Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microorganisms associated with pneumonia in slaughter weight swine.

The lungs of 334 pigs were obtained from two slaughter plants in Minnesota and examined in detail. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation, direct fluorescence for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and bacterial culture were done on all of them and a subsample of 50 were selected for virus culture. Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida and Haemophilus spp. were detected in 24.0%, 34.1% and 27.0% of the lungs, commonly in conjunction with each other. One isolate of Haemophilus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 was detected and this represents the first report of its presence in the United States. No virus was detected in any of the lungs. Lungs with both M. hyopneumoniae and Pasteurella multocida had the greatest amount of macroscopic pneumonia (9.8% of the lung). Lungs with M. hyopneumoniae or P. multocida alone had 4.9% and 5.2% of the lung involved with pneumonia respectively. Lungs with Haemophilus sp. Taxon "minor group" had 3.8% of the lung involved which was not significantly different from lungs with none of these organisms being detected (1.6%). There was a positive correlation between the extent of M. hyopneumoniae infection, as scored by FAT and the amount of macroscopic pneumonia present (r = 0.46; P less than 0.001). Likewise, there was a positive correlation between the estimated concentration of P. multocida present, as scored by the relative number of colonies on blood agar and the amount of macroscopic pneumonia present (r = 0.60; P less than 0.001). Microscopically, the amount of lymphoreticular proliferation, polymorphonuclear cells and alveolar macrophages were evaluated. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Coloboma Hyperactive Mutant Mice Exhibit Regional and Transmitter‐Specific Deficits in Neurotransmission

Abstract: The mouse mutant coloboma (Cm/+), which exhibits profound spontaneous hyperactivity and bears a deletion mutation on chromosome 2, including the gene encoding synaptosomal protein SNAP‐25, has been proposed to model aspects of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder. Increasing evidence suggests a crucial role for SNAP‐25 in the release of both classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. In the present study, we compared the release of specific neurotransmitters in vitro from synaptosomes and slices of selected brain regions from Cm/+ mice with that of +/+ mice. The release of dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5‐HT) from striatum, and of arginine vasopressin and corticotropin‐releasing factor from hypothalamus and amygdala is calcium‐dependent. Glutamate release from and content in cortical synaptosomes of Cm/+ mice are greatly reduced, which might contribute to the learning deficits in these mutants. In dorsal striatum of Cm/+ mutants, but not ventral striatum, KCI‐induced release of DA is completely blocked and that of 5‐HT is significantly attenuated, suggesting that striatal DA and 5‐HT deficiencies may be involved in hyperactivity. Further, although acetylcholine failed to induce hypothalamic corticotropin‐releasing factor release from Cm/+ slices, restraint stress increased plasma corticosterone levels in Cm/+ mice to a significantly higher level than in +/+ mice, suggesting an important role for arginine vasopressin in hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis activation. These results suggest that reduced SNAP‐25 expression may contribute to a region‐specific and neurotransmitter‐specific deficiency in neurotransmitter release.
Relative risk analysis of factors associated with difficult intubation in obstetric anesthesia.

Difficult tracheal intubation, often unexpected, has been identified as the commonest contributory factor to anesthetic-related maternal death. The ability to predict such cases preoperatively would be of great value. Preoperative airway assessment and potential risk factors for difficult tracheal intubation were recorded in 1,500 patients undergoing emergency and elective cesarean section under general anesthesia. Airway assessment using a modified Mallampati test recorded oropharyngeal structures visible upon maximal mouth opening. Potential risk factors documented were obesity; short neck; missing, protruding, or single maxillary incisors; receding mandible; facial edema; and swollen tongue. Subsequent to induction of anesthesia, the view at laryngoscopy and difficulty at intubation were graded. There was a significant (P less than 0.001) correlation between the oropharyngeal structures seen and both the veiw at laryngoscopy and difficulty at intubation. Univariate analysis demonstrated a significant association between difficult intubation and short neck (P less than 0.001), obesity (P less than 0.0001), missing maxillary incisors (P less than 0.02), protruding maxillary incisors (P less than 0.001), single maxillary incisor (P less than 0.0001), and receding mandible (P less than 0.003). Neither facial edema (P = 0.414) nor swollen tongue (P = 0.141) were found to be associated with difficult intubation. Multivariate analysis removed obesity and missing and single maxillary incisors as risk factors. Obesity was eliminated because of its strong association with short neck. The probability of experiencing a difficult intubation for various combinations of risk factors was determined. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The association of acute exercise-induced ischaemia with systemic vasodilator function in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Abstract Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) frequently experience ischaemic attacks of the affected tissues during exercise. The present study assesses the association of transient exercise-induced leg ischaemia with vasodilator function of the clinically unaffected brachial artery over the course of 4 hours. Thirty male patients with symptomatic PAD and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. They performed a treadmill exercise until intolerable exercise-induced ischaemic pain occurred in the affected lower extremity, or for at most 10 min. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured at baseline, 30 minutes, 2 hours and 4 hours after exercise. Baseline FMD values were significantly diminished in patients (7.03 ± 1.99% vs 8.22 ± 1.60% in controls, p = 0.009). A significant decrease in FMD was observed in patients after exercise (at 30 minutes: 3.92 ± 1.78% vs 7.03 ± 1.99% at baseline, p < 0.001; at 2 hours: 6.36 ± 2.12% vs 7.03 ± 1.99% at baseline, p = 0.005), followed by a gradual return to its baseline value, whereas FMD in controls non-significantly increased after exercise. The difference in the pattern of FMD change over time between patients and controls was significant (p < 0.001). This study shows that in PAD patients ischaemia during intermittent claudication is related to a transitory functional deterioration of the distant arteries. This indicates the harmful systemic effects of repeated ischaemic attacks during exercise and might explain the generalized and advanced nature of atherosclerotic disease in PAD patients.
A 4- to 6-year retrospective clinical study of cracked teeth restored with bonded indirect resin composite onlays

