Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Radioactive Silver Colloids in Tissues of Rodents Following Injection by Various Routes.∗

Summary 1. Intramuscular injection of a dextrin protected radio-silver colloid results in a high concentration of the injected material at the site of injection. 2. Intravenous injection of a dextrin-silver colloid into rats and intraperitoneal injection of a gelatin-silver colloid into mice result in deposition of the silver in highest concentration in the reticuloendothelial system. 3. Considerable silver was eliminated through the intestines and feces. The possible causes of such elimination under the conditions of this experiment are discussed. 4. A method of preparing tissues of small bulk for determining radio-silver activity with the Geiger-Muller counter is described.
Profile and outcomes of patients transported to an accident and emergency department by helicopter: prospective case series.

OBJECTIVES To study the profile of airlifted patients and their outcomes after arrival at the hospital, and to evaluate the appropriateness of their prehospital care and the decision to use aeromedical evacuation. DESIGN Prospective case series. SETTING Accident and emergency department of a public hospital, Hong Kong. PATIENTS All patients transported to the department by a helicopter of the Government Flying Service from June 1998 through November 1998. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Demographic data, sources and locations of referral, clinical features, triage category, interventions used, and outcome. RESULTS A total of 186 patients were transferred by helicopter during the 6-month study period. The 101 patients who had been transferred from a rural hospital or clinic were older (mean age, 50 years versus 35 years), comprised more females (55% versus 26%), had a higher overall mortality rate (19.8% versus 3.6%), and had a higher hospital admission rate (91.1% versus 37.6%) than the 85 patients who had been airlifted from the scene of an emergency. Neurological disorders were the most common presentation among interfacility transfers (21.8%). Among the 85 scene transfers, limb injuries (32.1%) and heat illnesses (24.4%) were the most common reasons for helicopter transport. Most interfacility transfers were appropriate, but 34.1% of patients who had been transferred from the scene of the emergency were later discharged and 21.1% refused consultation. CONCLUSIONS Scene and interfacility transfers by helicopter have different patient profiles, and a substantial proportion of scene transfers may be inappropriate. Guidelines such as field triage and helicopter dispatch criteria need to be established.
Elevated Peripheral Eosinophils Are Associated with New-Onset and Persistent Wheeze and Airflow Obstruction in World Trade Center-Exposed Individuals

