Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity to House Dust Mites Allergens in Patients with Allergic Asthma in Erzincan Province, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the sensitivity of allergic asthma (AA) patients to house dust mites (HDM) by conducting skin tests, measuring total and specific IgE antibodies to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae mites, and examining HDM fauna in patients' homes. METHODS The study included 25 patients with AA and 31 healthy controls, who were challenged with Der p and Der f allergens; serum levels of allergen-specific lgE and total IgE were measured. Dust samples were collected from the homes of all participants, and mite species and the number of mites per gram of dust were investigated. RESULTS D. pteronyssinus was found in the homes of 94.7% patients with positive Der p reactions in the skin test (p<0.001). D. farinae was found in the homes of 22.2% patients with positive Der f reactions in the skin test (p>0.05). D. pteronyssinus-specific IgE was detected in 75% patients in whose homes D. pteronyssinus was also found, while D. farinae-specific IgE was detected in 16.6% patients in whose homes D. farinae was also found. CONCLUSION A part of AA patients residing in Erzincan are sensitive to HDM allergens, and high numbers of mites leading to allergic sensitization are found in their homes.
Fluoride in Plaque

Large concentrations of fluoride in dental plaque were reported by Dawes et al (Brit Dent J 119: 164, 1965). Jenkins et al (Arch Oral Biol 14: 105-119, 1969) estimated that with the Orion fluoride electrode the ionic fluoride in human plaque was only 2 to 3% of the total fluoride and suggested that much of the fluoride in plaque bacteria cultured in a medium containing 50 ppm fluoride is bound within bacterial cells. Two separate pools (1 and 2) of plaque material were collected in the dental clinics at the University of Minnesota Dental School and the Hennepin County General Hospital in Minneapolis. The population in this region has access to municipal water containing 1 ppm fluoride. The determined concentration of total fluoride in pool 1 was similar when the electrode was used to determine the fluoride isolated after diffusion from unashed plaque (18.9 + 2.97 [SD] ppm) or from the ash of plaque fixed with Ca3(PO4)2 before ashing (18.8 + 0.37 [SD] ppm) (L. SINGER and W. D. ARMSTRONG: Anal Chem 40:613, 1968). When specimens of the plaque in pool 1 were dispersed in isotonic saline and buffered to pH 4.7 with acetate buffer, 7.4% of the plaque fluoride was responsive to the fluoride electrode. Similar results were obtained with plaque material of pool 2, which contained 13.7 + 0.58 (SD) ppm total fluoride in the fresh state. When the pool 2 plaque sample was placed in a small volume of isotonic saline in a cellophane dialysis bag (5 ml) and dialyzed for 24 hours against a large volume of isotonic saline (20 ml, pH 6.0), the total plaque fluoride was dialyzable
Ethanol Increases Cytochrome P4502E1 and Induces Oxidative Stress in Astrocytes

Abstract: We demonstrate the presence of cytochrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) in astrocytes in primary culture, its induction by ethanol, and the concomitant generation of free radical species. Double immunofluorescence using anti‐CYP2E1 and anti‐glial fibrillary acidic protein showed that CYP2E1 was distributed over the cytoplasm and processes, although labeling was more pronounced over the nuclear membrane. Immunogold labeling confirmed this pattern of distribution. Addition of 25 mM ethanol to the astrocyte culture medium for 14 days resulted in an increase in the CYP2E1 content, as determined by confocal microscopy and dot blot. In addition, ethanol induced a dose‐dependent increase in the formation of reactive oxygen species that was partially prevented by incubating the astrocytes with anti‐CYP2E1. Alcohol also induced a dose‐dependent increase in malonaldehyde and hydroxynonenal formation and a depletion of the glutathione (GSH) content. These results suggest that ethanol induces oxidative damage in astrocytes, which could explain some of the toxic effects of ethanol on these cells, such as cytoskeletal alterations. This assumption is supported here by the fact that an increase in GSH content prevents the deleterious effects of alcohol on the cytoskeleton of astrocytes. These results suggest that importance of oxidative stress as a mechanism involved in alcohol‐induced neural and brain damage.
The Use of Expensive Health Technologies in the Era of Managed Care: The Remarkable Case of Neonatal Intensive Care

