Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Early Results of Mitral Valve Replacement in Severe Pulmonary Artery Hypertension—An Institutional Prospective Study

Introduction: In patients undergoing surgery for mitral valve replacement (MVR) for valvular heart disease, pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) has been considered a major risk factor. In this prospective study, we have studied the early hemodynamic changes and post-operative outcomes of MVR among patients with severe PAH. Methods: 68 consecutive patients who underwent mitral valve replacement for severe rheumatic mitral valve disease with severe PAH (pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) > 50 mmHg) were studied prospectively for immediate postoperative hemodynamics and outcomes. The mean age of the patients was 32.1 years. 32 (47.05%) patients had mitral stenosis, 13 (19.11%) had mitral regurgitation and 23 (33.82%) had mixed lesions. Patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative pulmonary artery pressures. In 56 patients (82.35%, group I) PAP was sub-systemic or systemic, with a mean of 58.4 mmHg. Twelve patients (17.65%, group II) had supra-systemic PAP with a mean of 82.4 mmHg. Results: After mitral valve replacement, the PAP and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) decreased significantly in group I to near normal levels. In group II also the PAP and PVR decreased significantly but significant residual PAH remained. Operative mortality was 3.5% in group I and 16.6% in group II. Conclusions: MVR is safe and effective at the presence of severe PAH as long as the PAP is below or equal to systemic pressures. With suprasystemic PAP, MVR carries a high risk of mortality and the patient continues to have severe PAH in the postoperative period.
Important microsatellite markers in the investigation of replication errors (RER) in colorectal carcinomas.

BACKGROUND DNA replication errors (RER) have been found in hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinomas and in sporadic colorectal carcinomas. The incidence of RER depends on which and how many markers are examined. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the key markers for detecting RER most efficiently. METHODS The RER status of 76 sporadic advanced colorectal carcinomas in the proximal colon were investigated. Seven microsatellite markers (D2S123, D3S1029, D3S1611, D2S72, TP53, Mfd26 and BAT26) were chosen to determine the RER status by PCR using the non-Rl method, because these seven markers have frequently been used in other studies and also detect RER. RESULTS It was found that 44.7% of sporadic colorectal advanced carcinomas in the proximal colon (34 of 76) showed RER at one or more loci. Among these 34 cases, RER was present at three or more markers (severe RER) in 22. All 22 of these cases showed RER at BAT26 and TP53. The other 12 cases with RER showed RER at one or two markers (mild RER). Eleven of these 12 cases (91%) showed RER at Mfd26 and there were one or two cases with mild RER at each of the other loci. CONCLUSIONS When one intends to analyze routinely a large number of cases, an analysis of two or three markers (Mfd26 and BAT26 or TP53) is considered to be sufficient for detecting mild and severe RER.
Sex differentiation of germ cells in the teleost, Oryzias latipes, during noraml embryonic development.

Mitotic and meiotic activities of germ cells during early development in the medaka, Oryzias latipes, are dealt with in this report. Primordial germ cells were obviously distinguishable from somatic cells 3 days after fertilization and began to proliferate about 7 days after fertilization. The mean number of primordial germ cells increased during a period of 7–10 days after fertilization, reaching about 90 immediately before hatching. Newly hatched fry could be classified into two types according to the number and the nucleic activity of germ cells in the gonadal rudiment. One type consisted of fry containing about 100 germ cells and no cells in the meiotic prophase. In the other type of fry the number of germ cells increased by mitotic divisions and some of the cells began to enter into the meiotic prophase. During the course of further development the fry of the former type differentiated into males and the latter into females. Therefore it can be concluded that the morphological sex differentiation of germ cells occurs at the time of hatching. However, no sexual differences in the histological structure of somatic elements in the gonad are observable at that time.
DENSITY ESTIMATION WITH NORMAL MEASUREMENT ERROR WITH UNKNOWN VARIANCE

