Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mastocytic enterocolitis: increased mucosal mast cells in chronic intractable diarrhea.

CONTEXT In some adult patients with chronic intractable diarrhea, the diagnosis remains elusive even after detailed evaluations, and colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens may appear unremarkable on routine hematoxylin-eosin staining. OBJECTIVES To assess the concentration of mast cells in colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens by immunohistochemical analysis for mast cell tryptase from patients with chronic intractable diarrhea and to evaluate their response to drugs affecting mast cell function. DESIGN Mast cells per high-power field were assessed in biopsy specimens from 47 patients with chronic intractable diarrhea, from 50 control subjects, and from 63 patients with other specific diseases that cause chronic diarrhea (inflammatory bowel disease, celiac disease, collagenous colitis, and lymphocytic colitis). Patients with chronic intractable diarrhea who had more than 20 mast cells per high-power field were administered drugs affecting mast cell mediator function and release. RESULTS The mean +/- SD concentration of mast cells in the 50 control subjects was 13.3 +/- 3.5 cells per high-power field; hence, patients with more than 20 mast cells per high-power field were considered to have increased mast cells. Thirty-three (70%) of 47 patients with chronic intractable diarrhea had increased mast cells, and symptoms were controlled by drug therapy in 22 (67%) of the 33 patients. No patient had systemic or cutaneous mastocytosis. No increase in mast cells was seen in patients with other common causes of chronic diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS In chronic intractable diarrhea, colonic or duodenal biopsy specimens may appear unremarkable on routine hematoxylin-eosin staining, but increased mast cells may be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry for mast cell tryptase, with the novel term mastocytic enterocolitis describing this condition. Similar increases in mast cells are not apparent in control populations or in patients with other specific diseases that cause chronic diarrhea. The cause of the increased mast cells remains to be elucidated.
Simple and accurate method for time-dependent transport along nanoscale junctions

A simple method that accurately captures the dynamics of metal–molecule–metal junctions under the influence of time-dependent driving forces is presented. In the method, the metallic contacts are modeled explicitly as a discrete set of levels that are dynamically broadened via an artificial damping term in the equations of motion. The approximations that underlie the method are revealed via a derivation of the effective equations of motion within the framework of nonequilibrium Green’s functions (NEGF) theory. As shown, the method applies to junctions that can be described by an effective independent Fermion Hamiltonian, admits arbitrary time dependence in the molecular Hamiltonian, and is restricted to time-dependent voltages that are adiabatically slow. The method is trivial to implement computationally, has a well-defined range where the results are independent of artificial model parameters, and is numerically shown to quantitatively reproduce the time-dependent transport characteristics of a model mo.
Differences in management and outcomes between male and female patients with atherothrombotic disease: results from the REACH Registry in Europe

Background: Although guidelines recommend similar evaluation and treatment for both sexes, differences in approach and outcomes have been reported. Design: Prospective, observational registry. Methods: Consecutive patients at high cardiovascular risk were assessed for risk factors and management at baseline, and followed-up for 2 years. Results: Twenty-two thousand and twenty-eight patients with documented arterial disease (symptomatic) or three or more atherothrombotic risk factors (asymptomatic) completed the 2-year follow-up of the REduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health Registry in Europe (women, 31.5%; men, 68.4%). Women patients were 3.3 years (mean) older than men. Few differences were observed between asymptomatic men and women in risk factor profile or management at baseline. Higher proportions of symptomatic women than men had diabetes (P < 0.001), hypertension (P < 0.0001), elevated total cholesterol levels (P < 0.0001) or elevated triglycerides (P < 0.01). A much lower proportion of women than men were current smokers (asymptomatic, 14.6 vs. 29.3%; symptomatic, 11.9 vs. 19.5%, both P < 0.0001). Within the symptomatic population, women received antithrombotic agents (91.8 vs. 94.9%, P < 0.0001) and lipid-lowering agents (68.2 vs. 73.1%, P < 0.0001) less frequently than men. After multivariate adjustment, fewer symptomatic women than men had undergone coronary revascularizations at 2 years (odds ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.61-0.85). There were no differences in primary outcomes, including cardiovascular death/myocardial infarction/stroke (odds ratio, 1.01, 95% confidence interval, 0.93–1.11, P = 0.78), between the sexes. Discussion: Although no differences were found in cardiovascular event rates at 2-year follow-up, secondary prevention could be improved in women, which might further reduce event rates.
A randomised, controlled study of peri‐operative low dose s(+)‐ketamine in combination with postoperative patient‐controlled s(+)‐ketamine and morphine after radical prostatectomy *