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical performance of bonded indirect resin composite onlays for the treatment of painful, cracked teeth over a 6-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-three posterior teeth diagnosed as having a crack were selected in the restorative department of the University of Genoa. Inclusion criteria were sensitivity to biting and cold and a clinically visible crack. Direct composite buildup after removal of the existing restoration was performed before definitive cavity preparation. All composite onlay restorations were cemented with an adhesive technique using a 3-step total etch system and a dual-cure composite cement. Patients were interviewed and clinically examined at 1 week, 4 weeks, and every 6 months. RESULTS The effectiveness of bonded onlay restorations was evaluated for a mean observation time of 4.78 years. At 1 week, 38 (88.37%) restored teeth were free of pain, 3 (6.98%) still had sensitivity to cold, and 2 (4.65%) still had sensitivity to cold and chewing. At 4 weeks, 40 (93.02%) teeth were free of pain, 2 (4.65%) still had sensitivity to cold and chewing, and 1 (2.32%) needed endodontic treatment. Two other teeth (4.65%) also needed endodontic treatment, the first after 2 months and the second after 5 months. During the evaluation period, 3 restorations (6.98%) failed, and upon clinical examination, 40 (93.02%) teeth were free of symptoms with a 6-year survival rate of 93.02% (life table analysis). CONCLUSIONS Bonded indirect resin composite onlays can be successful in treating painful, cracked teeth. From the findings of this study, it appears that cuspal protection should be incorporated into the design of coronal restorations.
Prosecuting non-lodgers: to persuade or punish?

Prosecution in the court is one of the Australian Taxation Office’s (Tax Office's) last resort enforcement procedures for the small numbers of taxpayers who fail to lodge a tax return. The Tax Office has generally assumed that prosecution will obtain lodgment of the return being sought and, via deterrence, improve longer-term compliance behaviour in the prosecuted individual. This paper examines these assumptions by relating tax return data to the outcomes of court cases of prosecuted individuals. The results show that prosecutions were only moderately successful in obtaining lodgment and that lodgment rates (for prosecuted taxpayers) reduced significantly in subsequent years. Nevertheless, these lodgment rates were still three to four times greater than those of taxpayers who were selected for prosecution but did not receive the summons issued to them. There were also reasonable levels of lodgment when a summons was withdrawn at the request of the taxpayer, suggesting that a full prosecution is not required in every case. The results also show that a large fine is linked to lower levels of lodgment. Prosecuting non-lodgers: To persuade or punish?
Conceptualizing and Measuring Self-Criticism as Both a Personality Trait and a Personality State

abstract Blatt's (2004, 2008) conceptualization of self-criticism is consistent with a state–trait model that postulates meaningful variation in self-criticism both between persons (traits) and within person (states). We tested the state–trait model in a 7-day diary study with 99 college student participants. Each evening they completed a 6-item measure of self-criticism, as well as measures of perceived social support, positive and negative affect, compassionate and self-image goals during interactions with others, and interpersonal behavior, including overt self-criticism and given social support. As predicted, self-criticism displayed both trait-like variance between persons and daily fluctuations around individuals' mean scores for the week; slightly more than half of the total variance was between persons (ICC = .56). Numerous associations at both the between-persons and within-person levels were found between self-criticism and the other variables, indicating that individuals' mean levels of self-criticism over the week, and level of self-criticism on a given day relative to their personal mean, were related to their cognitions, affect, interpersonal goals, and behavior. The results supported the construct validity of the daily self-criticism measure. Moreover, the findings were consistent with the state–trait model and with Blatt's theoretical analysis of self-critical personality.
A randomized controlled trial of N-acetylcysteine to prevent contrast nephropathy in cardiac angiography.

