Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alcohol Use Post AUD Treatment Initiation as a Predictor of Later Functioning

Objective: To replicate and extend the earlier work of Maisto and colleagues showing an association between early post-treatment alcohol use and later functioning (123). Methods: The present study classified adults presenting for alcohol use disorders (AUD) treatment (n = 114) into one of three drinker groups (i.e., abstainer, moderate drinker, or heavy drinker) based upon alcohol use during the first 6-months following outpatient AUD treatment initiation, and examined the associations between drinker group classification and later alcohol use and psychosocial functioning. Results: Study results showed that individuals classified within the heavy drinker group tended to have the poorest outcomes (i.e., greater alcohol use and poorer psychosocial functioning) relative to individuals classified within the abstainer or moderate drinker groups. Conclusions: Study findings are consistent with the prior work of Maisto and colleagues. In addition, it appears that alcohol use, particularly heavy alcohol consumption, during the early post-treatment initiation period may serve as a marker for later alcohol related problems and poorer overall psychosocial functioning.
Brain Activation during Visuo-Spatial Memory Task: an fMRI Study

Effect of information capacity and one week training of visuo-spatial memory task on brain activity were investigated. Brain activity during a visuo-spatial memory task with 10 and 30 visual targets were measured with functional MRI before and after one week training of the task. Statistical probability mapping revealed that activity in prefrontal cortex depended on visual information capacity in visuo- spatial task, and the activated area decreased after one-week training of the task.
A thermal gradient modulates the oxidative metabolism and growth of human keratinocytes

During their spatial and differentiative progression, keratinocytes face a thermal gradient, from 37 °C in the proliferating basal layer to 32 °C found in skin surface. In our study, we hypothesized that this difference in temperature must be balanced by increasing the heat produced during respiratory activity. We demonstrated that at 33 °C human primary keratinocytes and HaCaT cells raised mitochondrial energy metabolism, but not glycolytic activity. At 33 °C, the increased mitochondrial ATP synthesis was associated with a strong induction of the modulator of the respiratory chain estrogen receptor β, whereas uncoupling protein 1 expression was not changed. The enhanced mitochondrial oxidative metabolism was accompanied by a remarkable reduction in proliferation. These results suggest that environmental temperature can modulate the energy metabolism and proliferation of human keratinocytes.
Gonadal and Age-Related Influences on NMDA-Induced Growth Hormone Secretion in Male Rats

Activation of N-methyl-D,L-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion. The mechanisms involved in this action are still a matter of debate. Present experiments were carried out to assess specifically: (1) the age-related changes in NMDA effects; (2) the physiological role of NMDA in pulsatile GH secretion; (3) the hypothalamic and/or pituitary actions of NMDA, and (4) the influence of gonadal function on NMDA-induced GH release. NMDA (15 mg/kg i.p.) stimulated GH secretion in neonatal, prepubertal and adult males, this effect being blocked by MK-801, a selective antagonist of NMDA receptors. In adult males, pulsatile GH secretion was abolished after administration of MK-801 and AP-5, antagonists of NMDA receptors. The stimulatory effect of NMDA on GH release was exerted at the hypothalamic level, since in vitro GH secretion was slightly inhibited in the presence of NMDA (0.5 mM). The increase in GH release after NMDA treatment cannot be explained through an increase in GHRH release, as the NMDA effect persisted in animals pretreated with GHRH antiserum and in those neonatally injected with mono- sodium glutamate, a drug that destroys GHRH neurons. In addition, NMDA-induced GH secretion was independent of testicular function since it remained after orchidectomy, testosterone replacement as well as after permanent damage of testicular function by neonatal administration of estrogens (500 µg on day 1 of life). We conclude that NMDA receptors play a physiological role stimulating GH secretion through a hypothalamic mechanism that is, at least partially, not GHRH-dependent, and is not modulated by testicular secretion.
Influence of Bubble Size Distribution on the Echogenicity of Ultrasound Contrast Agents: A Study of SonoVue™

