Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Osteoblastic phenotype of rat marrow stromal cells cultured in the presence of dexamethasone, β‐glycerolphosphate, and L‐ascorbic acid

We investigated the effects of the time course of addition of osteogenic supplements dexamethasone, β‐glycerolphosphate, and L‐ascorbic acid to rat marrow stromal cells, and the exposure time on the proliferation and differentiation of the cells. It was the goal of these experiments to determine the time point for supplement addition to optimize marrow stromal cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. To determine this, two studies were performed; one study was based on the age of the cells from harvest, and the other study was based on the duration of exposure to supplemented medium. Cells were seen to proliferate rapidly at early time points in the presence and absence of osteogenic supplements as determined by 3H‐thymidine incorporation into the DNA of replicating cells. These results were supported by cell counts ascertained through total DNA analysis. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin production at 21 days were highest for both experimental designs when the cells were exposed to supplemented medium immediately upon harvest. The ALP levels at 21 days were six times greater for cells maintained in supplements throughout than for control cells cultured in the absence of supplements for both studies, reaching an absolute value of 75 × 10−7 μmole/min/cell. Osteocalcin production reached 20 × 10−6 ng/cell at 21 days in both studies for cells maintained in supplemented medium throughout the study, whereas the control cells produced an insignificant amount of osteocalcin. These results suggest that the addition of osteogenic supplements to marrow‐derived cells early in the culture period did not inhibit proliferation and greatly enhanced the osteoblastic phenotype of cells in a rat model. J. Cell. Biochem. 71:55–62, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical and Histopathologic Analysis of the Relationship between Lichen Planus and Chronic Hepatitis C

A prospective clinical investigation of 45 patients with lichen planus (LP) demonstrated a significant association between LP and chronic hepatitis C. Anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies were found in 17 (37.8%) of the 45 LP patients. This was significantly higher than in the controls. This higher prevalence of anti‐HCV antibodies was found equally in both male and female patients in the three types of LP; cutaneous only type, mucous only type, and both cutaneous and mucous type. Most of the patients with positive anti‐HCV antibodies had abnormal values of transaminase enzymes and/or a past history of chronic hepatitis. Histological and immunohistological investigations of three cases with LP and chronic hepatitis C demonstrated some morphologic similarities between these two diseases. Histopathologic findings of both LP and chronic hepatitis C were based on a T lymphocytic infiltrate with keratinocyte or hepatocyte damage. The degrees of infiltrating cells positive to UCHL‐1, MX‐panB, Leu‐7, and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐DR antibodies in the chronic hepatitis C lesions seemed to be similar to those in the LP lesions. These results may support a possible relationship between LP and chronic hepatitis C and the hypothesis that LP may be associated with chronic liver diseases as a result of a cytotoxic attack on the hepatocytes.
Role of catecholamines in platelet function: pathophysiological and clinical significance

Platelets are involved in the pathogenesis of vascular damage in both atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. Their reactivity in vivo is influenced by different factors, including sympathoadrenal activation, plasma levels of atherogenic lipoproteins and haemorrheological changes. In the present review, we examine the modulation of platelet function by the sympathoadrenal system and concentrate on the role of circulating catecholamines in the control of platelet responses. Human platelets exhibit both adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors that are influenced by different catecholamines. α2‐Adrenoceptors of α2A subtype prevail on platelet membrane; through their stimulation, catecholamines potentiate the effects of other agonists and, at higher concentrations, initiate platelet responses, including aggregation, secretion and arachidonate pathway activation. Physiological and pathological conditions causing sympathoadrenal activation in vivo, i.e. physical activity, mental stress, insulin‐induced hypoglycaemia, acute coronary ischaemia and heart failure, modify the circulating platelet populations and modulate platelet reactivity through an increase in circulating catecholamines. A sympathoadrenal hyperactivation modifies the function of circulating platelets through direct catecholamine effects, catecholamine‐induced changes of haemodynamic factors and lipid pattern and inhibition of the vascular eicosanoid synthesis. The catecholamine effects on platelet function can be involved in the interplay among stress, adrenomedullary system activation and cardiovascular diseases.
Dietary exposure of mink (Mustela vison) to fish from the upper Hudson River, New York, USA: Effects on organ mass and pathology

