Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Post-Mortem Demonstration of Early Myocardial Infarction

experiments. Now, if the analogy between the ultrastructural findings in a tired muscle, and those in a muscle subjected to electrocution, is rather suggestive, it does not permit us to say that the immediate cause is identical (i.e., a prolonged contraction), because we cannot exclude the possibility that an electric current, besides producing the well-known phenomena of contraction, might be able independently to cause or contribute to the alterations we found. But it does seem rather improbable that this effect of the electric current, if it exists, should manifest itself at the level of the mitochondria with characteristics which, as we have said, are exactly the effects of a prolonged contraction. For purposes of comparison we selected some specimens for optical examination; in all cases these were taken from the same area as that from which the ultra-microscopic speci­ mens were taken. The fragments, after being treated with a suitable fixative, were sectioned and coloured with Heidenheim's Hematoxiline. Both transversal bands and spirals were observed. Now, none of the modifications observed by us under an optical microscope and also described by the majority of authors, were observed by us under the electron micro­ scope. It seems possible that the modifications into bands and spirals observable by optical methods may be the result of the techniques of fixation and colourisation. As regards fixa­ tion, this only confirms what has been already said by Aloisi, who said he had observed such effects in muscles fixed in a state of contracting reactivity. SUMMARY
Oesophageal acid clearance in patients with systemic sclerosis: effect of body position

Objective: To test the effect of body position on oesophageal acid clearance time in patients with systemic sclerosis. Design and methods: Fifteen consecutive patients with systemic sclerosis and six healthy subjects underwent oesophageal manometry and an acid clearance test in three body positions (supine, recumbent at 30° and seated at 90°) in randomized order. Results: In healthy subjects the body position did not affect acid clearance time, whereas in patients the oesophagus cleared mainly by gravity. In patients the acid clearance time was significantly longer in the supine than in the seated position (P<0.05). Nine patients did not have a detectable peristaltic wave in the distal oesophagus. In the other six oesophageal peristalsis was still detectable but contractions had reduced amplitude and often had double and triple peaks; also in this subgroup the acid clearance time recorded in the supine position was prolonged. Conclusions: In systemic sclerosis gravity plays a major role in oesophageal acid clearance time. The finding of delayed acid clearance in a supine patient may suggest initial oesophageal involvement in the disease.
Profil comparatif et évolutif des personnes infectées par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine traitées aux antirétroviraux à Kinshasa, République Démocratique du Congo

Introduction A trithérapie (ARV) introduite en R.D. Congo en 1996, a permis l′amélioration substantielle de la qualité de vie des PVVIH et a réduit la morbimortalité liée au sida en R.D. Congo. L'objectif de cette étude est de présenter le profil épidémiologique comparatif, clinique, ainsi que l’évolution anthropométrique des PVVIH sous ARV à Kinshasa. Méthodes Etude de cohorte sur 438 PVVIH, de 18 ans et plus, suivies entre mai 2010 à 2011 à Amo Congo à Kinshasa. Une comparaison a été faite entre les patients suivis pendant un an et ceux perdus de vue. Le Chi carré de Mc Nemar et l'analyse de variance pour mesures répétées ont été appliqués pour étudier l’évolution. Résultats Près 12 mois de suivi, 11,4% de patients ont été perdus de vue. Parmi eux, on observait des proportions significativement plus élevées de personnes de niveau socioéconomique bas, d'indice de masse corporelle (IMC) bas, présentant de l'anorexie, des affections opportunistes. Les proportions de patients aux stades OMS 3 & 4 et naïfs étaient également significativement plus élevées et la durée sous ARV plus courte. Les gains moyens des paramètres anthropométriques au 12ème mois, étaient importants: de 3,6 [3,2 - 4,0] kg pour le poids, 1,8 (1,4 - 2,3) cm pour le périmètre abdominal, 0,9 (0,8 - 1,2) cm pour le périmètre brachial, 1,4 (1,2 - 1,5) kg/m2 pour l'IMC. La proportion de patients avec un IMC <18,5 kg/m2 a significativement plus baissé entre l'admission et le 12ème mois parmi les patients sans stomatite que parmi ceux avec stomatite. L'IMC moyen évoluait significativement différemment entre l'admission et le 12ème mois selon l’âge et la taille de ménage. Conclusion Les facteurs fragilisant la rétention des patients sous antirétroviraux et une évolution progressive de l’état nutritionnel ont été observés.
Physical impairment, depressive symptoms and pre-stroke fatigue are related to fatigue in the acute phase after stroke

