Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of deep venous reflux in patients with primary superficial vein incompetence.

PURPOSE This prospective study was designed to determine the prevalence of deep reflux and the conditions under which it may occur in patients with primary superficial venous reflux and absence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). METHODS We studied 152 limbs in 120 consecutive patients in the standing position who had superficial venous reflux with color flow duplex scanning. Limbs with documented evidence of DVT or post-thrombotic vein wall changes during the examination were studied but not included in the analysis. Limbs were divided into those that had at least reflux in the saphenofemoral, the saphenopopliteal, or the gastropopliteal junction and into those with nonjunctional reflux in the superficial and gastrocnemial veins. Peak velocity and duration of reflux were measured. To examine the recirculation theory, we tested the deep veins by occluding and refluxing saphenous veins 10 cm below the sampling site. RESULTS Thirteen limbs in 11 patients (9%) were excluded because of previous DVT. Of the remaining 139 limbs, 106 (76%) had junctional reflux. Saphenofemoral junction was involved in 89 limbs (84%), saphenopopliteal junction in 18 (17%), and gastropopliteal junction in 7 (4%). In 33 limbs (24%), reflux was detected in the main trunk or tributaries of the saphenous veins alone with no junctional incompetence. Femoral or popliteal reflux was present in 31 limbs (22%). This reflux was segmental in 27 limbs, and it was limited in the junction in 24 limbs. The mean duration of deep venous reflux was 0.9 seconds, it ranged from 0.6 to 3.7 seconds, and it was significantly shorter than that in the superficial veins (2.6 seconds; P <.0001). In the absence of junctional reflux, the prevalence of deep venous insufficiency (DVI) was significantly lower compared with that in limbs with junctional involvement (2 of 33 vs 29 of 106; P =.038). The mean duration of deep venous reflux in these groups was comparable (0.85 seconds vs 0. 91 seconds; P =.44). Occlusion of the incompetent superficial veins reduced somewhat the duration of the deep venous reflux but did not abolish it (0.88 seconds vs 0.82 seconds; P =.072). The presence of DVI was associated with junctional reflux of high peak velocity and long duration. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of DVI in patients with primary superficial venous reflux and without history of DVT is 22%. However, this reflux is segmental, mainly in the common femoral vein, and is of short duration. It is associated with the presence of junctional incompetence that has a high peak velocity and long duration. These findings may explain why surgical correction of superficial reflux abolishes DVI.
Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate induces proliferation and morphological changes of neural progenitor cells

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that exerts multiple cellular functions through activation of G‐protein‐coupled receptors. Although the role of S1P on angiogenesis is well established, its role in neurogenesis is unknown. We examined the effects of S1P on G‐protein activation in brain sections of rat embryo and on neural progenitor cells in culture. Intense S1P‐stimulated [35S]GTPγS labeling was observed as early as E15 in the neuroepithelium and differentiating fields throughout the brain, suggesting that functional S1P receptors are expressed in brain areas with active neurogenesis. mRNA transcripts for several S1P receptor subtypes (S1P1, S1P2, S1P3 and S1P5) were expressed in neural progenitor cells prepared from embryonic rat hippocampus. S1P induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and proliferation of neural progenitor cells as determined by BrdU incorporation in a pertussis toxin‐sensitive manner. These effects were prevented by the ERK signaling inhibitor U0126. S1P augmented telomerase activity in neural progenitor cells with similar potency as that of FGF‐2. Furthermore, S1P induced cell‐cell aggregation. This morphological change was transient and prevented by Y‐27632, an inhibitor of Rho‐associated kinase. These results suggest that S1P plays a pleiotropic role in neurogenesis via pathways involving S1P receptors, MAP kinases and Rho kinase.
Completely Exhausted: Evaluating the Impact of Woodford v. Ngo on Prisoner Litigation in Federal Courts

