Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
HYPERCALCEMIC NEPHROPATHY IN THREE DOGS: SONOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE

Persistent hypercalcemia in the dog is most commonly seen as a paraneoplastic syndrome or in association with widespread osteolytic lesions. In high concentrations calcium is a potent nephrotoxin and may cause severe and irreversible renal damage. The ultrasonographic changes in the kidneys of three dogs with hypercalcernic nephropathy are described'and compared with the changes described in the same human condition. It is suggested that ultrasound could be a useful technique for evaluation of the severity of renal damage and the potential return of renal function in such instances.
Home literacy experiences of low-income, urban, Mexican American kindergarten students

This qualitative, ethnographic study explored home literacy environments. The following question guided the research: In what ways do literacy activities manifest themselves in homes of low-income, urban, Mexican American kindergarten students? Sub questions helped the researcher further understand the home literacy environment: • As acts of literacy take place in the home, what types of parent-child interactions are occurring? • How does the role of siblings impact the literacy activities that occur in the home? • How does the level of education of the parent effect literacy activities of the home? The research employed qualitative methods of data collection: interviews, participant observation and field notes. Surveys were also used to help understand the home literacy activities. A total of eleven families participated in the research. After completing the survey, the families were contacted and home visits were held. During these home visits, the participant observer asked semi-structured interview questions and also observed a parent-child book reading session. The visits were completed for each family between September, 2006 and March, 2007. Translators were used as needed. The following themes emerged: 1) Reading with My Mom; 2) My Mom Reads and Writes Other Things, Too; 3) We Talk A Lot at My House; 4) We Go to the Library; 5) My Sisters and Brothers Read to Me; 6) I use English and Spanish with My Brothers and Sisters; 7) My Mama Studied to be a Pre-School Teacher. Regardless of education level mothers read to their children, used literacy in other ways, and made sure their children went to the library. Parents also took time to talk with their children and storytelling was evident in the homes. Siblings were important to the literacy development of their kindergarten brothers and sisters by reading to them and building English oral proficiency. The education level of the mother mattered only because of the subject studied after high school. The themes found in the research are described in detail. Discussion, conclusions, implications, and recommendations for further research were provided. HOME LITERACY EXPERIENCES OF LOW-INCOME, URBAN, MEXICAN AMERICAN KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS
Application of fMRI to the study of multiple sclerosis: an update

During the past decade, functional MRI studies in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have consistently shown that the variable effectiveness of recovery mechanisms following disease-related tissue injury is one of the factors that might explain, at least partially, the paucity of the correlation between clinical and MRI findings in these patients. More recently, technical developments resulted in an improvement of acquisition and post-processing schemes that, in turn, allowed us to further characterize the functional and structural abnormalities of specific regions of the CNS, thus ameliorating the understanding of the mechanisms associated with the clinical manifestations and disability accumulation in MS. This review focuses on such recent achievements and provides an update of functional MRI studies of MS performed in the past few years.
Guided bone regeneration using two types of non-resorbable barrier membranes

Introduction: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a common procedure for the treatment of bone defects and bone augmentation. The nonresorbable barriers are well-documented barriers for GBR because of their stability and malleability. However, few GBR studies have focused on the different types of non-resorbable barriers. Therefore, this study examined the clinical results of different non-resorbable barriers for GBR; expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) (TR-Gore Tex, Flagstaff, AZ, USA), and high-density polytetrafluoroethylene (d-PTFE) (Cytoplast membrane, Oraltronics, Bremen, Germany). Materials and Methods: The analysis was performed on patients treated with GBR and implant placement from January 2007 to October 2007 in the department of the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of non-resorbable barrier used, and the amount of bone regeneration, marginal bone resorption after prosthetics, implant survival rate and surgical complication in both groups were evaluated. Results: The implants in both groups showed high survival rates, and the implant-supported prostheses functioned stably during the follow-up period. During the second surgery of the implant, all horizontal defects were filled with new bone, and there was no significant difference in the amount of vertical bone defect. Conclusion: In bone defect areas, GBR with non-resorbable barriers can produce favorable results with adequate postoperative management. There was no significant difference in bone regeneration between e-PTFE and d-PTFE.
In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Reduced BMPR2 Promotes Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition via HMGA1 and Its Target Slug

