Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring the Effectiveness of Pharmacology Teaching in Undergraduate Medical Students

Objective Information overload and recent curricular changes are viewed as important contributory factors to insufficient pharmacological education of medical students. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of pharmacology teaching in our medical school. Methods The study subjects were 455 second-year medical students, class of 2010, and 26 pharmacology teachers at the National University of Mexico Medical School. To assess pharmacological knowledge, students were required to take 3 multiple-choice exams (70 questions each) as part of their evaluation in the pharmacology course. A 30-item questionnaire was used to explore the students’ opinion on teaching. Pharmacology professors evaluated themselves using a similar questionnaire. Students and teachers rated each statement on a 5-point Likert scale. Results The groups’ exam scores ranged from 54.5% to 90.0% of correct responses, with a mean score of 77.3%. Only 73 (16%) of 455 students obtained an exam score of 90% and higher. Students’ evaluations of faculty and professor self-ratings were very high (90% and 96.2%, of the maximal response, respectively). Student and professor ratings were not correlated with exam scores (r = 0.291). Conclusions Our study shows that knowledge on pharmacology is incomplete in a large proportion of second-year medical students and indicates that there is an urgent need to review undergraduate training in pharmacology. The lack of relationship between the subjective ratings of teacher effectiveness and objective exam scores suggests the use of more demanding measures to assess the effectiveness of teaching.
Aliasing artifact depicted on ultrasound (US)-elastography for breast cystic lesions mimicking solid masses

Background It has been reported that ultrasound (US)-elastography is helpful in differentiation of benign and malignant solid masses and in reducing benign biopsy procedures for the supplemental breast US in addition to screening mammography. Furthermore, potential application of US-elastography in distinguishing cystic lesions which is known to be a major source of benign biopsy results has been suggested. Purpose To describe the aliasing artifact on US-elastography for breast cystic lesions that mimic solid masses. Material and Methods We retrospectively reviewed 13 lesions which showed a blue-green-red pattern artifact on US-elastography in 13 women (mean age 50 years; age range 3–66 years). They disappeared immediately after a needle biopsy. Breast composition, mammography and US findings, histology and follow-up imaging findings were analyzed. Results All 13 patients showed heterogeneously dense (n = 5) or extremely dense breast parenchyma (n = 8). The most common US findings were an irregular shape (n = 7, 54%) and a circumscribed margin (n = 7, 54%). All 13 lesions had internal echogenicity and were initially considered as solid masses; 62% (n = 8) showed hypoechogenicity and 38% (n = 5) had echogenic and anechoic components. Posterior shadowing was seen in 31% (n = 4) of the lesions. All 13 lesions have been proven to be fibrocystic changes on biopsy histology. Follow-up US performed for 10 of 13 lesions showed no residual lesion (n = 9) or decreased its size (n = 1). Conclusion An aliasing artifact that appears as a blue-green-red pattern in a breast mass as depicted on US-elastography is suggestive of a possible cystic breast lesion.
Prospective evaluation of neurological complications after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Objective: To determine the spectrum and frequency of neurologic sequelae after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and to define a risk profile of the patients. Methods: A prospective follow-up of 71 allogeneic bone marrow recipients 14 ± 3 months after transplantation. Patients underwent a neurologic examination, a neuropsychological test battery, and cranial MRI before and after BMT. Results: A large proportion of patients (65%) developed sequelae after BMT. Acute complications of defined etiology occurred in 18% of the patients and led to death in 9% of the study population. A total of 47% of the patients developed new neurologic abnormalities of undefined origin that were mild and subacute and predominantly affected the peripheral nervous system. The cognitive and neuroradiologic outcome was favorable in a majority of these patients, but a small subgroup exhibited cognitive deterioration and white matter lesions. Risk factor analysis identified acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and other variables partly related to GvHD such as long-lasting immunosuppression as the main predictors of sequelae after allogeneic BMT. The authors have established an association with various factors but, owing to the observational character of this study, conclusions about the etiology of the findings are unclear. Conclusion: Neurologic complications significantly contribute to the morbidity and mortality of patients receiving allogeneic BMT. Subclinical abnormalities, cognitive deficits, and white matter lesions detected 1 year after BMT in a subgroup of patients may be related to more extensive CNS changes observed after transplantation in an earlier retrospective study and may be associated with the risk factor chronic GvHD/immunosuppression.
Acacetin protects dopaminergic cells against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced neuroinflammation in vitro and in vivo.