Purpose. The aim of this study was to describe prevalence of fatigue and its relationship with demographic and clinical variables during the first 2 weeks (acute phase) following a stroke. Method. Data were collected in a cross-sectional correlational study from face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires and patient's medical records. The sample consists of 115 patients with first-ever stroke admitted to two hospitals in Norway in 2007 and 2008. Post-stroke fatigue was measured with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). The FSS measure was applied in the analysis as a continuous variable, and also used to categorise patients into three groups of fatigue intensity: no fatigue (mean FSS-score <4), moderate fatigue (mean FSS-score = 4–4.9) and severe fatigue (mean FSS-score ≥5). Patients who reported fatigue lasting longer than 3 months before the stroke were defined as having prestroke fatigue. Results. Pre-stroke fatigue was reported by 34 patients (30%). After stroke, 24% had severe fatigue, and fatigue was more common for women (57%). Controlling for sex and prestroke fatigue, the multivariate analysis showed that prestroke fatigue, lower physical function and depressive symptoms were related to post-stroke fatigue. Conclusion. Pre-stroke fatigue and fatigue during the acute phase needs to be assessed in relation to physical functioning and depression during recovery and the rehabilitation process.
ACE inhibitor-mediated attenuation of mesangial cell growth. A role for endothelin.

Endothelin modulates human mesangial cell (HMC) proliferation in response to angiotensin II (Ang II). Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have variable effects on HMC growth depending on culture conditions. No studies, however, have investigated the effects of ACEIs on HMC production of endothelin-1 in either actively proliferating or quiescent HMCs. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of ACEIs on HMC-associated mitogenesis, cell counts, and endothelin-1 production in the presence and absence of insulin in both quiescent and proliferating HMCs. It tests the hypothesis that ACEIs attenuate HMC growth through a reduction in HMC-associated endothelin-1 generation. The effects of four different ACEIs, an Ang II receptor antagonist, losartan, and a monoclonal antibody to endothelin-1 were evaluated. ACEIs inhibited HMC mitogenesis and cell counts in proliferative but not quiescent cells. This was due to the absence of ACE activity in HMCs and its presence in 10% fetal calf serum. Both ACEIs and losartan reduced endothelin-1 production per cell. Compared to vehicle, losartan reduced the amount of endothelin-1 in conditioned media to a greater extent than any ACEI (2.2 +/- 0.3, captopril v 1.9 +/- 0.5, quinaprilat v 3.8 +/- 0.3 delta pg/cell x 10(-3) endothelin-1, losartan; P < . 05). Moreover, insulin potentiated the antimitogenic effects of both ACEIs and losartan on HMCs. Lastly, the attenuated increase of endothelin-1 in conditioned media and associated antimitogenic effect on HMCs with losartan alone was not potentiated by the addition of any ACEI to losartan. These data provide indirect evidence that Ang II production may occur in culture media when both its precursors and a sufficient amount of converting enzyme activity are present. This is predicated on the observation that HMCs lack ACE activity and that ACEIs blunt mitogenesis of proliferating HMCs. The kinetics of this reaction, as well as the mechanism of how insulin potentiates the antimitogenic effects of ACEIs, were not studied.
Relating social inequalities in health and income.

