Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison between Intrathecal Dexmedetomidine and Fentanyl as an Adjuvant to Hyperbaric Bupivacaine in Spinal Anaesthesia for Lower Limb Surgeries-A Double Blind Controlled Study

Introduction: Various adjuvants have been used with local anesthetics in spinal anaesthesia to avoid intraoperative visceral and somatic pain and to provide prolonged postoperative analgesia. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2 adrenergic agonist has evolved as a panacea for various applications and procedures in the perioperative and critical care setting. It is also emerging as a valuable adjunct to regional anaesthesia and analgesia, where gradually evolving studies can build the evidence for its safe use in central neuraxial blocks.Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the onset and duration of sensory and motor block, hemodynamic responses, postoperative analgesia, and adverse effects of dexmedetomidine or fentanyl when given intrathecally with hyperbaric bupivacaine. Methodology: 150 patients of ASA class I and II scheduled for lower limb surgeries were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 12.5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 5 μg dexmedetomidine (Group D, n = 75) or 12.5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine plus 25 μg fentanyl (Group F, n = 75) intrathecally. Results: Patients in Group D had a significantly longer sensory and motor block time than patients in Group F. The sensory regression time to S1 was 447.5±41.2 min in group D and 179.9±20.14min in group F (P<0.0001). The time for rescue analgesia was 402.3±60.06min in group D and 150±29.6 min in group F (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Intrathecal dexmedetomidine is associated with prolonged motor and sensory block, hemodynamic stability, and reduced demand for rescue analgesics compared to fentanyl.
Variables microscópicas en la velocidad de caminata

En este trabajo se muestran los resultados de mediciones de velocidad de caminata, de una muestra de 1440 peatones en la ciudad de Tunja - Colombia, observando variables microscopicas como edad y genero, porte de objetos y caminata en grupos, asi como variables del entorno como tipo de zona, estado de la acera y pendiente longitudinal. Se calibro y valido un modelo de regresion multiple que permite predecir la velocidad de caminata en funcion de estas variables. Los resultados obtenidos permiten establecer los parametros de las condiciones base en un modelo de capacidad y nivel de servicio en aceras, correspondiente a las condiciones del entorno estudiado.
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Genome and Expression in Breast Cancer Tissue: Effect of EBV Infection of Breast Cancer Cells on Resistance to Paclitaxel (Taxol)

ABSTRACT The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been detected in subsets of breast cancers. In order to elaborate on these observations, we quantified by real-time PCR (Q-PCR) the EBV genome in biopsy specimens of breast cancer tissue as well as in tumor cells isolated by microdissection. Our findings show that EBV genomes can be detected by Q-PCR in about half of tumor specimens, usually in low copy numbers. However, we also found that the viral load is highly variable from tumor to tumor. Moreover, EBV genomes are heterogeneously distributed in morphologically identical tumor cells, with some clusters of isolated tumor cells containing relatively high genome numbers while other tumor cells isolated from the same specimen may be negative for EBV DNA. Using reverse transcription-PCR, we detected EBV gene transcripts: EBNA-1 in almost all of the EBV-positive tumors and RNA of the EBV oncoprotein LMP-1 in a smaller subset of the tissues analyzed. Moreover, BARF-1 RNA was detected in half of the cases studied. Furthermore, we observed that in vitro EBV infection of breast carcinoma cells confers resistance to paclitaxel (taxol) and provokes overexpression of a multidrug resistance gene (MDR1). Consequently, even if a small number of breast cancer cells are EBV infected, the impact of EBV infection on the efficiency of anticancer treatment might be of importance.
Spanish Gender Assignment in an Analogical Framework

The focus of the study is two-fold: (1) to determine how much phonemic material must be considered in predicting nominal gender in Spanish; (2) to determine if gender assignment can be considered an analogical process. A database of Spanish nouns extracted from a frequency dictionary serves as the database for the present study, while the phonemic make up and syllable structure of the penultimate rhyme and final syllable serve as the variables. A number of analogical simulations using the Analogical Modeling of Language algorithm demonstrate that phonemic material from as far back as the penultimate rhyme may aid in gender assignment. Analogy is also shown to closely mirror Spanish speakers' intuitions regarding the gender of unknown words. Gender assignment errors made by children also fall out of the analogical architecture.
Cosmic-ray soft error rate characterization of a standard 0.6-/spl mu/m CMOS process

Cosmic-ray soft errors from ground level to aircraft flight altitudes are caused mainly by neutrons. We derived an empirical model for estimation of soft error rate (SER). Test circuits were fabricated in a standard 0.6-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The neutron SER dependence on the critical charge and supply voltage was measured. Time constants of the noise current were extracted from the measurements and compared with device simulations in three dimensions. The empirical model was calibrated and verified by independent SER measurements. The model is capable of predicting cosmic-ray neutron SER of any circuit manufactured in the same process as the test circuits. We predicted SER of a static memory cell.
Restricted IgG subclass responses to HTLV-III/LAV and to cytomegalovirus in patients with AIDS and lymphadenopathy syndrome.

