Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Striking Differences in Individual Anticonvulsant Response to Phenobarbital in Rats with Spontaneous Seizures after Status Epilepticus

Summary: Purpose: More than one third of patients with epilepsy have inadequate control of seizures with drug therapy, but mechanisms of intractability are largely unknown. Because of this large number of pharmacoresistant patients with epilepsy, the existing process of antiepileptic drug (AED) discovery and development must be reevaluated with a focus on preclinical models of therapy‐resistant epilepsy syndromes such as mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, although various rodent models of TLE are available, the pharmacoresponsiveness of most models is not well known. In the present study, we used a post–status epilepticus model of TLE to examine whether rats with spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRSs) differ in their individual responses to phenobarbital (PB).
Role of Erk1/2 Signaling in the Regulation of Neutrophil Versus Monocyte Development in Response to G-CSF and M-CSF*

Background: G-CSF and M-CSF are cytokines that support the development of neutrophils and monocytes, respectively. Results: The duration of Erk1/2 activation by G-CSF and M-CSF affects the lineage commitment of myeloid precursors. Conclusion: G-CSF and M-CSF instruct neutrophil versus monocyte development through differential activation of Erk1/2. Significance: This reveals a key mechanism by which G-CSF and M-CSF control lineage specification. Lineage specification in the hematopoietic system depends on the expression of lineage specific transcription factors. However, the role of hematopoietic cytokines in this process has been controversial and little is known about the intracellular signaling mechanisms by which cytokines instruct lineage choice. G-CSF and M-CSF are two lineage-specific cytokines that play a dominant role in granulopoiesis and monopoiesis, respectively. We show here that a G-CSFR mutant in which tyrosine 729 had been mutated to phenylalanine (Y729F) promoted monocyte rather than neutrophil development in myeloid precursors, which was associated with prolonged activation of Erk1/2 and augmented activation of downstream targets c-Fos and Egr1. Inhibition of Erk1/2 activation or knockdown of c-Fos or Egr1 largely rescued neutrophil development in cells expressing G-CSFR Y729F. We also show that M-CSF, but not G-CSF, stimulated strong and sustained activation of Erk1/2 in mouse lineage marker negative (Lin−) bone marrow cells. Significantly, inhibition of Erk1/2 signaling in these cells favored neutrophil over monocyte development in response to M-CSF. Thus, prolonged Erk1/2 activation resulted in monocyte development following G-CSF induction whereas inhibition of Erk1/2 signaling promoted neutrophil development at the expense of monocyte formation in response to M-CSF. These results reveal an important mechanism by which G-CSF and M-CSF instruct neutrophil versus monocyte lineage choice, i.e. differential activation of Erk1/2 pathway.
A feasibility study on the determination of blood hematocrit with nakagami parameter calculated from backscattered signals

The feasibility of quantifying various hematocrits using the Nakagami parameter was evaluated in this study. The ultrasonic signals backscattered from red cell suspensions with hematocrits ranging from 3% to 50% were collected using a 5 MHz focused transducer. The Hilbert transform and logarithmic compression were in turn applied to the backscattered signals to obtain the uncompressed and compressed envelopes for estimating the Nakagami model parameter. The Nakagami parameter calculated using the uncompressed backscattered envelopes cannot be used to separate various hematocrits due to that the probability distributions of the uncompressed envelopes of different hematocrits all follow Rayleigh statistics, as indicated by their near-unity Nakagami parameters. In contrast, all of the compressed backscattered envelopes tended to be post-Rayleigh distributions, further making the corresponding Nakagami parameters dependent on the hematocrit, in which the mean parameter increased from 7.2 to 8.04 with the hematocrit from 3% to 12%. As the hematocrits were increased from 12% to 50%, the corresponding Nakagami parameter decreased from 8.04 to 5.77. This demonstrates that different hematocrits can be effectively distinguished using the Nakagami parameter after applying logarithmic compression to the envelope signals. Since it is not affected by the system gain and dynamic range, the Nakagami parameter estimated from compressed backscattered envelopes might be a useful parameter for the future development of the real-time examinations of the hematocrit by ultrasound technique.
Coronal Plane Rotation of the First Metatarsal

A method for measuring first metatarsal rotation on weightbearing tangential radiographs is described. Under controlled conditions using cadaver specimens, 5° changes in first metatarsal rotation were associated with a mean change in radiographically measured rotation of 5.4° (SD = 1.7°). A clinical study of 30 hallux valgus and 30 control patients was undertaken to assess the reliability of the method of measurement. The overall reliability was high for both hallux valgus and control patients (r = 0.93 and 0.95, respectively). In these two groups, no significant difference was found between the mean values for first metatarsal rotation. Likewise, we found no correlation between first metatarsal rotation measured on tangential standing (“sesamoid” view) radiographs and the first metatarsophalangeal angle or the intermetatarsal 1–2 angle measured on anteroposterior standing radiographs.
Crystal structures of ternary complexes of archaeal B-family DNA polymerases