Socioeconomic and racial-ethnic inequalities in health have appropriately been identified by the National Institute of Health (Varmus 1999) and the Public Health Service (U.S. HHS 2000) as major priorities for health research and health policy and practice in the United States. They have received even greater priority in the United Kingdom through the recent Acheson Report (Department of Public Health 1998)—the belated sequel to the Black Report (Black et al. 1982), which had been commissioned by the previous Labour government, suppressed by the new Conservative government in 1980, but which spawned the renewed research and policy interest in social inequalities in health of the past two decades. Socioeconomic and racial-ethnic disparities in health are important because they are large, persistent, and even increasing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western nations and do not seem to be primarily or even substantially due to inequalities in access to medical care, though recent research stimulated by the renewed focus on social disparities in health suggests that socioeconomic and racial-ethnic inequalities in access to timely, appropriate, and high-quality therapeutic and preventive care remain even in systems of universal national health care or insurance (e.g., Davey Smith et al. 2000). The central, pregnant finding of the Black Report was that, contrary to expectations, inequalities in mortality by occupational class had not diminished, and perhaps had even increased, over the first-quarter century of operation of the British National Health Service (NHS). This has remained true during
Structural and Mechanistic Insights into the Interaction of Cytochrome P4503A4 with Bromoergocryptine, a Type I Ligand*

Background: Human CYP3A4 metabolizes the majority of administered drugs including bromoergocryptine (BEC), a dopamine receptor agonist. Results: Crystallographic and experimental data suggest the importance of Arg212 and Thr224 in BEC binding. Conclusion: H-bonding interactions with Thr224 and conformational adjustments modulated by Arg212 are critical for the productive orientation of BEC. Significance: Mechanistic insights on the CYP3A4-BEC interaction may help develop new and safer pharmaceuticals. Cytochrome P4503A4 (CYP3A4), a major human drug-metabolizing enzyme, is responsible for the oxidation and clearance of the majority of administered drugs. One of the CYP3A4 substrates is bromoergocryptine (BEC), a dopamine receptor agonist prescribed for the inhibition of prolactin secretion and treatment of Parkinson disease, type 2 diabetes, and several other pathological conditions. Here we present a 2.15 Å crystal structure of the CYP3A4-BEC complex in which the drug, a type I heme ligand, is bound in a productive mode. The manner of BEC binding is consistent with the in vivo metabolite analysis and identifies the 8′ and 9′ carbons of the proline ring as the primary sites of oxidation. The crystal structure predicts the importance of Arg212 and Thr224 for binding of the tripeptide and lysergic moieties of BEC, respectively, which we confirmed experimentally. Our data support a three-step BEC binding model according to which the drug binds first at a peripheral site without perturbing the heme spectrum and then translocates into the active site cavity, where formation of a hydrogen bond between Thr224 and the N1 atom of the lysergic moiety is followed by a slower conformational readjustment of the tripeptide group modulated by Arg212.
Daily Dynamics of Personal Identity and Self–Concept Clarity

We examined the daily dynamics among self–concept clarity and identity processes, and their effects on distress, among a sample of 580 Dutch adolescents. Participants completed measures of identity, self–concept clarity, anxiety and depression at annual intervals; and daily single–item measures of self–concept clarity, identity commitments and reconsideration across three 5–day weeks. We examined (a) cross–lagged associations of self–concept clarity to identity commitment and reconsideration and (b) associations of daily fluctuations in self and identity processes to later anxiety and depression. Results indicated that self–concept clarity and identity commitments influence one another reciprocally across days, and that day–to–day fluctuations in identity predicted later anxiety and depression. Results are discussed in terms of self and identity processes and their effects on distress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discourse Macrolevel Processing After Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

The purpose of this study was to determine if discourse macrolevel processing abilities differed between children with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at least 2 years postinjury and typically developing children. Twenty-three children had sustained a severe TBI either before the age of 8 (n = 10) or after the age of 8 (n = 13). The remaining 32 children composed a control group of typically developing peers. The groups' summaries and interpretive lesson statements were analyzed according to reduction and transformation of narrative text information. Compared to the control group, the TBI group condensed the original text information to a similar extent. However, the TBI group produced significantly less transformed information during their summaries, especially those children who sustained early injuries. The TBI and control groups did not significantly differ in their production of interpretive lesson statements. In terms of related skills, discourse macrolevel summarization ability was significantly related to problem solving but not to lexical or sentence level language skills or memory. Children who sustain a severe TBI early in childhood are at an increased risk for persisting deficits in higher level discourse abilities, results that have implications for academic success and therapeutic practices.
Role of propolis on biochemical and hematological parameters of Oncorhynchus mykiss exposed to cypermethrin

