Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mast cell changes in scleroderma. Presence of MCT cells in the skin and evidence of mast cell activation.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the concentration and distribution of the MCT (tryptase-positive, chymase-negative) and MCTC (tryptase-positive, chymase-positive) types of mast cell in cutaneous lesions of scleroderma. METHODS Biopsy specimens were obtained from skin lesions in 24 patients with scleroderma, and subjected to double immunohistochemical analysis using mouse monoclonal anti-tryptase and anti-chymase antibodies. RESULTS Dermal mast cell concentrations were below the normal range in 12 of the specimens, most of which were obtained between 1 and 4 years after disease onset. All other specimens contained normal concentrations of mast cells. MCT cells were present in 12 specimens and comprised between 8% and 100% of the total mast cells. Extracellular tissue deposits of tryptase-positive and/or chymase-positive granular material were observed in 8 specimens, suggesting possible mast cell degranulation. CONCLUSION These findings are in contrast to those in normal skin, where MCTC cells are essentially the only type of mast cell present in the dermis. The results suggest that mast cells are involved in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lesions in scleroderma.
A metabolomic approach in an experimental model of hypoxia-reoxygenation in newborn piglets: urine predicts outcome

Perinatal asphyxia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal period. Response to oxygen treatment is unpredictable and the optimum concentration of oxygen in neonatal resuscitation is still a matter of debate among neonatologists. A metabolomic approach was used to characterize the metabolic profiles of newborn hypoxic-reoxygenated piglets. Urine samples were collected from newborn piglets (n = 40) undergoing hypoxia followed by resuscitation at different oxygen concentrations (ranging from 18% to 100%) and analyzed by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Despite reoxygenation 7 piglets, out of 10 which became asystolic, did not respond to resuscitation. Profiles of the 1H NMR spectra were submitted to unsupervised (principal component analysis) and supervised (partial least squares-discriminant analysis) multivariate analysis. The supervised analyses showed differences in the metabolic profile of the urine collected before the induction of hypoxia between survivors and deaths. Metabolic variations were observed in the urine of piglets treated with different oxygen concentrations comparing T0 (basal value) and end of the experiment (resuscitation). Some of the individual metabolites discriminating between these groups were urea, creatinine, malonate, methylguanidine, hydroxyisobutyric acid. The metabolomic approach appears a promising tool for investigating newborn hypoxia over time, for monitoring the response to the treatment with different oxygen concentrations, and might lead to a tailored management of the disorder.
Allergic reaction to aromatic ammonia inhalant ampule

a portion of the contents of an ampule of aromatic ammonia inhalant. Following the attempt, she started to experience rhinitis, rhinorrhea, conjunctivitis, dizziness, and a severe headache. These became progressively more severe, and within one hour, were accompanied by wheezes, shortness of breath, and periorbital swelling to the extent that she could not see. Also noted was a nonpruritic urticaria on the extremities, but not on the trunk. She denied any known drug or food allergies, exposure to any unusual or previously nonutilized soaps, detergents, clothing apparel, etc. Initially, she denied exposure to any drug, but upon repeated questioning, affirmed that she had, as was her usual custom, inhaled part of the contents of an ammonia capsule prior to one of her lifts. She denied any previous difficulty following the use of ammonia inhalants in the past. At our request, her coach produced the box from which she had obtained the ampule. Upon further questioning, it became clear that she had always previously used the regular or nonaromatic ammonia inhalant, and that this was the first and only incidence of use of the aromatic type. She was treated with epinephrine, 0.5 cc subcutaneously, and diphenhydramine hydrochloride, 50 mg intravenously, with almost immediate resolution of all symptomology, with-
Macroeconomic Dimensions of Public-Private Partnerships

