Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Efficacy of endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting for gastric outlet obstruction caused by unresectable gastric cancer].

BACKGROUND In this retrospective study, we investigated the clinical outcomes of endoscopic gastroduodenal stenting (EGDS) for gastric outlet obstruction( GOO) caused by unresectable gastric cancer( UGC). METHODS A retrospective study was performed on 20 UGC patients with GOO between 2007 and 2012. We compared the clinical outcomes of EGDS using the WallFlex stent( GDS group, n=8) and palliative Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy( RYGJ group, n=12). RESULTS The numbers of patients with a poor performance status and prior use of chemotherapy were higher in the GDS group than in the RYGJ group. No postoperative complications were observed, and the GOO score improved in both groups. The median days taken to resume oral food intake, the median duration of oral food intake, and the median survival time in the RYGJ and GDS groups were 4 and 3 days( p=0.0008), 301 and 151 days( p=0.0698), and 345 and 161 days (p=0.0070), respectively. CONCLUSIONS EGDS for GOO caused by UGC can be performed safely even after chemotherapy and is beneficial in terms of improvement of oral food intake.
Corneal recovery after lasik for high myopia: a 2-year prospective confocal microscopic study

Aim: To quantify human corneal recovery after moderate to high myopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in a 2-year prospective follow-up study. Methods: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients (mean refraction −10.1 (SD 2.4) D) were examined preoperatively and postoperatively at day 1, 5 days, 2 weeks, 1, 3 and 6 months and 2 years. Biomicroscopy, visual acuity and refraction were examined prior to imaging studies. An in vivo tandem scanning confocal microscope was used to obtain images from the central cornea. Subbasal nerve density was measured as the total length of nerve trunks in confocal image per mm2. Keratocyte density was calculated manually from stromal sublayers. The thickness of the altered keratocyte zone was measured on both sides of the LASIK interface. Results: At the end of the follow-up, all patients had a 20/20 BCVA, and nine of 15 patients were within ±0.5 D of the intended correction. The total corneal thickness remained unaltered, but epithelial hyperplasia was seen at 2 years. Keratocyte density in the anterior stroma and posterior to the flap interface showed a slight decrease during the follow-up. Subbasal nerve density decreased 82% in 5 days after LASIK. A gradual increase was observed from 2 weeks postoperatively, but even 2 years after the operation the nerve density was only 64% from the preoperative values. Conclusions: Subbasal nerve fibre density shows a gradual recovery throughout the follow-up. However, only three subjects showed totally regenerated subbasal nerve fibres at 2 years. This may correlate with the observed decrease in the density of the most anterior keratocytes. Corneal remodelling seemed to continue for at least 2 years.
Optimizing Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Prodigiosin by Response Surface Methodology

Prodigiosin extraction from dried Serratia marcescens jx1 cells using ultrasound-assisted extraction was optimized. The experiment was carried out in accordance with a central composite design (CCD) three-level and single-variable approach. The extraction time, extraction temperature, and solute to solvent ratio with the application of ultrasonication were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize the extraction of prodigiosin from dried S. marcescens jx1 cells. The response of prodigiosin was determined using spectrophotometry. A quadratic model was established to predict the prodigiosin extraction yield. The analysis of variance showed that the quadratic model significantly contributed to the response of prodigiosin. The optimal extraction parameters were an extraction time of 17.5 min, an extraction temperature of 23.4°C, and a solvent-to-solute ratio of 1:27.2. Under these optimum conditions, the average prodigiosin yield was 4.3 g ± 0.02 g from 100 g of dried cells, which matches the predicted values. The obtained optimum conditions for prodigiosin extraction provide a scientific basis for the economical large-scale production of prodigiosin.
The treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children by endoscopic sub-mucosal intra-ureteral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid: A case-series, multi-centre study

Background Vesicoureteral reflux is a risk factor for progressive renal damage. In addition to long-term antibiotic prophylaxis and open surgical re-implantation, endoscopic sub-mucosal intra-ureteral injection of implant material is a therapeutic alternative that gained a world-wide preference. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of the implant material, dextranomer/hyaluronic acid, in a cohort of Saudi children with vesicoureteral reflux. Methods In this case-series study, 61 patients with vesicoureteral reflux, who were 7 months to 10 years old (mean age 2.6 years), underwent sub-mucosal intra-ureteral injection of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid at our institutions in the period from October 2003 to October 2013. The operative protocol was the same in all institutions. Dextranomer/hyaluronic acid was injected submucosally within the intramural ureter (modified STING). Renal ultrasonography was performed to detect the presence of hydronephrosis. At 6 weeks’ fluoroscopic voiding cystourethrograms were used to evaluate the success of the technique. Data were analysed by SPSS version 19 using Pearson Chi square, Fisher’s Exact and Cramér’s V test. Results Reflux was corrected in 44 patients out of 61 (72.13%) and in 60 (75.00%) out of 80 ureteric units. Statistically, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in success rate of the technique according to gender, age group and unilateral vs. bilateral cases. The success rate was significantly (p=0.025) higher in the lower grades (I-III) (87.50%) compared to grade IV (73.53%) and grade V (50.00%). No complications related to the technique were reported. The technique had failed in 17 patients (27.87%) or 20 ureters (25.00%). These cases underwent open surgery. Conclusion Sub-mucosal intra-ureteral implantation with dextranomer/hyaluronic acid by the modified STING technique is a simple, safe and effective outpatient procedure for vesicoureteral reflux.
Short-Term, Low-Volume Training Improves Heat Acclimatization in an Operational Context

