Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The captopril test in the detection of renovascular disease in hypertensive patients.

A number of reports share the conclusion that the captopril test is an adequate screening procedure for the detection of renovascular disease among hypertensive patients. Therefore, we prospectively studied the value of this test in 149 consecutive hypertensive patients. The test was considered positive if plasma renin activity, after an oral dose of 25 mg of captopril, rose by more then 4.44 ng.L-1.s-1 (16.0 ng/mL per hour). The sensitivity of the test was 39%, the specificity was 96%, the positive predictive value was 81%, and the negative predictive value was 79%. No clinically important cutoff point identifying patients with renal artery stenosis could be detected in the values of baseline and stimulated plasma renin activity nor in baseline blood pressure or changes after captopril testing. The low sensitivity makes the captopril test unfit to be used as a screening procedure in an unselected hypertensive population.
Effect of Hypophysectomy and Insulin on Lipogenesis in Cockerels

Hypophysectomy increases hepatic lipogenesis in cockerels. In an attempt to find the possible hormonal mechanism for this we have examined the effects of hypophysectomy, insulin and pituitary homogenates on hepatic lipogenesis. Insulin (5 U/kg) injected intravenously, simultaneously with glucose-14C tracer, increased the amount of 14C found in liver lipids at 30 min after the injection. Similarly, insulin injected 5 min before killing, increased the incorporation of glucose-14C and acetate-14C by liver slices during a 30 min incubation. Hypophysectomy increased lipogenesis within 24 hours. The effect of insulin was most pronounced in hypophysectomized cockerels. The activity of the lipogenic enzyme, acetyl CoA carboxylase was similarly affected. A homogenate of chicken pituitaries added to the medium reduced lipid synthesis from glucose-14C by liver slices. This effect was larger in liver slices in which lipogenesis had been stimulated by insulin. The increased rate of hepatic lipgenesis in hypophysectomized cockerels may be caused partly by increased hepatic sensitivity to the lipogenic action of insulin or by the removal of a direct inhibition by pituitary hormones.
Radiographic appearance and clinical outcome correlates in 26 patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome.

OBJECTIVE We aimed to evaluate the appearance of chest radiographs in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and correlate these findings with clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the initial radiograph and a series of follow-up chest radiographs in 26 patients who had symptoms and signs consistent with SARS. Twenty-five patients completed the full course of radiographs in the hospital. The initial radiographic features and the distribution of parenchymal, mediastinal, and pleural abnormalities for each patient were evaluated. Follow-up radiographic findings were correlated with clinical outcomes for these patients. RESULTS Initial chest radiographs showed abnormalities in 23 (88%) of 26 subjects. Eighteen patients (69%) had air-space consolidation, two (8%) had ground-glass attenuation, one (4%) had nodules, and two (8%) had mixed consolidation and nodules. Four patients (15%) had pleural effusion. Younger patients and those with normal initial radiographic findings or unifocal lung lesions had better outcomes. CONCLUSION The initial predominant radiographic feature of SARS was air-space consolidation in the lateral and lower lung zones. Progressive deterioration to diffuse unilateral or bilateral consolidation in the series of follow-up chest radiographs is associated with a poor prognosis.
Microhabitat Selection by Small Mammals

