Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance in patients treated with clozapine compared with patients treated with conventional depot neuroleptic medications.

BACKGROUND Recent case reports suggest the association of the emergence of diabetes mellitus with clozapine treatment, although conventional neuroleptics have also been implicated. This study was conducted to determine if there is an increased risk of diabetes mellitus and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) during clozapine treatment compared with treatment with conventional depot neuroleptics. METHOD In a district hospital in northern Sweden, blood glucose tests and, if necessary an oral glucose tolerance test were used to assess the prevalence of diabetes mellitus or IGT in 63 patients treated with clozapine compared with 67 patients treated with conventional depot neuroleptics (haloperidol, zuclopenthixol, fluphenazine, perphenazine, or flupenthixol). Diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance were classified according to World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS There were 3 dropouts in the clozapine group and 4 in the control group. Of subjects treated with clozapine, 12% (7/60) had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 10% (6/60) had IGT. Of subjects treated with depot injections of neuroleptics, 6% (4/63) had type 2 diabetes mellitus and 3% (2/63) had IGT. None in either group had type 1 diabetes mellitus. Subjects in the clozapine group were significantly (p < .001) younger than subjects in the control group, whereas the 2 groups did not differ with respect to body weight, body mass index, or prevalence of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relatives. CONCLUSION Subjects treated with clozapine were more often classified as having type 2 diabetes mellitus or IGT compared with subjects in the control group. This difference did not, however, achieve statistical significance (p=.06).
INHIBITION OF POLIOVIRUS REPLICATION BY A PLANT ANTIVIRAL PEPTIDE *

Treatment of poliovirus with the antiviral protein isolated from Phytolacca americana resulted in as much as 96% inhibition of subsequent release of infectious virus from HeLa cells. The inhibitor can be quantitatively removed from poliovirus by centrifugation through a sucrose solution. These washed viruses were not inactivated by their prior treatment with the peptide nor does the peptide block attachment of labeled poliovirus to HeLa cells. In the absence of virus the peptide was not cytotoxic for HeLa cells and had no detectable effect on the rate of protein synthesis. However, protein synthesis was reduced in cells infected with virus treated with the peptide compared with cells infected with untreated virus. It is suggested that the mechanism of the antiviral activity of the peptide involves its transport into intact cells by the virus followed by inactivation of host cell ribosomes.
MRSA – what is it, and how do we deal with the problem?

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a serious nosocomial pathogen, and more recent reports in the scientific literature underscore the potential issues with emerging community-MRSA. MRSA is reported to be involved in > 50% of hospital S. aureus infections, more in the intensive care unit (ICU) than the non-ICU, and increases in multi-drug resistant MRSA and increasingly virulent MRSA have been reported. Together with its broad-based β-lactam resistance, MRSA often possesses a multi-drug resistance genotype, including cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and macrolide resistances. MRSA has now emerged as the predominant nosocomial Gram-positive pathogen, and it has a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Action must be taken to contain and eradicate MRSA through a combination of infection control, the development of novel anti-MRSA agents, develop-ment of vaccines and other non-traditional approaches of interven-tion.
Role of Customers in Stakeholders- Approach in Company Corporate Governance

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the customers’ issues in company corporate governance and the financial performance. At the beginning theoretical background consisting stakeholder theory and corporate governance is presented. On this theoretical background, the empirical research is built, collecting data of 60 Czech joint stock companies’ boards considering their relationships with customers. Correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were employed to test the sample on two hypotheses. The weak positive correlation between stakeholder approach and the company size was identified. But both hypotheses were not supported, because there was no significant relation of independent variables to financial performance. Keywords—customers, stakeholder theory, corporate governance, financial performance
Coincident development of sesamoid bones and clues to their evolution