Gorce J-M, Arditi M, Schneider M. Influence of bubble size distribution on the echogenicity of ultrasound contrast agents: A study of SonoVue™. Invest Radiol 2000;35:661–671. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES.To study the relative contributions of different bubble size classes to SonoVue™’s echogenicity in fundamental acoustic imaging modes. SonoVue™ is a contrast agent, previously known as BR1, with a bubble size distribution extending from approximately 0.7 to 10 &mgr;m. METHODS.A model for the acoustic response of SonoVue™ was determined and validated for a set of experimental data. This model was used to simulate the acoustic response of a standard batch of SonoVue™ as the sum of responses of nonoverlapping bubble size classes. RESULTS.The simulation was first validated for a standard SonoVue™ bubble size distribution. When this distribution was considered as five size classes with equal numbers of bubbles, it was found that bubbles smaller than 2 &mgr;m accounted for 60% of the total number but contained only 5% of the total gas volume. The simulation results indicated marked differences in the acoustic contributions from these classes, with 80% of the acoustic efficacy provided by bubbles 3 to 9 &mgr;m in diameter. The study also compared bubble distributions in number, surface, and volume, with the distribution computed in terms of acoustic efficacy. CONCLUSIONS.This study shows why bubble volume is a much better indicator of SonoVue™’s efficacy than is bubble count. A low threshold in diameter was found for SonoVue™ microbubbles at approximately 2 &mgr;m, under which size bubbles do not contribute appreciably to the echogenicity at medical ultrasound frequencies.
Abnormal Expression of Type 1 Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor and Tissue Factor in Severe Preeclampsia

Summary Preeclampsia is a multisystemic obstetric disease of unknown etiology that is commonly associated with fibrin deposition, occlusive lesions in placental vasculature, and intrauterine fetal growth retardation. We previously reported that type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) levels are significantly increased in plasma and placenta from pregnant women with preeclampsia compared to normal pregnant women. In the present report we localize the expression of placental PAI-1 in greater detail and compare it with that of tissue factor (TF), a procoagulant molecule, and vitronectin (Vn), a PAI-1 cofactor. We also examine the expression of two cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), in order to begin to define the underlying mechanisms responsible for the elevated levels of PAI-1 and fibrin deposits observed in placenta from preeclampsia. We demonstrate a significant increase in PAI-1, TF and TNFα antigen and PAI-1 and TF mRNA in placentas from preeclamptic patients. PAI-1 mRNA was increased not only in syncytiotrophoblast and infarction areas, but also in fibroblasts and in some endothelial cells of fetal vessels in placentas from preeclamptic patients. However, there was no colocalization between PAI-1, TF, Vn and TNFα in placental villi. The elevated TNFα in the placenta may induce PAI-1 and TF, and thus promote the thrombotic alterations associated with preeclampsia.
Sex differences in susceptibility to development of contact hypersensitivity to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)

We have investigated the differences between the sexes in the development of contact sensitivity induced by dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Ten male and 12 female subjects were sensitized with DNCB (30 μg applied on a 1 cm patch test disc) and challenged 1 month later with doses of 8.8, 12.5, 17.7 and 25 μg. The responses were measured after 48 h as increase in skinfold thickness with Harpenden callipers. Females showed a larger response at all challenge doses studied, and the slope of the log‐dose response curve was significantly steeper in females. We conclude that there are significant differences in delayed type hypersensitivity between males and females.
Directed enzyme pro-drug gene therapy for pancreatic cancer in vivo.

