Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Anatomical study of the trigeminal and facial cranial nerves with the aid of 3.0-tesla magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECT Neuroimages often reveal that the trigeminal or facial nerve comes in contact with vessels but does not produce symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) or hemifacial spasm (HFS). The authors conducted this study to determine how often the trigeminal and facial nerves came in contact with vessels in individuals not suffering from TN or HFS. They also investigated the correlation between aging and the anatomical measurements of the trigeminal and facial nerves. METHODS Between November 2005 and August 2006, 220 nerves in 110 individuals (60 women and 50 men; mean age 55.1 years, range 19-85 years) who had undergone brain magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for other reasons were studied. The lengths, angles, ratio, and contact points were measured in each individual. A correlation between each parameter and age was statistically analyzed. RESULTS The mean (+/- standard deviation) length of the trigeminal nerve was 9.66 +/- 1.71 mm, the mean distance between the bilateral trigeminal nerves was 31.97 +/- 1.82 mm, and the mean angle between the trigeminal nerve and the midline was 9.71 +/- 5.83 degrees . The trigeminal nerve was significantly longer in older patients. Of 220 trigeminal nerves, 108 (49.0%; 51 women and 57 men) came in contact with vasculature. There was 1 contact point in 99 nerves (45%) and 2 contact points in 9 nerves (4.1%). Contact without deviation of the nerve was seen in 91 individuals (43 women and 48 men), and mild deviation was noted in 17 individuals (8 women and 9 men). There was no moderate or severe deviation in any individual in this series. The mean length of the facial nerve was 29.78 +/- 2.31 mm, the mean distance between the bilateral facial nerves was 28.65 +/- 2.22 mm, the angle between the nerve and midline was 69.68 +/- 5.84 degrees , and the vertical ratio at the porus acusticus was 0.467 +/- 0.169. Of all facial nerves, 173 (78.6%; 101 in women and 72 in men) came in contact with some vasculature. Contact without deviation was seen on 64 sides (in 37 women and 27 men), mild deviation on 98 sides (in 57 women and 41 men), and moderate deviation on 11 sides (in 7 women and 4 men). There was no severe deviation of the facial nerve in this series. The proximal length of the facial nerve, interval, angle, and ratio against the age were significantly shorter or smaller in the older individuals. CONCLUSIONS The findings in asymptomatic individuals in this study will help in deciding which findings observed on MR images may cause symptoms. In addition, the authors describe the variations of normal anatomy in older individuals. Knowledge of the normal anatomy helps to hone the diagnostic practices for microvascular decompression, which may increase the feasible results on such surgery.
Significant ties: Identifying relationship lending in temporal interbank networks

Relationship lending is conventionally interpreted as a strong partnership between a lender and a borrower. Nevertheless, we still lack consensus regarding how to quantify a lending relationship while simple statistics such as the frequency and volume of loans have been frequently used. Here, we propose the concept of a significant tie to statistically evaluate the strength of a relationship. Application of the proposed method to the Italian interbank networks reveals that the percentage of relationship lending among all bilateral trades is consistently around 20%-30% and that their trading properties are distinct from those of transactional trades.
Stable expression of a neuronal dopaminergic progenitor phenotype in cell lines derived from human amniotic fluid cells