INTRODUCTION . 1512 I. WOODFORD V. NGO: A PRIMER . 1513 A. The Administrative Law Exhaustion Doctrine . 1513 B. The PLRA: The End of Prisoner Litigation in Federal Court? 1514 C. Woodford v. Ngo: Parsing the Opinion . 1517 D. Post-Woodford Developments . 1521 II. “PROPER” EXHAUSTION AND PRISONER LITIGATION: WHAT RESULT? 1521 A. Methodology . 1522 B. Summary: Key Findings . 1528 III. ANALYZING TRENDS: WOODFORD’S FAILURE TO BLOCK PRISONERS’ UNEXHAUSTED CIVIL CLAIMS FROM ENTERING FEDERAL COURT . 1529 A. Explaining the Outliers . 1529 B. Outliers vs. The Median. 1533 C. Knowledge Gaps: Setting Prisoners up to Fail . 1534 D. Longer Sentences, More Time to File . 1536
Management of Chronic Noncancer Pain in the Primary Care Setting

While opioids are regarded as the mainstay of chronic pain management, their use is controversial in the minds of many primary care physicians due to clinical concerns about dependence, abuse, and addiction and medicolegal concerns regarding state and federal regulatory authorities. For patients with moderate to moderately severe pain, the treatment of choice is a long-acting opioid or opioid combination drug product to provide sustained analgesia along with improvements in sleep quality, compliance, and possibly quality of life. Careful screening of patients being considered for long-term opioid therapy with validated questionnaires can identify patients who may have difficulties in managing opioids. These patients should not be denied access to opioid therapy, but they do require focused monitoring and case management. Ongoing monitoring should focus on the 4 A’s (ie, analgesia, activities of daily living, adverse effects, and aberrant drug-related behaviors), and all aspects of patient care must be thoroughly documented.
Do Actions Speak Louder than Words? An Exploratory Study on CSR

This research investigates various firm motives for practicing corporate social responsibility (CSR). More precisely, it examines whether a firm's primary motive for undertaking CSR is related to the type of actions performed. Such exploratory research is overdue following more than 40 years of scholarly contention on the financial rewards of doing (and looking) good. By uncovering and measuring specific aspects of CSR, I offer an initial understanding of interactions within firm CSR operations. Theory on types of CSR have surfaced, yet empirical studies are few. In this research, I address this disparity by using original quantitative measures of both motive and type. The outcomes of this investigation challenge certain extant notions of CSR, while introducing a measure of objectivity in some long&#8208;standing debates among scholars and corporate stakeholders.
Experimental antibacterial and mineralizing calcium phosphate-based treatment for dentin surfaces

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of experimental calcium phosphate-based solutions (sCaP) containing fluoride (F), with and without zinc (Zn) ions on reducing susceptibility to acid dissolution and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) colonization of dentin surfaces. Methods: Dentin sections were treated with double distilled water (control) and with sCaP solutions differing in pH and in F− and/or Zn2+ ion concentrations. Solutions A (pH 7); B, C, and D (pH 5.5); solution C, twice Zn2+ and F− ion concentration compared to B; solution D is similar to C but without Zn2+. The dentin surfaces were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution was determined in acidic buffer. Bacterial (S. mutans) attachment and growth were evaluated using SEM and Bioquant. Statistical analyses applied analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple Range test. Results: Compared to control, dentin surfaces treated with sCaP solutions showed: (a) occluded dentin tubules; (b)reduced susceptibility to acid dissolution; and (c) Zn2+ ions were more effective than F− ions in inhibiting bacterial colonization. Significance: Acidic sCaP containing both F and Zn ions have mineralizing, acid resistance, and antibacterial effects and may be potentially useful as a strategy against dentin caries formation and progression.
The development of nursing students' spirituality and spiritual care-giving.

