Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic change of collateral flow varying with distribution of regional blood flow in acute ischemic rat cortex

Abstract. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is critical for the maintenance of cerebral function by guaranteed constant oxygen and glucose supply to brain. Collateral channels (CCs) are recruited to provide alternatives to CBF to ischemic regions once the primary vessel is occluded during ischemic stroke. However, the knowledge of the relationship between dynamic evolution of collateral flow and the distribution of regional blood flow remains limited. In this study, laser speckle imaging was used to assess dynamic changes of CCs and regional blood flow in a rat cortex with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). We found that CCs immediately provided blood flow to ischemic territories after MCAo. More importantly, there were three kinds of dynamic changes of CCs during acute stroke: persistent CC, impermanent CC, and transient CC, respectively, related to different distributions of regional blood flow. Although there was the possible occurrence of peri-infarct depolarization (PID) during ischemia, there was no obvious significance about the onset time and duration of CCs between rats with and without PID. These results suggest that the initial arising of CCs does not ensure their persistence, and that collateral flow could be varied with distribution of regional blood flow in acute ischemic stroke, which may facilitate the understanding of collateral recruitment and promote the development of collateral therapeutics in the future.
Distributed Space-Time Coding for Two-Path Successive Relaying

A distributed space-time block code (STBC) based on a decode-and-forward (DF) protocol is proposed for two-path successive relaying. By making the two relay nodes transmit and listen in turn, the proposed distributed STBC can achieve not only full rate but also full diversity when the relay nodes can correctly decode the information symbols from the source node and when the inter-relay channels are sufficiently strong. We also analyze the situation when there are decoding errors at the relay nodes. We notice in this case full diversity will not be achieved. We then propose the application of selection relaying to the proposed distributed STBC to ensure that full rate and full diversity can still be obtained with decoding errors at the relay nodes.
The anesthetic considerations in patients with ventricular assist devices presenting for noncardiac surgery: a review of eight cases.

IMPLICATIONS The number of patients supported by ventricular assist devices (VADs) that present for noncardiac surgery is increasing in our institution. Our recent experience with eight such patients is reported, along with a review of the most commonly implanted VADs and the anesthetic implications and considerations for VAD-supported patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Comparative evaluation of iohexol and inulin clearance for glomerular filtration rate determinations

We evaluated iohexol as a filtration marker in 150 children. The clearance of iohexol was compared with that of inulin or with a formula clearance. The single‐sample clearance of iohexol showed a good correlation with the clearance of inulin (r= 0.834). The clearance of iohexol correlated well (r= 0.672) with the formula clearance. The optimal blood sampling time for iohexol clearance determinations appears to be between 120 and 180 min after injection, at least in patients with relatively normal filtration rates. We conclude that iohexol clearance is an accurate method of determining the glomerular filtration rate in clinical practice.
Stress Equilibrium in the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar Test

La technique de compression par barres de Hopkinson permet de mesurer individuellement les contraintes a chaque extremite de l'eprouvette. Les resultats presentes montrent une grande difference entre ces contraintes, dependant de la longueur de l'eprouvette et de la vitesse de chargement. Il est montre que les mecanismes responsables sont une combinaison des forces d'inertie et de la non-uniformite de la deformation due a la propagation des ondes. Les consequences pour les essais aux barres de Hopkinson sont presentees.
Melatonin does not affect total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in vitro

Although melatonin has been claimed to increase total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of blood serum, this does not seem probable in view of the low physiological concentrations of this hormone in blood, in relation to other antioxidants. This study demonstrates that enrichment of blood plasma with melatonin up to micromolar concentrations does not affect TAC in vitro thus excluding any significant direct contribution of melatonin to TAC of blood plasma.
5S rRNA modification in the hyperthermophilic archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus and Pyrodictium occultum