The protective effects of propolis on biochemical and hematological parameters were appraised in the blood of Oncorhynchus mykiss exposed to cypermethrin (CYP). The fish were subjected to three sublethal concentrations of CYP (0.0041, 0.0082 and 0.0123 ppm) and propolis (10 ppm) for 96 h. The samples were analysed to changes in the biochemical parameters, such as the metabolits: glucose, total protein, creatinine, urea, triglycerides, total cholesterol levels and the enzymes: Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Alanine Aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), amilase, Gamma Glutamyltransferase (GGT) and the electrolites: chloride, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate and ferric. Also, hematological parameters including total leucocyte count, granulocytes, agranulocytes and the erytrocyte count: Hemoglobin, hematocrit and the erytrocyte indexes: Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were tested in fish blood. The data of this investigation showed that CYP had a negative effect on the biochemical and hematological variables of the fish; these toxic effects were neutralised by the application of propolis. The results suggest that propolis can be effective in the prevention of CYP-induced toxicity in rainbow trout, especially hematopoiesis.
Momentum and scalar transport within a vegetation canopy following atmospheric stability and seasonal canopy changes: the CHATS experiment

Abstract. Momentum and scalar (heat and water vapor) transfer between a walnut canopy and the overlying atmosphere are investigated for two seasonal periods (before and after leaf-out), and for five thermal stability regimes (free and forced convection, near-neutral condition, transition to stable, and stable). Quadrant and octant analyses of momentum and scalar fluxes followed by space-time autocorrelations of observations from the Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study's (CHATS) thirty meter tower help characterize the motions exchanging momentum, heat, and moisture between the canopy layers and aloft. During sufficiently windy conditions, i.e. in forced convection, near-neutral and transition to stable regimes, momentum and scalars are generally transported by sweep and ejection motions associated with the well-known canopy-top "shear-driven" coherent eddy structures. During extreme stability conditions (both unstable and stable), the role of these "shear-driven" structures in transporting scalars decreases, inducing notable dissimilarity between momentum and scalar transport. In unstable conditions, "shear-driven" coherent structures are progressively replaced by "buo-yantly-driven" structures, known as thermal plumes; which appear very efficient at transporting scalars, especially upward thermal plumes above the canopy. Within the canopy, downward thermal plumes become more efficient at transporting scalars than upward thermal plumes if scalar sources are located in the upper canopy. We explain these features by suggesting that: (i) downward plumes within the canopy correspond to large downward plumes coming from above, and (ii) upward plumes within the canopy are local small plumes induced by canopy heat sources where passive scalars are first injected if there sources are at the same location as heat sources. Above the canopy, these small upward thermal plumes aggregate to form larger scale upward thermal plumes. Furthermore, scalar quantities carried by downward plumes are not modified when penetrating the canopy and crossing upper scalar sources. Consequently, scalars appear to be preferentially injected into upward thermal plumes as opposed to in downward thermal plumes. In stable conditions, intermittent downward and upward motions probably related to elevated shear layers are responsible for canopy-top heat and water vapor transport through the initiation of turbulent instabilities, but this transport remains small. During the foliated period, lower-canopy heat and water vapor transport occurs through thermal plumes associated with a subcanopy unstable layer.
Regulation of Endothelin-1 by Angiopoietin-1: Implications for Inflammation