Cells from human amniotic fluid derived from the fetus are considered a source of multipotent cells. Their properties have not been fully exploited, partially because unlike other embryonic sources such as embryonic stem (ES) cells, cell lines from amniocentesis samples have not been generated. We have established and characterized the properties of eight individual cell lines. Flow cytometry using several cell surface markers showed that all cell lines generated consisted of homogeneous populations that lack HLAII antigenicity. Using a combination of immunocytochemistry, Western blotting, and RT‐PCR, we found weak expression of Oct4 and nestin and strong expression of tubulin‐βIII, MAP2, and tau. Specific markers for cholinergic, (nor)adrenergic, and GABAergic neurons or glia were weakly expressed or absent, whereas expression of factors implicated in early induction of dopaminergic neurons, TGF‐β3 and β‐catenin were present. Further analysis showed strong expression of EN‐1, c‐RET, PTX3, and NURR1 essential for induction and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, TH, AADC, and VMAT2 components of dopamine synthesis and secretion, and syntaxin1A and SNAP‐25 necessary for neurotransmitter exocytosis. This phenotype was retained throughout passages and up to the current passage 36. Expression of neuronal and dopaminergic markers in individual AF cell lines was comparable to expression in neurons induced from ES cells and in IMR‐32 and SH‐SY5Y neuroblastomas. Our data show that cell lines can be derived from subcultures of amniocentesis, and are primarily composed of a population of progenitors with a phenotype similar to that of committed mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Taxation and Economic Growth in a Resource-Rich Country: The Case of Nigeria

In this chapter, we examine the relationship between taxation and economic growth in a resource rich country, using Nigeria as a case study. We explore the linkages between availability of higher resource revenue and lower taxation effort of other revenue categories and the effects of these on growth. Ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique is employed in estimating the specified model. Also, descriptive analysis is carried out regarding tax trends and tax efforts in Nigeria to determine the effectiveness of existing tax structures, as well to as examine relevant national and cross-country data. Empirical results reveal that taxation has a significant impact on Real GDP growth rates. However, the proportion of tax contribution to the growth rate falls short of the optimal level in terms of the volume of economic activities and value of total output. Nigeria also lags other African countries with respect to tax effort and as such has a huge untapped potential for enhanced revenue mobilisation. We recommend therefore, that the Government should institute an appropriate tax system with an emphasis on broadening the tax base and in some cases, reviewing upwards the tax rates in order to increase the tax effort as well as ensure optimal contribution of taxation towards economic growth and development.
Effect of Veneering Techniques on Shear and Microtensile Bond Strengths of Zirconia-Based All-Ceramic Systems.