Archaeal B-family polymerases drive biotechnology by accepting a wide substrate range of chemically modified nucleotides. By now no structural data for archaeal B-family DNA polymerases in a closed, ternary complex are available, which would be the basis for developing next generation nucleotides. We present the ternary crystal structures of KOD and 9°N DNA polymerases complexed with DNA and the incoming dATP. The structures reveal a third metal ion in the active site, which was so far only observed for the eukaryotic B-family DNA polymerase δ and no other B-family DNA polymerase. The structures reveal a wide inner channel and numerous interactions with the template strand that provide space for modifications within the enzyme and may account for the high processivity, respectively. The crystal structures provide insights into the superiority over other DNA polymerases concerning the acceptance of modified nucleotides.
Biofilm Formation on Dental Restorative and Implant Materials

Biomaterials for the restoration of oral function are prone to biofilm formation, affecting oral health. Oral bacteria adhere to hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, but due to fluctuating shear, little biofilm accumulates on hydrophobic surfaces in vivo. More biofilm accumulates on rough than on smooth surfaces. Oral biofilms mostly consist of multiple bacterial strains, but Candida species are found on acrylic dentures. Biofilms on gold and amalgam in vivo are thick and fully covering, but barely viable. Biofilms on ceramics are thin and highly viable. Biofilms on composites and glass-ionomer cements cause surface deterioration, which enhances biofilm formation again. Residual monomer release from composites influences biofilm growth in vitro, but effects in vivo are less pronounced, probably due to the large volume of saliva into which compounds are released and its continuous refreshment. Similarly, conflicting results have been reported on effects of fluoride release from glass-ionomer cements. Finally, biomaterial-associated infection of implants and devices elsewhere in the body is compared with oral biofilm formation. Biomaterial modifications to discourage biofilm formation on implants and devices are critically discussed for possible applications in dentistry. It is concluded that, for dental applications, antimicrobial coatings killing bacteria upon contact are more promising than antimicrobial-releasing coatings.
Day‐case laparoscopic ventral rectopexy: an achievable reality

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) is a non‐resectional technique for selected patients with full‐thickness rectal prolapse and obstructed defaecation syndrome. Despite its challenges, LVR can be performed with relatively minimal patient trauma thus creating the potential for same‐day discharge. Our aim was to assess the safety of day‐case LVR and identify factors associated with same‐day discharge.
Inhibition of Endosomal/Lysosomal Degradation Increases the Infectivity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT Productive entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) into a host cell is believed to proceed via fusion of the viral envelope with the host cell's plasma membrane. Interestingly, the majority of HIV-1 particles that bind to the cell surface are taken up by the host cell via endocytosis; however, this mode of internalization generally does not result in infection. Presumably, virus particles remain trapped in the endocytic pathway and are eventually degraded. Here, we demonstrate that treatment of cells with various pharmacological agents known to elevate the pH of endosomes and lysosomes allows HIV-1 to efficiently enter and infect the host cell. Pretreatment of cells with bafilomycin A1 results in up to a 50-fold increase in the infectivity of HIV-1SF2. Similarly, pretreatment of target cells with amantadine, concanamycin A, concanamycin B, chloroquine, and ammonium chloride resulted in increases in HIV-1 infectivity ranging between 2- and 15-fold. Analysis of receptor and coreceptor expression, HIV-long terminal repeat (LTR) transactivation, and transduction with amphotropic-pseudotyped murine leukemia virus (MLV)-based vectors suggests that the increase in infectivity is not artifactual. The increased infectivity under these conditions appears to be due to the ability of HIV-1 and MLV particles to enter via the endocytic pathway when spared from degradation in the late endosomes and lysosomes. These results could have significant implications for the administration of current and future lysosmotropic agents to patients with HIV disease.
Endogenous opioids modulate hepatocyte apoptosis in a rat model of chronic cholestasis: the role of oxidative stress

Aims/Background: There are increasing number of evidences indicating the contribution of endogenous opioids in the pathophysiology of cholestatic liver disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of the endogenous‐opioid system in the modulation of hepatocytes apoptosis and liver oxidant/anti‐oxidant balance during chronic cholestasis in rats.
Treatment Barriers and Support for Male Ex-Armed Forces Personnel in Prison