Sesamoid bones form within tendons in regions that wrap around bony prominences. They are common in humans but variable in number. Sesamoid development is mediated epigenetically by local mechanical forces associated with skeletal geometry, posture, and muscular activity. In this article we review the literature on sesamoids and explore the question of genetic control of sesamoid development. Examination of radiographs of 112 people demonstrated that the relatively infrequent appearances of the fabella (in the lateral gastrocnemius tendon of the knee) and os peroneum (in the peroneus longus tendon of the foot) are related within individuals (P < 0.01). This finding suggests that the tendency to form sesamoids may be linked to intrinsic genetic factors. Evolutionary character analyses suggest that the formation of these sesamoids in humans may be a consequence of phylogeny. These observations indicate that variations of intrinsic factors may interact with extrinsic mechanobiological factors to influence sesamoid development and evolution. Anat Rec (New Anat) 257:174–180, 1999. Published 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of short-term improvement of insulin treatment and glycemia on hepatic glycogen metabolism in type 1 diabetes.

Insufficiently treated type 1 diabetic patients exhibit inappropriate postprandial hyperglycemia and reduction in liver glycogen stores. To examine the effect of acute improvement of metabolic control on hepatic glycogen metabolism, lean young type 1 diabetic (HbA1c 8.8 +/- 0.3%) and matched nondiabetic subjects (HbA1c 5.4 +/- 0.1%) were studied during the course of a day with three isocaloric mixed meals. Hepatic glycogen concentrations were determined noninvasively using in vivo 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Rates of net glycogen synthesis and breakdown were calculated from linear regression of the glycogen concentration time curves from 7:30-10:30 P.M. and from 10:30 P.M. to 8:00 A.M., respectively. The mean plasma glucose concentration was approximately 2.4-fold higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic subjects (13.6 +/- 0.4 vs. 5.8 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P < 0.001). Rates of net glycogen synthesis and net glycogen breakdown were reduced by approximately 74% (0.11 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.43 +/- 0.04 mmol/l liver/min, P < 0.001) and by approximately 47% (0.10 +/- 0.01 vs. 0.19 +/- 0.01 mmol/l liver/min, P < 0.001) in diabetic patients, respectively. During short-term (24-h) intensified insulin treatment, the mean plasma glucose level was not different between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects (6.4 +/- 0.1 mmol/l). Net glycogen synthesis and breakdown increased by approximately 92% (0.23 +/- 0.04 mmol/l liver/min, P = 0.017) and by approximately 40% (0.14 approximately 0.01 mmol/l liver/min, P = 0.011), respectively. In conclusion, poorly controlled type 1 diabetic patients present with marked reduction in both hepatic glycogen synthesis and breakdown. Both defects in glycogen metabolism are improved but not normalized by short-term restoration of insulinemia and glycemia.
Dexamethasone and corticosterone induce similar, but not identical, muscle wasting responses in cultured L6 and C2C12 myotubes

Dexamethasone‐treated L6 (a rat cell line) and C2C12 (a mouse cell line) myotubes are frequently used as in vitro models of muscle wasting. We compared the effects of different concentrations of dexamethasone and corticosterone (the naturally occurring glucocorticoid in rodents) on protein breakdown rates, myotube size, and atrogin‐1 and MuRF1 mRNA levels in the two cell lines. In addition, the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and its role in glucocorticoid‐induced metabolic changes were determined. Treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone resulted in dose‐dependent increases in protein degradation rates in both L6 and C2C12 myotubes accompanied by 25–30% reduction of myotube diameter. The same treatments increased atrogin‐1 mRNA levels in L6 and C2C12 myotubes but, surprisingly, upregulated the expression of MuRF1 in L6 myotubes only. Both cell types expressed the GR and treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone downregulated total cellular GR levels while increasing nuclear translocation of the GR in both L6 and C2C12 myotubes. The GR antagonist RU38486 inhibited the dexamethasone‐ and corticosterone‐induced increases in atrogin‐1 and MuRF1 expression in L6 myotubes but not in C2C12 myotubes. Interestingly, RU38486 exerted agonist effects in the C2C12, but not in the L6 myotubes. The present results suggest that muscle wasting‐related responses to dexamethasone and corticosterone are similar, but not identical, in L6 and C2C12 myotubes. Most notably, the regulation by glucocorticoids of MuRF1 and the role of the GR may be different in the two cell lines. These differences need to be taken into account when cultured myotubes are used in future studies to further explore mechanisms of muscle wasting. J. Cell. Biochem. 105: 353–364, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Standardized grey scale ultrasonography in Graves' disease: correlation to autoimmune activity.