Acacetin (5,7-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone), a constituent of flavone naturally present in plants, has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Neuroinflammation is thought to be one of the major pathological mechanisms responsible for Parkinson's disease (PD), and has been a primary target in the development of treatment for PD. In the present study, we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of acacetin in PD induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP+)/or 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and examined the related pathways in vitro and in vivo. In primary mesencephalic culture, acacetin protected dopaminergic (DA) cells and inhibited production of inflammatory factors such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, and tumor necrosis factor-α against MPP+-induced toxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Then, we confirmed the effect of acacetin (10 mg/kg/d for 3 d, per os (p.o.)) in a mouse model of PD induced by MPTP (30 mg/kg/d for 5 d, intraperitoneally (i.p.)). In the behavioral test (pole test), the acacetin-treated mice showed decreased time of turning and locomotor activity, which were longer in MPTP-only treated mice. In addition, the acacetin-treated group inhibited degeneration of DA neurons and depletion of dopamine level induced by MPTP toxicity in the substantia nigra and striatum of the brain. Moreover, the acacetin-treated group inhibited microglia activation, accompanied by production of inducible nitric oxide synthases and cyclooxygenase-2. These results suggest that acacetin can protect DA neurons against the neurotoxicity involved in PD via its anti-inflammatory action.
Studies in African Bombyliidae

Five species of this very peculiar genus of the Bombyliidae are at present known from Africa south of the Sahara; cirrhata Bezzi from Somaliland, xanthogramma Bezzi from Southern Africa and Southern Rhodesia, nigrifrons Bezzi from Kenya, bella Curran from the Belgian Congo and cercoplecta Hesse from Southern Africa. I can now add two more species, one extending the range of the genus to West Africa (Nigeria), the other apparently a relatively common species at Kawanda, Uganda, which is also a new territorial record for the genus.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection via Antioxidants: Results of a Phase I Clinical Trial

Background: The pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with a defective host antiviral immune response and intrahepatic oxidative stress. Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation play major roles in the fatty liver accumulation (steatosis) that leads to necro-inflammation and necrosis of hepatic cells. Previous trials suggested that antioxidative therapy may have a beneficial effect on patients with chronic HCV infection. Aims: To determine the safety and efficacy of treatment of chronic HCV patients via a combination of antioxidants. Methods: Fifty chronic HCV patients were treated orally on a daily basis for 20 weeks with seven antioxidative oral preparations (glycyrrhizin, schisandra, silymarin, ascorbic acid, lipoic acid, L-glutathione, and alpha-tocopherol), along with four different intravenous preparations (glycyrrhizin, ascorbic acid, L-glutathione, B-complex) twice weekly for the first 10 weeks, and followed up for an additional 20 weeks. Patients were monitored for HCV-RNA levels, liver enzymes, and liver histology. Assessment of quality of life was performed using the SF-36 questionnaire. Results: In one of the tested parameters (eg, liver enzymes, HCV RNA levels, or liver biopsy score), a combination of antioxidants induced a favorable response in 48% of the patients (24). Normalization of liver enzymes occurred in 44% of patients who had elevated pretreatment ALT levels (15 of 34). ALT levels remained normal throughout follow-up period in 72.7% (8 of 11). A decrease in viral load (one log or more) was observed in 25% of the patients (12). Histologic improvement (2-point reduction in the HAI score) was noted in 36.1% of the patients. The SF-36 score improved in 26 of 45 patients throughout the course of the trial (58% of the patients). Treatment was well tolerated by all patients. No major adverse reactions were noted. Conclusions: These data suggest that multi antioxidative treatment in chronic HCV patients is well tolerated and may have a beneficial effect on necro-inflammatory variables. A combination of antiviral and antioxidative therapies may enhance the overall response rate of these patients.
Pollen Morphology of Wild Vitis sylvestris Gmelin (Vitaceae)Özden INCEOĞLU, N. Münevver PINAR

