No learning differences (p=0.475) had been observed between 1st and 2nd year (9.20 ± 1.60), and between 3rd and 4th year (9.67 ± 0.61) students. A CPR simulation was performed after completing the course: students checked for a response (90%), exposed the chest (98%), checked for breathing (97%), called emergency services (76%), requested for a defibrillator (92%), checked for a pulse (77%), positioned their hands properly (87%), performed 30 compressions/cycle (95%), performed compressions of at least 5 cm depth (89%), released the chest (90%), applied two breaths (97%), used the automated external defibrillator (97%), and positioned the pads (100%). Conclusions The online course was an effective method for teaching and learning key BLS skills wherein students were able to accurately apply BLS procedures during the CPR simulation. This short-term online training, which likely improves learning and self-efficacy in BLS providers, can be used for the continuing education of health professionals.
Crossed immunoelectrophoretic studies of the solubility immunogenicity of herpes simplex virus antigens

The nonionic detergent Triton X-100 was capable of solubilizing 90% of the protein content in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected rabbit cornea cells. The solubilized HSV antigens formed well-characterized precipitates by crossed immunoelectrophoresis in Triton X-100-containing agarose gel, allowing both identification and relative quantitation. Water-soluble and detergent-requiring HSV antigens were identified by different solubilization procedures in buffer with and without detergent. Five glycoprotein antigens were solubilized only in the presence of detergent, indicating their membrane-bound state. One non-glycosylated antigen was present in both a water-soluble and a membrane-bound form. Based upon the crossed immunoelectrophoretic precipitating patterns of Triton X-100-solubilized HSV antigens, it has been estimated that infected cells yield an amount of virus-specific protein equivalent to 2,000 enveloped virions per cell. Rabbits inoculated intracutaneously with Triton X-100-solubilized HSV antigens developed neutralizing antibodies against HSV almost as effectively as rabbits with an active HSV infection. Precipitins against individual HSV antigens in sera from rabbits infected with HSV and immunized with the Triton X-100-solubilized HSV antigens were assayed by the crossed immunoelectrophoretic technique. Sera from infected rabbits reacted more strongly and with a higher number of HSV antigens than sera from immunized rabbits.
The in vitro effect of Khawia sinensis on leucocyte activity in carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Abstract The interactions between Khawia sinensis (Cestoda: Caryophyllidea), a pathogenic tapeworm of carp, and host leucocytes has been investigated in vitro by monitoring blastogenesis in pronephric, splenic and thymic lymphocytes and apoptosis of pronephric leucocytes. Both parasite homogenate and excretory/secretory (E/S) products were found to suppress lymphocyte blastogenesis at high concentrations (346.6–98.8 μg ml−1) whilstcell stimulation occurred at low concentrations (49.4–19.8 μg ml−1). This differential affect on leucocyte activity may not be associated with apoptosis in vitro as the parasite E/S products did not significantly affect programmed cell death as monitored by acridine orange and DNA analysis. The parasite effect on leucocyte activity is discussed and its relationship to host susceptibility is evaluated.
Investigation of palladium coverage on bonded balls of palladium-coated copper wires

The application of Palladium coated-Copper (Pd-Cu) wires is a solution to prevent copper oxidation during the copper wire bonding process. This is true for the Second Bond but may not be the situation when it comes to the First Bond, because during the Free Air Ball (FAB) formation, the Pd-Cu wire tip is melted and the Pd distribution on the FAB surface is dependent on several processing factors. The type of the wires used and the electrical current applied during the EFO (Electronic Flame Off) process to form the FAB are believed to be the two major factors affecting the resulting Pd distribution on the FAB. Without an optimized EFO process to form ideal, spherical FABs with nice palladium surface coverage, the copper may be exposed after the First bond. Consequently, after molding, it is subject to corrosion due to the presence of halogen ions inside the mold compound chemistry. Typically, after a pressure cooker test or HAST test, these first bonds may fail. In this paper, we will first present the study of palladium surface coverage during FAB formation and also bonded ball using various EFO parameters with different Pd-Cu wire sizes. During first bond bonding, pure impact of the FAB will determine 75%–80% of the final shape of the bonded ball bond; the subsequent ultrasonic USG vibration accounts only for about 20% of the final shape of the ball bond, depending on the bonding parameters. To reveal the various degrees of palladium coverage on the first bond, we prepared samples and subjected them to weak chloride acids to etch away the exposed copper regions and compare the results using SEM photomicrographs. We found that, even if when the palladium surface coverage on a FAB is incomplete, it is still possible to "seal" off the copper during a good first bond. Therefore, we will present the guidelines on how to achieve improved EFO parameters to form good palladium coverage during FAB formation, as well as how to differentiate and select a palladium coverage in FAB that could still form good first bond with concealed copper not exposed to corrosion attack from the molding compounds, hence forming a more reliable bonding. Such allowable exposed copper regions are presented for three different wire diameters: 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 mil wires.
Reluctant Vesicles Contribute to the Total Readily Releasable Pool in Glutamatergic Hippocampal Neurons