The use of neonatal intensive care (NIC) continued to rise rapidly in the 1990s despite the concerns of observers about its cost effectiveness and its successes being mostly in facilities with high volume and capabilities. The objective of this study is to test the effects of insurance type, competition among hospitals, and market pressure from managed care plans on the supply and cost of NIC. The analysis uses logistic and linear models with techniques to avoid bias from (a) market area definitions based on actual patient flows and (b) self-selection of hospitals by patients with unmeasured risk of needing NIC. The data source contains all births in short-term hospitals in New Jersey during 1990 and 1994. Both the number of days and charges for NIC are reported. Key findings are that the decision of a hospital to offer NIC was associated with teaching status, the proportion of infants in the market area with documented high risk, and the market concentration of major competitors. The market share of managed care plans and the concentration of enrollment were not associated with either NIC being offered or with the standardized charges. Whether a particular patient was given to a NIC depended on patient risk factors and whether a NIC unit was present, but not on payer group. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that young insured parents (with the advice of their obstetricians) prefer hospitals with NIC and also are relatively profitable enrollees for health plans. In conclusion: using the results here and in other research, public and private policy makers may consider several ways to strengthen the incentives for health plans to contract for cost-effective birth-related services. The results also raise questions for a number of regulatory and payment policies and call for better public data on costs and outcomes for NIC.
A receptor for Fc on mouse B-lymphocytes.

Antigen-antibody complexes derived from rabbit antibodies bind to mouse spleen lymphocytes. This binding was detected by the inhibition of reverse immune cytoadherence (RICA), a technique detecting surface γ globulin and suggests that these complexes bind to γ globulin carrying B-cells. Complement is not a requirement for binding. Complexes made from 5S bivalent antibodies do not bind nor does 7S antibody or normal γ globulin. Chemically produced microaggregates of ferritin show no binding. Mouse complexes made with mouse γG (7Sγ2a) antibodies also bind to mouse spleen cells. Fc fragments isolated by papain digestion of rabbit antibodies also inhibit RICA and Fc crystals can form around the mouse spleen lymphocytes. Fc from normal rabbit γ globulin is less inhibitory. These results are presented as evidence of the existence of a receptor, provisionally called the Fc receptor, on the surface of mouse spleen lymphocytes which are probably B-cells.
Case Characteristics and Use of Oseltamivir in Children and Household Contacts

In May 2009, the onset of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) began in Buenos Aires schools and a containment program was implemented. We report the first 191 school-aged cases. Influenza (H1N1) was a mild disease in children. Oseltamivir was well tolerated and resulted in a significantly reduced duration of symptoms in this group. Oseltamivir was also effective at preventing secondary cases.
Conditional Effects of Gain–Loss-Framed Narratives among Current Smokers at Different Stages of Change

