Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computerized analysis of fetal heart rate in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective. We evaluated the value of computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Purpose of study. We studied fetal heart rate (FHR) recordings from 100 pregnant women affected by GDM on diet therapy, 60 pregnant women affected by GDM on insulin therapy and 100 normal pregnant controls. The results were compared among the groups and related to neonatal umbilical artery cord blood analysis at birth. Research design and methods. Baseline FHR and the duration of episodes of low variation were significantly higher in diabetic than in controls and were negatively related to umbilical artery glycemia at birth, whereas the short-term variation in diabetics was significantly lower than in controls and was positively related to. Conclusions. Our study demonstrates that GDM does impact FHR. The alteration is slight but evident; it reflects fetal well being and correlate with neonatal reactivity. Only cCTG may allow to detect those slight but significant differences.
The Effect of Early Post-Hatch Dietary Amino Acid Levels on Satellite Cell Dynamics in Turkeys.

NIEROBISZ, LIDIA SYLWIA. The Effect of Early Post-Hatch Dietary Amino Acid Levels on Satellite Cell Dynamics in Turkeys. (Under the direction of Paul Mozdziak.) Satellite cells are defined as myonuclear myogenic stem cells residing between sarcolemma and basal lamina of the myofiber. Myofiber number is established during embryonic development. Post-hatch and post-natal muscle growth occurs exclusively through an increase in myofiber size. The increase of myofiber size in early post-hatch turkeys is predominantly dependent on the contribution of new myonuclei to pre-existing myofibers by the mitotically active satellite cell population. Preliminary data in broilers has revealed that supplementation with amino acid deficient diet immediately post-hatch results in an increase satellite cell mitotic activity in Pectoralis thoracicus muscle in 3-day-old chicks as compared to birds fed adequate and above requirement amino acid levels. Additionally, chicks denied feed for first three days post-hatch exhibited significantly lower satellite cell mitotic activity in Pectoralis thoracicus muscle as compared to remaining treatment groups. The hypothesis tested in the current study was that turkeys supplemented with crude protein and amino acid deficient diet early post-hatch would produce higher meat yield at 140 days. Since very little is known about the impact of early nutrition on the satellite cell activity in commercially raised turkeys, the objective of the present study was to measure the effect of different levels of dietary crude protein and amino acids (0.88 NRC, 1.00 NRC, and 1.12 NRC) as well as feed deprivation on the satellite cell mitotic activity, Pectoralis thoracicus muscle weight, and body weight of commercially raised turkey males. At 3, 4, 5, 8, and 11 days of age, birds from each treatment group were injected with 5bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) to label mitotically active cells. The right Pectoralis thoracicus muscle was harvested one hour after BrdU injection followed by BrdU and PI immunohistochemistry and measurement of myofiber diameters. On the third day post-hatch satellite cell mitotic activity was the highest (P<0.05) in 0.88 NRC treatment group and the lowest (P<0.05) in the feed deprived group. On the fourth day post-hatch, feed deprived birds exhibited the lowest (P<0.05) satellite cell mitotic activity and muscle weight. At market age (140 days), there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between treatments in body weight and Pectoralis thoracicus muscle weight. Further evaluation of mechanistic pathways governing satellite cell mitotic activity and muscle growth are necessary to devise early post-hatch feeding strategies that would lead to improvement in Pectoralis thoracicus muscle yield in male turkeys. THE EFFECT OF EARLY POST-HATCH DIETARY AMINO ACID LEVELS ON SATELLITE CELL DYNAMICS IN TURKEYS by LIDIA SYLWIA NIEROBISZ A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science NUTRITION Raleigh, North Carolina 2007
Transcription and Transport of Virus-Specific Ribonucleic Acids in African Green Monkey Kidney Cells Abortively Infected with Type 2 Adenovirus