Personnel who travel to areas with a hot climate (WBGT > 27°C) may suffer from the heat (physiological strain, thermal discomfort, increased probability of heat illness), making them partially or fully inoperative. Performing physical activities during heat acclimatization is known to improve this process (i.e., improve measures of acclimatization for the same duration of acclimation). However, it is unknown whether such training would be efficient in an operative context, characterized by a high volume of work-related physical activity. Thirty French soldiers (Training group, T) performed a short (5 days), progressive, moderate (from three to five 8-min running sets at 50% of the speed at VO2max for 32–56 min) aerobic training program upon arriving at their base in United Arab Emirates (~40°C and 12% RH). A control group (30 soldiers; No Training, NT) continued to perform their usual outdoor military activities (~6 h.d−1). A field heat stress test (HST; three 8-min running sets at 50% of the speed at VO2max) was performed, before and after the heat acclimatization period, to assess physiological and subjective changes. Rectal temperature, heart rate (HR), thermal discomfort at rest and at the end of exercise, rates of perceived exertion (RPE), and sweat loss and osmolality decreased following heat acclimatization in both groups. However, the decreases in the T group were larger than those in the NT group for HR at the end of exercise (−20 ± 13 vs. −13 ± 6 bpm, respectively, p = 0.044), thermal discomfort at rest (−2.6 ± 2.7 vs. −1.4 ± 2.1 cm, respectively, p = 0.013) and at the end of exercise (−2.6 ± 1.9 vs. −1.6 ± 1.7 cm, respectively, p = 0.037) and RPE (−2.3 ± 1.8 vs. −1.3 ± 1.7, respectively, p = 0.035). Thus, we showed that adding short (<60 min), daily, moderate-intensity training sessions during a professional mission in a hot and dry environment accelerated several heat-acclimatization-induced changes at rest and during exercise in only 5 days.
Antioxidant Activity of Nebivolol in the Rat Aorta

The &bgr;-blocker nebivolol is a racemic mixture of d- and l- enantiomers that displays negative inotropic as well as direct vasorelaxant activity. In addition, it has been proposed that nebivolol exerts endothelium-protective effects caused by its antioxidant properties. In the present study we investigated the effect of d-, l-, and d/l-nebivolol on reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced endothelial damage and compared it with carvedilol and metoprolol. Isolated rat aortic rings were exposed to ROS by electrolysis of the organ bath medium. Before and after electrolysis, endothelial function was measured by preconstricting the vessels with phenylephrine followed by the addition of methacholine. Carvedilol and nebivolol protected against ROS-induced endothelial damage, whereas metoprolol did not. The protective effect of nebivolol proved not to be stereoselective. Furthermore, we attempted to determine whether nebivolol acts a scavenger itself or whether another mechanism is involved. By means of HPLC measurements it was shown that nebivolol concentrations were decreased after exposure to electrolysis-induced ROS, thus indicating that nebivolol is degraded by its reaction with ROS. Functional experiments, in the rat aorta, demonstrated that exposure of nebivolol to ROS also affects its vasodilator activity. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that nebivolol alleviates ROS-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. This protective effect is very likely the result of a direct ROS-scavenging action by the nebivolol molecule itself.
Clinical and subthreshold panic disorder

