Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
4-chloro-m-cresol is a trigger of malignant hyperthermia in susceptible swine.

BACKGROUND 4-Chloro-m-cresol (4-CmC) induces marked contractures in skeletal muscle specimens from individuals susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MHS). In contrast, 4-CmC induces only small contractures in specimens from normal (MHN) patients. 4-CmC is a preservative within a large number of commercially available drug-preparations (e.g., insulin, heparin, succinylcholine), and it has been suggested that 4-CmC might trigger malignant hyperthermia. This study was designed to investigate the effects of 4-CmC in vivo and in vitro in the same animals. METHODS After approval of the animal care committee, six Pietrain MHS and six control (MHN) swine were anesthetized with azaperone 4 mg/kg intramuscularly and metomidate 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally. After endotracheal intubation, lungs were mechanically ventilated (inspired oxygen fraction 0.3) and anesthesia was maintained with etomidate 2.5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1) and fentanyl 50 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1). Animals were surgically prepared with arterial and central venous catheters for measurement of hemodynamic parameters and to obtain blood samples. Before exposure to 4-CmC in vivo, muscle specimens were excised for in vitro contracture tests with 4-CmC in concentrations of 75 and 200 microM. Subsequently, pigs were exposed to cumulative administration of 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 mg/kg 4-CmC intravenously. If an unequivocal episode of malignant hyperthermia occurred, as indicated by venous carbon dioxide concentration > or = 70 mmHg, pH < or = 7.25, and an increase of temperature > or = 2 degrees C, the animals were treated with dantrolene, 3.5 mg/kg. RESULTS All MHS swine developed malignant hyperthermia after administration of 4-CmC in doses of 12 or 24 mg/kg. Venous carbon dioxide concentration significantly increased and pH significantly decreased. Temperature increased in all MHS animals more than 2 degrees C. Blood lactate concentrations and creatine kinase levels were significantly elevated. All MHS swine were treated successfully with dantrolene. In contrast, no MHN swine developed signs of malignant hyperthermia. After receiving 4-CmC in a concentration of 48 mg/kg, however, all MHN animals died by ventricular fibrillation. The in vitro experiments showed that both concentrations of 4-CmC produced significantly greater contractures in MHS than in MHN specimens. CONCLUSIONS 4-CmC is in vivo a trigger of malignant hyperthermia in swine. However, the 4-CmC doses required for induction of malignant hyperthermia were between 12 and 24 mg/kg, which is about 150-fold higher than the 4-CmC concentrations within clinically used preparations.
The Hour of Departure: Predicting Attrition in the Training Clinic From Role Expectancies

In addition to having potentially deleterious effects on clients in distress, client attrition also thwarts efforts by trainee clinicians to develop psychotherapy competencies that are uniquely associated with providing middleor late-stage treatment. Within the established literature, one well-replicated correlate of attrition is client expectations. Thus, the following study investigated whether client attrition within a training clinic could be prospectively predicted from pretreatment expectancies. To that end, all adult clients presenting for an intake at a training clinic completed the Psychotherapy Expectancy Inventory—Revised (PEI–R). First, normative reference ranges for the PEI–R total and factor scores were developed. Next, analyses revealed that these reference ranges had good specificity in prospectively identifying clients that subsequently prematurely terminated treatment. Moreover, the computed positive likelihood ratios revealed that an individual who obtains a total score outside of the reference range is 7 times more likely to prematurely terminate therapy in comparison with individuals obtaining scores within the normative reference range. Training clinics are therefore encouraged to routinely administer the PEI–R as a means of identifying individuals at risk for attrition and defining which role expectations may need to be modified.
Circulatory and symptomatic effects of physical training in patients with coronary-artery disease and angina pectoris.