BACKGROUND Directed enzyme pro-drug therapy incorporates the delivery of a gene to a cancer cell that will be specifically expressed and will confer sensitivity to a therapeutic agent. Tumor-specific gene expression can be achieved by coupling the promoter for the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) to a gene such as herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk), which phosphorylates ganciclovir to a potent DNA synthesis inhibitor. METHODS Retroviral vectors were constructed to contain the CEA promoter coupled to HSV-tk (LN-CEA-TK) and were used to transduce the CEA-expressing pancreatic carcinoma cell line BXPC3. Recombinant pancreatic carcinoma cell lines expressing HSV-tk (BXPC3CEA-TK) were then tested for sensitivity to the toxic effects on ganciclovir after engraftment into severe combined immunodeficient mice. Tumors were generated by subcutaneous inoculation of 20 x 10(6) tumor cells consisting of BXPC3 and/or BXPC3CEA-TK cells in ratios of 100:0, 90:10, 50:50, 10:90, and 0:100. After 3 days mice received daily ganciclovir (0.1 mg/kg) or phosphate-buffered saline solution by intraperitoneal injection and were monitored for tumor growth. RESULTS All severe combined immunodeficient mice inoculated with BXPC3 or BXPC3CEA-TK cells in any proportion developed large pancreatic tumors. As expected, a significant reduction in tumor size was seen in the BXPC3CEA-TK engrafted mice receiving ganciclovir compared with mice receiving phosphate-buffered saline solution or mice engrafted with only BXPC3. In addition, all animals with any fraction of cells expressing HSV-tk exhibited a significant reduction in tumor growth, including animals with only 10% of cells expressing HSV-tk. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest the potential utility of directed enzyme pro-drug therapy in patients with CEA-expressing pancreatic carcinoma.
Intra-partum epidural analgesia in grandmultiparous women

Objective. The present study aimed to characterise grandmultiparous women receiving intra-partum epidural analgesia and investigate associations between this method of pain relief and labour outcomes in grandmultiparas. Methods. A population-based study was conducted comparing obstetric and perinatal characteristics of grandmultiparous women with and without epidural analgesia. Deliveries occurred during the years 1988–2006. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to find independent risk factors associated with epidural analgesia, cesarean section and 1st stage labour dystocia. Results. Out of 41,488 deliveries to grandmultiparous women included in the study, intra-partum epidural analgesia was utilised in 877 (2.1%). Multivariate analysis revealed that grandmultiparas who received epidural pain relief were significantly older and more likely to suffer from pre-mature rupture of the membranes, polyhydramnion, oligohydramnion, labour induction and a macrosomic fetus. After controlling for potential confounding, use of epidural analgesia remained an independent risk factor for 1st stage labour dystocia (odds ratio (OR) = 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.08–2.2) and cesarean delivery (OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 2.4–3.5) in grandmultiparas. Conclusion. Grandmultiparous women who received intra-partum epidural analgesia have entirely different obstetric characteristics as compared with those who did not receive this method of pain relief. Although epidural use was demonstrated to be an independent risk factor for 1st stage labour dystocia and cesarean section in this population, residual confounding cannot be excluded.
High-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation for extra-nodal NK/T lymphoma in patients from the Western hemisphere: a study from the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation

Extra-nodal NK/T lymphoma (ENKTL) is rare and more frequently encountered in East Asia. The role of high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT-ASCT) for ENKTL is unclear. Twenty-eight evaluable patients who had undergone HDT-ASCT in Europe from 2000–2009 were studied. The median age was 47 years and patients had received a median of two lines of prior therapy. Some 57% of patients were not in complete remission or beyond first complete remission at HDT-ASCT. The 1-year non-relapse mortality (NRM) was 11%; 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 41% and 52%, respectively. Notably, the 2-year PFS and OS for those with stage III/IV disease were 33% and 40%, respectively, with no relapses beyond 1-year post-HDT-ASCT. This is the largest analysis of HDT-ASCT for patients with ENKTL reported from the Western hemisphere. Survival is comparable to East Asian cohorts and outcomes are encouraging for patients with advanced disease.
Paired‐pulse magnetic stimulation of the human motor cortex: differences among I waves