In lymphadenopathy syndrome (LAS) and AIDS, T lymphocytes become infected with human T lymphotropic virus type Ill/lymphadenopathy-associated virus (HTLVIII/LAV) [1, 2] and are destroyed. This is particularly true of the T4 helper/inducer cells, which appear to be those most severely damaged by HTLV-III [3]. Total specific IgG [4-6] is known to appear and to remain after an encounter with HTLV-III, which establishes a latent infection in the human host. The IgG subclass responses have previously been studied in several viral diseases. The bestinvestigated cases are those with latent herpesviruses, in which IgGl, 3, and 4, but seldom IgG2, may be found [7, 8]. Because the T4 cells provide help for immunoglobulin synthesis it was important to study whether a particular HTLV-III IgG subclass was affected in patients in various stages of infection with HTLV-III. This result was then compared with the IgG subclass response to cytomegalovirus (CMV), another persistent viral infection that may become severe in immunosuppressed patients of all categories. The specific IgG subclass pattern in patients with AIDS, LAS, and persons at risk for AIDS was compared with the IgG subclass response to CMV.
Management of building services. Procurement for highly|| serviced healthcare facilities.

The question of whether design and build is the best||| procurement system is hard to tell as other procurement alternatives||| (main-contractor and principal services contractor coupled with project||| management team, and construct management method plus good building team) can||| also give satisfactory results. Besides, it is also known that there is no||| standard solution or best buy amongst procurement systems. Indeed, there is no||| single method of procurement which can be suitable for every project for all||| time. It is also accepted that the choice and use of an inappropriate||| procurement system is not the only reason for inefficient project management,||| people and experience are far more important than strategy. Coordination of||| building services has a direct bearing on the success of a hospital project. ||| Services must be fully integrated and coordinated. One thing is clear, as far||| as building services coordination is concerned, the traditional procurement||| system is not conducive to effect coordination process, however, the integrated||| nature of D&B has relieved all the burdens on the client's design team,||| and, from the face of this procurement path, all coordination problems that the||| client would normally encounter from the traditional method will no longer||| exist. Of course, the technical and managerial problems in relation to||| coordination still exist but they would all be passed to the contractor side. ||| To protect the contractor's interest, all coordination problems would still||| have to be managed and controlled by D&B contractor and his specialist||| contractors expeditiously. Indeed, if design is not fully integrated, and||| construction and services are not completely coordinated, no matter how||| integrated is the team, D&B method will not work. To sum up, the author's||| discussions can be summarized as follows: Project success can be enhanced by||| engendering a team spirit and a high degree of cooperation between project||| participants. This can be achieved by the use of non-traditional procurement||| systems. Building services and hospital engineering systems must be properly||| coordinated at both design and installation stages. Coordination must be seen||| as both technical and managerial issues. A professional building team can||| manage the complex issues of services coordination. But it is known that an||| integrated building team can give better result. D&B is not a panacea,||| other procurement paths with adequate project management can provide a better||| alternative than either the traditional or the design and build||| system.
The Epi-Palaeolithic of Öküzini cave (SW Anatolia) and its mobiliary art

Late and Epi-Palaeolithic sequences are well known from field work and publications in southeast Europe and the Levant. Current research in Anatolia promises to shed new light on the vast region that connects these two areas. At Öküzini cave a detailed sequence of Terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene assemblages contributes greatly to our understanding.
Effects of silane application on luting fiber posts using self-adhesive resin cement.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of different glass-fiber post surface treatments on the bond strength to root dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty bovine incisors were used in this study. After removing the crowns, the teeth were endodontically treated. The roots were randomly divided into five groups according to post surface treatment. The groups were as follows: CO (Control) - no treatment; G1 - RelyX Ceramic Primer (silane) only; G2 - silane and Solobond M; G3 - silane and Scotchbond Adhesive; G4 - silane and Excite. For post cementation, RelyX Unicem was used according to the manufacturer's recommendation and the roots were stored in a light-proof container with 100% relative humidity for 24 h. The specimens were transversally sectioned. Subsequently, the cervical, middle, and apical regions of the root were positioned in a push-out device and tested at 0.5 mm/min using a universal testing machine (Instron). The data were statistically analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test. The fractured specimens were then observed under a stereoscopic loupe at 60X magnification. RESULTS No significant difference in bond strength was found among the groups that received a silane or silane plus an adhesive system (p > 0.05). However, the CO (no silane) showed the lowest bond strength. Regarding G1, G2, G3, and G4, the cervical region of the root canal attained better bond strengths than did the middle or apical regions. The most frequent failure mode occurred at the cement/dentin interface. CONCLUSION Silane application may be necessary to improve the adhesion of fiber posts luted with the self-adhesive resin cement evaluated here. The application of an adhesive layer between the fiber post and resin cement did not have any influence on the bond strength when the silane coupling was previously used.
African and European HIV-positive women: Psychological and psychosocial differences

