Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systemic administration of the potassium channel activator cromakalim attenuates cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE Cerebral vasospasm is a primary complication after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Recent evidence indicates that the activation of potassium (K+) channels may be of benefit in relieving spastic constriction. The present study examined the effects of systemic administration of a K+ channel activator, cromakalim, on cerebral vasospasm after experimental SAH. METHODS Experimental SAH was performed in rabbits by injecting autologous blood into the cisterna magna. Intravenous injections of cromakalim or vehicle were administered twice daily with the first injection administered 1 hour after induction of SAH. Animals were killed by perfusion-fixation 48 hours after SAH. Basilar arteries were removed and sectioned, and the luminal cross-sectional areas were measured. RESULTS Experimental SAH induced cerebral vasospasm in untreated and vehicle-treated animals. Cromakalim attenuated cerebral vasospasm in a dose-dependent manner. This effect achieved statistical significance at doses of 0.1 and 0.3 mg/kg. CONCLUSION These results support the concept that targeting vascular K+ channels can be of benefit in preventing the development of cerebral vasospasm. The findings also indicate that cromakalim represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of cerebrovascular pathophysiology after SAH.
FUTURE TIME PERSPECTIVE IN PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS

The hypothesis that pathological gambling is associated with shortened time horizons was investigated by administering the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) and the Future Time Perspective Inventory (FPTI) to a group of pathological gamblers and two comparison groups, psychiatric day patients and social gamblers. The South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) was used to assess the severity of the participants’ gambling. Sixty-six participants were recruited, of which 35 were women. The mean age of participants was 39 years. Results showed significantly shorter time horizons in pathological versus social gamblers but few differences between pathological gamblers and psychiatric patients. These results suggest that shortened time horizons are not a unique feature of addicted populations. The role of psychological distress as a possible explanatory variable is discussed.
CHALICE head injury rule: an implementation study

Introduction Paediatric head injury is a common presentation to emergency departments (ED), and the 2007 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence head injury guidelines included a paediatric section to deal with this. This is based on the Children's Head Injury Algorithm for the Prediction of Important Clinical Events (CHALICE) head injury rule. To date, no studies have examined the impact of the guideline on ED resources. Method The 2007 guideline criteria were applied to records of patients seen pre-2007. By comparing the number of scans done with these criteria with those done in actual practice, the resource implications of the 2007 guideline could be assessed. Results If the pre-existing (2003) guideline had been strictly applied, 28 (6%) of the 464 patients analysed would have received a computed tomography (CT) scan. Applying the 2007 guideline to the same 464 patients resulted in an extra 21 (4.6%) scans. Discussion The cost effect of an extra 21 CT scans per annum is estimated at £3570. This is offset against a potential cost saving on admissions of £10 450. The neoplasia risks of increased scanning are also discussed. Problems in this study were the preference for admission over scanning in children who qualified for scan under both guidelines and absent data from clinical records. Further work could include a prospective study of the guideline.
Polymorphisms of GSTA1 contribute to elevated cancer risk: evidence from 15 studies.

PURPOSE Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are involved in the detoxification of carcinogens, and may be linked to carcinogenesis. As a vital component of GSTs, GSTA1 plays an important role in carcinogenesis. However, the studies about the effect of GSTA1 polymorphisms on cancer risk are limited and the conclusions are contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between GSTA1 polymorphisms (-567T>G, (69C>T and -52G>A) and cancer risk. METHODS A literature search of PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted from their inception through December 2013. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the association of GSTA1 polymorphisms and cancer risk. RESULTS A total of 15 studies were enrolled, and the results indicated that GSTA1 BB genotype was associated with elevated cancer risk, especially in colorectal cancer. Further stratifications showed that GSTA1 BB genotype was associated with increased cancer risk in Caucasian populations and in the study with population-based controls. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis suggested that GSTA1 BB genotype was a risk factor for colorectal cancer, especially in Caucasian populations.
Diagnosis of Decadal Predictability of Southern Ocean Sea Surface Temperature in the GFDL CM2.1 Model

