Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Amino Acids in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage: An Observational Study

Background The authors are aware of only one article investigating amino acid concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms, and this was published 31 years ago. Since then, both management of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) and amino acid assay techniques have seen radical alterations, yet the pathophysiology of SAH remains unclear. Objective To analyse the pattern of concentrations of amino acids and related compounds in patients with different outcomes following aneurysmal SAH. Methods 49 CSF samples were collected from 23 patients on days 0–3, 5, and 10 post-SAH. Concentrations of 33 amino acids and related compounds were assayed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry in patients with good [Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) 1–3] and poor (GOS 4–5) outcome. Results Of the 33 compounds assayed, only hydroxyproline and 3-aminoisobutyric acid appeared not to increase significantly following SAH. In poor outcome patients, we found significantly higher concentrations of aspartic acid (p = 0.038), glutamic acid (p = 0.038), and seven other compounds on days 0–3 post-SAH; glutamic acid (p = 0.041) on day 5 post-SAH, and 2-aminoadipic acid (p = 0.033) on day 10 post-SAH. The most significant correlation with GOS at 3 months was found for aminoadipic acid on day 10 post-SAH (cc = −0.81). Conclusion Aneurysmal rupture leads to a generalised increase of amino acids and related compounds in CSF. The patterns differ between good and poor outcome cases. Increased excitatory amino acids are strongly indicative of poor outcome.
Antibodies to herpes simplex and Epstein-Barr viruses in Faroese children: association with sibship size, height and age.

Antibody to herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) capsid antibody were determined in 333 children from the Faroe Islands, aged 4, 8 and 13 years. An analysis of multi-way frequency tables was performed, testing seropositivity for each virus against combinations of the following variables: sibship size, birth order, mother's age at birth, birth weight, actual height and weight, age and sex. HSV-seropositivity was associated to sibship size, height and age, while EBV-seropositivity was related only to age. --It is discussed how the findings fit into epidemiological patterns described for Hodgkin's disease and multiple sclerosis, which are both supposed to be of viral origin. Our results suggest that HSV, but not EBV, may be among the candidates to be considered.
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics Confined and Directed Polymer Crystallization at Curved Liquid / Liquid Interface

Confined and Directed Polymer Crystallization at Curved Liquid/Liquid Interface Spherical crystals are ubiquitous in nature and the necessary breaks in translational symmetry not seen in flat crystals render them structurally unique. Polymer crystals have been shown to exhibit nonflat morphologies, but control over their formation is difficult to achieve. One strategy is directing the crystallization by spatially and/or temporally tuning chain segmental mobility. This has been studied early on using polymer blends or polymer/solvent systems where coupling liquid–liquid phase separation with crystallization could provide morphological control. In this Trend article, a recent trend in using miniemulsion systems to act as nanoscale confinement on chain segmental mobility is reviewed. The confinement at this length scale causes unique features to arise in ordering processes such as liquid–liquid phase separation and crystallization that are not observed at the macroscale. The generality of this approach makes it a good candidate to direct the formation of new and unique hierarchical polymer nanostructures that could be utilized in numerous applications. Controlling ordering processes such as liquid-liquid phase separation and crystallization in polymers under nanoscale confinement can produce unique and useful hierarchical nanostructures. A recent trend of using miniemulsion systems to confine polymer crystallization is reviewed. This system allows insight into fundamental polymer processes in nanoscale confinement along with promise for development of new polymer nanostructures for various applications.
Iron Absorption after Single Pharmacological Oral Iron Loading Test in Patients on Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis and in Healthy Volunteers