Background. Exposure to World Trade Center (WTC) dust and fumes is associated with the onset of asthma-like respiratory symptoms in rescue and recovery workers and exposed community members. Eosinophilic inflammation with increased lung and peripheral eosinophils has been described in subpopulations with asthma. We hypothesized that persistent asthma-like symptoms in WTC-exposed individuals would be associated with systemic inflammation characterized by peripheral eosinophils. Methods. The WTC Environmental Health Center (WTC EHC) is a treatment program for local residents, local workers, and cleanup workers with presumed WTC-related symptoms. Patients undergo a standardized evaluation including questionnaires and complete blood count. Between September 2005 and March 2009, 2462 individuals enrolled in the program and were available for analysis. Individuals with preexisting respiratory symptoms or lung disease diagnoses prior to September 2001 and current or significant tobacco use were excluded, Results. One thousand five hundred and seventeen individuals met the inclusion criteria. Patients had a mean age of 47 years, were mostly female (51%), and had a diverse race/ethnicity. Respiratory symptoms that developed after WTC dust/fume exposure and remained persistent included dyspnea on exertion (68%), cough (57%), chest tightness (47%), and wheeze (33%). A larger percentage of patients with wheeze had elevated peripheral eosinophils compared with those without wheeze (21% vs. 13%, p < .0001). Individuals with elevated peripheral eosinophils were more likely to have airflow obstruction on spirometry (16% vs. 7%, p = .0003). Conclusion. Peripheral eosinophils were associated with wheeze and airflow obstruction in a diverse WTC-exposed population. These data suggest that eosinophils may participate in lung inflammation in this population with symptoms consistent with WTC-related asthma.
Acute renal failure following cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND Acute renal failure requiring dialysis (ARF-D) occurs in 1.5% of patients following cardiac surgery, and remains a cause of major morbidity and mortality. While some preoperative risk factors have been characterized, the influence of preoperative and intraoperative factors on the occurrence of ARF following cardiac surgery is less well understood. METHODS Preoperative and intraoperative data on 2843 consecutive adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) from February 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997 were recorded and entered into a computerized database. Two definitions of renal failure were employed: (i) ARF defined as a rise in serum creatinine (Cr) of 1 mg/dl above baseline; and (ii) ARF-D defined as the development of ARF for which some form of dialytic therapy was required. The association between preoperative and intraoperative variables and the development of ARF was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 2672 of the 2844 patients underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, the remaining 172 underwent valve surgery with or without bypass grafting. Of the CABG patients 7.9% developed ARF and 0.7% developed ARF-D. The mortality for patients who developed ARF was 14% (OR 15, P = 0.0001) compared with 1% among those who did not develop ARF. The mortality for CABG patients who developed ARF-D was 28% (OR 20, P = 0.0001) compared with 1.8% among those who did not require dialysis. Variables that were significantly associated with the development of ARF by multivariate analysis included: increased age, elevated preoperative serum Cr, duration of CPB, presence of a carotid artery bruit, presence of diabetes, reduced cardiac ejection fraction and increased body weight. Variables independently associated with ARF-D included serum Cr, duration of CPB, carotid artery bruit and presence of diabetes. The utility of these models for predicting the development of ARF and ARF-D was confirmed by bootstrapping techniques. Because of the small number of patients who underwent valve surgery, none of these variables were significantly associated with the development of ARF or ARF-D in this group of patients. CONCLUSION The development of ARF or ARF-D is associated with a high mortality following CABG surgery. We have identified perioperative variables, which may be useful in stratifying risk for the development of ARF.
Bayesian inference for shape mixtures of skewed distributions, with application to regression analysis

We introduce a class of shape mixtures of skewed distributions and study some of its main properties. We discuss a Bayesian interpretation and some invariance results of the proposed class. We develop a Bayesian analysis of the skew-normal, skew-generalized-normal, skew-normal-t and skew-t-normal linear re- gression models under some special prior specications for the model parameters. In particular, we show that the full posterior of the skew-normal regression model parameters is proper under an arbitrary proper prior for the shape parameter and noninformative prior for the other parameters. We implement a convenient hierar- chical representation in order to obtain the corresponding posterior analysis. We illustrate our approach with an application to a real dataset on characteristics of Australian male athletes.
Low prevalence of human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type I infection among volunteer blood donors in Taiwan

components. Furthermore, irradiation for preventing TAGVHD may not be effective, asTA-GVHD has been reported despite irradiation. 'j Previous reports documented a loss of pertinent immunologic activity by lymphocytes that were stored for more than 7 days. ' This information, together with the results of the present study, persuades us that the risk of GVHD from such transfusions is minimal. In an emergency situation, when we cannot irradiate RBCs before transfusion, we will continue to use nonirradiated RBCs selected for a minimum storage period of 7 days.
The Impact of Immersive Technology on Nature Relatedness and Pro-Environmental Behavior

Those who feel connected to nature tend to be more likely to engage in pro-environmental behavior. How can this connection with nature be created? We examined whether viewing nature-related videos – specifically, the immersiveness of the technological devices used to display these videos – can enhance connection with nature and increase pro-environmental behavior. Participants watched videos of either natural or built environments through a head-mounted display (immersive technology) or a regular computer screen. We predicted that watching a nature video would enhance nature relatedness and pro-environmental behaviors, particularly when presented with immersive technology than with a traditional computer monitor. There was limited support for the hypotheses; watching the nature video significantly enhanced nature relatedness but not pro-environmental behaviors. The type of technology used did not influence the effect of the videos.
Where should the safe limits of alcohol consumption stand in light of liver enzyme abnormalities in alcohol consumers?