The 5S rRNAs from Sulfolobus solfataricus and Pyrodictium occultum were digested to nucleosides and analyzed using directly‐combined HPLC/mass spectrometry. P. occultum 5S rRNA contains two modified nucleoside species, N4‐acetylcytidine (ac4C) and N4‐acetyl‐2′‐O‐methylcytidine (ac4Cm). Oligonucleotides were generated from P. occultum 5S rRNA by RNase T1 hydrolysis, and their molecular weights were determined using electrospray mass spectrometry and compared with those predicted from the P. occultum 5S RNA gene sequence. Deviation in mass between expected and observed molecular weights permitted ac4Cm to be located at position 35, in the nonanucleotide CAA‐CACC[ac4Cm]G, and the ac4C in one or both of two (C,U)G trinucleotides. 2′‐O‐Methylcytidine is unambiguously characterized in S. solfataricus 5S rRNA, confirming earlier tentative assignments at the analogous sequence position (Stahl, D. A., Luehrsen, K. R., Woese, C. R., and Pace, N. R. (1981) Nucleic Acids Res., Vol. 9, pp. 6129‐6137; Dams, E. , Londei, P., Cammarano, P., Vandenberghe, A. , and De Wachter, R. (1983) Nucleic Acids Res. Vol. 11, pp. 4667–4676). Potential effects of the presence of ac4C and ac4Cm on thermal stabilization of 5S rRNA in thermophiles are discussed. — Bruenger, E. , Kowalak, J. A. , Kuchino, Y. , McCloskey, J. A. , Mizushima, H. , Stetter, K. O. , Grain, P. F. 5S rRNA modification in the hyperthermophilic archaea Sulfolobus solfataricus and Pyrodictium occultum. FASEB J. 7: 196‐200; 1993.
Pancreatic Acinar Tissue in Liver Explants: A Morphologic and Immunohistochemical Study

Background Pancreatic acini-like tissue is occasionally seen in the liver. It is uncertain whether its presence represents heterotopia or metaplasia. To gain further insight into this issue, we performed a pathologic and immunohistochemical study in liver explants to identify pancreatic acinar tissue. Design A total of 382 liver explants transplanted from 1995 to 2000 were examined. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and immunohistochemical analyses using antibodies against CK7, CK8, and CK19 (biliary type cytokeratins), CD56 (positive in reactive bile ductules), chromogranin A (positive in reactive bile ductules and human oval-like/hepatic progenitor cells), pancreatic amylase, and PDX-1 were performed. The immunohistochemical comparison group consisted of 3 gastric biopsies diagnosed as autoimmune gastritis with pancreatic metaplasia and 3 normal pancreatic tissues from pancreatectomy specimens. Results Sixteen (4.2%) of 382 liver explants contained pancreatic acini-like tissue. Fifteen of these were cirrhotic livers due to cryptogenic cirrhosis (n=1), primary biliary cirrhosis (n=3), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=1), chronic hepatitis C-related cirrhosis (n=5), and cirrhosis with hepatitis C and hepatocellular carcinoma (n=5). There was 1 noncirrhotic explant, the result of isoniazid hepatotoxicity. The pancreatic acini-like tissue appeared as small clusters of compactly packed cells that either blended imperceptibly with or were in close proximity to adjacent bile ducts or ductules. The pancreatic acinar tissue was diffusely reactive for amylase, was occasionally positive for keratin 8 and chromogranin A, and was negative for CD56, keratin 7, and keratin 19. Biliary type epithelium (bile ducts and ductules) and the ductules within the acini was always diffusely positive for keratin 7, 8, and 19, occasionally reactive for CD56 and chromogranin A, and typically negative for amylase. Conclusions Our results collectively indicate that pancreatic acini-like tissue in liver represent aggregates of pancreatic acinar cells admixed with small intra-acinar terminal ductules. Given the close spatial relationship with reactive bile ductules and the apparent transition in immunophenotype from bile ductules to pancreatic acinar tissue, the latter is likely of metaplastic origin derived from a hepatic progenitor lineage.
Histologic Transformation from Adenocarcinoma to Squamous Cell Carcinoma as a Mechanism of Resistance to EGFR Inhibition.