Objective Oral iron is poorly absorbed in chronic dialysis patients. We tested the hypothesis that a superpharmacologic dose of iron sulfate (260 mg elemental iron) administered on an empty stomach results in significant iron absorption in these patients. Design A prospective open controlled trial. Setting Outpatient department of a university hospital. Patients Nine stable chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and seven normal control subjects. Method All subjects ingested a single dose of 4 tablets of iron sulfate (260 mg elemental iron total) in the morning while fasting. Outcome Measures Serum iron concentrations at baseline, and at 2 and 4 hours after the oral dose were compared between the two groups. Results The control group showed a significant rise in mean [± standard error (SE)] serum iron concentration, from a baseline value of 76.5 ± 7 μg/dL to 191 ± 10.5 μg/dL at 2 hours and to 190 ± 24 μg/dL at 4 hours. This result represents a percentage rise of 164% ± 32% at 2 hours and 152% ± 28.5% at 4 hours. In the PD patients, a significant rise in serum iron concentration was also seen, from a baseline value of 64 ± 8 μg/dL to 130 ± 3 μg/dL at 2 hours and 111 ± 18 μg/dL at 4 hours. This result represents a percentage rise of 105% ± 29% at 2 hours and 77% ± 23.5% at 4 hours. However, the absolute change in serum iron concentration in PD patients at 2 and 4 hours was approximately equal to 50% of the change in control subjects at those time points. None of the PD patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects; 4 control subjects experienced mild side effects. Conclusion Despite impaired oral iron absorption in chronic dialysis patients, a large pharmacologic dose given orally can result in significant iron absorption and may prove to be a more efficient means of oral iron supplementation therapy in these patients.
Serum selenium and risk of cancer. A prospective follow‐up of nine years

The association between serum selenium concentration and the risk of cancer was studied in 1110 men aged 55 to 74 years in two rural areas of Finland. The men were followed‐up prospectively for 9 years and there were 109 new cases of cancer, with the cases of the first follow‐up year excluded. The serum selenium concentrations were adjusted for age, area, smoking, serum cholesterol, and alcohol intake. The patients had a slightly lower adjusted mean serum selenium than the subjects without cancer at the end of the follow‐up (±standard error of mean) 53.9 ± 1.5 and 55.3 ± 0.5 μg/1, respectively. The relative risks of cancer were essentially the same when these were calculated in the tertiles of the serum selenium distribution. Thirty‐seven men had a history of cancer at baseline or had cancer diagnosed during the first follow‐up year and their adjusted mean serum selenium was 49.4 ± 2.6 μg/1, which was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of the subjects without cancer during the follow‐up.
Knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS among primary health care physicians in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia

Study Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitudes towards AIDS among practicing physicians in the Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. Design and Participants: A survey was carried out among primary health care (PHC) physicians working in the 238 PHC centers in the region. Self administered questionnaires were distributed to the 361 physicians working in these centers. Three hundred and twenty-eight responded (90.1%) and were included in the study. Non- respondents were found not to differ significantly from respondents with regards to sex, age and qualifications. Main Results: The study revealed several gaps in their knowledge regarding AIDS. Of particular concern are those who are to be considered at high risk and modes of transmission of the disease. Conclusions: These results indicate an urgent need to develop AIDS specific continuing medical education program to deal with erroneous ideas to convey the message properly to the public.
Obstetric analgesia – update 2016

Abstract Neuraxial labor analgesia can be initiated via combined spinal-epidural (CSE) or stand-alone epidural. Pros and cons of these techniques are outlined in this review. In recent years computer-integrated patient-controlled epidural analgesia (CI-PCEA) and programed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) have been developed, adding to continuous infusion and PCEA for the maintenance of neuraxial analgesia. Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) and fever can occur secondary to labor epidural that both have clinical relevance for the care givers. Insights into the mechanism of epidural fever and treatment strategies for PDPH are outlined. Due to the increase in obesity the specific considerations for this patient group are discussed. New data have been presented for remifentanil, an ultra-shortly acting opioid, that is used in obstetric analgesia. Without breaking new data, the use of nitrous oxide especially by midwives has a kind of renaissance, and this will be discussed, too.
Activity‐induced changes of spine morphology