Background— We previously reported high-throughput RNA sequencing analyses that identified heightened expression of the chromatin architectural factor High Mobility Group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) from patients who had idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in comparison with controls. Because HMGA1 promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer, we hypothesized that increased HMGA1 could induce transition of PAECs to a smooth muscle (SM)–like mesenchymal phenotype (endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition), explaining both dysregulation of PAEC function and possible cellular contribution to the occlusive remodeling that characterizes advanced idiopathic PAH. Methods and Results— We documented increased HMGA1 in PAECs cultured from idiopathic PAH versus donor control lungs. Confocal microscopy of lung explants localized the increase in HMGA1 consistently to pulmonary arterial endothelium, and identified many cells double-positive for HMGA1 and SM22&agr; in occlusive and plexogenic lesions. Because decreased expression and function of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) is observed in PAH, we reduced BMPR2 by small interfering RNA in control PAECs and documented an increase in HMGA1 protein. Consistent with transition of PAECs by HMGA1, we detected reduced platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 (CD31) and increased endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers, &agr;SM actin, SM22&agr;, calponin, phospho-vimentin, and Slug. The transition was associated with spindle SM-like morphology, and the increase in &agr;SM actin was largely reversed by joint knockdown of BMPR2 and HMGA1 or Slug. Pulmonary endothelial cells from mice with endothelial cell–specific loss of Bmpr2 showed similar gene and protein changes. Conclusions— Increased HMGA1 in PAECs resulting from dysfunctional BMPR2 signaling can transition endothelium to SM-like cells associated with PAH.
Evidence for natural hybridization between native and introduced lineages of Phragmites australis in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY The introduction of nonnative taxa into areas occupied by conspecifics can lead to local extinction of native taxa via habitat modification and competitive dominance, and be exacerbated by outbreeding depression or the formation of invasive hybrid lineages following intraspecific gene flow. The expansion of Eurasian Phragmites australis into tidal wetlands of North America has been accompanied by a dramatic decline of native P. australis, with few relic populations remaining along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, particularly in the Virginia portion of the Chesapeake Bay. METHODS We sampled populations from the York River and its two major tributaries to determine the pattern of Phragmites invasion and identify remnant native populations that warrant conservation. We used chloroplast DNA haplotypes and nuclear DNA microsatellite profiles to classify individuals as belonging to the native or introduced lineage. KEY RESULTS Although native Phragmites stands were identified in the brackish upstream reaches of the two York River tributaries, the majority of Phragmites stands surveyed contained the introduced lineage. We also identified a single putative hybrid plant, based on its microsatellite profile. This plant possessed the native cpDNA haplotype and was located in an otherwise native Phragmites stand that is adjacent to an isolated patch of introduced Phragmites. CONCLUSIONS Although evidence of field hybridization between native and introduced lineages of Phragmites in North America is still relatively rare, the continued encroachment of the introduced lineage into native wetlands may increase the likelihood of future hybrid formation. Careful genetic monitoring to identify remnant native and potential hybrid Phragmites is essential for prioritizing ongoing management efforts.
Lamellated hyperintense synovitis: potential MR imaging sign of an infected knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE To determine the sensitivity and specificity of lamellated hyperintense synovitis for infection following knee arthroplasty and to determine the inter- and intraobserver variability of this sign at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS The purpose of the retrospective case control study was approved by the hospital's institutional review board. MR images from 28 patients with proved infected total knee arthroplasty and 28 patients with noninfected arthroplasty were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists for the presence of lamellated hyperintense synovitis. Cases were rereviewed 2 weeks later by each reader. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated with the initial reads. The κ statistic was used to assess inter- and intraobserver reliability. RESULTS The sensitivity of lamellated hyperintense synovitis for infection was 0.86-0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75, 0.97) and the specificity was 0.85-0.87 (95% CI: 0.74, 0.94). There was almost perfect interobserver agreement (κ = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.72, 0.93; P < .001) and intraobserver agreement (for reader 1, κ = 0.89 [95% CI: 0.78, 1.00; P < .001] and for reader 2, κ = 0.89 [95% CI: 0.77, 1.00; P < .001]) in the classification of the synovial pattern. CONCLUSION In this selected series of patients, the presence of lamellated hyperintense synovitis at MR imaging of knee arthroplasty had a high sensitivity and specificity for infection. This sign had high inter- and intraobserver reliability.
Knowledge, Acceptance and Practice of Zinc Therapy in Acute Diarrhoea Among Paediatric Doctors in Nigeria

