Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surveillance and outcome of fetuses with gastroschisis

Infants with gastroschisis have a high survival rate. However, the rate (10–15%) of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is considerable, and the association with fetal distress is well known. The aim of this study was to describe the outcome of fetuses with a prenatal diagnosis of gastroschisis. The impact of correct prenatal diagnosis, surveillance and signs of complicating risk factors were evaluated.
Ranitidine interference with the monoclonal EMIT d.a.u. amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay.

The interference of ranitidine with the monoclonal EMIT d.a. u. amphetamine/methamphetamine immunoassay (ME) was investigated. Urine specimens collected from 23 patients receiving 150-300 mg of ranitidine daily were found to contain 7-271 mg/L of the drug when analyzed by Remedi automated high pressure liquid chromatography. Only patient specimens and urine samples with ranitidine added at concentrations greater than 91 mg/L gave false positive ME results. Of the 63 patient urine samples analyzed by ME, 12 gave false positive results. All false positive results occurred in the first or second void after ingestion. No false positive results occurred with the polyclonal EMIT d.a. u. amphetamine or TDx amphetamine/methamphetamine II assays.
Epirubicin, cisplatin, and protracted venous infusion of 5‐fluorouracil for esophagogastric adenocarcinoma: Response, toxicity, quality of life, and survival

The results of chemotherapy for patients with esophagogastric carcinoma have generally been modest but regimens developed more recently have produced higher response rates, and rekindled interest in neoadjuvant chemotherapy. One such regimen is epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil (ECF). This study evaluates its efficacy, toxicity, impact on quality of life (QL), and impact on survival in a large consecutive series of patients with metastatic and locally advanced disease (LAD).
Crystal structure of LixNi2-xO2 and a lattice-gas model for the order-disorder transition.

The crystal structure of ${\mathrm{Li}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ for 0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1 is reported. For x0.62, ${\mathrm{Li}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ has a disordered rocksalt structure. For 0.62\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1.0, Li and Ni atoms segregate into Li-rich and Ni-rich layers normal to one of the four 〈111〉 directions in the cubic lattice. This breaks the cubic symmetry and an apparently continuous transition to a hexagonal phase occurs. At x=1, alternate cation layers are nearly pure Li and pure Ni. The degree of order is quantified by defining an order parameter \ensuremath{\eta}, which we take to be the difference in the Li composition of neighboring metal atom layers. Using x-ray diffraction and Rietveld profile refinement, we have measured \ensuremath{\eta} versus x. We model ${\mathrm{Li}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ni}}_{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ as a lattice of oxygen atoms into which cations (either Li or Ni) can be inserted, subject to the constraint that the number of cations equals the number of oxygen atoms. Interactions between cations on nearest- and on next-nearest-neighbor sites are included, and the lattice-gas model is solved with use of mean-field and Monte Carlo methods. We find that the nearest-neighbor interaction is not sensitive to the observed ordering and that we can describe the experimental variation of \ensuremath{\eta} versus x for an appropriate choice of the next-nearest-neighbor interaction.
Learning to Like: A Role for Human Orbitofrontal Cortex in Conditioned Reward

