Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dexamethasone and Recombinant Human Activated Protein C Improve Myocardial Function and Efficiency During Experimental Septic Shock

ABSTRACT Corticosteroids have been shown to reduce short-term mortality during septic shock and therefore recommended in the most severe patients as adjuvant therapy. Until recently, recombinant human activated protein C (APC) was also considered in the management of more severe cases. As myocardial depression has long been recognized as a manifestation of organ dysfunction during septic shock, we examined whether corticosteroids (dexamethasone, 150 µg/kg per hour) and/or APC (33 µg/kg per hour) treatments improve sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction during cecal ligature and puncture–induced septic shock in Wistar rats. All rats received intravenous saline resuscitation (10 mL/kg per hour) and antibiotics. Eighteen hours after surgery, anesthesia was performed (isoflurane), and myocardial function was assessed using a conductance catheter introduced into the left ventricle. Rats were then killed; blood and heart were harvested for biological analysis, including radical oxygen species determination. Cecal ligature and puncture induced hypotension, depression of myocardial systolic performance (demonstrated by significant decreases in dP/dtmax [first derivative of maximal developed pressure during isovolumetric contraction], end-systolic pressure-volume relationship, and preload recruitable stroke work) and alteration of diastolic function (dP/dtmin [first derivative of minimal developed pressure during isovolumetric relaxation]), whereas dexamethasone, APC, and their combination thereof allowed correction of hemodynamic disorders and improved myocardial mechanical efficiency. Cecal ligature and puncture was associated with higher levels of nitric oxide and superoxide anion (O2−) in heart (electron paramagnetic resonance studies) and consequently peroxynitrite. Dexamethasone and APC also improved cardiac dysfunction by downregulating the inducible nitric oxide synthase pathway and reducing myocardial oxidative stress.
Psychosis after acute alteration of thyroid status

SYNOPSIS A case of acute schizophrenic psychosis developing during the treatment of hyper-thyroidism with carbimazole is described. The patient was clinically and biochemically euthyroid at the time the psychosis developed. It is suggested that an acute alteration in thyroid status, without necessarily producing hyper- or hypothyroidism, may be sufficient to induce a psychotic reaction.
Correlation of anti-signal recognition particle autoantibody levels with creatine kinase activity in patients with necrotizing myopathy.

OBJECTIVE Anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP) autoantibodies are associated with severe acquired necrotizing myopathies. The role of these autoantibodies remains elusive, and the evolution of anti-SRP levels over time is unknown. In this study, we developed an addressable laser bead immunoassay (ALBIA) technique to investigate a correlation between anti-SRP levels, serum creatine kinase (CK) levels, and muscle strength in patients with necrotizing myopathy. METHODS The diagnostic value of the ALBIA assay was determined by comparing serum levels of anti-SRP autoantibodies in 31 anti-SRP immunodot-positive patients to those in 190 healthy blood donors and 199 control patients with different inflammatory/autoimmune conditions or polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Among the 31 anti-SRP-positive patients, serum samples from 8 patients were monitored over time for levels of anti-SRP autoantibodies and levels of CK (determined at least 3 times, consecutively, over a mean followup period of 783 days). The relationship between levels of anti-SRP autoantibodies and levels of CK was tested using a linear mixed model. RESULTS The assay yielded positive results for anti-SRP in all anti-SRP immunodot-positive serum samples tested, while all control sera tested negative. The 8 anti-SRP-positive patients who were followed up longitudinally were found to have normalized CK levels and improved muscle strength. There was a striking correlation between the degree of myolysis, as measured by CK levels, in patients receiving therapy and the anti-SRP54 autoantibody levels in these same patients (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Anti-SRP-positive myositis appears to be one of the few autoimmune diseases in which specific autoantibody levels are correlated with surrogate disease activity markers. These results reveal the usefulness of monitoring anti-SRP autoantibody levels in patients receiving therapy, and may also suggest a possible pathogenic role for anti-SRP autoantibodies in the necrotizing myopathies.
La liaison en français : descriptions et analyses dans le corpus PFC

La liaison en francais est un phenomene qui s’etend sur differents niveaux d’analyse et qui, pour cette raison, est problematique. La premiere partie de cette these s’attache a decrire ces differentes dimensions impliquees dans le processus (phonologique, morpho-syntaxique, sociolinguistique, lexicale), pour montrer en quoi cette diversite est constitutive du phenomene et qu’on ne peut pas reduire la liaison a une dimension particuliere. Dans la seconde partie, nous nous appuyons sur une etude empirique fondee sur une utilisation de la base PFC (Phonologie du Francais Contemporain). Cette partie presente la description du protocole, la collecte et l’exploitation des donnees. La derniere etape de ce travail consiste a proposer une caracterisation de la liaison qui rend compte des contradictions relevees dans la premiere partie, en s’appuyant sur une veritable base empirique. De cette facon, nous montrons que si la liaison est frequente, elle concerne neanmoins des classes reduites de mot et necessite une analyse formes par formes, sans exclure un certain nombre de generalisations locales qui constituent le caractere innovant de ce travail.
The role of the vibration signal during queen competition in colonies of the honeybee, Apis mellifera


