Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Selective Loss of Catecholaminergic Wake–Active Neurons in a Murine Sleep Apnea Model

The presence of refractory wake impairments in many individuals with severe sleep apnea led us to hypothesize that the hypoxia/reoxygenation events in sleep apnea permanently damage wake-active neurons. We now confirm that long-term exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation in adult mice results in irreversible wake impairments. Functionality and injury were next assessed in major wake-active neural groups. Hypoxia/reoxygenation exposure for 8 weeks resulted in vacuolization in the perikarya and dendrites and markedly impaired c-fos activation response to enforced wakefulness in both noradrenergic locus ceruleus and dopaminergic ventral periaqueductal gray wake neurons. In contrast, cholinergic, histaminergic, orexinergic, and serotonergic wake neurons appeared unperturbed. Six month exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation resulted in a 40% loss of catecholaminergic wake neurons. Having previously identified NADPH oxidase as a major contributor to wake impairments in hypoxia/reoxygenation, the role of NADPH oxidase in catecholaminergic vulnerability was next addressed. NADPH oxidase catalytic and cytosolic subunits were evident in catecholaminergic wake neurons, where hypoxia/reoxygenation resulted in translocation of p67phox to mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and membranes. Treatment with a NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, throughout hypoxia/reoxygenation exposures conferred protection of catecholaminergic neurons. Collectively, these data show that select wake neurons, specifically the two catecholaminergic groups, can be rendered persistently impaired after long-term exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation, modeling sleep apnea; wake impairments are irreversible; catecholaminergic neurons are lost; and neuronal NADPH oxidase contributes to this injury. It is anticipated that severe obstructive sleep apnea in humans destroys catecholaminergic wake neurons.
Tying in Universal Banks

This paper examines the tying of lending to investment banking business by universal banks. Tying may alleviate credit rationing by assuring the lender of an adequate share of the social surplus that its lending generates; however, tying raises the profitability of loans to troubled entrepreneurs, softening entrepreneurial budget constraints and reducing effort levels. When investment banking is uncompetitive, the former effect dominates, and there is too little tying; when investment banking is competitive, there is too much tying. We relate our results to the authority structure of the universal bank, which we argue is the appropriate focus for regulation. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
Investigation of surfactant-modified activated carbon for recycled water disinfection.

This study investigated the effectiveness of surfactant-loaded granular activated carbon (GAC) to deactivate total coliform, E. coli, and enterococci found in tertiary effluent under various experimental conditions, i.e. varying surfactant dose, GAC dose, and contact time. The results indicate that GAC loaded with 100 mg/g of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), achieved log reductions as high as 1.02 and 1.86 of total coliform, respectively. At varying GAC doses and contact times, 200 mg/g of DDAB dose achieved 99.9 to 100% reduction in total coliform at initial concentrations as high as 38,000 MPN/100 mL. Complete deactivation of E. coli and enterococci were observed for CTAB and DDAB at 200 mg/g dose for varying GAC doses and contact times used in this study. DDAB was more effective than CTAB at deactivating total coliform and E. coli, both Gram-negative bacteria, while both surfactants were shown to have similar disinfection capabilities against enterococci. Surfactant dose and GAC dose were shown to enhance bacteria deactivation; however, surfactant dose was found to be the most important parameter. For contact times evaluated in this research, bacterial deactivation remained the same or slightly decreased with contact time. In conclusion, surfactant-modified GAC can be used as an effective disinfection technique for recycled water.
The expression of the p85alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase is induced by activation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in human adipocytes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS Thiazolidinediones are new oral antidiabetic drugs that activate the nuclear receptor PPARgamma. Our aim was to identify potential target genes of PPARgamma in the human adipocyte in order to clarify how thiazolidinediones improve insulin sensitivity. METHODS The effect of BRL 49653 (Rosiglitazone) on the mRNA expression of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-1, p85alpha, p110alpha and p110beta subunits of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Glut 4 and hormone sensitive lipase was examined in isolated adipocytes. Target mRNA levels were determined by RT-competitive PCR. RESULTS The BRL 49653 (1 micromol/l) increased the mRNA concentrations of p85alphaPI-3 K (264 +/- 46 vs 161 +/- 31 amol/microg total RNA, p = 0.003) whithout affecting the expression of the other mRNAs of interest. This effect was dose-dependent (K0.5 = 5 nmol/l) and was reproduced by a specific activator of RXR, indicating that it was probably mediated by the PPARgamma/RXR heterodimer. The BRL 49653 also increased the amount of p85alphaPI-3K protein in adipose tissue explants (71 +/- 19%). In addition, BRL 49653 produced a more than twofold increase in insulin stimulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase activity and significantly enhanced the antilipolytic action of insulin. CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION This work demonstrates that the gene of p85alphaPI-3K is probably a target of PPARgamma and that thiazolidinediones can improve insulin action in normal human adipocytes. Although the precise mechanism of action of BRL 49653 on PI3-Kinase activity is not completely clear, these findings improve our understanding of the insulin-sensitizing effects of the thiazolidinediones, possible drugs for the treatment of Type II (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
DNA of Drosophila chromosomes.

