Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Enhanced Power within a Specific Band of Theta Activity in One Person While Another Receives Circumcerebral Pulsed Magnetic Fields: A Mechanism for Cognitive Influence at a Distance?

Four pairs of adult siblings served once as either the stimulus or the response person in two sessions separated by one week. While the brain of the stimulus person, who was seated in a closed chamber, was exposed successively to six different complex magnetic fields for 5 min. each quantitative monopolar electroencephalographic measurements over the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital lobes were collected by computer for the response person who was seated in another room. The six configurations of fields served as different stimulus patterns and had been designed to affect consciousness. As predicted theoretically, a significant increase in electroencephalographic power within the 5.0-Hz to 6.0-Hz band over the frontal and occipital lobes was noted for the response persons when the stimulus persons received one of the six specific patterns of weak (1 microTesla range) magnetic fields. This magnetic stimulus was presented for 100 msec. with changes in rate of 20 msec. to each of the eight solenoids that were equally spaced in the horizontal plane around the head of the stimulus person. Derivatives within this narrow frequency band had been hypothesized to be a source of the “binding factor” for the cohesive cerebrogenic electromagnetic fields producing consciousness. The results suggest that an appropriate altered state of one brain can effect specific predictable frequencies of the electroencephalographic activity of another distant brain which is genetically related.
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia associated with shock.

OBJECTIVE To describe an unusual case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) associated with hemodynamic instability. DESIGN Case report, clinical. SETTINGS Tertiary care intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENT A single patient admitted to the ICU. INTERVENTIONS Intravenous corticosteroids. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Resolution of distributive shock and respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS AEP with respiratory failure was first reported in 1989 as a distinct clinical entity. Patients with this variant of eosinophilic lung disease develop acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with a rapid response to treatment with corticosteroids, The characteristic feature of this syndrome is a predominance of eosinophils found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung biopsy. Despite the increasing number of reported cases, to our knowledge, distributive shock has not been reported as a feature of AEP. We report a unique case of AEP associated with shock and review the pertinent literature.
M3 Muscarinic Receptor Interaction with Phospholipase C β3 Determines Its Signaling Efficiency*

Background: Scaffolding of signaling proteins to GPCRs may increase signaling efficiency and spatial fidelity. Results: Phospholipase C (PLC) β3 binding directly to M3 muscarinic receptor intracellular loops involves a non-canonical PDZ interaction. Conclusion: M3 muscarinic receptor binding to PLCβ3 optimizes interactions with substrate and G protein activator. Significance: Scaffolding of PLC enzymes to GPCRs may be important for spatial signal specificity and efficacy. Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) enzymes are activated by G protein-coupled receptors through receptor-catalyzed guanine nucleotide exchange on Gαβγ heterotrimers containing Gq family G proteins. Here we report evidence for a direct interaction between M3 muscarinic receptor (M3R) and PLCβ3. Both expressed and endogenous M3R interacted with PLCβ in coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Stimulation of M3R with carbachol significantly increased this association. Expression of M3R in CHO cells promoted plasma membrane localization of YFP-PLCβ3. Deletion of the PLCβ3 C terminus or deletion of the PLCβ3 PDZ ligand inhibited coimmunoprecipitation with M3R and M3R-dependent PLCβ3 plasma membrane localization. Purified PLCβ3 bound directly to glutathione S-transferase (GST)-fused M3R intracellular loops 2 and 3 (M3Ri2 and M3Ri3) as well as M3R C terminus (M3R/H8-CT). PLCβ3 binding to M3Ri3 was inhibited when the PDZ ligand was removed. In assays using reconstituted purified components in vitro, M3Ri2, M3Ri3, and M3R/H8-CT potentiated Gαq-dependent but not Gβγ-dependent PLCβ3 activation. Disruption of key residues in M3Ri3N and of the PDZ ligand in PLCβ3 inhibited M3Ri3-mediated potentiation. We propose that the M3 muscarinic receptor maximizes the efficiency of PLCβ3 signaling beyond its canonical role as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Gα.
Studies on the ion exchange properties of modified and unmodified orange mesocarp extract in aqueous solution.