Objectives To estimate the prevalence and risk factors for abnormal liver enzymes in a large age- and gender stratified population-based sample of apparently healthy individuals with or without alcohol consumption and other health-related risk factors (adiposity, physical inactivity, smoking). Methods Data on alcohol use, smoking, diet and physical activity were recorded using structured questionnaires from 13,976 subjects (6513 men, 7463 women, aged 25–74 years) in the national FINRISK studies. Alcohol data was used to categorize the participants into abstainers, light drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers. Serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were measured using standard kinetic methods. Results Male light drinkers, moderate drinkers and heavy drinkers showed significantly higher relative risks of abnormal GGT than abstainers: 1.37 (95% confidence interval 1.11 to 1.71, p < 0.01), 2.72 (2.08 to 3.56, p < 0.0005), and 6.10 (4.55 to 7.17, p < 0.0005), respectively. Corresponding values for women were 1.22 (0.99 to 1.51, p = 0.065), 1.90 (1.44 to 2.51, p < 0.0005), and 5.91 (3.80 to 9.17, p < 0.0005). Estimated threshold doses for a significant GGT elevation was 14 standard weekly alcohol doses for men and 7 for women. Excess body weight and age over 40 years modulated the thresholds towards smaller quantities of alcohol. The risk of abnormal GGT was also significantly influenced by physical inactivity and smoking. The relative risks of abnormal ALT activities were increased in male heavy drinkers, especially in those presenting with adiposity and sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions Alcohol use markedly increases the risk for abnormal liver enzyme activities in those presenting with age over 40 years, obesity, smoking or sedentary lifestyle. The data should be considered in public health recommendations and in the definitions of safe limits of alcohol use.
Direct and GABA‐mediated indirect effects of nicotinic ACh receptor agonists on striatal neurones

• Pharmacological activation of nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) excites striatal interneurones and induces a GABA‐mediated current in medium spiny projecting neurones (MSNs) via feedforward inhibition. • Striatal interneurones identified as neuropeptide Y (NPY)+, parvalbumin (PV)+ and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)+ have somatic expression of nAChRs. • The neurogliaform (NGF) subtype of NPY+ interneurones exhibits the most robust nicotinic response and has high synaptic connectivity with MSNs. • Antagonism of nAChR responses suggests the expression of distinct receptor subtypes between interneurone classes. • NPY+ NGF and TH+ interneurones mediate cholinergic control of MSNs and thus striatal output via GABAA receptors.
Managing Anemia in the Critically Ill Patient

Anemia of critical illness is a multifactorial condition caused by phlebotomy, ongoing blood loss, and inadequate production of red blood cells. It occurs early in the course of critical illness. Although red blood cell transfusion is the treatment of choice for immediate management of anemia in the intensive care unit, controversy surrounds the most appropriate hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit “trigger. ” Therapeutic options, including blood‐conservation tools, minimization of phlebotomy, erythropoietic agents, and investigational oxygen‐carrying agents, may be alternatives to red blood cell transfusions in critically ill patients with anemia. Patient selection for erythropoietic agents will depend on further work dealing with outcomes and the total cost of care in managing the anemia of critical illness.
Association between facet joint osteoarthritis and the Oswestry Disability Index.

