Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Does sacral posterior rhizotomy suppress autonomic hyper-reflexia in patients with spinal cord injury?

OBJECTIVE To study the occurrence of autonomic hyper-reflexia (AHR) after intradural sacral posterior rhizotomy combined with intradural sacral anterior root stimulation, performed to manage the neurogenic hyper-reflexic bladder and to determine the pathophysiological basis of the uncontrolled hypertensive crisis after sacral de-afferentation. PATIENTS AND METHODS Ten patients with spinal cord injury operated using Brindley's method between September 1990 and February 1994 were reviewed. Systematic continuous non-invasive recordings of cardiovascular variables (using a photoplethysmograph) were made during urodynamic recordings and the pre- and post-operative vesico-urethral and cardiovascular data compared. RESULTS Nine of the 10 patients were examined using a new prototype measurement system; one woman refused the last urodynamic assessment. Eight of the nine patients who presented with AHR before operation still had the condition afterward. There was a marked elevation in systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the urodynamic examination in all eight patients, despite complete intra-operative de-afferentation of the bladder in five. The elevation of blood pressure started during the stimulation-induced bladder contractions and increased during voiding in all cases. Five patients showed a decrease in heart rate during the increase in blood pressure. However, in three patients the heart rate did not change or even sometimes slightly increased as the arterial blood pressure exceeded 160 mmHg, when the blood pressure and heart rate then increased together. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm that even after complete sacral de-afferentation. AHR persisted in patients with spinal cord injury and always occurred during the stimulation-induced voiding phase. In cases of incomplete de-afferentation, small uninhibited bladder contractions without voiding occurred during the filling phase. The blood pressure then increased but never reached the value recorded during stimulation-induced micturition. Stimulation of afferents that enter the spinal cord by the thoracic and lumbar roots and that are not influenced by sacral rhizotomy could explain why AHR increases during urine flow. The distinct threshold of decreased heart rate by increasing blood pressure to > 160 mmHg focuses attention on the chronotropic influences of the sympathetic nerves in the heart by an exhausted baroreceptor reflex.
Tissue-specific Changes in H19 Methylation and Expression in Mice with Hyperhomocysteinemia*

Expression of the imprinted genes H19 and insulin-like growth factor 2 (Igf2), which lie in close proximity on mouse chromosome 7, is regulated by methylation of a differentially methylated domain (DMD) located 5′ to H19. Biallelic expression of H19 has been observed in renal disease patients with hyperhomocysteinemia, a cardiovascular disease risk factor. The present study determined whether hyperhomocysteinemia produces decreased tissue methylation capacity, hypomethylation of the H19 DMD, and altered expression of H19 and Igf2 in adult mice. Mice heterozygous for disruption of the gene for cystathionine-β-synthase (Cbs+/–) and C57BL/6 (Cbs+/+) mice were fed a hyperhomocysteinemic or control diet, respectively, from weaning until 9–12 months of age. Higher plasma total homocysteine (p < 0.001) was found in hyperhomocysteinemic mice than in control mice (95 ± 12 versus 5.0 ± 0.3 μmol/liter). Hyperhomocysteinemia was accompanied by higher levels of S-adenosylhomocysteine (p < 0.05) and lower S-adenosylmethionine/S-adenosylhomocysteine ratios (p < 0.001) in liver and brain. The effect of hyperhomocysteinemia on H19 DMD methylation was tissue-specific. In liver, hyperhomocysteinemic mice had decreased H19 DMD methylation (p < 0.001). In brain, hyperhomocysteinemia was accompanied by increased H19 DMD methylation (p < 0.001) and a decrease in the ratio of H19/Igf2 transcripts (p < 0.05). In aorta, hyperhomocysteinemia produced an increase in H19 DMD methylation (p < 0.001) and a 2.5-fold increase in expression of H19 transcripts (p < 0.05). Levels of H19 transcripts in aorta correlated positively with plasma total homocysteine concentration (p < 0.05, r = 0.620). We conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia produces tissue-specific changes in H19 DMD methylation and increased vascular expression of H19 in adult mice.
Regularized Auto-Encoder-Based Separation of Defects from Backgrounds for Inspecting Display Devices