The voluminous literature comparing public-private partnerships (P3s) and own-investment (OI) by the public sector is dominated by contributions from microeconomic theory. This paper gives macroeconomics a voice in the debate by investigating the repercussions of P3 vs. OI in a dynamic general equilibrium model featuring private capital accumulation and involuntary unemployment with efficiency wages. Typically P3s cost more but produce higher-quality infrastructure and boast a better on-time completion record than OI; consequently, they are comparatively more effective in reducing underinvestment in private capital, underinvestment in infrastructure, unemployment and poverty. The asymmetric impact on macro externalities raises the social return in the P3 2 - 9 percentage points relative to the social return to OI, depending on whether the externalities operate singly or in combination and on whether P3 enjoys an advantage in speed of construction.
Effects of intravenous lidocaine, ketamine, and the combination on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of intravenous lidocaine (L) and ketamine (K) alone and their combination (LK) on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane (SEVO) in dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective randomized, Latin-square experimental study. ANIMALS Six, healthy, adult Beagles, 2 males, 4 females, weighing 7.8 - 12.8 kg. METHODS Anesthesia was induced with SEVO in oxygen delivered by face mask. The tracheas were intubated and the lungs ventilated to maintain normocapnia. Baseline minimum alveolar concentration of SEVO (MAC(B)) was determined in duplicate for each dog using an electrical stimulus and then the treatment was initiated. Each dog received each of the following treatments, intravenously as a loading dose (LD) followed by a constant rate infusion (CRI): lidocaine (LD 2 mg kg(-1), CRI 50 microg kg(-1)minute(-1)), lidocaine (LD 2 mg kg(-1), CRI 100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)), lidocaine (LD 2 mg kg(-1), CRI 200 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)), ketamine (LD 3 mg kg(-1), CRI 50 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)), ketamine (LD 3 mgkg(-1), CRI 100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)), or lidocaine (LD 2 mg kg(-1), CRI 100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)) + ketamine (LD 3 mg kg(-1), CRI 100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1)) in combination. Post-treatment MAC (MAC(T)) determination started 30 minutes after initiation of treatment. RESULTS Least squares mean +/- SEM MAC(B) of all groups was 1.9 +/- 0.2%. Lidocaine infusions of 50, 100, and 200 microg kg(-1) minute(-1) significantly reduced MAC(B) by 22.6%, 29.0%, and 39.6%, respectively. Ketamine infusions of 50 and 100 microg kg(-1) minute(-1) significantly reduced MAC(B) by 40.0% and 44.7%, respectively. The combination of K and L significantly reduced MAC(B) by 62.8%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Lidocaine and K, alone and in combination, decrease SEVO MAC in dogs. Their use, at the doses studied, provides a clinically important reduction in the concentration of SEVO during anesthesia in dogs.
Neurologic Evaluation and Management of Perioperative Nerve Injury

Neurologic injury after regional anesthesia or pain medicine procedures is rare. Postprocedural neurologic deficits may create high levels of anxiety for the patient and practitioner, although most deficits are limited in severity and can be expected to fully resolve with time. Postoperative anesthesia–related neuraxial and peripheral nerve injuries are reviewed to define an efficient, structured approach to these complications. Emphasis is placed on acutely stratifying the urgency and scope of diagnostic testing or consultation necessity, initiating appropriate definitive treatments, and defining appropriate out-of-hospital follow-up and symptom management. What’s New Studies pertinent to the recognition, evaluation, and treatment of neurologic assessment of perioperative nerve injury and published since the last advisory on the topic1 are reviewed and a new structured algorithmic approach is proposed. The evolving literature on postoperative inflammatory neuropathies is reviewed to help define the clinical criteria and to identify patients who would benefit from early neurological evaluation. New sections review potential acute interventions to improve neurologic outcome and long-term management of neuropathic pain resulting from perioperative nerve injury.
Selection and Recombinant Phenotyping of a Novel CMX001 and Cidofovir Resistance Mutation in Human Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT CMX001 is an orally available lipid acyclic nucleotide phosphonate that delivers high intracellular levels of cidofovir (CDV)-diphosphate and exhibits enhanced in vitro antiviral activity against a wide range of double-stranded DNA viruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV). Mutations in the DNA polymerase of CMV that impart resistance to CDV also render the virus resistant to CMX001. Here, we report a novel resistance mutation that arose under the selective pressure of CMX001. The wild-type CMV strain AD169 was propagated in human foreskin fibroblasts under increasing concentrations of CMX001 over 10 months, and the resulting strain (named CMX001R) was less susceptible to CDV and CMX001 in a plaque reduction assay. Genotypic analysis of virus strain CMX001R via conventional sequencing of the genes encoding the CMV DNA polymerase (UL54) and UL97 kinase (UL97) demonstrated one mutation that changed the wild-type aspartate to glutamate at position 542 in UL54. A recombinant virus with this novel D542E mutation was generated via bacterial artificial chromosome-mediated marker transfer experiments. Subsequent phenotypic resistance analysis of the D542E mutant demonstrated reductions in susceptibility of greater than 10-fold to CMX001 and CDV, but no resistance to foscarnet (FOS) or ganciclovir (GCV). Analysis of replicative fitness showed that both strain CMX001R and the D542E mutant viruses demonstrated a smaller plaque phenotype and slower replication kinetics than their respective parent viruses. These data describe the first resistance mutation generated under the selective pressure of CMX001 and suggest that CMX001 may have a unique resistance profile associated with reduced viral replication and maintenance of sensitivity to FOS and GCV.
Detection of Ehrlichia platys in dogs in Australia.