Abstract A six-week program of intensive training in seven patients with angina was carried out to determine the relative contributions to the improved exercise performance of altered circulatory response and enhanced myocardial oxygen delivery. Training resulted in a marked increase in exercise capacity: time to onset of angina (± S.E.M.) rose an average of 6.8 ± 1.5 minutes (p less than 0.01), and the intensity of exercise (measured by total body oxygen consumption) attained before the onset of angina increased 56 ± 19 per cent (p less than 0.005). The "triple product" (an index of myocardial oxygen consumption) at any level of exercise was less after training, thus accounting for part of the improved exercise capacity. In addition after training, a higher triple product could be achieved at the onset of angina, 4885 vs. 4300 (p less than 0.05), suggesting that training might improve myocardial oxygen delivery. Physical training thus seems to improve exercise performance consistently by reducing the res.
Bribes, Taxes and Regulations: Business Constraints for Micro Enterprises in Tanzania

This paper analyses the business environment for micro enterprises in Tanzania based on survey data. The primary objective of the study is to identify major constraints facing the firms' business operations. Taxation, corruption, and regulations in the form of licences and permits, are found to be the most important constraints on business operations. Reported constraints vary according to firm characteristics such as age, location, education and gender of the owner. Contrary to previous studies and current policies, financial constraints and property rights are not perceived as important constraints.
The repetition of suicidal behavior: a multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVES To determine the proportion of individuals who repeated nonfatal suicidal behavior within 12 months of an index episode, to investigate the timing of repetition, and to investigate risk factors associated with repetition and their population impact. METHOD We carried out a prospective cohort study (1997-2002) in 4 large hospitals in North West England. We included subjects aged 15 years and over who attended with "self-harm" (an act of intentional self-poisoning or injury irrespective of the apparent purpose of the act). Following the episode, a standard assessment form, which included detailed demographic and clinical data, was completed by a clinician. RESULTS 9213 individuals presented during the study period. The incidence of repetition within 12 months of the index episode was 13.6% (95% CI: 12.9% to 14.4%). The median time to first repetition was 73.5 days (interquartile range, 20 to 187 days). One in 10 subjects repeated within 5 days of the index episode. Independent risk factors for repetition included previous suicidal behavior, psychiatric treatment, being unemployed or registered sick, self-injury, alcohol misuse, and reporting suicidal plans or hallucinations at the time of the index episode. The combined population attributable fraction (an indicator of the potential population impact) for these variables was 65%. CONCLUSION The repetition of suicidal behavior is common and occurs quickly. On a population level, our study suggests that the most important strategies to reduce repetition might include primary prevention of suicidal behavior, targeting psychiatric illness, and tackling social factors such as unemployment. Specific interventions may be required for individual subgroups.
An Audit of Outcome in Intravascular Transfusions Using the Intrahepatic Portion of the Fetal Umbilical Vein Compared to Cordocentesis

Introduction: Maternal red cell alloimmunization is a potential cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. The outcome of severe disease has been transformed by the use of in-utero and particularly, fetal intravascular transfusion. In the majority of instances this is performed by cordocentesis. However, this cohort study represents the experience in a large tertiary referral centre in performing fetal intravascular transfusions via the intrahepatic vein (IHV). Methods: Over an 8-year period, 1997–2004, 221 in-utero transfusions (IUT) were performed for rhesus disease in 66 pregnancies. 86% had severe fetal anaemia caused by anti-D, 10.6% by anti-Kell and 3.4% by anti-c. The median maternal age of the cohort was 31 years (range 19–43). The median gestation at initial IUT was 25 weeks (interquartile range (IQR) 23–29 weeks). Results: A median number of three IUT were performed in each fetus (IQR 2–5) with a median haemoglobin at first fetal blood sampling of 7.3 g% (IQR 4.6–8.8 g%) (73% ≤5 SD and 27% ≤2 SD). Of the total intravascular transfusions, 170 were performed via the IHV (71.7%), 33 via cordocentesis (13.9%) and 1 by intracardiac puncture (0.5%). There were ‘transient’ bradycardias complicating 4.1% of all transfusions and amniorrhexis following 1.4%. 92% of babies were live born at a median gestation of 34 weeks (range 21–38) with a birth weight centile of 50 (range 3–90). There was no significant difference in intravascular transfusion complication rate when the procedure was performed via the IHV (7.6%) as compared to cord root puncture (3.0%) (Fisher’s exact test, p < 0.47). Conclusion: IUT performed by fetal IHV puncture is safe and carries no excess morbidity when performed for severe rhesus disease.
Parenting and the development of effortful control from early childhood to early adolescence: A transactional developmental model