Habitat selection is the process by which individuals choose among available habitat patches. Habitat availability" as how accessible and procurable physical and biological components of a habitat are to animals. Research on small mammal habitat use helps to broaden their knowledge. Small mammals are often used as an indicator species group to reflect some aspects of "integrity. Small mammal abundances are affected by both macro-and micro-habitat structures. Studies on patterns of habitat use by mammals are important for understanding the mechanisms involved in their distribution and abundance. This paper provided a brief critical review on the microhabitat selection by rodents. Reviewing literature, it is found that approximately most of researchers have been mentioned that microhabitat features such as food availability, predation risk, temperature, status of moonlight… are important in determining the variety and abundance of small mammals.
MiR-324-3p promotes tumor growth through targeting DACT1 and activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Recently, it has been reported that miR-324-3p participates in regulation of the carcinogenesis and tumor progression in various cancers. However, the expression and function of miR-324-3p in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. In the current study, miR-324-3p expression was significantly up-regulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. HCC patients with high miR-324-3p level showed poor prognostic features and shorter overall survival and disease-free survival. And in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that miR-324-3p promoted cell viability, colony formation, proliferation and cell cycle progression of HCC cells. Further studies demonstrated that miR-324-3p could directly target DACT1 (dishevelled binding antagonist of beta catenin 1) and negatively regulated its expression in HCC cells. And rescue experiments revealed that DACT1 could reverse the effects of miR-324-3p on HCC cells. Furthermore, the accumulation of both cytoplasmic and nuclear β-catenin as well as its downstream targets including c-Myc and cyclin D1 could be positively regulated by miR-324-3p. The regulatory effects of miR-324-3p on β-catenin, c-Myc and cyclin D1 levels could be reversed by DACT1. Overall, we concluded that miR-324-3p could promote tumor growth through targeting DACT1 and activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in HCC. MiR-324-3p may be a ponderable and promising therapeutic target for HCC.
The effect of visual deprivation upon the basal dendrites of Meynert cells in the striate cortex of the monkey

The basal dendrites of Meynert cells in the striate cortex have been studied with the Golgi method in the brains of monkeys that had been reared for varying periods with the eyelids closed over one eye. The lengths and arrangement of the dendrites were compared with those in normal brains. In the visually deprived brain almost half of the cells had basal dendrites that were apparently normal with the dendritic fields in the form of an ellipse and the long axes parallel to the direction of the ocular dominance bands. The other cells had dendritic fields that have rarely been seen in normal material and two distinct types could be recognized. The ‘lop-sided’ cell had an ellipsoidal dendritic field with the major axis parallel to the ocular dominance bands, but the extents of the dendrites along the minor axis were very asymmetric; the ratio of the means of the long and short arms of the minor axis of the ‘lop-sided’ cell is 2.3:1 compared with 1.1:1 in normal brains. The ‘perpendicular’ type of cell also had an ellipsoidal dendritic field but the relation of the major and minor axes to the direction of the ocular dominance bands was the reverse of the normal cell, with the long axis of the ellipse being aligned perpendicular to the bands. ‘Lop-sided’ cells formed approximately 18% of the total of Meynert cells studied and the ‘perpendicular’ 32%. The proportion of the cells with abnormal basal dendritic fields, and particularly the ‘perpendicular’, increased with longer durations of eyelid closure. It is suggested that the alterations in the dendritic fields of the ‘lop-sided’ and ‘perpendicular’ cells may be correlated with the changes in width of the ocular dominance bands that are known to occur after monocular eyelid suture.
p21, p53, TP53BP1 and p73 polymorphisms and the risk of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma in a Chinese population

Abstract Gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) is one of the most common malignant tumors and among the leading causes of cancer-related death. Genetic factors might play an important role in GCA carcinogenesis. Here, we performed a hospital-based case-control study to evaluate the effect of functional p21, p53, TP53BP1 and p73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the risk of GCA. The study included 330 GCA cases and 608 controls. Genotypes were determined using the ligation detection reaction (LDR) method. The p21 rs1059234 TT, p21 rs3176352 GC/CC, p21 rs762623 GA and TP53BP1 rs560191 CC genotypes were associated with the risk of GCA, and a genotype combination effect was observed. After Bonferroni correction, the association remained significant for TP53BP1 rs560191 G > C, whereas the remaining four SNPs showed no association between the polymorphisms and GCA risk in all comparison models. Further large replication studies are needed to confirm the present findings.
EFFECT OF NITRIC OXIDE ON LUNG SURFACTANT SECRETION