Spine morphology has been shown in recent years to exhibit a high degree of plasticity. In developing tissue such as organotypic slice cultures, shape changes in spines as well as reorganization of the postsynaptic density (PSD) occur within minutes. Furthermore, several studies have shown that these and other changes can be induced by or are dependent on synaptic activation. Formation of filopodia, enlargement of spines, formation of spines with perforated PSDs, appearance of new spines, and formation of specific types of synapses such as multiple synapse boutons (MSBs), in which two spines contact the same terminal, have all been reported to be induced in an activity‐dependent manner. The common denominator of most of these different processes is that they are calcium and NMDA receptor dependent. Their time course, however, may vary. Some appear quite rapidly after stimulation (e.g., filopodia, perforated synapses), while others are clearly more delayed (e.g., formation of spines, appearance of MSBs). How these different structural changes relate to each other, as well as their functional significance, have therefore become intriguing issues. The characteristics of these different types of morphological changes are reviewed, with a discussion of the possibility that structural plasticity contributes to changes in synaptic efficacy. Hippocampus 2002;12:585–591. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Controlling magnetic ordering in coupled nanomagnet arrays

We have fabricated using high-resolution electron beam lithography circular magnetic particles (nanomagnets) of diameter 60 nm and thickness 7 nm out of the common magnetic alloy supermalloy. The nanomagnets were arranged on rectangular lattices of different periods. A high-sensitivity magneto-optical method was used to measure the magnetic properties of each lattice. We show experimentally how the magnetic properties of a lattice of nanomagnets can be profoundly changed by the magnetostatic interactions between nanomagnets within the lattice. We find that simply reducing the lattice spacing in one direction from 180 nm down to 80 nm (leaving a gap of only 20 nm between edges) causes the lattice to change from a magnetically disordered state to an ordered state. The change in state is accompanied by a peak in the magnetic susceptibility. We show that this is analogous to the paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase transition which occurs in conventional magnetic materials, although low-dimensionality and kinetic effects must also be considered.
VMY-1-103 is a novel CDK inhibitor that disrupts chromosome organization and delays metaphase progression in medulloblastoma cells

Medulloblastoma is the most prevalent of childhood brain malignancies, constituting 25% of childhood brain tumors. Craniospinal radiotherapy is a standard of care, followed by a 12-month regimen of multi-agent chemotherapy. For children less than 3 years of age, irradiation is avoided due to its destructive effects on the developing nervous system. Long-term prognosis is worst for these youngest children and more effective treatment strategies with a better therapeutic index are needed. VMY-1-103, a novel dansylated analog of purvalanol B, was previously shown to inhibit cell cycle progression and proliferation in prostate and breast cancer cells more effectively than purvalanol B. In the current study, we have identified new mechanisms of action by which VMY-1-103 affected cellular proliferation in medulloblastoma cells. VMY-1-103, but not purvalanol B, significantly decreased the proportion of cells in S phase and increased the proportion of cells in G2/M. VMY-1-103 increased the sub G1 fraction of apoptotic cells, induced PARP and caspase-3 cleavage and increased the levels of the Death Receptors DR4 and DR5, Bax and Bad while decreasing the number of viable cells, all supporting apoptosis as a mechanism of cell death. p21CIP1/WAF1 levels were greatly suppressed. Importantly, we found that while both VMY and flavopiridol inhibited intracellular CDK1 catalytic activity, VMY-1-103 was unique in its ability to severely disrupt the mitotic spindle apparatus significantly delaying metaphase and disrupting mitosis. Our data suggest that VMY-1-103 possesses unique antiproliferative capabilities and that this compound may form the basis of a new candidate drug to treat medulloblastoma.
Cytotoxic effects of ionic high-osmolar, nonionic monomeric, and nonionic iso-osmolar dimeric iodinated contrast media on renal tubular cells in vitro.