Abstract Poor effortful control is a key temperamental factor underlying behavioral problems. The bidirectional association of child effortful control with both positive parenting and negative discipline was examined from ages approximately 3 to 13–14 years, involving five time points, and using data from parents and children in the Oregon Youth Study—Three Generational Study (N = 318 children from 150 families). Based on a dynamic developmental systems approach, it was hypothesized that there would be concurrent associations between parenting and child effortful control and bidirectional effects across time from each aspect of parenting to effortful control and from effortful control to each aspect of parenting. It was also hypothesized that associations would be more robust in early childhood, from ages 3 to 7 years, and would diminish as indicated by significantly weaker effects at the older ages, 11–12 to 13–14 years. Longitudinal feedback or mediated effects were also tested. The findings supported (a) stability in each construct over multiple developmental periods; (b) concurrent associations, which were significantly weaker at the older ages; (c) bidirectional effects, consistent with the interpretation that at younger ages children's effortful control influenced parenting, whereas at older child ages, parenting influenced effortful control; and (d) a transactional effect, such that maternal parenting in late childhood was a mechanism explaining children's development of effortful control from middle childhood to early adolescence.
Transfer factors in Escherichia coli with particular regard to their incidence in enteropathogenic strains.

SUMMARY: Strains of Escherichia coli were isolated whose resistance to ampicillin (Ap), tetracyclines (Tc) or streptomycin and sulphonamides (SmSu) or whose production of colicine (Col) or α-haemolysin (Hly) could not be transmitted to E. coli K 12 F-. Determinants controlling these characters (except Ap), could be mobilized in some of them after infection with transfer factors. Of 60 strains of E. coli isolated from the faeces of healthy pigs, cattle and human beings and selected because they did not possess R factors and did not produce colicine, α-haemolysin, porcine enterotoxin (Ent) or K 88 antigen (transmissible characteristics), 20 (33%) contained transfer factors that could mobilize determinants from one or more of nine determinant donor strains; 8 contained at least two transfer factors, one fi- and the other fi+. The nine determinant donor strains contained Tc, SmSu, Col or Hly determinants; some were wild strains and others were obtained from interrupted mating experiments in which E. coli K 12 F- was the recipient strain. The ability of a transfer factor to mobilize a determinant was not simply a function of the transfer factor and the determinant but was strain-dependent. Positive results were obtained most frequently when transfer was between strains of K 12. Transfer factors that could mobilize determinants in determinant donor strains were found in all except one of 78 porcine enterotoxigenic strains of E. coli selected because they did not possess R factors or transmissible colicine. Nearly all of them produced α-haemolysin and over half of them K88 antigen. On the evidence available, the high incidence of transfer factors in these strains suggests that enterotoxin production in all of them was controlled by transmissible plasmids and that the genetic determinants controlling α-haemolysin production in some of them might be chromosomal. The linkage between Ent and the factor responsible for its transfer was not always close. Despite a previous statement to the contrary (Smith & Halls, 1968), this transfer factor was fi-; both fi- and fi+ factors could transfer Hly. No close association between the plasmids controlling the five characteristics Neo (neomycin resistance), Ent, Col, Hly and K88 was apparent in mating experiments using as donor a porcine strain of E. coli carrying all five transmissible plasmids. Transfer factors were found in 15 of 21 human entero-pathogenic strains and in one of five sheep enteropathogenic strains; none of these 26 strains possessed characteristics known to be transmissible.
The Relation of Academic Self-Concept to Motivation among University EFL Students