We investigated a novel method for separating defects from the background for inspecting display devices. Separation of defects has important applications such as determining whether the detected defects are truly defective and the quantification of the degree of defectiveness. Although many studies on estimating patterned background have been conducted, the existing studies are mainly based on the approach of approximation by low-rank matrices. Because the conventional methods face problems such as imperfect reconstruction and difficulty of selecting the bases for low-rank approximation, we have studied a deep-learning-based foreground reconstruction method that is based on the auto-encoder structure with a regression layer for the output. In the experimental studies carried out using mobile display panels, the proposed method showed significantly improved performance compared to the existing singular value decomposition method. We believe that the proposed method could be useful not only for inspecting display devices but also for many applications that involve the detection of defects in the presence of a textured background.
Pretreatment with High-Dose Gamma Irradiation on Seeds Enhances the Tolerance of Sweet Osmanthus Seedlings to Salinity Stress

The landscape application of sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) with flower fragrance and high ornamental value is severely limited by salinity stress. Gamma irradiation applied to seeds enhanced their tolerance to salinity stress as reported in other plants. In this study, O. fragrans ‘Huangchuang Jingui’ seeds were pretreated with different doses of gamma irradiation, and tolerance of the seedlings germinated from the irradiated seeds to salinity stress and the changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and ROS scavenging systems induced by gamma irradiation were observed. The results showed that seed pretreatment with different doses of gamma irradiation enhanced the tolerance of sweet osmanthus seedlings to salinity stress, and the positive effect induced by gamma irradiation was more remarkable with the increase of radiation dose (50–150 Gy). The pretreatment with high-dose irradiation decreased O2− production under salinity stress and mitigated the oxidative damage marked by a lower malondialdehyde (MDA) level, which could be related to the significant increase of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities in the seedlings germinated from the irradiated seeds compared to the corresponding control seedlings. In addition, the accumulation of proline in the irradiated seedlings may contribute to enhancing their tolerance to salt stress by the osmotic adjustment. The study demonstrated the importance of regulating plant ROS balance under salt stress and provided a potential approach to improve the tolerance of sweet osmanthus to salt stress.
Prevalence of endoparasitic infections of birds in zoo gardens in Serbia

This report represents the prevalence of endoparasitic infections of birds in zoological gardens in Serbia. Coprological examination conducted during 2015 and 2016, involved samples from 318 individual birds belonging to 112 species, in three zoo gardens (Belgrade, Palić and Bor). Individual faeces samples were analysed by the flotation method in salt solution. The presence of endoparasites was established in 51.96% (Belgrade), 46.16% (Palić) and 16.66% (Bor) of the tested birds. We diagnosed coccidian oocysts, eggs of Capillaria spp, Heterakis spp, Trichostrongylus spp, Ascaridia spp, Syngamus trachea and eggs of yet unidentified trematode. There were no detection of parasites from the class of cestodes. Prevalence of infection with coccidia, depending on location, was in the ranges between 8.33% and 32.84%, capillariosis 2.77% and 29.41%, heterakiosis 2.56% and 12.74%, trichostrongylidosis 5.55% and 25.64%, askaridiosis 10.25% and 10.78%, syngamosis 2.94% and trematodes of unknown etiology 2.45%. Coinfections with two or three parasitic species were detected in Belgrade and Palić Zoo Gardens, while quadruple infection was established in birds of Belgrade Zoo Garden. Obtained results can be used in establishing programs for health protection of endangered bird species.
Radioiodine-Associated Exacerbation of Graves' Orbitopathy in the Japanese Population: Randomized Prospective Study.

