Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute, nongenomic effect of thyroid hormones in preventing calcium overload in newborn rat cardiocytes

In this study, we examined the acute effects of thyroid hormones (TH) T3 and T4, leading to improvement of myocardial function through activation of Ca2+ extrusion mechanisms and, consequently, prevention of intracellular calcium overload. Extracellular calcium elevation from 1.8 to 3.8 mM caused immediate increase in intracellular calcium level ([Ca2+]i) in newborn cardiomyocyte cultures. Administration of 10 or 100 nM T3 or T4 rapidly (within 10 sec) decreased [Ca2+]i to its control level. Similar results were obtained when [Ca2+]i was elevated by decreasing extracellular Na+ concentration, causing backward influx of Ca2+ through Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, or by administration of caffeine, releasing Ca2+ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Under these conditions, T3 or T4 decreased [Ca2+]i. T3 and T4 also exhibited protective effects during ischemia. T3 or T4 presence during hypoxia for 120 min in culture medium restricted the increase of [Ca2+]i and prevented the pathological effects of its overload. An inhibitor of SR Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA2a), thapsigargin, increases [Ca2+]i and in its presence neither T3 nor T4 had any effect on the [Ca2+]i level. The reduction of [Ca2+]i level by T3 and T4 was also blocked in the presence of H‐89 (a PKA inhibitor), and by calmodulin inhibitors. The effect of TH on the reduction of [Ca2+]i was prevented by propranolol, indicating that the hormones exert their effect through interaction with adrenergic receptors. These results support our hypothesis that TH prevent calcium overload in newborn rat cardiomyocytes, most likely by a direct, acute, and nongenomic effect on Ca2+ transport into the SR. J. Cell. Physiol. 207: 220–231, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The use of kiosk technology in general practice

We have attempted to quantify the benefit to both patients and professional users from introducing ‘self-service’ kiosks into the waiting rooms of general practitioners (GPs). We conducted a series of interviews with practice managers, GPs and patients in practices where kiosks had been used. We then estimated the time savings and other benefits. There were significant time savings both for nursing and GP staff, and similar time savings for patients. We estimate that the total time savings would be equivalent to one health-care assistant for a practice size of 10–12,000. Practice income was enhanced as a result of the improved information gathering made possible by the kiosks. These effects resulted in improved patient outcomes. The key to successful implementation appears to be strong support, particularly from reception staff to encourage and facilitate the use of kiosks. To maximise the benefits, GPs and nurses must be prepared to change their ways of working.
From oocyte to 16‐cell stage: Cytoplasmic and cortical reorganizations that pattern the ascidian embryo

The dorsoventral and anteroposterior axes of the ascidian embryo are defined before first cleavage by means of a series of reorganizations that reposition cytoplasmic and cortical domains established during oogenesis. These domains situated in the periphery of the oocyte contain developmental determinants and a population of maternal postplasmic/PEM RNAs. One of these RNAs (macho‐1) is a determinant for the muscle cells of the tadpole embryo. Oocytes acquire a primary animal–vegetal (a‐v) axis during meiotic maturation, when a subcortical mitochondria‐rich domain (myoplasm) and a domain rich in cortical endoplasmic reticulum (cER) and maternal postplasmic/PEM RNAs (cER‐mRNA domain) become polarized and asymmetrically enriched in the vegetal hemisphere. Fertilization at metaphase of meiosis I initiates a series of dramatic cytoplasmic and cortical reorganizations of the zygote, which occur in two major phases. The first major phase depends on sperm entry which triggers a calcium wave leading in turn to an actomyosin‐driven contraction wave. The contraction concentrates the cER‐mRNA domain and myoplasm in and around a vegetal/contraction pole. The precise localization of the vegetal/contraction pole depends on both the a‐v axis and the location of sperm entry and prefigures the future site of gastrulation and dorsal side of the embryo. The second major phase of reorganization occurs between meiosis completion and first cleavage. Sperm aster microtubules and then cortical microfilaments cause the cER‐mRNA domain and myoplasm to reposition toward the posterior of the zygote. The location of the posterior pole depends on the localization of the sperm centrosome/aster attained during the first major phase of reorganization. Both cER‐mRNA and myoplasm domains localized in the posterior region are partitioned equally between the first two blastomeres and then asymmetrically over the next two cleavages. At the eight‐cell stage the cER‐mRNA domain compacts and gives rise to a macroscopic cortical structure called the Centrosome Attracting Body (CAB). The CAB is responsible for a series of unequal divisions in posterior–vegetal blastomeres, and the postplasmic/PEM RNAs it contains are involved in patterning the posterior region of the embryo. In this review, we discuss these multiple events and phases of reorganizations in detail and their relationship to physiological, cell cycle, and cytoskeletal events. We also examine the role of the reorganizations in localizing determinants, postplasmic/PEM RNAs, and PAR polarity proteins in the cortex. Finally, we summarize some of the remaining questions concerning polarization of the ascidian embryo and provide comparisons to a few other species. A large collection of films illustrating the reorganizations can be consulted by clicking on “Film archive: ascidian eggs and embryos” at http://biodev.obs‐vlfr.fr/recherche/biomarcell/. Developmental Dynamics 236:1716–1731, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In Vitro Reversion of Amphotericin B Resistance in Leishmania donovani by Poloxamer 188