A remarkable combination of molecular, chemical, and cytological techniques is being applied to understanding the structure and function of Drosophila chromo­ somes. This has resulted in resolutions to several long-standing questions of chromosome and DNA organization. Because of the intensive activity in this area, this review has become, in part, a discussion of current experimental results. Many people have generously communicated unpublished and in-press information that provides a focus for future experimental analysis of Drosophila chromosomes. The general direction of the review is from chromosomes of many different species of Drosophila to DNA of a few species and to DNA of chromomeres. It is my hope that the reader will be able to separate hypotheses from well­ established facts, and in so doing be able to generate more appropriate models and experimental ideas.
Correlation of Built-In Potential and I–V Crossover in Thin-Film Solar Cells

Thin-film solar cells often show a crossover between the illuminated and dark I-V characteristics. Several device specific reasons for crossover exist and have been discussed extensively. In this paper, we show that a low contact-to-contact built-in potential can produce a voltage-dependent photocurrent that leads to I-V crossover at a voltage that is almost exactly the device built-in potential. This mechanism can produce crossover in the absence of carrier trapping or recombination. It can be a contributing factor to crossover, but when an anomalously low contact-to-contact built-in potential exists, it can be the dominant factor. Using numerical simulations, we examine a variety of model solar cell structures with low contact-to-contact built-in potential and show a strong correlation of the crossover and built-in potential voltages. These simulations also suggest that a plot of the illuminated minus dark current may help identify when a low Vbi is limiting device performance.
Safety of inhaled corticosteroids in children

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are now first‐line therapy for persistent asthma in children. The major safety concerns of long‐term ICS therapy for childhood asthma are potential effects on adrenal function, growth, and bone mass. Dosage, type of inhaler device, and individual drug characteristics influence systemic effects of ICS. Sensitive measures of basal adrenal function can show statistically significant changes during ICS therapy, but these do not accurately predict clinically meaningful adrenal axis suppression. Adrenal insufficiency is rare and confined to children receiving high doses of ICS. Dose‐related inhibition of growth has been seen in some short‐ and intermediate‐term studies, but long‐term studies have found no detrimental effect on final height. ICS therapy has not been associated with significant changes in measurements of bone and bone biomarkers, but more studies of high doses and of therapy in adolescents are needed. Overall, although ICS are the most effective anti‐inflammatory treatment available for asthma, high doses of ICS in children are still of concern. The risk of high doses is compounded in children with concomitant allergic conditions that require multiple forms of topical corticosteroids. Benefits of ICS clearly outweigh potential adverse effects and risks associated with poorly controlled asthma. Risk can be minimized by using the lowest effective ICS dose, limiting systemic availability of the drug through proper technique to minimize swallowed drug, and selection of agents with efficient first‐path hepatic inactivation of swallowed drug. Adjuvant treatments can reduce the dose of ICS required for asthma control, allowing a reduction in overall systemic exposure for most children with mild‐to‐moderate persistent asthma. Therefore, these agents should be added to, but should not replace, ICS therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 33:208–220. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association Between Dinner-to-Bed Time and Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease

OBJECTIVE:It is generally recommended that patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) refrain from eating within 3 h of going to sleep. In addition to a remarkable lack of supporting clinical evidence, whether GERD patients have shorter dinner-to-bed time is unknown. This study was designed to determine a possible association between dinner-to-bed time and GERD, compared with healthy adults.METHODS:In a matched case-control study, we enrolled 147 GERD patients, and age- and sex-matched 294 controls without GERD symptoms such as heartburn and acid regurgitation during the previous year. Dinner-to-bed time, defined as the time intervals until going to bed after finishing eating dinner, was examined by a self-report questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for GERD.RESULTS:After adjustment for smoking habits, drinking habits, and body mass index, shorter dinner-to-bed time was significantly associated with an increased OR of GERD (p < 0.0001) and the OR for patients whose dinner-to-bed time was less than 3 h was 7.45 (95% CI 3.38–16.4) compared with patients whose dinner-to-bed time was 4 h or more. These observations were consistent in both patients with nonerosive GERD and erosive esophagitis, and there was no significant difference in dinner-to-bed time intervals between nonerosive GERD and erosive esophagitis.CONCLUSION:In this matched case-control study, shorter dinner-to-bed time was significantly associated with an increased OR for GERD.
Payoffs in Nondifferentiable Perfectly Competitive TU Economies

We prove that a single-valued solution of perfectly competitive TU economies underling nonatomic vector measure market games is uniquely determined as the Mertens (1988) value by four plausible value-related axioms. Since the Mertens value is always in the core of an economy, this result provides an axiomatization of the Mertens value as a core-selection. Previous works on this matter assumed the economies to be either differentiable (e.g., Dubey and Neyman (1984)) or of uniform finite type (e.g., Haimanko (2002). This work does not assume that, thus it contributes to the axiomatic study of payoffs in perfectly competitive economies in general.
Three‐year clinical outcomes after coronary stenting of chronic total occlusion using sirolimus‐eluting stents: Insights from the rapamycin‐eluting stent evaluated at rotterdam cardiology hospital—(RESEARCH) registry

Background: We previously reported that the 1‐year survival‐free from target lesion revascularization was 97.4% in patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) treated with sirolimus‐eluting stents (SES). There are currently no long‐term results of the efficacy of SES in this subset of lesions. We assessed the 3‐year clinical outcomes of 147 patients with CTO treated with either SES or bare metal stents (BMS). Methods and Results: A total of 147 (BMS = 71, SES = 76) patients were included. Four patients died in the BMS group while five patients died in the SES group, P = 0.8; two myocardial infarctions occurred in both groups, P = 0.9; and target vessel revascularization was performed in nine patients in the BMS and seven in the SES group, P = 0.5. The cumulative event‐free survival of MACE was 81.7% in BMS group and 84.2% in SES group, P = 0.7. Two patients of the SES group had a coronary aneurism at 3‐year angiographic follow‐up. Conclusions: The use of SES was no longer associated with significantly lower rates of target vessel revascularization and major adverse cardiac events in patients with CTOs after 3 years of follow‐up compared with BMSs. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of human adrenal vein 19-carbon steroids before and after ACTH stimulation.

CONTEXT A broad analysis of adrenal gland-derived 19-carbon (C19) steroids has not been reported. This is the first study that uses liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to quantify 9 C19 steroids (androgens and their precursors), estrone, and estradiol in the adrenal vein (AV) of women, before and after ACTH stimulation. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to define the adrenal androgen metabolome in women before and after ACTH infusion. DESIGN This was a retrospective study. PATIENTS Seven women, aged 50.4 ± 5.4 years, with suspected diagnosis of an adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma were included in the study. METHODS AV and iliac serum samples were collected before and after administration of ACTH (15 minutes). AV samples were analyzed using for concentrations of 9 unconjugated C19 steroids, estrone, and estradiol. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) was quantified by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS AV levels of DHEA-S were the highest among the steroids measured. The most abundant unconjugated C19 steroids in AV were 11β-hydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A4). ACTH significantly increased the adrenal output of 9 of the 12 steroids that were measured. ACTH increased the mean AV concentration of DHEA-S by 5-fold, DHEA by 21-fold, A4 by 7-fold, and 11OHA by 5-fold. 11β-Hydroxytestosterone and testosterone were found to be potent androgen receptor agonists when tested with an androgen-responsive cell reporter model. CONCLUSION The current study indicates that the adrenal gland secretes primarily 3 weak androgens, namely DHEA, 11OHA, and A4. Active androgens, including testosterone and 11β-hydroxytestosterone, are also produced but to a lesser degree.
LTT-MELISA is clinically relevant for detecting and monitoring metal sensitivity.

