Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spindle cell carcinoma of the lung. A clinicopathologic study of three cases

Two cases of monophasic spindle cell carcinomas and one case of adenosquamous carcinoma with the spindle cell component located in the lower respiratory tract are presented. In the biphasic tumor, areas of transition from carcinoma to sarcomatous spindle cells were clearly found. The two monophasic tumors and the spindle cell component of the biphasic tumor were histologically characterized by sheets of spindle cells. However, by electron microscopic and immunohistochemical study, several features of squamous epithelial differentiation were found in the spindle cell areas of all cases. Keratin and vimentin were, in various degrees, coexpressed in all the cases. Therefore, it is supposed that the spindle cell component displays a spectrum of phenotypes originating from squamous cell carcinoma, and monophasic spindle cell carcinoma is considered as a kind of the extreme phenotype of squamous cell carcinoma pretending mesenchymal differentiation.
Improved 3-D Analytical Model for Axial-Flux Eddy-Current Couplings With Curvature Effects

An improved 3-D analytical model for axial-flux permanent-magnet eddy-current couplings is presented in this paper. As the problem is solved in a 3-D cylindrical coordinate system, the proposed model directly takes into account the radial edge effects and the curvature effects on the torque prediction without the need of any correction factor. It is shown that, the new analytical model is very accurate, even for the geometries where the curvature effects are very pronounced. Another advantage of the proposed model is the great reduction of computation time compared to 3-D finite-elements simulations and an easier adaptation for parametric studies and optimization.
Effect of anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant drugs on the long‐term repair of severely injured mouse skeletal muscle

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs are frequently prescribed after skeletal muscle injury. It is not known whether this type of medication can interfere with muscle repair, although inflammatory response is thought to play an important role in this process. Tibialis anterior muscles of mice were injured by myotoxic agent (snake venom) or crushed. Then, animals were treated daily for 10–14 days with different types of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant drugs. The long‐term repair was studied 10–42 days after injury by analysing the recovery of in situ muscle force production, size of regenerating muscle cells and expression of myosin heavy chain. Our results show that diclofenac, diferuloylmethane (curcumin), dimethylthiourea or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate treatment did not significantly affect muscle recovery after myotoxic injury (P > 0.05). Similarly, diferuloylmethane, dimethyl sulphoxide or indomethacin administration did not markedly change muscle repair after crush injury. However, we noted that high doses (> 2 mg kg−1) of diferuloylmethane or indomethacin increased lethality and reduced muscle repair after crush injury. In conclusion, non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant drugs did not exhibit long‐term detrimental effects on muscle recovery after injury, except at lethal doses.
Regional Adipose Tissue and Lipid and Lipoprotein Levels in HIV-Infected Women

Background:HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy are associated with dyslipidemia, but the association between regional body fat and lipid levels is not well described. Methods:Multivariable linear regression analyzed the association between magnetic resonance imaging-measured regional adipose tissue and fasting lipids in 284 HIV-infected and 129 control women. Results:Among African Americans, HIV-infected women had higher triglyceride (116 vs. 83 mg/dL; P < 0.001), similar high-density lipoprotein (HDL; 52 vs. 50 mg/dL; P = 0.60), and lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL; 99 vs. 118 mg/dL; P = 0.008) levels than controls. Among whites, HIV-infected women had higher triglyceride (141 vs. 78 mg/dL; P < 0.001), lower HDL (46 vs. 57 mg/dL; P < 0.001), and slightly lower LDL (100 vs. 107 mg/dL; P = 0.059) levels than controls. After adjustment for demographic and lifestyle factors, the highest tertile of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was associated with higher triglyceride (+85%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 55 to 121) and lower HDL (−9%, 95% CI: −18 to 0) levels in HIV-infected women; the highest tertile of leg subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was associated with lower triglyceride levels in HIV-infected women (−28%, 95% CI: −41 to −11) and controls (−39%, 95% CI: −5 to −18). After further adjustment for adipose tissue, HIV infection remained associated with higher triglyceride (+40%, 95% CI: 21 to 63) and lower LDL (−17%, 95% CI: −26 to −8) levels, whereas HIV infection remained associated with lower HDL levels (−21%, 95% CI: −29 to −12) in whites but not in African Americans (+8%, 95% CI: −2 to 19). Conclusions:HIV-infected white women are more likely to have proatherogenic lipid profiles than HIV-infected African American women. Less leg SAT and more VAT are important factors associated with adverse lipid levels. HIV-infected women may be at particular risk for dyslipidemia because of the risk for HIV-associated lipoatrophy.
[Effects of amiodarone on funny current I(f) channel gene expression in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes].