This paper deals with the problem of estimating a density based on observations which are contaminated by a normally distributed error whose variance is unknown. In the case of a completely unknown error variance, the impossibility of a uniformly consistent estimation is shown; however, a semi-uniformly consistent estimator is constructed under nonparametric smoothness conditions on the target density, and its rates are studied. If, in contrast, the error variance can be located in a known compact interval, we derive uniform consistency for this estimator which achieves nearly optimal rates. Simulations show the practical merit of the estimator.
A dual control mechanism synchronizes riboflavin and sulphur metabolism in Bacillus subtilis

Significance Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) riboswitches are present in many bacteria and control genes responsible for biosynthesis and/or transport of the vitamin riboflavin. Riboflavin is the direct precursor of the flavoenzyme cofactors FMN and flavin adenine dinucleotide. When FMN levels are adequate, riboflavin biosynthesis and transport are shut down by FMN riboswitches. We now show that the protein RibR from Bacillus subtilis overrides this genetic decision of both FMN riboswitches. The function of RibR was previously unknown. When B. subtilis has an increased demand for flavins, RibR binding to FMN riboswitches allows riboflavin gene expression even in the presence of relatively high levels of FMN. Such an increased demand for flavins occurs when B. subtilis encounters sulphur compounds in its environment. Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) riboswitches are genetic elements, which in many bacteria control genes responsible for biosynthesis and/or transport of riboflavin (rib genes). Cytoplasmic riboflavin is rapidly and almost completely converted to FMN by flavokinases. When cytoplasmic levels of FMN are sufficient (“high levels”), FMN binding to FMN riboswitches leads to a reduction of rib gene expression. We report here that the protein RibR counteracts the FMN-induced “turn-off” activities of both FMN riboswitches in Bacillus subtilis, allowing rib gene expression even in the presence of high levels of FMN. The reason for this secondary metabolic control by RibR is to couple sulfur metabolism with riboflavin metabolism.
EGF Infusion Stimulates the Proliferation and Migration of Embryonic Progenitor Cells Transplanted in the Adult Rat Striatum

Immature progenitor cells (generated by in vitro propagation) may provide a useful alternative to primary cells (from dissected embryonic tissue) for transplantation if their migratory and proliferative and differentiation properties can be controlled and directed in vivo. In this study E15 murine EGF-responsive progenitor cells were transplanted to the striatum of adult rats. Simultaneously, these animals received continuous infusion of either epidermal growth factor (EGF) or vehicle, to the lateral ventricle, for 8 days. In animals that received EGF, the transplanted progenitors migrated toward the lateral ventricle and proliferated, as evidenced by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Progenitor cells transplanted to rats that received vehicle infusions showed neither of these responses. In all animals, transplanted progenitors expressed an immature astrocyte or oligodendrocyte phenotype, the majority of cells being astrocytes. We conclude that EGF stimulates the migration and proliferation of murine progenitor cells in vivo, either directly or indirectly, but does not influence their phenotypic differentiation.
Efficacy of Trabectedin in Platinum-Sensitive-Relapsed Ovarian Cancer: New Data From the Randomized OVA-301 Study

The results of the OVA-301 study show that trabectedin in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) results in improved progression-free survival and response rate in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The trial has also demonstrated a trend toward improvement in overall survival. A subgroup analysis indicates that in the subset of patients with platinum-free interval (PFI) of 6 to 12 months, the combined treatment resulted in a 6-month improvement in overall survival. Furthermore, in the patients who have received third-line treatment with a platinum agent, it was found that the survival was better in those who had received trabectedin and PLD. These results suggest that prolonging the PFI by a nonplatinum-effective regimen improves the outcome with subsequent, third-line platinum treatment. This strategy may also have positive effects in treatment tolerability, as it allows extra time to recover from platinum-induced toxicities. This hypothesis is currently been tested in the INOVATYON (INternational OVArian Cancer Patients Trial With YONdelis) phase III study.
Rottlerin inhibits migration of follicular thyroid carcinoma cells by PKCδ‐independent destabilization of the focal adhesion complex