ABSTRACT A micellar formulation of amphotericin B (AmB) solubilized with poloxamer 188 was evaluated against an AmB Leishmania donovani-resistant line. A concave isobologram showed a synergistic effect of this association against promastigotes. This result was confirmed with amastigotes since the 50% effective concentration of the new formulation was 100 times less than that of the control AmB formulation.
Expression of Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase in Several Cell Types of the Rat Gastric Epithelium

The aim of this study was to identify which cell types of the rat gastric epithelium express neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) because the results of the previous studies have been very divergent regarding this point. By the combination of immunohistochemical (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) techniques, we detected expression of nNOS in chief and mucosecretory cells of the gastric epithelium. Moreover, some gastric endocrine cells were immunoreactive for nNOS, although they could not be distinguished in sections treated with ISH techniques. The strongest signal for all antibodies in IHC techniques was obtained when microwave (MW) heating was performed before the IHC procedure. Our results indicate that in the gastric epithelium a variety of cell types are able to produce NO. The NO produced by the different cell types (chief, mucous, and endocrine) may form a complex network of paracrine communication with an important role in gastric physiology. (J Histochem Cytochem 48:1111–1119, 2000)
Drug‐induced ubiquitylation and degradation of ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases: implications for cancer therapy

Overexpression of ErbB‐2/HER2 is associated with aggressive human malignancies, and therapeutic strategies targeting the oncoprotein are currently in different stages of clinical application. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that block the nucleotide‐binding site of the kinase are especially effective against tumors. Here we report an unexpected activity of TKIs: along with inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation, they enhance ubiquitylation and accelerate endocytosis and subsequent intracellular destruction of ErbB‐2 molecules. Especially potent is an irreversible TKI (CI‐1033) that alkylates a cysteine specific to ErbB receptors. The degradative pathway stimulated by TKIs appears to be chaperone mediated, and is common to the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) antagonist geldanamycin and a stress‐induced mechanism. In agreement with this conclusion, CI‐1033 and geldanamycin additively inhibit tumor cell growth. Based upon a model for drug‐induced degradation of ErbB‐2, we propose a general strategy for selective destruction of oncoproteins by targeting their interaction with molecular chaperones.
REAL-TIME FULL-DEPTH VISUALIZATION OF POSTERIOR OCULAR STRUCTURES: Comparison Between Full-Depth Imaging Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography and Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To compare the real-time visualization of vitreoretino-choroidal structures using full-depth imaging (FDI) spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and swept-source (SS)-OCT. Methods: Foveal scans using both FDI SD-OCT (Heidelberg Spectralis) and SS-OCT (Topcon Deep Range Imaging-OCT-1) were obtained in 40 normal eyes, 40 eyes with macular pathologies, and 40 eyes with glaucoma. Full-depth imaging SD-OCT images were obtained by manually enhancing the vitreoretinal interface first and then the choroid while averaging each OCT B-scan 100 times. Swept-source-OCT images were obtained by averaging each B-scan 96 times. After masking and randomly mixing the original OCT images, two independent physicians graded visualization of the premacular bursa, interdigitation zone line, and chorioscleral