OBJECTIVE To analysis the effect of amiodarone on funny current (I(f)) and hyperpolarization-activated cation channel (HCN) gene expressions of the neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. METHODS Ventricular myocytes of 1 - 3 days-old rats were isolated and cultured. The cardiomyocytes were treated by amiodarone (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, 100 micromol/L) for 3 hours or amiodaron (10 micromol/L) for 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6 hours. The I(f) and HCN 1 - 4 gene expressions were measured through the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) using SYBR Green PCR kit. RESULTS (1) HCN1, HCN2, HCN3 and HCN4 represented (0.23 +/- 0.01)%, (83.58 +/- 0.04)%, (0.79 +/- 0.01)% and (15.44 +/- 0.01)% of total HCN mRNA, respectively. (2) Amiodaron resulted in a dose-dependent I(f) [(3.1 +/- 0.9)%, (9.7 +/- 2.4)%, (36.7 +/- 5.8)%, (80.3 +/- 1.8)% and (85.9 +/- 3.1)%, respectively at -145 mV, IC(50) (1.32 +/- 0.28) micromol/L], HCN2 [(2.1 +/- 0.8)%, (8.9 +/- 3.6)%, (30.1 +/- 4.2)%, (78.3 +/- 3.6)% and (81.1 +/- 1.9)%, respectively] and HCN4 decrease [(0.5 +/- 0.2)%, (2.1 +/- 2.6)%, (8.8 +/- 3.2)%, (60.1 +/- 4.6)% and (59.6 +/- 6.5)%, respectively]. (3) Amiodaron (10 micromol/L) also induced a time-dependent I(f) [(1.1 +/- 0.1)%, (12.6 +/- 2.3)%, (80.6 +/- 2.2)% and (80.1 +/- 2.1)%, respectively], HCN2 [(1.0 +/- 0.1)%, (9.8 +/- 3.9)%, (82.9 +/- 4.6)% and (83.9 +/- 1.7)%, respectively] and HCN4 decrease [(0.1 +/- 0.1)%, (1.9 +/- 1.1)%, (59.4 +/- 7.8)% and (60.9 +/- 3.1)%, respectively]. However, HCN1 and HCN3 expressions were not affected by amiodaron treatment. CONCLUSION Current density of I(f) and the expression of HCN2 and HCN4 were decreased by amiodaron which might be the possible antiarrhythmic working mechanisms of amiodaron.
Low reoperation rate with the Medoff sliding plate: 1 technical failure in 63 trochanteric hip fractures

The Medoff sliding plate was designed to treat unstable intertrochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures. This plate has a dual sliding capability along both the femoral shaft and neck in order to improve bone coaptation, interfragment compression and hence load-sharing between bone and implant in hip fractures. In a retrospective study of 63 patients (mean age 82 (51-98) years) with intertrochanteric (n 44) and high subtrochanteric fractures (n 19), we assessed the results with the Medoff sliding plate. All patients, except 1 lost to follow-up, were examined clinically and radiographically. 14 patients died within 1 year, and in the other, the mean follow-up was 15 (6-30) months. 1 technical failure occurred, leading to a single reoperation. The low technical failure rate suggests that the Medoff sliding plate with combined compression modus is suitable for treating intertrochanteric and high subtrochanteric fractures.
Spiritual/Religious Experiences and In-Treatment Outcome in an Inner-City Program for Heroin and Cocaine Dependence

