Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fluorene Oxidation In Vivo by Phanerochaete chrysosporium and In Vitro during Manganese Peroxidase-Dependent Lipid Peroxidation

The oxidation of fluorene, a polycyclic hydrocarbon which is not a substrate for fungal lignin peroxidase, was studied in liquid cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium and in vitro with P. chrysosporium extracellular enzymes. Intact fungal cultures metabolized fluorene to 9-hydroxyfluorene via 9-fluorenone. Some conversion to more-polar products was also observed. Oxidation of fluorene to 9-fluorenone was also obtained in vitro in a system that contained manganese(II), unsaturated fatty acid, and either crude P. chrysosporium peroxidases or purified recombinant manganese peroxidase. The oxidation of fluorene in vitro was inhibited by the free-radical scavenger butylated hydroxytoluene but not by the lignin peroxidase inhibitor NaVO(inf3). Manganese(III)-malonic acid complexes could not oxidize fluorene. These results indicate that fluorene oxidation in vitro was a consequence of lipid peroxidation mediated by P. chrysosporium manganese peroxidase. The rates of fluorene and diphenylmethane disappearance in vitro were significantly faster than those of true polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or fluoranthenes, whose rates of disappearance were ionization potential dependent. This result indicates that the initial oxidation of fluorene proceeds by mechanisms other than electron abstraction and that benzylic hydrogen abstraction is probably the route for oxidation.
Global Assessment of Outcomes After Varying Reinnervation Techniques for Patients With Facial Paralysis Subsequent to Acoustic Neuroma Excision

Objective: To determine whether there are objective and/or subjective differences in facial function, tongue function and quality of life in patients who have undergone 1) direct facial-to-facial (Primary, 4 patients), 2) direct facial-to-hypoglossal (End-to-End, 7 patients), 3) end-to-side facial-to-hypoglossal nerve anastomoses with sural nerve/greater auricular nerve interposition (End-to-Side with Interposition Graft, 7 patients), and 4) end-to-side facial-to-hypoglossal nerve anastomoses (End-to-Side, 7 patients) after acoustic neuroma excision. Setting: Tertiary university referral center. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Twenty-five patients with complete facial paralysis after acoustic neuroma surgery who have also undergone 1 of 4 types of facial musculature reinnervation volunteered for the study. The mean duration of follow-up was 11.5 years (range, 1-25 yr). Each patient was globally assessed using the Sunnybrook Facial Grading scale (objective), Facial Disability Index (subjective), Oral-Pharyngeal Disability Index (subjective), Tongue Movement/Muscle symmetry (objective), and short-form SF-36 quality-of-life index (subjective). Results: Patients who underwent direct facial-to-hypoglossal anastomosis had generally poorer outcomes some of which were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in some components of the Oral-Pharyngeal Disability Index. All of these patients had reduced lateral tongue movement as well as ipsilateral tongue atrophy. There was no significant difference in the Sunnybrook Facial Grading scale scores in those patients in whom end-to-side interposition reinnervation surgery was performed compared with those in whom direct end-to-side anastomosis surgery was performed. Conclusion: Complete sacrifice of the ipsilateral hypoglossal nerve does present with clinically and statistically significant morbidity in patients. Facial function is statistically similar in patients who underwent an end-to-side anastomosis with or without an interposition graft. These findings suggest thatin the setting of the posttranslabryinthine approach, the technicallyeasier interposition graft procedure is not acompromise.
Reconstruction of the hepatic venous outflow in piggyback liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES The "piggyback" hepatic vein reconstruction and orthotopic liver transplantation (PBOLT) is a technique of liver transplantation that leaves the recipient inferior vena cava (IVC) intact, often avoiding the use of venovenous bypass (VVBP). Our study investigated whether patient morbidity and mortality after PB-OLT was comparable to that of the standard technique of orthotopic liver transplant (STD-OLT), which generally requires VVBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed 220 consecutive adult OLTs performed at a single institution. In the PB-OLT technique, the IVC was left intact. The suprahepatic IVC was anastomosed to a cuff, fashioned from the confluence of the recipient left and middle hepatic veins. The donor infrahepatic IVC was oversewn. The STD-OLT technique was used when patient conditions precluded PB-OLT. VVBP was required in 83% of STD-OLT cases and no cases of PB-OLT. RESULTS PB-OLT was successfully performed in 122 of the 220 patients (55.5%), and STD-OLT was performed in 98 patients (44.5%). The 1- and 3-year survival rates, 96.3% and 87.8% vs 96.7% and 84.0% for PB-OLT and STD-OLTs, respectively, did not differ significantly. Total ischemic time and length of posttransplant hospital stay were shorter in the PB-OLT group. The total operative time and red cell transfusion requirements were comparable. The rate of suprahepatic IVC-related complications did not differ between the two groups, and no VVBPrelated complications were seen. CONCLUSIONS The PB-OLT can be used to avoid VVBP and its attendant risks in the majority of patients undergoing OLT. In the current era of transplantation, the PB-OLT should be considered a safe technique for OLT.
Recovery and relapse in adolescents with bipolar affective illness: a five-year naturalistic, prospective follow-up.