The authors evaluated effects of feeding ranch mink (Mustela vison) diets containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)–contaminated fish from the upper Hudson River (New York, USA) on adult and offspring organ mass and pathology. Diets contained 2.5 to 20% Hudson River fish, providing 0.72 to 6.1 µg ΣPCBs/g feed (4.8–38 pg toxic equivalents [TEQWHO 2005]/g feed). Absolute thyroid and adrenal gland masses were increased in adult females and 31‐week‐old juveniles, respectively, and absolute liver and heart masses were decreased in six‐week‐old kits exposed to dietary PCBs. Dietary concentrations of 0.72 µg ΣPCBs/g feed (4.8 pg TEQWHO 2005/g feed) and greater induced mandibular and maxillary squamous epithelial proliferation in adult animals. The dietary concentration of ΣPCBs predicted to result in 20% incidence of the jaw lesion (EC20) was 2.3 µg ΣPCBs/g feed (15 pg TEQWHO 2005/g feed), and the hepatic concentration was 2.8 µg ΣPCBs/g liver (89 pg TEQWHO 2005/g liver). The EC20 values were greater than the dietary and hepatic concentrations predicted to result in a 20% increase in kit mortality (LC20) at six weeks of age (0.34 µg ΣPCBs/g feed or 2.6 pg TEQWHO 2005/g feed and 0.80 µg ΣPCBs/g liver or 13 pg TEQWHO 2005/g liver). However, the EC20 values reflect exposure of adults to PCBs for approximately six months, and the LC20 values reflect exposure of offspring from conception onward. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2013;32:794–801. © 2013 SETAC
Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validity, and Reliability of the Persian Version of the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire

Study Design Observational study. Purpose To cross-culturally translate the Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Screening Questionnaire (OMPQ) into Persian and then evaluate its psychometric properties (reliability, validity, ceiling, and flooring effects). Overview of Literature To the authors' knowledge, prior to this study there has been no validated instrument to screen the risk of chronicity in Persian-speaking patients with low back pain (LBP) in Iran. The OMPQ was specifically developed as a self-administered screening tool for assessing the risk of LBP chronicity. Methods The forward–backward translation method was used for the translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire. In total, 202 patients with subacute LBP completed the OMPQ and the pain disability questionnaire (PDQ), which was used to assess convergent validity. 62 patients completed the OMPQ a week later as a retest. Results Slight changes were made to the OMPQ during the translation/cultural adaptation process; face validity of the Persian version was obtained. The Persian OMPQ showed excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient=0.89). Its internal consistency was 0.71, and its convergent validity was confirmed by good correlation coefficient between the OMPQ and PDQ total scores (r=0.72, p<0.05). No ceiling or floor effects were observed. Conclusions The Persian version of the OMPQ is acceptable for the target society in terms of face validity, construct validity, reliability, and consistency. It is therefore considered a useful instrument for screening Iranian patients with LBP.
An empirical examination of transaction- and firm-level influences on the vertical boundaries of the firm

A large literature has successfully employed transaction cost economic theory to describe how exchange conditions affect the optimal form of organization. However, this approach has historically not accounted for the influence of firm-specific attributes on the governance decision. This paper develops a model based on insights from transaction cost economics, the resource-based view, and real options theory to examine how transaction-level characteristics, firm-specific capabilities, and product-market scope influence the governance of production. Empirical evidence derived from analysis of 469 make-or-buy decisions involving 117 semiconductor firms indicates that decisions regarding the governance of production activities are strongly influenced by both transaction- and firm-level effects. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Growth hormone signaling in vivo in human muscle and adipose tissue: impact of insulin, substrate background, and growth hormone receptor blockade.