AbstractThe average predictability time (APT) method is used to identify the most predictable components of decadal sea surface temperature (SST) variations over the Southern Ocean (SO) in a 4000-yr unforced control run of the GFDL CM2.1 model. The most predictable component shows significant predictive skill for periods as long as 20 years. The physical pattern of this variability has a uniform sign of SST anomalies over the SO, with maximum values over the Amundsen–Bellingshausen–Weddell Seas. Spectral analysis of the associated APT time series shows a broad peak on time scales of 70–120 years. This most predictable pattern is closely related to the mature phase of a mode of internal variability in the SO that is associated with fluctuations of deep ocean convection. The second most predictable component of SO SST is characterized by a dipole structure, with SST anomalies of one sign over the Weddell Sea and SST anomalies of the opposite sign over the Amundsen–Bellingshausen Seas. This component has sig.
Experimental and immunohistochemical studies on the possible role of parathyroid hormone in uraemic pruritus

Abstract. Secondary hyperparathyroidism has been suggested as a cause of itching in chronic renal failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in pruritus affecting patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. In agreement with our previous findings, patients with pruritus had significantly (P < 0.01) higher serum levels of PTH fragment 53–68 (m‐PTH53–68) than patients without pruritus, 47.7±40.0 and 23.4±17.1 μg l−1 respectively. Serum concentrations of other substances including calcium, phosphate and magnesium did not differ between the two groups of patients. Intradermal injections of human PTH1–34 and PTH44–68 failed to evoke any acute or delayed cutaneous reactions in either patients or controls. Immunohistochemical investigations of skin biopsies from uraemic patients using several different antibodies against PTH were negative. Thus, the present results do not support PTH as a peripheral mediator of uraemic itching.
Differential Gender Differences in Ischemic and Nephrotoxic Acute Renal Failure

Background/Aims:Recent work has shown that female animals are more resistant to ischemic acute renal failure (ARF) than male animals. The mechanism underlying the gender difference is unclear. Moreover, whether the gender difference holds true for ARF induced by other insults is unknown. This study sought to determine the gender differences in ischemic and nephrotoxic ARF. Methods: Gender differences were tested in two experimental models of ARF. For ischemic ARF, bilateral clamping of renal pedicles was conducted in C57BL/6 and129/Sv mice followed by reperfusion. For nephrotoxic ARF, cisplatin was administered to the animals. Renal function, tissue damage, animal survival, and renal cell apoptosis were examined. Results: Ischemic ARF was significantly ameliorated in female mice, as shown by lower serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Female mice also showed better renal histology, less apoptosis and caspase activation, and a much better survival rate than male mice following ischemic insult. On the contrary, female mice were more sensitive to cisplatin-induced ARF. In these animals, BUN increased at day 1 following cisplatin injection, while in males BUN increases were not shown until day 3. Higher levels of serum creatinine were also recorded in female mice. Renal histology showed severer necrotic tubular damage in females, although apoptosis and caspase activation appeared similar in both genders. Consistently, male mice survived better than females in the nephrotoxic model. Conclusion: While female mice were resistant to ischemic ARF, they appeared more sensitive to cisplatin-induced ARF. Investigation of the gender differences at the cellular and molecular levels might provide a new area for mechanistic study of ARF.
A mechanism for increased contractile strength of human pennate muscle in response to strength training: changes in muscle architecture