e86 Journal of Thoracic Oncology ® • Volume 10, Number 9, September 2015 CASE REPORT A 66-year-old white female without a history of smoking presented with new onset chest discomfort and dyspnea. Chest imaging demonstrated a large left lower lobe mass, pleural deposits, and a left pleural effusion. Percutaneous biopsy (Fig. 1A) and pleural fluid analyses demonstrated adenocarcinoma consistent with a lung primary (Fig. 2A, C, E, G, I). The patient received four cycles of carboplatin–pemetrexed with partial response. After two cycles of maintenance pemetrexed monotherapy, disease progression occurred. Molecular analysis of the original biopsy demonstrated an activating exon 19 EGFR mutation. Erlotinib was initiated with excellent clinical and radiographic response (Fig. 1B and C). Eight months later, the patient experienced disease progression. Repeat biopsy near the initial biopsy site (Fig. 1D) demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma (Fig. 2B, D, F, H, J) with persistent exon 19 EGFR mutation (Fig. 3) and no evidence of T790M mutation. The patient’s functional status declined, and she developed paraneoplastic leukocytosis (WBC 73 × 10/mm) and hypercalcemia (calcium 12.5 mg/dL). She died shortly thereafter.
BACTERIA INDUCED SHELL DISEASE OF LOBSTERS1 (Homarus americanus)

Chitin degrading species of bacteria in the genera Pseudomonas, Vibrio, and Beneckea were cultured from the lesions of lobsters (Homarus americanus)with a shell disease. A species of bacterium of the genus Vibrio (Beneckea) produced necrosis characteristics of shell disease in experimental lobsters when the integument had been damaged prior to inoculation.
Differences in antigen-specific T-cell responses between infants with atopic dermatitis with and without cow's milk allergy: relevance of TH2 cytokines.

BACKGROUND Cow's milk is the most important food antigen in infancy and may lead to acute cutaneous symptoms and atopic dermatitis (AD). The role of circulating allergen-specific T cells in the pathogenesis of food-allergic skin symptoms is still under investigation. OBJECTIVE This study was designed to analyze the cow's milk protein (CMP)-specific T-cell response at the clonal level in infants with AD and cow's milk allergy (CMA) in comparison with infants with AD without CMA. METHODS We used an antigen-specific culturing system with autologous B cells as antigen-presenting cells to establish CMP-specific T-cell clones derived from PBMCs in infants with AD. T-cell reactivity, measured by using a lymphocyte stimulation test, and cytokine production, measured by using ELISA, was compared between infants with AD with and without CMA. RESULTS Both infants with and without allergy to cow's milk had a CMP-specific T helper cell response directed against the major proteins in milk. Analysis of antigen-specific cytokine production showed that this response was T(H)2 skewed in infants with CMA, with production of high levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. In contrast, infants without CMA had a T(H)1-skewed response, with high levels of IFN-gamma and low levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. CONCLUSION These data confirm for the first time at the clonal level that food allergy in infants with AD is associated with production of T(H)2 cytokines by circulating antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells, whereas tolerance to food antigens is associated with low levels of these cytokines. This suggests a key role for the T helper cell-derived T(H)2 cytokines in food allergy-related skin symptoms.
Does Botulinum Toxin Type A Decrease Pain and Lessen Disability in Hemiplegic Survivors of Stroke with Shoulder Pain and Spasticity?: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A injections in reducing pain, impairment, and disability in patients who have had a stroke with shoulder pain and spasticity. Design In this prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, adults (n = 37) with post-stroke shoulder spasticity were screened for preinjection spasticity, rated 3 or 4 on the Modified Ashworth Scale for the shoulder adductors/internal rotators and shoulder pain. After the baseline screening, 21 subjects were randomized to receive either onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox; 140–200 units), into the pectoralis major with or without injections to the teres major, or placebo (saline) injections. Daily pain ratings using visual analog scales of best and worst pain and Disability Assessment Scale for dressing, hygiene, pain, and cosmesis; McGill Pain Questionnaire–Short Form; Fugl-Meyer Scale; upper limb range of motion; and Modified Ashworth Scale scores were assessed at baseline and 2, 4, and 12 wks after injection. Primary outcomes were assessed at week 4. Results The subject groups were well matched at baseline. Both the botulinum toxin type A and placebo groups showed decreased pain scores at 4 wks (P’s < 0.05), with no significant differences between the groups found for any of the daily pain ratings (P’s > 0.05). Significant improvement (P < 0.05) in change scores for hygiene on the Disability Assessment Scale was found in the botulinum toxin type A group compared with the placebo group at week 4, and there was a similar trend toward significance for improvement on the Disability Assessment Scale dressing scale (P = 0.061). Conclusions Although botulinum toxin type A shoulder muscle injections in patients who have had a stroke with spasticity and shoulder pain resulted in improvement in selected disability measures, the observed pain reduction was not greater than that found for placebo.
Comparison of interdental brush to dental floss for reduction of clinical parameters of periodontal disease: a systematic review