OBJECTIVES Chronic low-level metal exposure may result in metal sensitization and undesirable side-effects. The main sources of metal exposure are from the environment or from corrosion of dental metal alloys. Affected patients are routinely diagnosed with the epicutaneous (patch) test. However, such testing may induce false-positive (irritative) reactions and may in itself sensitize or exacerbate symptoms. Alternatively, MELISA (Memory Lymphocyte ImmunoStimulation Assay), an optimized lymphocyte transformation test (LTT), can be used. In this study we analyzed the overall frequency and distribution of metal sensitization among symptomatic, metal-exposed patients. In addition, we determined the reproducibility of the assay and assessed its clinical relevance for detecting and monitoring hypersensitivity to metals. METHODS To analyze the frequency and distribution of metal sensitization, blood from 700 consecutive patients was tested against a total of 26 metals in the validated LTT-MELISA. For reproducibility testing, 391 single metal tests from 63 patients were performed in parallel. Finally, to assess clinical relevance, 14 patients with known metal exposure showing local (dry mouth, Oral Lichen Planus, Burning Mouth Syndrome, eczema) and/or systemic (chronic infections, fatigue, autoimmune disorders, central nervous system disturbances, depression) effects were tested in LTT-MELISA. In 7 cases testing was repeated following removal of the allergy-causing metals or, in 2 additional cases, without therapeutic intervention. RESULTS Of the 700 patients tested, 74.6% responded to >/= 1 metal in LTT-MELISA, with a subgroup of 17.9% responding to >/= 3 metals. Reactivity was most frequent to nickel (68.2%), followed by cadmium (23.7%), gold (17.8%), palladium (12.7%), inorganic mercury (11.4%), molybdenum (10.8%), beryllium (9.7%), titanium dioxide (4.2%), lead (3.7%), and platinum (3.4%). Reproducibility was 94.9%, with most discordant results in a low-positive range. Removal of the alloys or prostheses containing allergenic metals resulted in remarkable clinical improvement correlating with a significant reduction or complete normalization of specific lymphocyte reactivity. In contrast, both LTT-MELISA reactivity and clinical symptoms remained unchanged in follow-up samples from the 2 patients who did not remove the source of metal exposure. CONCLUSION The optimized LTT-MELISA test is a clinically useful and reliable tool for identifying and monitoring metal sensitization in symptomatic metal-exposed individuals.
Efficacy of Some Combination Regimens of Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of selected oral hypoglycaemic agent (OHA) regimens in a small group of patients receiving such treatment. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study that involved patients who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and undergoing routine follow-up at a teaching hospital. By reviewing patients’ medical records, changes in fasting blood glucose (FPG) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels induced by several OHA cobmination regimens were documented. Target FPG and HbA1c were defined as 4.4 - 6.1 mmol/L and 6.5 %, respectively. Results: Based on the medical records of 156 patients reviewed, the combination of metformin and gliclazide was the most commonly prescribed regimen (63.46 %). The use of gliclazide + rosiglitazone + acarbose produced the greatest reduction in FPG and HbA1c (-4.80 mmol/L and -4.20 %, respectively), but the number of patients receiving this combination was too small to allow definitive conclusions to be made. More patients in the triple OHA group were able to achieve the desired glycaemic control than those in the dual OHA group (FPG, 44.44 % versus 41.18 %; HbA1c, 52.94 % versus 47.06 %), highlighting the important benefits conferred by the use of multiple OHAs. Conclusion: The efficacy of various OHA combinations varies, and adding a third drug to a dual-agent regimen further reduces FPG and HbA1c levels. Though gliclazide + rosiglitazone + acarbose produces the greatest reduction in FPG and HbA1c levels, larger studies are required to confirm these findings. Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Oral Hypoglycaemic Agents, Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c), Combination Therapy, Gliclazide, Rosiglitazone, Acarbose
Sağlık Çalışanlarının Hasta Mahremiyeti Konusundaki Tutumlarının İncelenmesi

