Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recurrent pseudocellulitis due to gemcitabine: Underrecognized and underreported?

Pseudocellulitis has been previously described with the use of chemotherapy agent gemcitabine. This condition is thought to occur due to vascular toxicity and increased localized permeability of the skin capillaries. We report herein a case of recurrent pseudocellulitis due to gemcitabine in a patient with metastatic pancreatic cancer. We believe this condition is underreported and underrecognized. Furthermore, it may be misdiagnosed as cellulitis and inappropriately treated with systemic antibiotics. As the diagnosis is clinical and the condition is self-limited, referral to other specialists is usually not required. Awareness of gemcitabine-induced pseudocellulitis is important in order to reassure the patients, their families, and non-oncology providers and to avoid unnecessary (and often costly) diagnostic work-up.
Glucose‐ and arginine‐induced insulin secretion by human pancreatic β‐cells: the role of HERG K+channels in firing and release

The human ether‐a‐go‐go‐related genes (herg) are expressed in tissues other than heart and brain where the HERG K+ channels are known to regulate the repolarization of the heart action potential and the neuronal spike‐frequency accommodation. We provide evidence that herg1 transcripts are present in human pancreatic islets that were used to study both insulin secretion and electrical activity with radioimmunoassay and single cell perforated patch‐clamp techniques, respectively. Glucose‐ and arginine‐induced islets insulin secretion data suggested a net increase of release under perfusion with antiarrhythmic drugs known to selectively block HERG channels. Indeed we could routinely isolate a K+ current that was recognized as biophysically and pharmacologically similar to the HERG current. An analysis of the glucose‐ and arginine‐induced electrical activity (several applications during 30 min) in terms of firing frequency and putative insulin release was done in control and in the presence of selective blockers of HERG channels: the firing frequency and the release increased by 32% and 77%, respectively. It is concluded that HERG channels have a crucial role in regulating insulin secretion and firing of human β‐cells. This raises the possibility that some genetically characterized hyperinsulinemic diseases of unknown origin might involve mutations in the HERG channels. —Rosati, B. , Marchetti, P., Crociani, O. , Lecchi, M. , Lupi, R. , Arcangeli, A. , Olivotto, M. , Wanke, E. Glucose‐ and arginine‐in‐duced insulin secretion by human pancreatic β‐cells: the role of HERG K+ channels in firing and release. The FASEB J. 14, 2601–2610 (2000)
Testing Bass & Avolio Model of Leadership in Understanding ERP Implementation among Bruneian SMEs

Abs tract The leadership style of Chief Executives Officers’ (CEO) in adoption and implementation of ebusiness technologies especially within the context of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have received increasing acceptance in the recent years. This study investigates sixty CEOs’ leadership style towards adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems among Bruneian SMEs. The study used the Multi-leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) from Bass and Avolio (1995) to measure the leadership style. The results confirm that CEOs’ transformational leadership (TRFL) style is significant towards adoption of ERP system. The results were discussed and some recommendations were made for the further research.
Silent synapses onto interneurons in the rat CA1 stratum radiatum

Glutamate transmission to γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and to principal neurons differs in various important respects. Whether these differences exist from an early developmental stage, or result from differential development from a more common state, is unclear. In the hippocampal CA1 area, glutamate transmission to the developing, but not to the adult, principal neurons is characterized by the presence of α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) silent synapses and of AMPA silencing induced by test pulse stimulation (0.03–1 Hz). In the present study, we examined whether this developmental difference in AMPA signaling is also true for glutamate transmission to CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons. We found that AMPA silent synapses onto these interneurons also exist, and that they can be generated by test pulse stimulation. In marked contrast to AMPA silencing in principal neurons, AMPA silencing in interneurons was not developmentally restricted, but was observed to the same extent after the first postnatal month as in the second postnatal week. In addition, we found that glutamate synapses onto these interneurons can also be N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA)‐silent, that is, only AMPA‐signaling. After test pulse stimulation, the AMPA‐silent, the NMDA‐silent and the AMPA/NMDA‐signaling synapses onto the developing interneurons were estimated to be about equally frequent. These results highlight a diversity of glutamate signaling to CA1 stratum radiatum interneurons, and they indicate that the glutamate synapses onto pyramidal neurons and to interneurons can mature differentially.
A high-resolution local network study of the Nazca Plate Wadati-Benioff Zone under western Argentina