PURPOSE To compare the cytotoxic effects of dimeric and monomeric iodinated contrast media on renal tubular cells in vitro with regard to osmolality. MATERIALS AND METHODS LLC-PK1 cells were incubated with ioxithalamate, ioversol, iomeprol-300, iomeprol-150, iodixanol, iotrolan, and hyperosmolar mannitol solutions for 1-24 hours at concentrations from 18.75 to 150 mg of iodine per milliliter. Cytotoxic effects were assessed with 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Data were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance; post hoc tests were performed. RESULTS At equal iodine concentrations, ioxithalamate showed stronger cytotoxic effects than did other contrast media (MTT conversion for ioxithalamate was 4% vs that for ioversol of 32%, that for iomeprol-300 of 34%, that for iodixanol of 40%, and that for iotrolan of 41% of undamaged control cells at 75 mg of iodine per milliliter, n = 61-90, P < .001); there was no significant difference between low-osmolar monomeric and iso-osmolar dimeric contrast media (P > .05). At equal molarity, dimeric contrast media induced significantly stronger cytotoxic effects than did low-osmolar monomeric contrast media (40% for iodixanol and 41% for iotrolan vs 64% for ioversol and 59% for iomeprol-300 at 98.5 mmol/L, n = 61-75, P < .001). At equimolar concentrations, both dimeric contrast media showed stronger cytotoxic effects than did iso-osmolar formulation of iomeprol-150 (51% for iodixanol and 50% for iotrolan vs 77% for iomeprol-150 at 98.5 mmol/L, n = 35-40, P < .001). Mannitol solutions induced weaker cytotoxic effects than did corresponding contrast media compounds (74% for mannitol-520 vs 34% for iomeprol-300 and 41% for mannitol-1860 vs 4% for ioxithalamate, P < .001). CONCLUSION Besides hyperosmolality, direct cytotoxic effects of contrast media molecules contribute to their cytotoxic effects. Results of this study indicate that dimeric contrast media molecules have a greater potential for cytotoxic effects on proximal renal tubular cells in vitro than do monomeric contrast media molecules.
Canine testicular tumors: Epidemiologic features of 410 dogs

Histologically confirmed testicular tumors were diagnosed in 410 dogs from 12 North American veterinary university hospitals and clinics. Three tumor‐cell types, Sertoli cell tumor, interstitial cell tumor and seminoma, were about equally represented. Several breeds were identified with high risk for different testicular tumor‐cell types. Cytogenetic and immunogenetic studies of these dog families could offer leads applicable to familial testicular cancer in man. The multiplicity of breeds within the series suggests that, as in man, other factors, in addition to heredity, play a role in etiology. Cryptorchid dogs appear to have a 13.6 times higher risk of testicular tumor than normal dogs. Additionally, male dogs with an inguinal hernia have an increased risk (4.7) of testis tumors. There were no detectable excesses of other urogenital anomalies or urogenital tumors among the series. The Shetland Sheepdog is suggested as an appropriate model for research into the mechanisms responsible for testicular maldescent and tumorigenesis.
Red supergiants as supernova progenitors

It is now well-established from pre-explosion imaging that red supergiants (RSGs) are the direct progenitors of Type-IIP supernovae. These images have been used to infer the physical properties of the exploding stars, yielding some surprising results. In particular, the differences between the observed and predicted mass spectrum has provided a challenge to our view of stellar evolutionary theory. However, turning what is typically a small number of pre-explosion photometric points into the physical quantities of stellar luminosity and mass requires a number of assumptions about the spectral appearance of RSGs, as well as their evolution in the last few years of life. Here I will review what we know about RSGs, with a few recent updates on how they look and how their appearance changes as they approach supernova. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Bridging the gap: from massive stars to supernovae’.
Toxoplasmosis in hairy‐cell leukaemia

Summary. Toxoplasma serology was performed in 28 patients with hairy‐cell leukaemia and was positive in eight patients (29%). In two patients (7%) reactivated toxoplasmosis was proven by either isolation of Toxoplasma gondii or by significant antibody titre rise with generation of specific IgM‐antibodies. In four patients (14%), a clinical diagnosis of active toxoplasmosis was based on signs and symptoms, serologic tests, and response to specific treatment. The high proportion of patients in which active toxoplasmosis was proven or probable (six; 21%) may be related to the presence of severe monocytopenia. In patients with hairy‐cell leukaemia developing fever of unknown origin and myositis, toxoplasma serology should be performed, particularly because treatment of active toxoplasmosis usually is successful.
An Uncalibrated Pulse Contour Method to Measure Cardiac Output During Aortic Counterpulsation