1 In human pennate muscle, changes in anatomical cross‐sectional area (CSA) or volume caused by training or inactivity may not necessarily reflect the change in physiological CSA, and thereby in maximal contractile force, since a simultaneous change in muscle fibre pennation angle could also occur. 2 Eleven male subjects undertook 14 weeks of heavy‐resistance strength training of the lower limb muscles. Before and after training anatomical CSA and volume of the human quadriceps femoris muscle were assessed by use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), muscle fibre pennation angle (θp) was measured in the vastus lateralis (VL) by use of ultrasonography, and muscle fibre CSA (CSAfibre) was obtained by needle biopsy sampling in VL. 3 Anatomical muscle CSA and volume increased with training from 77.5 ± 3.0 to 85.0 ± 2.7 cm2 and 1676 ± 63 to 1841 ± 57 cm3, respectively (±s.e.m.). Furthermore, VL pennation angle increased from 8.0 ± 0.4 to 10.7 ± 0.6 deg and CSAfibre increased from 3754 ± 271 to 4238 ± 202 μm2. Isometric quadriceps strength increased from 282.6 ± 11.7 to 327.0 ± 12.4 N m. 4 A positive relationship was observed between θp and quadriceps volume prior to training (r = 0.622). Multifactor regression analysis revealed a stronger relationship when θp and CSAfibre were combined (R= 0.728). Post‐training increases in CSAfibre were related to the increase in quadriceps volume (r = 0.749). 5 Myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform distribution (type I and II) remained unaltered with training. 6 VL muscle fibre pennation angle was observed to increase in response to resistance training. This allowed single muscle fibre CSA and maximal contractile strength to increase more (+16 %) than anatomical muscle CSA and volume (+10 %). 7 Collectively, the present data suggest that the morphology, architecture and contractile capacity of human pennate muscle are interrelated, in vivo. This interaction seems to include the specific adaptation responses evoked by intensive resistance training.
Distribution of the Collector Resistance of Planar Bipolar Transistors: Impact on Small Signal Characteristics and Compact Modeling

We investigate the relevance of the distribution of the extrinsic collector resistance of a bipolar transistor with respect to its small signal characteristics. We show that this distribution is relevant to the admittance parameters in general and to the cut-off frequency and unilateral power gain in particular. We present analytical results for ;y-parameters in terms of elements of the small-signal equivalent circuit of the Mextram compact model, extended with distributed extrinsic collector resistance. Hence, our results are relevant to compact modeling, bipolar device technology development and characterization and to design of RF power amplifiers.
Flow of concentrated red blood cell suspensions at micro-bifurcations: an in vitro experimental study

The aim of this work was to investigate the phaseseparation effect in vitro for channels ,20 mm and for intermediate haematocrits, that is physiological conditions under which the effect is significant. For this purpose, we use RBC suspensions, microfluidic devices modelling microvascular bifurcations and new metrologies allowing the simultaneous quantification of both blood and RBC flow rates in the three branches of the bifurcation. First, these metrologies were validated by checking that their results are consistent with mass conservation of both blood and RBCs at microbifurcations. Second, the phase separation effect was studied, and the result compared with previous experimental and numerical results (Pries et al. 1989; Doyeux et al. 2011).
Baksbat (Broken Courage): A Trauma-Based Cultural Syndrome in Cambodia

Whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) sufficiently explains and encompasses the symptoms experienced by people from non-Western cultures is debatable. The etymological, social, and historical contexts of idioms of distress experienced by Khmer, known as baksbat, were studied through interviews with 53 Cambodian experts. Phey-khlach (double fear), bor-veas-cheas-chgnay (wishing that the trauma would go away), dam-doeum-kor (planting a kapok tree—remaining mute), chos-nhorm (submissive, easily giving in), kob yobal (ideas are buried), and loss of togetherness, were all identified as specific symptoms of baksbat. Similarities and differences between symptoms of baksbat, PTSD, anxiety, and depression indicate that baksbat is a Cambodian idiom of distress with sufficient characteristics to be recognized as a formal cultural trauma syndrome distinct from PTSD. Increased awareness of its criteria and phenomenology may help clinicians provide appropriate support for traumatized Cambodians.
Early detection of left ventricular dysfunction in patients with β thalassaemia major by dobutamine stress echocardiography

