Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atria eliminates pacing-induced sustained atrial fibrillation and reduces connexin 43 in dogs.

BACKGROUND We assessed the effects of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the atrial epicardium on pacing-induced sustained atrial fibrillation (AF) and the expression and distribution of the intercellular gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) in dogs. METHODS AND RESULTS In 12 mongrel dogs, after creation of complete AV block and implantation of a ventricular inhibited pacemaker, a high-rate pulse generator (20 to 30 Hz to induce AF) was implanted in the neck, connected to a right atrial endocardial pacing lead, and used to pace the atrium for 10 to 14 weeks. In group 1 (n=9 dogs), corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT), P-wave duration, 24-hour Holter ECG, maximal heart rate (MHR) in response to isoproterenol, and intrinsic heart rate (IHR) after atropine (0.04 mg/kg) and propranolol were measured before and after atrial pacing and RFCA. Group 2 dogs were used to assess the effect of chronic AF alone on Cx43 expression and distribution. All group 1 dogs developed sustained (>24 hours) AF. Right-sided RFCA of the atria eliminated the sustained AF in 5 dogs, but both right and left atrial RFCA was required to abolish sustained AF in the other 4 dogs. After RFCA restored sinus rhythm, CSNRT and P-wave duration were prolonged and MHR and IHR were decreased. Chronic rapid atrial pacing (group 2) increased the expression of Cx43, which was absent in ablated areas and markedly depressed in viable atrial myocytes near the ablation zones (group 1). CONCLUSIONS Rapid atrial pacing for long time periods induced sustained AF that can be eliminated by linear right and left atrial lesions created with RFCA, with preservation of sinus rhythm and atrial contractile function. Chronic AF increased the expression and distribution of gap junction protein Cx43, which became reduced in ablated and nearby nonablated areas.
Scalar Localization by Computed Tomography of Cochlear Implant Electrode Carriers Designed for Deep Insertion

Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of predicting radiologically the scalar localization of a 31.5-mm-long, free-fitting electrode carrier for cochlear implantation, using conventional planar computed tomography. Study Design A cross-sectional human temporal bone study was conducted. Setting Twenty human temporal bones were acquired postmortem and implanted with 31.5-mm-long electrode carriers. Ten of these were implanted into the scala tympani using the round window approach, whereas the other 10 electrodes were inserted into the scala vestibuli by cochleostomy. Computed tomography was then performed, and 2 experienced blinded radiologists evaluated the intracochlear position of the array. Main Outcome Measure The estimated position of the electrode carrier was described using a 5-point scale. After sectioning and histologic investigation, the results of the radiologic and histologic investigations were compared. Results In 17 of 20 cases, it was possible to estimate the correct position of the electrode carrier within the basal turn of the cochlea by means of computed tomography. As the insertion angles widened beyond 360 degrees, it became increasing difficult for the radiologists to correctly determine the position of the electrode carrier. Conclusion The comparison of our temporal bone experiment results with the computed tomography results revealed the difficulty of assessing the correct position of intracochlear electrodes. Scalar localization of deeply inserted electrode carriers cannot be precisely determined by means of computed tomography.
Evaluation of Salivary and Tongue Coating pH and the Effect of Tobacco on Oral Microflora among Tobacco Users

Saliva is complex and important body fluid, is very essential for oral health. Saliva is the exposed to numerous toxic components in tobacco products, is responsible for structural and functional changes in oral tissues. Aim & objectives: A single blind randomized cross-sectional study was undertaken to assess the effect of chewing and smoking tobacco on pH of saliva and tongue coating and role of tobacco on oral microflora. Material and methods: Forty five unstimulated (15 controls and 15 study subjects with only tobacco smoking and 15 with both smoking and chewing habits) salivary and tongue coating pH was assessed and the saliva sample was inoculated on to the blood agar for microbiological analyses. Results: The mean salivary pH in group I and group II was found to be 7.66±0.50 and 8.06±0.67 respectively. The mean tongue coating pH group I and group II was found to be 6.80±0.86 and 6.93±1.03 respectively. The differences between the groups for salivary (P≥0.788) and tongue coating pH ( P ≥ 0.079) were not statistically significant. Among all the groups Coagulase Negative Staphylococci & Gram positive bacilli were predominantly. In Group I, Enterococcus faecalis, E.coli & Klebsiella specieswere mostly found, whereas in Group II the predominant microorganisms found were Streptococcus viridians. Conclusion: The pH and microbiota of mouth differs depending on the methods of collection, its analysis and the area that is tested. Understanding what can change the microbiota (including mouth sites, diet and habit) will give more information on how to study oral microbiota and tobacco related cancers.
Phenotypic plasticity and selection in Drosophila life history evolution . 2 . Diet , mates and the cost of reproduction