This study examines how current smokers respond differently to gain–loss-framed antismoking narratives depending on their stages of change to quit smoking. An experiment (N = 461) was conducted with a 2 (narrative perspective: first person vs. third person) × 2 (framing: gain vs. loss) factorial design having smoker’s stage of change (precontemplation vs. contemplation/preparation) as a moderator. We observed differential framing effects depending on smoker’s current stages of change only when they were exposed to first-person narratives. For precontemplators, a loss-framed (vs. a gain-framed) first-person narrative induced greater quit intentions and stage progression. Conversely, among contemplators and preparers, a gain-framed (vs. a loss-framed) first-person narrative led to greater quit intentions and stage progression. These interactive patterns were partly mediated by self-referencing and perceived similarity. This study proposes an alternative mechanism to explain the conditional framing effect by stages of change and highlights the importance of tailoring messages to smoker’s psychosocial characteristics and needs.
Effects of low-dose, noncytotoxic, intraarticular liposomal clodronate on development of erosions and proteoglycan loss in established antigen-induced arthritis in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical and histologic effects of an intraarticular application of low-dose (non-cytotoxic) liposomal clodronate in established antigen-induced monarthritis (AIA) in rabbits. METHODS AIA was monitored by assessments of joint swelling, C-reactive protein levels, and radiographic changes in 17 NZW rabbits for 8 weeks during the course of weekly intraarticular injections of liposomal clodronate (0.145 mg/injection, low dose) or "empty" liposomes. The contralateral knee was injected with liposome buffer alone as the control. End-point analyses included macroscopic joint examination, immuno- and TUNEL staining, Safranin O staining/microspectrophotometry, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) convertase enzyme (TACE) inhibition assay. RESULTS Liposomal clodronate-treated rabbits showed a reduction and delay in joint swelling during the first 3 injections. Expression of matrix-bound (solubilized) TNFalpha, lining cell hyperplasia, and levels of RAM-11+ macrophages were low in the synovium of the liposomal clodronate treatment group, but the proportion of apoptotic lining cells was not affected. The radiologic score was low at the end of weeks 2 and 4, but at 8 weeks, no difference, compared with controls, was found in pannus formation or in the extent of joint erosion; also, joint swelling was higher than before initiation of treatment. Injections of liposomal clodronate prevented cartilage proteoglycan loss, which was significant in the superficial zone only. TACE activity was not inhibited by clodronate. CONCLUSION Liposomal clodronate had temporary antiinflammatory and antierosive effects on established AIA in rabbits. Over the long-term, the loss of cartilage proteoglycans was halted. This observed treatment effect may be related to the inhibition of TNFalpha production and processing in the synovium.
Nipple–Areola Complex Preservation: Predictive Factors of Neoplastic Nipple–Areola Complex Invasion

Recently, skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) with nipple–areola complex (NAC) preservation has been promoted as an oncologically safe procedure in practice for selected patients. The criteria of selection have not been yet defined precisely. The focus of this study was to investigate predictive factors of NAC-base neoplastic involvement to define the indications for NAC preservation. A prospective clinical study was conducted of 108 randomly selected female patients with invasive breast cancer. Analyzed markers of NAC involvement were tumor–nipple distance (TND), tumor size, localization, histologic type, grade, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), site, and axillary lymph-node status. The definitive histologic findings of the NAC base were compared with analyzed markers and the frozen section results. NAC base was positive in 23.15% patients at definitive histology with false-negative results in 4.63% patients at intraoperative frozen section. Significant differences were found in TND, tumor size, axillary lymph-node status, and LVI. There were no significant differences in tumor grade and site and not enough cases for statistical evaluation in histologic type and localization. Clinical indications for NAC preservation, according to this study, include tumors ≤2.5 cm, TND >4 cm, negative axillary lymph node status, and no LVI. Considering the possibility of pre- or intraoperative measurement, tumor size, and TND evaluation will result in the lowest possible mistakes in NAC preservation. Frozen section analyses of the NAC base, because of the “false-negative” possibility, could be deemed as a relative prognostic factor until definitive histologic findings. The presence of an extensive intraductal component (EIC) in the “borderline” cases of these criteria could be an additional argument for NAC removal.
Changes in rat pineal stores of 5-hydroxytryptamine after inhibition of its synthesis or break-down.

The formation and break-down of 5-HT in the rat pineal gland during daylight conditions has been investigated with a combination of fluorescence microscopic and fluorimetric methods. 5-HT occurs in large and equal amounts in the pinealocytes and in the intrapineal sympathetic nerve fibres. Inhibition of 5-HT synthesis either at the hydroxylation or at the decarboxylation step causes parenchymal 5-HT to disappear within one to two hours, while little change is found in the nervous indole level. This indicates a turn-over rate for 5-HT in the pinealocytes considerably higher than in the intrapineal nerves. An intact sympathetic innervation of the pinealocytes is not essential for the 5-HT turn-over. Although monoamine oxidase is active in the degradation of pineal 5-HT, inhibition of the enzyme does not increase pineal 5-HT levels overtly, nor does it interfere with the turnover rate in the pinealocytes. Various explanations for this are offered.
Malignant melanotic schwannoma fine‐needle aspiration biopsy findings