Nursing education programs are being increasingly challenged to incorporate spirituality and spiritual care-giving into the curriculum. The purposes of this study were to explore how students in a baccalaureate curriculum perceived their spirituality and spiritual health, and their perceptions of spiritual nursing care. Students in the first and fourth years of the program filled out a survey that included a spiritual well-being scale and several open-ended questions. Overall, students had a strong awareness of personal spirituality and a high level of spiritual health. They identified a number of behaviours and characteristics of the nurse that facilitated spiritual nursing care. Fourth year students demonstrated a more patient-centered approach to spiritual care. They placed less emphasis on the nurse's agenda and qualities and more on supporting the patient's beliefs.
The transformative potential of community and collective arts pedagogies in Thunder Bay, Canada

This dissertation presents the transformative potential of community art collectives and outlines the pedagogical practices and decisions that contribute to their impact in the community. The research took place in Thunder Bay, a small urban community of roughly 110 000 people in Northwestern Ontario. Building on existing literature and research on critical civic praxis I explored the relevance of this concept in collective community arts settings. My research found artists engaged in praxis (the interplay of critical reflection and practice), their actions informed by an understanding of systemic oppression affecting their lives as they engaged in re-creating the world in order to transform it. This is an arts-informed qualitative research study. Research data includes interviews with 17 members of the artist community, enriched by my own experiences with the arts and artist community in Thunder Bay. At the intersection of collective space, public space, and art I developed an understanding of the relationship between arts and collective organizing in supporting critical civic praxis as everyday politics. The transformation discussed by participants is connected to their worldviews and their social, political, and geographic location. In order to understand this transformative work I have described the space these artists inhabit, the forms of oppression they encounter, and the practices that transformed their community. The pedagogical roots that feed participants’ work are authenticity, trust, humility, relationship (love), and critical reflection. COMMUNITY AND COLLECTIVE ARTS PEDAGOGIES iii
[Never treated schizophrenic patients have no abnormal movements such as tardive dyskinesia].

UNLABELLED Tardive dyskinesia, described for the first time in 1957, have increased in frequency since neuroleptics started to be widely used. Is that disorder drug induced, or related to the psychosis, or does it exist in the general population, caused by others factors? This study is a trial in the approach of the problem. METHODOLOGY the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia was rated for three kinds of populations which are schizophrenics never treated by neuroleptics; schizophrenics under treatment by neuroleptics; general population non psychotic and never treated by neuroleptics. Diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia are DSM III ones. Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scales of NIMH have been used in this work. The percentage is 14% in schizophrenics already treated by neuroleptics, and no one in the other two groups had dyskinesia. The middle duration of the illness in the schizophrenics group was about 12 months. Those results allow us to eliminate possible spontaneous dyskinesia in the general population which is young; to suppose that there is probably no responsibility of the psychosis in this disorder, at least at the beginning of the illness; to confirm that neuroleptic medication, alone or associated with other factors, is responsible for the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia.
Group Social Climate and Individual Peer Interaction: Exploring Complex Relationships on Extended Wilderness Courses

Abstract: This study explored how adolescents’ perception of the social climate on wilderness expedition courses related to changes in how they approached peer interactions. Contrary to the hypothesis, on average, their orientation toward adaptive peer interaction decreased (n=251) from pre- to postcourse test. The individual level predictors of change in peer interactions were student’s perception of group cohesion, task orientation, instructor control; and at the group level, instructor perception of the fun or playfulness of the course, as well as the course make-up (i.e., having participants who have been on previous similar experiences). This research contributes to knowledge of how the social climate on outdoor education courses facilitates adaptive shifts in social motivation for youth.
Modeling Financial System with Interbank Flows, Borrowing, and Investing

In our model, private actors with interbank cash flows similar to, but more general than that by Carmona et al. (2013) borrow from the non-banking financial sector at a certain interest rate, controlled by the central bank, and invest in risky assets. Each private actor aims to maximize its expected terminal logarithmic wealth. The central bank, in turn, aims to control the overall economy by means of an exponential utility function. We solve all stochastic optimal control problems explicitly. We are able to recreate occasions such as liquidity trap. We study distribution of the number of defaults (net worth of a private actor going below a certain threshold).
Genetic mechanisms involved in the repression of flagellar assembly by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in human mucus