BACKGROUND Contrast nephropathy (CN) is a common cause of renal dysfunction after cardiac angiography. Recently, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been found to reduce the risk of CN after CT imaging with contrast enhancement. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of NAC for the prevention of CN in the setting of cardiac angiography. METHODS Eligible patients were those undergoing cardiac angiography with serum creatinine>1.7 mg/dL. Patients were randomized to one of two groups: Group 1, IV hydration and NAC, 1200 mg one hour before angiography, and a second dose 3 hours after; Group 2, IV hydration and placebo. CN was defined as an increase of 0.5 mg/dL in serum creatinine. RESULTS Seventy-nine patients completed the study. There were no significant differences between the groups in baseline characteristics, duration of angiography, mean volume of dye infused or mean IV hydration. Contrast nephropathy developed in 24.0% of subjects, 26.3% NAC, and 22.0% placebo (P = NS). Among subjects with diabetes mellitus, there was no significant difference in the rate of CN between the groups (42.1% NAC, 27.8% placebo; P = 0.09). The independent predictors of CN risk were diabetes mellitus and preexisting chronic renal insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS NAC was not effective for the prevention of CN after cardiac angiography.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and Cyclic Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate/Protein Kinase A Pathway Promote IL-9 Production in Th9 Differentiation Process

Th9 cells are a novel Th cell subset that produces IL-9 and is involved in type I hypersensitivity such as airway inflammation. Although its critical roles in asthma have attracted interest, the physiological regulatory mechanisms of Th9 cell differentiation and function are largely unknown. Asthma is easily affected by psychological factors. Therefore, we investigated one of the physiological mediators derived from the nervous system, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), in asthma and Th9 cells because CGRP and activation of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway by CGRP are known to be important regulators in several immune responses and allergic diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that the CGRP/cAMP/PKA pathway promotes IL-9 production via NFATc2 activation by PKA-dependent glycogen synthase kinase-3β inactivation. Moreover, CGRP also induces the expression of PU.1, a critical transcriptional factor in Th9 cells, which depends on PKA, but not NFATc2. Additionally, we demonstrated the physiological importance of CGRP in IL-9 production and Th9 differentiation using an OVA-induced airway inflammation model and T cell–specific CGRP receptor-deficient mice. The present study revealed a novel regulatory mechanism comprising G protein–coupled receptor ligands and nervous system-derived substances in Th9 cell differentiation and type I hypersensitivity.
Oxidative and antioxidative balance in patients of migraine.

BACKGROUND Migraine is characterized by multiple attacks of severe headaches often unilateral. The molecular mechanisms of migraine have not yet been clearly defined. Disorders of oxidant-antioxidant balance are observed in a number of acute and chronic diseases of the central nervous system. Oxidative stress is also believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study investigating oxidant and antioxidant status of patients having migraine without aura (MWoA) and comparing them with those of age and sex matched healthy controls (CG). METHODS We evaluated the Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Total Oxidant Status (TOS) of the plasma and Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) using a recently measurement method developed by Erel. RESULTS Seventy five patients (55 Female, 20 Male) having MWoA who are free of attacks and 65 healthy volunteers (41 Female, 24 Male) (CG) were enrolled in this research. Mean age of the patients with MWoA and the control group were calculated (30.94 +/- 10.37 vs 31.0 +/- 9.46 years respectively; p > 0.05). Serum TAS levels of patients with MWoA were significantly lower than those of healthy controls (0.72 +/- 0.008 vs. 0.80 +/- 0.179 micromol Trolox equivalent/L; p < 0.001). Conversely, serum TOS values were significantly higher in patients with MWoA than in CG (15.39 +/- 0.770 vs.13.01 +/- 0.471 pmol H2O2 equivalent/L; P < 0.001). The mean values of OSI were greater in patients than in controls (1.75 +/- 0.59 vs. 1.56 +/- 0.57, p < 0.023). Total SH levels were significantly higher in the control group (MWoA: 0.24 +/- 0.005; CONTROLS 0.28 +/- 0.005, p = 0.001). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation between the levels of Total SH and the duration of the headaches (r: -0.426, p < 0.001). Likewise; there was a positive correlation between OSI and the frequency of the headaches (r: 0.123, p < 0.002). CONCLUSIONS In this study, we demonstrated that the levels of total antioxidants were decreased and the levels of total oxidants and the oxidative stress index were increased in patients with MWoA. These findings may be an evidence of exposure to potent oxidative stress in MWoA patients. Further investigations are required to clarify the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of MWoA.
Sustainable Approach for Leachate Treatment: Electricity Generation in Microbial Fuel Cell