OBJECTIVE This study was a 5-year naturalistic prospective follow-up of 54 consecutive admissions of adolescents to a university inpatient service with a diagnosis of bipolar I affective illness. METHOD Subjects received structured clinical evaluations every 6 months after entry to establish time to recovery and subsequent relapse. Regression models were used to identify predictors of differential course. RESULTS Rate of recovery varied by polarity of episode at time of entry, with quick recovery observed in subjects with pure mania or mixed states, and a protracted index episode in subjects with pure depression. Multiple relapses were most often seen in subjects with mixed or cycling episodes at intake. CONCLUSIONS Polarity of illness may have utility in identifying bipolar adolescents with a more recurrent illness. Comparison with adult data suggests that recurrence risks may vary as a function of age at onset or stage of the disease process.
Current knowledge on cellular interactions in the WG-granuloma.

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) usually starts as granulomatous disease of the respiratory tract (so-called localized WG) before it converts to systemic disease (generalized WG) with the emergence of proteinase 3-specific antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (PR3-ANCA) and PR3-ANCA associated autoimmune vasculitis. So far, it remains unresolved how tolerance to "Wegener's autoantigen" PR3 is broken and the immune response to PR3 sustained. Further, the relationship between granulomatous lesions and systemic vasculitis is poorly understood. None of the ANCA-animal-models has reproduced granulomata typical of WG so far. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors (HLA-DPB1*0401/PTPN22*620W, respiratory epithelial barrier dysfunction? S. aureus, cPR3? ) could favour initial formation of granulomata in the respiratory tract and break of tolerance. PR3 induces dendritic cell maturation via the protease activated receptor (PAR)-2 and evokes a strong Th1-type T-cell res-ponse in WG. Clusters of PR3+ cells (neutrophils/monocytes) surrounded by antigen-presenting cells, Th1-type CD4+CD28- effector memory T-cells, maturing B- and plasmacells are found in WG-granulomata of the upper respiratory tract. Thus, WG-granulomata might provide the necessary "proinflammatory environment" for the break of tolerance and display features of lymphoid-like tissue neoformation, in which autoimmunity to PR3 could be sustained. Subsequent PR3-ANCA associated systemic vasculitis gives rise to new inflammatory lesions in many other organs, thereby promoting a self-perpetuating pathology characterized by inflammation and autoimmunity to PR3.
Tumescent anesthesia in ambulatory phlebectomy: addition of epinephrine.