A great deal of human behavior and motivation is based on the intrinsic emotional significance of rewarding or aversive events, as well as on the associations formed between such emotional events and concurrent environmental stimuli. Recent functional neuroimaging studies have implicated the ventral striatum, orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), and amygdala in the representation of reward values and/or in the anticipation of rewarding events. Here, we use functional magnetic resonance imaging to compare brain activation during the presentation of reward with that during presentation of (conditioned) stimuli that have been paired previously with reward. Specifically, we aimed to investigate conditioned reward in the absence of explicit reward anticipation. Twenty-two healthy volunteers were scanned while monochrome visual patterns were incidentally associated with reward or negative feedback in the context of a simple card game. In the subsequent session, visual patterns, including the conditioned stimuli, were presented without reward or negative feedback, and the affective valence of these stimuli was assessed behaviorally. The presentation of reward compared with negative feedback activated the ventral striatum and OFC. Activation in the same OFC region was observed when, in the subsequent session, subjects passively viewed the stimuli that had been paired with reward, without the administration of reward and with subjects being essentially unaware of the conditioning manipulation. These findings suggest that the OFC in humans plays an important role in the representation of both rewarding stimuli and conditioned stimuli that have acquired reward value.
Potential inhibitory effects of L-carnitine supplementation on tissue advanced glycation end products in patients with hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) contribute to cardiovascular disease in patients with hemodialysis (HD). We have recently found that carnitine levels are inversely associated with skin AGE levels in HD patients. We examined whether L-carnitine supplementation reduced skin AGE levels in HD patients with carnitine deficiency. METHODS This was a single-center study. One hundred and two HD patients (total carnitine levels <50 μmol/L) were enrolled and randomized to either oral administration of L-carnitine (900 mg/day) (n=51) or control (n=51). After 6 months, metabolic and inflammatory variables, including serum levels of carnitine, were measured. Skin AGE levels were determined by evaluating skin auto-fluorescence with an AGE-reader. RESULTS There were no significant differences of clinical variables at baseline between the control and L-carnitine therapy group. Thirty-two patients did not complete the assessment or treatment of the study. Oral L-carnitine supplementation for 6 months significantly increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, total, free, and acyl carnitine levels, while it decreased alanine transaminase, acyl/free carnitine ratio, β₂-microglobulin, and skin AGE values. Change in total carnitine values from baseline (Δtotal carnitine) and Δfree carnitine were inversely associated with Δskin AGE levels in L-carnitine-treated patients (p=0.036 and p=0.016, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, Δfree carnitine was a sole independent determinant of Δskin AGEs (R²=0.178). CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrated that oral L-carnitine supplementation significantly decreased skin AGE levels in HD patients with carnitine deficiency. These observations suggest that supplementation of L-carnitine might be a novel therapeutic strategy for preventing the accumulation of tissue AGEs in carnitine-deficient patients with HD.
Stabilization of the Chest Wall: Autologous and Alloplastic Reconstructions

The goals of chest wall stabilization include maintenance of a rigid airtight cavity, protection of the thoracic and abdominal contents, optimization of respiration, and, whenever possible, an aesthetic reconstruction. Evidence suggests that bony fixation results in reduced ventilator dependence, a shorter overall hospital stay, and improved upper extremity function. We prefer to accomplish this with autologous tissue alone (such as the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, or rectus abdominus muscle flaps) for small to moderate defects. En bloc resection of defects larger than 5 cm or containing four or more ribs will likely benefit from chest wall stabilization. For patients previously treated with radiation, even larger defects may be tolerated owing to fibrosis. For these larger defects, methyl methacrylate composite meshes are used and covered with vascularized tissue. Contaminated wounds are generally reconstructed with bioprosthetic mesh rather than synthetic mesh. Using these principles, the reconstructive plastic surgeon can devise a comprehensive and safe plan to repair tremendous defects of the chest wall.
A critique of methodology in studies of anticoagulant therapy for acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Of 32 reports of anticoagulant therapy for acute myocardial infarction, appraised to ascertain the maintenance of eight methodologic standards that affect the scientific comparability of treated patients and controls, only 25 per cent described precise criteria for diagnosis of myocardial infarction; 59 per cent were performed as surveys of medical records rather than experimental trials, and 28 per cent did not have concurrent control groups. In most "Cooperative" studies, ancillary therapy at different hospitals was not co-ordinated. Treatment was allocated randomly in four studies,. assessed with appropriate prognostic stratifications in 17 and applied with double-blind technics in only one. No diagnostic criteria were described for thromboembolic phenomena. Anticoagulant therapy was ranked superior to none more often in reports that failed to fulfill the methodologic standards than in the reports that did. Although generally regarded as a problem in statistics, the current controversy about a.
Purification of a Modified Form of Bovine Antithrombin III as an HIV-1 CD8+ T-cell Antiviral Factor*

