Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and neovascularization in human pterygia

In present study, we are to test the relationship between cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) and angiogenesis in pterygium tissues from a group of Chinese patients. Here forty-five primary pterygium tissues and twenty-three normal bulbar conjunctival tissues were obtained during ophthalmologic surgeries. The primary pterygium samples were treated for the immunohistochemical evaluation of COX-2, CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies for different tissues. In order to evaluate the relationship between COX-2 and neovascularization, a statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 13.0 statistical software package. As results, in our study, 36 (80%) of the primary pterygia samples were found to be positive for COX-2 staining, which was not found in the normal conjunctivas. The density of the microvessels (MVD) was significantly increased in the COX-2 positive patients when compared to the COX-2 negative ones (19.06 ± 1.84 vs.10.44 ± 2.98, P=1.36×10−5) in the pterygia cases. In the group that was positive for COX-2, there were 39 (86.7%) samples with VEGF expression. Furthermore, the staining of both COX-2 and VEGF was localized to the lower and middle layers of the epithelium and the endothelial cells of the microvessels. When analyzed the relation between them, the expression of COX-2 showed a significant correlation with the MVD (P = 4.02×10−4) and VEGF (p = 2.72×10−4). In conclusion, the present study showed that COX-2 may play an important role in stimulating the angiogenesis of pterygium in concert with VEGF.
Changes in Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials during Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumor Resection Correlate with Postoperative Motor Function

OBJECTIVE:Intraoperative monitoring of transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEPs) has been investigated recently as a means of preventing motor deficits associated with resection of intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs). In this study, we hypothesized that changes in the intraoperative MEPs during tumor resection correlate with postoperative motor function deficits. METHODS:A retrospective record review was conducted for 28 patients who underwent resection of an IMSCT using myogenic or muscle-recorded TcMEPs during a 44-month period. Intraoperative MEP recordings and results from preoperative, immediate postoperative, and subsequent follow-up neurological examinations were analyzed. RESULTS:Of the 28 patients who underwent resection of an IMSCT using TcMEPs, MEP changes occurred in 13 patients (46%). Impaired motor conduction was detected by changes in pattern and duration of the MEP waveform morphology (polyphasic to biphasic in 9 patients and polyphasic to biphasic to loss of MEP response in 5 patients, 1 patient demonstrated both changes) and by an increase in voltage threshold (median, 175 V; range, 100–225 V; n = 22 extremities). Alterations in morphology and reduction in duration of the MEP response persisted despite significant increases in stimulation voltage. In 12 patients, reductions in the complexity and/or loss of the TcMEP waveform correlated with motor grade loss in the immediate postoperative period (P < 0.0001), at discharge (P < 0.001), and at follow-up (P < 0.001). The decrease in the duration of the response correlated with motor grade loss immediately after surgery (P < 0.001), at discharge (P < 0.0001), and at follow-up (P < 0.005). CONCLUSION:These results support the application of distal muscle-recorded TcMEPs to predict the occurrence and severity of postoperative motor deficits during resection of IMSCTs. Attention to such quantitative intraoperative monitoring data may help to minimize postoperative motor deficits by avoiding or correcting excessive spinal cord manipulation and modifying surgical technique during tumor resection.
Evaluation of a commercial Dengue NS1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for early diagnosis of dengue infection.

PURPOSE Dengue is one of the most serious mosquito-borne viral infections affecting tropical and subtropical countries in the world. Since there is no immunoprophylactic or specific antiviral therapy available, timely and rapid diagnosis plays a vital role in patient management and implementation of control measures. This paper evaluates a commercially available NS1 antigen capture ELISA vis-a-vis SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test for early detection of dengue virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS To evaluate a commercial NS1 antigen detection kit vis-a-vis SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, a total of 91 clinical samples were tested. Virological investigations with regard to dengue virus, viz. NS1 antigen capture ELISA (Panbio, Australia), SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, RT-PCR and virus isolation were performed. RESULTS Out of 91 samples, 24 (26%) were positive by NS1 antigen capture ELISA, 15 (16%) by SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test and 11(12%) positive by RT-PCR analysis. The RT-PCR-positive samples were further subjected to virus isolation and resulted in three isolates. The results of the Panbio NS1 antigen capture ELISA, SD bioline Dengue NS1 antigen test, RT-PCR and virus isolation were correlated among themselves. CONCLUSIONS The present study comprehensively established the utility of NS1 antigen ELISA in early diagnosis of dengue infection.
Predictors of outcome among high functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome.