∆, DipDH, BDSc(DH), MSc(Dent Sc), RDH; Xiaoli Yu*, MSc; David MacDonald § , BDS, BSc(Hons.), LLB(Hons.), MSc, DDS(Edin.), DDRRCR, FDSRCPS, FRCD(C). Abstr ACt Background: Daily oral biofilm disruption by clients is recommended by oral health professionals to prevent oral diseases and to maintain optimal oral and overall health. Since periodontal diseases and caries are prevalent interproximally, the adjunctive use of interdental aids is highly recommended. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of interdental brushing as an adjunct to toothbrushing for the primary outcome of interproximal gingival bleeding and a secondary outcome of interproximal plaque. Methods: Only randomized controlled trials were included. Studies were included irrespective of publication status and language. Hand searching was conducted in two peer reviewed journals, with references mined. Pharmaceutical companies that develop and manufacture interdental brushes were also contacted for unpublished or ongoing clinical trials. Sixty-two studies were retrieved from the literature with seven studies meeting the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. Forest plots and Chi-square tests were used to determine the presence of heterogeneity. Random effects model, relative risk and 95% confidence intervals were used in the analysis. Results: Four studies were included in the meta analysis for bleeding outcome. Although some heterogeneity was present among the studies, the interdental brush groups demonstrated statistical significance for reducing interproximal bleeding compared to the dental floss groups, p = 0.003. Plaque outcomes were analyzed using seven studies, with interdental brush demonstrating statistically significant differences to dental floss, p = 0.024. Conclusion: Interdental brush is an effective alternative to dental floss for reducing interproximal bleeding and plaque in clients with filled or open embrasures.
Physiopathology and genetics in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is a clinical entity characterized by hypersensitivity to aspirin leading to asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasosinusal polyposis. The pathophysiology of the disease involves disruption at the level of arachidonic acid metabolism. Therefore, genetic association studies have been focused on the genes coding this pathway. As other mechanisms involved in the genesis of the disease were elucidated, the corresponding genes were also explored. Aim: To describe the association reported in the literature between gene polymorphisms involved in the pathophysiology or therapeutic processes of AERD. Results: There is a genetic association between polymorphisms of genes involved in the synthesis of proteins related to arachidonic acid metabolism (LTC4S, ALOX5), antigen presentation (HLA), inflammation (IL5, IL17), and aspirin metabolism (CYP2C19). Conclusions: Genetic association research in AERD has evaluated studies of SNPs in metabolic pathways related to arachidonic acid. Recently, whole genome analysis strategies have allowed the detection of new genetic variants that were previously not considered. Furthermore, these studies have identified SNPs that are associated with inflammatory processes, which could serve as diagnostic markers or predictors of the therapeutic response.
Premature birth and low birth weight associated with nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism due to an activating thyrotropin receptor gene mutation

objective Nonautoimmune hyperthyroidism (NAH), a rare autosomal dominantly inherited condition characterized by nonremitting thyrotoxicosis and the absence of features of autoimmune thyrotoxicosis, can result from activating germline mutations in the thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) gene. We report clinical and genetic features of a new family with NAH, and highlight that premature delivery and low birth weight are important characteristics of this condition.
Image Processing: Global and Regional Changes With Age

Our knowledge about the process of aging has continued to evolve as the methods used to study this process become more sophisticated. As more becomes known about the diagnostic criteria for dementia, the population of subjects taking part in aging studies has become more carefully screened minimizing the role of dementia as a confounding variable. Furthermore, advances in imaging techniques now allow us to view the anatomy of the brain in vivo better than any time in the past paving the way for longitudinal studies of the brain. It should not be surprising given the changes seen in studies of aging that our conventional wisdom of the aging process is being called into question.
Cessation of oral anticoagulation in relation to mortality and the risk of thrombotic events in patients with atrial fibrillation

