Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Long-Term Enalapril Treatment on Persistent Microalbuminuria in Well-Controlled Hypertensive and Normotensive NIDDM Patients

OBJECTIVE To determine whether long-term treatment with an angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor has a beneficial effect on the urinary microalbumin excretion and renal function in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients, enalapril (5 mg/day) was administered for 48 months. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Fifty-two patients with NIDDM who had persistent microalbuminuria in the range of 20–300 mg/24 h, serum creatinine < 106.1 μM 1.2 mg/dl), supine systolic blood pressure (BP) <150 mmHg, supine diastolic BP <90 mmHg, and HbA1c <10% were divided into four groups. Twenty-six patients with normotension were divided at random into two groups; one group received enalapril (5 mg/day) (NE group), the other did not receive enalapril (NC group). In the same way, 26 other patients who were already well-controlled with nifedipine (30 mg/day) over a long-term period (4–6 years) were divided at random into two groups; one received enalapril (5 mg/day) (HE group), the other did not receive enalapril (HC group). RESULTS After 48 months, urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was markedly reduced in group NE from 102.4 ×/÷ 1.3 to 55.5 ×/÷ 1.3 mg/24 h (P < 0.005), whereas no significant change occurred in group NC. In the well-controlled hypertensive groups, a significant reduction in UAE occurred in group HE (P < 0.05), whereas no significant change occurred in group HC. No changes in creatinine clearance, BP, or blood glucose control were seen during the study. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with enalapril for 48 months may have a beneficial effect on the decline of microalbumin excretion in NIDDM patients.
Neonatal haemoglobinopathy screening: review of a 10-year programme in Brussels

Since 1994, a neonatal screening programme for major haemoglobinopathies has been conducted in Brussels. We performed a 10-year re-evaluation of the incidence of haemoglobinopathies in Brussels and found that of the 118,366 newborns screened, 64 were diagnosed with a sickle cell syndrome, six had β-thalassaemia major, four had a haemoglobin C disease and three had a haemoglobin H disease. Of the 64 babies with a sickle cell disease, two died before the age of two years and two did not present at the first neonatal visit. Of the six babies suffering from β-thalassaemia major, all are alive and two have undergone a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The universal neonatal screening programme for haemoglobinopathies should be maintained in Brussels.
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Doramectin in the Control of Strongyle ( Strongylidae , Cyathostominae ) Infestation in Horses

83 Dectomax in Horses INTRODUCTION Diseases caused by parasites are still among the most common illnesses in equine populations despite great advances in anti-parasite drug development and use (1-4). Parasitic infestations cause digestive disorders, which result in emaciation, weakness, colic and even death. Nematodes of the families Strongylidae and Cyathostominae are the most common parasites of horses. Because of their wide distribution they are found in practically every team of horses, regardless of bioclimatic conditions, farm management methods or age. Even the best managed horses may be at risk of coming into contact with invasive forms of parasites (5). Parasitic diseases usually have a subclinical course, hence they often go unnoticed by both breeders and veterinarians. One of the side effects of the widespread (prolonged and intensive) use of chemotherapeutic drugs in horses has been the emergence of drug resistance by parasites. Other factors that may lead to the development of parasite drug resistance in horses includes drug under-dosing, alternating administration of drugs belonging to the same class of chemical compounds, parasites coming into frequent contact with the active substance, and the fact that animals infect one another with drug-resistant strains (6). The European Medicines Agency indicates an increase of helminth resistance to three major classes of anthelmintics, namely macrocyclic lactones, imidazoles and benzimidazoles. The development of new anthelmintic drugs in the near future with a novel mode of action is unlikely to occur, making efforts to prevent drug resistance a priority (7). Modern anthelmintics should be effective, non-toxic, easy to administer, have a broad spectrum of activity, and cause no adverse effects. Doramectin is an avermectin derived from the class of macrocyclic lactones. The substances of this group have no effect on protozoa, trematodes and tapeworms, but at low doses they are effective against nematodes and arthropods. Studies with cattle have shown that doramectin has a very Evaluation of the Efficacy of Doramectin in the Control of Strongyle (Strongylidae, Cyathostominae) Infestation in Horses
Implantable Cardioverter–Defibrillator Use in Older Adults: Proceedings of a Hartford Change AGEnts Symposium

