Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Circuit Absorption of Halothane, Isoflurane, and Sevoflurane

Uptake of inhaled anesthetics may be measured as the amount of anesthetic infused to maintain a constant alveolar concentration of anesthetic.This method assumes that the patient absorbs all of the infused anesthetic, and that none is lost to circuit components. Using a standard anesthetic circuit with a 3-L rebreathing bag simulating the lungs, and simulating metabolism by input of carbon dioxide, we tested this assumption for halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane. Our results suggest that after washin of anesthetic sufficient to eliminate a material difference between inspired and end-tidal anesthetic, washin to other parts of the circuit (probably the ventilator) and absorbent (soda lime) continued to remove anesthetic for up to 15 min. From 30 min to 180 min of anesthetic administration, circuit components absorbed trivial amounts of isoflurane (12 +/- 13 mL vapor at 1.5 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration, slightly more sevoflurane (39 +/- 15 mL), and still more halothane (64 +/- 9 mL). During this time, absorbent degraded sevoflurane (321 +/- 31 mL absorbed by circuit components and degraded by soda lime). The amount degraded increased with increasing input of carbon dioxide (e.g., the 321 +/- 31 mL increased to 508 +/- 48 mL when carbon dioxide input increased from 250 mL/min to 500 mL/min). Measurement of anesthetic uptake as a function of the amount of anesthetic infused must account for these findings. Implications: Systems that deliver inhaled anesthetics may also remove the anesthetic. Initially, anesthetics may diffuse into delivery components and the interstices of material used to absorb carbon dioxide. Later, absorbents may degrade some anesthetics (e.g., sevoflurane). Such losses may compromise measurements of anesthetic uptake. (Anesth Analg 1998;86:1070-4)
A potential neurophysiological correlate of electric-acoustic pitch matching in adult cochlear implant users: Pilot data

The overall goal of this study was to identify an objective physiological correlate of electric-acoustic pitch matching in unilaterally implanted cochlear implant (CI) participants with residual hearing in the non-implanted ear. Electrical and acoustic stimuli were presented in a continuously alternating fashion across ears. The acoustic stimulus and the electrical stimulus were either matched or mismatched in pitch. Auditory evoked potentials were obtained from nine CI users. Results indicated that N1 latency was stimulus-dependent, decreasing when the acoustic frequency of the tone presented to the non-implanted ear was increased. More importantly, there was an additional decrease in N1 latency in the pitch-matched condition. These results indicate the potential utility of N1 latency as an index of pitch matching in CI users.
Retro-reflection type MOEMS VOA

Novel microoptoelectromechanical systems (MOEMS) variable optical attenuators (VOAs) using retro-reflection attenuation scheme with initially open and closed states are proposed and characterized in this letter. This VOA device is comprised of two movable reflective micromirrors that are allocated in the front of input and output fibers and then assembled in a planar coaxial layout. The measured characteristics exhibit dynamic range of 50 dB, insertion loss of less than 0.9 dB, backreflection loss of less than -50 dB, and wavelength-dependent loss of less than 0.57 dB at 30-dB attenuation, respectively. The MOEMS VOAs that attenuate light intensity using retro-reflection in free space is good for broad-band applications.
El foro en la plataforma Moodle: un recurso de la participación cooperativa para el aprendizaje de las matemáticas

Presentamos un avance de los resultados de una investigacion sobre el uso de la plataforma Moodle en asignaturas de matematicas. Se analiza el uso y la participacion de los estudiantes de un primer curso de universidad a traves del foro virtual de la asignatura. Fueron observados los tipos de participacion realizados y la implicacion del alumnado en la dinamica del foro durante el desarrollo de la asignatura. Se observo el desarrollo de competencias cooperativas asi como tambien el auto-reconocimiento de deficiencias en la compresion de algunos conceptos por los alumnos.
Repair of hock fractures in racing greyhounds

FRACTURE-LUXATION of the right central tarsal bone is one of the most common career-threatening injuries to racing greyhounds. The injury usually occurs on the bends, where the pressure on the medial aspect of the right hock joint is highest, resulting in either a cranial slab fracture or a
Help-seeking for parents of individuals experiencing a first episode of schizophrenia.