boundary, and also sharpness of choroidal structures. Results: A real-time full-depth image of vitreoretino-choroidal structures was successfully achieved with FDI SD-OCT in 118 cases (98.3%) and with SS-OCT in 45 cases (37.5%, P < 0.001). Full-depth imaging SD-OCT imaging was superior to SS-OCT imaging in visualizing the anterior border of the premacular bursa in 109 eyes (90.8%), with average grading of 1.63 ± 0.53 for the FDI SD-OCT and 0.39 ± 0.52 for the SS-OCT (P < 0.001). Swept-source-OCT was similar to FDI SD-OCT in visualizing the chorioscleral boundary in 108 eyes (90.0%), with average grading of 1.81 ± 0.39 for the SS-OCT and 1.78 ± 0.38 for the FDI-OCT (P = 0.566). The visualization of the interdigitation zone line was identical in the 2 imaging instruments (P = 1.000). The sharpness of the choroidal structures was greater with SS-OCT than with FDI-OCT (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Manual double-enhancing FDI technique using SD-OCT provided a good compromise between vitreous and retinochoroidal structures visualization in real time during scanning procedure. In contrast, SS-OCT imaged well details of choroidal sublayers. Appropriate OCT technology and software should be selected according to its application in clinical settings.
Early recognition of sacroiliitis by magnetic resonance imaging and single photon emission computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the detection of sacroiliitis in patients with clinical features of inflammatory back disease but without conventional radiographic changes. METHODS Twenty-four patients with inflammatory low back pain (ILBP) and normal or suspicious changes of sacroiliitis (New York criteria: 0-1) on conventional radiography, in addition to 12 control subjects were studied. MRI, bone and SPECT scans of the sacroiliac (SI) joints were obtained and interpreted without knowledge of patient identification. MRI scans were scored according to the modified New York criteria and examined for the presence of joint fluid, abnormalities in articular cartilage and in the underlying marrow signal. A quantitative and qualitative assessment of radiopharmaceutical uptake in the SI joints was derived from planar bone scan films and SPECT scans. RESULTS MRI detected features of scaroiliitis in 54% of patients with ILBP and in 17% of controls (p = 0.07). Quantitative and qualitative analysis of planar bone scan films did not reveal any differences between the 2 patient groups. In contrast, SPECT scanning identified sacroiliitis in 38% of patients with ILBP compared to none in controls (p = 0.05). When MRI and SPECT scanning were combined there was evidence of sacroiliitis in 63% of patients with ILBP and in 17% of controls (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION MRI and SPECT bone scanning provide objective and complementary evidence of sacroiliitis in patients with clinical features of inflammatory spinal disease in the absence of conventional radiographic changes.
Proliferation of human leukemic pre‐B cells induced by human bone marrow stromal cells and murine fibroblasts.

Aim of the study was the establishment of a standardized in vitro culture system for studies on proliferation and differentiation of human leukemic pre ‐ B cells. Coincubation with human stromal cells led to a significantly higher proliferation of the cytokine ‐ sensitive leukemic pre ‐ B cell line BLIN‐1. Clones from the murine fibroblast cell line L929 provided identical results. Coincubation with the murine cells also resulted in a significantly higher numbers of viable cells in 5 of 8 patient samples with newly diagnosed B lineage ALL. The results show that in vitro bone marrow stromal cells can be substituted by murine fibroblasts and form the basis for a simpler and more reproducible assay system.
Heart rate and dyssynchrony in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy: a pilot study