Myocardial iron deposition, among other factors, contributes to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with β thalassaemia major.1 Nonetheless, conventional indices have not been particularly useful for its early detection. Importantly, cardiac function deteriorates rapidly once clinical symptoms develop. Dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) is well accepted in the evaluation of myocardial dysfunction caused by coronary artery disease in adults.2 In children, DSE has been used for early detection of LV dysfunction in long term childhood cancer survivors.3 In this study, we assessed the usefulness of DSE for early detection of LV dysfunction in thalassaemia patients. Twenty six patients (17 females) with β thalassaemia major with a mean (SD) age of 17.4 (8.3) years (range 4–33 years) were studied. Their body surface area (BSA) was 1.12 (0.20) m2. None had congestive heart failure clinically and all were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I at initial assessment. Monthly blood transfusion was started at a median of 11 months (range 3–96 months), while desferrioxamine was started at a median age of 30 months (range 25–114 months). Post-transfusion haemoglobin was targeted at 14 g/dl (8.7 mmol/l), and echocardiographic studies were performed within one week of transfusion to minimise confounding influence of anaemia. Only one of the patients had undergone splenectomy. Twenty healthy subjects (13 females) aged 10.4 (4.5) years (range 4–15 …
Chronic pantoprazole administration and ischemia--reperfusion arrhythmias in vivo in rats--antiarrhythmic or arrhythmogenic?

BACKGROUND The safety of all proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) in patients with intrinsic cardiac disease has not been well studied. In the present study, the effect of PPI pantoprazole on ventricular arrhythmias induced by either ischemia or ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) was studied. METHODS The left main coronary artery (LAD) was ligated for 30 or 10 min followed by a 30-min reperfusion in anesthetized rats. Rats were pretreated with pantoprazole (1.3 mg/kg) or vehicle by gastric gavage (daily for 3 weeks) before ligation. Serum electrolytes levels were measured by the end of the third week before coronary ligation. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were measured at the end of the ischemia and IR injury. RESULTS Pantoprazole caused significant hyperkalemia by the end of third week compared with vehicle-treated rats. After LAD ligation (30 min), ventricular premature contractions (VPC), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) were recorded in rats of the vehicle ischemia group. Pantoprazole pretreatment aggravate these arrhythmias and increased mortality. A 10-min period of ischemia followed by a 30-min reperfusion induced high incidence of VT (100%) and VF (80%) in the vehicle-treated group. The group of rats administered pantoprazole had significantly lower incidence and durations of VT and VF together with reduction of mortality rate. Pantoprazole significantly reduced serum LDH activity and NO release from myocardial tissue after both ischemia and I/R injury. CONCLUSION Pantoprazole aggravated ischemia-induced arrhythmias but had a significant antiarrhythmic effect on I/R-induced ventricular arrhythmias.
BRIC and the U.S. Financial Crisis: An Empirical Investigation of Stocks and Bonds Markets

We examine empirical evidence of the behavior of stocks and bonds from BRIC nations using daily data from January 2003 to July 2010. We present unconditional and conditional emprical results depending upon a simple measure of U.S. financial stress. In the long term, BRIC bonds markets deviate much more from the U.S. financial measure than BRIC bonds and stocks deviate among themselves. Stocks and bonds returns correlations for Brazil and Russia are significantly large and negative. The own correlations are more important in determining the evloution of the conditional correlations relative to unexpected news. Dynamic conditional correlations between stock returns, bond returns and U.S. financial stress increase after the Lehman Brothers event in September 2008, except for bond returns in India.
Listeriosis in Small Ruminants: A Review