BACKGROUND The objective of this paper is to assess the extent to which measures of cognitive abilities taken in an inception cohort of young high functioning children with autism and Asperger syndrome predict outcome roughly two and six years later. METHOD Children who received a diagnosis of autism or Asperger syndrome (AS) and who had a nonverbal IQ score in the 'non-retarded' range were included in the inception cohort. Measures of language and nonverbal skills were taken when the children were 4-6 years of age and outcome assessments were completed when the children were 6-8 and 10-13 years of age. The three outcome measures consisted of scales of adaptive behaviours in socialisation and communication and a composite measure of autistic symptoms (abnormal language, abnormal body and object use, difficulties relating to others, sensory issues and social and self-help difficulties). RESULTS The explanatory power of the predictor variables was greater for communication and social skills than for autistic symptoms. The power of prediction was stable over time but did differ by PDD subtype. In general, the association between language skills and outcome was stronger in the autism group than in the AS group. CONCLUSIONS These results support the emphasis of early intervention programmes on language but more work needs to be done on understanding variables that influence outcome in social skills and autistic behaviours, particularly in those with AS.
Total IgE levels and skin test results in children under three years of age with food hypersensitivity.

BACKGROUND The most common tools of allergologic diagnostics are skin prick tests (SPT) and total serum IgE (IgE(total)) determinations. MATERIAL/METHODS The study was carried out in a group of 348 children aged 5 to 36 months. All the children underwent SPT using 12 food allergens and in 229 of them also 9 inhalant allergens were tested. Assessment of test positivity utilized relative criteria, i.e. the result was regarded as positive if a wheal with S surface area exceeding or equal to 0.25 of the surface area S0 of a control wheal was formed. In this study group, 291 had IgE(total) levels determined. They were divided into the groups with elevated and normal IgE(total) levels on the basis of two standards, i.e. the standards recommended by the manufacturer of the test reagents used to determine IgE(total) (BioWhittaker) and the population standards. RESULTS Positive SPT results for food allergens were obtained in 15.8% of the examined children, for inhalant ones in 21.8%. The factors taken into account in the analysis of impact on SPT results included age, sex, living place and the use diet. Elevated IgE(total) levels according to the manufacturer's standards were detected in 35.0%, and according to the population standards in 67.0% of the examined children. The obtained positive test results were compared with elevated IgE(total) in the studied patients. CONCLUSIONS 1. Feasibility of SPT at this age. 2. Determination of normal IgE(total) range in the group of children below three requires further studies.
Differential antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa by carbon monoxide-releasing molecules.

AIMS Carbon monoxide (CO) delivered in a controlled manner to cells and organisms mediates a variety of pharmacological effects to the extent that CO-releasing molecules (CO-RMs) are being developed for therapeutic purposes. Recently, ruthenium-based CO-RMs have been shown to posses important bactericidal activity. Here we assessed the effect of fast CO releasers containing ruthenium (Ru(CO)(3)Cl(glycinate) [CORM-3] and tricarbonyldichlororuthenium(II) dimer [CORM-2]) and a novel slow manganese-based CO releaser ([Me(4)N][Mn(CO)(4)(thioacetate)(2)] [CORM-371]) on O(2) consumption and growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1). We then compared these effects with the action elicited by sodium boranocarbonate (CORM-A1), which lacks a transition metal but liberates CO with a rate similar to CORM-371. RESULTS CORM-2, CORM-3, and, to a lesser extent, CORM-371 exerted a significant bactericidal effect and decreased O(2) consumption in PAO1 in vitro. The effect appeared to be independent of reactive oxygen species production, but in the case of metal-containing compounds it was prevented by the thiol donor N-acetylcysteine. In contrast, CORM-A1 was bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal in vitro eliciting only a moderate and transient decrease in O(2) consumption. INNOVATION None of the tested CO-RMs was toxic to murine macrophages or human fibroblasts at the concentration impairing PA01 growth but only ruthenium-containing CO-RMs showed potential therapeutic properties by increasing the survival of mice infected with PA01. CONCLUSION CO carriers inhibit bacterial growth and O(2) consumption in vitro, but transition metal carbonyls appear more powerful than compounds spontaneously liberating CO. The nature of the metal in CO-RMs also modulates the anti-bacterial effect, with ruthenium-based CO-RMs being efficacious both in vitro and in vivo.
Especialización educativa e inserción laboral en España()

