Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Clinical Scoring System to Define Pneumonia following Esophagectomy for Cancer

Background: Pneumonia is a frequently observed complication following esophagectomy. The lack of a uniform definition of pneumonia leads to large variations of pneumonia rates in literature. This study was designed to develop a scoring system for diagnosing pneumonia following esophagectomy at the hospital ward. Methods: In a prospective cohort study of esophagectomy patients, known risk factors for pneumonia, temperature, leukocyte count, pulmonary radiography and sputum culture added were evaluated. Primary outcome was defined as the decision to treat suspected pneumonia. Multivariate Cox regression analysis with backward selection was used to identify predictors of pneumonia treatment. Results: The majority of postoperative pneumonia treatments (88.2%) occurred at the hospital ward, where treatment was observed in 67 (36.2%) of 185 patients. Independent diagnostic determinants for pneumonia treatment were temperature (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.283, p = 0.073), leukocyte count (HR = 1.040, p = 0.078) and pulmonary radiography (HR >11.0, p = 0.000). Sputum culture did not influence the decision to treat pneumonia. These findings were used to develop a scoring system which includes temperature, leukocyte count and pulmonary radiography. Conclusion: The decision to treat pneumonia is based on temperature, leukocyte count and pulmonary radiography findings. The proposed clinical scoring system for pneumonia following esophagectomy at the hospital ward has the potential to aid clinical practice and improve comparability of future research in esophageal cancer surgery.
The predictive value of body protein for chemotherapy‐induced toxicity

The use of body surface area in determining chemotherapy dosing, particularly in the obese, remains controversial. Total body nitrogen (TBN) measurement in patients with serious illness has been suggested to be an accurate predictor of clinical course. The ability of TBN to predict chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia was examined in the current study.
Direct Inhibitory Mechanisms of Halothane on Human Platelet Aggregation

Background Although halothane directly inhibits platelet aggregation, the mechanisms of this effect are still unknown. The current study aimed to clarify the inhibitory mechanisms of halothane on thrombin-induced human platelet aggregation by measuring (1) platelet-surface glycoprotein Ib expression, (2) the concentration of intracellular free Calcium2+ ([Calcium2+]i) measured simultaneously with aggregation, (3) the concentration of intracellular inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate, and (4) the concentration of intracellular cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate ([cAMP]i). Methods Washed platelet suspensions, obtained from healthy volunteers, were preincubated with halothane (0-2 mM) for 2 min and then exposed to 0.02 units/ml thrombin for 3 min. The glycoprotein Ib bound to fluorescein-labeled antibody was measured by fluorescence flow cytometry. [Calcium2+]i was measured, simultaneously with aggregation, in Fura-2 (Calcium2+ indicator)-loaded platelets by use of a fluorometer. Inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and [cAMP]i were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results Halothane had no effect on glycoprotein Ib expression with or without thrombin. Halothane decreased the thrombin stimulated [Calcium sup 2+]i transient and inhibited platelet aggregation in a dose-dependent manner, both in the presence and in the absence of external Calcium2+. Isoflurane had no apparent effect on either platelet aggregation or [Calcium2+]i in the absence of external Calcium sup 2+. Halothane inhibited the increase in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate induced by thrombin. Halothane moderately but significantly increased [cAMP]i, but the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (which has the same inhibitory ability on aggregation as halothane) increased [cAMP]i to a much greater extent than did halothane. Conclusions Halothane inhibits thrombin-induced human platelet aggregation by decreasing [Calcium2+]i without inhibiting agonist-receptor binding; the inhibitory effect of halothane on [Calcium sup 2+]i might be mediated by a decrease in inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate and in part by an increase in [cAMP]i.
Manganese superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase as prognostic markers in patients with buccal mucosal squamous cell carcinomas

We investigated the relationship of the immunohistochemical expression status of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in buccal mucosal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis.
Interaction between domains of a plant NBS–LRR protein in disease resistance‐related cell death