OBJECTIVE Graves' disease leads to thyroid enlargement and to reduction of tissue echogenicity. Our purpose was to correlate grey scale ultrasonography of the thyroid gland with clinical and laboratory findings in patients with Graves' disease. DESIGN Fifty-three patients with Graves'disease were included in our study, 100 euthyroid volunteers served as control group. Free thyroxine (FT(4)), TSH and TRAb (TSH receptor antibodies) values were measured and correlated with sonographic echogenicity of the thyroid gland. METHODS All patients and control persons underwent ultrasonographical histogram analyses under standardized conditions. Mean densities of the thyroid tissues were determined in grey scales (GWE). RESULTS Compared with controls with homogeneous thyroid lobes of normal size (25.6 +/- 2.0GWE, mean +/- S.D.) echogenicity in patients with Graves' disease was significantly lower (21.3 +/- 3. 3GWE, mean +/- S.D., P < 0.0001). Among the patients with Graves' disease significant differences of thyroid echo levels were revealed for patients with suppressed (20.4 +/- 3.1 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=34) and normalized TSH values (22.5 +/- 3.6GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=19, P < 0.02). Significantly lower echogenicities were also measured in cases of persistent elevated TRAb levels (19.9 +/- 2.9GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=31) in comparison with normal TRAb levels (22.9 +/- 3.5 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=22, P < 0.0015). No correlation could be verified between echogenicity and either still elevated or already normalized FT(4) values or the thyroid volume. In coincidence of hyperthyroidism and Graves' ophthalmopathy (19.7 +/- 3.5GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=23) significantly lower echogenicity was measured than in the absence of ophthalmological symptoms (22.3 +/- 3.3GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=30, P < 0.016). Patients needing active antithyroid drug treatment revealed significantly lower thyroid echogenicity (20.3 +/- 3.1 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=40) than patients in remission (23.7 +/- 3.4 GWE, mean +/- S.D., n=13, P < 0.001). Statistical evaluation was carried out using Student's t-test. CONCLUSIONS Standardized grey scale histogram analysis allows for supplementary judgements of thyroid function and degree of autoimmune activity in Graves' disease. Whether these values help to estimate the risk of recurrence of hyperthyroidism after withdrawal of antithyroid medication should be evaluated in a prospective study.
[Predictors of lamivudine resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection].

BACKGROUND/AIM Drug resistance is a major concern during nucleoside/ nucleotide analogues therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The aim of this study was to measure the risk of lamivudine resistance provided for each predictive factor in patients with chronic HBV infections. METHODS A total of 183 patients were analyzed among 315 patients with chronic HBV infections enrolled in a tertiary referral hospital between January 2001 and December 2003 on this retrospective cohort study. AST/ALT, HBeAg/anti-HBe, serum HBV DNA levels were tested for every 3 or 6 months. HBV DNA level was tested using Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor test. Viral breakthrough was defined as HBV DNA > or = 5 log10 copies/mL on two consecutive visits in patients who, on treatment, achieved HBV DNA < 5 log10 copies/mL. The risk of viral breakthrough was measured using Cox proportional hazards model for variables: age, sex, BMI (kg/m(2)), baseline ALT, HBeAg positivity, baseline HBV DNA level, serum HBV DNA level at 6 month of lamivudine therapy. RESULTS The cumulative rates of viral breakthrough were 9.6%, 39.0%, 55.8% at 12, 24, 36 months, respectively. Serum HBV DNA level of 6 month of lamivudine therapy and presence of HBeAg were independent predictors for viral breakthrough. The relative risk was 1.43 (95% C.I. 1.09-1.89, P=0.010) for serum HBV DNA level at 6 months of lamivudine therapy and 1.77 (95% C.I. 1.06-2.95, P=0.029) for presence of HBeAg. CONCLUSIONS Serum HBV DNA level at 6 months of therapy and HBeAg positivity were predictors of early lamivudine resistance in patients with chronic HBV infections. An alternate therapy should be considered when serum viral load is high at 6 months of lamivudine therapy.
Evaluation of Surgical Outcome after Resection of Pancreatic Tumors, Our Experience in Mansoura Oncology Center, a Middle-Volume Center in Egypt