Lung surfactant is secreted from epithelial type II cells into alveolar airspace in response to airborne and circulating stimuli. Nitric oxide (NO) can be generated by constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthases (cNOS and iNOS) in pulmonary endothelial and epithelial cells. The authors therefore examined the effects of NO on lung surfactant secretion using an isolated perfused rat lung model and primary culture of type II cells. Infusion of L - N G -nitroarginine methyl ester (L -NAME) (100 μ M), an inhibitor of cNOS and iNOS, via pulmonary circulation for 90 minutes resulted in a decrease of lung surfactant secretion (1.55% ± 0.15% in control versus 0.79% ± 0.16% in L -NAME-treated lungs, P <. 05). However, aminoguanide, an inhibitor of iNOS, had no effect, indicating that the decline of lung surfactant secretion is due to the specific blockage of cNOS rather than iNOS activity in perfused lungs. A reduction of cGMP level by 1H-[1,2,4] oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (25 μ M), a specific inhibitor of guanylyl cyclase, inhibited surfactant secretion by 64%. Furthermore, KT5823 (1 μ M), an inhibitor of protein kinase G, depressed surfactant secretion by 40%. These results suggest that physiological concentrations of NO are required for lung surfactant secretion and NO-mediated secretion is at least partly via a rise of cGMP level and activation of protein kinase G. In primary culture of alveolar type II cells, spermine NONOate (SPER/NO), a NO donor, increased basal phosphatidylcholine (PC) secretion in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal stimulation was observed at 1 μ M. However, in the ATP-stimulated type II cells, SPER/NO displayed a biphasic effect on PC secretion. At low concentrations (0.1 to 1 μ M), SPER/NO increased ATP-stimulated PC secretion, whereas at a high concentration (100 μ M), SPER/NO inhibited the secretion. The results suggest that NO may play an important role in lung surfactant secretion.
Effect of mesenteric lymph duct ligation on gene expression profiles of renal tissue in hemorrhagic shock rats with fluid resuscitation

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI), a common pathological process following hemorrhagic shock, can lead to an internal milieu disorder, which is an important factor of multiple organ failure (MOF). It has been shown that the mesenteric lymph return plays a deleterious effect on MOF induced by hemorrhagic shock. In this study, we investigated the effects of mesenteric lymph duct ligation (MLDL) on gene expression profiles of renal tissue following hemorrhagic shock with fluid resuscitation. Methods: After establishment of hemorrhagic shock model and fluid resuscitation in rats of shock and shock ligation groups, the MLDL was performed in shock ligation group, and only threading under the mesenteric lymph duct in the shock group. Then, the fixed position renal tissue was taken out for homogenate in two groups at 3 h after resuscitation, the total mRNA was extracted, reversely transcribed into cDNAs and marked with Cy3 and Cy5. The cDNAs were subjected for microarray scanning with 12,028 cDNA probes; the differentially expressed genes between two groups were analyzed. Results: In the 5812 valid dates of rat genomes transcription, there were 34 known differentially expressed genes between the two groups, of which 11 genes were up-regulated whereas 23 genes were down-regulated by MLDL. These different expressed genes encoding protein function were mainly involved in signal transduction, transcription regulation, metabolism, transport, cell growth, cell cycle, cell adhesion, cell movement, cellular component, and biological process. Conclusions: The mechanism of MLDL alleviating the AKI aftershock might be associated with up- or down-regulation of the above gene expressions.
Interobserver agreement and disagreement in continuous recording exemplified by measurement of behavior state.

Continuous observational recording was used to measure behavior state of 3 adults with profound and multiple disabilities. Observations were made over 56.7 hours, including 21.9 hours with two observers recording independently. Overall percentage agreement was satisfactory (i.e., exceeded 80%). Agreement on occurrence was, however, generally unsatisfactory at a mean of 63.5%, with 5 of 16 Subject x State Agreement Indices over 80%. Percentage disagreement on occurrence, a previously unreported measure, was computed to quantify sources of disagreement. The agreement data were superimposed on participants' behavior state profiles to demonstrate how conclusions can be drawn from the data, despite their generally inadequate reliability. This approach to interobserver agreement and presentation of data is suggested for researchers investigating entities that are not directly amenable to observation.
Cantharidin-Secretion by Elytral Notches of Male Anthicid Species (Coleoptera: Anthicidae)