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this pilot study was to describe the impact of paced heart rate on left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony in synchronous compared to dyssynchronous pacing modes in patients with heart failure. Methods: Echocardiography was performed in 14 cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) patients at paced heart rates of 70 and 90 bpm in synchronous- (CRT), and dyssynchronous (atrial pacing + wide QRS activation) pacing modes. LV dyssynchrony was quantified using the 12-segment standard deviation model (Ts-SD) derived from Tissue Doppler Imaging. In addition, cardiac cycle intervals were assessed using cardiac state diagrams and stroke volume (SV) and filling pressure were estimated. Results: Ts-SD decreased significantly with CRT at 90 bpm (25 ± 12 ms) compared to 70 bpm (35 ± 15 ms, p = .01), but remained unchanged with atrial pacing at different paced heart rates (p = .96). The paced heart rate dependent reduction in Ts-SD was consistent when Ts-SD was indexed to average Ts and systolic time interval. Cardiac state diagram derived analysis of cardiac cycle intervals demonstrated a significant reduction of the pre-ejection interval and an increase in diastole with CRT compared to atrial pacing. SV was maintained at the higher paced heart rate with CRT pacing but decreased with atrial pacing. Discussion: Due to the small sample size in this pilot study general and firm conclusions are difficult to render. However, the data suggest that pacing at higher heart rates acutely reduces remaining LV dyssynchrony during CRT, but not during atrial pacing with dyssynchronous ventricular activation. These results need confirmation in a larger patient cohort.
Standardized measurement of lateral spinal flexion and its use in evaluation of the effect of treatment of chronic low back pain.

To evaluate the effect of treatment of chronic low back pain, the report of subjective pain needs to be supplemented by objective information such as, for example on changes in the functional capacity of the spine. This paper presents a simple but reliable method in this respect i.e. by measuring the range of lateral spinal flexion. When two independent testers used the method the correlation coefficient between their recorded values was 0.98. In patients with chronic low back pain, the method showed that the range of lateral flexion increased after treatment. At linear regression analysis a significant correlation was found between increased range of motion and reduced pain.
The Life Table Method of Half Cycle Correction

Naimark, Kabboul, and Krahn (NKK) 1 are revisiting the half cycle correction (HCC) in response to my article that criticized the standard HCC as a kludge with many problems. The HCC is a method to correctly estimate state membership in discrete time Markov models. I argued that the standard HCC is not compatible with discounting and varying costs and utilities per cycle and proposed an alternative, the life table method, as much simpler to understand and without the problems of the standard HCC. NKK agree that the standard HCC suffers from the problems I pointed out and undertake a comparison of 3 alternatives: the cycle tree method, my proposed life table method, and a correction based on Simpson’s rule. They test the various corrections using a simple Markov model with 3 states: well, sick, and dead. They go on to calculate 120 y of this model using a 1-h cycle length by way of a gold standard and then test the 3 correction methods plus the standard HCC and a model without HCC against this gold standard using cycle lengths of 1 to 12 mo. This Markov model with 3 states is equivalent to a multistate life table, which is a well-described life table technique. I was therefore surprised that the results from NKK showed the life table method of calculating state membership to have the largest bias of all, including the calculation without HCC. In this note, I redo the calculations for the life table HCC, using the same data as NKK, and compare results. I used the annual transition probabilities, utility values, and discount rate taken directly from NKK (see Table 1 for values and notation). Let wx, sx, and dx be the number of people at the start of the well, sick, and dead states, respectively, with x the index for cycle number. Then,
PIOGLITAZONE IMPROVED COGNITION IN A PILOT STUDY ON PATIENTS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

DISCUSSION Vitamin D is a safe, inexpensive strategy to reduce falls and associated medical costs. This study showed that older fallers have a low rate of meeting the vitamin D RAI, especially men, older individuals, those without prior fracture, and those not taking calcium supplements. Patients and providers need greater education on the importance of vitamin D for prevention of falls and fractures. Written instructions and regular telephone follow-up appear to increase vitamin D intake in elderly fallers. This finding, if verified in additional studies, may prove an effective public health strategy to decrease falls in older adults.
DOUBLE-DIFFUSIVE MIXED CONVECTION IN A LID-DRIVEN ENCLOSURE FILLED WITH A FLUID-SATURATED POROUS MEDIUM