This investigation describes the ion exchange properties of orange mesocarp extract (OME), CarboxylatedToluene Di-isocyanate Orange Mesocarp Extract Resin (CTOR) and Sulphonated-Toluene Di-isocyanate Orange Mesocarp Extract Resin (STOR) for the removal of metal ions in aqueous solution. The Infrared absorption bands of OME, CTOR and STOR indicate the presence of possible functional groups that may enhance ion exchange reaction. The effect of varying initial metal ion concentration on the ion exchange process was studied at 29°C. It was found that the uptake of Zn 2+ , Cu 2+ , Ni 2+ and Co 2+ ions by OME, CTOR and STOR is related to the dissociation power of the exchangeable hydrogen and in sequence similar to the ionic radii of the metal ions. The Dubinin-Radushkevich (D.R.) isotherm parameters revealed that the uptake of metal ion by OME proceeded by physical adsorption (E = 0.1581 kJ/mol), while the uptake of metal ion by CTOR and STOR proceeded by ion exchange mechanism (E = 8.452 – 11.180 kJ/mol).
Splanchnic and Hepatic Metabolism of Somatostatin: A Study in Cirrhotic Patients with a Portacaval Shunt

Experimental data suggest that somatostatin is metabolized by both liver and kidneys. Results in humans are conflicting. By studying a group of cirrhotic patients with surgically induced end‐to‐side portacaval shunts, basally and during a somatostatin infusion, we have been able to analyze separately the hepatic and splanchnic metabolism of this peptide. After catheterization, samples were obtained from the pulmonary artery, portal and hepatic veins. Basal pulmonary artery immunoreactive somatostatin (IRS) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the cirrhotic patients (96 ± 11 pg per ml) than in a sex‐ and age‐matched control group (31.4 ± 5.8 pg per ml). During the infusion of exogenous somatostatin, HiS values were higher in arterial (12,269 ± 1, 198 pg per ml) than in hepatic venous blood (7,648 ± 1,234 pg per ml), indicating hepatic extraction of the peptide; but there was also a substantial splanchnic extraction demonstrated by higher arterial (12,269 ± 1,532 pg per ml) than portal values (6,754 ± 1,040 pg per ml) of IRS.
Personality Traits Predict the Onset of Disease

While personality traits have been linked concurrently to health status and prospectively to outcomes such as mortality, it is currently unknown whether traits predict the diagnosis of a number of specific diseases (e.g., lung disease, heart disease, and stroke) that may account for their mortality effects more generally. A sample (N = 6,904) of participants from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of older adults, completed personality measures and reported on current health conditions. Four years later, participants were followed up to see if they developed a new disease. Initial cross-sectional analyses replicated past findings that personality traits differ across disease groups. Longitudinal logistic regression analyses predicting new disease diagnosis suggest that traits are associated with the risk of developing disease—most notably the traits of conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness. Findings are discussed as a means to identify pathways between personality and health.
Impact of 'living apart together' on postoperative recovery of mice compared with social and individual housing

Social housing is the optimal way of housing female laboratory mice. However, individual housing may be required in experimental designs, for example after surgery. We therefore investigated whether housing two female mice in a cage, separated by a grid partition ('living apart together', LAT), counters the adverse effects of individual housing on postoperative recovery. Ten individually housed (IND) mice, nine socially housed (SOC) mice and nine mice, housed LAT, were surgically implanted with a telemetry transmitter. From one week prior to surgery until three weeks thereafter, several physiological and behavioural parameters were measured in the mice subjected to surgery. The telemetry transmitter measured heart rate (HR), body temperature and activity continuously. Body weight, food and water intake were scored regularly, as were wound healing, ease of handling, nest building and behaviour. Results indicated that SOC mice appear to be less affected by abdominal surgery than IND mice, as indicated by HR and behaviour. LAT, however, did not appear to be beneficiary to the mice. Increased HR levels and differences in behaviour as compared with both SOC and IND animals indicate that LAT may even be the most stressful of the three housing conditions. We therefore conclude that mice benefit most from social housing after surgery. If, however, social housing is not possible, individual housing appears to be a better option than separating mice by a grid partition.
Maternal and environmental factors influencing infant birth weight in Ibadan, Nigeria

Fetal weight at birth is a major determinant of survival, physical growth and mental development of an infant. About 14 percent of all births in Nigeria are born with low birth weight. Studies on birth weight in Nigeria have focused mainly on the biomedical risk factors and have largely ignored the influence the socio-cultural environment which encompasses maternal knowledge, beliefs, and practices during the prenatal period. With the premise that birth weight shows a reverse social gradient, this study examined the effects of maternal, sociocultural and environmental factors on the birth weight of infants in Ibadan. The research adopted a prospective survey design method involving multistage sampling procedure to select 1,138 pregnant women accessing antenatal care services from both orthodox and community health providers. The instrument comprised structured questionnaire, and secondary data were generated from the patients’ files retrieved from the antenatal care centres. The study identified a number of maternal, socioeconomic and environmental factors that significantly influence low birth weight and suggested actions that would help reduce the risk factors of low birth weight and promote care-seeking and demand for skilled care at all stages of pregnancy.
Modelling lifelong effects of different prophylactic treatment strategies for severe haemophilia A

Lifelong prophylactic replacement therapy with clotting factor concentrates is recommended for severe haemophilia. The prophylactic dose determines both clinical outcome and treatment cost. In the absence of clinical studies, computer simulation was used to explore lifelong effects and clotting factor consumption for various prophylactic dose levels, and optimize strategies for switching between prophylactic and on‐demand treatment.
The ultrastructure and ontogeny of pollen in Helleborus foetidus L. I. The development of the tapetum and Ubisch bodies.