While it is commonplace for biologists to use the response to environmental manipulation as a guide to evolutionary responses to selection, the relationship between phenotypic plasticity and genetic change is not generally well-established. The life-histories of laboratory Drososphilu populations are among the few experimental systems which simultaneously afford information on phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary trajectories. We employed a combination of two replicated selectively differentiated stocks (postponed aging stocks and their controls; 10 populations in total) and two different environmental manipulations (nutrition and mating) to explore the empirical relationship between phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary trajectories. While there are a number of parallels between the results obtained using these two approaches, there are important differences. In particular, as the detail of the biological characterization of either type of response increases, so their disparities multiply. Nonetheless, the combination of environmental * Author for correspondence
Calcium Homeostasis Modulator 1-Like Currents in Rat Fungiform Taste Cells Expressing Amiloride-Sensitive Sodium Currents

Salt reception by taste cells is still the less understood transduction process occurring in taste buds, the peripheral sensory organs for the detection of food chemicals. Although there is evidence suggesting that the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) works as sodium receptor, yet it is not clear how salt-detecting cells signal the relevant information to nerve endings. Taste cells responding to sweet, bitter, and umami substances release ATP as neurotransmitter through a nonvesicular mechanism. Three different channel proteins have been proposed as conduit for ATP secretion: pannexin channels, connexin hemichannels, and calcium homeostasis modulator 1 (CALHM1) channels. In heterologous expression systems, these channels mediate outwardly rectifying membrane currents with distinct biophysical and pharmacological properties. I therefore tested whether also salt-detecting taste cells were endowed with these currents. To this aim, I applied the patch-clamp techniques to single cells in isolated taste buds from rat fungiform papillae. Salt-detecting cells were functionally identified by exploiting the effect of amiloride, which induces a current response by shutting down ENaCs. I looked for the presence of outwardly rectifying currents by using appropriate voltage-clamp protocols and specific pharmacological tools. I found that indeed salt-detecting cells possessed these currents with properties consistent with the presence, at least in part, of CALHM1 channels. Unexpectedly, CALHM1-like currents in taste cells were potentiated by known blockers of pannexin, suggesting a possible inhibitory action of this protein on CALMH1. These findings indicate that communication between salt-detecting cells and nerve endings might involve ATP release by CALMH1 channels.
[Influence of type of delivery on A, G and M immunoglobulin concentration in maternal colostrum].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between type of delivery and immunoglobulin concentration in maternal colostrum. METHODS We studied 82 women who were giving birth. Age was between 21 and 41 years, gestational age was 37 or more weeks and parity up to IV pregnancies. The women were in good nutritional condition and did not have any pregnancy or puerperium- associated diseases. The following aspects were also considered as inclusion criteria for the newborn: weight > or = 2,500 g, Apgar score > 7 in the first minute and exclusive breastfeeding until discharge from the nursery. The women were divided into three groups: A - vaginal delivery, B - caesarean section with labor and C - elective caesarean section. Colostrum was collected manually between 48 and 72 h after delivery. Immunoglobulins were dosed using the ELISA technique. RESULTS There were no differences between the three groups in terms of time of colostrum collection. The shorter the time of colostrum collection, the greater the concentration of immunoglobulin A. Primiparous women had higher concentrations of IgA and IgM in maternal colostrum than did multiparous women. The group submitted to caesarean section with labor had higher concentrations of IgA in maternal colostrum than did the normal delivery group. IgM and IgG concentrations in colostrum were not influenced by type of delivery. CONCLUSION The occurrence of labor together with surgical stress induce higher IgA concentrations in the colostrum of women submitted to caesarean section with labor.
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma in children and adolescents

Children with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated on a prospective, randomized trial and were then analyzed to determine whether children with the fibrolamellar (FL) histologic variant of HCC have a more favorable presentation, increased surgical resectability, greater response to therapy, and improved outcome compared with children who have typical HCC.
Plastic embedding in routine histology I: Preparation of semi‐thin sections of undecalcified marrow cores

The preparation of sections of bone marrow cores in a routine histology laboratory requires decalcification and paraffin embedding, which produces shrinkage and considerable loss of cellular detail. This may be avoided by using plastic embedding procedures. This report describes a simplified routine procedure for using methyl‐methacrylate as a plastic embedding medium for the preparation of semi‐thin sections of undecalcified bone marrow cores. A modification of the May‐Grunwald‐Giemsa stain is also given which provides good colour differentiation of various haematopoietic cells in the marrow. The method is simple, reproducible, requires no expensive equipment, and is suitable for routine processing of bone marrow biopsy cores in any histopathology laboratory.
Endogenous Noradrenaline and Dopamine in Nerve Terminals of the Hippocampus: Differences in Levels and Release Kinetics

