Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A randomized trial of empyema therapy.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To determine the optimal treatment of empyema thoracis (within the fibrinopurulent phase of illness) comparing pleural drainage and fibrinolytic therapy vs video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), with regard to efficacy and duration of hospitalization. DESIGN Twenty patients with confirmed parapneumonic empyema thoracis were randomized to chest tube pleural drainage plus streptokinase (CT-SK) vs VATS. SETTING University-based teaching hospital providing for Dallas County. PATIENTS AND METHODS Equivalent groups of patients with parapneumonic empyema thoracis were randomized to receive either of two therapies: CT-SK (n=9) or VATS (n=11). Outcomes analysis with respect to treatment efficacy, hospital duration, chest tube duration, hospital costs, and need for subsequent procedures was performed. RESULTS Each group suffered one mortality (p=not significant). When compared with the CT-SK group, the VATS group had a significantly higher primary treatment success [10/11, 91% vs 4/9, 44%; p<0.05 Fisher's Exact Test], lower chest tube duration (5.8+/-1.1 vs 9.8+/-1.3 days; p=0.03), and lower number of total hospital days (8.7+/-0.9 vs 12.8+/-1.1 days; p=0.009). Clinically relevant but not statistically significant differences in hospital costs ($16,642+/-2,841 vs $24,052+/-3,466, p=0.11) also favored the VATS group. Of note, all the CT-SK treatment failures could be salvaged with VATS, and none required thoracotomy. CONCLUSIONS In patients with loculated, complex fibrinopurulent parapneumonic empyema thoracis, a primary treatment strategy of VATS is associated with a higher efficacy, shorter hospital duration, and less cost than a treatment strategy that utilizes catheter-directed fibrinolytic therapy.
Time course changes of scratching counts, dermatitis symptoms, and levels of cutaneous prostaglandins in NC/Nga mice

Abstract: NC/Nga (NC) mice are known to develop dermatitis resembling atopic dermatitis (AD) in conventional (Conv) conditions, but not in specific pathogen‐free (SPF) conditions. We reported that the ability of skin prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) production, which might be the endogenous inhibitor of itching, was attenuated in skin‐lesioned Conv‐NC mice. We examined the age‐related change in scratching, dermatitis symptoms, and skin PGs of SPF‐ and Conv‐NC mice. In Conv‐NC, PGD2 increased at 7 weeks, at which scratching counts increased, but dermatitis did not develop. PGE2, PGI2 and PGF2α increased at 10 and 13 weeks, at which dermatitis developed. The ability to produce skin PGs was examined by measuring PGs after application of arachidonic acid or after mechanical scratching using a wire brush. In Conv‐NC, PGD2 production at 13 weeks was lower than at 7 weeks. In Conv‐NC, hematopoietic PGD synthase (hPGDS) expression in the skin at 13 weeks was lower than at 7 weeks by Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis. The increase of skin PGD2 level in the early phase of the development of dermatitis is due to the stress of extensive scratching, but did not increase in spite of the stress of extensive scratching in the late phase, due to decreasing capacity of PGD2 production attributable to decreasing hPGDS expression in Conv‐NC mice. These results suggest that a decreased ability to produce skin PGD2 production could enhance scratching and aggravate dermatitis in Conv‐NC mice.
On the binary quality of recognition and the inconsequentiality of further knowledge: two critical tests of the recognition heuristic

The recognition heuristic is claimed to be distinguished from notions of availability and fluency through its categorical or “binary” treatment of information and the “inconsequentiality” of further knowledge to inferences based on recognition. Using the city-size task of Goldstein and Gigerenzer (2002) we demonstrate that: (1) increasing the validity of other information in the environment decreases the reliance on recognition; (2) cities that are both recognized and have other information known about them (e.g. they have a soccer team) are chosen more often than those which are simply recognized; and (3) there is a negative correlation between the time taken to identify a city and the proportion of times it is selected as the larger of a pair. None of these results is predicted by the process model of the recognition heuristic. The implication of the results for the distinction between the recognition, availability and fluency heuristics is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural Insights and Biological Effects of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3-specific Inhibitor AR-A014418*