Since their initial clinical demonstration in 1980, implantable cardioverter–defibrillators (ICDs) have prolonged countless lives with successful treatment of sudden cardiac arrest.1 No other therapy has proved as effective in preventing death from ventricular arrhythmias, and important advances in ICD technology continue to improve outcomes for well-selected patients.2 Although indicated for a wide range of inherited and acquired conditions,3 ICDs are predominantly placed in older patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction and either previous myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure.4 In the United States alone, >50 000 ICDs are placed annually in patients aged > 65 years, and nearly 500 000 more may meet current guidelines for device implantation.5 However, decision making for older patients considering ICD implantation is particularly challenging. Subjects in the landmark trials had average ages in the 60s, and thus the survival benefits of ICDs in older age groups is less well-established.6 In addition, compared with the younger participants in most clinical trials, older adults have a lower ratio of arrhythmic death to nonarrhythmic death because of competing risks for mortality, resulting in a potentially lower absolute risk reduction. At the same time, living and eventually dying with an ICD introduces potential risks, including a lower quality of life (QoL), hospitalizations, and potential suffering at the end of life.7 A rigorous consideration of the benefits, risks, and ongoing care surrounding ICD use in older patients is long overdue. On April 22, 2014, we convened a conference of multidisciplinary experts in cardiac electrophysiology, heart failure, geriatrics, ethics, and palliative care in Boston, supported by the Hartford Change AGEnts and Paul B. Beeson Career Development Award programs, and the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research. The objectives of the conference were (1) to review what is currently known about ICD use in …
Optic Nerve Involvement in Retinal Migraine

Retinal migraine is a rare entity characterized by headache associated with transient monocular visual disturbances. While fully reversible monocular phenomena and normal ophthalmological examination between the attacks are the hallmark of retinal migraine according to International Headache Society (IHS) classification, 1 an association with persistent monocular visual loss and abnormal ophthalmological findings has been reported. 2 The pathogenesis of these persistent visual disturbances remains unclear, even if retinal spreading depression and vasospasm of retinal arterioles have been claimed. 2 We present the case of a patient who experienced persistent monocular visual loss after a retinal migraine attack and in whom alteration of the ipsilateral optic nerve was found at the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, suggesting an involvement of the optic nerve in retinal migraine. The patient described in this report is a 23-yearold woman with a history of headache, beginning in early adolescence with episodes of unilateral frontotemporal pulsating pain with side alternation, photophobia, and moderate intensity, often associated with transient unilateral monocular visual disturbances. These were characterized by a partial monocular visual filed defect (alternatively blurring, glittering, or blindness), often confined to a localized part of the unilateral visual field, lasting a few minutes and with side alternation of the affected eye among the headache attacks. The patient came to our emergency
Locating the barrier for folding of single molecules under an external force.

Single-molecule pulling experiments on the folding of biomolecules are usually interpreted with one-dimensional models in which the dynamics occurs on the "pulling coordinate. " Paradoxically, the free-energy profile along this coordinate may lack a refolding barrier, yet a barrier is known to exist for folding; thus, it has been argued that pulling experiments do not probe folding. Here, we show that transitions monitored in pulling experiments probe the true folding barrier but that the barrier may be hidden in the projection onto the pulling coordinate. However, one-dimensional theory using the pulling coordinate still yields physically meaningful energy landscape parameters.
Quantitative and structural analyses of the in vitro and ex vivo biofilm‐forming ability of dermatophytes