CD8+ T-cells secrete soluble factor(s) capable of inhibiting both R5- and X4-tropic strains of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). CCR5 chemokine ligands, released from activated CD8+ T-cells, contribute to the antiviral activity of these cells. These CC-chemokines, however, do not account for all CD8+ T-cell antiviral factor(s) (CAF) released from these cells, particularly because the elusive CAF can inhibit the replication of X4 HIV-1 strains that use CXCR4 and not CCR5 as a coreceptor. Here we demonstrate that activated CD8+ T-cells of HIV-1-seropositive individuals modify serum bovine antithrombin III into an HIV-1 inhibitory factor capable of suppressing the replication of X4 HIV-1. These data indicate that antithrombin III may play a role in the progression of HIV-1 disease.
Phosphorylation of Smac by Akt promotes the caspase‐3 activation during etoposide‐induced apoptosis in HeLa cells

The Akt, family of serine/threonine protein kinases functions as key regulators of multiple aspects of cell behavior, such as survival, proliferation, migration, and carcinogenesis. Notably, Akt exerts its anti‐apoptotic effects through the phosphorylation of numerous substrates related with cell cycle, genome stability, and cancer development. In this report, nevertheless, we focused our view on the novel role of Akt which involves in a pro‐apoptotic action by phosphorylating second mitochondria derived activator of caspases (Smac) protein during etoposide‐induced apoptotic processes. Our data reveals that Akt could bind to and phosphorylate Smac at serine residue 67, which enhances the ability of Smac to interact with the cytosolic X‐chromosome linked IAP (XIAP) protein. The cellular interaction of wild‐type Smac with XIAP was enhanced with similar activation kinetics of Akt activity, while this interaction was markedly attenuated in cells expressing the phosphorylation‐defective mutant S67A‐Smac during etoposide‐induced apoptosis. Moreover, we provide the evidence indicating that the phosphorylation of Smac at ser‐67 markedly upregulates the caspase‐3 activity by promoting the interaction of Smac with XIAP. Taken together, we propose that the phosphorylation of Smac by Akt might be a novel mechanism that involves in amplification of caspase cascade pathway during etoposide‐induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of in vivo techniques for the determination of apparent ileal amino acid digestibilities in feedstuffs for piglets.