The objectives were to study and compare the psychosocial and psychopathological aspects of HIV infection in African and European HIV-positive women living in France. All women included were seen in a semi-structured interview to assess personal history, history of their HIV infection, social and family relationships, preoccupation with childbearing and concerns about HIV infection and its prognosis. The comparison of psychological and psychosocial factors between HIV-positive African and European women showed certain significant differences. The demographic characteristics did not differ, except for current professional activity, with more African women being unemployed. The medical aspects of the HIV infection were similar to those described in the literature for the two populations. The most interesting findings were on the disclosure of HIV-positive status to family and friends, with significantly more European women informing friends and family, and on the desire to have children, which was much greater in African women; while they already had significantly more children, they still wanted to have even more. All these differences emphasize the need to adapt medical and psychosocial care to gender and to the ethnic and cultural background of the person.
Tularaemia in an emergent area in Sweden: An analysis of 234 cases in five years

A retrospective study of clinical tularaemia in an emergent area in Sweden is presented. 234 patients seen during the y 2000–2004 were studied, using case files and a questionnaire. There was a predominance of ulceroglandular tularaemia (89%), occurring in late summer and early autumn, reflecting the dominance of mosquito-borne transmission. The incubation period varied from a few hours to 11 d, with a median of 3 d. Cutaneous manifestations of tularaemia, apart from primary lesions, were noted in 43% of the cases. Coughing was common, even in patients with ulceroglandular tularaemia, supporting the view that haematogenous spread to the respiratory system occurs. Regular laboratory tests, such as WBC, ESR and C-reactive protein, were in general only moderately elevated. In the earlier y studied, the Doctor's Delay was substantial as was the misdiagnosis and prescription of inadequate antibiotics. In the later y, however, the delay and misdiagnosis were significantly lower, reflecting the increased recognition of the disease by the physicians in the area. A few relapses occurred, all in patients treated with doxycycline. No lethality was seen, reflecting the benign course of tularaemia type B infection.
Self-Conscious Emotions and Self-Regulation in the Promotion of Condom Use

Two prospective studies examined the self-regulatory role of anticipated negative self-conscious emotions (ANSCE) in the theory of planned behavior. In Study 1, 147 undergraduates reported condom attitudes, perceived norms, self-efficacy, ANSCE (shame and guilt) should they not use condoms, and intentions to use condoms during the coming 6 weeks. At a 6-week follow-up, ANSCE predicted condom use intentions and behavior and partially mediated the effect of attitudes and norms on both. Study 2 experimentally tested the social nature of self-consciousness in ANSCE; 61 female undergraduates read a scenario priming the private-self or social-self or were assigned to a no-scenario control. They reported condom attitudes, perceived control, ANSCE, condom use intentions, and a 6-week follow-up. ANSCE again predicted condom use intentions. A test of moderated mediation indicated that ANSCE influenced condom intentions more in the social-self condition than in the control condition. Implications of these findings are discussed.
A Regulatory Element of the Human Keratin 18 Gene with AP-1-dependent Promoter Activity*

The human keratin 18 (K18) gene is expressed in a restricted but diverse subset of differentiated epithelial tissues and carcinomas. The 10-kilobase pair K18 gene contains all of the genetic information necessary for tissue-specific, copy number-dependent and integration site-independent expression in transgenic mice. We identified a 100-base pair regulatory element that activates the K18 proximal promoter in the presence of the previously identified first intron enhancer. Deletion of the element greatly diminished K18 expression. This regulatory element also has cryptic, AP-1-dependent promoter activity in the absence of the normal promoter, which results in 10–40-fold higher levels of K18 RNA expression in transgenic mice. The high activity of this cryptic promoter is dependent upon the first intron enhancer. These experiments define interactive regulatory regions of the K18 gene that modulate expression in diverse epithelial cell types and identify an unusual regulatory element with promoter activity that may be useful for high level heterologous gene expression in transgenic animals.
Comparison of Muscle Mass Preservation in Denervated Muscle and Transplanted Muscle Flaps after Motor and Sensory Reinnervation and Neurotization

