Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tympanic electrocochleography for diagnosis of Menière's disease.

OBJECTIVE Tympanic electrocochleography (ECOG) is a noninvasive technique for recording cochlear potentials with an electrode placed on the tympanic membrane. Electrocochleography is used clinically in the evaluation of patients for endolymphatic hydrops. This study was undertaken to obtain normative data for ECOG responses to clicks and tone bursts and to determine clinical indicators that result in high test specificities. DESIGN Three cochlear potentials were measured; the eighth nerve compound action potential, the cochlear microphonic, and the summating potential. The subjects were 53 normal hearing adults with negative histories for symptoms of Menière's disease. The ECOG responses were measured with a silver wire-rayon wick electrode that was placed on the tympanic membrane under direct microscopic visualization. Stimuli were condensation, rarefaction, and alternating polarity clicks and 1- and 2-kHz tone bursts. RESULTS Measures that appear to be useful in the evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops include the summating potential to action potential ratio, action potential latency difference to condensation and rarefaction clicks, and the tone-burst-evoked summating potential. Relationships among these measures were investigated, and abnormal criteria were determined that result in test specificities of 95%. CONCLUSIONS Menière's disease is viewed as a progressive disease in which ECOG characteristics vary with the disease state. Cases are presented to illustrate ECOG responses in various stages of the disease. The normative data presented in this article are useful for the detection of Menière's disease in its early stages.
Accelerated Wound Healing in Healing-Impaired db/db Mice by Autologous Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells Combined With Atelocollagen Matrix

Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ATSCs) have recently gained widespread attention as a potential alternate source to bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells with a proliferative capacity and a similar ability to undergo multilineage differentiation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of freshly isolated autologous ATSCs-containing atelocollagen matrix with silicon membrane (ACMS) on wound healing of diabetic (db/db) mice. Cultured ATSCs from (db/db) mice secreted significant amounts of growth factors and cytokines, which are suitable for wound repair. Two full thickness round skin defects were made on the backs of healing-impaired db/db mice. Freshly isolated autologous ATSCs-containing ACMS or ACMS alone were applied to the wounds. Twelve mice were treated and then killed at 1 or 2 weeks (n = 6 each). Histologic sections of the wounds were prepared at each time period after treatment. Histologic examination demonstrated significantly advanced granulation tissue formation, capillary formation, and epithelialization in diabetic healing-impaired wounds treated with autologous ATSCs-containing ACMS, compared with mice treated with ACMS alone. These results suggested that transplantation of autologous ATSCs-containing ACMS significantly accelerated wound healing in diabetic healing-impaired db/db mice.
Postnatal fate of the ultimobranchial remnants in the rat thyroid gland

The ultimobranchial follicles (UBFs) are considered embryonic remnants from the ultimobranchial body (UBB). They are follicular structures that vary in size and appearance depending on the age of the rat. The main objective of this article was to study the progressive changes in shape, size, and frequency of the UBFs in the postnatal rat, from birth to old‐age. To accomplish that objective, a systematic morphometric and incidental study of the UBF has been carried out in 110 Wistar rats of different ages and both sexes, divided into three groups: 1) young rats (5–90‐day‐old); 2) adult rats (6–15‐month‐old), and 3) old rats (18–24‐month‐old). The glands were serially sectioned and immunostained for calcitonin at five equidistant levels. According to our results, UBFs were observed in all thyroid glands but a more exhaustive sampling was occasionally necessary in male rats. In young rats, immature UBFs predominantly appeared whereas in adult rats, mature UBFs with cystic appearance and variable luminal content prevailed. We frequently found spontaneous anomalous UBFs in old rats, which we have termed as “ultimobranchial cystadenomata. ” Additionally, in young rats, UBF areas significantly increased with age and they were larger when compared to that of normal thyroid follicles. Likewise, in adult rats, UBFs were significantly larger than normal thyroid follicles but only in female rats. In general, UBFs in females were also significantly larger than those found in male rats. Finally, all these differences related to UBFs together with a higher incidence in females of UB cystadenomata suggest a sexual dimorphism in regard to the destiny of these embryonic remnants during postnatal thyroid development. J. Morphol. , 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Local Anesthetic Inhibition of Voltage-activated Potassium Currents in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons

Background Local anesthetic actions on the K+ channels of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal horn neurons may modulate sensory blockade during neuraxial anesthesia. In dorsal horn neurons, local anesthetics are known to inhibit transient but not sustained K+ currents. The authors characterized the effects of local anesthetics on K+ currents of isolated DRG neurons. Methods The effects of lidocaine, bupivacaine, and tetracaine on K+ currents in isolated rat DRG neurons were measured with use of a whole cell patch clamp method. The currents measured were fast-inactivating transient current (IAf), slow-inactivating transient current (IAs), and noninactivating sustained current (IKn). Results One group of cells (type 1) expressed IAf and IKn. The other group (type 2) expressed IAs and IKn. The diameter of type 2 cells was smaller than that of type 1 cells. Lidocaine and bupivacaine inhibited all three K+ currents. Tetracaine inhibited IAs and IKn but not IAf. For bupivacaine, the concentration for half-maximal inhibition (IC50) of IKn in type 2 cells was lower than that for IKn in type 1 cells (57 vs. 121 &mgr;m). Similar results were obtained for tetracaine (0.6 vs. 1.9 mm) and for lidocaine (2.2 vs. 5.1 mm). Conclusions Local anesthetics inhibited both transient and sustained K+ currents in DRG neurons. Because K+ current inhibition is known to potentiate local anesthetic–induced impulse inhibition, the lower IC50 for IKn of small type 2 cells may reflect preferential inhibition of impulses in nociceptive neurons. The overall modulatory actions of local anesthetics probably are determined by their differential effects on presynaptic (DRG) and postsynaptic (dorsal horn neurons) K+ currents.
Pre-Existing Cardiac Disease, Troponin I Elevation and Mortality in Patients with Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock

A prospective, observational study was undertaken to determine the frequency of troponin I elevation and the incidence of pre-existing cardiac disease in patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, and to determine their relationship to mortality. The setting was the surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care medical centre. Sixty-six consecutive patients admitted with severe sepsis or septic shock requiring pulmonary artery catheterisation for haemodynamic monitoring were studied. Measurement of troponin I was done at the time of pulmonary artery catheterisation and every six to eight hours if there was ongoing tachycardia, hypotension or arrhythmias requiring treatment. Preexisting cardiac disease was determined from the patient and/or family members as well as from the medical record. Significant cardiac history was defined as prior myocardial infarction; abnormal treadmill report, nuclear medicine study or coronary angiogram; history of congestive heart failure or arrhythmia requiring treatment. Forty-two patients (64%) had elevated troponin I at study entrance and 23 patients (35%) had pre-existing cardiac disease. History of cardiac disease was associated with reduced cardiac index and oxygen delivery, and a nearly three-fold increase in mortality (44% vs. 16%, P=0.03), irrespective of elevated troponin I levels. Troponin I elevation alone was not associated with increased mortality. We conclude that pre-existing cardiac disease and elevated troponin I are commonly found in surgical patients with severe sepsis and septic shock. In our study, pre-existing cardiac disease, and not troponin I elevation, was associated with increased mortality.
Stoichiometric analysis of animal cell growth and its application in medium design