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro and ex vivo biofilm‐forming ability of dermatophytes on a nail fragment. Methodology. Initially, four isolates of Trichophyton rubrum, six of Trichophyton tonsurans, three of Trichophyton mentagrophytes, ten of Microsporum canis and three of Microsporum gypseum were tested for production biomass by crystal violet assay. Then, one strain per species presenting the best biofilm production was chosen for further studies by optical microscopy (Congo red staining), confocal laser scanning (LIVE/DEAD staining) and scanning electron (secondary electron) microscopy. Results. Biomass quantification by crystal violet assay, optical microscope images of Congo red staining, confocal microscope and scanning electron microscope images revealed that all species studied are able to form biofilms both in vitro and ex vivo, with variable density and architecture. M. gypseum, T. rubrum and T. tonsurans produced robust biofilms, with abundant matrix and biomass, while M. canis produced the weakest biofilms compared to other species. Conclusion. This study sheds light on biofilms of different dermatophyte species, which will contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of dermatophytosis. Further studies of this type are necessary to investigate the processes involved in the formation and composition of dermatophyte biofilms.
Relationship of isokinetic peak torque with work and power for ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion.

Past research has analyzed the relationship of peak torque with work and power on the muscles surrounding the knee with correlation coefficients being reported, ranging from . 67 to . 99. No studies to date have examined this relationship for muscles surrounding the ankle joint. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship of peak torque with work and power for the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscles of the ankle. Isokinetic data were collected from 15 healthy subjects (six males, nine females; mean age = 26.6 years) on an isokinetic dynamometer across two trials at speeds of 30 and 120 degrees/sec. The results of Pearson product moment correlations between peak torque to work and peak torque to power indicated correlation coefficients ranging from . 81 to . 97 for all speeds of testing and angular velocities. These findings suggest that peak torque is representative of work and power.
Engineering metallic nanostructures for plasmonics and nanophotonics

Metallic nanostructures now play an important role in many applications. In particular, for the emerging fields of plasmonics and nanophotonics, the ability to engineer metals on nanometric scales allows the development of new devices and the study of exciting physics. This review focuses on top-down nanofabrication techniques for engineering metallic nanostructures, along with computational and experimental characterization techniques. A variety of current and emerging applications are also covered.
The leaner P/Q‐type calcium channel mutation renders cerebellar Purkinje neurons hyper‐excitable and eliminates Ca2+‐Na+ spike bursts

The leaner mouse mutation of the Cacna1a gene leads to a reduction in P‐type Ca2+ current, the dominant Ca2+ current in Purkinje cells (PCs). Here, we compare the electro‐responsiveness and structure of PCs from age‐matched leaner and wild‐type (WT) mice in pharmacological isolation from synaptic inputs in cerebellar slices. We report that compared with WT, leaner PCs exhibit lower current threshold for Na+ spike firing, larger subthreshold membrane depolarization, rapid adaptation followed by complete block of Na+ spikes upon strong depolarization, and fail to generate Ca2+‐Na+ spike bursts. The Na+ spike waveforms in leaner PCs have slower kinetics, reduced spike amplitude and afterhyperpolarization. We show that a deficit in the P‐type Ca2+ current caused by the leaner mutation accounts for most but not all of the changes in mutant PC electro‐responsiveness. The selective P‐type Ca2+ channel blocker, ω‐agatoxin‐IVA, eliminated differences in subthreshold membrane depolarization, adaptation of Na+ spikes upon strong current‐pulse stimuli, Na+ spike waveforms and Ca2+‐Na+ burst activity. In contrast, a lower current threshold for eliciting repetitive Na+ spikes in leaner PCs was still observed after blockade of the P‐type Ca2+ current, suggesting secondary effects of the mutation that render PCs hyper‐excitable. Higher input resistance, reduced whole‐cell capacitance and smaller dendritic size accompanied the enhanced excitability in leaner PCs, indicative of developmental retardation in these cells caused by P/Q‐type Ca2+ channel malfunction. Our data indicate that a deficit in P‐type Ca2+ current leads to complex functional and structural changes in PCs, impairing their intrinsic and integrative properties.
ISO 9000: New Form of Protectionism or Common Language in International Trade?