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is increasingly recognized as a proinflammatory mediator in various diseases, such as atherosclerosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), a ligand of the endothelial receptor Tie2, inhibits endothelial apoptosis, reduces vascular leakage, and suppresses the induction of inflammatory markers, indicating that it has diverse vasoprotective, anti-inflammatory actions. Thus, we examined the effects of Ang-1 on ET-1 production in vitro and in vivo and investigated cell-based gene transfer of Ang-1 in a rat model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ARDS. Cultured human endothelial cells were treated with recombinant Ang-1 with or without tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (100 U/ml). ET-1 release into the culture medium after 24 hrs was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Levels of preproendothelin-1 (ppET-1) mRNA were measured by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. Fisher344 rats were subjected to cell-based gene transfer to the lung circulation by injecting syngeneic fibroblasts transfected with Ang-1 cDNA or a null plasmid vector. After 24 hrs, LPS (100 μg/kg body wt) was instilled intratracheally to induce pulmonary inflammation. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 6 hrs later, and lungs were harvested for histologic and molecular analyses. ET-1 release from cultured endothelial cells was dose-dependently reduced by Ang-1, which also prevented induction of ET-1 release by TNF-α (P < 0.05). RNA expression of ppET-1 was similarly reduced. In LPS-challenged lungs, ppET-1 RNA was induced 3.4-fold, and ET-1 protein in lavage fluid was increased 5.6-fold (P < 0.05). Ang-1 gene transfer attenuated the LPS-induced increases in ppET-1 RNA and lavage ET-1 protein by 34% and 33%, respectively (P < 0.05). The downregulation of ET-1 correlated with the amelioration of pulmonary inflammation, as indicated by reductions in leukocyte infiltration (by 43%) and intra-alveolar septal thickening (by 40%). These results show that ET-1 transcript and protein levels are downregulated by Ang-1 in both in vitro and in vivo systems and that cell-based Ang-1 gene transfer markedly ameliorated inflammation in vivo in an experimental model of ARDS. Thus, cell-based gene transfer of Ang-1 may provide a novel treatment strategy for ARDS by attenuating vascular inflammation via suppression of ET-1.
Specific inhibition of peptide-chain initiation by 2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methylpropionamide.

M DMP (2-(4-methyl-2,6-dinitroanilino)-N-methyl- propionamide) is a potent inhibitor of mRNA-dependent amino acid incorporation in the in citro wheat embryo amino acid incorporating system. At concentrations above 5 X lo-,) hi, TMV-RNA-directed peptide synthesis is inhibited more than 957& Amino acid incorporation by polyribo- bomes (obtained from germinating wheat embryos) is not affected by MDMP. Similarly, polyuridylic acid directed polyphenylalanine synthesis is not affected by MDMP. These data indicate that MDMP inhibits peptide-chain initiation and does not affect peptide chain elongation. More precise localization of the MDMP inhibition is obtained by studying the effect of the inhibitor on the initiation reactions involved M uch progress has been made in elucidating the scheme of protein chain initiation in eukaryotic organisms. The over- all sequence of mRNA, initiator Met-tRNA and ribosomal subunit involvement has been clearly defined (Crystal et al., 1971; Prichard et al., 1971; Heywood and Thompson, 1971; Pragnell et al., 1971 ; Hoerz and McCarty, 1971 ; Burgess and Mach, 1971 ; Weeks et al., 1972) while the isolation and char- acterization of specific factors required for the constitutive reactions are well advanced (Crystal et a/., 1971 ; Heywood and Thompson, 1971 ; Seal et a/., 1972). Detailed anaylses of the individual partial reactions of initiation can be greatly facilitated by the availability of inhibitors with strict speci- ficity, such as those which have been used to great advantage in delineating the partial reactions of procaryotic protein synthesis (Pestka, 1971). Presently, however, the number of inhibitors available which specifically interfere with known steps of eukaryotic peptide-chain initiation is quite limited (i.e., aurintricarboxylic acid (Stewart et al., 1971 ; Marcus et a/., 1970a), edeine (Obrig et al., 1971), NaF (Hoerz and McCarty, 1971), and pactamycin (MacDonald and Gold- berg, 1970; Seal and Marcus, 1972)l. We now report a new inhibitor of eukaryotic peptide-chain initiation, 2-(4-methyl-
A Modified Muscle-Activated Maxillary Orthopedic Appliance for Presurgical Nasoalveolar Molding in Infants with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Objective The purpose of this article is to describe a modified appliance and treatment approach for presurgical nasoalveolar molding in infants with unilateral cleft lip and palate. Methods This approach uses a plate held in with outriggers, which prevents the cleft-widening effect of the tongue, helps with tongue tip placement, and utilizes the functional movements of the facial musculature to guide and relocate the major segment medially to its normal position. Nasal molding is undertaken after most of the lateromedial correction of the alveolar position. Conclusions This technique helps to improve alveolar position, nasal septum alignment, nasal symmetry, and nasal tip projection prior to lip repair.