Animal cell cultivation in vitro has been studied for more than 40 years. However, the culture medium composition has not been designed on the basis of the stoichiometric nutritional demands for animal cell growth. In this article, a model was developed to study the stoichiometric demands for nutrients (including glucose, 20 amino acids, and 10 vitamins)for the synthesis of cell mass and product. The coefficients for these nutrients in the stoichiometric equation governing animal cell growth were determined based on cell composition. In addition, a detailed analysis of the nutrients′ roles in the synthesis of cell mass and product was also performed. Applications of the stoichiometric analysis in animal cell cultivation, such as culture medium design, supplemental medium formulation, and feeding strategy will also be discussed. The stoichiometric analysis can be potentially employed to analyze results from animal cell cultures, to improve the performance of culture processes, and to design new process rationally. It can also help to provide a better understanding of animal cell metabolism. Simplifications on the cellular energy metabolism were made in order to simplify the model and to provide the preliminary bases to test the process performance. However, this could introduce inaccuracies for the model and results in errors in the calculations of glucose and glutamine concentrations when employed in medium design. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Adult Rat Odontoblasts Lack Noxious Thermal Sensitivity

Dentin hypersensitivity is a common symptom treated in the dental clinic, yet the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are not clear. We hypothesized that odontoblasts detect noxious thermal stimuli by expressing temperature-sensing molecules, and investigated whether temperature-activated TRP channels (thermo-TRP channels), which are known to initiate temperature signaling, mediate temperature sensing in odontoblasts. mRNA expression of dentin sialophosphoprotein and collagenase type 1, odontoblast-specific proteins, was shown in acutely isolated adult rat odontoblasts by single-cell RT-PCR, while TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPM8, and TRPA1 were not detected. Application of noxious temperatures of 42°C and 12°C, as well as capsaicin, menthol, and icilin, agonists of thermo-TRP channels, failed to increase intracellular calcium concentration. Immunohistochemical study also revealed no expression of TRPV1. Thus, it is unlikely that odontoblasts serve as thermal sensors in teeth via thermo-TRP channels.
Prevalence and Correlates of HIV Infection Among Young Injection Drug Users in San Francisco

Objective: We assessed the prevalence of HIV infection and associated risk behaviors among street‐recruited young injection drug users (IDUs) in San Francisco. Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, 304 young (age <30 years) IDUs with a history of injecting in the previous 30 days were interviewed and tested for antibodies to HIV. Analyses assessing independent associations with HIV infection were limited to males only, due to the low number of infections in women. Results: The prevalence of HIV infection was 5.3% overall but was highly stratified by gender and sexual preference (15.6% among homosexual/bisexual men vs. heterosexual men) and recruitment neighborhood (18% in the Polk Street area). Of 16 HIV infections, 14 (88%) were in males. Factors independently associated with HIV infection in males included sexual preference (homosexual/bisexual vs. heterosexual: adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 7.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5‐36.6), recruitment neighborhood (Polk Street neighborhood vs. other neighborhoods: AOR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.4‐16.7), and duration of residence in San Francisco (≥1 year vs. <1 year: AOR, 11.8; 95% CI, 1.4‐95.8). Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV infection was highest among male IDUs who have sex with men. The strong associations between HIV infection and sexual orientation and HIV infection and recruitment locale suggest that risk may be attributable largely to sexual risk. In addition to successful prevention efforts aimed at reducing needle‐associated risk, current intervention models aimed at young IDUs should target high‐risk neighborhoods and emphasize sexual risk reduction measures, in particular among men who have sex with men.
Vitamin Supplement Use During Breast Cancer Treatment and Survival: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Antioxidants may protect normal cells from the oxidative damage that occurs during radiotherapy and certain chemotherapy regimens; however, the same mechanism could protect tumor cells and potentially reduce effectiveness of cancer treatments. We evaluated the association of vitamin supplement use in the first 6 months after breast cancer diagnosis and during cancer treatment with total mortality and recurrence. Methods: We conducted a population-based prospective cohort study of 4,877 women aged 20 to 75 years diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in Shanghai, China, between March 2002 and April 2006. Women were interviewed approximately 6 months after diagnosis and followed up by in-person interviews and record linkage with the vital statistics registry. Results: During a mean follow-up of 4.1 years, 444 deaths and 532 recurrences occurred. Vitamin use shortly after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with reduced mortality and recurrence risk, adjusted for multiple lifestyle factors, sociodemographics, and known clinical prognostic factors. Women who used antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, multivitamins) had 18% reduced mortality risk (HR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.65–1.02) and 22% reduced recurrence risk (HR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.63–0.95). The inverse association was found regardless of whether vitamin use was concurrent or nonconcurrent with chemotherapy, but was present only among patients who did not receive radiotherapy. Conclusions: Vitamin supplement use in the first 6 months after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with reduced risk of mortality and recurrence. Impact: Our results do not support the current recommendation that breast cancer patients should avoid use of vitamin supplements. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 20(2); 262–71. ©2010 AACR.
Up-regulated autophagy by endogenous high mobility group box-1 promotes chemoresistance in leukemia cells