Abstract Within the beetle family Anthicidae or ant-like flower beetles the canthariphilous species Notoxus monoceros shows a pair of notch-like structures on the apices of male elytra. A reservoir- like swelling at the apex of each elytron contains a bilobed gland. Its glandular tubules run into the sclerotized notch. Gaschromatographic investigations of elytral notches and the testes of cantharidin-fed and unfed male Notoxus monoceros revealed huge quantities of cantharidin stored in these organs in fed specimens. Other body parts, such as legs, elytral parts or flight muscles, had low cantharidin-titres, both in cantharidin-fed and unfed beetles. The cantharidin- titres of unfed individuals were very low compared with cantharidin-fed specimens, although cantharidin was present, mostly in notches. During sexual display the females bite several times into these notches and easily copulate, if the males had access to offered cantharidin crystals. Thus, the elytral notches of male Notoxus monoceros seem to function as „testorgans” for females which are able to select males with high cantharidin loads prior to copulation. Even small quantities of cantharidin stored in notches of field caught specimens seem of advantage for males in competing for a female partner.
An In-the-Wild Study of Learning to Brainstorm: Comparing Cards, Tabletops and Wall Displays in the Classroom

Single display interactive groupware interfaces have the potential to effectively support small-group work in classrooms. Our work aimed to gain understanding needed to realise that potential. First, we wanted to study how learners use these large interactive displays, compared with a more traditional method within classrooms . Second, we wanted to fill gaps in the current understanding of the effectiveness of interactive tables versus walls . Third, we wanted to do this out of the laboratory setting, in authentic classrooms , with their associated constraints. We conducted an in-the-wild study, with 51 design students, working in 14 groups, learning the brainstorming technique. Each group practiced brainstorming in three classrooms: one with vertical displays (walls); another with multi-touch tabletops; and the third with pens and index cards. The published literature suggested that tabletops would be better than the other conditions for key factors of cooperative participation, mutual awareness, maintaining interest and affective measures. Contrary to this, we found that the horizontal and vertical displays both had similar levels of benefit over the conventional method. It was only for affective measures that tabletops were better than walls. All conditions were similar for our several measures of outcome quality. We discuss the implications of our findings for designing future classrooms.
Compensation and Cost of Conservation Payments for Biodiversity

Slash-and-burn agriculture in poor tropical countries is one of the main causes of conservation payments, slash-and-burn agriculture, biodiversity deforestation, leading to environmental costs and to potential externality effects on lowland agricultural productivity. Under innovative environmental policies, direct conservation payments to farmers are starting to be implemented to induce them to abandon slash-and-burn agriculture as well as the use of forest resources altogether. However, appropriate compensation levels are often difficult to get at. Using a stochastic payment card format in a case study in Madagascar, it is estimated that farmers would abandon slash-and-burn agriculture and forest use for median annual compensation payments at a lower bound of around 85$ and 177$ per household respectively. As expected, the econometric analysis shows that there exists a systematic relation between poverty and the required compensation for forgone land use. While poorer households depend relatively more on forest products, they accept a lower amount to abandon slash-and-burn agriculture and forest use. Better educated and older households require higher payments.
Effect of Initial Corticosteroid Therapy on Coronary Artery Aneurysm Formation in Kawasaki Disease: A Meta-analysis of 862 Children

