Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Guanine Nucleotides on Dopaminergic Agonist and Antagonist Affinity for [3H]Sulpiride Binding Sites in Rat Striatal Membrane Preparations

Abstract: [3H]Sulpiride bound to rat striatal membrane preparations with a saturable, high affinity component. This binding was displaced potently by dopamine antagonists (both classic neuroleptics and the benzamide, sulpiride) and less potently by dopamine agonists. GTP and its stable analogue Gpp(NH)p did not affect [3H]sulpiride binding to the membranes but altered the affinity for dopaminergic agonists. This effect was specific in that antagonist binding was not affected and only GTP, GDP, and Gpp(NH)p produced the effect. Similar alterations in ligand binding affinity caused by guanine nucleotides have been observed for binding sites linked to an adenylate cyclase. Such an interpretation for the case of [3H]sulpiride is contrary to suggestions that sulpiride labels only those dopamine receptors that are not cyclase linked.
Cytogenetic analysis of 298 newly diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in Tunisia

Genetic changes associated with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) provide diagnostic and prognostic information with a direct impact on patient management. We report the cytogenetic analysis of 298 Tunisian patients with ALL, including 183 children and 115 adults. Chromosome abnormalities have been detected in 68.2% of our patients associating clonal numerical and/or structural rearrangements. Some chromosomal abnormalities especially hyperdiploidy, 19p13 abnormalities, 8q24 translocations, 12p, 6q deletions and TCR rearrangements occur at a lower incidence compared to that reported in other populations. ALL cases (5.7%) had miscellaneous clonal abnormalities. We also found in our Tunisian series a higher incidence for T‐lineage ALL more than usually described. Among structural chromosomal abnormalities, t(9;22)(q34;q11) resulting in the BCR/ABL fusion and the t(12;21)(p13;q22) resulting in the TEL/AML1 fusion were studied by FISH providing additional diagnostic and prognostic information. We conclude that although the incidence of our cytogenetic results are slightly different, their clinical significance is similar to that described in the literature. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiport scattering parameter measuring system

A multiport scattering parameter measuring system for the full characterization of N-port devices is presented. It is based on a conventional two-port network analyser and an additional external switch matrix test set. The system is capable of full error correction including the one of imperfect terminations. Due to its switch matrix layout the system achieves a very high dynamic range. It is easily applicable to devices with a very high number of ports and can easily be calibrated. The system presented here is most suitable for convenient high accuracy characterization of multiport devices in R&D environments due to the use of mechanical switches but can also be adapted to industrial environments. The performance of the system and the validity of the novel scattering parameter transformation are demonstrated on measurements of directional couplers.
The Impact of EWOM Referral, Celebrity Endorsement, and Information Quality on Purchase Decision: A Case of Instagram

This study aims to explore factors that have impact on purchase decision on a social commerce, viz., social media Instagram. Thus, several dimensions namely eWOM referral, celebrity endorsement, information quality, brand satisfaction, brand trust and brand attachment are identified and examined. This research uses SEM method and LISREL 8.80 application. Data was collected using questionnaires with Likert scale. The result from 350 respondents shows that a significant positive correlation exists between eWOM referral and purchase intention, information quality and brand satisfaction, information quality and brand trust, brand satisfaction and brand attachment, brand satisfaction and purchase intention, brand trust and purchase intention, brand attachment and purchase decision, and also between purchase intention and purchase decision.
Bacterial Safety of Commercial and Handmade Enteral Feeds in an Iranian Teaching Hospital