This study examined the effect of rottlerin on the focal adhesion‐mediated cell migration of CGTH W‐2 human follicular thyroid carcinoma cells. Rottlerin (10 µM) resulted in decreased adhesion of CGTH W‐2 cells to matrix substance, which was correlated with metastatic potential. Rottlerin treatment also resulted in a marked reduction in the migration of CGTH W‐2 cells. Protein levels of integrin β1, FAK, and paxillin were decreased by rottlerin. Consistent with this, immunostaining of FAK, vinculin, and paxillin revealed disassembly of the focal adhesions. Disruption of actin stress fibers was noted, which was compatible with reduced expression levels and activities of Rac‐1 and Rho. The effect of rottlerin on cell migration was not attributable to inhibition of PKCδ activity since siRNA knockdown of PKCδ did not recapitulate the effects of rottlerin on cell adhesion and migration. Furthermore, activation of PKCδ by phorbol esters failed to restore the rottlerin‐inhibited migratory ability. The mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonylcyanide‐4‐(trifluoromethoxy)‐phenylhydrazone, was able to mimic several rottlerin's effects. In summary, we demonstrated that rottlerin inhibits the migration of CGTH W‐2 cells by disassembly of focal adhesion complexes in a PKCδ‐independent manner, and might play as a mitochondrial uncoupler role in these events. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 428–437, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Is laparoscopic or abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy more efficient in operative treatment of endometrial cancer?

Summary We compared the efficiency and safety of 12 laparoscopic and 13 abdominal hysterectomies performed with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in the operative treatment of endometrial cancer. In all patients, the surgery was extended to include pelvic lymphadenectomy, where the histopathological examination confirmed advanced disease greater than IB (according to FIGO). Our work confirms that laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in endometrial cancer is a safe procedure for the patient and it seems to be more effective in lymph node sampling to abdominal surgery (via laparotomy). Moreover, complications are less frequent and severe when the patient is operated via the laparoscopic approach.
Care Neglect, Supervisory Neglect, and Harsh Parenting in the Development of Children’s Aggression: A Replication and Extension

To understand the effects of neglectful parenting, poor supervision, and punitive parenting in the development of children’s aggression, 218 children ages 4 to 8 years who were disadvantaged and their mothers were recruited from two states to develop a sample that was diverse with respect to degree of urbanization and ethnicity. Multimethod and multisource indices of the predictive constructs (Social Disadvantage, Denial of Care Neglect, Supervisory Neglect, and Punitive Discipline) and the criterion construct (Aggression) were used in a test of a theoretical model using structural equation modeling. The results established the role of care neglect, supervisory neglect, and punitive parenting as mediators of the role of social disadvantage in the development of children’s aggression, the importance of distinguishing between two subtypes of neglect, and the need to consider the role of discipline in concert with neglect when attempting to understand the parenting in the development of aggression.
Comparison of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Transport Types and Delays on Patient Outcomes at Two Level I Trauma Centers

Abstract Background: Helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) have become an engrained component of trauma systems. In Ontario, transportation for trauma patients is through one of three ways: scene call, modified scene call, or interfacility transfer. We hypothesize that differences exist between these types of transports in both patient demographics and patient outcomes. This study compares the characteristics of patients transported by each of these methods to two level 1 trauma centers and assesses for any impact on morbidity or mortality. As a secondary outcome reasons for delay were identified. Methods: A local trauma registry was used to identify and abstract data for all patients transported to two trauma centers by HEMS over a 36-month period. Further chart abstraction using the HEMS patient care reports was done to identify causes of delay during HEMS transport. Results: During the study period HEMS transferred a total of 911 patients of which 139 were scene calls, 333 were modified scene calls and 439 were interfacility transfers. Scene calls had more patients with an ISS of less than 15 and had more patients discharged home from the ED. Modified scene calls had more patients with an ISS greater than 25. The most common delays that were considered modifiable included the sending physician doing a procedure, waiting to meet a land EMS crew, delays for diagnostic imaging and confirming disposition or destination. Conclusions: Differences exist between the types of transports done by HEMS for trauma patients. Many identified reasons for delay to HEMS transport are modifiable and have practical solutions. Future research should focus on solutions to identified delays to HEMS transport. Key words: helicopter emergency medical services; trauma; prehospital care; delays
Impaired visual word processing in dyslexia revealed with magnetoencephalography