Abstract: The presence and release of endogenous catechol‐amines in rat and guinea pig hippocampal nerve terminals was studied by fluorimetric HPLC analysis. In isolated nerve terminals (synaptosomes) the levels and breakdown of endogenous catecholamines were determined and the release process was characterized with respect to its kinetics and Ca2+ and ATP dependence. Endogenous noradrenaline and dopamine, but not adrenaline, were detected in isolated hippocampal nerve terminals. For dopamine both the levels and the amounts released were more than 100‐fold lower than those for noradrenaline. In suspension, released endogenous catecholamines were rapidly broken down. This could effectively be blocked by monoamine oxidase inhibitors, Ca2+‐free conditions, and gluthatione. The release of both noradrenaline and dopamine was highly Ca2+ and ATP dependent. Marked differences were observed in the kinetics of release between the two catecholamines. Noradrenaline showed an initial burst of release within 10 s after K+ depolarization. The release of noradrenaline was terminated after approximately 3 min of K+ depolarization. In contrast, dopamine release was more gradual, without an initial burst and without clear termination of release within 5 min. It is concluded that both catecholamines are present in nerve terminals in the rat hippocampus and that their release from (isolated) nerve terminals is exocytotic. The characteristics of noradrenaline release show several similarities with those of other classical transmitters, whereas dopamine release characteristics resemble those of neuropeptide release in the hippocampus but not those of dopamine release in other brain areas. It is hypothesized that in the hippocampus dopamine is released from large, dense‐cored vesicles, probably colocalized with neuropeptides.
A Well-Preserved Archaeopteryx Specimen with Theropod Features

A nearly complete skeleton of Archaeopteryx with excellent bone preservation shows that the osteology of the urvogel is similar to that of nonavian theropod dinosaurs. The new specimen confirms the presence of a hyperextendible second toe as in dromaeosaurs and troodontids. Archaeopteryx had a plesiomorphic tetraradiate palatine bone and no fully reversed first toe. These observations provide further evidence for the theropod ancestry of birds. In addition, the presence of a hyperextendible second toe blurs the distinction of archaeopterygids from basal deinonychosaurs (troodontids and dromaeosaurs) and challenges the monophyly of Aves.
Childhood events and circumstances influencing high school completion

This paper is an empirical exploration of the effects of a variety of family and economic circumstances experienced during childhood on one indicator of success in young adulthood-high school completion. The estimates suggest that parental education and mother’s work are positive and significant determinants of high school completion, whereas growing up in a family with more children (who compete for resources), being persistently poor and on welfare, and moving one’s residence as a child have significant negative impacts on high school completion. The effects of some family stress and economic events differ depending on the age of the child when they occur. The results support the economic model of investment in children, as well as the welfare culture and socialization models.
CONCENTRATIONS OF CADMIUM AND LEAD IN DIFFERENT CIGARETTE BRANDS AND HUMAN EXPOSURE TO THESE METALS VIA SMOKING

The concentration of Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in different cigarette brands sold and/or produced in Saudi Arabia were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Average levels of Cd and Pb in different cigarette brands in Saudi Arabia were 1.81 and 2.46 µg g- 1 (dry weight), respectively. The results obtained in this study estimate the average quantity of Cd inhaled from smoking one packet of 20 cigarettes to be in the range of 0.22-0.78 µg. Results suggest that the quantity of Pb inhaled of smoking one packet of 20 cigarettes, is estimated to be 0.97-2.64 µg. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in cigarettes were significantly different between cigarette brands tested. The results of the present study were compared with other regional and international studies.
Comprehension of sarcasm, metaphor and simile in Williams syndrome.