The final stages of Helleborus pollen-grain ontogeny, which culminate in maturation and germination of the grain, have been investigated at the ultrastructural level. Following the deposition of primary and secondary exine, and during the early stages of intine formation, the microspore passes through a vacuolate phase, in which the cytoplasm appears devoid of most organelles other than the prominent nucleus. The formation of the vacuole results in the displacement of the nucleus to one side of the pollen grain. The vacuole quickly disappears and a number of organelles reappear in the cytoplasm, in particular the dictyosomes and strands of endoplasmic reticulum, with associated grey bodies. Following mitotic division of the pollen grain, the first signs of the generative cell wall appear as a pair of tightly appressed unit membranes in the narrow strand of cytoplasm separating the two newly formed generative and vegetative nuclei. As development proceeds, the space between the two membranes gradually fills with an electron-transparent material similar to the substance found in the numerous dictyosome-derived vesicles which, together with the endoplasmic reticulum, are both closely associated with the developing cell wall. The generative cell wall fuses with the cellulosic intine, which has gradually increased in amount during these stages, and the cell division is complete. The smaller generative cell contains a prominent nucleus and a small amount of cytoplasm devoid of plastids and most other organelles. The larger vegetative cell also contains a prominent nucleus and a large amount of cytoplasm containing amyloplasts, mitochondria, dictyosomes and endoplasmic reticulum, and abundant ribosomes, many of which are in a polysome configuration. The final stages in development are characterized by a progressive decrease in the amount of starch in the vegetative cell and an increase in the size of grey bodies, many of which are invested in multilayered shrouds of endoplasmic reticulum. The generative cell wall disappears and a multivesicular/granular body gradually appears at the periphery of the pollen grain. The granular-vesicular material, which is formed from the dictyosomes and/or the degenerating plastids, is thought to represent metabolic reserves necessary for pollen-tube formation. One or more pollen tubes emerge from the apertural sectors of the pollen grain, and maturation of the grain is complete.
Craniofacial changes after 2 years of nasal continuous positive airway pressure use in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

BACKGROUND Many patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) use nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) as a first-line therapy. Previous studies have reported midfacial hypoplasia in children using nCPAP. The aim of this study is to assess the craniofacial changes in adult subjects with OSA after nCPAP use. METHODS Forty-six Japanese subjects who used nCPAP for a minimum of 2 years had both a baseline and a follow-up cephalometric radiograph taken. These two radiographs were analyzed, and changes in craniofacial structures were assessed. The cephalometric measurements evaluated were related to face height, interarch relationship, and tooth position. RESULTS Most of the patients with OSA were men (89.1%), and the mean baseline values for age, BMI, and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) were 56.3 ± 13.4 years, 26.8 ± 5.6 kg/m(2), and 42.0 ± 18.6/h. The average duration of nCPAP use was 35.0 ± 6.7 months. After nCPAP use, cephalometric variables demonstrated a significant retrusion of the anterior maxilla, a decrease in maxillary-mandibular discrepancy, a setback of the supramentale and chin positions, a retroclination of maxillary incisors, and a decrease of convexity. However, significant correlations between the craniofacial changes, demographic variables, or the duration of nCPAP use could not be identified. None of the patients self-reported any permanent change of occlusion or facial profile. CONCLUSION The use of an nCPAP machine for > 2 years may change craniofacial form by reducing maxillary and mandibular prominence and/or by altering the relationship between the dental arches.
[Non-detected dementia and use of the health services: implications for primary care].

OBJECTIVES To calculate the proportion of cases of dementia detected in people over 70 living in their homes and to describe the use made by people with dementia of the health and social services. MATERIAL AND METHODS Population survey of the survivors of the cohort "Growing old in Leganés", started in 1993. In the third monitoring (1999-2000), the clinical diagnosis of dementia on the basis of a neurological examination and an extensive neuro-psychological battery was included. Their use of health and social services and prior diagnoses were also asked. RESULTS In the sample of survivors (n=527), there was 12.1% prevalence of dementia. Only 30% of the demented had previously been diagnosed by the health services. The proportion of undetected dementia was significantly associated with its seriousness (light 95%, moderate 69%, severe 36%). Compared with older persons who were not demented, the demented used more often hospital services, medical and nursing consultations at home and consultations through third parties; and less often, preventive and rehabilitation services. This trend was accentuated in patients with grave dementia. The use of community social services was very low (below 8% in the most serious cases). CONCLUSIONS The detection of dementia in the elderly is very low and efforts to detect it in primary care need to be stepped up. Specific social-health resources for this population also need to be increased and the attendance guide-lines for primary care teams, and for health professionals in general, need to be changed.
Response to Re: Management of sigmoid volvulus: is early surgery justifiable?