We describe the cytologic, histologic, and clinical features of two cases of melanotic schwannoma, arising in the neck and superior mediastinum, respectively. Cytologic findings in both cases included the presence of cells with heavily pigmented cytoplasm, showing long branching projections. The cells were arranged in clusters, with ill‐defined boundaries. Histologic findings included interlacing fascicles of cells, with abundant melanin pigment, calcification, and necrosis. Immunohistochemical stains were positive for S.100 protein and anti‐human melanoma (HMB45). Both patients died with metastases. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;18: 284–286. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rechargeable batteries and their management

With the consumer electronics, electric vehicles (EVs) and portable product markets growing, design of battery packs can challenge the designer because they are no longer a simple configuration of cells. They could contain many safety features, intelligence, energy aware models and selective batteries feeding the host product, serial data communication, and even recycling suggestions. In all these situations, a simple concept which should be kept in mind by designers is that batteries are like human beings, and they need care and intelligence.
Statistical Analysis of Adsorption Models for Oligonucleotide Microarrays

Recent analyses have shown that the relationship between intensity measurements from high density oligonucleotide microarrays and known concentration is non linear. Thus many measurements of so-called gene expression are neither measures of transcript nor mRNA concentration as might be expected. Intensity as measured in such microarrays is a measurement of fluorescent dye attached to probe-target duplexes formed during hybridization of a sample to the probes on the microarray. We develop several dynamic adsorption models relating fluorescent dye intensity to target RNA concentration, the simplest of which is the equilibrium Langmuir isotherm, or hyperbolic response function. Using data from the Affymerix HG-U95A Latin Square experiment, we evaluate various physical models, including equilibrium and non-equilibrium models, by applying maximum likelihood methods. We show that for these data, equilibrium Langmuir isotherms with probe dependent parameters are appropriate. We describe how probe sequence information may then be used to estimate the parameters of the Langmuir isotherm in order to provide an improved measure of absolute target concentration.
Coagulation and fibrinolytic parameters in patients undergoing total hip replacement: influence of the anaesthesia technique

Eighty patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) were randomly allocated to three groups. Group I (n=29) received general anaesthesia, Group II (n=29) epidural anaesthesia and Group III (n=22) the same epidural as Group II and the same general anaesthesia as Group I but with a lower isoflurane concentration. Prothrombin time (PT), activated thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (FG), plasminogen (PG), antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (Proc C), α‐2‐antiplasmin (α2 AP), Factor VIII coagulating activity (F VIII: C), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor (vWF: Rcof), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) as antigen and activity were measured before induction (A), at the end of surgery (B), on the first postoperative morning (C) and 7 days postoperatively (D). The most relevant finding was that AT III was equally depressed immediately after surgery in all groups, but returned to normal significantly faster in the epidural group (mean values at C: 96.2% in Group I, 104.1% in Group II, 92.7% in Group III). The faster return to normal of AT III after epidural anaesthesia could be one of the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effect of this technique on the prevention of thromboembolic complications.
Effects of Combined UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1*28 and 1A6*2 on Paracetamol Pharmacokinetics in β-Thalassemia/HbE

In addition to pathophysiological changes, genetic variations can alter drug pharmacokinetics in patients with thalassemia. Numerous drugs are metabolized by UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT) including paracetamol (PCM), a widely used analgesic. Co-occurrence of the UGT1A1 polymorphism (UGT1A1*28) and the UGT1A6 polymorphism (UGT1A6*2) may affect PCM glucuronidation. To elucidate the effect of these combined polymorphisms on the PCM metabolism in thalassemic patients, 15 β-thalassemia/hemoglobin E subjects with three different UGT1A genotypes received a single oral dose of 1,000 mg PCM. Drug disposition was determined by HPLC. Patients who have UGT1A6*2 without UGT1A1*28 showed a significant, lower area under concentration-time curve (AUC₀→∞) of PCM, PCM-glucuronide and PCM-sulfate than those of the patients with wild-type UGT1A1 and UGT1A6 (p < 0.05). In addition, a high elimination rate constant and clearance of PCM and its metabolites were also found in these patients (p < 0.05). Ourstudy suggests that a subtherapeutic level of PCM may occur in patients who have UGT1A6*2 without UGT1A1*28.
The Challenge of Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism in Elderly Patients: Influence of Age on Commonly Used Diagnostic Tests and Strategies