PURPOSE To evaluate shear (SBS) and microtensile (μTBS) bond strengths of zirconia cores veneered using different fabrication techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy-five IPS e.max ZirCAD plates were fabricated and divided into three groups according to the following veneering techniques: layering, pressing, and CAD-on. The specimens of the layering group were veneered with IPS e.max Ceram, and the specimens of the pressing group were veneered with IPS e.max Zir- Press. Veneering ceramics in the CAD-on group were milled from IPS e.max CAD, fused with the core by using a glass-fusion ceramic, and then crystallized. Bond strength tests were performed using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min for the SBS test and 1 mm/min for the μTBS test. Mean SBS and μTBS (MPa) were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test (p < 0.05). RESULTS Significant differences in SBS were observed between the groups (p < 0.05). The mean SBS for the CAD-on group was significantly higher (31.89 ± 5.83 MPa) than those of the layering (14.27 ± 4.45 MPa) and pressing (12.23 ± 3.04 MPa) groups. However, the mean μTBS of the CAD-on (30.41 ± 8.64 MPa), layering (21.71 ± 3.40 MPa) and pressing (20.74 ± 6.36 MPa) groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION The CAD-on technique showed the highest shear bond strengths of the tested groups, and most of the specimens failed cohesively instead of failing at the adhesive interface.
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION PATHWAYS LINKING THE ACTIVATION OF ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES WITH THE RECRUITMENT OF NEUTROPHILS TO LUNGS IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major and increasing global health problem. It is predicted by the World Health Organization to become the third most common cause of death and the fifth most common cause of disability in the world by 2020. COPD is a complex inflammatory disease involving several types of inflammatory cells and multiple inflammatory mediators. Although abnormal numbers of inflammatory cells such as macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes have been documented in COPD, the relationship between these cell types and the sequence of their appearance and persistence is largely unknown. Alveolar macrophages have been identified as one of the major cell types that plays a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory events associated with the pathophysiology of COPD. One of the major functions of macrophages is the secretion of chemotactic factors and this function is markedly increased on exposure to cigarette smoke (CS). This enhanced release of chemoattractants results in increased lung neutrophil infiltration, which is thought to be a key event in the development of COPD. The molecular basis for this amplified inflammatory response is not very clear, but it could be due to an alteration in signal transduction pathways within the macrophage. Based on existing literature, an attempt has been made to create a comprehensive review of the signal transduction pathways that link the activation of macrophages with the increased recruitment of neutrophils into the airways. Some of the major stimuli that activate macrophages and cause them to secrete chemotactic factors have been identified as CS, wood smoke, ozone, bacterial endotoxin, and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These stimuli seem to activate mainly redox-sensitive transcription factors such as nuclear factor (NF)-κ B and activator protein (AP)-1, both of which play a major role in the synthesis and secretion of chemotactic factors such as IL-8 and leukotriene B4 (LTB4). The pathways involved in the synthesis and secretion of other factors such as macrophage chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and growth-related oncogene-α (Gro-α) have also been reviewed.
Maternal cell-free viremia in the natural history of perinatal HIV-1 transmission: a meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis of the predictive value of maternal cell-free viral load in vertical HIV-1 transmission, including 9 cohorts with 1115 mother-infant pairs (696 untreated and 419 treated women). The pooled rate of transmission in untreated women was 21.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18.3%-24.5%). The rates of transmission for untreated women in the <1000 copies/ml, 1000 to 9999 copies/ml, and > or = 10,000 copies/ml categories were 5% (95% CI, 2%-11%), 15% (95% CI, 11%-20%) and 37% (95% CI, 29%-46% by random effects), respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in individual studies ranged from 0.67 to 1.00. The predictive performance of RNA differed between cohorts in which different percentages of transmitters had RNA values >10,000 copies/ml. When 95% of transmitters have RNA values >1000 copies/ml, 77% of nontransmitters would also have values above this cutoff. Transmission rates for treated women in the 1000 to 9999 copies/ml category (7%; 95% CI, 4%-11%,) and > or = 10,000 copies/ml category (18%; 95% CI, 12%-27%) were probably lower than those for untreated women, whereas the transmission rate for treated women with <1000 copies/ml was 5% (95% CI, 2%-11 %). Thus, the risk gradient between RNA categories seems attenuated in treated women. Several aspects of the design, analysis, and reporting of research in this area may be improved in the future with attention to selection and observer biases, multivariate adjustment, and technical consistency. Maternal HIV-1 RNA is a modest predictor of transmission for individual mothers, but a strong predictor of the average risk in groups of untreated mothers. Its discriminatory power is better in untreated than in treated populations and is better in cohorts with a high prevalence of elevated viral load values than in cohorts with generally low levels of viremia.
Relationships among some R plasmids found in Haemophilus influenzae

Tetracycline resistance in a strain of Haemophilus influenzae isolated in the United Kingdom was found to be determined by an apparently non-selftransmissible plasmid of 31 X 10(6) daltons (31 MDal), designated pUB701. Deoxyribonucleic acid hybridization studies indicated that pUB701 shares about 70% base sequence homology with the 30-MDal ampicillin resistance R plasmid RSF007 isolated in the United States from H. influenzae, and 64% sequence homology with the 38-MDal tetracycline and chloramphenicol resistance R plasmid pRI234, isolated in the Netherlands. Heteroduplex studies between RSF007 and pUB701 confirmed the fact that these plasmids were largely homologous, except that pUB701 contained the tetracycline resistance transposon TnD, whereas RSF007 contained the ampicillin resistance transposon TnA. A strain of H. parainfluenzae resistant to both chloramphenicol and tetracycline carried two species of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid of 2.7 and 0.75 MDal. We were unable to prove that either resistance was plasmid-borne in this strain. Hybridization studies with a [3H]thymine-labeled tetracycline resistance enteric plasmid suggested that the tetracycline transposon was integrated into the chromosome of H. parainfluenzae UB2832. We conclude either that the strains we studied received R factors of the same incompatibility group bearing different resistance genes, or that different resistance genes were translocated to a commom resident plasmid of H. influenzae.
Membrane hyperpolarization, cyclic nucleotide levels and relaxation in the guinea‐pig internal anal sphincter