This paper presents a precise determination of the fine structure of a Wadati-Benioff zone based on analysis of analog and digital seismic data recorded by a local network in the San Juan Province of western Argentina. The network is located above one of the subhorizontal segments of the subducted Nazca plate. Without the complicating effects of a dipping slab on the locations of earthquakes, the nearly flat geometry of the subducted plate provides an excellent opportunity to determine the thickness and structure of the Wadati-Benioff zone. We found that the depth of the Wadati-Benioff zone beneath the network is 107 ± 5 km. For a set of digitally recorded events, the distance between the shallowest and the deepest event gives a thickness of 20km, with 90% of the data concentrated in a zone 12 km thick. The spatial distribution of hypocenters shows no evidence of complex internal structure such as a double Wadati-Benioff zone. The local network data also suggest that in the region near 32° S where the dip of the Wadati-Benioff zone changes from flat to steep the Nazca plate flexes rather than tears at depths less than at least 125 km. The intermediate-depth seismicity is separated from an active zone of crustal seismicity by an aseismic region between depths of about 40 and 95 km. The upper surface of the subducted plate, inferred to be at about 90 km, provides an upper limit to the thickness of the South American plate in this region. An apparent westward dip of the Wadati-Benioff zone as determined by the local network data can be accounted for by a 6° westward dip of the Moho beneath the San Juan region, a result that is in agreement with regional gravity and topographic data.
Production, characterization and cytotoxic evaluation of chitosan extracted from different fonts

This research shows a method to obtain chitosan from shells of crustaceans and Ganoderma lucidum fungus, and a protocol for producing chitosan scaffolds by freeze-drying method. Extracted chitosan was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR); the scaffolds prepared were evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showing that all scaffolds are highly porous with interconnection and radial orientation. This can help to distribute cells and improve the distribution of the nutrients efficiently, providing an ideal matrix suitable for cell growth. Scaffolds manufactured with chitosan from different fonts meet the requirements of reactivity since -in all cases- qualitative test was not observed in vitro cytotoxicity, showing that these scaffolds are suitable for use in tissue regeneration and repair.
Intravascular ATP and the Regulation of Blood Flow and Oxygen Delivery in Humans

Regulation of vascular tone is a complex response that integrates multiple signals that allow for blood flow and oxygen supply to match oxygen demand appropriately. Here, we discuss the potential role of intravascular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) as a primary factor in these responses and put forth the hypothesis that deficient ATP release contributes to impairments in vascular control exhibited in aged and diseased populations.
Experimental and modelling studies of the shape memory properties of amorphous polymer network composites

Shape memory polymer composites (SMPCs) have become an important way to leverage improvements in the development of applications featuring shape memory polymers (SMPs). In this study, an amorphous SMP matrix has been filled with different types of reinforcements. An experimental set of results is presented and then compared to three-dimensional (3D) finite-element simulations. Thermomechanical shape memory cycles were performed in uniaxial tension. The fillers effect was studied in stress-free and constrained-strain recoveries. Experimental observations indicate complete shape recovery and put in evidence the increased sensitivity of constrained length stress recoveries to the heating ramp on the tested composites. The simulations reproduced a simplified periodic reinforced composite and used a model for the matrix material that has been previously tested on regular SMPs. The latter combines viscoelasticity at finite strain and time-temperature superposition. The simulations easily allow representation of the recovery properties of a reinforced SMP.
Activation of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral cancer accounts for one third of all malignancies in India where habit of tobacco consumption is the major etiologic factor, which causes field cancerization in oral mucosa. Multiple molecular events in oral mucosa due to field cancerization may be the cause of local and regional lymph node involvement in oral cancer resulting into low overall survival, high recurrence rate, and poor prognosis. Several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been shown to play an important role in the invasion and metastasis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 are capable of degrading type‐IV collagen, which is a major component of basement membrane. Therefore, we studied MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activation by gelatin zymography, which is cost effective alternate to ELISA method, in patients with oral SCCs to predict their role in metastatic potentials.
Presence of Gal‐α1,3Gal epitope on xenogeneic lines: implications for cellular gene therapy based on the encapsulation technology

Déglon N, Aubert V, Spertini F, Winkel L, Aebischer P. Presence of Gal‐α1,3Gal epitope on xenogeneic lines: implications for cellular gene therapy based on the encapsulation technology. Xenotransplantation 2003; 10: 204–213. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2003
Age, Physical Impairment, and Symptoms of Anxiety: A Test of Mediating and Moderating Factors

This study examines the processes linking physical impairment with symptoms of anxiety. Analyses are based on a representative sample of 967 physically disabled adults (ages 20 to 90) from ten counties of southwestern Ontario, Canada. Several hypotheses test the intervening role of disability characteristics, perceived health care efficacy, personal attributes, and social stratification resources. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analyses included sets of those intervening variables entered sequentially. Adjustment produces a significant reduction in the association between symptoms of anxiety and impairment—confirming the intervening role of healthcare efficacy and mastery. Moreover, impairment and mastery have synergistic effects such that higher mastery buffers against the anxiety associated with higher impairment. Other findings raise important questions about age, impairment, and the sense of mastery in the contest of healthcare and gender.
Microspore development in Annona (Annonaceae): differences between monad and tetrad pollen.

UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF THE STUDY Permanent tetrads are the most common form of pollen aggregation in flowering plants. The production of pollen in monads is plesiomorphic in angiosperms, but the aggregation into tetrads has arisen independently different times during the evolution of flowering plants. The causes behind the recurrent evolution of pollen aggregation from monads remain elusive. Permanent tetrad pollen is quite common in the Annonaceae, the largest family in the early-divergent order Magnoliales. In some genera, such as Annona, both tetrad- and monad-producing species can be found. • METHODS In this comparative study of pollen development, we use immunolocalization, cytological characterization, and enzymatic assays of four species in the genus Annona and one species in its closely related genus Asimina that release pollen in tetrads and two species in the genus Annona that release pollen in monads. • KEY RESULTS The main difference between species with tetrad and monad pollen is a delayed digestion of callose and cellulose at the pollen aperture sites that resulted in nonlayering of the exine in these areas, followed by a rotation and binding of the young microspores at the aperture sites. • CONCLUSIONS Small changes in development resulted in clear morphological changes on pollen dispersal time and open a window on the possible selective advantage of the production of aggregated pollen.
Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm based Multi- Objective Node Placement for Wireless Sensor Network

The recent popularity of applications based on wireless sensor networks (WSN) provides a strong motivation for pursuing research in different dimensions of WSN. Node placement is an essential task in wireless sensor network and is a multi-objective combinatorial problem in nature. The positions of sensor nodes are very important and must be able to provide maximum coverage with longer lifetimes. So, for efficient node placement, a novel multi-objective Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm based framework is proposed in this paper. The framework optimizes the operational modes of the sensor nodes along with clustering schemes and transmission signal strengths. The results show that the proposed algorithm outperformed the contemporary methodology based on TPSMA, PSO and ACO.
Thyroid-testis interrelationship during the development and sexual maturity of the rat.

The effects of thyroidectomy and treatment with thyroxine (T4) were studied in immature male rats to evaluate the role of the thyroid in the development of testicular functions. Thyroidectomy inhibited gametogenesis and development of the Leydig cell in these rats. However, the effects could be reversed by administration of 10 micrograms T4 (i.p.) daily for 30 days.
The metabolic pathology of the AIDS dementia complex

A progressive dementing illness, the AIDS dementia complex (ADC) is the most frequent neurological complication of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Characteristic alterations in regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMRGlc), associated with the presence or progression of ADC, were demonstrated by {18F} fluorodeoxy glucose/positron emission tomography in 9 of 12 patients with ADC compared with 18 normal volunteer subjects. In these 9 patients, two distinct patterns of regional metabolic activity were highly correlated with intersubject gray matter rCMRGlc variation and with disease severity as assessed by neuropsychological testing. Relative subcortical (thalamus and basal ganglia) hypermetabolism was characteristic of early ADC, and disease progression was accompanied by cortical and subcortical gray matter hypometabolism.
Plantar Pressure Distribution Pattern during Mid-Stance Phase of the Gait in Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

OBJECTIVE To examine the characteristics of the plantar pressure distribution patterns during mid-stance phase of the gait cycle in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD Twenty-three males and 17 females with chronic non-specific low back pain and age- and gender-matched asymptomatic subjects walked barefoot along a gait mat at comfortable speedfor three trials. The left and right plantar pressure distributions were recorded during mid-stance phase and divided into 12 areas. Descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation of demographic data and plantar pressure were calculated, and plantar pressure distribution patterns were described. RESULTS Mean and standard deviation of numeric pain rating scale of chronic non-specific low back pain group were 4.04±1.58. The average mean peak pressure of both chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects located at the fifth area (lateral aspect offorefoot) in both feet. However the modes of the peak pressure of subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain were in the different areas in the left and right feet. The distribution patterns of the average mean peak pressure were not the same in chronic non-specific low back pain and asymptomatic subjects. This altered foot contact in the subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain may be used to avoid pain or to compensate for limited mobility of the lower limbs at pre-swing phase. CONCLUSION At mid-stance phase of walking, the pressures on the plantar surface were unequally distributed in subjects with chronic non-specific low back pain.
Gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase partially restores nitric oxide synthesis and erectile function in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