International standards have the potential to both promote and hinder international trade. Yet empirical scholarship on the standards-trade relationship has been held up due to some methodological challenges: measurement problems, varied effects, and endogeneity concerns. We are able to surmount these challenges while considering the impact of one particular standard on the country-pair trade flows between 91 nations over the 1995-2005 period. To deal with these challenges, we measure the degree of standardization via the penetration of ISO 9000 in individual nations, allow ISO diffusion to manifest via multiple (quality-signaling, information/compliance-cost, and common-language) effects, and use instrumental variable and panel data techniques to overcome endogeneity concerns. We find strong evidence in support of ISO 9000 involving a common-language effect that enhances country-pair trade; yet, the evidence is more mixed with regard to the quality-signaling and information/compliance-cost effects. While we find ISO-rich nations (most notably European) to clearly benefit from the worldwide diffusion of standardization, ISO 9000 represents a de facto trade barrier for nations (e.g., the US and Mexico) lagging behind in terms of adoption.
Statistical Significance in Omic Data Analyses - Alternative/Complementary Method for Efficient Automatic Identification of Statistically Significant Tests in High Throughput Biological Studies

The post-Genomic Era is characterized by the proliferation of high-throughput platforms that allow the parallel study of a complete body of molecules in one single run of experiments (omic approach). Analysis and integration of omic data represent one of the most challenging frontiers for all the disciplines related to Systems Biology. From the computational perspective this requires, among others, the massive use of automated approaches in several steps of the complex analysis pipeline, often consisting of cascades of statistical tests. In this frame, the identification of statistical significance has been one of the early challenges in the handling of omic data and remains a critical step due to the multiple hypotheses testing issue, given the large number of hypotheses examined at one time. Two main approaches are currently used: p-values based on random permutation approaches and the False Discovery Rate. Both give meaningful and important results, however they suffer respectively from being computationally heavy -due to the large number of data that has to be generated-, or extremely flexible with respect to the definition of the significance threshold, leading to difficulties in standardization. We present here a complementary/alternative approach to these current ones and discuss performances and limitations.
Exploring the Learning Curve in Medical Education: Using Self-Assessment as a Measure of Learning

Background Learning is a complex process that follows predictable patterns. The authors explored whether students’ self-assessment of competencies could be used as a measure of learning within medical school. Method Medical students (all grade levels) rated their achievement of competencies at the beginning and end of an academic year. Repeated-measures ANOVA and &eegr;2 were used to determine differences. Results Five hundred thirty-three students participated (response rate = 79.3%). Self-assessment ratings between four grade levels were significant (P < .001, &eegr;2 = 0.33), with the steepest difference between MS2 and MS3; professionalism ratings remained relatively stable. The largest percent increase within an academic year occurred between MS1 and MS2, with little increase within MS3 and MS4. Conclusions Medical students’ self-assessment ratings of competencies indicated differences between grade levels and during an academic year, following a sigmoidal curve. These results have implications for medical education and indicate the need to develop longitudinal measures to track changes in learning.
Dépenses d'éducation, qualité de l'éducation et pauvreté: L'exemple de cinq pays d'Afrique francophone

Quelles sont les mesures les plus efficaces pour assurer des connaissances de base a un grand nombre d'enfants ? Cette question est analysee par la base de donnees exceptionnellement riche du Programme d'Analyse des Systemes Educatifs des pays de la CONFEMEN (PASEC), standardisees et comparables pour cinq pays (Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar et Senegal). Dans l'analyse des determinants de la qualite de l'education, une attention particuliere est portee a la situation de differents groupes sociaux (pauvres/non pauvres, garcons/filles). Il apparait que les enfants les plus demunis materiellement sont en meme temps desavantages par rapport aux acquisitions scolaires. Cela s'explique par le fait que certains facteurs, importants pour l'apprentissage de tous les enfants, sont lies au niveau de vie des familles. Ces facteurs comprennent, notamment, la disponibilite de livres, l'alphabetisation des parents, l'acces aux medias (radio et television), la possibilite . What are the most efficient means to ensure basic learning competencies for a high number of children? This question is analysed on the basis of the exceptionally rich data set provided by the Programme d'analyse des systemes educatifs des pays de la CONFEMEN (PASEC), standardised and comparable for Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar and Senegal. Within the analysis of the determinants of education quality, particular attention is paid to the situation of different social groups (poor/nonpoor, boys/girls). It turns out that poor children are disadvantaged with respect to their learning possibilities because they have a particularly high probability of the absence of certain factors, which are important for the learning of all children. These factors include the availability of books, the parents' literacy, access to radio and television, the possibility of studying at home, and the availability of meals on a regular basis. As to the distinction between boys and .
Slab window migration and terrane accretion preserved by low‐temperature thermochronology of a magmatic arc, northern Antarctic Peninsula