The purpose of this triangulated study was to understand parents' experience of help-seeking in response to their child's first episode of schizophrenia. Twenty participants completed questionnaires related to stigma, parental caregiver burden, uncertainty in illness and help-seeking. Findings indicated: (1) as stigmatized attitudes towards mental illness and feelings of ambiguity increased, so did burden; (2) as parental education increased, uncertainty regarding their child's illness decreased; (3) as the number of symptoms causing distress increased so did burden and lack of clarity regarding their child's illness. A significant amount of time passed before parents were able to access help. No relationships were found between indicators of parental help-seeking and the study variables. A subset of five participants described their help-seeking experience. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) Evolving change: What does it mean? (2) Continuous help-seeking, and (3) The help-seeking experience: Impact on parents.
Imaging of liposomal drug delivery systems by atomic force microscopy

Over the past four decades, the research focused in the development of new liposomal drug delivery systems exponentially grew as a result of their proven efficacy in carrying pharmacological active molecules to target specific sites. In fact, the drug loading into liposomes both increases the drug’s bioavailability through the prevention of unfavourable chemical reactions triggered by enzymatic attacks as allows a sustained release. Several studies highlighted that physical characteristics of lipids such as their geometry, size and surface charge strongly influences the encapsulation efficiency as well the in vitro and in vivo stability. These characteristics can be accessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) as well as the biomechanical properties of liposomes with and without drug encapsulated. In this chapter, the crucial contribution of AFM to study the dynamic behaviour of liposomes is reported, including a discussion about challenges and limitations needed to overcome as the collapse of liposomes induced by the AFM-tip.
TOXIC EFFECTS OF CYPERMETHRIN IN FEMALE RABBITS

The aim of the present study was to explore the fetotoxic effects of cypermethrin (CY) in female rabbits with low and high doses. For this purpose, 32 adult female rabbits were divided in to four equal groups A, B, C and D. Rabbits of groups A, B and C were treated with different levels of CY at the dose rate of 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally, while the group D served as a control and was given equal volume of normal saline intraperitoneally. The clinical signs exhibited by the rabbits treated with CY included salivation, licking of different body parts, muscular tremors, ataxia and convulsions. There was a significant difference in the numbers of CL and number of fetuses which mean the early embryonic death and post implantation loses at the high dose. There were microscopic changes in the ovaries and uteri of animals treated with CY.
THE INFLUENCE OF CEREBRAL INFARCT LOCATION AND VOLUME ON MOTOR AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AFTER STROKE: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: The knowledge on effect of location of infarct and volume of infarct on motor and functional outcomes is ambiguous due to variations in methodology and outcome measures used. This narrative review is aimed to summaries the studies ron infarct location and volume related to motor and functional outcome, for a better understanding of the conclusions and limitation of the studies. Methodology: Literature search was done with key words of location of infarcts, size of infarct, motor recovery and functional recovery with Boolean term AND. Studies using outcome measures of multiple domain was not considered for inclusion. Results: 13 studies were identified in an extensive search without a time limit. Studies were categorized under location and volume with motor and functional recovery as variables. Majority of studies were done in isolation to any two variables, location outnumbered volume. The relationship with location and motor outcome was inconclusive, though two studies concluded that cortical infarcts had better scores than sub cortical. Volume was moderately associated with motor and functional recovery. Majority of the studies concluded a relationship between location and functional outcome, however the results are variable. Conclusion: Only few studies have anlyzed the impact of infarct in different location and results were inconclusive. Outcome measures were summative in nature, not reflecting recovery in upper and lower extremities in isolation. The amount of recovery is analysed with initial deficits. We suggest more studies are required in this area to provide clarity.
Mangifera indica L. Extract and Mangiferin Modulate Cytochrome P450 and UDP‐Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes in Primary Cultures of Human Hepatocytes