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer related deaths in the world. Surgical resection remains the only potentially curative treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas; only 10% - 20% of patients are candidate for standard pancreatic resection. Objective: To evaluate perioperative mortality, morbidity and survival for patients underwent PD in middle-volume center. Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with pancreatic tumors were enrolled in this study for different surgical procedure according to type of tumors. Results: No early postoperative complications were observed in 60% of patients, whereas 40% of patients developed one or more complication, the median survival for this group was 12.3 months with standard deviation 3.8 months.
Raman Microprobe Evidence for Lignin Orientation in the Cell Walls of Native Woody Tissue

Raman microprobe spectra from the secondary wall of earlywood tissue from Picea mariana (black spruce) reveal evidence of the orientation of lignin relative to the plane of the cell wall. In most instances, the aromatic rings of the phenyl propane structural units are parallel to the plane of the cell-wall surface.
free will genetics pharmacology language development computer science pathology imaging consciousness dualism evolution psychology music learning perception stimulation cognition physiology mind physics information artificial intelligence sociobiology statistics structure function history free will 

development computer science pathology imaging consciousness dualism evolution psychology music learning perception stimulation cognition physiology mind physics information artificial intelligence sociobiology statistics structure function history free will genetics pharmacology language development computer science imaging consciousness brain linguistics behavior psychology music stimulation cognition neurobiology physics information linguistics free will mind development philosophy speech convergence imaging creativity music experience HARVARD The Journal of the Harvard Society for Mind, Brain, and Behavior BRAIN
Effects of Sexual Abuse Prevention Education Program on Sexual Knowledge and Attitude among Elementary School Students

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sexual abuse prevention education program linked to elementary physical and psychological development on sexual knowledge and attitude. Methods: The participants were the elementary school students of fifth and sixth grades in S city, South Korea (experimental, comparison, and control group=96, 96, and 74, respectively). The experimental group received sexual abuse prevention education linked physical and psychological development, 6 sessions (3 sessions are physical and psychological development educations and 3 other sessions are sexual abuse prevention educations). The comparison group received sexual abuse prevention educations, 3 sessions (the same curriculum of the experimental group). The control group didn't receive any sexual education. The data were analyzed by x test and t-test, and ANOVA using the SPSS program. Results: The experimental group showed significantly better sexual knowledge and attitude than the comparison and control group. Conclusion: Sexual abuse prevention education program linked physical and psychological development is required for elementary school students, to improve the sexual knowledge and attitude.
Effect of local pH changes caused by substrate hydrolysis on the activity of membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase.