Temporary polygyny (the presence of multiple queens) occurs in honeybee colonies when virgin queens (VQs) are reared for reproductive swarming or queen replacement. During these events, workers perform vibration signals on queen cells and emerged queens, and these signals may influence which VQ becomes the new laying queen of a colony. We examined the role of vibration signals during queen competition in two African and six European honeybee colonies. There was pronounced variability in vibration activity between colonies and among queens reared within the same colony. Despite this variation, all colonies showed similar trends in the relationships between the vibration signal and queen replacement. Vibration signals performed on queen cells were not associated with emergence success. Likewise, the signal was not associated with queen emergence order. Early emerging and late-emerging queens were vibrated at similar rates, and there was no clear relationship between emergence order and VQ survival. However, the signals performed on VQs after they emerged were associated with their behaviour and success during the queen elimination period. Emerged VQs that were vibrated at higher rates survived longer, performed more bouts of piping (a characteristic sound produced by queens), eliminated more rivals and were more likely to become the new queens of the colonies. The vibration signal may therefore allow workers a degree of control over the behaviour of emerged VQs, and may influence the outcome of queen competition in honeybees. Differences in vibration activity within and among colonies may reflect differences in the extent to which workers and queens conflict over the timing and outcome of polygyny reduction.
Reduced aspirin responsiveness as assessed by impedance aggregometry is not associated with adverse outcome after cardiac surgery in a small low-risk cohort

Abstract Reduced aspirin responsiveness (i.e. persistent high platelet reactivity in platelet function testing) might be associated with increased risk of myocardial ischemia and cardiac mortality in patients with coronary disease. However, the impact in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is unclear. The aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the predictive value of reduced aspirin responsiveness on cardiac and thromboembolic events in patients undergoing elective isolated CABG surgery with aspirin intake until at least two days before surgery. We included 304 patients in this prospective single-center cohort study. Impedance platelet aggregometry (Multiplate®) was performed directly before and on the first day after surgery. Reduced aspirin responsiveness was defined as area under the curve in ASPItest (AUCASPI) ≥300 U. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause mortality and/or major adverse cardiac or thromboembolic events within 1 year. Reduced aspirin responsiveness was found in 13 and 24% of patients pre and postoperatively, respectively. There was no difference in the outcomes between patients with normal and reduced aspirin responsiveness in the preoperative measurement (log-rank test, p = 0.540). Multivariate analysis including logistic EuroSCORE I and postoperative troponin T levels did not show any association of reduced aspirin responsiveness with adverse outcome (hazard ratio, 0.576; (95% CI 0.128–2.585; p = 0.471). Similarly, postoperative reduced aspirin responsiveness was not associated with adverse events. To conclude, reduced aspirin responsiveness as evaluated by Multiplate® platelet function analyzer was not associated with increased incidence of major adverse cardiac and thromboembolic events and mortality after CABG surgery.
Hyperzincuria in IDDM Women: Relationship to Measures of Glycemic Control, Renal Function, and Tissue Catabolism

Eighteen women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 15 nondiabetic women participated in a study of the relationship of zincuria to measures of glycemic control, renal function, and tissue catabolism. In the IDDM women, mean ± SE glycosylated hemoglobin was 9.8 ± 0.5%, and fasting plasma glucose was 189 ± 19 mg/dl; duration of diabetes averaged 15 yr. In comparison with control women, the IDDM women excreted four times as much zinc in the urine. However, the total plasma zinc concentration was significantly higher in the IDDM than in the control women (14.7 vs. 13.4 μM). The increased urinary zinc loss in the IDDM women was not related to urine volume, urinary glucose excretion, fasting plasma glucose concentration, percent glycosylated hemoglobin, or an increased glomerular filtration rate. Total urinary protein losses were four times higher in the IDDM women than in the control women, and these urinary protein losses correlated with the urinary zinc losses (P < .007). There was no relationship between urinary zinc and the excretion of any of the amino acids, urea, or ammonia. The results of this study show that hyperzincuria in diabetes is not associated with lower plasma zinc levels. An increased zinc absorption, decreased intestinal zinc excretion, or increased tissue catabolism may support higher plasma zinc levels.
Delayed type hypersensitivity‐associated cytokines in islet xenotransplantation: limited efficacy of interleukin‐2‐ and tumor necrosis factor‐α‐blockade in interferon‐γ receptor‐deficient mice