Abstract Although spirituality is an integral component of some of the most popular approaches to substance abuse treatment, there is little empirical evidence for a causal relationship between spirituality and treatment success. In the present study, 169 (121 male) opiate- or cocaine-abusing treatment seekers completed the Index of Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT), a questionnaire that assesses both spirituality and religiosity. Responses were analyzed in terms of demographic variables and in-treatment outcome, which was determined by treatment retention and drug screens from observed biweekly urine collections. Religious/spiritual beliefs were common in these participants and were associated with in-treatment outcome: total INSPIRIT score was weakly correlated (r = .16, p < .04) with number of subsequent cocaine-negative urines, and participants reporting that they frequently spent time on religious/spiritual activities showed significantly better outcomes in terms of subsequent drug use and treatment retention. Women and Mrican Americans were more likely than men and non-Arican Americans to report religious and spiritual beliefs or experiences on several individual items, and Mrican Americans had higher INSPIRIT scores than Caucasians. The results suggest that spiritual and religious experience plays a role in substance abuse recovery and that demographic characteristics should be considered in the design of spiritually oriented behavioral interventions for addiction.
A Phase III Evaluation of Immunogenicity and Safety of Two Trivalent Inactivated Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in US Children

Background: This study (NCT00383123) compared the immunogenicity and safety of 2 trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines: Fluarix [GlaxoSmithKline (study vaccine)] and Fluzone [Sanofi Pasteur (control vaccine)] in children 6 months to <18 years. Methods: Children, stratified by age and randomized, received either study (N = 2115) or control vaccine (N = 1210) at day 0 (and day 28 for previously unvaccinated children younger than 9 years). Children 6 months to <5 years comprised the according-to-protocol (ATP) cohort for immunogenicity, whereas the reactogenicity/safety group included all children 6 months to <18 years. The study aimed to demonstrate immunologic noninferiority of study vaccine versus control vaccine. Results: For children 6 months to <5 years, the predefined noninferiority criteria were not reached, mainly due to the differences in immune response in children 6 months to <3 years with no influenza vaccination history. All reactogenicity/safety endpoints were within the same range in both vaccine groups. Conclusions: The study vaccine demonstrated a good safety and reactogenicity profile; however, it did not meet the predefined noninferiority criteria in children 6 months to <5 years. The study vaccine was as immunogenic as the control vaccine in children aged 3 to <5 years.
[Correlation of total antioxidant capacity in seminal plasma with sperm motility of infertile men].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal plasma with sperm motility in infertile men, and explore the clinical significance of TAC in seminal plasma in male fertility. METHODS One hundred and thirteen infertile men with normal sperm density were included in the experiment group and 28 fertile men in the normal control. The seminal parameter analysis was performed by computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) system. Seminal plasma TAC was measured with spectroscopic analysis. RESULTS Seminal plasma TAC was (14.37 +/- 8.45) U in the infertile men with normal sperm density and (19.82 +/- 6.33) U in the fertile control. Compared with the fertile men, seminal plasma TAC in the experiment group was significantly lower (P < 0.01). There was significant correlation between seminal plasma TAC and sperm motility, grade a sperm (r = 0.208, P < 0.05), grade (a + b) sperm (r = 0.231, P < 0.05), straightness (STR) (r = 0.200, P < 0.05), linearity (LIN) (r = 0.208, P < 0.05), curvilinear velocity (VCL) (r = 0.189, P < 0.05), straight line velocity (VSL) (r = 0.210, P < 0.05), average path velocity (VAP) (r = 0.215, P < 0.05), and beat cross frequency (BCF) (r = -0.248, P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation among the average motion degree (MAD), the amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) and wobbly (WOB). CONCLUSION TAC in seminal plasma is closely related to male fertility, appropriate TAC provides a favourable environment for sperm swimming. The decreased level of TAC in seminal plasma may be one of the causes of male infertility. The analysis of TAC in seminal plasma may afford valuable evidence in exploring the mechanism of male infertility and in clinical medication.
Fungal peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis: critical review of six cases.