CONTEXT GH induces insulin resistance in muscle and fat, and in vitro data indicate that this may involve cross-talk between the signaling pathways of the two hormones. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate GH and insulin signaling in vivo in human muscle and fat tissue in response to GH, GH receptor blockade, and insulin stimulation. DESIGN We conducted two randomized crossover studies. PARTICIPANTS Sixteen healthy males participated. INTERVENTION GH was administered as a bolus (n = 8) and constant infusion (n = 8). The bolus study included three arms: 1) control (saline), 2) GH (0.5 mg iv), and 3) GH blockade (pegvisomant 30 mg sc), each combined with a hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. The infusion study included two arms: 1) GH infusion (45 ng/.kg.min, 5.5 h) and 2) saline infusion (5.5 h) combined with a hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp during the final 2.5 h. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Muscle and fat biopsies were subjected to Western blotting for expression of Stat5/p-Stat5, Akt/p-Akt, and ERK1/2/p-ERK1/2 and to real-time RT-PCR for expression of SOCS1-3 and IGF-I mRNA. RESULTS GH significantly reduced insulin sensitivity. The GH bolus as well as GH infusion induced phosphorylation of Stat5 in muscle and fat, and SOCS3 and IGF-I mRNA expression increased after GH infusion. Hyperinsulinemia induced Akt phosphorylation in both tissues, irrespective of GH status. In muscle, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was increased by insulin, but insulin per se did not induce phosphorylation of Stat5. CONCLUSIONS GH exposure associated with insulin resistance acutely translates into GH receptor signaling in human muscle and fat without evidence of cross-talk with insulin signaling pathways. The molecular mechanisms subserving GH-induced insulin resistance in humans remain unclarified.
A phase I dose-escalation study of oral MK-2206 (allosteric AKT inhibitor) with oral selumetinib (AZD6244; MEK inhibitor) in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors.

3004 Background: The PI3K-Akt and RAF/MEK/ERK pathways represent two of the most frequently activated growth factor signaling pathways in human cancer. Inhibition of both pathways could yield greater benefits than inhibiting either pathway alone. The objectives of this phase I study were to examine the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD) and preliminary antitumor activity of the novel combination of MK-2206 with selumetinib. This investigational study represents a new approach to early-stage drug development with the collaboration of two pharmaceutical companies co-developing early stage targeted agent combinations ( NCT01021748 ). METHODS Eligible patients with advanced solid tumors were treated with MK-2206 either every other day (QOD) or once weekly (QW), in combination with selumetinib administered continuously either once daily (QD) or twice daily (BID). RESULTS To date, 33 patients have been treated on five dose levels. In the MK-2206 QOD dosing schedule, dose-limiting Grade 3 macular skin rash was reported in 2/3 evaluable patients at MK-2206 45 mg QOD with selumetinib 75mg BID; the tolerable dose was MK-2206 45 mg QOD with selumetinib 75 mg QD. For QW MK-2206, dose-limiting acneiform rash (n=1), stomatitis (n=1) and detached retinal pigment epithelium (n=1) were observed in 3/7 evaluable patients treated at MK-2206 90 mg QW with selumetinib 75mg BID; dose reduction to MK-2206 90mg QW/ selumetinib 50 mg BID was not tolerated due to dose-limiting acneiform rash in 2/ 4 evaluable patients. An intermediate dose of MK-2206 90mg once weekly with selumetinib 75mg QD was tolerable. Preliminary assessment of PK/PD data suggest no apparent drug-drug interactions with the PK profile of each drug administered in this combination. CONCLUSIONS MK2206 at 45 mg QOD, or 90 mg QW is well tolerated in combination with selumetinib 75 mg QD in patients with advanced cancer.
Cellular Automata for Modeling Spatial Systems

The evolution of computer power in the past few years has facilitated the emergence of simulation methods at the expense of the analytical resolution of mathematical models. Indeed, cellular automaton simulation allows us to free ourselves from the resolution of partial differential equations, by explaining these equations in discrete terms of time, space and condition. Thus, the performance of office computers, and the development of theories and techniques of simulation like cellular automata or multi-agent systems allow us to attack these increasingly complex systems, with a quite fine discretization of space and time.
Reporting Surgical Site Infections Following Primary and Revision Hip Arthroplasty— One Size Does Not Fit All