Objective. Kawasaki disease is an acute vasculitis of infancy and childhood. When untreated, 15% to 25% of patients develop coronary artery aneurysms. Although the use of aspirin and intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) as initial therapy is well established, the role of corticosteroids is uncertain. The objective of this study was to identify clinical trials that compared the rate of coronary aneurysm formation after initial therapy with corticosteroids or an appropriate control and to determine the overall efficacy of corticosteroid therapy for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease. Methods. Published studies were identified by searches of the Medline and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases as well as hand searches of selected references. Studies were included when (1) all subjects had a stated diagnosis of Kawasaki disease; (2) a corticosteroid preparation was included as part of the initial management of the disease process; (3) a therapeutically matched control group was included for the entire study, or subsets of patients that received a therapeutic intervention identical to the experimental group except for the inclusion of a corticosteroid compound could be identified; and (4) 2-dimensional echocardiography or coronary artery catheterization was performed at least 2 weeks after therapy to detect the presence of coronary aneurysms. Included studies were evaluated for quality and heterogeneity. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effects model. Results. Eight studies fulfilled criteria for inclusion. Because 2 of these studies provided adequate detail to permit evaluation of 2 subgroups each, a total of 10 groups were available for evaluation. The significant heterogeneity that existed among the 10 studies (Q = 21.9, I2 = 59.0) was eliminated when 2 studies with markedly different study designs were removed (Q = 5.59, I2 = 0.00). Meta-analysis of the remaining 8 studies revealed a significant reduction in the incidence of coronary artery aneurysms among patients who received corticosteroid therapy plus aspirin ± IVIG compared with aspirin ± IVIG alone (odds ratio [OR] 0.546; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.371–0.803); the benefit of corticosteroid therapy was maintained when study subsets of aspirin alone (OR: 0.601; 95% CI: 0.392–0.921) or aspirin + IVIG (OR: 0.352; 95% CI: 0.136–0.909) were compared with matched regimens that contained corticosteroids. Conclusion. The inclusion of corticosteroids in aspirin-containing regimens for the initial treatment of Kawasaki disease reduces the incidence of coronary aneurysms.
Promoting critical thinking in students.

Teaching Practice Seeking solutions to address students' learning needs in a positive manner Using data to guide practice Taking an active role in professional learning communities Contributing to the productivity of school-wide goals Maintaining a classroom environment that enables students to learn Incorporating instructional materials that reflect a diverse sest of student experiences Respecting diversity and multiple perspectives of students
Factors Influencing Consumption Experience of Mobile Commerce: a Study from Experiential View

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to interpret consumers' emotion in their consumption experience in the context of mobile commerce from an experiential view. The study seeks to address concerns about the experiential aspects of mobile commerce regardless of the consumption type. For the purpose, the authors aims to propose a stimulus‐organism‐response (S‐O‐R) based model that incorporates both utilitarian and hedonic factors of consumers.Design/methodology/approach – A survey study was conducted to collect data from 293 mobile phone users. The questionnaire was administered in study classrooms, a library, or via e‐mail. The measurement model and structural model were examined using LISREL 8.7. Findings – The results of this research implied that emotion played a significant role in the mobile consumption experience; hedonic factors had a positive effect on the consumption experience, while utilitarian factors had a negative effect on the consumption experience of consumers. The empirical findings als.
Comparative protective actions of gonadotrophins and testosterone against the antispermatogenic action of ethane dimethanesulphonate.

After a single dose of ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS) (75 mg/kg) to rats the prolonged antispermatogenic action is due to a temporary elimination of the functional Leydig cell population. Replacement therapy with testosterone propionate (3 mg/day) maintains the spermatogenic epithelium but the EDS effect develops when hormone treatment is discontinued. In contrast, a short treatment with hCG (10-100 i.u./day) or LH (714 micrograms/day), starting before the EDS dose, permanently protects the spermatogenic epithelium. FSH treatment was completely ineffective. Although histological protection of spermatogenesis appeared complete with testosterone or hCG, effects on fertility remained but over different periods of time. Antispermatogenic and antifertility effects were produced in mice using much higher doses of EDS (5 X 250 mg/kg) but there was no protection from androgen or hCG. It is suggested that EDS binds to Leydig cells irreversibly, interfering with the action of gonadotrophin. At the dose level used the evidence suggests that the degree of reaction renders most of the Leydig cell population non-viable. A direct cytotoxic effect of the compound upon the spermatogenic epithelium might account for the inability of testosterone or hCG alone or in combination to maintain fertility at normal levels.