In a randomised, double‐blind prospective study we compared the effects on postoperative pain and analgesic consumption of intra‐operative s(+)‐ketamine (100 μg.kg−1 bolus and a continuous infusion of 2 μg.kg−1.min−1) followed by postoperative patient‐controlled analgesia with morphine (1 mg per bolus) plus s(+)‐ketamine (0.5 mg per bolus), or intra‐operative saline followed by postoperative patient‐controlled analgesia morphine (1 mg per bolus) alone. A total of 28 male patients undergoing radical prostatectomy were studied. Morphine consumption, pain scores, pressure algometry and adverse effects were recorded for 48 h after surgery. Cumulative morphine consumption was significantly lower in the ketamine/morphine group (47.9 ± 26.2 mg) than in the saline/morphine group (73.4 ± 34.8 mg; p = 0.049). Pain scores at rest were significantly lower in the ketamine/morphine group across the 48‐h study period (p = 0.01). No significant differences were found in pressure algometry measurements or the occurrence of adverse effects.
Mutational analysis in serial marrow samples during azacitidine treatment in patients with post-transplant relapse of acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes

Post-transplant relapse remains a major cause of treatment failure in patients with myeloid malignancies such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Despite interventions such as withdrawal of immunosuppression, administration of chemotherapy, donor lymphocyte infusion (
Two-Dimensional Material Molybdenum Disulfides as Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution

Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), represented by MoS2, have been proven to be a fascinating new class of electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The rich chemical activities, combined with several strategies to regulate its morphologies and electronic properties, make MoS2 very attractive for understanding the fundamentals of electrocatalysis. In this review, recent developments in using MoS2 as electrocatalysts for the HER with high activity are presented. The effects of edges on HER activities of MoS2 are briefly discussed. Then we demonstrate strategies to further enhance the catalytic performance of MoS2 by improving its conductivity or engineering its structure. Finally, the key challenges to the industrial application of MoS2 in electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution are also pointed out.
Trauma, attachment, and family permanence : fear can stop you loving