BACKGROUND Although people with Williams syndrome (WS) are often characterized as friendly and sociable with relatively good general language abilities, there is emerging evidence of pragmatic difficulties and trouble comprehending aspects of non-literal language. AIMS The main aim was to investigate the comprehension of sarcasm, metaphor and simile in WS relative to typically developing controls. A secondary aim was to examine the association between non-literal language comprehension and a range of other cognitive abilities, both in WS and in the typically developing population. METHODS & PROCEDURES Twenty-six participants with WS were compared with 26 typically developing chronological age-matched controls (TDCA) and 26 typically developing mental age-matched controls (TDMA). Participants listened to stories in which characters made non-literal comments. They were then asked what each character meant by their comment. In order to investigate the second aim of the study, cognitive abilities were also assessed using the Woodcock-Johnson (Revised) Tests of Cognitive Ability, including expressive vocabulary, verbal working memory, perceptual integration, inferential reasoning and overall cognitive ability. OUTCOMES & RESULTS Comprehension of non-literal language in WS was significantly below TDCA levels, but was not significantly different to TDMA levels. For typically developing controls, each of the cognitive measures was strongly correlated with each of the measures of non-literal language comprehension. The same relationships were not always found for participants with WS. In particular, sarcasm comprehension in WS was not significantly correlated with any of the assessed cognitive abilities, and expressive vocabulary was not significantly correlated with any measure of non-literal comprehension. CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS Comprehension of simile in WS is below TDCA levels but seems on par with their mental age level. It appears that comprehension of sarcasm and metaphors is above the cognitive capabilities and mental age level of most individuals with WS. Further, the pattern of correlations between non-literal comprehension and cognitive abilities in WS relative to controls suggests that perhaps the linguistic and cognitive systems that underpin non-literal language comprehension in typically developing individuals interact and integrate in different ways in WS.
Pre-hospital care among victims of road traffic accident in a rural area of Tamil Nadu: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Background: The World Health Organization has estimated that globally almost 1.24 million people die annually on the world's roads. The aim of the study was to assess the attributes of pre-hospital care in road traffic accidents (RTAs) victim brought to the health care establishment and to evaluate the pre-hospital trauma care provided in the rural areas of Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 3 months duration (June 2014 to August 2014) was conducted in the Shri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, Kancheepuram. The method of sampling was universal sampling and all RTA victims satisfying the inclusion criteria were included in the study. During the entire study duration, total 200 RTA victims were included. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to elicit the desired information after the victims of RTAs are stabilized. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Ethics Committee prior to the start of the study. Written informed consent was obtained from the study participants (patient/guardian of children) before obtaining any information from them. Data entry and statistical analysis were done using SPSS version 18. Frequency distributions and percentages were computed for all the variables. Results: Majority of the RTA victims 158 (79%) were from the age-group of 15-45 years. Most of the accidents were reported in night time [77 (38.5%)], on week-ends [113 (56.5%)], and involved two-wheelers [153 (76.5%)]. Almost 66 (33%) of the victims were not aware of the existence of emergency ambulance services. Also, only 15 (7.5%) victims were brought to the hospital in the emergency ambulance, of which only 3 victims were accompanied by a doctor. Conclusion: To conclude, the study indicates that a significant proportion of people were unaware about the emergency trauma ambulance services and the existing pre-hospital care services lack in multiple dimensions in a rural area of South India.
Lack of involvement of nitric oxide in killing of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by pulmonary alveolar macrophages

Nitric oxide is an important antimicrobial mechanism of phagocytes from mice and rats, but in the case of human phagocytes, secretion is still controversial. We investigated whether nitric oxide is involved in the killing of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia by human or murine pulmonary alveolar macrophages. Stimulation of the macrophages with gamma interferon and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide had no effect on fungicidal activity against conidia in vitro, with or without the addition of tetrahydrobiopterin. Killing of conidia (means +/- standard deviations) by murine or human alveolar macrophages, before and after stimulation, was 44% +/- 13% and 49% +/- 12% (P = 0.34) and 24% +/- 5% and 29% +/- 10% (P = 0.20), respectively. Fungicidal activity was unaltered in the presence of the competitive inhibitor NG-monomethyl L-arginine, and nitrite was undetectable in cell supernatants. Peritoneal macrophages from B6C3F1 mice produced 18 mumol of nitrite per 10(6) cells in 18 h. In conclusion, nitric oxide does not appear to be involved in the fungicidal activity of murine or human alveolar macrophages against A. fumigatus conidia.
Children's Information Retrieval Behavior: A Case Analysis of an OPAC

This article reports research that explored children's information retrieval behavior using an online public access catalog (OPAC) in an elementary school library. The study considers the impact of a variety of factors including user characteristics, the school setting, interface usability, and information access features on children's information retrieval success and breakdown. The study reports the overall patterns of children's behavior that influence success and breakdown in information retrieval as well as findings about the intentions, moves, plans, strategies, and search terms of children in grades one through six. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Calretinin immunohistochemistry: A new cost-effective and easy method for diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of calretinin immunostaining in diagnosing Hirschsprung's disease (HD). Materials and Methods: Sixty cases were studied over a period of 1 year (July 2010-June 2011). There were 36 full-thickness biopsies and 24 resected specimens. Calretinin processing was done on the paraffin-embedded blocks after routine histopathological examination. Results: Of the 36 biopsy specimens, in 19 cases HD was diagnosed by hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining earlier. In 2 patients, ganglion cells were seen and HD was ruled out. In 15 cases, there was a diagnostic dilemma and calretinin was used. Ganglion cells were found in 3 specimens and nerve fibers in 5. In all 24 resected specimens, calretinin correlated with the findings on H and E staining. Conclusions: Calretinin was extremely useful in solving the suspicious and indeterminate cases of HD. It can serve as a valuable cost-effective diagnostic aid in the centers where acetylcholinesterase enzyme histochemistry is not available.