: Listeriosis is a bacterial disease caused by different Listeria species; among these Listeria monocytogenes being the most pathogenic species to small ruminants. The other two species, the so called Listeria ivanovii and Listeria innocua are less frequently implicated in disease of animals. Listeriosis is most prevalent during spring and winter seasons. Soil contamination and ingestion of contaminated silage are the primary modes of transmission. Poor quality silage, a pH greater than 5.5 is commonly implicated and accounts for listeriosis often being referred to as “silage disease”. Both host management and the pathogen itself has different contributions for the occurrence of the disease. The clinical manifestations of listeriosis in small ruminants are usually severe and include abortion, meningoencephalitis and neonatal septicemia. The great effect of listeriosis in small ruminants and cattle is due to the consequence of severe damage on brain. Those diseases affecting the nervous system such as rabies, gid (coenurosis or sturdy), scrapie and pregnancy toxemia should be differentiated from listeriosis. Silage feeding should be discontinued if an outbreak of listeriosis is confirmed. In the case of abortion, isolation of aborting does and ewes from their offspring reduces further infection of the dam. The recommended drugs used for treatment of listeriosis include Oxytetracycline, penicillin-G and Dexamethasone.
Immunohistochemistry with Inhibin Alpha, Melan A and MNF 116 in Adrenal Tumors

565 Acta Endocrinologica (Buc), vol. IX, no. 4, p. 565-574, 2013 *Correspondence to: Diana Loreta Paun MD, “C.I. Parhon” National Institute of Endocrinology, Aviatorilor 34-36, Bucharest, 011863, Romania E-mail: dianaloreta_paun@yahoo.com Abstract Aim. The goal was to study immunostaining with Inhibin alpha, MelanA and MNF 116 in tumors located in the adrenals (benign adrenocortical tumors and metastatic lesions in the adrenal gland) because sometimes pathology cannot distinguish between the two. Patients and Methods. We included 35 patients with benign adrenal tumors and 15 patients with adrenal metastases from nonadrenal tumors submitted to laparoscopic (n=40) or classical (n=10) surgery. In our study we have explored immunostaining with inhibin α-subunit, melan-A, MNF 116 in adrenocortical tumors and metastatic lesions in the adrenal gland in order to make the distinction between primary adrenal cortical lesions and metastatic lesions. Results. All nonsecreting adrenocortical adenomas were stained with inhibin α-subunit and melan-A, but did not stain with MNF 116. All adrenal metastases stained with MNF 116 but were negative for inhibin α-subunit and melan-A with the exception of the 2 melanomas, which stained for melan-A. Conclusion. Inhibin α-subunit and melan-A were sensitive for benign adrenocortical tumors, while MNF 116 was sensitive for metastases from extraadrenal tumors.
A pilot study of barriers to medication adherence in schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND Interventions to improve adherence to antipsychotic medication are needed. The aims of the current study were to identify the most common barriers to medication adherence in a cohort of patients receiving outpatient and inpatient treatment for an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia, compare clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with lower versus higher numbers of barriers, and characterize patients most likely to be nonadherent to antipsychotic medication. METHOD The present study analyzed data collected during the Schizophrenia Guidelines Project (SGP), a multisite study of strategies to implement practice guidelines that was funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and conducted from March 1999 to October 2000. Nurse coordinators had conducted clinical assessments and performed an intervention designed to improve medication adherence by addressing barriers to adherence. Data on patient symptoms, functioning, and side effects had been obtained using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Schizophrenia Outcomes Module, the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey, and the Barnes Akathisia Scale (BAS). Administrative data were used to identify patients with an ICD-9 code for schizophrenia. A total of 153 patients who met this criterion and participated in the intervention arm of the SGP had complete data available for analysis in the current study. RESULTS The most common patient-reported barriers were related to the stigma of taking medications, adverse drug reactions, forgetfulness, and lack of social support. Bivariate analysis showed that patients with high barriers were significantly more likely to be nonadherent (p < or =.02), to have problems with alcohol or drug use (p =.02), to have higher PANSS total scores (p =.03), and to have higher mean BAS scores (p =.02). Logistic regression showed that lower patient education level (odds ratio [OR] = 3.95, p =.02), substance abuse (OR = 3.24, p =.01), high PANSS total scores (OR = 1.02, p =.05), and high barriers (OR = 2.3, p =.05) were significantly associated with the probability of nonadherence. CONCLUSIONS It may be possible to identify patients most likely to benefit from adherence intervention. The data presented here will help to inform future research of clinical interventions to improve medication adherence in schizophrenia and help to stimulate further work in this area.