1 Changes in membrane potential (measured with an intracellular microelectrode) and in cyclic nucleotide (adenosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate, cyclic AMP and guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate, cyclic GMP) levels (measured by radioimmunoassay) in response to inhibitory non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) field stimulation and drugs were investigated in the guinea‐pig internal anal sphincter (gpIAS) in the presence of phentolamine and atropine (each 10−6 m). 2 Inhibitory NANC nerve stimulation (single pulse, 5 pulses at 5, 10 and 20 Hz, 0.5 ms supramaximal voltage) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 10−7‐10−3 m) inhibited spike discharge, hyperpolarized the membrane and relaxed the sphincter. The effects of inhibitory nerve stimulation were blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX, 10−6m) and, with those of ATP, were blocked by apamin (5 χ 10−6m). 3 Isoprenaline (10−9‐10−4m), cromakalim (10−9‐10−5m), sodium nitroprusside (NaNP 10−5m), M&B 22948 (10−4m) and 8‐bromocyclic GMP (8‐Br‐cyclic GMP, 10−4m) also inhibited spike discharge, hyperpolarized the membrane and relaxed the sphincter. The effects of isoprenaline were blocked by propranolol (10−6m). However, forskolin (10−9‐10−7m), M&B 22948 (10−9‐10−5m) and lower concentrations of NaNP (10−9‐10−6m) relaxed the sphincter without affecting the membrane potential. 4 The characteristics of the membrane potential changes in response to different inhibitory stimuli in the gpIAS differed. Hyperpolarization produced by inhibitory NANC nerve stimulation and ATP were rapid in onset, of brief duration and of comparable amplitude. Isoprenaline and direct electrical stimulation also hyperpolarized the membrane and relaxed the muscle although the extent of the relaxation in these two cases was much less than that with nerve stimulation and ATP. In each case, the membrane potential change preceded relaxation and probably accounted for it. 5 Both inhibitory NANC nerve stimulation (80 pulses 8 Hz supramaximal voltage 0.5 ms) and ATP (10−4m) raised levels of cyclic GMP significantly and to a comparable degree and relaxed the sphincter. The effect of nerve stimulation was prevented by TTX (10−6m) but not by apamin (5 χ 10−6 m). Isoprenaline (10−4 m), cromakalim (10−5 m) and forskolin (10−5 m) were ineffective. 6 Inhibitory NANC nerve stimulation (80 pulses 8 Hz 0.5 ms supramaximal voltage) and ATP (10−4m) raised levels of cyclic AMP significantly to a comparable degree and relaxed the sphincter. The increase produced by nerve stimulation was abolished by TTX (10−6m) and apamin (5 × 10−6 m). Isoprenaline (10−4 m), cromakalim (10−5 m) and forskolin (10−5 m) raised levels of this nucleotide significantly.
Clinical spectrum of mediastinal cysts.

OBJECTIVES Congenital cysts of the mediastinum are an uncommon but important diagnostic group, representing 12 to 30% of all mediastinal masses. The purpose of this study was to review our institutional experience with congenital cysts of the mediastinum, emphasizing the clinical spectrum of the disease. DESIGN Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES University hospital unit of general thoracic surgery. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the records of 105 patients with cysts of the mediastinum (50 male and 55 female patients) who comprised 13.0% of mediastinal masses over the past 50 years. RESULTS There were 10 pediatric patients (< 15 years old) and 95 adult patients. The prevalence of cysts in the adult populations was higher than that in children (14.1% vs 7.7%, p < 0.05). There were 47 bronchogenic cysts, 30 thymic cysts, 12 pericardial cysts, 7 pleural cysts, 4 esophageal duplications, 2 meningoceles, 1 thoracic duct cyst, and 2 others. MRI has become a useful tool for providing supplemental data in combination with CT. Overall, 38 patients (36.2%) with mediastinal cysts were symptomatic, including 39.2% with bronchogenic/esophageal cysts, 40% with thymic cysts, and 15.8% with pericardial/pleural cysts. One hundred patients had complete resection of their masses, 3 patients with pericardial diverticulum received a thoracoscopic fenestration without mortality, and 2 patients refused surgery. CONCLUSION Early recognition of these relatively rare lesions would lead to immediate and appropriate surgical intervention. Early surgical intervention is also important because definitive histologic diagnosis can only be established by means of surgical extirpation.
Predictive Factors of Morbidity in Childhood Parapneumonic Effusion-associated Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study