Pseudomonas aeruginosa downregulates flagellin transcription when it is grown in purulent mucus from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and non‐CF bronchiectasis. This response possibly abrogates the potent inflammatory response mediated by the interaction of flagellin with Toll‐like receptor 5. The molecular mechanisms involved are thus far unknown. Known flagellar transcriptional regulators were not involved, thus Tn5 mutagenesis was used to ascertain whether novel regulators existed. Five clones with independent Tn5 insertions in flgM showed derepression of flagellin synthesis, suggesting that FlgM was involved in this phenomenon. Furthermore, examination of mucus‐grown bacteria showed FlgM accumulation and overexpression of fliA in mucus‐grown bacteria reversed the repression of flagellin synthesis. A related study from our laboratory had identified neutrophil elastase in mucus as the molecule responsible for fliC repression, therefore we examined whether loss of the flagellar hook (FlgE), by proteolysis was involved, because the flagellar hook is required for FlgM export. Western immunoblot of membranes from mucus‐grown bacteria showed the absence of FlgE, despite the fact that the protein is made and the operon encoding FlgE is upregulated in mucus. A model is proposed wherein neutrophil elastase in mucus proteolytically cleaves the flagellar hook, thus completion of the hook basal body is never sensed, resulting in FlgM accumulation within the cell, causing repression of flagellin synthesis. We speculate that the cyclical bouts of inflammation observed in CF patients may result from flagellin synthesis and its repression, caused by presence of neutrophils at the site of infection.
Podoplanin Expression Is Correlated With the Progression of Chronic Discoid Lupus Erythematosus to Lip Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Chronic lip discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is a potentially malignant disorder that can develop into lip squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Podoplanin is a specific marker for lymphatic endothelial cells and plays a role in cancer progression. The objective of this study was to determine the immunoexpression of podoplanin in samples of patients with DLE and its correlation with the risk of progression to LSCC. In a retrospective study, podoplanin expression was determined using immunohistochemistry in samples from 52 patients with DLE, including 44 patients with untransformed DLE and 8 patients with malignant transformed DLE. Ten samples of normal oral mucosa and 10 samples of LSCC were used as normal and cancer controls, respectively. The results showed that podoplanin expression was observed in 12 of 44 (27.3%) patients with untransformed DLE and in 7 of 8 (87.5%) patients with transformed DLE (P = .002). Podoplanin was not expressed in normal oral mucosa, but it was overexpressed in all of the 10 patients with LSCC. Regression analysis revealed that podoplanin expression was significantly associated with an 18.67-fold increase in the risk of malignant progression (95% confidence interval = 2.07-168.10; P = .009). In summary, podoplanin expression is significantly associated with malignant transformation of DLE into LSCC. Thus, podoplanin expression may identify a subgroup with a high risk of malignant progression of DLE.
Real-time simulations of a railroad brake system using a dSPACE board

The way in which the forces are transmitted in the rolling contact between wheels and rails of rolling stocks is complex and highly nonlinear, and understanding of braking mechanism has a crucial role for the safety and efficiency of railroad vehicle operations. This paper proposes a real-time simulation unit, that is, a HILS system, which is able to analyze braking performance of railroad vehicles. It presents a dynamic model of a railroad vehicle including bogies, brake system, carbody and wheelsets, and a creep force relationship, and presents also the system configuration including an anti-skid control unit (ASCU) and dSPACE board. The validity of the proposed real-time simulation model is verified through simulation study for the tilting train, Hanvit-200 (TTX).
Magnesium Decreases Inflammatory Cytokine Production: A Novel Innate Immunomodulatory Mechanism