Este articulo analiza la importancia de la educacion con la que los jovenes abandonan el sistema educativo en la obtencion del primer empleo significativo en el mercado de trabajo. Con datos del �Modulo de transicion de la educacion al mercado laboral� de la EPA (INE, 2001), relativos a la decada de los noventa, los resultados obtenidos tras la estimacion de modelos de duracion en tiempo discreto, muestran que existen marcadas diferencias entre las tasas de salida al empleo significativo por niveles educativos. En particular, cursar determinadas especialidades universitarias o de formacion profesional de segundo grado es la mejor inversion para garantizar el exito en la insercion laboral; exito aun mas acentuado para las mujeres durante los meses posteriores a la finalizacion de sus estudios.
Agent-Oriented Modeling for Grid Service

The open grid services infrastructure (OGSI) defines a distributed system framework by integrating grid and Web services technologies to facilitate the sharing of various resources, which result in grid service. Grid service inherits the features from Web service, aiming at enabling interoperability among heterogeneous grid application. However, in the open grid services architecture (OGSA), grid services are isolated, it is difficult building a grid service management framework which can work across organizations. Based on BPEL4WS, this paper proposes an agent-oriented grid service modeling framework to address the difficulties in developing grid applications based on grid services.
Review of Factors Affecting the Growth and Survival of Follicular Grafts

Great strides have been made in hair restoration over the past 20 years. A better understanding of natural balding and non-balding patterns along with more respect for ageing has helped guide proper hairline design. Additionally, the use of smaller grafts has created a significantly improved natural appearance to the transplanted grafts. Inconsistent growth and survival of follicular grafts, however, has continued to be a problem that has perplexed hair restoration surgeons. This review attempts to explore the stresses affecting grafts during transplantation and some of the complexities involved in graft growth and survival. These authors reviewed the literature to determine the primary scope of aspects influencing growth and survival of follicular grafts. This scope includes patient selection, operating techniques, graft care, storage solutions and additives. The primary focus of the hair restoration surgeons should first be attention to the fundamentals of hair care, hydration, temperature, time out of body and gentle handling. Factors such as advanced storage solutions and additives can be helpful once the fundamentals have been addressed.
Homotypic Versican G1 Domain Interactions Enhance Hyaluronan Incorporation into Fibrillin Microfibrils*

Background: Versican interacts with hyaluronan (HA) via its G1 domain and with fibrillin microfibrils via its G3 domain. However, the roles of versican G1 domain-containing fragments (VG1Fs) in the HA-versican-microfibril macrocomplex are not clear. Results: VG1Fs interact homotypically and are recaptured by versican-containing fibrillin microfibrils. Conclusion: Homotypical interactions of VG1Fs enhance HA recruitment to microfibrils. Significance: VG1Fs stabilize HA-versican-microfibril macrocomplexes. Versican G1 domain-containing fragments (VG1Fs) have been identified in extracts from the dermis in which hyaluronan (HA)-versican-fibrillin complexes are found. However, the molecular assembly of VG1Fs in the HA-versican-microfibril macrocomplex has not yet been elucidated. Here, we clarify the role of VG1Fs in the extracellular macrocomplex, specifically in mediating the recruitment of HA to microfibrils. Sequential extraction studies suggested that the VG1Fs were not associated with dermal elements through HA binding properties alone. Overlay analyses of dermal tissue sections using the recombinant versican G1 domain, rVN, showed that rVN deposited onto the elastic fiber network. In solid-phase binding assays, rVN bound to isolated nondegraded microfibrils. rVN specifically bound to authentic versican core protein produced by dermal fibroblasts. Furthermore, rVN bound to VG1Fs extracted from the dermis and to nondenatured versican but not to fibrillin-1. Homotypic binding of rVN was also seen. Consistent with these binding properties, macroaggregates containing VG1Fs were detected in high molecular weight fractions of sieved dermal extracts and visualized by electron microscopy, which revealed localization to microfibrils at the microscopic level. Importantly, exogenous rVN enhanced HA recruitment both to isolated microfibrils and to microfibrils in tissue sections in a dose-dependent manner. From these data, we propose that cleaved VG1Fs can be recaptured by microfibrils through VG1F homotypical interactions to enhance HA recruitment to microfibrils.
Increasing Access to HIV Counseling and Testing Through Mobile Services in Kenya: Strategies, Utilization, and Cost-Effectiveness