CONTEXT Exacerbation of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) after radioiodine (RAI) therapy has been examined in some populations but has not been fully described in Japanese populations. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of GO exacerbation after RAI therapy and the effectiveness of low-dose prophylactic corticosteroid (PCS). DESIGN AND SETTING This was a prospective randomized study in Tokyo, Japan. PATIENTS Between June 2011 and June 2012, 295 patients with Graves' disease with either inactive GO or no GO received RAI therapy. Of these, 147 received no PCS (PCS-Off group), whereas 148 received low-dose PCS (starting dose, 15 mg/day of prednisolone) for 6 weeks (PCS-On group). We used magnetic resonance imaging to thoroughly evaluate GO before and 1 year after RAI therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes of GO 1 year after RAI therapy were determined. RESULTS GO exacerbation occurred in 29 patients (9.8%), and only 7 patients (2.4%) required ophthalmic treatment. No significant difference in the frequency of GO exacerbation was seen between the groups (PCS-On group: n = 18 [12.1%]; PCS-Off group: n = 11 [7.5%]; P = .17). Significant prognostic factors were identified as thyroid-stimulating antibody (by 100% linear increase: risk ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.24; P = .0003) and clinical activity score (≥1 vs 0: risk ratio, 6.40; 95% confidence interval, 2.17-19.7; P = .0009). CONCLUSION Exacerbation of GO after RAI therapy in the Japanese population appears less common than in other populations. Low-dose PCS did not produce a significant preventive effect and appeared insufficient. Patients presenting with risk factors would thus be recommended to receive higher-dose PCS.
Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors that arise predominantly from the embryonic mesoderm. They present most commonly as an asymptomatic mass originating in an extremity but can occur anywhere in the body, particularly the trunk, retroperitoneum, or the head and neck. Pretreatment radiologic imaging is critical for defining the local extent of a tumor, staging the disease, guiding biopsies, and aiding in diagnosis. Core‐needle biopsy is the preferred biopsy technique for diagnosing soft tissue sarcomas. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for soft tissue sarcomas is based on histologic grade, the tumor size and depth, and the presence of distant or nodal metastases. Despite improvements in local control rates with wide local resections and radiation therapy, metastasis and death remain a significant problem in 50% of patients who present with high‐risk soft tissue sarcomas. The most common site of metastasis is the lungs, and metastasis generally occurs within two to three years after the completion of therapy. Progress in the molecular characteristics of these tumors should in the near future translate into molecularly based therapies that can be incorporated into standard treatment strategies.
Quelques perspectives en astrophysique nucléaire des phénomènes non thermiques

A cote des processus de reactions thermonucleaires a l'œuvre dans les etoiles, ainsi que dans l'Univers primordial, les etudes de reactions nucleaires non thermiques induites par des particules accelerees dans divers sites astrophysiques occupent une place grandissante dans les preoccupations de l'astrophysique nucleaire. Des populations d'ions et d'electrons acceleres sont vraisemblablement produites dans de nombreux objets astrophysiques : a la surface du soleil et de toutes les etoiles de type solaire, a la limite de l'heliosphere, dans les vents souffles par les etoiles massives, dans les ondes de choc generees par les explosions stellaires, au voisinage d'etoiles a neutrons et de trous noirs accretant de la matiere, dans les amas de galaxies etc. Les divers phenomenes non thermiques induits par ces particules peuvent nous fournir des informations de grande valeur pour comprendre la physique de ces objets. Ils nous renseignent egalement sur certaines proprietes du milieu interstellaire de notre galaxie, ou encore sur les conditions dans lesquelles le systeme solaire s'est forme. Ce memoire discute en particulier de l'acceleration de particules dans les ondes de choc des explosions stellaires, des phenomenes nucleaires associes aux eruptions des etoiles, dont le soleil, de certains effets des rayons cosmiques non relativistes sur le milieu interstellaire, ainsi que de l'origine des radioactivites de courte periode dans le systeme solaire primitif.
Pandan Leaves ( Pandanus amaryllifolius Roxb . ) As A Natural Cockroach Repellent

Seven compounds and fractions prepared from pandan leaves (P. amaryllifolius) were evaluated for repellent activity against Blattella germanica (L.) using a modification of the linear tract olfactometer. 2-Acetyl-1-pyrroline, pandan essence and the hexane-pandan extract were repellent (65-93 % repellency) at all concentrations tested; the acetone-pandan extract was attractive at increasing concentrations (minimum of 62 % attractancy); artificial pandan flavouring and the dichloromethane-pandan extract gave erratic results. Undiluted crude aqueous pandan extract displayed an attractancy of 62%. The potential of P. amaryllifolius as a natural and environmentally friendly pest management tool is discussed.
Fat Embolism and Acute Hypotension During Vertebroplasty: An Experimental Study in Sheep