Abstract Autophagy has recently attracted increasing attention for its role in conferring resistance to various commonly used anticancer therapies. Whereas its activities are known primarily to be under regulation of the high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) gene, the expression of HMGB1 and its function in leukemia cells still remain unclear. In this study, we found that HMGB1 was expressed abundantly in various kinds of both leukemia and non-blood cancer cell-lines, and its expression was positively correlated with clinical status in childhood leukemia. In leukemia cells, when endogenous HMGB1 increased starvation-induced autophagy, this reaction was inhibited by the suppression of HMGB1. While the use of autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), blocked the autophagic reaction and increased leukemia cell sensitivity to chemotherapy, enhancing HMGB1 expression decreased this sensitivity. Notably, suppressing HMGB1 expression also increased leukemia cell chemosensitivity. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway was found to be functionally connected with HMGB1. HMGB1 gene transfection increased the LC3-II level and inhibited phosphorylation of Akt and p70S6K levels. Knockdown of HMGB1 expression blocked the association between mTOR and raptor in the setting of enhanced autophagy. When class I PI3K was inhibited by PI3K-I shRNA, it decreased the PI3K-I expression level. Knockdown of HMGB1 expression had no further effects on LC3-II. These results suggest that endogenous HMGB1 is an intrinsic regulator of autophagy in leukemia cells and it enhances leukemia cell chemoresistance likely through the PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway.
The knowledge and practice on malaria among community members in Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES To assess the knowledge of the cause, preventive measures and symptoms of malaria, treatment seeking behaviour on malaria and source of information about malaria among community members for the planning of effective malaria intervention. DESIGN A cross sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire, which was administered by health workers from rural health centres. SETTING Households in rural areas from five districts namely Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe (UMP), Hurungwe, Mount Darwin, Bulilimamangwe and Chipinge in Zimbabwe. SUBJECTS 2,531 community members who were in charge of households sampled systematically in the area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Percentage of knowledge of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention methods such as residual house spraying and personal protection, and treatment seeking practice on malaria. RESULTS Knowledge of malaria transmission was generally high ranging from 57.9% to 95.9%, although there were some misconceptions such as drinking dirty water and poor hygiene. Knowledge of malaria preventive methods was varied among districts ranging from 19.4% to 93.0% about residual house spraying, and low (0.2% to 22.7%), (8.1% to 24.5%) about mosquito nets and repellents, respectively. Knowledge of malaria signs was generally high although this also varied among districts. Treatment seeking practice on malaria shows that the majority of respondents (85.4%) visit the clinic first when seeking treatment although there are other options such as shops and traditional healers. Other sources of information about malaria mentioned were, health workers (72.9%), radio (44.0%), television (37.5%), teachers (25.0%) and village community workers (10.0%). CONCLUSION Despite widespread knowledge about the cause of malaria and symptoms, and the fairly extensive sources of health information, understanding of the preventive measures was relatively low. Appropriate health education is essential to stimulate changes in both knowledge and behaviour in malaria control activities. Schools can be effective health education tools as well as health facilities.
Non‐invasive imaging of vulnerable plaques by molecular targeting of oxidized LDL with tagged oxidation‐specific antibodies