Background: WHO and UNICEF recommend zinc therapy in children with acute diarrhoea, however adherence to the recommendation varies from country to country. Objective: To determine the knowledge, acceptance and practice of zinc use in childhood diarrhoea among paediatric doctors in Nigeria. Methods: Every third sitting part icipant during the 42 Paediatric Association of Nigeria Conference was requested to complete a questionnaire if they were either a paediatric resident doctor or consultant working in Nigeria. Results: Of the 153 questionnaires distributed, 93 (60.8%) were returned and 85 met the study criteria. Over half (57.6%) of the respondents were consultant paediatricians and 84.7% (49 of 85) practise in tertiary or teaching hospitals, mostly in the southern part of Nigeria (70.8%). About half (44.3%) of the respondents managed more than 10 diarrhoeal cases every month. All except one respondent (84 of 85) agreed with the WHO / UNICEF recommendation and 86.9% (73 of 85) reported prescribing zinc for acute diarrhoea in the past year; 67.1% (49 out of 73) prescribed it always for acute diarrhoea. Knowledge of the effects of zinc on acute diarrhoea was high. There was no significant difference between the paediatric residents and the consultants in both knowledge and practice of zinc therapy. Conclusion: The use of zinc as an adjunct in the management of acute diarrhoea is acceptable and practised by most paediatric residents and consultants in Nigeria. Key Words: acute diarrhoea, knowledge, practice,WHO,zinc
Fat or thin: Does it impact outcomes in polytrauma?

Polytrauma mortality rates have been continuously decreasing in recent years. Due to rising prevalence of obesity, overweight patients are increasing in numbers within the polytrauma population. The body mass index (BMI) provides information about nutritional status. Varying results have been reported concerning the effect of body mass index on polytrauma outcome. Both obesity and the condition of being underweight are independent risk factors for increased polytrauma mortality. While being underweight is associated with early polytrauma mortality, the presence of obesity correlates with higher rates of multi-organ failure and sepsis and is associated with late polytrauma mortality.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 among Jordanian people with psychological and biological activity

This study was conducted to evaluate vitamin B12 level among Jordanians healthy people and its effects on psychological parameters. One hundred and eighty six subjects were recruited in the study. The subjects were chosen to be healthy, aged between 16 to 71 years. Participants were asked to fill a detailed questionnaire that covered medical data then they were divided into three age groups. Serum vitamin B12 levels were done for all volunteers. Results showed the mean values of B12 concentrations in males and females. There were lower mean B12 concentration in females (264.02 pmol/L) than males (281.56 pmol/L) and a total mean concentration was 265.79 pmol/L that is near the cutoff value which was 258 pmol/liter. The mean value of the B12 distributed in different age ranges for the mean concentration of the 16 to 25 years group was 249.03 pmol/L significantly lower than the other group. There were highly significant difference between the groups in terms of low sexual activity, Memory loss, Loss of appetite and depression and deficiency of vitamin B12.
Cervical Spine Movement during Laryngoscopy with the Bullard, Macintosh, and Miller Laryngoscopes