Pollen grains from two samples of Vitis sylvestris Gmelin (Vitaceae) were examined using a light microscope and scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The pollen grains were radially symmetrical, isopolar, 3-colporate, prolate-spheroidal and sub-prolate; amb triangular. Exine sculpture at the mesocolpia was obscurely reticulate under LM, foveolate-rugulate at the mesocolpia and reticulate towards the poles and at the poles in SEM, psilate along the ectoapertures (colpi) margins as observed with both LM and SEM. The tectum was subtectate. The sexine was slightly thinner than the nexine. Nexine 1 was much thicker than Nexine 2. The ectoapertures were narrow and long and with tapering ends. The endoapertures (ora) were circular with thickened margins.
Ten-day decitabine as initial therapy for newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia unfit for intensive chemotherapy

Abstract We retrospectively reviewed outcomes in 45 previously untreated patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) considered unfit for chemotherapy who were treated with 10-day courses of decitabine 20 mg/m2 daily outside of a clinical trial, with no cut-offs for organ function or performance status (PS). Nineteen had Eastern Cooperative Group performance status (ECOG PS) ≥ 2, and 39 had ≥ 2 comorbidities. Fourteen patients (31%) achieved complete remission (CR) and five (11%) CR with incomplete count recovery, for an overall response rate of 42%, after a median of 2 (range, 1–4) courses. The only pretreatment characteristic that differed significantly between responders and non-responders was percent marrow blasts (median 42% vs. 65%; p = 0.01). Median overall survival was 9.0 months; it was 19.4 and 2.3 months for responders and non-responders, respectively (p < 0.001). Thus 10-day decitabine therapy has efficacy in patients with AML considered unfit for chemotherapy, and may serve as a backbone for the addition of other novel agents.
Evidence supporting need satisfaction and frustration as two distinguishable constructs

Background: This paper aims to (1) investigate whether psychological need satisfaction and frustration are distinguishable constructs or part of a single continuum, and (2) to develop and validate the Spanish version of the Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS). Method: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation models (ESEM) were tested using three samples (Ntotal = 959). Results: In all samples, a CFA model specifying satisfaction and frustration of each psychological need as distinguishable constructs fit the data better than models specifying them as part of a continuum, even after including method corrections (CFA) or cross‐loadings (ESEM). Scale score reliabilities were adequate only when the satisfaction and frustration of each need were treated as distinguishable constructs. Conclusions: The paper provides strong support for specifying need satisfaction and frustration as distinguishable but correlated constructs, as well as adequate evidence of dimensionality, reliability and criterion validity for the Spanish version of the NSFS. &NA; Evidencias a favor de considerar satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas como dos constructos diferenciados. Antecedentes: este estudio pretende (1) investigar si satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas pueden ser considerados constructos diferenciados o integrantes de un único continuo, y (2) desarrollar y validar la versión española de la Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (NSFS). Método: aplicando técnicas de análisis factorial confirmatorio (CFA) y ecuaciones estructurales exploratorias (ESEM) diversos modelos fueron testados utilizando tres muestras (Ntotal = 959). Resultados: en todas las muestras, los modelos que consideraban satisfacción y frustración como constructos diferenciados mostraron un mejor ajuste que aquellos que consideraban dichas necesidades como partes de un continuo, incluso después de aplicar correcciones que ajustasen la posible presencia de efectos de método (CFA) o de cargas cruzadas (ESEM). Los valores de fiabilidad fueron adecuados solo cuando satisfacción y frustración fueron tratadas como constructos diferenciados. Conclusiones: se aportan evidencias que apoyan la conveniencia de tratar las percepciones de satisfacción y frustración de las necesidades psicológicas básicas como constructos diferenciados, así como la adecuada dimensionalidad, fiabilidad, y validez de criterio de la versión española de la NSFS.
Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 does not mediate amylase release from AR42J cells