Study Design. An experimental study of cardiovascular complications that arise during vertebroplasty was conducted. Objective. To investigate the sequential occurrence of fat embolism and hypotension during vertebroplasty. Summary of Background Data. Vertebroplasty, the augmentation of vertebrae with polymethylmethacrylate, is a technique for treating osteoporotic compression fractures and achieving prophylactic stabilization of osteoporotic vertebral bodies at risk of fracture. However, there is concern that fat embolism and acute hypotension could occur as in a variety of other orthopedic procedures. Methods. In six sheep, 6 mL of polymethylmethacrylate was injected unilaterally into L1. Transesophageal echocardiography monitored the pulmonary artery for echodense particles. Heart rate, arterial and venous pressures, and blood gas values were recorded before and for 25 minutes after injection. The lungs were subjected to postmortem histologic evaluation and compared with lung specimens from two sheep that had not undergone vertebroplasty. Results. Injection of cement elicited a very rapid decrease in heart rate (within 2 ± 1 seconds) and a rapid increase in venous pressure (within 3 ± 1 seconds), which was followed by a fall in arterial pressure (within 5 ± 2 seconds) (phase 1). Thereafter, showers of echogenic material appeared (within 6 ± 1 seconds) and lasted for 138 ± 36 seconds. A second more severe fall in arterial pressure was observed beginning at 18 ± 2 seconds (phase 2). The injection resulted in an increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide and a decrease in pH. The histology showed intravascular fat globules and bone marrow cells in lung tissue. Conclusions. The results suggest that immediately after cement injection, there was a reflex fall in heart rate and arterial pressure. The second fall in arterial pressure was a consequence of fat emboli passing through the heart and getting trapped in the lungs.
Stool microscopy and culture to assist the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in childhood.

M. tuberculosis can be grown from the stool of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and the advent of AIDS and its concomitant atypical infections has again focused attention on the diagnostic possibilities of this investigation. The suggestion has been made that stool culture and microscopy for M. tuberculosis might be of value in the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis. Seventy-six children were investigated who were suspected of having respiratory tuberculosis. Two successive early morning gastric aspirates were collected and the radiometric Bactec® method was used for isolation of M. tuberculosis. Two stools from each child were combined and processed as previously described for the detection of mycobacteria. Positive cultures were tested for acid fastness by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and subcultured onto Lowenstein-Jensen medium for identification. Laboratory personnel were unaware of the clinical status of the children. (excerpt)
Prevalence of needle sharing, commercial sex behaviors and associated factors in Chinese male and female injecting drug user populations

Abstract The objective of this study is to investigate prevalence and associated factors of commercial sex behaviors and condom use at commercial sex, as well as prevalence of needle sharing among injecting drug users (IDUs) in China. In this study, 162 IDUs were recruited by peer workers in Dazhou, Sichuan and were anonymously interviewed by using a structured questionnaire. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed and interaction between gender and the studied independent variables were tested for significance. The results of this study showed that the male and female respondents, respectively 11.7 and 16.9% were HIV positive; 34.0 and 40.7% engaged in commercial sex and 23.3 and 11.9% shared needles with others in the last six months. Percent using a condom in the last episode of commercial sex was 30.3% for males and 76.2% for females. The multivariate analyses showed that higher drug dosage (OR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9) and reduced sexual drive (OR=0.3, 95% CI: 0.1–0.9) were associated with lower likelihood for commercial sex among male IDUs while higher drug dosage (OR=9.1, 95% CI: 1.0–86.0), perceived difficulty in finding a job (OR=5.1, 95% CI: 1.3–20.1) and lack of family support (OR=4.0, 95% CI: 1.1–15.4) were associated with commercial sex among female IDUs. Similarly, unknown HIV status (OR=8.2, 95% CI: 1.7–9.2) and having a regular sex partner (OR=3.7, 95% CI: 1.3–10.9) was associated with needle sharing. It is concluded that male and female IDUs were sexually active and often engaged in commercial sex. Drug dosage and reduced sexual drive were relevant but did not stop commercial sex behaviors. More supportive social environment is required to prevent female IDUs to enter sex work.
Sympathetic hyperactivity and clinical outcome in chronic kidney disease patients during standard treatment.