BACKGROUND The advantages of using tumescent anesthesia for ambulatory phlebectomy have recently been described. Previously, tumescent solutions have avoided epinephrine for concerns of toxicity given the large volume of anesthetic sometimes used. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of using epinephrine in the tumescent anesthesia solution during ambulatory phlebectomy. METHODS Over the course of 1 year, epinephrine in the concentration of 1:100,000 was added to the tumescent solution of patients undergoing ambulatory phlebectomy. A retrospective review of 94 sequential patients was performed to determine the rate of complications associated with the procedure. RESULTS The complication rate was considerably improved using tumescent lidocaine with epinephrine compared to a previously performed study of tumescent lidocaine without epinephrine. The rate of hematoma was decreased to nil while the rate of hyperpigmentation decreased from 3.6% to 0%. Overall, the rate of complications was improved when epinephrine was added to the tumescent lidocaine solution. Blood pressure measured every 5 minutes and heart rate measured continuously did not significantly change before, during or after infiltration of the anesthetic solution. CONCLUSIONS Epinephrine in appropriate concentrations is clearly safe when used in the tumescent anesthetic solution during ambulatory phlebectomy and should be used to reduce the incidence of hematoma and hyperpigmentation.
Long-Term Rural Superintendents: Characteristics and Attributes

This paper presents the results of a study of superintendents who have served in one rural school district for twelve years or more. Superintendents in twenty-four districts were identified and interviewed. The superintendents shared demographic information, insights into their school boards, and professional opinions as to the reasons for their longevity. Reasons for their success were a stable school board, open communication, hiring good employees, and working closely with the local community.
Pattern of learning disabilities in children with extremely low birth weight and broadly average intelligence.

OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence and pattern of specific areas of learning disability (LD) in neurologically normal children with extremely low birth weight (ELBW) (< or = 800 g) who have broadly average intelligence compared with full-term children with normal birth weight of comparable sociodemographic background, and to explore concurrent cognitive correlates of the specific LDs. DESIGN Longitudinal follow-up; geographically defined region. SETTING Regional follow-up program. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Gray Oral Reading Test-Revised, Test of Written Language-Revised, Wide Range Achievement Test-Revised, Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration. PARTICIPANTS One hundred fourteen (87%) of 131 children with ELBW born between 1982 and 1987 were seen at ages 8 to 9 years. Of the 114 children, 74, who were neurologically normal, with a Verbal or Performance IQ greater than or equal to 85, formed the study group. A group of 30 full-term children with normal birth weight and similar sociodemographic status comprised a comparison group. The children were predominantly white and middle class. RESULTS Significantly more children with ELBW (65%) met criteria for LD in 1 or more areas compared with 13% of the comparison children. In the ELBW group, the most frequently affected area was written output, then arithmetic, then reading. Visuospatial and visual-motor abilities in combination with verbal functioning primarily explained performance in arithmetic and reading among children with ELBW, unlike the control children, whose scores were associated only with verbal functioning. CONCLUSIONS Complex LDs in multiple academic domains are common sequelae among broadly middle class, predominantly white, neurologically normal children with ELBW compared with control peers. The developmental etiology of LDs in children with ELBW and control peers differs.
Cross‐modal temporal order memory for auditory digits and visual locations: An fMRI study

A function of working memory is to remember the temporal sequence of events, often occurring across different sensory modalities. To study the neural correlates of this function, we conducted an event‐related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) experiment with a cross‐modal memory task. Subjects were required to recall auditory digits and visual locations either in mixed order (cross‐modality) or in separate order (within‐modality). To identify the brain regions involved in the memory of cross‐modal temporal order, we compared the blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) response between the mixed and the separate order tasks. As a control, cortical areas sensitive to the memory load were mapped by comparing the 10‐item condition with the 6‐item condition in the separate order task. Results show that the bilateral prefrontal, right premotor, temporo‐parietal junction (TPJ) and left superior parietal cortices had significantly more activation in the mixed task than in the separate task. Some of these areas were also sensitive to the memory load, whereas the right prefrontal cortex and TPJ were relatively more sensitive to the cross‐modal order but not the memory load. Our study provides potential neural correlates for the episodic buffer, a key component of working memory as proposed previously [Baddeley. Trends Cogn Sci 2000;4:417–423]. Hum. Brain Mapping 22:280–289, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Deposition Pressure on Switching Field Distribution of CoPtCr&#8211;SiO$_2$Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Thin Film Media