Study Objective: To find the clinical and laboratory criteria that best predict a prolonged fever in children with parapneumonic effusion-associated pneumonia treated conservatively. Design: Retrospective, cohort study. Patients: Children admitted to the Shaare Zedek Medical Center between January 1, 1997, and December 31, 2006, and who had been discharged with a diagnosis of empyema and pleurisy. Measurements and Results: One hundred-twenty children were included, all of whom were treated with antibiotics; in 80 patients, a thoracic drain was introduced; in 23, pleural tap was performed; and in 17 patients, no special procedure was performed. In no case was video-assisted thoracic surgery performed. The mean total days of fever was 12.8 ± 5.9 (2–29 days), and the mean length of stay at the hospital was 11.5 ± 4.9 (3–25) days. In 44 patients (37%), a bacterial culture was positive either in blood or in pleural fluid or both. A positive blood or a positive pleural fluid culture was significantly associated with a prolonged fever as was a history of an underlying disease. Platelet counts, serum Na, serum protein, pleural lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pleural glucose, pleural/serum LDH ratio, pleural/serum glucose ratio, and pleural fluid pH were the only factors significantly but weakly correlated with the total duration of fever or duration of fever after admission. A “fever duration” score using platelet count, pleural fluid pH, pleural/serum LDH ratio, and pleural/serum glucose ratio predicted a prolonged course of fever (>7 days) with a sensitivity of 91% (95% confidence interval: 60%–100%) and a specificity of 47% (95% confidence interval: 25%–71%). Conclusions: In children with parapneumonic effusion-associated pneumonia, a positive bacterial culture and an underlying disease are associated with prolonged fever. A low score based on platelet count, pH pleural fluid and glucose, and LDH pleural/serum ratio is associated with a prolonged fever. We speculate that children with the risk factors mentioned earlier may be the best candidates for an early aggressive approach.
Plasma membrane surface potential (ψpm) as a determinant of ion bioavailability: A critical analysis of new and published toxicological studies and a simplified method for the computation of plant ψpm

Plasma membranes (PMs) are negatively charged, and this creates a negative PM surface electrical potential ψPM) that is also controlled by the ionic composition of the bathing medium. The ψPM controls the distribution of ions between the PM surface and the medium so that negative potentials increase the surface activity of cations and decrease the surface activity of anions. All cations reduce the negativity of ψPM, and these common ions are effective in the following order: Al3+ > H+ > Cu2+ > Ca2+ ≈ Mg2+ > Na+ ≈ K+. These ions, especially H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, are known to reduce the uptake and biotic effectiveness of cations and to have the opposite effects on anions. Toxicologists commonly interpret the interactions between toxic cations (commonly metals) and ameliorative cations (commonly H+, Ca2+, and Mg2+) as competitions for binding sites at a PM surface ligand. The ψPM is rarely considered in this biotic ligand model, which incorporates the free ion activity model. The thesis of this article is that ψPM effects are likely to be more important to bioavailability than site‐specific competition. Furthermore, ψPM effects could give the false appearance of competition even when it does not occur. The electrostatic approach can account for the bioavailability of anions, whereas the biotic ligand model cannot, and it can account for interactions among cations when competition does not occur. Finally, a simplified procedure is presented for the computation of ψPM for plants, and the possible use of ψPM in a general assessment of the bioavailability of ions is considered.