Introduction:This study compares client volume, demographics, testing results, and costs of 3 “mobile” HIV counseling and testing (HCT) approaches with existing “stand-alone” HCT in Kenya. A retrospective cohort of 62,173 individuals receiving HCT between May 2005 and April 2006 was analyzed. Mobile HCT approaches assessed were community-site mobile HCT, semimobile container HCT, and fully mobile truck HCT. Data were obtained from project monitoring data, project accounts, and personnel interviews. Results:Mobile HCT reported a higher proportion of clients with no prior HIV test than stand-alone (88% vs. 58%). Stand-alone HCT reported a higher proportion of couples than mobile HCT (18% vs. 2%) and a higher proportion of discordant couples (12% vs. 4%). The incremental cost-effectiveness of adding mobile HCT to stand-alone services was $14.91 per client tested (vs. $26.75 for stand-alone HCT); $16.58 per previously untested client (vs. $43.69 for stand-alone HCT); and $157.21 per HIV-positive individual identified (vs. $189.14 for stand-alone HCT). Conclusions:Adding mobile HCT to existing stand-alone HCT seems to be a cost-effective approach for expanding HCT coverage for reaching different target populations, including women and young people, and for identifying persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection for referral to treatment and care.
Reproductive system, mating behavior and basic ecology of an extremely rare tropical snail: Drymaeus tripictus
(Stylommatophora: Bulimulidae)

Very little is known about the ecology and biology of Drymaeus tripictus, an extremely rare and endemic land snail species from Costa Rican highlands. I studied the ecology and reproductive biology of D. tripictus from April 2009 through June 2010 in an old forest, a young forest and a Cupressus lusitanica plantation in central Costa Rica. Every three months I visited each habitat and collected specimens in 20 random sampling plots (3x3 m2 each). I observed the snail’s activity and microhabitat preference in the field, and in the laboratory I recorded high definition videos of its mating behavior and analyzed reproductive morphology with light microscopy. The snail is more abundant in the old forest (0.017 ind./m(2)) and prefers leaves with little epiphyllous cover (0-25 % cover, chi-square test, p <0.0001). During the dry season the snails become active between 20:00 pm and 8:00 am (chi-square = 22.65, df=3, p < 0.0001); they are inactive mainly during the afternoon (11:00 am to 16:59 pm). I found active individuals mostly on the upper side of leaves, where they feed (Chi-square =6.76, df=1, p = 0.0093). Mating is unilateral, by shell mounting, with cryptic phallus intromission and without role switching or multiple mating. Its reproductive system is morphologically similar to that of Drymaeus costaricensis. Mating behavior is as expected for snails with high-spired shells, except for the lack of role switching. The density of D. tripictus is low even when compared with other endangered bulimulids.
Development of decellularized human umbilical arteries as small-diameter vascular grafts.