Fungal peritonitis (FP) is uncommon in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD); it is difficult to treat and has a high mortality rate. We report 6 cases of fungal peritonitis observed between 1980 and 1992 in our center. The etiologic agents were: Candida spp. , C. guilliermondi, C. parapsilosis, C. albicans, and Verticillium spp. All 6 patients had suffered at least one episode of bacterial peritonitis in the two months before the fungal infection appeared and were all treated by intraperitoneal administration of antibiotics. The catheter was removed early in 3 patients followed by antimycotic therapy, while the remaining 3 patients received antimycotic therapy, with removal of the catheter in a later stage. The result in the first group was that they all switched permanently to hemodialysis, while in the second group there were 2 deaths and 1 transfer to hemodialysis. In the light of these 6 cases, we analyzed 22 published reports to assess risk factors, therapy, and outcome of this pathology. The major predisposing factors were intraperitoneal antibiotics and bacterial peritonitis, and the best results were obtained by continuing PD plus intraperitoneal and systemic antifungal agents.
Adult patients with the nephrotic syndrome: really at high risk for deep venous thromboembolism? Report of a series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND The reported incidence of thromboembolic episodes in people with nephrotic syndrome (NS) ranges from 6% to 44% and it has been ascribed to the presence of a hypercoagulable state, as suggested by abnormalities of several hemostatic parameters in these patients. However, the results of the studies are often contradictory and fragmented and are rarely based on prospective studies. To assess the incidence of venous thrombosis and the pattern of abnormalities of the hemostatic parameters in NS, we planned a prospective study of a group of patients with NS. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-six consecutive patients with NS were enrolled during a 9-month period. Every 4-6 months, clinical history was collected and physical examination was carried out. Blood samples for laboratory investigation were taken at entry into the study and 24 months later. A critical review of the literature was also carried out (Medline database and Current Contents). RESULTS During the follow-up (mean 45.2 months), no thrombotic symptoms were recorded, PTT, PT, TT and mean AT-III levels were within the normal range, whereas fibrinogen, plasminogen, protein C and S, heparin cofactor II levels were significantly higher than normal both at entry into the study and 24 months later. No patient was positive for antiphospholipid antibodies. Slightly decreased levels of AT-III and heparin cofactor II were found in only two cases. CONCLUSIONS Our study confirms neither the high incidence of thrombotic complications in NS nor the presence of abnormalities of hemostatic parameters commonly associated with venous thromboembolism.
Novel Role for an HPt Domain in Stabilizing the Phosphorylated State of a Response Regulator Domain

ABSTRACT Two-component regulatory systems that utilize a multistep phosphorelay mechanism often involve a histidine-containing phosphotransfer (HPt) domain. These HPt domains serve an essential role as histidine-phosphorylated protein intermediates during phosphoryl transfer from one response regulator domain to another. InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the YPD1 protein facilitates phosphoryl transfer from a hybrid sensor kinase, SLN1, to two distinct response regulator proteins, SSK1 and SKN7. Because the phosphorylation state largely determines the functional state of response regulator proteins, we have carried out a comparative study of the phosphorylated lifetimes of the three response regulator domains associated with SLN1, SSK1, and SKN7 (R1, R2, and R3, respectively). The isolated regulatory domains exhibited phosphorylated lifetimes within the range previously observed for other response regulator domains (i.e., several minutes to several hours). However, in the presence of YPD1, we found that the half-life of phosphorylated SSK1-R2 was dramatically extended (almost 200-fold longer than in the absence of YPD1). This stabilization effect was specific for SSK1-R2 and was not observed for SLN1-R1 or SKN7-R3. Our findings suggest a mechanism by which SSK1 is maintained in its phosphorylated state under normal physiological conditions and demonstrate an unprecedented regulatory role for an HPt domain in a phosphorelay signaling system.
Kidney Size and Growth in Unilateral Renal Agenesis and in the Remaining Kidney following Nephrectomy for Wilms' Tumor

The kidney size and renal growth were determined in unilateral renal agenesis and in the remaining kidney following nephrectomy for Wilms' tumor. The ultimate length of 98 per cent of the functioning kidneys in renal agenesis is expected not to exceed +5.6 SD. In the tumor series the corresponding figure is +4.2 SD.
Renormalization of light-front Hamiltonian field theory.

We propose a regularization of light-front field theory which does not make a distinction between transverse and longitudinal coordinates. It consists of a subtraction of low order terms in the Taylor expansion of an amplitude with respect to external momenta, similar to the regularization in the BPHZ scheme, which has some advantages that do not exist in covariant field theory. Instantaneous parts and oher longitudinal singularities are automatically removed irrespective of their explicit form. We argue therefore that these parts are meaningless. The local counterterms are equal to those of covariant field theory. We demonstrate the method in a number of examples, recovering the covariant results.
Chlamydia pneumoniae and cytomegalovirus seropositivity, inflammatory markers, and the risk of myocardial infarction at a young age.