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is a serine/threonine kinase that has been implicated in pathological conditions such as diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. We report the characterization of a GSK3 inhibitor, AR-A014418, which inhibits GSK3 (IC50 = 104 ± 27 nM), in an ATP-competitive manner (Ki = 38 nM). AR-A014418 does not significantly inhibit cdk2 or cdk5 (IC50 > 100 μM) or 26 other kinases demonstrating high specificity for GSK3. We report the co-crystallization of AR-A014418 with the GSK3β protein and provide a description of the interactions within the ATP pocket, as well as an understanding of the structural basis for the selectivity of AR-A014418. AR-A014418 inhibits tau phosphorylation at a GSK3-specific site (Ser-396) in cells stably expressing human four-repeat tau protein. AR-A014418 protects N2A neuroblastoma cells against cell death mediated by inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B survival pathway. Furthermore, AR-A014418 inhibits neurodegeneration mediated by β-amyloid peptide in hippocampal slices. AR-A014418 may thus have important applications as a tool to elucidate the role of GSK3 in cellular signaling and possibly in Alzheimer's disease. AR-A014418 is the first compound of a family of specific inhibitors of GSK3 that does not significantly inhibit closely related kinases such as cdk2 or cdk5.
Effect of Annealing and Barrier Thickness on MgO-Based Co/Pt and Co/Pd Multilayered Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions

In this study, the effects of annealing conditions on the magnetic characteristics of multilayered perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (pMTJ) of the structures SiNx/Pt/(Co/Pd) 10/MgO/(Co/Pt) 5/Pt with various MgO barrier thicknesses were explored. We found that both the fixed and free layers exhibit coercivity growth with increasing annealing temperature. Insertion of a 0.4 nm Mg layer under the MgO barrier layer increases the corecivities further. Magnetoresistance measured by the current-in-plane tunneling (CIPT) method reveals that the insertion of Mg layers on both side of the MgO layer can increase the MR ratio by up to 32%.
Immunohistochemical study on leukocyte adhesion molecules expressed on lymphatic endothelium.

Leukocyte adhesion molecules expressed on the lymphatic endothelium in human small intestine and submandibular lymph node were studied immunohistochemically. Lymphatic capillaries in the lamina propria, mucosal muscle layer, and submucosal connective tissue of the intestine and in the capsule of the lymph node showed strong expression of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). A few lymphatic capillaries that weakly expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were found in the capsule of the lymph node but in the small intestine, no lymphatic capillaries expressed detectable amounts of ICAM-1. Lymphatic capillaries also did not express detectable amounts of endothelial cell-selectin in the small intestine and lymph node. When lymphocytes migrate from tissue into lymphatic capillaries, multiple adhesion molecules may not be required for the migration. PECAM-1, however, may contribute to adherence of lymphocytes to lymphatic endothelium and the expression of adhesion molecules on lymphatic endothelium may be different between tissues.
Maternal feeding practices and childhood obesity: a focus group study of low-income mothers.

OBJECTIVE To identify maternal beliefs and practices about child feeding that are associated with the development of childhood obesity. DESIGN Four focus groups. One group of dietitians from the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) in the Northern Kentucky Health District and 3 groups of mothers with children enrolled in WIC. SETTING The WIC program in the Northern Kentucky Health District. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen WIC dietitians and 14 mothers (14 to 34 years of age) with young children (12 to 36 months of age) enrolled in WIC. RESULTS The mothers in this study (1) believed that it was better to have a heavy infant because infant weight was the best marker of child health and successful parenting, (2) feared that their infants were not getting enough to eat, which led them to introduce rice cereal and other solid food to the diets before the recommended ages, and (3) used food to shape their children's behaviors (eg, to reward good behavior or to calm fussiness). The mothers acknowledged that some of their child-feeding practices went against the advice of their WIC nutritionists and physicians. Instead, the participants relied on their mothers as their main source of information about child feeding. CONCLUSIONS Physicians and allied health professionals discussing childhood growth with mothers should avoid implying that infant weight is necessarily a measure of child health or parental competence. Parents who use food to satisfy their children's emotional needs or to promote good behavior in their children may promote obesity by interfering with their children's ability to regulate their own food intake. Interventions to alter child-feeding practices should include education of grandmothers.
[Analysis of retinal vein motion in glaucoma patients].