AIM To investigate the correlation of facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) at lumbar levels L4/L5 and L5/S1 and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). METHODS The study involved lumbar MRIs of 591 patients with a mean age of 47.3 years. The MRIs of the lumbar spine were performed on a 1.5 Tesla scanner (Magnetom(®) Avanto, Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) using a dedicated receive only spine coil. After initial blinding, each dataset was evaluated by 2 board certified radiologist with more than 5 years experience in musculoskeletal imaging. In total 2364 facet joints were graded. Degenerative changes of the facet joints were evaluated according to the 4-point scale as proposed by Weishaupt et al Functional status was assessed using the ODI. The index is scored from 0 to 100 and interpreted as follows: 0%-20%, minimal disability; 20%-40%, moderate disability; 40%-60%, severe disability; 60%-80%, crippled; 80%-100%, patients are bedbound. Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation was used for statistical analysis, with significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS In total 2364 facet joints at lumbar levels L4/5 and L5/S1 were analysed in 591 individuals. FJOA was present in 97% (L4/L5) and 98% (L5/S1). At level L4/5 (left/right) 17/15 (2.9%/2.5%) were described as grade 0, 146/147 (24.7%/24.9%) as grade 1, 290/302 (49.1%/51.1%) as grade 2 and 138/127 (23.4%/21.5%) as grade 3. At level L5/S1 (left/right) 10/11 (1.7%/1.9%) were described as grade 0, 136/136 (23.0%/23.0%) as grade 1, 318/325 (53.8%/55.0%) as grade 2 and 127/119 (21.5%/20.1%) as grade 3. Regarding the ODI scores, patients' disability had a minimum of 0% and a maximum of 91.11% with an arithmetic mean of 32.77% ± 17.02%. The majority of patients (48.39%) had moderate functional disability (21%-40%). There was no significant correlation between FJOA and ODI on both sides of lumbar level L4/5 and on the left side of lumbar level L5/S1. A weak positive correlation was evaluated between ODI and FJOA on the right side of lumbar level L5/S1. CONCLUSION The missing correlation of FJOA and ODI confirms our clinical experience that imaging alone is an insufficient approach explaining low back pain. Clinical correlation is imperative for an adequate diagnostic advance in patients with low back pain.
A Credential-based Security Mechanism for Object-based Storage

Unlike direct attached storage (DAS), network attached storage (NAS) or storage area network (SAN), object-based storage, an emerging network storage technology, separates the control path, the data path and the management path, and enables direct interaction between clients and the storage devices. Clients acquire only the metadata information and some cryptographic primitives from the metadata servers. The clients, the metadata servers and the storage devices are separate, so it is very important to construct a security mechanism for securing data exchange between them. In this paper we present a credential-based security mechanism for object-based storage that stands on existing security infrastructure. In this mechanism, the object-based storage device (OSD) security model is a credential-based access control system, and commands transfer and data access both need be authorized. The client requests a credential including a capability key from the security manager after authenticated by the security manager through a PKI system. The security manager and the OSD device (OBSD) have a shared secret key to calculate the capability key which is used as a single secret key to identify the integrity of credential and encrypt the communications between the client and the OBSD
Liver fibrosis assessment by transient elastography in hepatitis C patients with normal alanine aminotransferase.

We read with interest the paper by Foucher et al ( Gut 2006; 55 : 403–8) where the authors assessed the accuracy of transient elastography for the detection of cirrhosis. Its use in assessing the severity of chronic liver disease in other clinical scenarios warrants further evaluation. According to large population studies, the prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients who have persistently normal serum alanine aminotransferase (PN-ALT) levels is most likely 30–50%. 1 A major problem is defining whether or not these patients will suffer a progressive disease; additionally, although no consensus exists regarding who must be treated and when antiviral therapy should be initiated, positive decisions have been reinforced by recent results of a large clinical trial indicating that pegylated interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy is effective and safe in these patients with PN-ALT.2 In a recent review, the schedule of antiviral combination treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal aminotransferases was described, and indications for antiviral therapy in some cases was decided on the basis of …
Influence of denatured and intermediate states of folding on protein aggregation