The risk of surgical site infection (SSI) is greater after revision hip arthroplasty than after primary procedures. While this is accepted as a clinical phenomenon, standardized surveillance strategies for healthcare-associated infections, including SSIs, do not currently take this into consideration. Most notably, the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) risk index for stratification does not differentiate between primary and revision surgeries. Using data from a single US center, Leekha et al. recently demonstrated that the risk for SSI was almost twice as high after revision total hip arthroplasty when compared to primary total hip arthroplasty and that risk was even greater when deep incisional or organ/space infections were analyzed. The objective of this study was to compare SSI rates following primary and revision hip arthroplasty in a much larger Australian population to determine whether differences are accounted for by current risk indexing.
Complications of stent placement for benign stricture of gastrointestinal tract.

AIM To observe the frequent complications of stent placement for stricture of the gastrointestinal tract and to find proper treatment. METHODS A total number of 140 stents were inserted in 138 patients with benign stricture of the gastrointestinal tract. The procedure was completed under fluoroscopy in all of the patients. RESULTS Stents were successfully placed in all the 138 patients. Pains occurred in 23 patients (16.7%), slight or dull pains were found in 21 patients and severe chest pain in 2 respectively. For the former type of pain, the patients received only analgesia or even no treatment, while peridural anesthesia was conducted for the latter condition. Reflux occurred in 16 of these patients (11.6%) after stent placement. It was managed by common antireflux procedures. Gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 13 patients (9.4%), and was treated by hemostat. Restenosis of the gastrointestinal tract occurred in 8 patients (5.8%), and was apparently associated with hyperplasia of granulation tissue. In 2 patients, the second stent was placed under X-ray guidance. The granulation tissue was removed by cauterization through hot-node therapy under gastroscope guidance in 3 patients, and surgical reconstruction was performed in another 3 patients. Stent migration occurred in 5 patients (3.6%), and were extracted with the aid of a gastroscope. Food-bolus obstruction was encountered in 2 patients (1.4%) and was treated by endoscope removal. No perforation occurred in all patients. CONCLUSION Frequent complications after stent placement for benign stricture of the gastrointestinal tract include pain, reflux, bleeding, restenosis, stent migration and food-bolus obstruction. They can be treated by drugs, the second stent placement or gastroscopic procedures according to the specific conditions.
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV-1 Prevalence Among Five Populations of Women in the Czech and Slovak Republics

Background Five populations at risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the Czech and Slovak Republics were sampled. Goal To estimate prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and HIV-1 infections. Study Design Urine specimens were collected serially from women at a Prague prenatal clinic (n = 134), a Prague dermatovenerealogy clinic (n = 91), sex workers from northern and central Bohemia (n = 35), students from a northern Bohemian school (n = 217), and Gypsies from Jarovnice, Slovakia (n = 128). These specimens were tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea using a ligase chain reaction pooling algorithm, and for HIV using an enzyme immunoassay confirmed by Western blot. Results The prevalence of chlamydia was 2.2% (95% CI, 0.4–6.4) in the prenatal clinic, 5.5% (95% CI, 1.8–12.4) in the STD clinic, 22.9% (95% CI, 10.4–40.1) among street sex workers, 8.2% (95% CI, 3.6–15.6) among sexually active female high school students, and 3.9% (95% CI, 1.3–8.9) among Gypsy women. Gonorrhea was found in only two populations: 2.2% (95% CI, 0.3–7.7) in the STD clinic, and 2.9% (95% CI, 0.1–14.9) among sex workers. No HIV-1 infection was detected. Conclusions Urine screening was an efficient and accurate method for identifying groups at risk for STDs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia because sample collection was fast and noninvasive, and potential participation bias was reduced by high acceptability.
Pharmacologic treatment of the irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review of randomized, controlled trials.