Background Direct laryngoscopy requires movement of the head, neck, and cervical spine. Spine movement may be limited for anatomic reasons or because of cervical spine injury. The Bullard laryngoscope, a rigid fiberoptic laryngoscope, may cause less neck flexion and head extension than conventional laryngoscopes. The purpose of this study was to compare head extension (measured externally), cervical spine extension (measured radiographically), and laryngeal view obtained with the Bullard, Macintosh, and Miller laryngoscopes. Methods Anesthesia was induced in 35 ASA 1-3 elective surgery patients. Patients lay on a rigid board with head in neutral position. Laryngoscopy was performed three times, changing between the Bullard, Macintosh, and Miller laryngoscopes. Head extension was measured with an angle finder attached to goggles worn by the patient. The best laryngeal view with each laryngoscope was assessed by the laryngoscopist. In eight patients, lateral cervical spine radiographs were taken before and during laryngoscopy with the Bullard and Macintosh blades. Results Median values for external head extension were 11 degrees, 10 degrees, and 2 degrees with the Macintosh, Miller, and Bullard laryngoscopy (P < 0.01), respectively. Significant reductions in radiographic cervical spine extension were found for the Bullard compared to the Macintosh blade at the atlantooccipital joint, atlantoaxial joint, and C3-C4. Median atlantooccipital extension angles were 6 degrees and 12 degrees for the Bullard and Macintosh laryngoscopes, respectively. The larynx could be exposed in all patients with the Bullard but only in 90% with conventional laryngoscope (P < 0.01). Conclusions The Bullard laryngoscope caused less head extension and cervical spine extension than conventional laryngoscopes and resulted in a better view. It may be useful in care of patients in whom cervical spine movement is limited or undesirable.
Preliminary studies on anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Securinega virosa (Euphorbiaceae) in experimental animal models

Securinega virosa is a commonly used medicinal plant in West Africa sub-region for the management of painful and inflammatory conditions. In the present study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of methanol root bark extract of S. virosa (SV) were investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema while analgesic activity was tested by acetic acid-induced writhing response and hot plate tests in Swiss albino mice, and formalin-induced pain in
Tuberculose e indicadores socioeconômicos: revisão sistemática da literatura

OBJETIVO: Analisar a literatura para verificar a existencia de associacao entre fatores socioeconomicos (individuais e coletivos) e a ocorrencia de tuberculose. METODOS: Realizou-se uma revisao sistematica da literatura mediante busca nas bases de dados SciELO, Lilacs, Medline e Scopus utilizando os termos "pobreza, indicadores sociais, fatores socioeconomicos" e "tuberculose" (em portugues, ingles e espanhol). Os estudos de nivel individual foram classificados segundo o desenho de estudo e a variavel dependente; os estudos ecologicos, quanto aos diferentes niveis de agregacao espacial dos dados e a variavel dependente. Para cada artigo foram registradas informacoes concernentes ao titulo do estudo, pais de origem, ano de desenvolvimento, autor, idioma, objetivos, nivel de agregacao espacial dos dados e indicadores utilizados na analise. RESULTADOS: Para estudos de nivel individual, observou-se associacao estatistica direta entre tuberculose e alcoolismo, coinfeccao com HIV, baixa escolaridade, estado civil, baixo rendimento monetario, carencia alimentar, imigracao e contato previo com pacientes de tuberculose. Em nivel coletivo, uma associacao indireta foi verificada com variaveis referentes ao produto interno bruto per capita, indice de desenvolvimento humano e acesso a saneamento basico em nivel de paises. Indicadores relativos ao numero medio de pessoas por comodo, densidade de pobres, escolaridade, declinio da renda familiar e domicilios com ajuda monetaria governamental associaram-se diretamente a tuberculose em diferentes niveis de agregacao espacial. CONCLUSOES: Os estudos analisados apontam para a persistencia da relacao entre indicadores socioeconomicos e a producao da tuberculose tanto em nivel individual quanto coletivo. A associacao entre tuberculose e indicadores socioeconomicos parece ser influenciada tanto pelo nivel de agregacao espacial quanto pelas caracteristicas particulares das areas geograficas.
Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Mitral Valve Prolapse: New Insights Into Disease Progression, Genetics, and Molecular Basis