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated. The prevalence of PE increases markedly with age, and its diagnosis in elderly people is difficult because many cardiopulmonary conditions may mimic clinical presentation of PE, and age may unfavorably influence the characteristics of diagnostic tests for PE. The modern approach to PE is based on sequential diagnostic strategies based on clinical probability, D‐dimer measurement, lower limb compression ultrasonography, ventilation‐perfusion lung scan, and helical computed tomography (hCT). Pulmonary angiogram is rarely necessary because the noninvasive diagnostic evaluation is usually conclusive. Age reduces the clinical usefulness of D‐dimer and ventilation‐perfusion lung scan. D‐dimer allows excluding PE in only 5% of patients aged 80 and older, compared with 60% younger than 40. Similarly, the rate of inconclusive ventilation‐perfusion lung scans is almost twice as high (58%) in patients older than 70 and in patients younger than 40 (32%). In contrast, aging does not change the diagnostic accuracy of clinical probability assessment, whether empirical or as determined by prediction rules, nor appear to influence the diagnostic characteristics of lower limb compression ultrasonography and hCT. Therefore, a rational diagnostic approach to PE in older people should rest mainly on the sequential use of those tests that have demonstrated strong diagnostic yield, accuracy, and safety in this population.
Thiadiazolidinone-8 Ameliorates Inflammation Associated with Experimental Colitis in Mice

Thiadiazolidinone-8 (TDZD-8) is an effective thiadiazolidinone derivate that is able to suppress the expression of inflammatory cytokines; it also presents tissue protective actions by glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inhibition, promoting thus an anti-inflammatory effect. Since inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disease with reduced quality of life, where currently available therapies are only able to induce or maintain the patient in remission, it is crucial to investigate new pharmacological approaches. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of TDZD-8 in 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Male CD-1 mice with TNBS-induced colitis were treated with a daily dose of TDZD-8 5 mg/kg/day IP during 4 days. The anti-inflammatory properties of TDZD-8 in the TNBS-induced colitis were confirmed by suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and myeloperoxidase, as well as by the significant increase of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10. These treated mice also presented a reduction in fecal hemoglobin and alkaline phosphatase, suggesting a beneficial effect of TDZD-8. Furthermore, renal and hepatic biomarkers remained stabilized after treatment. In conclusion, TDZD-8 reduces the inflammatory response associated with TNBS-induced colitis in mice, and modulation of GSK-3β seems to be an interesting pharmacological target in colitis.
A Pilot Home Study of Temporal Variations of Symptoms in Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

The purposes of this pilot study are to describe the 24-hr patterns of dyspnea, fatigue, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and examine their interrelationships. The repeated-measures design protocol involved 10 patients with moderate to severe COPD who self-assessed dyspnea, fatigue, and PEFR five times a day for 8 days. Circadian rhythms were documented by single cosinor analysis in 40% of the participants for dyspnea, 60% for fatigue, and 60% for PEFR. The 8-day, 24-hr means of dyspnea and fatigue were moderately correlated; 70% of the sample displayed significant correlations. The means of PEFR and both dyspnea and fatigue were weakly negatively correlated. The findings suggest that circadian rhythm in lung function may not be temporally coupled with the circadian rhythm in dyspnea and fatigue in all patients and that the mean self-perceived levels of dyspnea and fatigue are moderately related.
RESIDENCE IN IMMIGRANT ENCLAVES AND VIOLENCE : IMMIGRANT GENERATIONS IN THE TRANSITION TO YOUNG ADULTHOOD

1 Corresponding author. This research was supported by a grant (R15HD070098-01A1) from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development. This research was also supported in part by the Center for Family and Demographic Research, Bowling Green State University, which has core funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (R24HD050959). The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and should not be construed as representing the opinions or policy of any agency of the Federal government.