PURPOSE We determined whether adenoviral gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to the penis of streptozotocin induced diabetic rats could improve the impaired erectile response. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two experimental groups of animals were transfected with adenoviruses, including streptozotocin (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, Missouri) diabetic rats with AdCMVbetagal and streptozotocin diabetic rats with AdCMVeNOS. At 1 to 2 days after transfection these study animals underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to assess erectile function and their responses were compared with those of age matched control rats. In control and transfected streptozotocin diabetic rats eNOS and neuronal NOS (nNOS) were examined by Western blot analysis. Constitutive and inducible NOS activities were evaluated in the presence and absence of calcium by L-arginine to L-citrulline conversion and nitrate plus nitrite levels were measured. In control and streptozotocin diabetic penes beta-galactosidase activity and localization were determined. RESULTS After transfection with AdCMVbetagal beta-galactosidase was localized to the endothelium and smooth muscle cells of the streptozotocin diabetic rat penis. Streptozotocin diabetic rats had a significant decrease in erectile function, as determined by peak and total intracavernous pressure (area under the curve) after cavernous nerve stimulation compared with control rats. Streptozotocin diabetic rats transfected with AdCMVeNOS had peak intracavernous pressure and area under the curve similar to those in control animals. This change in erectile function was a result of eNOS over expression with an increase in eNOS protein expression and constitutive NOS activity as well as an increase in nitric oxide biosynthesis, as reflected by an increase in cavernous nitrate plus nitrite formation. There was no change in nNOS protein expression or calcium independent conversion of NOS (inducible NOS activity). CONCLUSIONS Adenoviral gene transfer of eNOS significantly increased peak and total intracavernous pressure to cavernous nerve stimulation in streptozotocin diabetic rats to a value similar to the response observed in control rats. Our results suggest that eNOS contributes significantly to the physiology of penile erection. These data demonstrate that in vivo adenoviral gene transfer of eNOS can physiologically improve erectile function in the streptozotocin diabetic rat.
Dimerization‐dependent block of the proapoptotic effect of P75NTR

The biochemical mechanism by which neurons become dependent on neurotrophins for survival is unknown. We found previously that the common neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR, is a mediator of neurotrophin dependence and that this effect requires a novel type of domain dubbed a neurotrophin dependence domain. We report here that, in contrast to other proapoptotic receptors such as Fas, apoptosis induction by p75NTR requires monomerization, with dimerization inhibiting the effect. Blocking the proapoptotic effect of the monomer by dimerization requires a distinct domain that lies at the carboxyterminus of p75NTR. These results define a novel type of domain required for inhibiting apoptosis induction by p75NTR. J. Neurosci. Res. 60:587–593, 2000 © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adolescent suicide prevention: Current research and social policy implications.

The rate of adolescent suicide has increased dramatically in the past few decades, prompting several interventions to curb the increase. Unfortunately, many of the intervention efforts have not benefited from current research findings because the communication between researchers and those who develop the interventions is inadequate. Of specific concern are the increasingly popular curriculum-based suicide prevention programs, which have not demonstrated effectiveness and may contain potentially deleterious components. This article reviews the current epidemiological research in adolescent suicide and suggests how this knowledge could be used more effectively to reduce the rate of adolescent suicide. Recommendations include support for integrated primary prevention efforts; suicide prevention education for professionals; education and policies on firearm management; education for the media about adolescent suicide; more efficient identification and treatment of at-risk youth, including those exposed to suicidal behavior; crisis intervention; and treatment for suicide attempters.
Incidence of Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Gomel, Belarus

BACKGROUND The importance of genetic and environmental factors in causing type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) in many European countries is unknown. We studied this question by assessing the incidence of the disease in children in Gomel, Belarus, in the years subsequent to the Chernobyl disaster, comparing it to the antecedent period. METHODS We identified all new patients with DM1 under 15 years at onset who presented between 1976 and 1999; we used as denominator the number of children aged 0-14 born in Gomel, to calculate the incidence. All data were validated by using the capture-recapture method. We compared the incidence rate between the periods before and after 1986; we also calculated the average increment of incidence in the latter period (1987-1999). RESULTS In the whole period, 438 new patients presented, with an average crude rate of incidence of 4.6/100,000 but with a net difference between the former (before 1986) and latter (after 1986) periods. The average standard incidence in the latter period was 5.7 (C.I. 4.5-7.0), with a significant increase in the 10-14 year age group. The average yearly increase of incidence in the same period was 8.9%, highly significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The results seem to confirm the hypothesis of the influence of environmental pollution subsequent to the Chernobyl accident.