Ex-armed forces personnel represent a potentially vulnerable group within the prison population. To provide support to this group, we need to understand their needs and help-seeking behavior. A focus group with professionals and semi-structured interviews with service users explored perspectives of the treatment barriers faced by this group and their support needs. Data were analyzed using constant comparison methods, and four primary themes were identified. The findings suggest ex-armed forces personnel consider prison an opportunity to access support but find it difficult to ask for help. Staff having an awareness of military issues was thought to encourage help-seeking, but the variability of provision across prison establishments was considered a barrier. Resettlement was a prominent concern, and access to support when preparing for, and after, release was felt by all participants to be important. Implications for the provision of support in prison are discussed along with recommendations for practice.
Antagonism of neuromuscular blockade but not muscle relaxation affects depth of anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND Conflicting effects of neuromuscular blocking drugs and anticholinesterases on depth of anaesthesia have been reported. Therefore we evaluated the effect of atracurium and neostigmine on bispectral index (BIS) and middle-latency auditory evoked potentials (AAI). METHODS We studied 40 patients (ASA I-II) aged 18-69 yr. General anaesthesia consisted of propofol and remifentanil by target-controlled infusion and neuromuscular function was monitored by electromyography. When BIS reached stable values, patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Group 1 received atracurium 0.4 mg kg(-1) and, 5 min later, the same volume of NaCl 0.9%; group 2 received saline first and then atracurium. When the first twitch of a train of four reached 10% of control intensity, patients were again randomized: one group (N) received neostigmine 0.04 mg kg(-1) and glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg kg(-1), and the control group (G) received only glycopyrrolate. RESULTS Injection of atracurium or NaCl 0.9% had no effect on BIS or AAI. After neostigmine-glycopyrrolate, BIS and AAI increased significantly (mean maximal change of BIS 7.1 [SD 7.5], P<0.001; mean maximal change of AAI 9.7 [10.5], P<0.001). When glycopyrrolate was injected alone BIS and AAI also increased (mean maximal change of BIS 2.2 [3.4], P=0.008; mean maximal change of AAI 3.5 [5.7], P=0.012), but this increase was significantly less than in group N (P=0.012 for BIS; P=0.027 for AAI). CONCLUSION These data suggest that neostigmine alters the state of propofol-remifentanil anaesthesia and may enhance recovery.
Urinary hepcidin-25 and risk of acute kidney injury following cardiopulmonary bypass.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicating cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) results in increased morbidity and mortality. Urinary hepcidin-25 has been shown to be elevated in patients who do not develop AKI after CPB using semiquantitative mass spectrometry (SELDI TOF-MS). The goals of this study were to quantitatively validate these findings with ELISA and evaluate the diagnostic performance of hepcidin-25 for AKI. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A nested, case-control analysis of urinary hepcidin-25 in AKI (n = 22) and non-AKI (n = 22) patients was conducted to validate the SELDI TOF-MS data at the following times: preoperatively; the start of CPB; 1 hour on CPB; on arrival to the intensive care unit; and postoperative days (POD) 1 and 3 to 5. The diagnostic performance of hepcidin-25 was then evaluated in the entire prospective observational cohort (n = 338) at POD 1. AKI was defined as Cr >50% from baseline, within 72 hours postoperatively. RESULTS Urinary hepcidin-25/Cr ratio was significantly elevated in all patients at POD 1 compared with baseline (P < 0.0005) and was also significantly elevated in non-AKI versus AKI patients at POD 1 (P < 0.0005). Increased log(10) hepcidin-25/Cr ratio was strongly associated with avoidance of AKI on univariate analysis. On multivariate analysis, the log(10) hepcidin-25/Cr ratio (P < 0.0001) was associated with avoidance of AKI with an area under the curve of 0.80, sensitivity 0.68, specificity 0.68, and negative predictive value 0.96. CONCLUSIONS Elevated urinary hepcidin-25 on POD 1 is a strong predictor of avoidance of AKI beyond postoperative day 1.
Effect of dust and weather conditions on photovoltaic performance in Doha, Qatar

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation performance in desert environments is affected by surface soiling due to dust deposition. In this study, PV performance, ambient dust and weather conditions were measured continuously from June 1 through December 31, 2014 at a solar test facility in Doha, Qatar. Averaged over the seven months, the PV performance loss due to soiling was 0.0042+/-0.0080 per day for modules cleaned every sixth month, and 0.0045+/-0.0091 per day for modules cleaned every second month, in terms of a “cleanness index” based on the PV module's temperature-corrected performance factor. The daily change in a PV module's cleanness index was negatively correlated with the daily average ambient dust concentration, positively correlated with wind speed, and negatively correlated with the relative humidity. A multivariable regression model was developed to quantitatively relate the daily change in PV module cleanness index with the dust concentration, wind speed, and relative humidity. From the results of this study, it is clear that dust deposition on PV panels can cause significant loss in PV power generation in Qatar. Additional research is needed to refine the mathematical PV power generation performance and the ambient environmental variables, so as to enable accurate simulation of PV solar power plant performance based on environmental data.
Is the T9, T11, or L1 the More Reliable Proximal Level After Adult Lumbar or Lumbosacral Instrumented Fusion to L5 or S1?