Electricity generation from landfill leachate was examined by using both a dual-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) and a single chamber MFC. Experimental results showed that the maximum power density of 2060.19 mW/m3 in the dual-chamber MFC and that of 6817.4 mW/m3 in the single chamber MFC were obtained. It was recognized that the difference in internal resistance for two MFC systems was the main reason for resulting in the difference of power generation. Power generation as function of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in single chamber MFC showed a Monod-type relationship with P max of 5920.96 mW/m3 and Ks of 251.39 mg/L at an external resistance of 500 Ω. Cyclic voltammetry showed that electrons were directly transferred onto the anode by bacteria in biofilms, rather than self-produced mediators of bacteria in the solutions. At low COD concentration, electricity generation was limited by the anode due to kinetic limitation; while at high COD concentration, the cathode was shown to have more significant effects on the electricity generation than the anode. COD in leachate could be removed when it increases, mainly because oxygen diffused from the cathode was substantially reduced by aerobic or anoxic bacteria in the anode chamber, leading to the substrate loss. Removal of ammonium-nitrogen was not observed in the single chamber MFC. This novel technology provides an economical route for electricity energy recovery in leachate treatment.
Comparison of whole-cell antibodies and an antigenic flagellar epitope of Borrelia burgdorferi in serologic tests for diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis

A recombinant protein (p41-G) of an antigenic region of flagellin was used in a standard and amplified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. Comparable sensitivities (88 to 94%) were noted when sera from 17 persons who had erythema migrans and antibodies to whole-cell B. burgdorferi were tested against the p41-G antigen. In tests of a second study group of 36 persons who had erythema migrans but no detectable antibodies to whole-cell B. burgdorferi, 3 (8%) were positive when the p41-G antigen was used. Assay specificity likewise increased when the p41-G fragment was included in an ELISA with human sera containing treponemal antibodies. Recombinant flagellar proteins of B. burgdorferi, such as the p41-G antigen, can be used in an ELISA and may help confirm Lyme borreliosis during early stages of infection and improve specificity.
The effect of diet and aspirin on patient outcome after myocardial infarction.

Recent studies show that diet and aspirin therapy inhibit platelet aggregation and may independently reduce complications and mortality in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). To compare the effects of diet and aspirin, 140 patients, who were 4-6 wk post acute myocardial infarction, were assigned either to Group A (placebo with cardiovasoprotective diet) or Group B (aspirin [180 mg daily]) with fat-modified control diet in a single-blind controlled fashion. Of the 140 patients, 7 left the trial before it was completed. Of the remaining 133 patients, 68 in Group A and 65 in Group B were followed for one year. When the study began, the following factors were comparable for both groups: mean age, sex, risk factors, complications of myocardial infarction, electrocardiographic changes, and laboratory data. Group A received a significantly higher caloric intake (P less than 0.02) from complex carbohydrates, vegetable proteins, polyunsaturated fats, and larger amounts of dietary fibers, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C compared with Group B, which received significantly larger amounts of saturated fats and cholesterol (P less than 0.01). The rehabilitation program, which included reduced smoking, increased exercise and drug therapy, was comparable in both groups. After one year, mean serum cholesterol (223.2 +/- 32.0 mg/dl) and triglyceride (156.2 +/- 13.5 mg/dl) levels in Group A, but not in Group B, were significantly (P less than 0.02) lower compared with mean serum cholesterol (241.2 +/- 39.5 mg/dl) and triglyceride (175.5 +/- 18.5 mg/dl) levels at the beginning of the study. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Influence of Haloperidol and Clozapine on Some Behavioral Effects in Rats

Summary The experiments presented in the following paper aimed to investigate the influence of atypical antipsychotic clozapine (CLO, CAS 578-21-0) classified also as normothymic drug on spatial memory in rats in Morris water maze test. The study also investigated the probably occurring side effects (measuring cataleptic activity and motor coordination) following single and chronic administration of CLO compared to haloperidol (HAL, CAS 52-86-8), a conventional antipsychotic. All the tests were carried out on male Wistar rats. CLO 10 mg/kg was administered orally 30 min before the tests and HAL 0.15 mg/kg was administered orally 60 min before the tests. In the Morris test memory improvement only after chronic administration of CLO on the 7th and 14th day of treatment was observed, whereas after 14 days of HAL treatment spatial memory impairment was noted. CLO did not induce catalepsy after single as well as chronic administration, but administrated chronically induced a tendency for its occurrence. HAL evoked a strong cataleptic effect both after acute and chronic treatment. CLO had no impact on motor coordination in the chimney test except on day 14 when statistically significant impairments were observed. HAL disturbed motor coordination in rats after single as well as chronic administration. The wide and unique spectrum of receptor activity of CLO in comparison with HAL as well as some neurotransmit-ters’ interactions may explain its usefulness in long-term therapy of bipolar affective disorder and schizoaffective disorder with co-occurred cognitive deficits.