Abstract: To investigate the role of interferon (IFN)‐γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and their potential to replace each other in the process of fetal porcine islet‐like cell cluster (ICC) xenograft rejection, mice with a targeted disruption of the IFN‐γ receptor gene and wild‐type controls were transplanted with fetal porcine ICCs under the kidney capsule and given post‐transplant treatment with the TNF‐α‐inhibiting agent MDL 201,449A. Some of the MDL 201,449A‐treated IFN‐γ receptor‐deficient mice received additional treatment with cyclosporinee (CsA). Evaluation of the xenografts was performed 7 days after transplantation (all groups), and in IFN‐γ receptor‐deficient mice treated with MDL 201 449 A, also 10 and 13 days after transplantation. On day 7 after transplantation, a few CD3+ cells were seen accumulated peripherally in the ICC xenograft. Moderate to abundant numbers of F4/80+ and Mac‐1+ cells surrounded a few remaining ICCs present within the xenograft. Histochemical visualization of cyanide‐resistant endogenous peroxidase activity for detection of eosinophils demonstrated only small numbers of eosinophils present within the xenograft by day 7 after transplantation. An increased amount of eosinophilic granulocytes was not found until day 10 after transplantation, i.e. at a time when ICC xenograft rejection has already been completed. However, two out of six IFN‐γ receptor‐deficient mice given post‐transplant treatment with CsA and MDL 201,449A exhibited intact ICC xenografts with ICCs arranged in chords and duct‐like structures on day 7 after transplantation. Taken together, findings in this study indicate that, in the pig‐to‐mouse model, IFN‐γ, TNF‐α, and interleukin‐2 seem to be of importance to fetal porcine ICC xenograft rejection. Nevertheless, in a majority of animals, other cytokines eventually substitute for the lack of IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and interleukin‐2.
Effects of Vanadium Pentoxide on the Histological and Sperm Parameters of Male Guinea Pigs

The pharmacological effects of intraperitoneal administration of different doses of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) on the histological and sperm parameters of male guinea pigs were investigated. Also investigated were the effects of oral pretreatment with different doses of vitamin E (a known protein kinase C inhibitor) on the V2O5 -induced responses of the testis and liver of male guinea pigs. In n = 5 experiments, vanadium pentoxide in the dose range of 4.5-12.5mg/kg caused destruction of the testicular and liver architecture. This was characterized by a reduction in spermatogonia, destruction of seminiferous tubules, necrosis of the testicular tissues, necrosis of liver cells, fatty cells infiltration and vacoulation. Oral administration/ pretreatment with vitamin E in the dose range of 500-2000I.U caused a reversal of the vanadium pentoxide –induced histological damages of the testis and the liver cells. Furthermore, in n = 5 animals experiments, Vanadium pentoxide (4.5-12.5 mg/kg/) caused a statistically significant increase in the percentage basal cell death, from 5.0 to 75.0 ± 1.0%, reduction in sperm motility from 90.0 to 31.0 ± 3.9%, reduction in sperm count from 80.0 x106cells/ml to 25.0± 4.0 x 106cells/ml and alteration in the spermatic cell morphology ( i.e. causing a change in the cellular structure of sperm cells and an increase in abnormal cells count) of the male guinea pigs. These inhibitory effects were significant at P < 0.05 (ANOVA). These effects were all dose- and time-dependent and may have a role in oxidative pathology of vanadium pentoxide.
Online Vision as a Function of Real-Time Limb Velocity: Another Case for Optimal Windows

ABSTRACT The efficiency of online visuomotor processes was investigated by manipulating vision based on real-time upper limb velocity. Participants completed rapid reaches under two control (full vision, no vision) and three experimental visual window conditions. The experimental visual windows were early: 0.8–1.4 m/s, middle: above 1.4 m/s, and late: 1.4 to 0.8 m/s. The results indicated that endpoint consistency comparable to that of full-vision trials was observed when using vision from the early (43 ms) and middle (89 ms) windows, but vision from the middle window entailed a longer deceleration phase (i.e., a temporal cost). The late window was not useful to implement online trajectory amendments. This study provides further support for the idea of early visuomotor control, which may involve multiple online control processes during voluntary movement.
Improvement of the electrical safe operating area of a DMOS transistor during ESD events

Electrical safe operating area (SOA) of doublediffused vertical MOSFETs (VDMOS) in smart power ICs is investigated by simulation and experiments. The influence of the layout of VDMOS cells is analyzed. DMOS transistors with circular/oval cell layout exhibit higher ESD robustness in comparison with conventional stripe cells. The effect is related to better current distribution of circular/oval cell devices. It is also observed that appropriate source/body engineering can improve electrical SOA of a VDMOS as well.
Peripheral Neuron Survival and Outgrowth on Graphene