The aqueous stem bark extract of Mangifera indica L. (MSBE) has been reported to have antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory and analgesic properties. In previous studies, we showed that MSBE and mangiferin, its main component, lower the activity of some cytochrome P‐450 (P450) enzymes in rat hepatocytes and human liver microsomes. In the present study, the effects of MSBE and mangiferin on several P450 enzymes and UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) in human‐cultured hepatocytes have been examined. After hepatocytes underwent a 48‐h treatment with sub‐cytotoxic concentrations of the products (50–250 µg/mL), a concentration‐dependent decrease of the activity of the five P450 enzymes measured (CYP1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2D6 and 3A4) was observed. For all the activities, a reduction of at least 50% at the highest concentration (250 µg/mL) was observed. In addition, UGT activities diminished. MSBE considerably reduced UGT1A9 activity (about 60% at 250 µg/mL) and lesser effects on the other UGTs. In contrast, 250 µg/mL mangiferin had greater effects on UGT1A1 and 2B7 than on UGT1A9 (about 55% vs. 35% reduction, respectively). Quantification of specific mRNAs revealed reduced CYP3A4 and 3A5 mRNAs content, and an increase in CYP1A1, CYP1A2, UGT1A1 and UGT1A9 mRNAs. No remarkable effects on the CYP2A6, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6 and 2E1 levels were observed. Our results suggest that the activity and/or expression of major P450 and UGT enzymes is modulated by MSBE and that potential herb–drugs interactions could arise after a combined intake of this extract with conventional medicines. Therefore, the potential safety risks of this natural product derived by altering the ADMET properties of co‐administered drugs should be examined. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biomechanical Comparison of Polyaxial-Type Locking Plates and a Fixed-Angle Locking Plate for Internal Fixation of Distal Femur Fractures

Objectives: To test the stability to axial loading of 2 new polyaxial locking screw-plate designs and analyze different angles of screw insertion. The noncontact bridging (NCB) polyaxial locking plate (Zimmer) and the POLYAX plate (DePuy) were compared with a fixed-angle less invasive stabilization system (LISS; Synthes). Methods: Twenty-five synthetic femurs were divided into 5 groups and assigned fixation with the LISS plate (group I), POLYAX plate (groups IIA and IIB), or NCB plate (groups IIIA and IIIB). The polyaxial constructs were divided into parallel and crossed distal condylar screw configurations. Each construct was tested under axial loading and stressed to failure at a displacement rate of 5 mm/min with a preload of 100 N. Outcome measurements included stiffness, load to failure, peak force, and mode of failure. Results: All LISS and POLYAX constructs failed by plastic deformation of the plate, whereas 9 of 10 NCB constructs failed by an intra-articular lateral condyle fracture. No failures occurred at the screw-plate interface in either polyaxial constructs. Load to failure of the LISS was 33% greater than the parallel POLYAX (P < 0.01) and 24% greater than the crossed POLYAX (P < 0.01). Load to failure of NCB (parallel and crossed) were 24% greater than the parallel POLYAX (P < 0.01 and P < 0.01, respectively) and 15% greater than the crossed POLYAX (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). The POLYAX also had significantly lower stiffness and peak force compared with the LISS and NCB. There was no difference between the LISS and NCB with regard to stiffness, load to failure, and peak force. Parallel and crossed polyaxial constructs showed no difference in stiffness or failure loads. Conclusions: There were no failures of either polyaxial screw-plate interface despite large forces and screw angle did not affect the overall strength of these constructs, supporting the biomechanical soundness of both polyaxial device designs under axial loading. However, the POLYAX supported smaller loads compared with the LISS and NCB while under axial loading. In addition, the mode of failure of the NCB plate, creating an intra-articular fracture propagating from the distal posterior screw hole, may be of some concern. Additional testing is needed to determine the clinical importance of the demonstrated differences among these plate designs.
Pruning optimum-path forest ensembles using quaternion-based optimization

Machine learning techniques have been actively pursued in the last years, mainly due to the great number of applications that make use of some sort of intelligent mechanism for decision-making processes. In this context, we shall highlight pruning strategies, which provide heuristics to select from a collection of classifiers the ones that can really improve recognition rates when working together. In this paper, we present an ensemble pruning approach of Optimum-Path Forest classifiers based on metaheuristics, as well as we introduced the concept of quaternions in ensemble pruning strategies. Experimental results over synthetic and real datasets showed the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approach for classification problems.
Diet, vegetarianism, and cataract risk.