The techniques of deoxyribonucleic acid-ribonucleic acid (DNA-RNA) hybridization and immunological precipitation were used to compare the synthesis of adenovirus-specific macromolecules in African green monkey kidney (AGMK) cells infected with adenovirus, an abortive infection, and coinfected with both adenovirus and simian virus 40 (SV40), which renders the cells permissive for adenovirus replication. When viral protein synthesis was proceeding at its maximum rate, the incorporation of 14C-amino acids into adenovirus structural proteins was about 90 times greater in the doubly infected cells than in cells infected only with adenovirus. However, the rates of synthesis of virus-specific ribonucleic acid appeared to be comparable in the two infections at all times measured. A time-dependent increase in the rate of RNA synthesis observed late in the abortive infection was dependent upon the prior replication of viral DNA. Moreover, all virus-specific RNA species that are normally made late in a productive adenovirus infection (i.e., the true late and class II early RNA species) were also detected in the abortive infection. Adenovirus-specific RNA was detected by molecular hybridization in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of abortively infected cells. Comparable amounts of viral RNA were found in the cytoplasmic fractions of AGMK cells infected either with adenovirus or with both adenovirus and SV40. The results of hybridization-inhibition experiments clearly showed that there was a class of virus-specific RNA molecules, representing about 30% of the total, in the nucleus that was not transported to the cytoplasm. This class of RNA was also identified in similar amounts in productively infected human KB cells. The difference in the abilities of cytoplasmic and nuclear RNA to inhibit the hybridization of virus-specific RNA from whole cells was shown not to be due to a difference in the molecular size of the RNA species from the two cell fractions or to the specific loss of a cytoplasmic species during RNA extraction procedures.
Appendicitis in paediatric age group: correlation between preoperative inflammatory markers and postoperative histological diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION Clinical diagnosis of appendicitis can be challenging, particularly in the paediatric age group. There is an increased risk of perforation in paediatrics; therefore, a need for sensitive and specific diagnostic tool is mandatory. AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of preoperative inflammatory markers in supporting the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis in the paediatric age group. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective study of 268 emergency paediatric appendicectomies performed in a District General Hospital in Wales, over a period of seven years (2002-2009). The data collected from hospital database include preoperative inflammatory markers, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cells count (WBCC) and post-operative histology. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS The median age group in the study was 12 (2-16). 141 (53%) patients were <12 years, while 127 (47%) patients were 12-16 years old. Male : female ratio = 1 : 1 (134 each). Inflammatory markers were not done for 94 patients (35%). CRP was done for 149 cases (55.6%), while WBCC was done for 172 cases (64%). Both markers were done together for 147 cases (54.8%). Histology was positive (inflamed / gangrenous appendix) in 202 cases (75.4%). Eight cases were associated with Enterobious vermicularis infestation and one patient had carcinoid tumour. The sensitivity and specificity of CRP were 82% and 60%, respectively, with positive predictive value (PPV) of 87% (P<0.0001), while those of WBCC were 80% and 59%, respectively, with PPV of 88% (P<0.0001). The sensitivity and specificity of both markers together were 80% and 70%, respectively, with PPV= 81% (P = 3.11E-8). 94 patients (35%) had an appendicectomy operation based on clinical diagnosis alone without preoperative inflammatory markers having been tested. In 28 cases (30%) out of these, postoperative histology revealed normal appendix (P = 0.18). CONCLUSION CRP and WBCC are simple tests that can provide a significant role supporting the clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the paediatric age group.
Intercorrelations Between Affect, Urinary 17‐Hydroxycorticosteroid Levels, and Epileptic Convulsions

&NA; In a longitudinal study of an epileptic, serial measurements were made of affect and urinary 17‐hydroxycorticosteroid (17‐OHCS) levels. During an 8‐month period of hospitalization, a rising trend in 17‐OHCS level was noted on the day prior to seizure activity and a significantly positive rise on the day of seizure activity. These observations were seen as supporting evidence for the hypothesis that elevated 17‐OHCS levels may be associated with a lowered seizure threshold. Depression showed a positive linear correlation with both seizure activity and 17‐OHCS levels.
The metabolic syndrome is associated with complicated gallstone disease.