In the living cell many enzymes are bound to membranous structures (e.g., see ref. 1) and function, therefore, in an environment which may differ from that which obtains in solution. By comparing membrane-bound enzymes prepared by cell fractionation with their solubilized and purified counterparts, we may infer the effect of the membrane on the function of the enzymes and thereby better understand their mode of action in situ. One such enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, appears to be localized in the cell membrane of many cells (for literature see refs. 2 and 2a), a localization consistent, at least in the case of excitable cells, with its probable physiological function.3 A subcellular fraction rich in membrane-bound acetylcholinesterase (M\-AChE) has been prepared from electric tissue of Electrophorus electricus.2 The acetylcholinesterase activity of this fraction shows an anomalous dependence on pH, similar to that described for a model system in which papain is bound to a collodion membrane.4 In both cases, this effect can be explained as due to local pH changes in the vicinity of the membrane-bound enzyme consequent to the hydrolysis of substrate. Materials and Methods. 1\I-AChE was fraction 4A prepared as previously described.2 It was assayed in an automatic titrator (Radiometer, Copenhagen, M1odel TTTla), operated as a pH-stat, at 30'C, under nitrogen, with 0.01 M NaOH as the titrant. The basic reaction mixture (10 ml) contained 0.15 M NaCl, 0.004 Al acetylcholine bromide (ACh), and 0.01% gelatin added to stabilize the enzyme.5 Various additions were made as indicated below. At pH 7.0, with no additions to the reaction mixture, M\I-AChE had a specific activity of 2.0 mmoles substrate hydrolyzed per mg protein per hour. Solubilized and purified acetylcholinesterase6 (S-AChE) was a gift from Dr. W. Leuzinger; it had a specific activity, assayed as above, of 500 mmoles substrate hydrolyzed per mg protein per hour. Results. The rates of hydrolysis of ACh by S-AChE and 1I-AChE as a function of pH were determined in the pH-stat in the presence and absence of buffer. The reaction mixture was buffered over the range pH 4-10 by a mixture of phthalate, phosphate, and borate, all at a concentration of 2 mM. The pH-dependence of the activity of S-AChE in the presence and absence of buffer, and of i\I-AChE in the presence of buffer was similar, whereas that of 1\I-AChE in the absence of buffer was very different (Fig. 1). It had been previously observed that when M-AChE was assayed by the hydroxamic acid method,7 it appeared approximately three times more active than when assayed in the pH-stat in the absence of buffer. S-AChE had the same activity by both methods. It was found that the presence of phosphate buffer in the former assay was responsible for the higher activity.8 A low concentration of phosphate suffices to produce a maximum apparent actiyation
Exertional Heat Illnesses and Environmental Conditions During High School Football Practices

Background: Guidelines for preventing exertional heat illnesses (EHIs) during extreme heat stress should be specific to regional environments, age, and sport and should be based on evidence of reducing the risk. Each year in the United States, over 1 million high school football players practice in the August heat; however, no published data describe the incidence of EHIs in these athletes. Purpose: To describe the environmental conditions and incidence of EHIs during high school football practices over a 3-month period. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: For a 3-month period (August-October), athletic trainers at 12 high schools in North Central Florida recorded the practice time and length, environmental conditions (wet-bulb globe temperature), and incidences of EHIs in varsity football athletes. Results: Athletes suffered 57 total EHIs during 29,759 athlete-exposures (AEs) for the 3-month data collection period (rate = 1.92/1000 AEs). August accounted for the majority of all EHIs, with 82.5% (47/57) and the highest rate (4.35/1000 AEs). Of total heat illnesses, heat cramps accounted for 70.2% (40/57), heat exhaustion 22.8% (13/57), and heat syncope 7.0% (4/57). The odds ratio indicated that athletes in August practices that lasted longer than the recommended 3 hours were 9.84 times more likely to suffer a heat illness than those in practices lasting ≤3 hours. Conclusion: The highest rate of EHIs was during August. Practices in August that exceeded the recommended 3 hours were associated with a greater risk of heat illnesses. The overall rate of EHIs was lower for the high school football athletes observed in the study compared with that reported for collegiate football athletes in the region. The low rates of EHIs recorded suggest that the prevention guidelines employed by sports medicine teams are appropriate for the region and population. Clinical Relevance: Team physicians and athletic trainers should employ evidence-based, region- and population-specific EHI prevention guidelines. Sports medicine teams, coaches, and athletes should be aware of the increased risk of EHIs during August practices and the risk of prolonged practices during August.