OBJECTIVE To describe the detection of Ehrlichia platys in free-roaming dogs in Central Australia. PROCEDURE Blood samples were collected from four dogs and examined for bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based assays. The three positive samples obtained were then sequenced and identification of the PCR product carried out. As a result of all three samples being identical to or closely related to part of the 16S rRNA gene of E. platys, blood samples were subsequently obtained from a further 24 dogs. These samples were screened using a PCR-assay to determine the presence of Ehrlichia DNA using genus-specific primers. The positive samples obtained from the screening process were then subjected to a further PCR-assay using E. platys specific primers. RESULTS Of 28 dogs sampled, Ehrlichia DNA was detected in the blood of 13 dogs. Sequencing of the amplicons obtained indicated a high homology with the 16S rRNA gene for E. platys. When the E. platys-specific PCR was performed for 10 of those dogs, the 678 bp product obtained from the PCR amplification confirmed the identification as part of the 16S rRNA gene of E. platys in all 10 dogs. CONCLUSION This study reports for the first time Ehrlichia carriage by dogs in Australia. It also indicates the usefulness of the PCR technique in rapidly and accurately identifying diseases that are otherwise difficult to detect. By using universal primers directed against bacterial 16S ribosomal DNA and sequencing analysis, the detection of potentially pathogenic Ehrlichia organisms that had not previously been found in Australia has been made possible.
FIRST RECORD OF AEDES ALBOPICTUS IN GABON

ABSTRACT Aedes albopictus were collected in the French military camp of Libreville, Estuaire Province, Gabon, from January to March 2007 by human landing catches during an entomological evaluation of malaria transmission. Inspection of potential larval habitats within and outside the camp showed that Ae. albopictus was found only in artificial containers (discarded tires and small water containers). Associated species of mosquito larvae were Ae. aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus. At the same time, Ae. albopictus adults and larvae were also collected from discarded tires in Tcheungue near Port Gentil, Ogoue Maritime Province. Ae. albopictus seems to be established in this part of Gabon's littoral. Further studies are necessary to investigate the extension of Ae. albopictus establishment throughout the country.
How Rich is China?: Evidence from the Food Economy

In the late 1970s, the World Bank reported that China's 1976 per capita GDP was US$410. This was more than twice as high as India's, almost twice as high as Indonesia's (US$240) and higher than Thailand's (US$380). Over the next thirteen years, the same World Bank publications recorded average growth in real output per head in China at around 8 per cent per annum, which was substantially higher than in Thailand, and about twice as high as in India or Indonesia. During the same period, the real purchasing power of the US dollar fell by half. Yet the World Bank recorded China's per capita income in 1990 at US$370, about the same as India's (US$350), much less than Indonesia's (US$570), and about one-third that of Thailand (US$1,420). 1 This is a puzzle which, pending its resolution, raises doubts about the whole statistical basis of our understanding of China's growth performance in the era of reform. Has China really not grown so fast over the past d6zen years; have the economists of the EMF, the World Bank and the world's main centres of scholarship been duped; and is China due one day for the sort of downgrading of perceived levels of output and rates of growth that Eastern Europe has experienced since the disintegration of the Berlin Wall? Or were the higher numbers for China's GDP that the World Bank was reporting a dozen years ago closer to the reality than the later, revised data, so that the recent data greatly underestimate GDP? The apparently conflicting observation of high growth and falling per capita GDP during the 1980s is partly a result of sizeable and successive depreciations of the Chinese currency (renminbi) relative to US dollars. But a
In situ microscopy for on‐line characterization of cell‐populations in bioreactors, including cell‐concentration measurements by depth from focus