BACKGROUND Gallstone disease (GD) is a common condition worldwide. Several studies demonstrated that the presence of gallstones is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease. The metabolic syndrome is a highly prevalent cardiovascular condition. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between complicated GD (CGD) and the metabolic syndrome or its components. METHODS Two hundred seventeen patients with gallstones were examined. All patients underwent biliary ultrasonography after a complete medical history and laboratory examination. Data collection for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome included measurements of waist circumference, blood pressure and lipids, and biochemical tests. RESULTS Of the 217 patients examined, 115 patients (53%) had CGD and 102 patients (47%) had uncomplicated GD (UCGD). There was a significant difference between the number of patients with large gallstones in the CGD and UCGD groups (n=14 [12%] versus n=2 [2%], respectively; P=0.004). Metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus and large waist circumference were more prevalent in the CGD group than in the UCGD group. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance scores were higher in the CGD group than in UCGD group (2.51 [95% CI 0.57 to 23.90] versus 2.20 [95% CI 0.09 to 8.87], respectively; P=0.032). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of metabolic syndrome (OR 1.434; 95% CI 1.222 to 1.846, P=0.014), diabetes mellitus (OR 1.493; 95% CI 1.255 to 1.953; P=0.035) and large gallstones (OR 1.153; 95% CI 1.033 to 1.714; P=0.017) were independent predictors of CGD. CONCLUSION Results of the present study demonstrated that metabolic syndrome, diabetes and gallstone size were associated with CGD. Further prospective studies are needed to understand the clinical importance of this association.
A Novel Route of Transplantation of Human Cord Blood Stem Cells in Preimmune Fetal Sheep: The Intracelomic Cavity

The intracelomic route for in utero hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was evaluated in preimmune fetal sheep and the engraftment characteristics were defined. Twelve twin ovine fetuses (gestational age: 40–45 days) received intracelomic transplants of human CD3‐depleted (50 × 106 per lamb) or CD34‐selected (1–2 × 105 per lamb) cord blood hematopoietic stem cells. Engraftment was evaluated from cell suspensions of the liver, spleen, bone marrow, and thymus by flow cytometry, cloning assays, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses of human β2‐microglobulin. Four fetuses (33%) aborted shortly after intracelomic transplantation and were not evaluable for engraftment. Engraftment was detected in four fetuses obtained from cesarean delivery on day 70 after transplantation of CD3‐depleted cord blood cells. The degrees of engraftment in these four fetuses ranged from 6%‐22% in the different organs (as revealed by antigenic analysis of human CD45 with flow cytometry). Three fetuses obtained after cesarean section at 102 (no. 435184) and 105 (no. 915293, no. 037568) days and one fetus delivered at term that received CD34‐selected cord blood cells had human engraftment with 10%, 32%, 20%, and 10% CD45+ cells in bone marrow, respectively. In six of eight fetuses evaluable for human engraftment, chimerism was confirmed by PCR analysis for human β2‐microglobulin, which also identified human cells in brain, spinal cord, heart, lung, and skeletal muscle. This preliminary study indicates that intracelomic transplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells in fetal lambs is feasible and effective in terms of hematopoietic engraftment.
Mathematic Coupling of Data: A Common Source of Error

The relationship between two variables may be mathetmatically coupled if either one or both variables are derived and/or calculated, and this can lead to erroneous results and invalid conclusions. The purpose of this report is to identify four types of mathematic coupling of data. Type 1 coupling involves directional changes in two variables which are mathematically coupled. Type 2 coupling is the functional relationship between two calculated variables which have one or more common component variables. Type 3, the most common type of mathematic coupling, is direct algebraic coupling between two variables, when one or more of the variables is derived and/or calculated. Type 4 is indirect coupling or physiologic coupling. The common problem in each type of mathematic coupling is that one variable either directly or indirectly contains the whole or components of the second variable. Statistical techniques, when properly applied to the relationship between the two variables, further obscure the underlying mathematic coupling, and tend to support the erroneous results. Recognition of mathematic coupling is imperative for correct data analysis and accurate interpretation.
Determination of Marginal bone Level in the Normal Primary Dentition