We studied the effects of the deposition Ar pressure on the switching field distribution (SFD) of Tb/Pt/Ru/CoPtCr-SiO2 perpendicular media. In this study, we describe a simple method for obtaining parameters of the SFD such as the standard deviation (SD) while taking the effect of demagnetizing field into account. The SFD changed its character greatly with the change of Ar pressure. The differences in the SD of the SFD of various samples may originate from the variation of intergranular exchange and the demagnetizing field due to different Ar pressure
Effects of bupivacaine and calcium antagonists on human uterine arteries in pregnant and non‐pregnant women

Bupivacaine is a local anesthetic commonly used in obstetrical practice. Although not generally constrictive, it has a constricting effect on blood vessels in clinically used doses, and when administered close to the uterine vasculature, as in a paracervical blockade, it can induce severe fetal bradycardia and thus be hazardous to the fetus. The bupivacaine‐induced vasoconstriction on uterine arteries from pregnant and non‐pregnant women was effectively reduced by two different calcium antagonists, verapamil and nifedipine. In non‐pregnant women, nifedipine (2.9 times 10‐2 mol·l‐1) administered simultaneously with bupivacaine (5.8 times 10‐1 mol·l‐1) caused a 96% and verapamil (10‐5 mol·l‐1) an 84% reduction as compared with the control vessel where only bupivacaine (5.8 times 10‐4 mol·l‐1) was administered. In pregnant women, nifedipine 2.9 times 10‐1 mol·I‐1 and 2.9 times 10‐6 mol·l‐1 produced 66% and 79% reductions, respectively. It is possible that calcium antagonists administered together with bupivacaine in paracervical blockade could reduce the risk of fetal bradycardia.
Lack of beneficial effects of milrinone in severe septic shock.

The effects of milrinone were investigated in a porcine septic shock model. Septic shock was induced by i.v. infusion of live Escherichia coli. Anesthetized pigs were treated with milrinone before the E. coli infusion or were left untreated as septic controls. E. coli caused a significant reduction of cardiac index, renal blood flow, and portal blood flow. Pulmonary vascular resistance was significantly increased, as were the systemic and preportal vascular resistances. One of the seven septic control pigs died. In milrinone-treated septic animals cardiac index was maintained for a longer period of time but blood pressure was significantly reduced compared with the control pigs. Pulmonary vasoconstriction was little affected by pre-treatment with milrinone. Four out of seven milrinone-treated pigs died during the observation period. It is concluded that in the settings of the used porcine septic shock model milrinone treatment has no beneficial effect.
Magnesium absorption in mature ewes infused intrarumenally with magnesium chloride

1. The effects of magnesium Supplementation on Mg absorption proximal and distal to the pylorus in ewes maintained on a grass diet were investigated using a combination of balance, digesta flow and electropotential Measurements. 2. Three mature ewes each received by intrarumenal infusion a supplement of 0, 1, 2 and 3g Mg/d in sequence over four 10-d periods. 3. Net Mg absorption distal to the pylorus took place down its electrochemical gradient, although the quantity absorbed remained small during the control and first infusion periods. 4. The bulk of Mg absorption occurred before the pylorus and, during the control and first infusion periods, took place against its electrochemical gradient. The net Mg absorption proximal to the pylorus rose with declining efficiency as Mg intake was increased. It is suggested that saturation of the absorption process at this site was occurring.
Do Local Economic Conditions Affect Homelessness? Impact of Area Housing Market Factors, Unemployment, and Poverty on Community Homeless Rates

Abstract This article estimates the impact of local housing and labor market conditions on area homelessness using the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD’s) annual point-in-time counts of homelessness from 2007 to 2014. In cross-sectional models, the median rent, the share of households in rental housing, and the poverty rate have strong positive impacts on homelessness. Once area-fixed effects are included, only the median rent remains positive and significant. However, fixed-effect models find a positive relationship between poverty and homelessness in communities that maintain right-to-shelter policies, suggesting constraints in shelter bed supply may limit responses of homelessness to changes in economic conditions.
Coitus and orgasm at term: effect on spontaneous labour and pregnancy outcome.