MgSO4 exposure before preterm birth is neuroprotective, reducing the risk of cerebral palsy and major motor dysfunction. Neonatal inflammatory cytokine levels correlate with neurologic outcome, leading us to assess the effect of MgSO4 on cytokine production in humans. We found reduced maternal TNF-α and IL-6 production following in vivo MgSO4 treatment. Short-term exposure to a clinically effective MgSO4 concentration in vitro substantially reduced the frequency of neonatal monocytes producing TNF-α and IL-6 under constitutive and TLR-stimulated conditions, decreasing cytokine gene and protein expression, without influencing cell viability or phagocytic function. In summary, MgSO4 reduced cytokine production in intrapartum women, term and preterm neonates, demonstrating effectiveness in those at risk for inflammation-associated adverse perinatal outcomes. By probing the mechanism of decreased cytokine production, we found that the immunomodulatory effect was mediated by magnesium and not the sulfate moiety, and it was reversible. Cellular magnesium content increased rapidly upon MgSO4 exposure, and reduced cytokine production occurred following stimulation with different TLR ligands as well as when magnesium was added after TLR stimulation, strongly suggesting that magnesium acts intracellularly. Magnesium increased basal IĸBα levels, and upon TLR stimulation was associated with reduced NF-κB activation and nuclear localization. These findings establish a new paradigm for innate immunoregulation, whereby magnesium plays a critical regulatory role in NF-κB activation, cytokine production, and disease pathogenesis.
Genomic instability in chronic airway inflammatory diseases

Chronic airway inflammatory diseases are life-threatening conditions, including bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and so on. However, as the disease etiology remains largely unclear, current treatments that target chronic airway inflammatory diseases are still not satisfactory. DNA damage response (DDR), regarded as one of the many causes of apoptosis and cell senescence, as well as a factor involved in carcinogenesis, has recently begun to attract attention as a source of chronic inflammation. Considering that COPD and allergic asthma inflammation enhance DNA damage, measures related with DNA repair should be taken so as to reduce the injuries caused by these airway diseases. Small molecule inhibitors specifically against various DNA repair proteins have been developed over the last decade to fight against chronic diseases. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, for example, has already shown its potential in asthma animal models to block airway inflammation. In this review, we highlight the roles of DDR in chronic airway inflammatory diseases, and try to have a better understanding of these diseases. We also discuss the possibilities of targeting DDR signaling to develop potential novel treatments against these conditions.
The clinical evidence for targeting human myeloid‐derived suppressor cells in cancer patients

Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells that represent a formidable obstacle to the successful treatment of cancer. Patients with high frequencies of MDSCs have significantly decreased progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Whereas there is experimental evidence that the reduction of the number and/or suppressive function of MDSCs in mice improves the efficacy of anti‐cancer therapies, there is notably less evidence for this therapeutic strategy in human clinical trials. Here, we discuss currently available data concerning MDSCs from human clinical trials and explore the evidence that targeting MDSCs may improve the efficacy of cancer therapies.
Dopamine D3 receptor‐preferring agonists induce neurotrophic effects on mesencephalic dopamine neurons

Anti‐parkinsonian agents, pramipexole (PPX) and ropinirole (ROP), have been reported to possess neuroprotective properties, both in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms underlying neuroprotection afforded by the D3‐preferring receptor agonists remain poorly understood. The present study demonstrates that incubation of primary mesencephalic cultures with PPX and ROP or the conditioned medium from PPX‐ or ROP‐treated primary cultures induced a marked increase in the number of dopamine (DA) neurons in the cultures. Similar effects can be observed after incubating with the conditioned medium derived from PPX‐ and ROP‐treated substantia nigra astroglia. Meanwhile, PPX and ROP can protect the primary cells from insult of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the active metabolite of the neurotoxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Furthermore, the neurotrophic effects of PPX and ROP on mesencephalic dopamine neurons could be significantly blocked by D3 receptor antagonist, but not by D2 receptor antagonist. Moreover, we found that the levels of glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the conditioned medium of mesencephalic cultures treated with PPX and ROP were significantly increased. Blocking GDNF and BDNF with the neutralizing antibodies, the neurotrophic effects of PPX and ROP were greatly diminished. These results suggest that D3 dopamine receptor‐preferring agonists, PPX and ROP, exert neurotrophic effects on cultured DA neurons by modulating the production of endogenous GDNF and BDNF, which may participate in their neuroprotection.