Background: This study aimed to investigate and compare the bacterial safety of handmade and commercial ready-to-use enteral feeding formulas used in an Iranian teaching hospital. Methods: In this experimental study, a total number of 70 samples (21 handmade formulas sampled at two sampling times, i.e. the time of preparation and 18 h after preparation, and 28 commercial ready-to-use formulas) were studied. Total count of viable microorganisms, coliform count and Staphylococcus aureus count for all samples were conducted. Results: Out of 42 handmade samples, 16 samples (76%) had total viable counts greater than 103 CFU/g in the first sampling time and 17 samples (81%) had total viable counts greater than 103 CFU/g in the second sampling time. Also, 11 (52%) had coliform contamination in the first sampling time which reached 76% (16 samples) in the second sampling time. Regarding contamination with S. aureus, 5 samples (24%) were contaminated in the first- and 13 samples (62%) were contaminated in the second-sampling time. Out of 28 commercial formulas, 27 samples (96%) had total viable counts greater than 103 CFU/g. Also, 24 samples (86%) were contaminated with S. aureus and 27 samples (96%) were contaminated with coliforms. In order to compare these two formulas, the results of Mann-Whitney test showed that contamination of ready-to-use formulas in all three microbiological samples was significantly more than that for handmade samples. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that the microbial safety of enteral feeding solutions in this hospital is much lower than standard values, demonstrating that the development of protocols for clean techniques in the preparation, handling and storage of both commercial and handmade enteral feeds is necessary.
Mohs Micrographic Surgery for Melanoma: A Case Series, a Comparative Study of Immunostains, an Informative Case Report, and a Unique Mapping Technique

BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has been established as an alternative to standard surgical excision for local cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) and melanoma in situ (MIS). The use of melanocyte-specific immunohistochemical stains may improve the diagnostic accuracy of MMS frozen sections. OBJECTIVE We used MMS with immunostains to determine the maximum and minimum margins required to clear 52 melanomas, mostly MIS of the head and neck. We sought to identify the most sensitive melanocyte immunostain for use in MMS frozen sections and to improve the clinicopathologic correlation of perilesional pigmented lesions. METHODS We studied 52 consecutive cases of invasive melanoma (n = 10) and MIS (n = 42), tabulating the maximum and minimum margins required for complete tumor resection in any one direction during MMS. In 10 of these cases we studied the relative sensitivity of the immunostains MART-1, S-100, and HMB-45 in Mohs frozen sections. We describe a case highlighting the importance of the increased sensitivity of MART-1. In 12 patients we used a unique mapping technique to help determine the clinical relevance of a total of 35 perilesional pigmented foci. RESULTS The maximum margin averaged 10.1 mm (range 3–26 mm) for MM and 9.4 mm (range 3–18 mm) for MIS. The minimum margin averaged 7.0 mm (range 3–13 mm) for MM and 5.5 mm (range 3–11 mm) for MIS. For individual tumors, the difference between the minimum and maximum margin averaged 3.7 mm (range 0–13 mm). This difference was ≥5 mm in 38% (20/52) and ≥10 mm in 10% (5/52), highlighting that subclinical tumor extension is often broad and asymmetric. While five of six MM less than 1.0 mm in depth would have been cleared with a routine 1 cm excision, a standard 5 mm margin would have cleared less than one-quarter of the cases of MIS (10/42). In Mohs frozen sections, MART-1 proved superior in sensitivity to both HMB-45 and S-100. Our mapping technique provided clinically relevant histologic correlation for perilesional pigmented lesions, improving the Mohs surgeon's ability to evaluate equivocal foci in frozen sections. CONCLUSION MM, especially MIS on the head and neck, often exhibits an asymmetric growth pattern, making it quite suitable for treatment with MMS. The use of MART-1 immunostain may improve the diagnostic accuracy of Mohs surgeons. We believe that HMB-45 should not be used to rule out the diagnosis of MIS in equivocal sections because of its inferior sensitivity. We introduce a new mapping technique as an adjunctive measure to aid in the clinicopathologic evaluation of perilesional skin.
Nasal flow‐synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation to facilitate weaning in very low‐birthweight infants: Unmasked randomized controlled trial

Background: Nasal flow‐synchronized intermittent positive pressure ventilation (NFSIPPV) is a new non‐invasive ventilatory mode that delivers synchronized mechanical breaths through the nasal prongs. An unmasked, prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of NFSIPPV and conventional nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) in increasing the likelihood for successful extubation in very low‐birthweight infants.
Singlet oxygen in surface waters. 3. Photochemical formation and steady-state concentrations in various types of waters.