BACKGROUND Analysis of retinal vein amplitude in eyes of glaucoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS Motion of retinal veins was captured by Retinal Vessel Analyzer in duration of 30 seconds. Inferotemporal vein segments of 500 micrometers length in the immediate vicinity of, as well as away from the optic disc were chosen. Time behavior of the average segment diameter was analyzed by the self made software: dominating frequency (heart rate) was determined by Fourier analysis, and based on this an average pulse form was produced. Difference between the highest and lowest diameter point was the subject of analysis in 25 eyes of 25 glaucoma patients and 25 age-sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS Pulse amplitude of retinal veins in healthy eyes was higher than in glaucoma patients: in the optic disc vicinity the pulse amplitude relative to baseline was 2.6 ± 2.1% in control eyes and 1.4 ± 0.8% in glaucoma eyes (t-test, p = 0.009). Away from the disc, it was 1.7 ± 1.0% and 1.1 ± 0.5% respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Retinal veins in glaucoma eyes demonstrate lower pulse amplitudes than healthy eyes, indicating disturbance in venous outflow and increased intraluminal venous pressure.
New Granada Medium for detection and identification of group B streptococci

A methotrexate-containing medium for the detection of beta-hemolytic group B streptococci from clinical specimens on the basis of detection of pigment is described. The medium contained peptone, starch, serum, MgSO4, glucose, pyruvate, methotrexate (as pigment enhancer), phosphate-morpholine-propanesulfonic acid buffer, and selective agents. The recovery of beta-hemolytic group B streptococci was comparable to that obtained with selective broth.
Adenosine A2A receptors are necessary and sufficient to trigger memory impairment in adult mice

Caffeine (a non‐selective adenosine receptor antagonist) prevents memory deficits in aging and Alzheimer's disease, an effect mimicked by adenosine A2A receptor, but not A1 receptor, antagonists. Hence, we investigated the effects of adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists on memory performance and scopolamine‐induced memory impairment in mice.
Physiologic Responses to Loud Tones in Individuals With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Objective: To determine if individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are characterized by larger eyeblink and/or autonomic responses to sudden, loud (startling) tones. Methods: Twenty participants with OCD and 21 mentally healthy control participants were presented with 15 consecutive 95-db, 500-msec, 1000-Hz tones with 0-msec rise and fall times at the same time orbicularis oculi electromyogram (EMG), heart rate (HR), and skin conductance (SC) responses were measured. Results: Participants with OCD produced larger average HR responses and a slower decline in SC responses across the 15-tone presentations. A trend for larger than average eyeblink EMG responses in participants with OCD was also observed. Conclusion: These results provide laboratory support for enhanced HR reactivity and a slower decline in SC responses to startling stimuli in individuals with OCD. OCD = obsessive-compulsive disorder; PTSD = posttraumatic stress disorder; EMG = orbicularis oculi electromyogram; HR = heart rate; SC = skin conductance; SCID = Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV; YBOCS = Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale; STAI = State-Trait Anxiety Inventory; BDI-II = Beck Depression Inventory-II.
Reactive oxygen species elevation and recovery in Drosophila bodies and ovaries following short-term and long-term exposure to DECT base EMF