Mitral valve (MV) prolapse (MVP) is a common disorder, afflicting 2% to 3% of the general population.1,2 It is characterized by typical fibromyxomatous changes in the mitral leaflet tissue with superior displacement of 1 or both leaflets into the left atrium.3,4 With a prevalence of 2% to 3%, MVP is expected to affect ≈7.8 million individuals in the United States and >176 million people worldwide. MVP can be associated with significant mitral regurgitation (MR), bacterial endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and even sudden death.5–7 MVP is a clinical entity that is not fully understood, despite being known for more than a century. A “midsystolic click” was first described in 1887 by Cuffer and Barbillon.8 In 1963, Barlow and Pocock9 demonstrated the presence of MR by angiography in patients with the “click-murmur” syndrome. Criley et al10 subsequently coined the term MVP. MVP may be familial or sporadic. Despite being the most common cause of isolated MR requiring surgical repair,11 little is known about the genetic mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis and progression of MVP. Studies on the heritable features of MVP have been limited by the analysis of relatively small pedigrees and by self-referral and selection biases, including a preponderance of data from hospital-based cohorts.12,13 Nonetheless, the majority of data favor an autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance in a large proportion of individuals with MVP.12,13 Despite the variability in clinical features, familial MVP might be considered a prevalent mendelian cardiac abnormality in humans. Although filamin-A has been identified as causing an X-linked form of MVP,14 the causative genes for the more common form of autosomal-dominant MVP have yet to be defined. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge of the diagnosis, epidemiology, prognosis, …
The evolution of fungal morphogenesis, a personal account

This article describes the evolution of the field of fungal morphogenesis, its beginning at the end of the 19th century and its exponential growth during the second half of the 20th century, continuing until the present day. The main theme correlates biological progress with the advent of new technologies. Accordingly the article describes the discovery of apical growth, the fibrillar nature of the fungal wall, the chemistry of the cell wall, the search for biochemical pathways in morphogenesis, the discovery of the Spitzenkörper, the apical gradient of wall synthesis, key highlights in ultrastructural research, the development of mathematical models particularly the vesicle supply center (VSC) model, the revolution brought about by molecular biology and unique discoveries such as the hydrophobins and γ-tubulin and some the latest triumphs of the marriage between molecular genetics and confocal microscopy. Credit is given to the investigators responsible for all the advances.
Effects of Dienogest on Surgically Induced Endometriosis in Rats after Repeated Oral Administration

Background: Dienogest demonstrates efficacy for lesion reduction and pain relief in clinical trials of endometriosis. The current study investigated an intraperitoneal animal model of endometriosis to further characterize the effects of dienogest. Methods: Endometrial-like lesions were induced in rats by autotransplantation of uterine tissue into the peritoneal cavity. Dienogest 0.3 or 1.0 mg/kg/day, danazol 100 mg/kg/day, or vehicle control were administered orally for 28 days. Changes in endometrial-like lesion size during treatment were assessed at laparotomy. Uterine horn weight was also measured as an index of the estrogenic effects of treatment. Results: Dienogest 0.3 mg/kg/day significantly reduced the total endometrial lesion area, with an effect equivalent to danazol 100 mg/kg/day. Unlike dienogest 1.0 mg/kg/day, dienogest 0.3 mg/kg/day had no effect on uterine horn weight, indicating an absence of estrogenic effects for this dose in rodents. Conclusion: Dienogest 0.3 mg/kg/day for 28 days demonstrated potent inhibitory activity on the growth of endometrial tissue in this model, providing supportive evidence for the efficacy of dienogest in lesion reduction.