In this study, AR42J pancreatic acinar cells were used to investigate if glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) or glucagon might influence amylase release and acinar cell function. We first confirmed the presence of GLP‐1 receptors on AR42J cells by reverse trasncriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blotting, and partial sequencing analysis. While cholecystokinin (CCK) increased amylase release from AR42J cells, GLP‐1, alone or in the presence of CCK, had no effect on amylase release but both CCK and GLP‐1 increased intracellular calcium. Similar to GLP‐1, glucagon increased both cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and intracellular calcium in AR42J cells but it actually decreased CCK‐mediated amylase release (n = 20, P < 0.01). CCK stimulation resulted in an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins, unlike GLP‐1 treatment, where no such increased phosphorylation was seen. Instead, GLP‐1 decreased such protein phosphorylations. Genestein blocked CCK‐induced phosphorylation events and amylase secretion while vanadate increased amylase secretion. These results provide evidence that tyrosine phosphorylation is necessary for amylase release and that signaling through GLP‐1 receptors does not mediate amylase release in AR42J cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 181:470–478, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translation of low-risk dementia-associated interventions into practice - a call to action

Aging is a central part of life. The insults we place on our bodies during the first 60 years of life eventually overload the system. Unfortunately, this occurs around the same time as when cellular processes that are capable of repairing the human body begin to slow down; another central process associated with an aging system. However, research informs us that interventions are capable of decelerating the aging process. Why then are we not slowing down aging? Regulatory bodies advise us that research-derived interventions must pass through rigorous testing prior to being prescribed. Have we taken this advice too far? This Perspective article outlines interventions that are perceived as being low-risk, which are undertaken daily by millions of people and have been “proven” to have a beneficial effect on an aging body. Furthermore, a challenge is issued to healthcare providers to adopt some of the highlighted suggestions.
Language and Identity: Limonese Creole and the Black Minority of Costa Rica

G iven the general connection between the development of national ism and l ingu istic u n iformity, the existence of mult i­ l i ngua l ism and eth n ic d ivers ity i n a cou ntry is a complex p roblem. limonese C reole is the language spoken by a Black m inority of approximately 30,000 people who have l ived i n predominantly white and Spanish-speaking Costa R ica for over 400 years. The l imon P rovince , where th is group res ides, is markedly d istinguishable from the rest in terms of its geogra­ phy, history, population, economy, language, and culture. This paper seeks to present the development of ethnic re lat ions and language in that area. H isto ry shows that e ither harmonious bi l ingualism or fiercely suppressing colonial ism usually prevails in a " Ianguagesin-contact s i tuat io n . " In th is c ase study, the h istor ical re l at ionship between eth n ic ity and language accounts for differences between societies, with such divergent consequences of contact as racial nationalism, cultural assimi­ lation and fusion, and possibly even language extinction.
Properties of honey: its mode of action and clinical outcomes

This article outlines the key actions of honey when used as a treatment for wounds and examines the evidence base for its efficacy and impact on clinical outcomes. It also provides a guide to the assessment of wounds in order to identify infection, to ensure that antimicrobial dressings such as honey are used appropriately. Finally, the Mesitran range of dressings (Aspen, Redditch) is described and individual case reports presented which demonstrate the use of these products in clinical practice.
Explaining away the negative effects of evaluation on analogical transfer: The perils of premature evaluation

Four experiments explored effects on analogical transfer of evaluating solutions to base problems. In contrast to reports of positive effects of explanation, evaluation consistently reduced transfer rates and impaired mental representations of base material. This effect was not ameliorated by encoding for a later memory test, summarizing, or engaging in similar processes at encoding and recall. However, providing a prior explanation task removed the inhibitory effect of evaluation. It appears that evaluation leads to encoding of extraneous material that interferes with access to solution-critical analogous information. Prior explanation inoculates against negative effects on transfer by ensuring that new information introduced via evaluation is organized around existing representations of relevant information of the base problem. The results suggest that the source of difficulty in analogical transfer may reside not only in retrieval and mapping but also in the initial encoding of problems.
Loose stools lead to fecal incontinence among gynecological cancer survivors