Summary Bleeding risk (often perceived, rather than actual) is a common reason for cessation of oral anticoagulation with Vitamin K antagonists (VKA). We investigate clinical outcomes in a consecutive population of VKA naïve atrial fibrillation (AF) patients, who initiated VKA therapy in our clinic. We included consecutive VKA-naíve patients with non valvular AF, initiated on VKA therapy in our anticoagulation outpatient clinic in 2009. During follow-up, adverse events [thrombotic/vascular events (stroke, acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure and cardiac death), major bleeding and death], and VKA cessation were recorded. At the end of the follow-up, we determined time within therapeutic range (TTR), using a linear approximation (Rosendaal method). We studied 529 patients (49% male, median age 76), median follow-up 835 days (IQR 719−954). During this period 114 patients stopped VKA treatment. 63 patients suffered a thrombotic/cardiovascular event (5.17%/year, 27 thrombotic/ischaemic strokes), 51 major bleeding (4.19%/year) and 48 died (3.94%/year). Median TTR was 54% (34a57). On multivariate analysis (adjusted by CHA2DS2-VASc score), VKA cessation was associated with death [Hazard Ratio (HR) 3.43; p<0.001], stroke [4.21; p=0.001] and thrombotic/cardiovascular events [2.72; p<0.001]. Independent risk factors for major bleeding were age [1.08; p<0.001], previous stroke [1.85; p=0.049], and TTR [0.97; p=0.001], but not VKA cessation. In conclusion, in AF patients AF, VKA cessation is independently associated with mortality stroke and cardiovascular events. Specifically, VKA cessation independently increased the risk of stroke, even after adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc score. TTR was an independent risk factor for major bleeding following initiation of VKA therapy. Note: The editorial process for this paper was fully handled by Prof Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.
Significance of interleukin-1beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist genetic polymorphism in inflammatory bowel diseases.

OBJECTIVE Genetic susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease is well recognized. There is also increasing evidence for the activation of the mucosal immune system and the production of inflammatory cytokines, i.e., interleukin (IL)-1ra and IL-1beta in the inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the IL-1beta and IL-1ra gene polymorphism and linkage disequilibrium coefficient between the different alleles of these genes in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), according to the severity of the disease. METHODS Two hundred twenty-eight inflammatory bowel disease patients (87 UC and 141 CD) were included in this study and compared with 113 unrelated controls. The IL-1beta and IL-1ra gene polymorphism was studied after specific amplification of variable regions by PCR. A penta-allelic polymorphism, corresponding to a VNTR region located in intron 2 of the IL-1ra gene, was analyzed, whereas bi-allelic RFLPs displayed by two restriction enzymes (TaqI and AvaI) at position -511 of the IL-1beta gene were analyzed. RESULTS There was no significant difference of genotype distribution between controls and CD or UC patients. However, surgically treated UC patients were characterized by a higher frequency of genotype IL-1ra 1-2 (39 vs 16%, pc < 0.01) compared with nonoperated UC patients. Moreover, nonoperated UC patients displayed a lower frequency of IL-1ra allele 2 than surgically treated UC patients (14 vs 34%, pc < 0.002) or controls (14 vs 30%, pc < 0.005). Furthermore, simultaneous analysis of the IL-1beta and IL-1ra genes that are located in the same region of chromosome 2 revealed that CD patients carrying the IL-1beta allele 2 were more often noncarriers of IL-1ra allele 2 (p < 0.005). Moreover, UC and CD patients were, characterized by a lower frequency of the association of IL-1ra allele 2 and IL-1beta allele 2 compared with controls (8.3 vs 20.3% and 10.6 vs 20.3%, p < 0.03). CONCLUSIONS IL-1ra and IL-1beta gene polymorphism analysis from a clinical standpoint might help in defining UC prognosis. However, functional studies at both the circulating and mucosal level with stratification on allele associations, especially IL-1ra allele 2-IL-1beta allele 2 subgroups must be realized before therapeutic implications.