clinical evaluation exercise (CEX) demonstrate face and content validity (and indeed reliability), albeit in a population of medical rather than surgical trainees. We accept that the earlier versions of CBD and CEX used within the Intercollegiate Surgical Curriculum Programme (ISCP) do not demonstrate reliability and indeed, that was one of the real messages in our paper. However, the paper also describes how ISCP has introduced construct-aligned scales, similar to those used by the physicians, and we would envisage improved validity and reliability as a consequence. We clearly cannot be complacent in relation to ISCP. It continues to undergo continuous evaluation and review. Its utility as a curriculum management tool has improved considerably since its launch, and the syllabi within it continue to evolve. As we conclude the original paper by saying we will need to continue to re-evaluate and reassess the assessment system so that is fit for purpose, namely that it has reliability, validity, acceptability and utility.
Non-Gaussian Statistical Appearance Models. Application to the Creation of a Probabilistic Atlas of Brain Perfusion in Medical Imaging. (Modèles statistiques d'apparence non gaussiens. Application à la création d'un atlas probabiliste de perfusion cérébrale en imagerie médicale)

Single Photon Emission Computer Tomography (SPECT) is a 3D functional imaging technique that yields information about the blood flow in the brain (also called brain perfusion). This imaging technique has found application in the diagnostics of head trauma, dementia, epilepsy and other brain pathologies. To this end, SPECT images are analyzed in order to find abnormal blood flow patterns. For localized abnormalities such as stroke, this characterization remains an accessible task, whereas for diffuse and variable abnormalities such as beginning dementia, near-drowning episodes and toxic substance exposure, characterization is difficult. It is therefore necessary to develop quantitative methods in which computer-aided statistical analysis can take advantage of information present in a database of normal subjects. This work deals with the construction and evaluation of a probabilistic atlas of brain perfusion in normal subjects as observed in SPECT images. The goals of such an atlas are twofold: (1) to describe perfusion patterns of the population represented by the atlas in a compact manner, and (2) to identify statistically significant differences between an individual brain perfusion pattern and the probabilistic atlas. The successful creation of a computerized, probabilistic atlas may have far-reaching impact on clinical applications where qualitative (visual) analysis of SPECT images is current practice. Three issues have been central in this work: the statistical models that actually describe brain perfusion, the image processing tools used to make brains "comparable" and the experimental evaluation of the atlas.
For-profit schooling and the politics of education reform in Chile : When ideology trumps evidence

For-profit schooling is one of the most hotly debated issues in education policy discussions in Chile. Proponents argue that for-profit schools have incentives to reduce costs and to innovate, leading to both higher quality and greater efficiency in education. Critics maintain that for-profit schools cannot be trusted to place the interest of children over profitability. Buried in this position is the belief that for-profits would cut quality in the process of cutting costs. Researchers can gain insight into this debate by examining school systems where vouchers have been implemented on a large scale and where for-profit and non-profit school supply has increased. In 1981, Chile began financing public and most private schools with vouchers. Education in Chile occurs in a mixed market with 46 percent of students enrolled in public schools, 31 percent in for-profit voucher schools, 16 percent in non-profit (religious and secular) voucher schools, and 7 percent in private non-voucher schools. This paper compares the academic achievement of fourth and eighth-grade students across for-profit, non-profit and public schools. What I find is a mixed story. Initial results indicate that non-profits have a small advantage over for-profit and public schools and forprofit school students have slightly higher test scores than comparable public school students at fourth grade, once student and peer attributes and selection bias are controlled for. There is no significant difference in achievement between for-profit and public eighth grade students. When for-profits and non-profits are subdivided by ownership, for-profit chains and Catholic schools have a substantial advantage over other sectors. There is not a consistent statistically significant difference between for-profit independent and public schools. In some cases, evangelical schools produce the lowest achievement.
Impairment of Mother-Infant Relationship: Validation of the Chinese Version of Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire

The implementation of the Comprehensive Child Development Service in Hong Kong brought about the need for the development of an instrument for assessing mother-infant relationship impairments in women with postnatal depression. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire by Brockington et al. (2001) was first translated into Chinese, then back-translated into English. An expert panel was set up to evaluate the content validity and a focus group discussion was held to explore the face validity and acceptability of the questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (C-PBQ) was administered to 62 women suffering from postnatal depression. Scale 1 of the C-PBQ had a sensitivity of 84% for detecting women with any forms of mother-infant relationship impairments and scale 2 had a sensitivity of 89% for detecting rejection of infant and a sensitivity of 77% for detecting pathological anger towards infant. The C-PBQ is a useful instrument for detecting mother-infant relationship impairments as perceived by women with postnatal depression.