For prediction of the rate with which organic compounds are oxidized and photoproducts formed in the aquatic environment by the /sup 1/O/sub 2/ route, the steady-state concentrations of O/sub 2/ in various waters were determined by using furfuryl alcohol as a trapping agent. Under noon, summer sunlight (Switzerland) in lake, river, and wastewaters, surface concentrations were (0.3-3) x 10/sup -14/ M /sup 1/O/sub 2/ per mg of DOC/L. Separation of natural aquatic organic compounds by gel permeation chromatography resulted in fractions showing little correlation between /sup 1/O/sub 2/ production efficiency and molecular weight, indicating that large macromolecular structures are not a prerequisite for the sensitization of /sup 1/O/sub 2/ formation. 26 references, 8 figures, 3 tables.
Iconografía de los santos protectores de epidemias y enfermedades en Canarias

Se ha abordado un largo proceso que tiene sus raices en el campo de la medicina, continua desarrollandose en el ambito religioso y desemboca en la vertiente iconografica del arte, por lo que se experimenta una interdisciplinariedad entre la medicina, la religion y el arte. Del estudio iconografico general se llega al particular, es decir, a sus modelos concretos en canarias, partiendo de un catalogo exhaustivo que en su conjunto comunica determinadas formas de figurar a los santos sanadores en el archipielago, sin soslayar los aspectos mas importantes de sus respectivas hagiografias.
Oxidation of aromatic alcohols by purified methanol dehydrogenase from Methylosinus trichosporium

Methanol dehydrogenase was found to be present in subcellular preparations of methanol-grown Methylosinus trichosporium and occurred almost wholly in the soluble fraction of the cell. The enzyme, purified by DEAE-Sephadex and Sephadex G-100 chromatography, showed broad specificity toward different substrates and oxidized the aromatic alcohols benzyl, vanillyl, and veratryl alcohols in addition to a range of aliphatic primary alcohols. No enzyme activity was found toward the corresponding aldehydes of the alcohols tested. The Km for methanol was 50 microM, and that for the aromatic alcohols was in the range of 1 to 2 mM. EDTA and p-nitrophenylhydrazine, which are inhibitors of methanol oxidation in whole cells of methylotrophs, had little effect on activity of the purified enzyme. The results now extend the range of substrates oxidized by methanol dehydrogenase to include the aromatic alcohols.
Building Capacity to Increase Health Promotion Funding to American Indian Communities

Foundations and government agencies have historically played a critical role in supporting community-based health promotion programs. Increased access to health promotion funding may help address significant health issues existing within American Indian (AI) communities, such as childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Understanding the capacity of AI communities to successfully apply for and receive funding may serve to increase resources for health promotion efforts within AI communities in Montana. This exploratory qualitative study completed 17 semistructured interviews across three AI reservations in the state of Montana. Dimensions of community capacity within the context of the funding application process and partnership with funding agencies were identified, including resources, leadership, community need, networks, and relationship with the funding agency. Dimensions of AI community capacity were then used to suggest capacity-building strategies for improved partnership between AI communities in Montana and the funding agencies.
Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: A Community Hospital's Experience

Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) has become the first-line approach for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Outcomes outside of tertiary care settings remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to report the midterm outcomes of EVAR in a community hospital. A retrospective review of 75 elective, consecutive EVARs performed at a single nonacademic community hospital was performed. There were no conversions to open repair during or after endovascular repair. The mean follow-up was 18 months. There were no postoperative ruptures or aneurysm-related deaths. At 24 months, freedom from aneurysm-related death was 100%, freedom from secondary interventions was 91%, and freedom from endoleak was 69%. EVAR in the community setting is a safe and durable procedure, even in a medically high-risk population. Comparable outcomes can be achieved to tertiary care centers, in carefully selected patients with favorable anatomy.
Coagulation Factor VII in Middle-aged Women with and without Coronary Heart Disease