Many plant disease resistance (R) genes encode proteins predicted to have an N‐terminal coiled‐coil (CC) domain, a central nucleotide‐binding site (NBS) domain and a C‐terminal leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) domain. These CC–NBS–LRR proteins recognize specific pathogen‐derived products and initiate a resistance response that often includes a type of cell death known as the hypersensitive response (HR). Co‐expression of the potato CC–NBS–LRR protein Rx and its elicitor, the PVX coat protein (CP), results in a rapid HR. Surprisingly, co‐expression of the LRR and CC–NBS as separate domains also resulted in a CP‐dependent HR. Likewise, the CC domain complemented a version of Rx lacking this domain (NBS–LRR). Correspondingly, the LRR domain interacted physically in planta with the CC–NBS, as did CC with NBS–LRR. Both interactions were disrupted in the presence of CP. However, the interaction between CC and NBS–LRR was dependent on a wild‐type P‐loop motif, whereas the interaction between CC–NBS and LRR was not. We propose that activation of Rx entails sequential disruption of at least two intramolecular interactions.
The role of age of acquisition and language usage in early, high‐proficient bilinguals: An fMRI study during verbal fluency

We assessed the effects of age of acquisition and language exposure on the cerebral correlates of lexical retrieval in high‐proficient, early‐acquisition bilinguals. Functional MRI was used to study Spanish–Catalan bilinguals who acquired either Spanish or Catalan as a first language in the first years of life. Subjects were exposed to the second language at 3 years of age, and have used both languages in daily life since then. Subjects had a comparable level of proficiency in the comprehension of both languages. Lexical retrieval with the verbal fluency task resulted in the well‐established pattern of left hemispheric activation centered on the inferior frontal region. The effect of age of acquisition was assessed by dividing the subjects into two groups, on the basis of the language acquired first (Catalan‐born or Spanish‐born bilinguals). Functional comparisons indicated that less extensive brain activation was associated with lexical retrieval in the language acquired earlier in life. The two groups were also different in language usage/exposure, as assessed with a specific questionnaire; in particular, the exposure to the second language (Spanish) was less intensive in the case of Catalans. This was reflected in a significant interaction, indicating a more extensive activation in Catalans during production in Spanish. Overall, these results indicate that, during a production task, both age of acquisition and language exposure affect the pattern of brain activation in bilinguals, even if both languages are acquired early and with a comparable level of proficiency. Hum. Brain Mapping 19:170–182, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced Inhibition of Transcription Start by Targeting with 2′‐OMe Pentaribonucleotides Comprising Locked Nucleic Acids and Intercalating Nucleic Acids

Inhibition of gene expression has been achieved by targeting the open complex formed during transcription initiation with short, pentameric, modified oligonucleotides. This approach is an alternative to double-stranded (ds) DNA targeting by using triplex-forming oligonucleotides, in which longer probes (>10 nucleotides) are required for high-affinity binding and specificity. A local opening of the dsDNA by RNA polymerase at the start of transcription is the key to the sequence-selective
Morphometric parameters of the superior colliculus of albino and pigmented rats

The superior colliculus (SC) or optic tectum of mammals consists of seven layers, numbered I‐VII from superficial to deep, each of which has distinct connectivity patterns and electrophysiological response properties. The present study is devoted to a morphometrical analysis of neuronal diameters, densities, and numbers in different layers and regions of the SC of albino as well as pigmented rats in order to present a quantitative characterization of the collicular neuronal population involved in the different connectivities and functions of these compartments. The morphometric parameters were calculated from tracings of nuclei and cell bodies by means of Kontron‐Videoplan equipment and a Micro PDP 11/23 computer. The mean soma diameter per superior colliculus appears to be 12.0 μm, the average neuronal density 70 cells per 0.001 mm3, and the total number of neurons about 600,000. The mean soma diameter gradually increases from superficial to deep layers (i.e., from 10.0 to 14.0 μm). Cellular density is highest in layer III, the retinal afferent layer (90 cells per 0.001 mm3), and decreases both in more superficial layers (to about 80 in layer I) and deeper layers (to about 44 in layer VII). About 25% of all collicular neurons are situated in layer II whereas layer I contains the lowest percentage of cells (4%). Rostrally within each collicular layer, cellular volumes are about 25% larger than caudally. On the other hand, neuronal densities are rostrally about 38% lower than caudally in all layers except for layers VI and VII. We conclude that collicular neurons, in contrast to collicular axons, are not arranged in distinct layers or clusters but basically establish a random network with only gradual transitions. In this respect, no statistically significant differences were observed between albino and pigmented rats.
Coxsackievirus can persist in murine pancreas by deletion of 5′ terminal genomic sequences