Abstract The objective of this study was to approach the basic mechanism(s) underlying reported ovarian apoptotic cell death and fecundity decrease induced by nonionizing radiation (NIR) in Drosophila melanogaster. ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species) levels were measured in the bodies and the ovaries of (sexually mature) 4-day-old flies, following exposure for 0.5, 1, 6, 24 and 96 h to a wireless DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telephone) base radiation (1.88–1.90 GHz). Electrical field intensity was 2.7 V/m, measured within the fly vials and calculated SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) value = 0.009 W/Kg. Male and female bodies showed twofold increase in ROS levels (p < 0.001) after 6 h of exposure, slightly increasing with more irradiation (24 and 96 h). Ovaries of exposed females had a quick response in ROS increase after 0.5 h (1.5-fold, p < 0.001), reaching 2.5-fold after 1 h with no elevation thereafter at 6, 24 and 96 h. ROS levels returned to normal, in the male and the female bodies 24 h after 6 h of exposure of the flies (p < 0.05) and in the ovaries 4 h after 1 h exposure of the females (p < 0.05). It is postulated that the pulsed (at 100 Hz rate and 0.08 ms duration) idle state of the DECT base radiation is capable of inducing free radical formation albeit the very low SAR, leading rapidly to accumulation of ROS in a level-saturation manner under continuous exposure, or in a recovery manner after interruption of radiation, possibly due to activation of the antioxidant machinery of the organism.
Testosterone prevention of post-irradiation lymphomas in C57 black mice.

Summary In two experiments concerned with radiation-induced lymphoid tumors of C57 black mice, it has been shown that: ( a ) testosterone inhibits lymphoma development only when given concurrently with irradiation and ( b ) the inhibitory effect of testosterone previously noted in male mice of this strain is also observed in females, the degree of inhibition being apparently somewhat greater in spayed than in intact animals.
A reevaluation of the duration of survival after the onset of dementia.

BACKGROUND Dementia shortens life expectancy; estimates of median survival after the onset of dementia have ranged from 5 to 9.3 years. Previous studies of people with existing dementia, however, may have underestimated the deleterious effects of dementia on survival by failing to consider persons with rapidly progressive illness who died before they could be included in a study (referred to as length bias). METHODS We used data from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging to estimate survival from the onset of symptoms of dementia; the estimate was adjusted for length bias. A random sample of 10,263 subjects 65 years old or older from throughout Canada was screened for cognitive impairment. For those with dementia, we ascertained the date of onset and conducted follow-up for five years. RESULTS We analyzed data on 821 subjects, of whom 396 had probable Alzheimer's disease, 252 had possible Alzheimer's disease, and 173 had vascular dementia. For the group as a whole, the unadjusted median survival was 6.6 years (95 percent confidence interval, 6.2 to 7.1). After adjustment for length bias, the estimated median survival was 3.3 years (95 percent confidence interval, 2.7 to 4.0). The median survival was 3.1 years for subjects with probable Alzheimer's disease, 3.5 years for subjects with possible Alzheimer's disease, and 3.3 years for subjects with vascular dementia. CONCLUSIONS Median survival after the onset of dementia is much shorter than has previously been estimated.
Effects of a suicide prevention programme for hospitalised patients with mental illness in South Korea.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of a suicide prevention programme on the levels of depression, self-esteem, suicidal ideation and spirituality in patients with mental illness. BACKGROUND Instances of suicide have significant correlations with depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation and a low level of spirituality in the victims. Therefore, addressing depression, low self-esteem and suicidal ideation as suicide risk factors and increasing levels of spirituality can constitute an effective programme to prevent suicide among patients with mental illness. DESIGN The study was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group, nonsynchronised design. PARTICIPANTS The study sample consisted of 45 patients with mental illness who had been admitted to the psychiatric unit in a university hospital in South Korea. The patients were assigned to control and experimental groups of 23 and 22 members, respectively. METHODS The suicide prevention programme was conducted with the experimental group over four weeks and included eight sessions (two per week). The control group received only routine treatments in the hospital. RESULTS The experimental group that participated in the programme had significantly decreased mean scores for depression and suicidal ideation compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the mean scores for self-esteem and spirituality between the groups. CONCLUSION The suicide prevention programme might be usefully applied as a nursing intervention for patients hospitalised in psychiatric wards or clinics where the goals are to decrease depression and suicidal ideation. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Typical treatments for hospitalised patients with mental illness are not enough to prevent suicide. Intervention for suicide prevention needs to apply an integrated approach. The suicide prevention programme using an integrated approach is more effective in reducing depression and suicidal ideation in patients with mental illness than applying routine treatments in the hospital.
The relationship between stroke severity and prior direct oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with acute ischaemic stroke and non‐valvular atrial fibrillation