Abstract Background. Many patients treated with radiotherapy to the pelvic region report a change in bowel habits. Loose stools, urgency and fecal incontinence may have a significant impact on daily life and social functioning. Material and methods. We attempted to follow up 789 women, treated with pelvic radiotherapy for a gynecological cancer during 1991 to 2003 at two departments of gynecological oncology in Sweden. A control group of 478 women from the Swedish Population Registry was also included. As a preparatory study, we made in-depth interviews with 26 women previously treated for gynecological cancer. Based on their narratives, we constructed a study-specific questionnaire including 351 questions and validated it face-to-face. The questionnaire covered questions of physical symptoms originating in the pelvis, demographics, psychological and quality of life factors. In relation to bowel symptoms, 60 questions were asked. Results. Six-hundred and sixteen (78%) gynecological cancer survivors and 344 (72%) control women participated. Two-hundred and twenty-six (37%) cancer survivors reported loose stools at least once a week. Eighty-three percent of the survivors with loose stools every day reported defecation urgency with fecal leakage, compared to 20% of cancer survivors without loose stools. Cancer survivors with loose stools at least once a week were 7.7 times more likely to suffer from defecation urgency with fecal leakage (95% CI 4.4–13.3) compared to those who had loose stools once a month or less. In order to avoid loose stools affected survivors with loose stools often skipped meals (13%), made an active choice of food (47%) and preferentially used prescribed medication (36%). Discussion. There is a relation between loose stools and defecation urgency with fecal leakage among long-term gynecological cancer survivors treated with pelvic radiotherapy. Targeting loose stools can possibly help survivors to decrease frequency of fecal leakage.
Genome-Wide Catalogue of Chromosomal Aberrations in Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma: A High-Density Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Array Analysis

To better understand the molecular mechanisms behind esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) tumorigenesis, we used high-density single nucleotide polymorphism arrays to profile chromosomal aberrations at each of the four sequential progression stages, Barrett's metaplasia (BM), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and EAC, in 101 patients. We observed a significant trend toward increasing loss of chromosomes with higher progression stage. For BM, LGD, HGD, and EAC, respectively, the average numbers of chromosome arms with loss per sample were 0.30, 3.21, 7.70, and 11.90 (P for trend = 4.82 × 10−7), and the mean percentages of single nucleotide polymorphisms with allele loss were 0.1%, 1.8%, 6.6%, and 17.2% (P for trend = 2.64 × 10−6). In LGD, loss of 3p14.2 (68.4%) and 16q23.1 (47.4%) was limited to narrow regions within the FHIT (3p14.2) and WWOX (16q23.1) genes, whereas loss of 9p21 (68.4%) occurred in larger regions. A significant increase in the loss of other chromosomal regions was seen in HGD and EAC. Loss of 17p (47.6%) was one of the most frequent events in EAC. Many recurrent small regions of chromosomal loss disrupted single genes, including FHIT, WWOX, RUNX1, KIF26B, MGC48628, PDE4D, C20orf133, GMDS, DMD, and PARK2, most of which are common fragile site regions in the human genome. However, RUNX1 at 21q22 seemed to be a potential tumor suppressor gene in EAC. Amplifications were less frequent than losses and mostly occurred in EAC. 8q24 (containing Myc) and 8p23.1 (containing CTSB) were the two most frequently amplified regions. In addition, a significant trend toward increasing amplification was associated with higher progression stage. Cancer Prev Res; 3(9); 1176–86. ©2010 AACR.
On coherent families of finite-to-one functions

Abstract We consider the existence of coherent families of finite-to-one functions on countable subsets of an uncountable cardinal κ. The existence of such families for κ implies the existence of a winning 2-tactic for player TWO in the countable-finite game on κ. We prove that coherent families exist on κ = ωn, where n ∈ ω, and that they consistently exist for every cardinal κ. We also prove that iterations of Axiom A forcings with countable supports are Axiom A.