Summary Epidemiological studies of coagulation factor VII as a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), mainly conducted in men, have shown discrepant results. We examined the associations of coagulation factor VII antigen (VIIag) and activated factor VII (VIIa) with manifest CHD in a community-based case-control study of women aged ≤65 years. Mean plasma concentrations of VIIag and VIIa in patients and controls were 443 ± 108 and 418 ± 89 ng/L (p <0.01) and 5.26 ± 2.21 and 4.90 ± 1.65 ng/L (NS), respectively. The odds ratio (OR) for CHD for the highest versus the lowest quartile of VIIag was 1.75 (95% CI, 1.05 to 2.92). The adjusted OR was 0.76 (95% CI, 0.28-1.98) after controlling for other cardiovascular risk factors. The corresponding ORs for VIIa were non-significant. In conclusion, the plasma concentration of VIIa was not significantly increased in a large group of women with precocious CHD, and VIIag levels, although elevated, were not independently associated with manifest disease.
Yumurtlamanın Son Dönemindeki Yumurtacı Tavukların Rasyonlarına Bor (Ortoborik Asit) İlavesinin Yumurta Kabuk Kalitesi ve Tibia Biyomekaniği Parametreleri ile Serum, Kabuk ve Tibia Mineral Konsantrasyonları Üzerine Etkisi

Yumurtaci tavuk rasyonlarina farkli seviyelerde Bor (B) ilavesinin yumurta kabuk kalitesi ve tibia biyomekanigi parametreleri ile serum, kabuk ve tibia mineral konsantrasyonlari uzerine etkilerini belirlemek amaciyla yurutulen calismada, 62 haftalik Lohman yumurtaci ticari hibrit 0, 50, 75 ve 150 mg/kg seviyelerde B iceren dort farkli rasyonla 12 hafta sureyle yemlenmislerdir. Rasyona ilave edilen B, yumurta agirligi ve kirilma mukavemetini artirip (P 0.05) belirlenmistir. Serum minerallerinden B muameleden etkilenmis (P 0.05) olurken, tibia kemik B mineral konsantrasyonunda artis (P<0.01); Ca, Zn, Mg, P ve Mn mineral konsantrasyonlarinda azalmaya yol actigi (P<0.01) tespit edilmistir. Sonuc olarak, kanatlilarda rasyona B ilavesinin mineral dengesini pozitif yonde etkiledigi dusunulerek yumurta kabuk kirilma mukavemetini iyilestirip hasarli yumurta oranini azaltmak amaciyla yumurtlamanin son donemindeki yumurtaci tavuklarin rasyonlarina 50 mg/kg B ilave edilmesinin yararli olacagi kanaatine varilmistir.
Clinical characteristics of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

Introduction Lupus erythematosus (LE) shows a wide variety of clinical manifestations, skin involvement being one of the most important. Aim To analyze the clinical presentation of cutaneous variants of lupus erythematosus in terms of skin lesion spectrum and extracutaneous involvement. Material and methods A total of 64 patients with cutaneous LE (CLE) were included. The study was based on the “Core Set Questionnaire” developed by the European Society of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (EUSCLE). Clinical severity of skin lesions was evaluated with the Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI). All results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results Fifteen (23.4%) patients had an acute CLE (ACLE), 26 (40.6%) subacute CLE (SCLE) and 21 (32.8%) chronic CLE (CCLE). Two (3.2%) individuals only demonstrated urticarial vasculitis as a cutaneous manifestation of LE and these patients were excluded. Patients with ACLE were characterized by the earliest onset of the disease (mean age of 31.9 ±15.0 years; p < 0.001). On average, 4.8 ±1.8 criteria of systemic LE were found in the ACLE group compared to 2.7 ±1.3 criteria in SCLE and 2.5 ±1.5 criteria in CCLE (p < 0.001). The highest activity of skin lesions according to CLASI was found in the SCLE group (p = 0.002). On the other hand, the most severe skin damage was observed in CCLE (p < 0.01). Conclusions Each variant of CLE differs significantly from the others in respect of various aspects of clinical manifestations. Due to a number of different variants of LE skin lesions, a unified classification of CLE still remains a challenge.
Effect of Curcumin on Nuclear Factor κB Signaling Pathways in Human Chronic Myelogenous K562 Leukemia Cells