This article presents a numerical study of mixed-convection heat and mass transport in a lid-driven square enclosure filled with a non-Darcian fluid-saturated porous medium. The two vertical walls of the enclosure are insulated, while the horizontal walls are kept at constant but different temperatures and concentrations with the top surface moving at a constant speed. The transport equations are solved numerically using the finite-volume approach along with the alternating direct implicit (ADI) procedure. Comparisons with previously published work are performed and found to be in excellent agreement. The results of the present investigation indicate that the buoyancy ratio, Darcy number, Lewis number, and Richardson number have profound effects on the double-diffusive phenomenon.
The moderator effects of perceived risk, objective knowledge and certainty in the satisfaction–loyalty relationship

This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. Published version: Journal of Consumer Marketing, 28/5 (2011) 363–375, available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1108/07363761111150017 This article is part of Ho Huy Tuu's doctoral thesis and is available in Munin at http://hdl.handle. net/10037/2971
Evaluation of seasonality in the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia among adults in the United States, 1992–2008

Recent studies have suggested seasonal variation in the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and the aetiological role seasonal factors may play in this group of haematological neoplasms remains unclear. We evaluated potential seasonality of AML diagnosis among adults. Cases included were ascertained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 13 registries from 1992–2008. Chi‐square analysis for heterogeneity and multiple Poisson regression using parametric harmonic modelling and bootstrap testing were used to detect possible monthly variation. Months of peak diagnoses were December and January, although some variation was present by sex and age. Heterogeneity across months was statistically significant (P < 0·001). In stratified analyses, monthly variation was detected only among males (P = 0·009) and in cases aged 65 years and older (P = 0·031). Poisson regression found no seasonal effect among all cases when fit to the sinusoidal model (P = 0·110). However, similar variation among males (P = 0·009) and cases aged 65 years and older (P = 0·018) was present. There is growing evidence of seasonality in AML diagnosis, particularly among older persons and men. Investigation of specific seasonal risk factors would be informative in explaining the aetiology behind the observed variation.
Tumor-Specific Antigens and Immunologic Adjuvants in Cancer Immunotherapy

T cell-based cancer immunotherapy relies on advancements made over the last 20 years on the molecular mechanisms underlying the antigenicity of tumors. This review focuses on human tumor antigens recognized by T lymphocytes, particularly the reasons why some are tumor-specific but others are not, and on the immunologic adjuvants used in clinical trials on therapeutic vaccination with defined tumor antigens.
The Durations of Past Sickness Absences Predict Future Absence Episodes

Objectives: To determine whether preceding absence episodes increase the risk of future sickness absence, we examined recurrence of short (1 to 3 days), intermediate (4 to 14 days), and long (>2 weeks) sickness-absence episodes. Methods: Data from 6934 municipal employees of the City of Helsinki were analyzed using proportional hazards models. Results: Preceding sickness absence increased the risk of new sickness-absence episodes. The association was stronger for longer sickness absence spells and for men. Shorter absence spells also predicted longer absence spells. Working conditions and health behaviors did not modify the associations. Conclusions: The risk of recurrent sickness absences is higher for longer sickness-absence spells, which are often recurrent in nature. In addition, short absence spells predict future longer spells, suggesting that short absences are not trivial for health.
Antimicrobial effects of three essential oils on multidrug resistant bacteria responsible for urinary infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are ones of the most common nosocomial infections worldwide. Lesions which are mainly caused by microorganisms that inhabiting in hospitals, known and characterized by their both resistance against antibiotics and high ability of biofilms formation. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of three essential oils, which are Cinnamomum cassia, Coriandrum sativum and Ziziphora hispanica, against bacterial species most responsible for UTIs. A total of 18 bacterial strains were tested, which varies between reference strains and clinical multidrug resistant. Cassia oil was the most antimicrobial active against all strains, with interesting MICs values which doesn’t exceed 5 mg/ml. The finding of this study indicate that essential oil appears as an excellent solution for treatment of nosocomial UTIs, especially against failure problems seen in care services, which are over common in the last years.