Dyslexia is most often atributed to phonological impairments, manifested in abnormal activation of the left temporal and temporoparietal cortex in response to auditorily presented language and possibly associated with anomalies in the cytoarchitecture and hemispheric symmetry of the plana temporale. The immediate cortical correlate of the severely impaired reading process has, however, remained obscure. Here we report on the distinct time courses of cortical activation in dyslexic and control subjects during passive viewing of single words, tracked with whole‐head magnetoencephalography. A striking difference was found in the left inferior temporo‐occipital region where intracranial recordings have recently identified word‐specific responses within 200 msec after stimulus onset: controls showed a sharp activation at about 180 msec after word presentation, whereas dyslexics failed to activate this area entirely, or showed a slowly increasing late response. Pereception of words as specific units thus seems to be imparied in dyslexics.
Root Exudation and Rhizosphere Biology1

Our understanding of the biology, biochemistry, and genetic development of roots has considerably improved during the last decade ([Smith and Fedoroff, 1995][1]; [Flores et al., 1999][2];[Benfey and Scheres, 2000][3]). In contrast, the processes mediated by roots in the rhizosphere such as the
Waste management and recycling in the former Soviet Union: The City of Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan)

The UN-Habitat Integrated Sustainable Waste Management (ISWM) benchmarking methodology was applied to profile the physical and governance features of municipal solid waste (MSW) management in the former Soviet Union city of Bishkek, capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. Most of the ISWM indicators were in the expected range for a low-income city when compared with 20 reference cities. Approximately 240,000 t yr-1 of MSW is generated in Bishkek (equivalent to 200 kg capita-1 yr-1); collection coverage is over 80% and 90% of waste disposed goes to semi-controlled sites operating with minimal environmental standards. The waste composition was a distinctive feature, with relatively high paper content (20–27% wt.) and intermediate organic content (30–40% wt.). The study provides the first quantitative estimates of informal sector recycling, which is currently unrecognised by the city authorities. Approximately 18% wt. of generated MSW is recycled, representing an estimated annual saving to the city authorities of US$0.7–1.1 million in avoided collection/disposal costs. The waste management system is controlled by a centralised municipal waste enterprise (Tazalyk); therefore, institutional coherence is high relative to lower-middle and low-income cities. However, performance on other governance factors, such as inclusivity and financial sustainability, is variable. Future priorities in Bishkek include extending collection to unserved communities; improving landfill standards; increasing recycling rates through informal sector cooperation; improving data availability; and engaging all stakeholders in waste management strategy decisions. Extending the scope and flexibility of the ISWM protocol is recommended to better represent the variation in conditions that occur in waste management systems in practice.
Investigation of the Role of Training Health Volunteers in Promoting Pap Smear Test Use among Iranian Women Based on the Protection Motivation Theory.

BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is known as one of the most prevalent types of cancers and a major public health problem in developing countries which can be detected by Pap test, prevented, and treated. Despite the effective role of Pap test in decreasing the incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer, it is still one the most common causes of cancer-related deaths among women, especially in developing countries. Thus, this study aimed to examine the effect of educational interventions implemented by health volunteers based on protection motivation theory (PMT) on promoting Pap test use among women. MATERIALS AND METHODS This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 60 health volunteers and 420 women. The study participants were divided into an intervention and a control group. Data were collected using a valid self-reported questionnaire including demographic variables and PMT constructs which was completed by both groups before and 2 months after the intervention. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software, version 19 and were analyzed using Chi-square test, independent T-test, and descriptive statistical methods. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS The findings of this study showed that the mean scores of PMT constructs (i.e. perceived vulnerability, perceived severity, fear, response-costs, self-efficacy, and intention) increased in the intervention group after the intervention (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding response efficacy after the intervention (P=0.06). The rate of Pap test use also increased by about 62.9% among the study women. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a significant positive relationship between PMT-based training and Pap test use. The results also revealed the successful contribution of health volunteers to training cervical cancer screening. Thus, training interventions based on PMT are suggested to be designed and implemented and health volunteers are recommended to be employed for educational purposes and promoting the community's, especially women's, health.
The Effects of Pre-Exercise Carbohydrate Supplementation on Resistance Training Performance During an Acute Resistance Training Session

It appears that “carbohydrate loading” may enhance the performance of resistance training, but studies on CHO supplementation prior to a resistance-training bout are limited and have resulted in conflicting findings. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pre-exercise CHO supplementation on high-intensity (>75% 1RM) resistance training performance for resistance-trained women during an acute bout of resistance exercise. METHODS: Thirteen resistance trained female participants (21.9 ± 4.8 yrs; 64.5 ± 3.0 in; 137.0 ± 14.8 lbs) came to the Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory on three separate occasions; the day of the Familiarization Trial (FT) and the two Exercise Testing sessions (ET1 and ET2, respectively) all separated by seven days. Familiarization testing determined each participant’s 1RM of the bench press and leg press and then 75% of the bench press 1RM and 85% of the leg press 1RM was determined. The participants were then randomly assigned to either the CHO or P treatment session using a double blind, counterbalanced technique in a cross-over design with each participant consuming 1.0 g CHO/kg body weight or a non-caloric P beverage 60 minutes before beginning the exercise bout for each ET. The total volume of weight lifted during five sets of the bench press, the total volume of the weight lifted during five sets of the leg press, and whole body total lifting volume was analyzed by a two-way repeated measures within subjects ANOVA with significance set at P <. 05. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the CHO and P treatments in the three variables analyzed.
Effects of selective dopamine receptor subtype agonists on cardiac contractility and regional haemodynamics in rats

1. Activation of dopamine (DA) receptors produces cardiovascular responses such as vasodilation and hypotension. However, knowledge of the role of specific dopamine receptor subtypes (especially D3 and D4) in the cardiovascular system is limited. The objective of the present study was to characterize the haemodynamic and cardiac responses to agonists with selectivity for D1, D2, D3 and D4 receptor subtypes.
Primary care for adults with physical disabilities: perceptions from consumer and provider focus groups.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Family physicians lack data on how best to address the needs of adults with physical disabilities. We undertook this study to understand how consumers, educators, and other professionals perceive primary care for people with disabilities. METHODS We conducted six focus groups, three with 27 health professionals in primary care practices affiliated with an urban university medical center and three with 19 local adults, ages 21-64 years, with physical disabilities. From transcribed recordings, three investigators conducted separate content analyses. Independent author reviews and participant review confirmed saturation and agreement for major themes. RESULTS All groups perceived that generalist physicians and other health professionals need more education about disability issues. Multiple barriers limit care, including physical access and transportation, funding, limitations in professionals' knowledge and attitudes, communication gaps, and health systems failures. Both consumers and professionals recommended reducing barriers by educating professionals and trainees about disabilities and resources, improving provider-patient communication, enhancing physical access (eg, high-low examination tables, wide automatic doors, high-contrast signs and lighting, wheelchair scales), and increasing appointment times. CONCLUSIONS Primary care must address the unmet needs of people with disabilities. Family medicine educators can begin by teaching learners how to coordinate care, access resources, and communicate about disability issues.