Curcumin, a natural product isolated from the plant Curcuma longa, has a diverse range of molecular targets that influence numerous biochemical and molecular cascades. Curcumin has been shown to inhibit nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) activation at several steps in the NF‐κB signaling pathways and thereby controls numerous NF‐κB‐regulated genes involved in various diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effect of curcumin pretreatment on 84 tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α)‐activated genes of NF‐κB pathways in K562 cells, using a real‐time PCR array. Our results show that transcription of 29 NF‐κB‐related mRNAs was significantly downregulated (CARD4, CCL2, CD40, CSF2, F2R, ICAM1, IKBKB, IKBKE, IL1A, IL1B, IL6, IL8, IRAK2, MALT1, MAP3K1, MYD88, NFKB1, NFKB2, NFKBIA, PPM1A, RAF1, RELB, STAT1, TLR3, TNF, TNFαIP3, TNFSF10, and TICAM1), whereas 10 mRNAs were induced (AGT, CASP1, CSF3, FOS, IFNG, IL10, TICAM2, TLR2, TLR9, and TNFRSF7). Western blot analysis of CD40, NFKB1 (p50), RELB, NFKBIA (IκBα), and IL10 as well as an IL8 secretion assay confirmed our results. Taken together, we show that curcumin regulates an impressive number of NF‐κB genes within the different NF‐κB signaling pathways.
[Control of human African trypanosomiasis in Luba in equatorial Guinea:evaluation of three methods].

The object of this study was to (a) reduce the prevalence of sleeping sickness by serological testing, parasitological examination, and treatment of every infected person; (b) determine the maximum acceptable interval between serological surveys; and (c) define the impact of vector control, using monopyramidal non-impregnated traps, on the transmission. For this sero-parasitological survey, the focus in Luba was divided into three zones as follows: Epicentre A (with high prevalence, 27.5%), Epicentre B (with average prevalence, 8.3%), and Peripheral C (with moderate prevalence, 3.0%). Differences in the prevalence rates in the Epicentres and Peripheral zone permitted the use of three different approaches for control and epidemiological follow-up of the disease: (1) Serological examination of the entire population was carried out by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), with six-month intervals in Epicentres A and B and once a year in the Peripheral zone C. (2) DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: all IFAT seropositives were examined in Luba hospital for parasites, and every parasitologically confirmed patient was treated according to the WHO protocol of 1983. Another serological test (CATT) was applied to cases in which trypanosomes were not present and if this was positive, the CSF was examined. Cases with parasites and abnormal CSF were treated with melarsoprol, and those with a normal CSF received pentamidine. CATT-negative and parasite-negative cases were considered to be false-positives by IFAT and free of the disease. (3) Vector control: 74 monopyramidal traps (18 traps per km2) were set up in Epicentre A. The flies captured were collected once a month and sent to the programme's laboratory where they were identified and counted. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
TISSUE ENGINEERING APPROACH FOR RECONSTRUCTING BONE DEFECTS USING MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

Received: 21/Dec/2008, Accepted: 22/Apr/2009 Regeneration of large bone defects is considered a challenging task by facio-mandibular and orthopedic surgeons. In these circumstances, either bone grafts or metal implants are currently being used. The inherent limitations associated with these methods have directed the attention of investigators to new technologies such as bone tissue engineering, a multidisciplinary field in which life science as well as engineering is involved to manufacture an appropriate bone construct. The objectives of scientists involved in this field are to design and manufacture scaffolds with appropriate chemical and physical features, to direct cell differentiation within the scaffold using appropriate culture conditions and finally to render the engineered construct applicable for clinical use. In this article, the main components involved in the bone tissue engineering process have been reviewed. These include cells (with an emphasis on mesenchymal stem cells), scaffolds, growth factors and bioreactors, and tissue engineering approaches to tissue regeneration.