Existing paleogeographic reconstructions indicate that the northern Antarctic Peninsula was central to several Mesozoic and Cenozoic tectonic events that have implications for ocean circulation and continental margin evolution. To evaluate the exhumational record of these processes, we collected new samples and measured fission track and (U‐Th)/He cooling ages of apatite and zircon from 13 Jurassic and Cretaceous granitoids in western Graham Land between the northern tip of the peninsula and the Antarctic Circle. Apatite He data reveal distinct ages and systematic age patterns north and south of Anvers Island, near the midpoint of the study area: To the south, apatite He ages range from 16 to 8 Ma and young northward, whereas to the north they range between 65 and 24 Ma (with one exception at 11 Ma) and young southward. Thermal histories inferred from the ages and closure temperatures of multiple thermochronometers in single samples indicate distinct histories for northern and southern Graham Land. Northern sites reveal a Late Cretaceous pulse of rapid cooling (>7°C/Myr) followed by very slow cooling (∼1°C/Myr) to the Recent, whereas southern sites record either a pulse of rapid mid‐Miocene cooling (∼8°C/Myr) or steady and moderate cooling (∼3°C/Myr) from the Late Cretaceous to the Recent. We interpret the Late Cretaceous rapid cooling in the northern part of the study area as a possible manifestation of terrane accretion associated with the Palmer Land event. We interpret the systematic spatial trends in apatite He ages and contrasting thermal histories along the peninsula as recording progressive Late Cenozoic northward opening of a slab window south of Anvers Island. This is consistent with a time transgressive pulse of ∼2–3 km of rock uplift and exhumation in the upper plate following ridge‐trench collision, cessation of subduction, and opening of the slab window, presumably caused by increased asthenospheric upwelling beneath the overriding plate.
Epidermal growth factor receptor, but not c-erbB-2, activation prevents lactogenic hormone induction of the beta-casein gene in mouse mammary epithelial cells

The HC11 cell line was isolated from mammary gland cells of pregnant mice. The cells displayed a normal phenotype and retained some characteristics of mammary epithelial cell differentiation. After treatment with the lactogenic hormones prolactin and glucocorticoids, the HC11 cells expressed the milk protein beta-casein. Various oncogenes were transfected and expressed in HC11 cells. The oncogenes were tested for their transformation ability and for their effects upon the differentiation of the HC11 cells. All of the oncogenes tested, including activated human Ha-ras, human transforming growth factor-alpha, activated rat neuT, and human c-erbB-2 activated by a point mutation in the transmembrane domain, caused transformation of the HC11 cells, as shown by tumor formation in nude mice. HC11 cells expressing the neuT and activated c-erbB-2 genes synthesized beta-casein in response to lactogenic hormones, whereas those expressing the Ha-ras or transforming growth factor-alpha oncogenes were no longer able to respond to the lactogenic hormones. This inhibition of beta-casein production occurs at the transcriptional level and in the transforming growth factor-alpha-transformed cells is due to an autocrine mechanism involving the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor. This suggests that, although the c-erbB-2 and epidermal growth factor receptors are structurally quite similar, their activation has different effects upon mammary epithelial cell differentiation.