Enterovirus infections are generally acute and rapidly cleared by the host immune response. Enteroviruses can at times persist in immunologically intact individuals after the rise of the type‐specific neutralizing immune response. The mechanism of enterovirus persistence was shown in group B coxsackieviruses (CVB) to be due to naturally‐occurring deletions at the 5′ terminus of the genome which variably impact the stem‐loop secondary structure called domain I. These deletions result in much slower viral replication and a loss of measurable cytopathic effect when such 5′ terminally deleted (TD) viruses are assayed in cell culture. The existence and persistence of CVB‐TD long after the acute phase of infection has been documented in hearts of experimentally inoculated mice and naturally infected humans but to date, the existence of TD enteroviral populations have not been documented in any other organ. Enteroviral infections have been shown to impact type 1 diabetes (T1D) onset in humans as well as in the non‐obese diabetic mouse model of T1D. The first step to studying the potential impact of CVB‐TD on T1D etiology is to determine whether CVB‐TD populations can arise in the pancreas. After inoculation of NOD diabetic mice with CVB, viral RNA persists in the absence of cytopathic virus in pancreas weeks past the acute infectious period. Analysis of viral genomic 5′ termini by RT‐PCR showed CVB‐TD populations displace the parental population during persistent replication in murine pancreata. J. Med. Virol. 87:240–247, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship of childhood obesity to coronary heart disease risk factors in adulthood: the Bogalusa Heart Study.

BACKGROUND Childhood obesity is related to adult levels of lipids, lipoproteins, blood pressure, and insulin and to morbidity from coronary heart disease (CHD). However, the importance of the age at which obesity develops in these associations remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN We assessed the longitudinal relationship of childhood body mass index (BMI, kg/m(2)) to adult levels of lipids, insulin, and blood pressure among 2617 participants. All participants were initially examined at ages 2 to 17 years and were reexamined at ages 18 to 37 years; the mean follow-up was 17 years. RESULTS Of the overweight children (BMI >/=95th percentile), 77% remained obese (>/=30 kg/m(2)) as adults. Childhood overweight was related to adverse risk factor levels among adults, but associations were weak (r ~ 0.1-0.3) and were attributable to the strong persistence of weight status between childhood and adulthood. Although obese adults had adverse levels of lipids, insulin, and blood pressure, levels of these risk factors did not vary with childhood weight status or with the age (</=8 years, 12-17 years, or >/=18 years) of obesity onset. CONCLUSIONS Additional data are needed to assess the independent relationship of childhood weight status to CHD morbidity. Because normal-weight children who become obese adults have adverse risk factor levels and probably will be at increased risk for adult morbidity, our results emphasize the need for both primary and secondary prevention.
The effects of scapular mobilization in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of scapular mobilization on function, pain, range of motion, and satisfaction in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS). DESIGN Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING University hospital clinics in Turkey. PARTICIPANTS 66 participants (mean ± SD age 52.06 ± 3.71 y) with SAIS. INTERVENTIONS Participants were randomized into 3 groups: scapular mobilization, sham scapular mobilization, and supervised exercise. Before the interventions transcutaneous electrical stimulation and hot pack were applied to all groups. Total intervention duration for all groups was 3 wk with a total of 9 treatment sessions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Shoulder function and pain intensity were primary outcome measures; range of motion and participant satisfaction were secondary outcome measures. Shoulder function was assessed with the short form of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH). A visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain severity. Active range of motion was measured with a universal goniometer. A 7-point Likert scale was used to evaluate satisfaction. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline, before visits 5 and 10, 4 wk after visit 9, and 8 wk after visit 9. RESULTS There was no group difference for DASH score (P = .75), pain at rest (P = .41), pain with activity (P = .45), pain at night (P = .74), and shoulder flexion (P = .65), external rotation (P = .63), and internal rotation (P = .19). There was a significant increase in shoulder motion and function and a significant decrease in pain across time when all groups were combined (P < .001). The level of satisfaction was not significantly different for any of the questions about participant satisfaction between all groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION There was not a significant advantage of scapular mobilization for shoulder function, pain, range of motion, and satisfaction compared with sham or supervised-exercise groups in patients with SAIS.
Polarized Expression of Ca2+ Pumps in Pancreatic and Salivary Gland Cells