BACKGROUND Age-related cataract is a major cause of morbidity. Previous studies of diet and cataract risk have focused on specific nutrients or healthy eating indexes but not on identifiable dietary groups such as vegetarians. OBJECTIVE We investigated the association between diet and cataract risk in a population that has a wide range of diets and includes a high proportion of vegetarians. DESIGN We used Cox proportional hazards regression to study cataract risk in relation to baseline dietary and lifestyle characteristics of 27,670 self-reported nondiabetic participants aged ≥40 y at recruitment in the Oxford (United Kingdom) arm of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Oxford) by using data from the Hospital Episode Statistics in England and Scottish Morbidity Records. RESULTS There was a strong relation between cataract risk and diet group, with a progressive decrease in risk of cataract in high meat eaters to low meat eaters, fish eaters (participants who ate fish but not meat), vegetarians, and vegans. After multivariable adjustment, incidence rate ratios (95% CIs) for moderate meat eaters (50-99 g meat/d), low meat eaters (<50 g meat/d), fish eaters, vegetarians, and vegans compared with high-meat eaters (≥100 g meat/d) were 0.96 (0.84, 1.11), 0.85 (0.72, 0.99), 0.79 (0.65, 0.97), 0.70 (0.58, 0.84), and 0.60 (0.38, 0.96), respectively (P < 0.001 for heterogeneity). Associations between cataract risk and intakes of selected nutrients and foods generally reflected the strong association with diet group. CONCLUSION Vegetarians were at lower risk of cataract than were meat eaters in this cohort of health-conscious British residents.
An anti‐curare effect of hexamethonium at the mammalian neuromuscular junction

1 Experiments were performed on the isolated phrenic nerve and diaphragm preparation of the rat. 2 In preparations partly blocked with (+)‐tubocurarine, the twitch amplitude increased after hexamethonium. This enhancement was not seen in preparations partly blocked with Mg++ or with gallamine. High concentrations of hexamethonium produced failure of contraction. 3 Extracellular endplate potentials were recorded from blocked preparations. The administration of hexamethonium resulted in an increased amplitude of these potentials only in curarized muscle. 4 Hexamethonium had no anticholinesterase activity nor did it depolarize muscle cells or increase the quantal release of transmitter. 5 It is concluded that hexamethonium exerts a specific anti‐curare action. Experiments on the recovery of the twitch after washing out antagonists indicate that this process is limited by diffusion. The difference in rates of diffusion of hexamethonium and (+)‐tubocurarine does not account for their interaction. The basis of the anti‐curare action of hexamethonium is discussed.
Proceedings of the Symposium ‘Angiotensin AT1 Receptors: From Molecular Physiology to Therapeutics’: ENDOGENOUS ANGIOTENSIN II LEVELS AND THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF ANGIOTENSIN‐CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS AND ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR TYPE 1 ANTAGONISTS

1 Modification of endogenous angiotensin II (AngII)‐mediated processes by inhibitors of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) and antagonists of the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor is dependent upon both the levels of each agent in the plasma and tissues and on the concomitant changes in plasma and tissue AngII levels. 2 Both ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists increase renin secretion and angiotensin peptide formation in plasma and extrarenal tissues. Clinical doses of ACE inhibitors produce incomplete inhibition of ACE and the increased AngI levels act to restore AngII towards basal levels. Clinical doses of AT1 receptor antagonists produce incomplete blockade of AT1 receptors and the increased AngII levels in plasma and extrarenal tissues counteract (to an unknown degree) the effects of the antagonist. 3 The effects of ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists on AngII levels show tissue specificity. Angiotensin II‐mediated processes in the kidney are most sensitive to inhibition by these agents. ACE inhibitors reduce renal AngII levels at doses much less than those required to reduce AngII levels in plasma and other tissues. Moreover, in contrast to increased AngII levels in plasma and extrarenal tissues, renal AngII levels do not increase in response to AT1 receptor antagonists. The inhibition of AngII‐mediated processes in the kidney may, therefore, play a primary role in mediating the effects of ACE inhibitors and AT1 receptor antagonists on blood pressure and other aspects of cardiovascular function and structure. 4 Combination of an ACE inhibitor with an AT1 receptor antagonist prevents the rise in plasma AngII levels that occurs with AT1 receptor antagonism alone. This combination would, therefore, be predicted to produce more effective inhibition of endogenous AngII‐mediated processes than either agent alone. We must await further studies to determine whether the combination of ACE inhibition and AT1 receptor antagonism results in superior clinical outcomes.
Gender Effects on Acute Heart Failure