A new technique is presented which allows the use of a front‐end sensor head for in situ and on‐line characterization of cell concentration and cell size during fermentation. An epifluorescence microscope is mounted in a port of a bioreactor viewing directly into the agitated broth. Still images from cells are generated using pulsed illumination. They are directly visualized on a monitor and used for automatic image analysis. The cell concentration and morphological information are determined by counting and evaluating the cell images with respect to their depth from focus characteristic. An in situ microscope was successfully tested during yeast fermentations and yielded results which correlated well with results from a hemocytometer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Association of External Transfer Status with Adverse Outcomes in Otolaryngology

Objective To compare rates of morbidity and mortality in patients treated by otolaryngologists who undergo interhospital transfers vs those who do not and to quantify conditions requiring interhospital transfers in this population. Study Design Cohort study. Setting American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Subjects and Methods We identified patients requiring surgery by otolaryngologists in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2006 to 2013. We compared patients who were transferred from an outside institution to those admitted from home. Multivariate regression was used to adjust for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and case mix. The primary outcome was overall morbidity and mortality within 30 days of surgery. Results We identified 60,498 patients; 488 (0.8%) were transferred from another institution. Operations that were more common in the transferred group were incision and drainage (24.0% vs 1.2%), facial trauma repair (9.0% vs 3.1%), and oropharyngeal hemorrhage control (3.9% vs 0.4%). External transfer patients had significantly longer hospital stays (44.1% vs 4.4% >7 days, P < .05). On unadjusted analysis, transferred patients had a significantly higher rate of morbidity and mortality (odds ratio [OR], 11.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.4-13.5). On multivariate analysis, transferred patients had a significantly greater rate of morbidity and mortality (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 2.4-4.0). Conclusion Transfer from another institution is associated with worse outcomes independent of case mix, demographics, and preoperative comorbidities in acute otolaryngology conditions requiring surgery. Practitioners should be aware of this when caring for transfer patients, and transfer status should be considered when measuring hospital quality.
Consensus in networks of nonidentical Euler-Lagrange systems with variable time-delays

The present work reports a sufficient condition for the consensus of a network of nonidentical Euler-Lagrange (EL) systems with variable time-delays in the communications. The EL-systems are controlled by simple Proportional plus damping (P+d) schemes and the interconnection network is modeled as an undirected weighted graph. Additionally, for the case without delays, the paper reports a new Strict Lyapunov Function (SLF) for the closed-loop system. Experimental evidence, using three 3-Degrees-of-Freedom manipulators interconnected through the Internet, support the theoretical results of this paper.
Structural and functional alterations of the heart in Parkinson’s disease

Abstract Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients have most frequently heart failure. The cause of this increased prevalence is not known. We designed a study to assess the cardiac function and cardiac structure in patients with PD compared to a control group. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 50 PD patients and 50 healthy matched controls. We performed electro and echocardiograms to all patients and controls. The measurements were blind. In addition, we performed a neurological assessment. Results: PD patients had higher left ventricular mass index (114.2 ± 38.4 vs. 94.1 ± 26.4 g/m2; P = 0.003) and higher left atrial volume (30.1 ± 7.9 vs. 26.7 ± 6.2 ml/m2; P = 0.01). PD was an independent risk factor for elevated left ventricular filling pressures (OR = 2.7, CI 95% 2.2–6.3; P = 0.004). Concentric remodeling and left ventricular hypertrophy were associated with more advanced Hoehn and Yahr stages. Moreover, patients with more dysautonomia symptoms showed more left ventricular hypertrophy. Finally, PD group had longer QT interval than control group regardless of the drugs. Conclusions: PD is significantly associated with increased concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Advanced stages of PD are associated with a more severe cardiac affection. These findings can explain the increase of heart failure in PD patients. Cardiomyopathy could be a non-motor parkinsonian symptom.
Corporate bankruptcy: Financial and political theories of American corporate bankruptcy