Foreword. Daniel A. Hughes. Introduction: A Tapestry of Colours. Caroline Archer, Family Futures Consortium, London Part 1. State of Play: Current Theory and Practice. 1. Adoption and Permanence Today: A Discussion. Adrian Briggs, Family Futures Consortium, London. 2. The 'Coherent Narrative': Realism, Resources and Responsibility in Family Permanence. Elsie Price. 3. Setting up the Loom: Attachment Theory Revisited. Alan Burnell, Family Futures Consortium, London with Caroline Archer. 4. Weft and Warp: Developmental Impact of Trauma and Implications for Healing. Caroline Archer. 5. Clinical Concepts and Caregiving Contexts: A Consultant's Perspective. Jeanne Magagna, Principal Child Psychotherapist, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London. 6. 'A Hard Day's Night': A Parent's Perspective. Lucy Greenmile. Part 2: State of the Art: Theory into Practice. Jenny and Marty's Story Jay Vaughan, Family Futures Consortium, London. 7. Assessment: A Multi-disciplinary Approach. Alan Burnell. 8. Rationale for the Intensive Programme. Jay Vaughan. 9. The Drama of Adoption Jay Vaughan. 10. The Drama Unfolds. Jay Vaughan. 11. Contact as Therapy. Alan Burnell. 12. Holding the Fort. Christine Gordon, Family Futures Consortium, London. 13. Hands on Help. Christine Gordon. 14. Difficulty with Learning or Learning to be Difficult? Griselda Kellie-Smith, Family Futures Consortium, London. Part 3: State, Community and Family: The Future. 15. Weaving Together the Threads: Families with Futures. Caroline Archer. References. Index.
Effects of wobbling angle on the stability measures of orthodontic mini-implants during insertion and removal procedures.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of wobbling angle on the stability measures of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) during insertion and removal procedures in artificial bone blocks. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 36 OMIs (self-drilling type, cylindrical shape, 7 mm in length, 1.45 mm in diameter) were allocated into three groups according to the amount of wobbling angle (W-0°, W-2°, and W-4° groups; N = 12 per group). The OMIs were installed and subsequently removed from artificial bone blocks (Sawbone) using a driving torque tester with a uniform speed of 28 rpm. Insertion peak time (IPT), maximum insertion torque (MIT), total insertion energy (TIE), near-peak insertion energy (NPIE), maximum removal torque (MRT), and near-peak removal energy (NPRE) were measured. RESULTS The W-4° group showed the longest IPT and highest TIE and NPIE, followed by the W-2° and W-0° groups (W-0° < W-2° < W-4°, all P < .001). The W-2° and W-4° groups showed significant increase in MIT compared with the W-0° group (W-0° < [W-4°,W-2°]; P < .001). Although there was no significant difference in NPRE among the three groups, the W-4° group showed a decrease in MRT compared with the W-0° and W-2° groups (W-4° < {W-2°,W-0°]; P < .05). Although the W-4° group showed a 14.5% (2.9 Ncm) increase in MIT compared with the W-0° group, there was only a 6% (1.3 Ncm) decrease in MRT from the W-0° group to the W-4° group. CONCLUSION Slight wobbling during the OMI insertion procedure may be acceptable in terms of the stability measures of OMIs during insertion and removal procedures.
Antigenic variation in the African trypanosome: molecular mechanisms and phenotypic complexity

Antigenic variation is an immune evasion strategy that has evolved in viral, bacterial and protistan pathogens. In the African trypanosome this involves stochastic switches in the composition of a variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) coat, using a massive archive of silent VSG genes to change the identity of the single VSG expressed at a time. VSG switching is driven primarily by recombination reactions that move silent VSGs into specialized expression sites, though transcription‐based switching can also occur. Here we discuss what is being revealed about the machinery that underlies these switching mechanisms, including what parallels can be drawn with other pathogens. In addition, we discuss how such switching reactions act in a hierarchy and contribute to pathogen survival in the face of immune attack, including the establishment and maintenance of chronic infections, leading to host–host transmission.
Sensory nerve regeneration: an experimental study of skin grafts in the rabbit.

The reinnervation of skin following nerve injury is often incomplete, resulting in abnormal sensory function. It is thought that normal sensory perception is a product of a unique pattern of impulses initiated from cutaneous receptors able to transduce varieties and ranges of stimuli into impulse patterns (Melzack & Wall, 1962). These multifibre modulated patterns (Granit, 1955) may be modified by changes in the absolute and the relative number of myelinated and unmyelinated fibres with resulting sensory disorders. Sensory dissociation with loss of pain and temperature sensation has been shown both in patients with amyloidosis (Dyck & Lambert, 1969) and in a case of dysautonomia of Riley-Day (Aguayo, Nair & Bray, 1971) to be associated with a predominant loss of peripheral unmyelinated fibres. Following a nerve injury, sensory responses may be increased or diminished and it is not uncommon to find a raised sensory threshold in association with an unpleasant 'hyperpathic' response (Head & Sherren, 1905; Lourie & King, 1966; Ochoa, 1970).
Insecticide treated nets : impact on vector populations and relevance of initial intensity of transmission and pyrethroid resistance