This study mainly examines the relation between academic self-concept and motivation in foreign language learning. Subjects comprised 434 first-year university students drawn from four different ability levels. Statistical analyses were performed to ascertain: (1) whether there is any significant relationship between academic self-concept and learning motivation for students of different proficiency levels, (2) whether both academic self-concept and motivation have significant relation with gender, (3) whether both academic self-concept and motivation are significantly related to students’ self-evaluation of their language performance, and (4) whether academic self-concept is a significant predictor of students’ motivation in learning a foreign language. Findings of the study show that all of the academic self-concept related variables and the motivation components are positively and significantly correlated. The correlations between overall academic self-concept and motivation scores are high and significant for all of the following groups: the full sample and the lowerand higher-ability level groups. Higher-level students tend to have higher correlations between these two variables than their lower-level counterparts. Students’ self-evaluation of their proficiency level is moderately correlated with academic self-concept and learning motivation, while gender is weakly correlated with these two major variables. In addition, results of multiple regression analysis reveal that academic self-concept serves as a significant and strong predictor of learning motivation.
Functional Morphology of Femoral Glands in the Tegu Lizard, Tupinambis merianae

Several lizards have femoral glands, which have an influence in various reproductive behaviors. In this paper we describe the morphological organization of the femoral glands in the Tegu, Tupinambis merianae, by means of light and electron microscopy. Even though these glands are present in both genders, secretions during the reproductive period can only be found in males. The glandular parenchyma, which is organized in numerous secretory units, consists of keratinocyte-like cells and granular cells. The holocrine secretion is constituted from both cells, which lose their integrity and become a semi-amorphous material, reinforced by keratin sheets. The discharges of each unit merge together into a solid cylinder of secretion, surrounded by epithelial cells, that is extruded to the exterior. The keratin sheets and epithelial layers that surround both the complete and partial secretions form a sort of structural support suitable for the type of territorial demarcation characteristic of the species. The granular cells, supposedly the producers of pheromones, are characterized by the presence of electron-dense granules and multilaminar membranous bodies that show ultrastructural changes of unknown function. The free granules in the secretion cylinder may act as pheromone deposits.
The Effect of Maternal Age, Parity, Fetal Sex and Season upon Early Intrauterine Development

This report presents the results of a computer analysis of 1672 specimens of embryonic material which were obtained by induced abortion in normal pregnancies. The study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of maternal age, parity, fetal sex and seasonal variations on the growth rate of embryos and fetuses which were between six and 20 weeks' gestation. Two parameters of intrauterine growth were analyzed: (a) the relation between menstrual age and crown‐to‐rump length and (b) the crown‐to‐rump length versus the body weight ratio. None of the quoted factors seemed to affect the linear growth of the embryo or fetus. The correlations between fetal crown‐to‐rump length and body weight were not influenced by maternal age, parity or fetal sex. Significant (p < 0.001) differences in early intrauterine growth rates were detected in relation to the season of conception. The rate of increase of body weight was far above average in those embryos and fetuses conceived during the summer months, while the opposite was the case when the conception occurred in the fall. An increase in the rate of the weight gain was demonstrated among the products of conceptions which occurred in the winter. There were insufficient data about those fetuses that resulted from conceptions which occurred in the spring.
Secondary Structure and Dynamics of the r(CGG) Repeat in the mRNA of the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) Gene

The CGG triplet repeat found within the 5’UTR of the FMR1 gene is involved in the pathogenesis of both fragile X syndrome and fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). The repeat has been shown to form both hairpins and tetraplexes in DNA; however, the secondary structure of CGG-repeat RNA has not been well defined. To this end, we have performed NMR spectroscopy on in vitro transcribed CGG-repeat RNAs and see clear evidence of intramolecular hairpins, with no evidence of tetraplex structures. Both C•G and G◦G base pairs form in the hairpin stem, though in a dynamic equilibrium of conformations. In addition, we investigated the effect of an AGG repeat interruption on hairpin stability; such interruptions are often interspersed within the CGG repeat element and are thought to modulate secondary structure of the RNA. While the AGG repeat lowers the Tm of the hairpin at low Mg2+ concentrations, this difference disappears at physiological Mg2+ levels.
Globulin-platelet model predicts minimal fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B virus infected patients.