Three in vivo techniques were evaluated in terms of their suitability for determination of the apparent ileal amino acid digestibility (AID) of protein sources for piglets. The techniques were: ileo-rectal anastomosis (IRA), cannulation at the distal ileum and a slaughter technique. A standard diet and three diets in which 20% of the standard diet was substituted with either skim milk powder (SMP), fish meal or roasted full-fat soya beans (FFS) were used. Piglets were weaned at 21 days of age, and the respective diets were fed in 24 equal hourly portions per day from days 29-37. Ileal digesta was collected from day 33-37 in IRA and cannulated piglets. Piglets used for the slaughter technique were killed at 37 days of age and ileal digesta was collected. Chromium III oxide was used as an indigestible marker with all three techniques. Although AID means did not differ (p > 0.05) between the different techniques, the cannulation technique resulted in the lowest variation (standard error of the mean) of all treatments (8.2 vs 13.7 and 14.1 for the slaughter and IRA-techniques respectively). AID means obtained using the cannula technique were 1.8 percentage units higher for the SMP diet than values obtained using the other techniques (83.2 versus 81.4 %), and up to 9.3 percentage units higher for the FFS diet (75.4 versus 66.1 %). Growth data suggested that the cannulation technique caused less trauma for the piglets than the IRA-technique. IRA-piglets had not yet regained their initial weaning weight by 37 days of age, while the other piglets gained weight over the trial period. The cannulation technique is the most attractive method for use with piglets in terms of the lower variation in digestibility values. Practical aspects such as ease of handling and sampling, surgical trauma and piglet stress, are also important and contribute to the selection of the cannula technique as the most appropriate. (South African Journal of Animal Science, 2000, 30(1): 7-15)
CT of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas and mimicking masses.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this article is to illustrate the varied CT appearances of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas and of masses that mimic serous cystadenoma. CONCLUSION Serous cystadenomas of the pancreas have a wide range of CT findings. Familiarity with the varied CT appearances and awareness of the diagnostic limitations of CT are important for accurate diagnosis and management of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas.
No evidence for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) comprises a large group of cancers in the oral cavity and nasopharyngeal area that typically arise in older males in association with alcohol/tobacco usage. Within the oral cavity, the mobile tongue is the most common site for tumour development. The incidence of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is increasing in younger people, which has been suggested to associate with a viral aetiology. Two common human oncogenic viruses, human papilloma virus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) are known causes of certain types of SCCHN, namely the oropharynx and nasopharynx, respectively. EBV infects most adults worldwide through oral transmission and establishes a latent infection, with sporadic productive viral replication and release of virus in the oral cavity throughout life. In view of the prevalence of EBV in the oral cavity and recent data indicating that it infects tongue epithelial cells and establishes latency, we examined 98 cases of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue and 15 cases of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma for the presence of EBV-encoded RNAs (EBERs), EBV DNA and an EBV-encoded protein, EBNA-1. A commercially available in situ hybridisation kit targeting EBER transcripts (EBER-ISH) showed a positive signal in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei of tumour cells in 43% of TSCCs. However, application of control probes and RNase A digestion using in-house developed EBER-ISH showed identical EBER staining patterns, indicating non-specific signals. PCR analysis of the BamH1 W repeat sequences did not identify EBV genomes in tumour samples. Immunohistochemistry for EBNA-1 was also negative. These data exclude EBV as a potential player in TSCC in both old and young patients and highlight the importance of appropriate controls for EBER-ISH in investigating EBV in human diseases.
Efficient audio coding with optimized subband configurations

A dynamic subbands design selection scheme for perceptual audio coding is presented which optimizes the coding efficiency in association with an improved utilization of the masking potential of the signal. The choices for subbands design selection include critical bands, uniform subbands, uniform subbands with a non-uniform last band and a non-uniform-non-critical (NUNC) subbands distribution. A particular consideration is given to corresponding critical band boundaries while formulating NUNC subbands, to minimize the perception of coding noise. The design selection decision is made by first identifying the best tradeoff between empty quantizer slots and amount of side information, followed by a minimization of the perceptual entropy (PE) estimates. A further analysis is carried out to identify the prominent spectral peaks (PSPs), with a view to efficiently utilize their masking potential by the bit allocation algorithm which makes a bit cut first to subbands with PSPs. Test results based on ITU-R recommendation BS.1116 show that our coding scheme performs slightly better as compared to MPEG-4 AAC verification model (VM) for a majority of signal types from the SQAM database. The paper concludes with a discussion of future research implications of the work
Perfluorocarbons Decrease Chlamydophila pneumoniae–Mediated Inflammatory Responses of Rat Type II Pneumocytes In Vitro

Chlamydophila pneumoniae alter the expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 in alveolar type II (ATII)-cells. Subsequently nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) is activated and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2) are produced. Perfluorocarbons (PFC) are beneficial in animals with bacterial pneumonia and reduce production of TNF-α. Using isolated ATII-cells, it was studied whether PFC prevent C. pneumoniae-induced TNF-α and MIP-2 release and what the underlying pathway is. PF5080 preincubation prevented C. pneumoniae-induced secretion of TNF-α (43 ± 10 versus 661 ± 41 pg/mL) and MIP-2 (573 ± 41 versus 4786 ± 502 pg/mL). The C. pneumoniae-induced 2.2-fold increase of TNF-α Receptor 1 expression was reduced by PF5080. C. pneumoniae reduced cytoplasmatic IκBα (3.7 ± 0.3 versus 14 ± 1) and increased NF-κB p65 (31 ± 7.5 versus 3.6 ± 1.1) compared with control. PF5080 prevented NF-κB activation. TLR4 expression was 1.5-fold higher after C. pneumoniae incubation, but remained at control levels after PF5080 pretreatment. After 24 h of C. pneumoniae incubation, in 88 ± 6% of cells bacteria were found in the perinuclear region and in 50% of these cells bacteria adhered to cellular surface. After PF5080 preincubation, C. pneumoniae were in 32 ± 4% attached to and in 5 ± 1% internalized in ATII-cells. Since PF5080 was found in ATII-cell membranes, PF5080 effect could be explained by an alteration of the cellular membrane, preventing activation of the inflammatory cascade.
A new point mutation in the iron-sulfur subunit of succinate dehydrogenase confers resistance to boscalid in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