Insecticide treated bednets locate a deposit of a quick-acting insecticide of low human toxicity between a sleeper and host-seeking mosquitoes. Thus a chemical barrier is added to the often incomplete physical barrier provided by the net. Treated nets may be considered as mosquito traps baited by the odour of the sleeper. Trials in Assam, Tanzania and elsewhere have shown that when a whole community is provided with treated nets, so many mosquitoes of anthropophilic species are killed by contact with the nets that the density and/or sporozoite rate of the vector population is reduced. In order to gain this “mass” or community effect, in addition to widespread personal protection, and thus to achieve the full potential of the treated net method, a high per cent coverage of the community is needed. This suggests that organised free provision of treated nets, comparable to a house spraying programme, is likely to be more cost-effective than trying to market nets and insecticide to very poor rural people. In areas with high malaria transmission, where acquisition of immunity to malaria is very important, it has been argued that vector control (without vector eradication) could, in the long run, make the situation worse by preventing the normal build-up of immunity. However, our data from Tanzania do not support this idea—3–4 years after provision of nets (which are re-treated annually) young children are still showing clear health benefits; older children are not “paying” for this by showing worse impact of malaria. There is less malaria morbidity in a highland area where malaria transmission is about 15x less intense than in a nearby lowland area. The per cent impact of treated nets malaria morbidity in both areas was very similar. At present only pyrethroids are used for net treatment which suggested that emergence of pyrethroid resistance would have a disastrous effect. However, in West Africa, where there is now a high frequency of the kdr resistance gene in Anopheles gambiae, it is reported that treated nets continue to have a powerful impact on vector populations. In Tanzania, pyrethroid resistance has not been detected in malaria vectors, but it has emerged in bedbugs after seven years use of treated nets.
Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: early outcomes in 50 consecutive patients

Minimally invasive approaches to proctectomy for rectal cancer have not been widely adopted due to inherent technical challenges. A modification of traditional transabdominal mobilization, termed transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME), has the potential to improve access to the distal rectum. The aim of the current study is to assess outcomes following TaTME for rectal cancer.
Disposition of sulphadiazine in young rhesus monkeys with protein calorie malnutrition.

Disposition of sulphadiazine was assessed in young rhesus monkeys under three stages of nutritional manipulations i.e. control, protein calorie malnutrition (PCM) state and following nutritional rehabilitation. There was no alteration in the absorption kinetics except a delayed peak in the malnourished group. A decrease in volume of distribution of drug in the peripheral compartment was noted. The most significant changes observed was in the elimination kinetic parameter. The (Ke) elimination rate constant and the clearance rate showed a significant decrease which could be either because of decreased rate of acetylation or a decrease volume of distribution.
Cluster Headache. The Sweating Pattern During Spontaneous Attacks

Sweating in the forehead, on the eyelids, in the face and on the trunk was measured with the Evaporimeter during 31 spontaneous cluster headache attacks of varying severity in 18 patients, the evaporimeter measures evaporative water loss (sweating + transepidermal water loss) rapidly and accurately as g/m2/h. The patients themselves acted as controls. Sweating was also estimated in 25 healthy individuals at a temperature of 27 ± 1 C, and a mean relative humidity of 19%. During eight severe attacks, sweating in the medial part of the forehead on the symptomatic side was invariably increased. In moderate attacks the increment was less pronounced and in the inter-cycle period, no definite increase was found. The cause: of increased sweating during cluster headache attacks remains enigmatic. Cluster headache sweating, sympathetic nervous system.
Health Status Among US Hispanics: Ethnic Variation, Nativity, and Language Moderation