OBJECTIVE Developing a tissue-engineered small-diameter (<6mm) vascular graft for reconstructive surgery has remained a challenge for the past several decades. This study was conducted to develop a decellularized umbilical artery and to evaluate its composition, endothelial cell compatibility, mechanical properties, and in vivo stability for potential use as a small-diameter vascular graft. METHODS AND RESULTS Human umbilical arteries were isolated and decellularized by incubation in CHAPS and sodium dodecyl sulfate buffers followed by incubation in endothelial growth media-2. Decellularized umbilical arteries were completely devoid of cellular and nuclear material while retaining the integrity of extracellular collagenous matrix. The mechanical strength of the decellularized umbilical artery as assessed by its burst pressure in vitro showed no significant change from its native form. Decellularized umbilical arteries supported endothelial adherence as indicated by the re-endotheliazation with a monolayer of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, decellularized vessels that were implanted into nude rats as abdominal aorta interposition grafts remained mechanically intact and patent for up to 8 weeks. CONCLUSION Decellularized human umbilical arteries preserved the extracellular matrix, supported endothelialization, and retained function in vivo for up to 8 weeks. These properties suggest the potential use of decellularized umbilical arteries as small-diameter vascular grafts.
Atypical neuronal activation during a spatial working memory task in 13‐year‐old very preterm children

Children born very preterm (VP; <32 weeks' gestational age) are at risk for unfavorable outcomes in several cognitive domains, including spatial working memory (WM). The underlying neural basis of these cognitive impairments is poorly understood. We investigated differences in neuronal activation during spatial WM using a backward span (BS) task relative to a control (C) task in 45 VP children and 19 term‐born controls aged 13 years. VP children showed significantly more activation in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus and significantly less activation in the left parahippocampal gyrus compared with controls. We further explored the distinct contributions of maintenance and manipulation processes of WM using forward span (FS)>C and BS > FS, respectively. There were no significant group differences in neuronal activation for FS > C. However, BS > FS revealed that VP children had significantly greater activation in the left middle frontal gyrus, in the left superior parietal gyrus and right cerebellar tonsil, and significantly less activation in the right precentral and postcentral gyrus and left insula compared with controls. Taken together these results suggest that VP children at 13 years of age show an atypical neuronal activation during spatial WM, specifically related to manipulation of spatial information in WM. It is unclear whether these findings reflect delayed maturation and/or recruitment of alternative neuronal networks as a result of neuroplasticity. Hum Brain Mapp 38:6172–6184, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE Original Studies Updated Review of the Global Carotid Artery Stent Registry

The purpose of this article was to review and update the current status of carotid artery stent placement in the world. Surveys of major interventional centers in Europe, North and South America, and Asia were initially completed in June 1997. Subsequent updates from these 24 centers in addition to 29 new centers have been obtained to bring up to date the information. The survey asked the various questions regarding the patients enrolled, procedure techniques, and results of carotid stenting, including complications and restenosis. The total number of endovascular carotid stent procedures that have been performed worldwide to date included 12,392 procedures involving 11,243 patients. There was a technical success of 98.9% with 12,254 carotid arteries treated. Complications that occurred during the carotid stent placement or within a 30-day period following placement were recorded. Overall, there was transient ischemic attack rate of 3.07%, minor strokes of 2.14%, major strokes of 1.20%, and procedure-related deaths of 0.64%. The combined minor and major strokes and procedure-related death rate was 3.98% based on procedure number. With nonprocedure-related death rate of 0.77%, the total stroke and death rate was 4.75%. Subsets of questions were directed at the new use of distal embolic protection devices; there were 6,753 cases done without protection and which incurred a 5.29% rate of strokes and procedure-related deaths. In the 4,221 cases with cerebral protection, there was a 2.23% rate of strokes and procedurerelated deaths. Restenosis rates of carotid stenting have been 2.7%, 2.6%, and 2.4% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. The rate of neurologic events after stent placement has been 1.2%, 1.3%, and 1.7% at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively. Endovascular stent treatment of carotid artery atherosclerotic disease is growing as an alternative for vascular surgery, especially for patients who are high risk for standard carotid endarterectomy. The periprocedure risks for major and minor strokes and death are generally acceptable at this early stage of development and have shown an improvement with technological developments, including distal embolic protection. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2003;60:259–266. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.