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a highly prevalent and disabling condition, and subthreshold cases may be even more prevalent. This study examined psychiatric comorbidities, work functioning, and health‐care utilization of individuals with subthreshold panic. The purpose of this study was to add to the accumulating evidence of significant comorbidity and disability associated with subthreshold PD. Methods: Data are drawn from the Health Care for Communities study, a national household survey of the United States' adult, civilian, noninstitutionalized population (N=9585). Data assessing psychiatric disorders, employment and work productivity, and health‐care utilization were collected. Seven categories of panic and subthreshold panic were created. Results: The prevalence of clinical and subthreshold panic in the general population was 40%. Subthreshold panic was associated with increased odds of several comorbid disorders, including depression, dysthymia, psychosis, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and alcohol and drug use disorders. Subthreshold panic was also associated with greater likelihood of health‐care service utilization but not with the intensity of mental health services. Conclusion: Psychiatric comorbidities and health‐care utilization are common among patients with subthreshold panic. The relationship between varying degrees of panic symptomology and other mental health problems and indices of functioning impairment warrants further investigation. These results inform further research focusing on the course of subthreshold PD and its impact on quality of life. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute myocardial infarction in the young--The University of Michigan experience.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to assess frequency, risk factors, treatment, and complications of very young patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) at the University of Michigan Medical Center (UMMC). METHODS From a database of 976 consecutive patients admitted to the UMMC with acute MI between 1995 and 1998, we compared care and outcomes of patients divided into 3 age categories: <46 years, 46-54 years, and >54 years. Risk factors, presenting symptoms, type of MI, management, complications, and hospital outcomes of the 3 groups were evaluated. RESULTS Young patients represented >10% of all patients with acute MI, and >25% of these individuals were women, a number considerably higher than seen in previous studies. This group of young patients was more likely to have Q-wave MI and risk factors such as family history and tobacco use and less likely to have a history of angina. Although all 3 groups received similar inpatient treatment, there was more attention paid to risk factor modification such as smoking cessation and referral to cardiac rehabilitation in younger individuals. Young patients had fewer in-hospital complications and a lower mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS At the University of Michigan, >1 in 10 with acute MI is <46 years old. Data suggest that current management and aggressive risk factor modification are quite good in this particular group, and overall the mortality rate is very low.
Functionally identifiable apoptosis-insensitive subpopulations determine chemoresistance in acute myeloid leukemia.

Upfront resistance to chemotherapy and relapse following remission are critical problems in leukemia that are generally attributed to subpopulations of chemoresistant tumor cells. There are, however, limited means for prospectively identifying these subpopulations, which hinders an understanding of therapeutic resistance. BH3 profiling is a functional single-cell analysis using synthetic BCL-2 BH3 domain-like peptides that measures mitochondrial apoptotic sensitivity or "priming. " Here, we observed that the extent of apoptotic priming is heterogeneous within multiple cancer cell lines and is not the result of experimental noise. Apoptotic priming was also heterogeneous in treatment-naive primary human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) myeloblasts, and this heterogeneity decreased in chemotherapy-treated AML patients. The priming of the most apoptosis-resistant tumor cells, rather than the median priming of the population, best predicted patient response to induction chemotherapy. For several patients, these poorly primed subpopulations of AML tumor cells were enriched for antiapoptotic proteins. Developing techniques to identify and understand these apoptosis-insensitive subpopulations of tumor cells may yield insights into clinical chemoresistance and potentially improve therapeutic outcomes in AML.
Direct Evidence for Control of the Pheromone-Inducible prgQ Operon of Enterococcus faecalis Plasmid pCF10 by a Countertranscript-Driven Attenuation Mechanism

ABSTRACT The mating response of Enterococcus faecalis cells carrying the conjugative plasmid pCF10 is controlled by multiple regulatory circuits. Initiation of transcription of the prgQ conjugation operon is controlled by the peptide receptor protein PrgX; binding of the pheromone peptide cCF10 to PrgX abolishes PrgX repression, while binding of the inhibitor peptide iCF10 enhances repression. The results of molecular analysis of prgQ transcripts and genetic studies suggested that the elongation of prgQ transcripts past a putative terminator (IRS1) may be controlled by the interaction of nascent prgQ mRNAs with a small antisense RNA (Anti-Q) encoded within prgQ. Direct evidence for interaction of these RNAs, as well as the resulting effects on readthrough of prgQ transcription, has been limited. Here we report the results of experiments that (i) determine the inherent termination properties of prgQ transcripts in the absence of Anti-Q; (ii) determine the direct effects of the interaction of Anti-Q with nascent prgQ transcripts in the absence of complicating effects of the PrgX protein; and (iii) begin to dissect the structural components involved in these interactions. The results confirm the existence of alternative terminating and antiterminating forms of nascent prgQ transcripts in vivo and demonstrate that the interaction of Anti-Q with these transcripts leads to termination via inhibition of antiterminator formation. In vitro transcription assays support the major results of the in vivo studies. The data support a model for Anti-Q function suggested from recent studies of these RNAs and their interactions in vitro (S. Shokeen, C. M. Johnson, T. J. Greenfield, D. A. Manias, G. M. Dunny, and K. E. Weaver, submitted for publication).
Developmental regulation and individual differences of neuronal H3K4me3 epigenomes in the prefrontal cortex