Research has established that mutations in highly conserved amino acids of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex in various fungi confer SDH inhibitor (SDHI) resistance. For Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, a necrotrophic fungus with a broad host range and a worldwide distribution, boscalid resistance has been attributed to the mutation H132R in the highly conserved SdhD subunit protein of the SDH complex. In our previous study, however, only one point mutation, A11V in SdhB (GCA to GTA change in SdhB), was detected in S. sclerotiorum boscalid-resistant (BR) mutants. In the current study, replacement of the SdhB gene in a boscalid-sensitive (BS) S. sclerotiorum strain with the mutant SdhB gene conferred resistance. Compared with wild-type strains, BR and GSM (SdhB gene in the wild-type strain replaced by the mutant SdhB gene) mutants were more sensitive to osmotic stress, lacked the ability to produce sclerotia and exhibited lower expression of the pac1 gene. Importantly, the point mutation was not located in the highly conserved sequence of the iron-sulfur subunit of SDH. These results suggest that resistance based on non-conserved vs. conserved protein domains differs in mechanism. In addition to increasing our understanding of boscalid resistance in S. sclerotiorum, the new information will be useful for the development of alternative antifungal drugs.
Experimental Evidence

This paper investigates the impact of peer observation on the consumption decisions of rural households in Thailand using a lab-in-the-field experiment. We find that those groups that observe each other show lower within group standard deviation in their decisions. Thus, we find evidence for conformity. Further, we find that individual’s consumption choice is influenced by the group choice controlling for large number of individual, household, and village characteristics. We find that unfamiliarity of the product is counteracted by peer effects. Finally, we find evidence of treatment heterogeneity with regards to cognitive ability and village size. JEL classification: D12, C21, C92
Immediate Treatment of Apoplexy

steel chassis, very positive steering, and an engine capable of useful acceleration. Because of the fourth wheel I have to pay a full road-fund tax, and it seems unfair that this fact is not reflected in the insurance rates. If it can be shown that criticism is justified, and that all these vehicles, whether threeor four-wheelers, whether with or without a chassis, are a menace, then the profession is right in condemning them. We should be careful to see, however, that experience of any one particular model does not lead to an unjustified criticism of the whole group. -I am, etc.,
Surgical Treatment of Pathologic Hip Lesions in Patients With Metastatic Disease

Impending and pathologic fractures about the hip due to metastatic tumors are debilitating to patients secondary to pain and loss of mobility. The results of internal fixation of impending or complete pathologic fracture about the hip in 29 patients undergoing 32 procedures were retrospectively reviewed. Operative procedures included total hip arthroplasty with protrusio cup acetabular reconstruction in 5 patients, bipolar hip replacement in 7 patients, compression screw and sideplate in 6 patients, placement of reconstruction intramedullary nail in 12 patients, proximal femoral replacement in 1 patient, and placement of pins and polymethylmethacrylate in 1 patient. Every patient in this series had relief of pain postoperatively, and all had improved ambulation. There were no operative or anesthesia related complications, no intraoperative or perioperative deaths, and no failures of fixation. A single postoperative complication occurred in a patient in whom a sacral decubitus developed that resolved with local wound care. This study shows that operative fixation of pathologic hip lesions can be performed with low morbidity and mortality in a debilitated patient population with good results postoperatively.