Background:The relationship between health status and Hispanic ethnicities, language, and nativity is poorly understood, due to the limitations and conflicting findings of previous studies. Objectives:To examine the effects of language and nativity on health status in Hispanic ethnic subgroups and non-Hispanic whites (whites). Research Design:Cross-sectional analyses of data from the 1998–2004 National Health Interview Survey linked to the 1999–2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Health status was regressed on race/ethnicity, interview language, and nativity, with adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic variables. Subjects:A total of 16,489 Hispanics (13,522 Mexicans, 778 Cubans, 1360 Puerto Ricans, and 829 Dominicans) and 45,422 whites. Measures:SF-12 mental (MCS-12) and physical (PCS-12) component summary scores. Results:In adjusted analyses, Mexicans had significantly higher MCS-12 scores than other Hispanics and whites, with the largest advantage noted for Spanish-speaking Mexicans. Ethnic origin * nativity interaction effects were significant for both MCS-12 [adjusted Wald test, F (3236) = 7.27, P = 0.0001] and PCS-12 [F (3236) = 4.75, P = 0.0031]. Continental US-born Mexicans had worse mental and physical health status than non-US-born Mexicans. By contrast, continental US birth was associated with better mental health status for Cubans and Dominicans, and better physical health status for Puerto Ricans. Conclusions:Complex interactions exist among language, nativity, ethnicity, and health status among Hispanics. Mexicans have better health status than whites and other Hispanics, and the moderating effects of nativity and language differ for Mexicans compared with other Hispanics. Future research should approach Hispanics as a diverse grouping rather than a monolithic entity.
Ethnic differences in creatinine kinetics in a New Zealand end‐stage kidney disease cohort

Recent data have suggested that glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is better predicted in New Zealand (NZ) Māori and Pacific People using the equations for Black people that predict higher GFR for any given serum creatinine. We hypothesized that this might be due to a higher rate of creatinine generation in NZ Māori and Pacific People.
Transient Virus Expression Systems for Recombinant Protein Expression in Dicot- and Monocotyledonous Plants

© 2012 Pogue and Holzberg, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Transient Virus Expression Systems for Recombinant Protein Expression in Dicotand Monocotyledonous Plants
A New Algorithm for Continuous Sliding Mode Control With Implementation to Industrial Emulator Setup

This paper presents a new control algorithm for obtaining continuous sliding mode control, based on integral sliding-mode control (ISMC), where the discontinuous part of the ISMC is replaced with a continuous control. It is shown that the well-known super twisting control (STC), which replaces the discontinuous part of the ISMC acts as a disturbance observer, and hence, cancels the matched disturbance. As the overall controller is continuous the proposed method is advantageous over the existing ISMC, which has a discontinuous term. Also from the practical implementation point of view, in particular for mechanical systems, discontinuous term will result in chattering, which is undesirable. The proposed algorithm has been implemented on a practical system and its superiority has been demonstrated.
Comparative study of the phytochemical composition of the leaves of five Nigerian medicinal plants

The percentage phytochemical composition of the leaves of pawpaw, bitter kola, tetrapleura, neem and ginger was investigated using the methods of the Association of analytical chemists, Harbone and the Alkaline picrate method. The saponin content of pawpaw, though not significantly different from bitter kola, was the highest among other plants while ginger had the least. The alkaloid content of tetrapleura was significantly higher than other plants studied (P < 0.05) while pawpaw had the least. The tannin contents of all the plants indicated that they were in moderate amounts. Pawpaw and ginger whose tannin contents were statistically the same contained higher quantities of tannins than other plants while bitter kola contained the least. In addition, the tannin contents of both neem and tetrapleura were also the same. The flavonoids in ginger, pawpaw, tetrapleura and neem were observed to be statistically the same while they were higher than that of bitter kola. Neem contained the highest amounts of cyanogenic glucosides among other plants while pawpaw contained the least. Results show that the cyanogenic glucoside contents of the plants were below the toxic level for man. The presence of tannin in all the plants investigated indicated that they could be used in the treatment of burns and wounds. Finally, the high alkaloid and flavonoids contents of the plants, suggests their antioxidant potentials and justifies their therapeutic actions, which could be used in drug formulation.