Background: Congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization in the elderly. Little is known about gender effect on baseline characteristics and in-hospital outcome in patients admitted with acute heart failure. Our purpose was to study the gender effect on in-hospital mortality in acute heart failure patients. Methods and Results: A prospective study [143 patients, 67 men (73.9 ± 13.8 years old) and 76 women (77.8 ± 10.1 years old) (p = 0.059)] followed in-hospital outcome of patients with acute heart failure admitted to the hospital. Clinical parameters included body mass index (BMI), ankle brachial index (ABI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), re-admissions within 1 year, and in-hospital mortality. The gender effects that were studied included height, BMI, smoking, coronary artery disease, LVEF and mortality: in total, 9 (6.3%) patients died, of them 8 (10.5%) women and 1 (1.5%) man. Women were shorter (p < 0.001), had a higher BMI (p = 0.053), reported less frequently on current smoking (p < 0.001), had lower prevalence of coronary artery disease (p = 0.016), had a better LVEF (p = 0.02), but still, had a higher mortality rate (p = 0.026). The only variables independently affecting in-hospital mortality in women were height and recurrent admissions. When we tested for the effect of height and recurrent admissions on mortality only among females by a multivariate analysis height inversely and independently affected in-hospital mortality (p = 0.024), as well as recurrent admissions (p = 0.031). Conclusions: In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in women compared with men admitted with acute heart failure. Among females, the only independent variables that affected mortality were low stature and recurrent admissions.
Late arrhythmia in adults with the Mustard procedure for transposition of great arteries: a surrogate marker for right ventricular dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE To examine the relation between ventricular dysfunction and late clinical arrhythmia in adults who underwent the Mustard procedure for transposition of the great arteries. DESIGN Observational study based on periodic outpatient assessment of biventricular function. SETTING Tertiary referral centre. INTERVENTIONS Analysis of data from 12 lead ECGs, echocardiography, exercise radionuclide ventriculography, and magnetic resonance imaging. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Clinical outcome and late onset clinical arrhythmia during follow up. ECG and ventricular function indices obtained before arrhythmia onset were used for analysis. RESULTS 51 patients (mean (SD) age 25.7 (5.0) years) fulfilled entry criteria at a mean of 23.4 (4.0) years after the Mustard procedure. Late arrhythmia occurred in 11 (22%): sustained atrial flutter/fibrillation in 10, ventricular tachycardia in one. Compared with patients who remained arrhythmia free, patients with arrhythmia had longer QRS (129 (26)v 112 (16) ms, p = 0.01), greater QT dispersion (107 (28) v 51 (24) ms, p < 0.001), and increased ratio of right to left ventricular end diastolic diameter (2.4 (0.9) v 1.7 (0.7), p = 0.02), but no difference in wall thickness. Systemic ejection fraction was also reduced in the arrhythmia subgroup (at rest: 34.1 (13)% v 47 (16)%, p = 0.04; during exercise: 37.8 (12)% v 52 (17)%, p = 0.03). QRS duration correlated with right ventricular end diastolic diameter (r = 0.59, p < 0.001), suggesting a possible mechano-electric relation after the Mustard procedure. QT dispersion was the only predictor of clinical arrhythmia in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Impaired ventricular function in adults with the Mustard procedure for transposition of the great arteries relates to clinical arrhythmia. Late atrial flutter/fibrillation may be a surrogate marker for ventricular dysfunction, and these patients may also be at risk of ventricular tachycardia.