BACKGROUND Sympathetic hyperactivity has been associated with adverse clinical outcome and is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) have been shown to reduce sympathetic activity in CKD patients. The present study was performed to investigate whether sympathetic hyperactivity was related to clinical outcome in CKD patients treated with ACEi or ARB. METHODS Muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was measured in 66 nondiabetic patients (70% men) with CKD, median age 47 years (range 21-65) and mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 39+/-29 ml/min per 1.73 m2. Patients were followed up for a median 78 months (range 6-123), and subsequent clinical events were recorded. RESULTS During follow-up, average blood pressure was 131+/-11 mm Hg systolic and 83+/-6 mm Hg diastolic. Twenty-one events (4 deaths and 17 nonfatal cardiovascular events) occurred in 16 patients. MSNA among the group with events was 40+/-18 bursts/min, compared with 30+/-11 bursts/min in those with no events (p=0.009). An increase of MSNA of 10 bursts/min was related to an increased risk of an event (hazard ratio=1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-2.8; p=0.08), independent of GFR and blood pressure. Age attenuated this relation. CONCLUSION Sympathetic hyperactivity was associated with the composite of all-cause mortality and nonfatal cardiovascular events in CKD patients, despite treatment with ACEi or ARB. Further studies to investigate potential effects of additional sympatholytic therapy in these patients are warrented.
Aluminum Powder Infuence on ANFO Detonation Parameters

Nowadays, ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) is the most often used explosive in mining industry. Its advantages are: simple production, low price and practically lack of sensitivity to mechanical impacts during mechanical loading to shot-holes. ANFO has also some disadvantages: lack of waterproofness and low detonation parameters which reduce their range of use to dry blasting holes in low compactness rock masses. This paper presents the results of measurements of detonation parameters for aluminized ANFO with different amount of metallic powder. The experiment included application of flaked aluminum into granulated ammonium nitrate(V) (type “Extra” – YARA company) with an addition of oil FLEX 401. Positive effects of aluminum powder content on the decrease of concentration of toxic gases in detonation products, and on the blast wave performance and the work ability of ANFO/Al are also discussed.
Study of the Coil Structure for Wireless Chip-to-Chip Communication Applications

In this work, we propose a merged coil structure for wireless chip-to-chip communication technology. Using the proposed coil structure, the chip size can be reduced, and the transmitted power can be improved by approximately 5dB compared to typical coil structure. To verify the feasibility of the coil, an electromagnetic simulation and a schematic simulation are performed. The coil was implemented using 50-nm digital CMOS technology. From the experimental results, the feasibility was proved.
A Case Report of a Carbamazepine Overdose With Focus on Pharmacokinetic Aspects

Abstract In this article a case of carbamazepine overdose is reported. It is common to use immuno-based methods in the field of therapeutic drug monitoring but it might be difficult to adapt such values to toxicological cases. For carbamazepine overdoses it is recommended also to determine the metabolite carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide. Especially for critical conditions a definite substance identification should be performed. In addition, quantifying main metabolites is recommended for an acute clinical toxicological assessment.
Exteroceptive reflexes in dystonia: A study of the recovery cycle of the R2 component of the blink reflex and of the exteroceptive suppression of the contracting sternocleidomastoid muscle in blepharospasm and torticollis

The recovery cycle of the R2 component of the blink reflex and the exteroceptive suppression of EMG activity in the contracting sternocleidomastoid muscle produced by electrical stimulation of the supraorbital nerve were studied in normal subjects and in patients with either blepharospasm or torticollis. The latencies of the reflexes were normal, suggesting that the neural structures that mediated them were intact. However, the recovery of the R2 component of the blink reflex was enhanced in patients with either blepharospasm or torticollis. Also, the size of the exteroceptive suppression of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was reduced in both groups of patients. Our results are indicative of abnormalities of interneurons mediating exteroceptive reflexes in patients with craniocervical dystonia that are not restricted to the systems controlling the muscle involved in the dystonia.