The concept of the “vulnerable” plaque has recently emerged to explain how quiescent atherosclerotic lesions evolve to cause clinical events. Vulnerable plaques are generally non‐obstructive, asymptomatic lesions that may abruptly rupture and induce thrombotic occlusion leading to tissue ischemia and its attendant sequelae. They are responsible for over 50% of cases of sudden death and acute myocardial infarction. The lipid component of vulnerable plaques, which is abundant and highly enriched in oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (OxLDL), strongly contributes to their propensity to rupture through physical, inflammatory, and thrombogenic properties. We hypothesized that OxLDL would serve as an ideal target to detect vulnerable plaques. In a series of experimental studies, we have shown that oxidation‐specific antibodies (Ox‐AB) specifically accumulate in vivo within lipid‐rich atherosclerotic lesions but not normal arteries, provide a quantitative measure of the content of OxLDL, allow detection of atherosclerosis progression and regression in the context of enhanced or reduced OxLDL content and non‐invasively image atherosclerotic lesions. Ox‐AB may be tagged with appropriate labels for use in nuclear scintigraphy, magnetic resonance, or ultrasound imaging. Potential research and clinical applications include studying the natural history of atherosclerosis in animal models and humans, evaluating novel drug or genetic therapies on progression and regression of atherosclerosis, evaluating plaque stability, screening and serial follow‐up of high‐risk individuals, non‐invasive imaging of vulnerable plaques, and assessing the clinical efficacy of new treatments of atherosclerosis. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppl. 39: 138–146, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of occupational exposure on severity of COPD.

BACKGROUND The relationship between occupational exposures and COPD has been analyzed in population-based and occupational cohort studies. However, the influence of these exposures on the clinical characteristics of COPD is not well known. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of occupational exposures on respiratory symptoms, lung function, and employment status in a series of COPD patients. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of 185 male COPD patients. Patients underwent baseline spirometry and answered a questionnaire that included information on respiratory symptoms, hospitalizations for COPD, smoking habits, current employment status, and lifetime occupational history. Exposure to biological dust, mineral dust, and gases and fumes was assessed using an ad hoc job exposure matrix. RESULTS Having worked in a job with high exposure to mineral dust or to any dusts, gas, or fumes was associated with an FEV(1) of < 30% predicted (mineral dust: relative risk ratio, 11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 95; dusts, gas, or fumes: relative risk ratio, 6.9; 95% CI, 1.1 to 45). High exposure to biological dust was associated with chronic sputum production (odds ratio [OR], 4.3; 95% CI, 1.6 to 12), dyspnea (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 6.7), and work inactivity (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4 to 4.2). High exposure to dusts, gas, or fumes was associated with sputum production (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2 to 6.7) and dyspnea (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.4). CONCLUSIONS Occupational exposures are independently associated with the severity of airflow limitation, respiratory symptoms, and work inactivity in patients with COPD.
Conditional asset pricing with liquidity risk: The illiquidity premium

This paper estimates a conditional version of the liquidity adjusted CAPM by Acharya and Pedersen (2005) using NYSE and AMEX data from 1926 to 2010 to study the level and time-variation in the illiquidity premium. The illiquidity premium is in this model determined by the level of expected illiquidity together with three types of illiquidity risks. We measure illiquidity of individual stocks by the e¢ cient spread proxy developed in Holden (2009) and employ illiquidity sorted portfolios as test assets. The average annual illiquidity premium calculated using the preferred econometric speci…cation is estimated to 1:55%, the respective contributions from illiquidity level being 1:15% and from the three dierent illiquidity risks 0:40%. Results also indicate that commonality risk is the least important component in the illiquidity risk premium, while a component related to the hedging of wealth shocks is the most important. The illiquidity premium varies substantially over time, with peaks in downturns and crises, but with no general tendency to decrease over time.