We simulate the aggregation thermodynamics and kinetics of proteins L and G, each of which self‐assembles to the same β/β topology through distinct folding mechanisms. We find that the aggregation kinetics of both proteins at an experimentally relevant concentration exhibit both fast and slow aggregation pathways, although a greater proportion of protein G aggregation events are slow relative to those of found for protein L. These kinetic differences are correlated with the amount and distribution of intrachain contacts formed in the denatured state ensemble (DSE), or an intermediate state ensemble (ISE) if it exists, as well as the folding timescales of the two proteins. Protein G aggregates more slowly than protein L due to its rapidly formed folding intermediate, which exhibits native intrachain contacts spread across the protein, suggesting that certain early folding intermediates may be selected for by evolution due to their protective role against unwanted aggregation. Protein L shows only localized native structure in the DSE with timescales of folding that are commensurate with the aggregation timescale, leaving it vulnerable to domain swapping or nonnative interactions with other chains that increase the aggregation rate. Folding experiments that characterize the structural signatures of the DSE, ISE, or the transition state ensemble (TSE) under nonaggregating conditions should be able to predict regions where interchain contacts will be made in the aggregate, and to predict slower aggregation rates for proteins with contacts that are dispersed across the fold. Since proteins L and G can both form amyloid fibrils, this work also provides mechanistic and structural insight into the formation of prefibrillar species.
Tumor STAT 1 transcription factor activity enhances breast tumor growth and immune suppression mediated by myeloid-derived suppressor cells

Capsule Background: STAT1’s role in promoting tumor progression is not well understood. Results: STAT1 activity is elevated in human and mouse breast cancers and STAT1 promotes breast cancer progression. Conclusion: Tumor STAT1 transcription factor activity enhances breast tumor growth and immune suppression mediated by MDSC. Significance: STAT1 activity in breast cancer cells is responsible for shaping an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, and inhibiting STAT1 activity is a promising immune therapeutic approach.
Morphoquantitative study of the submucous plexus (of Meissner) of the jejunum-ileum of young and old guinea pigs.

OBJECTIVE To study the aging of submucous plexus of the small intestine (jejunum-ileum) of the guinea pigs from the quantitative, structural and ultrastructural perspective. METHOD Chemical preparations of membrane of the jejunum-ileum of old and young animals with the use of light and electronic microscope. RESULTS The ganglia of young animals presented between 1 and 56 neurons and the old animals presented from 1 to 30 neurons. The mean density of the ganglia by cm(2) in the young jejunum-ileum was of 551±36.89 and in the old one 413±11.86. The density of the neurons was 5011±291.11 neurons/cm(2) average in young animals and 2918±120.70 neurons/cm(2) in the old ones. The size of the neurons varied in both age groups. The collagen fibers in the ganglia of old animals they were condensed. Degenerated mitochondrias in the interior of the cell were frequent in the old animals. CONCLUSION In submucous plexus of the jejunum-ileum there is a loss of 38% of the neurons with aging.
Pregnancy block elicited by urinary proteins of male mice.

Pregnant mice exposed to male urinary proteins isolated by salting out of excreted urine, bladder urine, or urine from castrated and testosterone-treated males blocked pregnancy in 3-4 days after treatment. Also homogenates of preputial glands evoked the Bruce effect. Females exposed to urinary proteins had shortened oestrous cycle. The results suggest that male mice produce only one pheromone which can evoke different effects depending on a physiological state of the female.
cnrip1 is a regulator of eye and neural development in Xenopus laevis

Cannabinoid receptor interacting protein 1 (CNRIP1), which has been originally identified as the binding partner of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), is evolutionarily conserved throughout vertebrates, but its physiological function has been unknown. Here, we identify a developmental role of CNRIP1 using Xenopus laevis embryos. During early embryogenesis, expression of Xenopus laevis cnrip1 is highly restricted to the animal region of gastrulae where neural and eye induction occur, and afterward it is seen in neural and other tissues with a temporally and spatially regulated pattern. Morpholino‐mediated knockdown experiments indicate that cnrip1 has an essential role in early eye and neural development by regulating the onset of expression of key transcription factor genes, sox2, otx2, pax6 and rax. Also, over‐expression experiments suggest that cnrip1 has a potential to expand sox2, otx2, pax6 and rax expression. These results suggest an instructive role of Xenopus laevis cnrip1 in early eye and neural development. Furthermore, Xenopus laevis cnr1 knockdown leads to eye defects, which are partly similar to, but milder than, those caused by cnrip1 knockdown, suggesting a possible functional similarity between CNRIP1 and CNR1. This study is the first characterization of an in vivo role of CNRIP1 in the context of whole organisms.