AIM To establish a simple model consisting of the routine laboratory variables to predict both minimal fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. METHODS We retrospectively investigated 114 chronic HBV-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy in two different hospitals. Thirteen parameters were analyzed by step-wise regression analysis and correlation analysis. A new fibrosis index [globulin/platelet (GP) model] was developed, including globulin (GLOB) and platelet count (PLT). GP model = GLOB (g/mL) × 100/PLT (× 10(9)/L). We evaluated the receiver operating characteristics analysis used to predict minimal fibrosis and compared six other available models. RESULTS Thirteen clinical biochemical and hematological variables [sex, age, PLT, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, GLOB, total bilirubin (T.bil), direct bilirubin (D.bil), glutamyltransferase, alkaline phosphatase, HBV DNA and prothrombin time (PT)] were analyzed according to three stages of liver fibrosis (F0-F1, F2-F3 and F4). Bivariate Spearman's rank correlation analysis showed that six variables, including age, PLT, T.bil, D.bil, GLOB and PT, were correlated with the three fibrosis stages (FS). Correlation coefficients were 0.23, -0.412, 0.208, 0.220, 0.314 and 0.212; and P value was 0.014, < 0.001, 0.026, 0.018, 0.001 and 0.024, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that only PLT and GLOB were significantly different in the three FS (PLT: F = 11.772, P < 0.001; GLOB: F = 6.612, P = 0.002). Step-wise multiple regression analysis showed that PLT and GLOB were also independently correlated with FS (R(2) = 0.237). By Spearman's rank correlation analysis, GP model was significantly correlated with the three FS (r = 0.466, P < 0.001). The median values in F0-F1, F2-F3 and F4 were 1.461, 1.720 and 2.634. Compared with the six available models (fibrosis index, AST-platelet ratio, FIB-4, fibrosis-cirrhosis index and age-AST model and age-PLT ratio), GP model showed a highest correlation coefficient. The sensitivity and positive predictive value at a cutoff value < 1.68 for predicting minimal fibrosis F0-F1 were 72.4% and 71.2%, respectively. The specificity and negative predictive value at a cutoff value < 2.53 for the prediction of cirrhosis were 84.5% and 96.7%. The area under the curve (AUC) of GP model for predicting minimal fibrosis and cirrhosis was 0.762 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.676-0.848] and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.638-0.924). Although the differences were not statistically significant between GP model and the other models (P all > 0.05), the AUC of GP model was the largest among the seven models. CONCLUSION By establishing a simple model using available laboratory variables, chronic HBV-infected patients with minimal fibrosis and cirrhosis can be diagnosed accurately, and the clinical application of this model may reduce the need for liver biopsy in HBV-infected patients.
Magnetic Resonance (MR) Metabolic Imaging in Glioma

This review is focused on describing the use of magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy for metabolic imaging of brain tumors. We will first review the MR metabolic imaging findings generated from preclinical models, focusing primarily on in vivo studies, and will then describe the use of metabolic imaging in the clinical setting. We will address relatively well‐established 1H MRS approaches, as well as 31P MRS, 13C MRS and emerging hyperpolarized 13C MRS methodologies, and will describe the use of metabolic imaging for understanding the basic biology of glioma as well as for improving the characterization and monitoring of brain tumors in the clinic.
Estimation model of switching delay for gas-insulated trigatron switches

Based on the gas discharge theory involving distorted E-field enhancement, a physical model is proposed to estimate the switching delay for gas-insulated trigatron spark gaps with a trigger pin inside the main electrode. Two discovered breakdown modes, i.e., fast-breakdown mode (FBM) and slow-breakdown mode (SBM), can be unified in this model. Raether criterion can distinguish these two modes. If the main E-field and enhanced E-field near the trigger pin tip are great enough, FBM forms easily. Otherwise, if streamer development needs to rely on the second ionization process and relevant distorted E-field enhancement, the breakdown of the main gap would turn into SBM. The enhanced E-field near the trigger pin tip may affect the threshold main E-field of FBM. The distorted E-field enhancement may affect the switching delay length of SBM.