Anticoagulant treatment with a vitamin K antagonist (VKA) has been reported to reduce stroke severity when patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) suffer acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy also has the potential to reduce the initial severity of AIS. However, the effect of DOAC therapy on the severity of AIS is not well known. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of DOACs on initial stroke severity in patients with AIS and non‐valvular AF.
Optimal concentration of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) for epithelial healing in experimental corneal alkali wounds

Purpose. By using both in vivo and in vitro (organ-cultured) systems, the optimal concentrations of h EGF to enhance epithelial healing after alkali wounds were evaluated in the rabbit cornea. Methods. Alkali-injured corneas (f = 5.5 mm, 1 N NaOH, 60 s) were treated with 0.01, 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 ng/ml h EGF for the in vitro study. The healing of epithelium and endothelium was determined at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 days after treatment. For the in vivo experiment, the eyes were treated with 2, 5, 10, and 50 µg/ml h EGF 3 times per day. The measurement of epithelial healing rate, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical observation were performed after 7 days treatment. Results. In in vitro tests, h EGF enhanced the epithelial healing rates, showing a maximum enhancement at the concentration of 1.0 ng/ml, and endothelial healing was increased at 100 ng/ml. In in vivo studies, no significant difference was observed in the rates of epithelial healing between control and each h EGF-treated group. Among the tested concentrations, 5 µg/ml hEGF induced the most active proliferation of basal cells and 50 µg/ml h EGF remarkably produced a vascular ingrowth to the central wound area. The thickness of re-surfaced epithelium was increased by h EGF in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions. The results of the present study indicate that a low concentration of h EGF may selectively enhance epithelial healing without affecting endothelial healing. The optimal concentration of h EGF for the stimulation of epithelial healing appears to be 5 µg/ml in rabbit corneal alkali wounds.
Non‐genetic population heterogeneity studied by in situ polymerase chain reaction

Expression of a lac operon in Salmonella typhimurium single cells was monitored using lac mRNA targeting in situ reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). It is demonstrated that suboptimal induction of the lac operon in a culture of S. typhimurium/F′lac+ cells generates a subpopulation in which transcription of the lac operon occurs and another subpopulation in which transcription of the lac operon is repressed, whereas suboptimal induction of the lac operon in a culture of S. typhimurium/F′lacY cells generates a population with uniform levels of lac mRNA. The outcome of the single‐cell lac mRNA detection assay was compared with the outcome of a single‐cell β‐galactosidase assay. In cultures grown under different suboptimal lac induction conditions, the fraction of cells in which transcription of the lac operon occurred was concurrent with the fraction of cells showing β‐galactosidase activity. Besides supporting the hypothesis that the lactose permease has a role in generating non‐genetic heterogeneity in suboptimally induced cultures of Lac+ cells, these results demonstrate the usefulness of in situ RT–PCR for the study of non‐genetic population heterogeneities.
[Static and dynamic infrared thermometry and thermography in malignant melanoma of the uvea and conjunctiva].

BACKGROUND Thermometry and -graphy prove asymmetries of the circulation. Contact-free thermometry of the cornea is applied to find out whether this method can contribute to differential diagnosis of ocular melanomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Under standardized conditions the temperature of the cornea was measured in 30 patients with malignant melanoma of the choroid and the conjunctiva and 35 healthy subjects. The instruments were a handpyrometer (HPM, Messgerätewerk, Magdeburg) and the thermovision camera of AGA Infrared System, Sweden, with dynamic recording in colour. RESULTS In healthy subjects there are no significant asymmetries in temperature under standardized conditions. The temperature of the cornea is elevated in both malignant melanomas of the choroid and the conjunctiva. CONCLUSIONS Thermometry and -graphy of the cornea can contribute to the differentiation of malignant ocular melanomas from other ophthalmological diseases. They are also suited in long term observation of the course of the melanomas.