The aim of the present study was to establish the normal range for the radiographic distance between cemento-enamel junction and the marginal bone level in the primary dentition using bitewing digital images. The samples examined in this study were 120 Iraqi children 7 and 8 years old (60 male and 60 female). The parameters were measured using the DIXI2 configuration software, which is automatically installed from Dimaxis software. Results showed that the mean of marginal bone height of the normal primary molars was (1.37 ± 0.48 mm). In addition, individual surfaces displayed distance ranging from (0.5-2.5). It was concluded that the normal marginal bone level in posterior primary dentition was (0.0-2.0) and bone loss occured when the distance between cemento-enamel junction and the marginal bone level more than 2 mm.
Underfill of flip-chip: the effect of contact angle and solder bump arrangement

An underfill encapsulant was used to fill the gap between the chip and the substrate around the solder joints to improve the long-term reliability of a flip-chip interconnecting system. The underfill encapsulant was filled by the capillary flow. As a part of the series studies of understanding and analysis of the underfill mechanism, this study was devoted to investigate the effects of the contact angle and the bump arrangement on the underfill flow. The Hele-Shaw flow model, that considered the flow resistance in both the thickness direction between the chip and substrate and the plane direction between solder bumps, was assumed. A modified capillary force model including the effects of the contact angle and the bump arrangement was proposed. The capillary force was formulated based on either quadrilateral or hexagonal bump arrangements. A capillary force parameter was used as an index for comparison of different bump design, including bump diameter, gap height, bump pitch, contact angle, and arrangement. A hexagonal arrangement of solder bumps was found to have a higher capillary force and better underfill efficient
Effects of a Peer-Led Pain Management Program for Nursing Home Residents with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES : To examine the feasibility of a peer-led pain management program among nursing home residents. DESIGN : A quasi-experimental design. SETTING : Two nursing homes. SUBJECTS : Fifty nursing home residents. METHODS : The experimental group (n = 32) was given a 12-week group-based peer-led pain management program. There were two 1-hour sessions per week. Education in pain and demonstrations of nonpharmacological pain management strategies were provided. The research team and 12 trained peers led the sessions. The control group (n = 18) received one 1-hour session of pain management program each week over 12 weeks from the research team only. Outcome measures for the participants were collected at baseline (P1) and at week 12 (P2). Data from peer volunteers were collected prior to training (V1) and at week 12 (V2). T-tests were used to compare the differences in outcome measures collected at two time points. RESULTS : There was a significant reduction in pain intensity from 5.8 ± 2.6 (P1) to 3.4 ± 2.5 (P2) for the experimental group (p = 0.003) and from 6.3 ± 3.0 (P1) to 3.1 ± 2.4 (P2) for the control group (p = 0.001). Activities of daily living significantly improved for both the experimental group (p = 0.008) and the control group (p = 0.014). There was an enhancement in happiness level for the experimental group (p < 0.001), while the loneliness level dropped significantly for the experimental group (p < 0.001) and the control group (p = 0.031). The peer volunteers showed a significant increase in self-rated pain management knowledge (2.9 ± 2.6 to 8.1 ± 1.2, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy in volunteering (5.8 ± 2.9 to 8.3 ± 1.5, p = 0.032). CONCLUSION : The peer-led pain management program was feasible and has potential in relieving chronic pain and enhancing the physical and psychological health of nursing home residents.
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome

Background: The traditional techniques to treat thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS) are not able to stabilize or improve chest wall size or pulmonary function while allowing spine growth. To this end, vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) was specifically designed to treat TIS by allowing growth of the thoracic cavity and control/correction of spine deformity. The purpose of this study was to determine quality of life (QOL) of children with TIS and its impact on their parents before and after implantation of the VEPTR and also compare these results to those of healthy children. Methods: As part of the original multicenter evaluation of the VEPTR, a Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ) was collected preoperatively on 45 patients who were subsequently treated with expansion thoracoplasty using the VEPTR. The average age was 8.2 ± 2.6 years, and the parent form of the CHQ was filled out by the primary caretaker. Patients were divided into 3 diagnostic categories: rib fusion (n = 15), hypoplastic thorax syndromes (n = 17), and progressive spinal deformity (n = 13). Results: There were significant differences between the study patients and healthy children in physical domains. Compared with parents of healthy children, parents of children with TIS experienced more limitations on their time and emotional lives due to their children's health problems. There were no significant differences in CHQ before and after the surgery except for a significant decrease in the self-esteem among a subgroup of patients with hypoplastic thorax syndromes. There were no significant differences in postoperative QOL between patients who had VEPTR-related complications and patients who did not have the complications. Conclusions: The children with TIS had lower physical scores and higher caregiver burden scores than healthy children. However, the scores in psychosocial domains were similar to those in healthy children. Our study demonstrated that QOL of children and burden of care in their parents remained the same after VEPTR instrumentation. Children's QOL seemed to be not affected by whether they had VEPTR-related complications or not.
Ly49D-Mediated ITAM Signaling in Immature Thymocytes Impairs Development by Bypassing the Pre-TCR Checkpoint

Activating and inhibitory NK receptors regulate the development and effector functions of NK cells via their ITAM and ITIM motifs, which recruit protein tyrosine kinases and phosphatases, respectively. In the T cell lineage, inhibitory Ly49 receptors are expressed by a subset of activated T cells and by CD1d-restricted NKT cells, but virtually no expression of activating Ly49 receptors is observed. Using mice transgenic for the activating receptor Ly49D and its associated ITAM signaling DAP12 chain, we show in this article that Ly49D-mediated ITAM signaling in immature thymocytes impairs development due to a block in maturation from the double negative (DN) to double positive (DP) stages. A large proportion of Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic thymocytes were able to bypass the pre-TCR checkpoint at the DN3 stage, leading to the appearance of unusual populations of DN4 and DP cells that lacked expression of intracellular (ic) TCRβ-chain. High levels of CD5 were expressed on ic TCRβ− DN and DP thymocytes from Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic mice, further suggesting that Ly49D-mediated ITAM signaling mimics physiological ITAM signaling via the pre-TCR. We also observed unusual ic TCRβ− single positive thymocytes with an immature CD24high phenotype that were not found in the periphery. Importantly, thymocyte development was completely rescued by expression of an Ly49A transgene in Ly49D/DAP12 transgenic mice, indicating that Ly49A-mediated ITIM signaling can fully counteract ITAM signaling via Ly49D/DAP12. Collectively, our data indicate that inappropriate ITAM signaling by activating NK receptors on immature thymocytes can subvert T cell development by bypassing the pre-TCR checkpoint.
Role of intramarrow penetration in osseous repair: a pilot study in the rabbit calvaria.

BACKGROUND The use of intramarrow penetration in combination with osseous reconstructive surgery has been recommended in various periodontal and oral surgical applications. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of intramarrow penetration on the rate of bone neogenesis in protected spaces created on the calvarial bone using occlusive titanium domes in 16 adult white rabbits. METHODS In each rabbit, 2 standardized circular 1 mm deep slits were prepared in the bone, one on each side of the midline using a trephine. Within the perimeter of one of the slits, the external cortical surface of the skull bone was mechanically perforated using a carbide round bur (experimental site), while the bone surface within the other slit (control site) was left intact. Subsequently, 2 prefabricated titanium domes with an inner diameter of 4.8 mm and an inner height of 3.0 mm were anchored in the prepared slits. The animals were divided into 4 groups of 4 rabbits each and were sacrificed at 10, 21, 42, and 60 days. The specimens were assessed for the percentage bone fill and density of the newly formed bone within the boundaries of the domes. RESULTS Histomorphometric analysis showed significantly increased bone neogenesis within the experimental domes at 10, 21, 42, and 60 days. A mean total area of 29% newly formed bone was demonstrated in the experimental sites at 21 days, while negligible bone formation (9%) occurred with the control domes at the same evaluation interval. Bone density was consistently higher in experimental domes at all healing intervals. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of this study, the results demonstrate that intramarrow penetration accelerates initial bone neogenesis and results in increased bone fill and density, suggesting that its use can be beneficial in bone regenerative procedures.