1 In paired‐pulse cortical stimulation experiments, conditioning subthreshold stimuli suppress the electromyographic (EMG) responses of relaxed muscles to suprathreshold magnetic test stimuli at short interstimulus intervals (ISIs) (1‐5 ms) and facilitate them at long ISIs (8‐15 ms). 2 We made paired‐pulse magnetic stimulation studies on the response of the first dorsal interosseous muscle (FDI) produced by I1 or I3 waves using our previously reported method which preferentially elicits one group of I waves when subjects make a slight voluntary contraction. In some experiments the conditioning and test stimuli were oppositely directed, in the others they were oriented in the same direction. Single motor unit responses were recorded with a concentric needle electrode, and surface EMG responses with cup electrodes. 3 In post‐stimulus time histograms (PSTHs) of the firing probability of motor units, the peaks produced by I3 waves were decreased by a subthreshold conditioning stimulus that preferentially elicited I1 or I3 waves at an ISI of 4 ms. The amount of decrement depended on the intensity of the conditioning stimulus. The stronger the conditioning stimulus, the greater the suppression. In contrast, the peaks produced by I1 waves were little affected by any type of subthreshold conditioning stimulus, given 4 ms prior to the test stimulus. At an ISI of 10 ms, a subthreshold conditioning stimulus slightly decreased the size of the peak produced by the I3 waves, but did not affect the peaks evoked by I1 waves. 4 Surface EMGs showed that a subthreshold conditioning stimulus suppressed the responses produced by I3 waves irrespective of its current direction (anterior or posterior). Both the amount and duration of suppression depended on the intensity of the conditioning stimulus, but not on its current direction. Both parameters increased when the intensity increased. At a high intensity conditioning stimulus, suppression was evoked at ISIs of 1‐20 ms, compatible with the duration of GABA‐mediated inhibition found in animal experiments. Responses produced by I1 waves were little affected by any type of subthreshold conditioning stimulus. 5 We conclude that a subthreshold conditioning stimulus given over the motor cortex moderately suppresses I3 waves but does not affect I1 waves. The duration of suppression of the I3 waves supports the idea that this is an effect of GABAergic inhibition within the motor cortex.
The Placental Syncytium and the Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Preeclampsia is associated with an increased release of factors from the placental syncytium into maternal blood, including the antiangiogenic factors soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 and soluable endoglin, the antifibrinolytic factor plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, prostanoids, lipoperoxides, cytokines, and microparticles. These factors are suggested to promote maternal endothelium dysfunction and are associated with placental damage in pregnancies also complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In this report, we briefly describe the interaction of syncytial factors with hypoxia, reactive oxygen species, and apoptosis in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and IUGR. Given the critical role of the syncytium in these complications of pregnancy, we also present a novel methodology in which laser capture microdissection followed by Western blotting is used to assess levels of syncytial Fas ligand, a key protein in the apoptotic cascade.
Contagious obesity: from adenovirus 36 to RB dysfunction

Significant overweight represents a major health problem in industrialized countries. Besides its known metabolic origins, this condition may also have an infectious cause, as recently postulated. Here, it is surmised that the potentially causative adenovirus 36 contributes to such disorder by inactivating the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (RB) in a manner reminiscent of a mechanism employed by both another pathogenic adenoviral agent and insulin. The present insight additionally suggests novel modes of interfering with obesity-associated pathology.
Evaluation of Psychopathological Conditions in Children With Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