Bu calismada saglik calisanlarinin hasta mahremiyeti konusundaki tutumlarinin incelenmesi amaclanmistir. Calisma tanimlayici nitelikte olup 2015 yilinda Konya il merkezinde faaliyet gosteren 15 farkli hastanede gorev yapan, 471 saglik personeli uzerinde, yuz yuze anket teknigi kullanilarak gerceklestirilmistir. Arastirmada verilerin toplanmasi amaciyla arastirmacilar tarafindan gelistirilen “Hasta Mahremiyeti Tutum Envanteri” kullanilmistir. Envanterde poliklinikler, doktor odalari, goruntuleme odalari, yatakli servisler, yogun bakim uniteleri, diyaliz uniteleri, acil servisler, personel egilimleri, hasta bilgileri ve hastane genel kullanim alanlarinda mahremiyet basliklari altinda 51 soru yer almaktadir. Arastirma verileri SPSS programinda degerlendirilmistir. Veriler uzerinde tanimlayici istatistikler, bagimsiz gruplar arasi t testi ve tek yonlu varyans analizi testi kullanilmistir. Arastirma sonucunda saglik calisanlarinin genel olarak hasta mahremiyetine yonelik tutumlarinin olumlu yonde oldugu gorulmustur. Bununla birlikte saglik calisanlarinin hasta mahremiyetine yonelik tutumlarinin calisilan kurum, calisilan bolum, egitim alma durumu ve calisma suresi acisindan anlamli farkliliklar gosterdigi saptanmistir.
The Young and the Stressed: Stress, Impulse Control, and Health in College Students

Abstract High levels of stress are common among young adults, particularly those enrolled in college. These degrees of stress have shown numerous deleterious effects across both academic and health variables. Findings regarding the role of stress in the presentation of impulse control disorders, particular among college students, are limited. This study examined potential associations between perceived stress, academic achievement, physical/mental health, and impulse control disorders in young adults. A total of 1805 students completed an online survey and were included in the analysis. Responders were grouped by their overall score on the Perceived Stress Scale into mild, moderate, or severe. Severe perceived stress was associated with worse academic achievement and worse physical health, as well as higher rates of psychiatric and impulsive disorders. These findings may suggest associations between stress and numerous aspects of mental/physical health in young adults, which could be an important consideration for individuals working with college students.
Efficacy of penguin cap as scalp cooling system for prevention of alopecia in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

AIMS The present study examines the efficacy of a scalp cooling system to prevent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in people with cancer. BACKGROUND Alopecia has been established as the most distressing aspect of chemotherapy to such an extent that some patients even refrain from cytotoxic treatment. METHODS Using a quasi-experimental approach in 2007, a total number of 63 patients aged 16-59 years (mean 35 ± 5·5 years) participated in the study and were treated with an intravenous regimen of chemotherapy drug. Thirty-one patients accepting the scalp-cooling system were compared for alopecia with 32 participants who refused it. Hair loss in the participants was evaluated by nurses using World Health Organization criteria at each cycle of chemotherapy. RESULTS Using chi-square test differences between the two groups were statistically significant at cycles 2-6 (P < 0·05). Twenty-four participants (77·4%) of the study group were assessed as first and second grade of alopecia in the second cycle, whereas seven participants (22·6%) of this group exhibited third and fourth grade of alopecia. However, in the control group at the same cycle, 19 participants (61·3%) were assessed with third and fourth grade of alopecia. In the Sixth cycle 15 participants (50%) of the study group and 24 participants (75%) of the control group demonstrated third and fourth grade alopecia. CONCLUSION A penguin cap can be an effective method to avoid alopecia in patients receiving chemotherapy drugs. However, it is important to bear in mind that because of individual characteristics, liver function and drug regimens it is not successful in all cases.