&NA; The gracilis muscle model was used either as a denervated muscle in situ or as a transplanted flap in 273 rats to compare the trophic effects of muscle reinnervation and neurotization using sensory and motor nerves. The average gracilis muscle flap weighed 626 ± 94 mg at the time of the initial procedure. Experimental muscles were examined 6 months following the procedure. In denervated, nontransplanted muscles, both motor nerve reinnervation and neurotization resulted in significantly preserved muscle mass, averaging 570 ± 69 and 521 ± 116 mg, respectively, compared with the denervated control average of 178 ± 22 mg (p < 0.05). Sensory nerve reinnervation and neurotization produced much smaller trophic effects (p > 0.05). In transplanted gracilis free flaps, however, only direct reinnervation with motor or sensory nerves resulted in improved bulk preservation, with average weights of 313 ± 83 and 327 ± 91 mg compared with the control average of 201 ± 76 mg (p < 0.05). Neither sensory nor motor neurotization was significantly effective in the free‐flap model (p > 0.05). These data suggest that transplantation may alter the response of muscle to reinnervation. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 99: 803, 1997.)
Defining and Teaching Evaluative Thinking

Evaluative thinking (ET) is an increasingly important topic in the field of evaluation, particularly among people involved in evaluation capacity building (ECB). Yet it is a construct in need of clarification, especially if it is to be meaningfully discussed, promoted, and researched. To that end, we propose that ET is essentially critical thinking applied to contexts of evaluation. We argue that ECB, and the field of evaluation more generally, would benefit from an explicit and transparent appropriation of well-established concepts and teaching strategies derived from the long history of work on critical thinking. In this article, based on previous work in the fields of education, cognitive science, and critical thinking, as well as on our experience as ECB practitioners, we propose several guiding principles and specific strategies for teaching ET that draw directly from research on the teaching of critical thinking.
Histopathological analysis of apoptotic cell count and its role in oral lichen planus

Aim of the Study: To identify and count the number of apoptotic cells in oral lichen planus (OLP) and correlate with the degree of keratinization, thickness of epithelium and thickness of lymphocytic infiltration of OLP. Materials and Methods: The study comprised 40 diagnosed cases of OLP. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to identify and count the number of apoptotic cells. Measurement of other histopathological parameter of OLP such as degree of keratinization, thickness of epithelium and thickness of lymphocytic infiltration was done by using stage micrometer and eyepiece graticule. Statistical analysis was done to understand the correlation between apoptotic cells and histopathological features of OLP. Result: The result showed that the number of apoptotic cells increased, with an increase in thickness of lymphocytic infiltration and degree of keratinization, but there was a decrease in the epithelial thickness. Conclusion: Further immunological and molecular studies are required for a stronger evidence in correlating apoptotic cell and histological parameters of OLP.
Economic Evaluation of Hypertension Treatment

Abstract A computer simulation model shows that the cost-effectiveness of treating hypertension is highly sensitive to different assumptions about the effectiveness of treatment, the outcome measure, the cost concept, the discounting of effects, and the duration of therapy. Cost-effectiveness analysis should be supplemented by another approach–cost-benefit analysis based on the contingent valuation (CV) method (the measurement, by survey, of willingness to pay). The CV method is tested in two empirical applications that indicate that it is possible to use the method in this area. Its results should be interpreted with caution, however, since the reliability and validity of the method is not yet established.
Guanosine protects against reperfusion injury in rat brains after ischemic stroke

After ischemic stroke, early thrombolytic therapy to reestablish tissue perfusion improves outcome but triggers a cascade of deleterious cellular and molecular events. Using a collaborative approach, our groups examined the effects of guanosine (Guo) in response to ischemic reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo. In a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats, Guo significantly reduced infarct volume in a dose‐dependent manner when given systemically either immediately before or 30 min, but not 60 min, after the onset of the 5.5‐hr reperfusion period. In a separate experiment, Guo significantly reduced infarct volume after 24 hr of reperfusion when administered 5 min before reperfusion. Western blot analysis did not reveal any significant changes either in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress proteins (GRP 78 and 94) or HSP 70 or in levels of m‐calpain. In vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) significantly increased production of both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) in the primary astrocytes. Guo did not alter ROS or IL‐8 production when given to the astrocytes before OGD. However, Guo when added to the cells prior to or 30 min after reperfusion significantly reduced IL‐8 release but not ROS formation. Our study revealed a dose‐ and time‐dependent protective effect of Guo on reperfusion injury in vitro and vivo. The mechanisms by which Guo exerts its effect are independent of unfolded proteins in ER or the level of intracellular calcium or ROS formation. However, the effect may be induced, at least partially, by inhibiting IL‐8, a marker of reperfusion‐triggered proinflammatory events. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.