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of pharmacologic agents for the irritable bowel syndrome. DATA SOURCES Electronic literature search of MEDLINE (1966 to 1999), EMBASE (1980 to 1999), PsycINFO (1967 to 1999), and the Cochrane controlled trials registry and a manual search of references from bibliographies of identified articles. STUDY SELECTION Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel, or crossover trials of a pharmacologic intervention for adult patients that reported outcomes of improvement in global or irritable bowel-specific symptoms. DATA EXTRACTION Qualitative and quantitative data reported on study groups, interventions, treatment outcomes, and trial methodologic characteristics. DATA SYNTHESIS 70 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most common medication classes were smooth-muscle relaxants (16 trials), bulking agents (13 trials), prokinetic agents (6 trials), psychotropic agents (7 trials), and loperamide (4 trials). The strongest evidence for efficacy was shown for smooth-muscle relaxants in patients with abdominal pain as the predominant symptom. Loperamide seems to reduce diarrhea but does not relieve abdominal pain. Although psychotropic agents were shown to produce global improvement, the evidence is based on a small number of studies of suboptimal quality. Psychotropic drugs, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-receptor antagonists, peppermint oil, and Chinese herbal medicine require further study. CONCLUSIONS Smooth-muscle relaxants are beneficial when abdominal pain is the predominant symptom. In contrast, the efficacy of bulking agents has not been established. Loperamide is effective for diarrhea. Evidence for use of psychotropic agents is inconclusive; more high-quality trials of longer duration are needed. Evidence for the efficacy of 5-HT-receptor antagonists seems favorable, although more studies are needed.
SPICE models for flicker noise in p-MOSFETs in the saturationregion

The number fluctuation theory based on the McWhorter's charge-trapping model and the bulk mobility fluctuation theory based on Hooge's hypothesis are the two major existing theories to explain the origins of the flicker noise, which is the dominant low-frequency noise source in silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). We have done the flicker noise measurements and SPICE simulations for both long-channel (5 /spl mu/m) and short-channel (1.2 /spl mu/m and 0.6 /spl mu/m) p-type channel metal-oxide-semiconductor (PMOS) transistors. HSPICE [device model: level 3, level 46 (BSIM 3v2) and level 47 (BSIM 3v3); noise model: NLEV=0 and NLEV=2 and 3] and PSPICE [device model: level 3, level 6 (BSIM 3v2) and level 7 (BSIM 3v3); noise model: NLEV=0 and NLEV=2 and 3] were used for the simulations. Our measurement results suggest that in the saturation region, for long-channel PMOS transistors, the flicker noise is due to the bulk effect and it follows the mobility fluctuation theory, while for short-channel ones, it is due to the surface state effect and the number fluctuation theory applies. Our simulation results showed that for both HSPICE and PSPICE, level 3 and NLEV=0 are the appropriate models for the simulations of long-channel PMOS transistor flicker noise; HSPICE with level 47 or 49 and NLEV=2 and 3 and PSPICE with level 6 and NLEV=2 and 3 are applied for the short-channel PMOS devices. The simulation results are consistent with the measurements.
Inheritance of Resistance to Pyriproxyfen in Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Males and Females (B Biotype)

Abstract We evaluated effects of the insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen on Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (B biotype) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) males and females in laboratory bioassays. Insects were treated with pyriproxyfen as either eggs or nymphs. In all tests, the LC50 for a laboratory-selected resistant strain was at least 620 times greater than for an unselected susceptible strain. When insects were treated as eggs, survival did not differ between males and females of either strain. When insects were treated as nymphs, survival did not differ between susceptible males and susceptible females, but resistant males had higher mortality than resistant females. The dominance of resistance decreased as pyriproxyfen concentration increased. Resistance was partially or completely dominant at the lowest concentration tested and completely recessive at the highest concentration tested. Hybrid female progeny from reciprocal crosses between the susceptible and resistant strains responded alike in bioassays; thus, maternal effects were not evident. Rapid evolution of resistance to pyriproxyfen could occur if individuals in field populations had resistance with traits similar to those of the laboratory-selected strain examined here.