Graphene displays properties that make it appealing for neuroregenerative medicine, yet its interaction with peripheral neurons has been scarcely investigated. Here, we culture on graphene two established models for peripheral neurons: PC12 cells and DRG primary neurons. We perform a nano-resolved analysis of polymeric coatings on graphene and combine optical microscopy and viability assays to assess the material cytocompatibility and influence on differentiation. We find that differentiated PC12 cells display a remarkably increased neurite length on graphene (up to 27%) with respect to controls. Notably, DRG primary neurons survive both on bare and coated graphene. They present dense axonal networks on coated graphene, while they form cell islets characterized by dense axonal bundles on uncoated graphene. These findings indicate that graphene holds potential for nerve tissue regeneration and might pave the road to novel concepts of active nerve conduits.
Side population cells in Hodgkin lymphoma

SP cells were identified in two of four HL cell lines investigated, accounting for less than 0.5% of cells in the two positive lines [3]. When studying cell suspensions from six HL biopsies, SP cells were found in each of the lymphomas, again mostly at a frequency below 1%. The SP cells were enriched among CD30 þ CD3 þ CD19 7 CD20 7 cells, the expected phenotype of HRS cells in flow cytometry, considering that the seeming CD3 positivity most likely derived from T cells tightly sticking to HRS cells [6]. The authors confirmed increased transcript levels for MDR1 and ABCG2 in the two SP-positive HL cell lines L428 and HDLM2, and showed that SP cells are enriched in these cell lines when they are treated with the cytotoxic drug gemcitabine. The increased chemoresistance of SP cells was further supported by showing that sorted SP cells survived
Effect of Designed Nursing Care Protocol On Minimizing Post Hysterectomy Complications

Background, Hysterectomy is the most common gynecologic surgical procedure among reproductive aged women, complications with serious consequences may occur, Aim of this study, was to assess the effect of designed nursing care protocol to minimizing post hysterectomy complications, Design,A quasi experimental design was adopted in this study. Sample, a simple random sample of 120 post hysterectomy women were recruited for this study. Setting, A gynecological units at ElmanialUniversity Hospital Cairo University. Tools, data were collected by using three tools developed by the researcher: 1) structured interview schedule, 2) assessment sheet, and 3) follow up sheet. Results, the result of the studyreveled that, no significant difference was found between both groups in relation to Socio-demographic characteristics(X 2 = 1.56, P=0.81), Marital Status(X 2 = 0.90, P=0.64), and Residence (X2 =0.42, P=0.52). The result indicated a highly significantdifferencebetween the two group; under study in relation tothe length of hospital stay(T = 5.01, P=0.0001), postoperative body temperature(T =2.63, p=0.01), urinary tract infection(X 2 = 5.84, P=0.02), wound infection(X 2 = 4.54, P=0.03), and chest infection(X 2 = 4.39, P=0.04)after application of designed nursing care protocol during hospitalization after hysterectomy. Conclusion, this study concluded that a designed nursing care protocol was effective on minimizing post hysterectomy complications. Recommendations, further study are needed to design protocol of care before and after hysterectomy to prevent hysterectomy complications.Application ofa planned nursing care protocol for all post hysterectomy women at the hospital.
Extracellular, Extravascular Carbonic Anhydrase in Skeletal Muscle

Effros and Weissmanl and O'Brasky and Crandal12 have shown that in skeletal muscle an extraerythrocytic carbonic anhydrase (CA) acts upon the transfer of C02 from tissue to blood and vice versa. Similarly to what has been shown for the lung, this muscle CA appears to be functionally available in the capillary bed and can be expected to accelerate the uptake of COz by the b l ~ o d . ~ , ~ In order to determine the localization and some properties of this CA we have undertaken the following physiological and histochemical studies.
Comparative study between Monte-Carlo tools for space applications

Radiation analyses in the space industry rely more and more on Reverse Monte Carlo radiation transport calculation tools. These tools allow engineers to compute deposited dose and transmitted fluence in complex geometrical models, taking into account particle physical interactions with matter. Despite their widespread use, few studies exist that compare Monte Carlo tools or validate Monte Carlo Reverse results. Both Direct and Reverse Monte Carlo methods are available in FASTRAD, allowing to establish a comparison point between the well validated Forward algorithm and the Reverse one. A comparative study between FASTRAD® (Forward and Reverse), GEANT4 (Forward) and MCNPX was performed on volume detectors. In addition, results obtained with two Reverse Monte Carlo tools, FASTRAD and NOVICE, on point detectors were compared for realistic satellite models and space environment conditions.