The present study was aimed at localization of plasma membrane (PMCA) and intracellular (SERCA) Ca2+pumps and characterizing their role in initiation and propagation of Ca2+ waves. Specific and polarized expression of Ca2+ pumps was observed in all epithelial cells examined. Immunolocalization revealed expression of PMCA in both the basolateral and luminal membranes of all cell types. SERCA2a appeared to be expressed in the luminal pole, whereas SERCA2b was expressed in the basal pole and the nuclear envelope of pancreatic acini. Interestingly, SERCA2b was found in the luminal pole of submandibular salivary gland acinar and duct cells. These cells expressed SERCA3 in the basal pole. To examine the significance of the polarized expression of SERCA and perhaps PMCA pumps in secretory cells, we compared the effect of inhibition of SERCA pumps with thapsigargine and partial Ca2+ release with ionomycin on Ca2+ release evoked by agonists and Ca2+ uptake induced by antagonists. Despite their polarized expression, Ca2+ uptake by SERCA pumps and Ca2+ efflux by PMCA resulted in uniform reduction in [Ca2+] i . Surprisingly, inhibition of the SERCA pumps, but not Ca2+ release by ionomycin, eliminated the distinct initiation sites and propagated Ca2+ waves, leading to a uniform increase in [Ca2+] i . In addition, inhibition of SERCA pumps reduced the rate of Ca2+ release from internal stores. The implication of these findings to rates of Ca2+ diffusion in the cytosol, compartmentalization of Ca2+ signaling complexes, and mechanism of Ca2+ wave propagation are discussed.
Project IMPACT: Results from a Pilot Validity Study of a New Observational Database

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the information contained in the Project IMPACT database. Project IMPACT is a comprehensive database system developed to measure and describe the care of intensive care patients. This database is being used by a large group of hospitals to help clinicians improve the care of these patients. Data on patient demographics, diagnoses, treatment, and outcomes are entered into the Project IMPACT database by staff at participating hospitals. This pilot study was a first step in assessing the accuracy of these data to determine the usefulness of the Project IMPACT database for measuring intensive care unit (ICU) performance and patient outcomes. DesignThe design of the pilot study was the independent abstraction of selected data items from a random sample of ICU patient records from two hospitals participating in Project IMPACT. The abstracted data were compared with the data existing in the Project IMPACT database for agreement. SettingAbstraction was performed onsite at the two pilot hospitals by a trained abstractor who was not affiliated with either hospital. PatientsPatients whose records were abstracted included 45 randomly selected ICU patients at each of the two pilot hospitals. Measurements and Main ResultsComparison of the Project IMPACT data with the independently abstracted data indicated good agreement (80% or above) on discrete items, such as type of ICU patient. Poorer agreement (under 80%) was seen for continuous items (e.g., 24-hr urine output) and coded items requiring judgment (e.g., reason for ICU admission). ConclusionsThe pilot study showed good internal validity for most of the abstracted variables. High agreement rates were observed, regardless of method of original data capture (electronic download or manual entry), although agreement was higher for some data items that had been electronically downloaded into the Project IMPACT database. The results suggest that Project IMPACT is a valuable resource for ICUs to collect and evaluate information about treatment and patient outcomes.
THE OTHER IN THE SELF SEEING THE OTHER IN THE SELF : THE IMPACT OF BARACK OBAMA AND CULTURAL SOCIALIZATION ON PERCEPTIONS OF SELF-OTHER OVERLAP AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS

589 © 2016 Guilford Publications, Inc. For valuable assistance with data collection, we thank Dawn Espy. We also extend thanks to Alice Isen, Nicole Shelton, and Barbara Fredrickson for helpful comments on previous versions of this article. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Anthony Ong, Department of Human Development, G77 Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-4401; E-mail: anthony.ong@cornell.edu ONG ET AL.
Thermocouple attachment using epoxy in electronic system thermal measurements — A numerical experiment

Thermocouples have been widely used in electronics thermal measurement. Although there are many ways to attach a thermocouple to an electronic component, epoxy especially rapid bonding epoxy material has been the favorable choice due to its convenience of use. However there remains lack of comprehensive understanding of the accuracy of the measurement results and what should be done to minimize the error introduced by the thermocouple and epoxy. In this study two parameters were introduced to describe the causes of error in thermocouple measurement using epoxy. A total of eight variables that may occur in the epoxy attachment were investigated based upon a numerical experiment setup, which consisted of a detailed replication of an actual thermocouple and a typical electronic component thermal model. Different combinations along with their measurement errors were provided for side by side comparison. The measurement error could be as high as 25 ∼ 40% in some cases and even for the best case scenario it was still above 4% in this study. The quick-dry epoxy is practically good enough for most electronic thermal measurements, but attentions must be paid to control several variables that can be commonly neglected in order to assure results are acceptable. The findings from this study can be applied by thermal engineers to achieve the best practice during thermal design and measurement.
Polymorphisms in DNA repair genes, traffic‐related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and breast cancer incidence

Vehicular traffic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been associated with breast cancer incidence in epidemiologic studies, including our own. Because PAHs damage DNA by forming adducts and oxidative lesions, genetic polymorphisms that alter DNA repair capacity may modify associations between PAH‐related exposures and breast cancer risk. Our goal was to examine the association between vehicular traffic exposure and breast cancer incidence within strata of a panel of nine biologically plausible nucleotide excision repair (NER) and base excision repair (BER) genotypes. Residential histories of 1,508 cases and 1,556 controls were assessed in the Long Island Breast Cancer Study Project between 1996 and 1997 and used to reconstruct residential traffic exposures to benzo[a]pyrene, as a proxy for traffic‐related PAHs. Likelihood ratio tests from adjusted unconditional logistic regression models were used to assess multiplicative interactions. A gene‐traffic interaction was evident (p = 0.04) for ERCC2 (Lys751); when comparing the upper and lower tertiles of 1995 traffic exposure estimates, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) was 2.09 (1.13, 3.90) among women with homozygous variant alleles. Corresponding odds ratios for 1960–1990 traffic were also elevated nearly 2–3‐fold for XRCC1(Arg194Trp), XRCC1(Arg399Gln) and OGG1(Ser326Cys), but formal multiplicative interaction was not evident. When DNA repair variants for ERCC2, XRCC1 and OGG1 were combined, among women with 4–6 variants, the odds ratios were 2.32 (1.22, 4.49) for 1995 traffic and 2.96 (1.06, 8.21) for 1960–1990 traffic. Our study is first to report positive associations between traffic‐related PAH exposure and breast cancer incidence among women with select biologically plausible DNA repair genotypes.