Study Design. A retrospective comparison study. Objective. To compare the postoperative proximal junctional change and revision prevalence as influenced by 3 different proximal levels after adult lumbar deformity instrumented fusion from the distal thoracic/upper lumbar spine (T9–L2) to L5 or S1. Summary of Background Data. Few comparative studies on postoperative sagittal plane change and revision prevalence as influenced by 3 different proximal levels after adult lumbar deformity instrumented fusion from the distal thoracic/upper lumbar spine (T9–L2) to L5 or S1 have been published. Many surgeons have hypothesized that stopping proximally in the upper lumbar spine (L1 or L2) or the thoracolumbar junction (T11 or T12) would lead to a high percentage of rapid proximal degeneration, kyphosis, and decompensation because of the concentration of stress on these relatively mobile segments. Therein, many surgeons have felt it is unsafe to stop at these regions of the spine and it is better to always stop proximally at T9 or T10. Methods. A clinical and radiographic assessment in addition to revision prevalence of 125 adult lumbar deformity patients (average age 57.1 year) who underwent long (average 7.1 vertebrae) segmental posterior spinal instrumented fusion from the distal thoracic/upper lumbar spine (T9–L2) to L5 or S1 with a minimum 2-year follow-up (2–19.8 year follow-up) were compared as influenced by T9–T10 (group1, n = 37), T11–T12 (group 2, n = 49), and L1–L2 (group 3, n = 39) proximal fusion levels. The revision prevalence and sagittal Cobb angle change at the proximal junction after surgery were compared. Results. Three groups demonstrated nonsignificant differences in the prevalence of proximal junctional kyphosis (group 1 51% vs. group 2 55% vs. group 3 36%, P = 0.20) and revision (group 1 24% vs. group 2 24% vs. group 3 26%, P = 0.99) at the ultimate follow-up. Subsequent proximal junctional angle and sagittal vertical axis changes between the ultimate follow-up and preoperative (P = 0.10 and 0.46 respectively) were not significantly different. The SRS total and all subscale outcomes scores among the 3 groups did not demonstrate significant differences (P > 0.50). Conclusion. Three different proximal fusion levels did not demonstrate significant radiographic and clinical outcomes or revision prevalence after surgery. Therefore the more distal proximal fusion level at a neutral and stable vertebra may be satisfactory.
Air pollution and environmental risk factors for altered lung function among adult women of an urban slum area of Delhi: A prevalence study

Background: Household and ambient air pollution are jointly responsible for about 7 million premature deaths annually. Women living in slums, with unhealthy environment, both indoors and outdoors, particularly those living close to industrial and/or vehicular pollution zones due to multiple sources of air pollution, are at the higher risk of having impaired lung function tests. Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of abnormal lung functions and to identify the environmental risk factors associated with them among adult women of 18–59 years. Materials and Methods: A total of 550 women aged 18–59 years were approached in a representative urban slum. Five hundred consented to participate and 299 had prebronchodilator spirometry satisfying ATS standards. House visits to assess environmental conditions were conducted to determine their association with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). Chi-square test was used to test the association of risk factors with lung functions. ANOVA was used to test the association of mean values of FEV1 and FVC with age. Results: Out of 299 participants with acceptable spirometric curves, 5% had reduced FEV1/FVC ratio than the normal and 26.8% and 17.4% had lower values than predicted for FVC and FEV1, respectively. Altered lung function was related to age, tobacco smoking, and history of respiratory disease. Conclusions: Both ambient and household air pollution have a deleterious pulmonary effect on long-term women residents of a representative urban slum in Delhi.
Associations between Urban Sprawl and Life Expectancy in the United States

In recent years, the United States has had a relatively poor performance with respect to life expectancy compared to the other developed nations. Urban sprawl is one of the potential causes of the high rate of mortality in the United States. This study investigated cross-sectional associations between sprawl and life expectancy for metropolitan counties in the United States in 2010. In this study, the measure of life expectancy in 2010 came from a recently released dataset of life expectancies by county. This study modeled average life expectancy with a structural equation model that included five mediators: annual vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per household, average body mass index, crime rate, and air quality index as mediators of sprawl, as well as percentage of smokers as a mediator of socioeconomic status. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, this study found that life expectancy was significantly higher in compact counties than in sprawling counties. Compactness affects mortality directly, but the causal mechanism is unclear. For example, it may be that sprawling areas have higher traffic speeds and longer emergency response times, lower quality and less accessible health care facilities, or less availability of healthy foods. Compactness affects mortality indirectly through vehicle miles traveled, which is a contributor to traffic fatalities, and through body mass index, which is a contributor to many chronic diseases. This study identified significant direct and indirect associations between urban sprawl and life expectancy. These findings support further research and practice aimed at identifying and implementing changes to urban planning designed to support health and healthy behaviors.