INTRODUCTION Coitus and orgasm in late pregnancy are believed to facilitate the onset of labour. We aim to evaluate the relationship at term of reported coitus and orgasm with spontaneous labour. METHODS Women at term scheduled for non-urgent labour induction were asked to keep a coitus and orgasm diary. These women were recruited for a randomised trial on the effect of coitus to promote spontaneous labour. For this analysis, the women were categorised into coitally-active and abstinent groups according to their coital diary. Spontaneous labour prior to the date of scheduled labour induction was the primary outcome. Labour, delivery and neonatal outcome were also evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control for significant variables. RESULTS On univariate analysis, the inverse association of coitus with spontaneous labour was borderline (odds ratio [OR] 0.6; 95 percent confidence interval [CI] 0.3-1.0; p-value is 0.052). Orgasm was not associated with spontaneous labour (p-value is 0.33). After adjustment, coitus (adjusted OR 0.4; 95 percent CI 0.2-0.8; p-value is 0.009) displayed a significant inverse association with spontaneous labour. Coitus and orgasm were not associated with any other adverse pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSION Women who reported coitus were less likely to go into spontaneous labour prior to their scheduled labour induction. Reported coitus and orgasm were not associated with adverse pregnancy outcome.
Implications of Oxidative Stress and Homocysteine in the Pathophysiology of Essential Hypertension

The present review examines the clinical and experimental data to support the view that homocysteine and oxidative stress, two alternative risk factors of vascular disease, may play a role in the pathogenesis of primary or essential hypertension. Although the precise mechanism of this disease has not been elucidated, it may be related to impairment of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cell function. Thus, the occurrence of endothelial dysfunction could contribute to alterations of the endothelium-dependent vasomotor regulation. Hyperhomocysteinemia limits the bioavailability of nitric oxide, increases oxidative stress, stimulates the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells, and alters the elastic properties of the vascular wall. The link between oxidative stress and hyperhomocysteinemia is also biologically plausible, because homocysteine promotes oxidant injury to the endothelium. Cumulated evidence suggests that the diminution of oxidative stress with antioxidants or the correction of hyperhomocysteinemia with vitamins-B plus folic acid, could be useful as an adjuvant therapy for essential hypertension. Further studies involving long-term trials could help to assess the tolerability and efficacy of the use of these therapeutic agents.
Idiopathic spinal cord herniation: Clinical review and report of three cases

Idiopathic spinal cord herniation (ISCH) is a rare condition, of unknown pathogenesis, that primarily affects the thoracic spinal cord. It is characterized by ventral displacement of the spinal cord through a dural defect. The aim of this study was to review the literature and to present a retrospective single center experience with three cases of ISCH. The literature review analyzed a total of 78 relevant publications on ISCH, which included a total of 171 patients, supplemented with 3 patients treated at our institution. Numerous case reports have demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes after surgery; however, follow-up is predominantly short, data are incomplete, the condition is frequently misdiagnosed, and it is difficult to predict which patients will benefit from surgery. We identified 159 cases treated with surgical management. The mean symptom duration was 54 months, and the mean follow-up 33 months. The result at follow-up was improved neurological outcome in 74%, unchanged result in 18%, and worse outcome in 8%. There were 15 cases of conservative management, with mean symptom duration 52 months and mean follow-up 33 months. The neurological outcome was unchanged in 100%. ISCH is a rare condition causing progressive thoracic myelopathy, and the natural history is unknown. There is a lack of evidence-based treatment strategies, and the majority of cases are treated with surgical management at diagnosis. Management of ISCH needs to be individualized for each patient, and clinicians should be encouraged to report new cases, standardize case reports, and ensure long-term follow-up.