OBJECTIVE. This study compared the prevalence of psychopathological conditions in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (N = 39) and nonexposed, typically developing peers (N = 30), matched with respect to age, gender, and socioeconomic status. METHODS. Caregivers were interviewed with either the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children, Present and Lifetime Version, or the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Version IV. Statistical resampling methods were used to create 95% confidence intervals for the difference between the proportions of children with psychopathological conditions in the exposed and control groups. RESULTS. Group differences were seen in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depressive disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and specific phobia outcome categories. The group difference in the attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder category was by far the largest effect observed. CONCLUSIONS. These results suggest that fetal alcohol exposure should be considered a possible factor in the pathogenesis of childhood psychiatric disorders. These data provide clinically relevant information about the mental health problems that children with fetal alcohol exposure are likely to face.
THE EFFECTS OF BISOPROLOLA SELECTIVE β1-BLOCKERON GLUCOSE METABOLISM BY LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION IN ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Bisoprolola β1-selective β-blockerwas administered to 13 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension once daily at doses of 5–10 mg for 24 weeksand its long-term effects on blood pressure and glucose metabolism were investigated. The systolicdiastolic and mean blood pressures were significantly reduced. At the end of the treatment periodthe blood glucose level and hemoglobin A1c were not significantly different from those at baseline. In the glucose tolerance test at the end of the treatment periodthe blood glucose and plasma insulin levels after a glucose load of 75 g were not significantly different at any time pointand the sums of each were not significantly different from their baseline levels. Based on these resultsbisoprolol appears to be a β1-selective β-blocker possessing a satisfactory hypotensive effect without any adverse effects on glucose metabolism for long-term useand is therefore a safe and useful drug for the treatment of essential hypertension.
The conserved AU dinucleotide at the 5′ end of nascent U1 snRNA is optimized for the interaction with nuclear cap-binding-complex

Abstract Splicing is initiated by a productive interaction between the pre-mRNA and the U1 snRNP, in which a short RNA duplex is established between the 5′ splice site of a pre-mRNA and the 5′ end of the U1 snRNA. A long-standing puzzle has been why the AU dincucleotide at the 5′-end of the U1 snRNA is highly conserved, despite the absence of an apparent role in the formation of the duplex. To explore this conundrum, we varied this AU dinucleotide into all possible permutations and analyzed the resulting molecular consequences. This led to the unexpected findings that the AU dinucleotide dictates the optimal binding of cap-binding complex (CBC) to the 5′ end of the nascent U1 snRNA, which ultimately influences the utilization of U1 snRNP in splicing. Our data also provide a structural interpretation as to why the AU dinucleotide is conserved during evolution.
Bankruptcy Profile of Foreign versus Domestic Islamic Banks of Malaysia: A Post Crisis Period Analysis

After the 2007-2008 subprime financial crisis considering bankruptcy evaluation for the banking industry becomes vital. In line of that, this study aims to analyze the bankruptcy profile of foreign versus domestic Islamic banks operating in Malaysia. This study predicted 40% and 75% bankruptcy in the subjected samples of foreign and domestic Islamic banks of Malaysia respectively. However, the specific reason behind this variation in their bankruptcy rates is tagged with the significant difference in their liquidity ratio that is, 1.59 by foreign and 0.41 by the domestic Islamic banks sample. The ANOVA results revealed that, the sample of foreign and domestic Islamic banks of Malaysia do differ significantly on bankruptcy rates as well as on the top bankruptcy’s predictors namely liquidity, profitability, and insolvency. However, the sample does not vary on productivity with regards to bankruptcy exposure. Furthermore, the regression results revealed that, liquidity, profitability, and insolvency ratios in the sample of domestic Islamic banks, while only insolvency ratio in the sample of foreign Islamic banks have a significant positive relationship with bankruptcy in Islamic banking industry of Malaysia. Moreover, in the context of identified bankruptcy rates, the analysis here is viable to witness the sustainability ratings possessed by the sample of foreign and domestic Islamic banks of Malaysia.
FENOMENA KEBERHUTANGAN DI ZAMAN RASULULLAH

Menelusuri pelbagai kitab karya ulama silam, amalan berhutang yang sering digambarkan dari sisi negatif ternyata berlaku di zaman Rasulullah s.a. w. Siapakah mereka yang berhutang ini? Kenapa mereka berhutang sedangkan hutang telah digambarkan oleh Rasulullah s.a. w sebagai kerisauan di malam hari dan kehinaan di siang hari? Menariknya lagi, Rasulullah s.a. w sendiri juga pernah berhutang. Apa yang terjadi ini wadihnya petunjuk penting untuk memprofilkan hutang mengikut tujuan berhutang dan hierarki penggunaan. Inilah intipati kertas ini yang cuba mendalami fenomena keberhutangan di zaman Rasulullah s.a. w.