What explains American corporate bankruptcy, with its time-consuming and expensive reorganization process? Accepted wisdom is that bankruptcy protects an insolvent debtor's assets from its creditors who would otherwise dismantle the debtor in a frenzied attempt to collect on their loans. By providing for an orderly disposition of claims against a debtor firm, bankruptcy law preserves intact the firm's "common pool" of assets available to creditors. In this classic account, creditors willingly bear the costs of bankruptcy because the alternative is worse: a contentious race among creditors and destruction of the firm. Thus, the bankruptcy system is seen as a lesser of evils.
Evaluation of ameroid ring constrictors for the management of single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in cats: 23 cases (1996-2001).

OBJECTIVE To document the signalment; history; clinical signs; clinicopathologic, diagnostic imaging, and surgical findings; perioperative complications; and long-term clinical results of ameroid ring constrictor (ARC) placement on single extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (PSS) in cats. DESIGN Retrospective study. ANIMALS 23 cats treated with an ARC on a single extrahepatic PSS. PROCEDURE An ARC was placed surgically around the PSS. Portal pressure was measured prior to ARC placement, with complete temporary PSS occlusion, and after ARC placement. Cats were scheduled for recheck transcolonic portal scintigraphy 8 to 10 weeks after surgery. Follow-up information was obtained by telephone interview with the owners. RESULTS An ARC was successfully placed in 22 of 23 cats. Intraoperative complications, consisting of PSS hemorrhage, occurred in 2 cats. Mean (+/- SD) portal pressure (n = 15) was 6.7+/-2.9 mm Hg before PSS manipulation, 18.6+/-7.7 mm Hg with complete temporary PSS occlusion, and 6.9+/-2.7 mm Hg after ARC placement. Postoperative complications developed in 77% (17 of 22) of cats after ARC placement, and included central blindness, hyperthermia, frantic behavior, and generalized motor seizures. Perioperative mortality rate was 4.3% (1 of 23). Persistent shunting was identified in 8 of 14 cats. Overall, 75% (15 of 20) of cats had an excellent long-term outcome. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Placement of an ARC on single extrahepatic PSS in cats resulted in low surgical complication and perioperative mortality rates, but most cats did have substantial postoperative complications. Persistent shunting was common, although many cats with persistent shunting were clinically normal.
Prognostic value of HPV DNA status in cervical cancer before treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV), has been recognized as an vital preliminary event in the oncogenesis of cervical cancer. But the prognostic value is not well defined, because of past studies showing conflicting results. So we conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate whether HPV DNA status was associated with prognosis in cervical cancer. Materials and Methods A total of 17 previously published eligible studies including 2,838 cases were identified and included in this meta-analysis. Positive HPV DNA was associated with good prognosis in patients with cervical cancer (overall survival [OS]: pooled hazard ratio (HR) = 0.610, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.457−0.814, P = 0.001; disease free survival [DFS]: pooled HR = 0.362, 95% CI = 0.252−0.519, P < 0.001). Furthermore, in subgroup analysis, the results revealed that the association between HPV DNA positive cervical cancers and better OS (pooled HR = 0.534, 95 % CI = 0.355–0.804, P = 0.003) in Mongoloid patients. Similarly, it existed in good OS (pooled HR = 0.628, 95 % CI 0.429−0.922, P = 0.017) and DFS (pooled HR = 0.355, 95% CI = 0.226−0.559, P < 0.001) in Caucasian patients. Conclusions HPV DNA status in cervical cancer may be a useful prognostic biomarker before carcinomas are treated. However, larger sample sizes and more comprehensive studies are required in the future studies to verify our findings.