Little is known about the regulation of neuronal and other cell-type specific epigenomes from the brain. Here, we map the genome-wide distribution of trimethylated histone H3K4 (H3K4me3), a mark associated with transcriptional regulation, in neuronal and nonneuronal nuclei collected from prefrontal cortex (PFC) of 11 individuals ranging in age from 0.5 to 69 years. Massively parallel sequencing identified 12,732–19,704 H3K4me3 enriched regions (peaks), the majority located proximal to (within 2 kb of) the transcription start site (TSS) of annotated genes. These included peaks shared by neurons in comparison with three control (lymphocyte) cell types, as well as peaks specific to individual subjects. We identified 6,213 genes that show highly enriched H3K4me3 in neurons versus control. At least 1,370 loci, including annotated genes and novel transcripts, were selectively tagged with H3K4me3 in neuronal but not in nonneuronal PFC chromatin. Our results reveal age-correlated neuronal epigenome reorganization, including decreased H3K4me3 at approximately 600 genes (many function in developmental processes) during the first year after birth. In comparison, the epigenome of aging (>60 years) PFC neurons showed less extensive changes, including increased H3K4me3 at 100 genes. These findings demonstrate that H3K4me3 in human PFC is highly regulated in a cell type- and subject-specific manner and highlight the importance of early childhood for developmentally regulated chromatin remodeling in prefrontal neurons.
The dynamics of firm growth, size and liquidity constraints for Botswana listed firms

The study employed panel Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model and panel Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model to examine the dynamic linkages among firm growth, liquidity and firm size. Specifically the study sought to: examine the key variables explaining the growth of firms in an emerging market; examine the reaction of one variable to innovations in another variable within the system and to identify the major drivers of changes in the main variable and the magnitude of the total effect over a certain period of time. Findings, using both panel VAR and panel OLS, showed that growth of firms is financially constrained by the availability of cash flows. There is a significant relationship between cash flows and firm growth which is consistent with theoretical prediction of imperfect capital markets. The panel VAR analysis further that the presence of financial constraints is sensitive to the measure of firm growth. The study shows the existence of causal relationship among firm size, liquidity and growth. Firm size, depending on measure adopted, is affected by availability of cash flows. Variations in investment expenditure were the main drivers of changes in firm growth, firm size and liquidity. The study suggests the need to improve and have a diversified access to finance. Policy makers should aim to develop the financial sector to guarantee sustainable access to bank and stock market finance. The development of strong institutions and reduction of information asymmetry is highly recommended.
Neural control of swimming in Aplysia brasiliana. III. Serotonergic modulatory neurons.

1. We describe a group of serotonergic neurons in the pedal ganglia of Aplysia brasiliana and characterize their modulatory effects on the motoneuron input to swimming muscles of the parapodia. Each pedal ganglion contains one cluster of large neurons near its dorsomedial surface that fires in phase with opening (downstroke) of the parapodia; these have been designated parapodial opener-phase (POP) cells. 2. POP cells are large, number 15-20 per ganglion, have peripheral axons in parapodial nerves, have distinctively shaped action potentials, and fire in bursts phasically with motoneurons during the opening, or downstroke portion, of parapodial movement during fictive swimming. Firing individual POP cells with intracellular current indicates that they have no direct detectable effect on muscle, causing neither junction potentials nor contractions. 3. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) staining, immunocytochemistry using serotonin (5-HT) antibodies, and direct biochemical measurements revealed that POP cells are serotonergic. Serotonergic nerve endings were also seen in parapodial muscle. 4. Simultaneous intracellular recordings and use of altered divalent concentrations revealed that no detectable direct synaptic interactions exist between POP cells and motor neurons. 5. When POP cells and motoneurons were simultaneously recorded while measuring muscle contractions, it was found that POP cell activity enhances motoneuron-induced tension by 120-900%, averaging around 300%. Variability in the efficacy of individual POP cells suggests that they may influence specific regions or groups of muscle fibers. 6. POP cell activity also significantly increased the rate of relaxation of parapodial muscle contractions, averaging about a 40% reduction in the time required to relax to one-half peak tension. Increased relaxation rate implies a postsynaptic change in muscle behavior. 7. The effectiveness of POP cells to increase contraction tension and relaxation rate was positively correlated with POP cell spike frequency. These effects were slow (seconds) in onset and could persist for a minute or more after cessation of POP firing. Concurrent motoneuron activity is not required for modulation by POP cells. 8. Simultaneous intracellular recording from a POP cell, motoneuron, and muscle fiber revealed that POP cell activity enhanced the amplitude of motoneuron-induced excitatory junction potentials (EJPs). Activity of POP cells did not alter muscle fiber membrane potential, but the experiments left open the possibility that EJP enhancement is presynaptic, postsynaptic, or a combination. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Expression of histidine decarboxylase messenger RNA and histamine N‐methyltransferase messenger RNA in nasal allergy

Histamine is an important chemical mediator in allergic rhinitis. Histamine is synthesized by l‐histidine, catalysed by l‐histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and metabolized mainly by histamine N‐methyltransferase (HMT). The patients with allergic rhinitis may have altered histamine metabolism in the nasal tissue.