The size of the readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles is critically important for determining the size of postsynaptic currents generated in response to action potentials. However, discrepancies in RRP estimates exist among methods designed to measure RRP size. In glutamatergic hippocampal neurons, we found that hypertonic sucrose application yielded RRP size estimates approximately fivefold larger than values obtained with high-frequency action potential trains commonly assumed to deplete the RRP. This discrepancy was specific for glutamatergic neurons, because no difference was found between sucrose and train estimates of RRP size in GABAergic neurons. A small component of the difference in excitatory neurons was accounted for by postsynaptic receptor saturation. Train estimates of vesicle pool size obtained using more stimuli revealed that action potential-elicited EPSCs did not truly reach a steady state during shorter trains, and RRP estimates were closer to sucrose estimates made in the same neurons. This suggested that reluctant vesicles may contribute to the total available pool. Two additional lines of evidence supported this hypothesis. First, RRP estimates from strongly depolarizing hyperkalemic solutions closely matched those obtained with sucrose. Second, when Ca2+ influx was enhanced during trains, train estimates of pool size matched those obtained with sucrose. These data suggest that glutamatergic hippocampal neurons maintain a heterogeneous population of vesicles that can be differentially released with varying Ca2+ influx, thereby increasing the range of potential synaptic responses.
Mechanisms of action of environmental factors--tobacco smoking.

AIM To review the potential biological mechanisms underlying the effects of tobacco smoking on periodontitis. MAIN FINDINGS Smoking has major effects on the host response, but there are also a number of studies that show some microbiological differences between smokers and non-smokers. Smoking has a long-term chronic effect on many important aspects of the inflammatory and immune responses. Histological studies have shown alterations in the vasculature of the periodontal tissues in smokers. Smoking induces a significant systemic neutrophilia, but neutrophil transmigration across the periodontal microvasculature is impeded. The suppression of neutrophil cell spreading, chemokinesis, chemotaxis and phagocytosis have been described. Protease release from neutrophils may be an important mechanism in tissue destruction. Tobacco smoke has been found to affect both cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. Research on gingival crevicular fluid has demonstrated that there are lower levels of cytokines, enzymes and possibly polymorphonuclear cells in smokers. In vitro studies have shown detrimental effects of nicotine and some other tobacco compounds on fibroblast function, including fibroblast proliferation, adhesion to root surfaces and cytotoxicity. CONCLUSION Tobacco smoking has widespread systemic effects, many of which may provide mechanisms for the increased susceptibility to periodontitis and the poorer response to treatment.
Prostate-specific antigen.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of men with prostate cancer. Significant advances have been made since the early development of immunoassays. While PSA is useful for staging and monitoring of established disease, it has shown the greatest utility in the realm of early detection realm. PSA is the most important tumor marker; its importance in evaluating men for the possibility of prostate cancer is irrefutable. Enhancing specificity is a pressing need. In this regard, the recognition of the molecular forms of free PSA and complex PSA have shown the most promise and undoubtedly will result in fewer false-positive PSA test results. The salient literature is reviewed and commentary made on the current status of PSA with particular emphasis on methods to enhance its specificity in early detection and applications.