BACKGROUND Pathogens causing chronic infections may promote atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and of inflammatory activation with premature myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS Specific anti-Cp and anti-CMV immunoglobulin G (IgG), fibrinogen, white blood cells (WBC), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured in 120 post-MI patients </=50 years old and in 120 age-matched controls. RESULTS Seropositivity to Cp and elevated concentrations of anti-Cp and anti-CMV IgGs were more frequent (P =.01) in patients than in control subjects, and fibrinogen, CRP, and WBC levels (P =.02) were more elevated. After adjustment for coronary risk factors and socioeconomic status, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for premature MI were 2.4 (1.3-4.6) for Cp infection and 2.9 (1.5-5.8) for CMV. The risk of Cp infection was greater in smokers (3.7, 1.8-7.6). When both infections were present (35% of patients vs 8% of controls, P =.001), CRP was higher (P =.01) and the risk increased by 12 times (12.5, 4-38.9) compared with that in subjects without any infection and by 5 times (4.9, 2.2-10.9) if only one was present. CONCLUSIONS After adjustment for confounders, seropositivity to both Cp and CMV infections is associated with the diagnosis of premature MI. The combination of both infections is associated with an enhanced inflammatory response and a markedly increased risk of premature MI.
Phosphite induces expression of a putative proteophosphoglycan gene in Phytophthora cinnamomi

The phosphate analogue phosphite is widely used to control diseases of plants caused by oomycete pathogens such as those within the genus Phytophthora. Phosphite inhibits zoospore production and growth of P. cinnamomi. However, very little is known about the underlying mechanism of action. In the present study, we grew P. cinnamomi in Ribero’s liquid medium with 0.1 mM phosphate, with and without 5 μg phosphite/mL, and used differential display reverse transcriptase-PCR (DDRT-PCR) to identify P. cinnamomi genes that are transcriptionally repressed or induced by phosphite. By using this technique, four differentially expressed bands were identified. However, quantitative measurement of the amount of mRNA transcript by RT-PCR revealed that only one gene was actually phosphite inducible. On the basis of the homology of the deduced amino acid sequence, this gene encodes a proteophosphoglycan. The remaining three bands did not show differential expression.
Predicting the Probability for Faculty Adopting an Audience Response System in Higher Education

Instructional technologies can be effective tools to foster student engagement, but university faculty may be reluctant to integrate innovative and evidence-based modern learning technologies into instruction. Based on Rogers’ diffusion of innovation theory, this quantitative, nonexperimental, one-shot cross-sectional survey determined what attributes of innovation (relative advantage, compatibility, complexity, trialability, and observability) predict the probability of faculty adopting the audience response system (ARS) into instruction. The sample of the study consisted of 201 faculty at a university in the southeastern United States. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine the attributes of innovation that predict the probability of faculty adopting the ARS into instruction. Out of the five attributes, compatibility and trialability made significant contributions to the model. The implication of the findings is that, in order to maximize adoption, the faculty needs to be given the opportunity to pre-test the ARS prior to implementation, and they need to know how the technology will assist them in achieving their pedagogical goals. Recommendations were made to leverage these attributes to foster faculty adoption of the ARS into instruction.
Logical , temporal and causal interpretations of conjunction . An experimental approach

It is well known that the conjunction et can have various interpretations in natural language such as logical, temporal or causal ones. Assuming a structural uniformity among these different interpretations, semantic and pragmatic theories explain these interpretative differences by the general pragmatic principles of communication (Grice 1975, 1989, Posner 1980, Schmerling 1975, Carston 1993, Blakemore & Carston 1999, Blakemore & Carston 2005). However, quite recently, Bjorkman (2010) has put forth some arguments in favor of a structural division among these different interpretations. In brief, asymmetric interpretations (temporal and causal) in their syntactic structure involve a coordination of temporal phrases (TP), while symmetric interpretations (logical) imply a coordination of the complementizer phrases (CP).