BACKGROUND: Less-invasive monitoring systems, such as pulse contour methods, are increasingly being used to estimate cardiac output (CO). However, alterations in the arterial waveform caused by intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation may affect the ability of pulse contour algorithms to determine CO. We investigated the reliability of an uncalibrated pulse contour method, the MostCare system, in patients with cardiac failure receiving intraaortic balloon pump counterpulsation by comparing its measurements of CO with those determined by an intermittent thermodilution method. METHODS: The study included 15 patients requiring hemodynamic support with an intraaortic balloon pump after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. A pulmonary artery catheter was inserted and CO was determined by bolus thermodilution (ThD-CO). The MostCare device was directly connected to the standard monitoring system for analysis of the radial artery pressure wave and computation of CO (MostCare-CO). Data were collected at 3 different intraaortic balloon pump rates (1:1, 1:2, 1:4) and after intraaortic balloon pump removal. RESULTS: One hundred six pairs of ThD-CO and MostCare-CO measurements were analyzed. There was a good correlation between ThD-CO and MostCare-CO (r = 0.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86–0.93; P < 0.001). The mean bias of all CO measurements corrected for repeated measures was −0.2 L/min with limits of agreements of −1.31 to 0.91 L/min (lower 95% CI, −1.72 to −0.90; upper 95% CI, 0.50–1.32) and a relative percentage error of 24. There were close agreements between ThD-CO and MostCare-CO at the different intraaortic balloon pump rate settings. Changes in CO were calculated separately for the 2 methods and data comparison showed a correlation of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.76–0.87; P < 0.001) and a mean bias of 0.14 L/min with limits of agreement of −1.31 to 1.59 L/min (lower 95% CI, −1.62 to −1.00; upper 95% CI, 1.28–1.90). CONCLUSION: The MostCare system provided measurements of CO that were comparable to ThD-CO in patients assisted with an intraaortic balloon pump. The reliability of the MostCare system is not significantly affected by changes in arterial waveform morphology caused by inflation and deflation of the intraaortic balloon pump.
Developing an Aging Prepared Community

Summary This paper reports on a collaborative process to create an ‘aging prepared community’ in a four county region. The process benefited from a generous grant from the John A. Hartford Foundation that supported an 18 month planning period which included input from service providers and a vast array of aging persons and their families, including particular efforts to reach underserved populations from multicultural, innercity and rural communities. Under the umbrella of the Elder Network of the Capital Region, the process is now beginning its implementation period with foci on the following: linking health, social service and faith communities; developing accessible health education and Wellness programs; creating and implementing a regional system of information and assistance; and mounting a media campaign.
Phase diagrams of hard-core repulsive Yukawa particles.

We determine the phase behavior of hard spheres interacting with repulsive Yukawa (screened Coulomb) interaction using computer simulations. We study the effect of the hard-core diameter on the phase behavior of repulsive Yukawa particles by comparing our phase diagrams with that of repulsive point Yukawa particles. We show that for sufficiently high contact values of the pair potential (betaepsilon=20, 39, 81, and higher), the fluid-face-centered-cubic (fcc) solid, at high screening, the fluid-body-centered-cubic (bcc) solid and the bcc-fcc coexistence for packing fractions eta less, similar 0.5 are well described by the phase boundaries of point Yukawa particles, by employing a mapping of the point Yukawa system onto a hard-core repulsive Yukawa system. While the bcc-fcc coexistence is well described by the point Yukawa limit for eta<0.5, we find a deviation at higher eta as the hard-core repulsion favors the fcc solid for eta>/=0.5, independent of the screening. Consequently, a second triple point appears in the phase diagram in the weak screening regime. In addition, we find that all the phase coexistence regions in our phase diagrams for hard-core repulsive Yukawa system are very narrow, i.e., a small density jump in the coexisting phases.