Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
In vitro somatic embryogenesis from callus cultures of Cephaelis ipecacuanha A .

Callus was obtained from leaf explants of Cephaelis ipecacuanha on Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/l Kin, 4.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 3% (w/v) sucrose [Murashige, T. , Skoog, F. , 1962. Plant Physiol. 15, 437±497]. Plantlet regeneration through somatic embryogenesis was achieved on MS medium containing 2.5 mg/l Kin, 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D and 3% (w/v) sucrose. Maturation and germination of somatic embryos was achieved on MS basal salts supplemented with vitamins and 2% (w/v) sucrose without growth regulators. Histological studies con®rmed induction of somatic embryogenesis. Analysis of root tips of 100 somatic embryo derived plants revealed that all plants were morphologically normal and possessed the normal diploid chromosome number 2n22. Somatic embryo derived plantlets were hardened in the greenhouse and eventually planted in the open ®eld. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Micropropagation, Genetic Fidelity and Phenolic Compound Production of Rheum rhabarbarum L.

An efficient micropropagation protocol for Rheum rhabarbarum L. was developed in this study. The in vitro rhubarb plants obtained in the multiplication stage (proliferation rate: 5.0 ± 0.5) were rooted in vitro (96% rooting percentage) and acclimatized ex vitro in floating perlite, with 90% acclimatization percentage. To assess the genetic fidelity between the mother plant and in vitro propagated plants, sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers were used. All banding profiles from the micropropagated plants were monomorphic and similar to those of the mother plant indicating 100% similarity. Regarding the polyphenolic profile, gallic, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric and ferulic acid were present in different amounts (2.3–2690.3 μg g−1 dry plant), according to the extracted matrix. Aglicons and glycosides of different classes of flavonoids were also identified. The rhizome extracts (both from in vitro and field grown plants) contained resveratrol, a stilbene compound with high antioxidant properties, ranging between 229.4 to 371.7 μg g−1 plant. Our results suggest that in vitro propagation of Rheum rhabarbarum L. represents a reliable alternative to obtain a large number of true-to-type planting material with high bioactive compound content of this valuable nutritional and medicinal species.
Expression of chick Barx‐1 and its differential regulation by FGF‐8 and BMP signaling in the maxillary primordia

The vertebrate face develops from a series of primordia surrounding the primitive mouth and is thought to be patterned by the differential expression of homeobox‐containing genes. Here we describe the isolation of the chick homologue of the homeobox‐containing gene, Barx‐1, and show its expression in the developing facial primordia, stomach, and appendicular skeleton. In the maxillary primordia, mesenchymal expression of Barx‐1 is complementary to that of Msx‐1, which correlate with overlying epithelial expression of Fgf‐8 and Bmp‐4, respectively. We show that epithelial signals are required to maintain Barx‐1 expression and that FGF‐8 can substitute for the epithelium. By contrast, BMPs reduce Barx‐1 expression and can antagonize FGF‐8 signaling. This suggests that in vivo, FGF‐8/BMP signaling may regulate Barx‐1 gene expression. This provides evidence that the differential expression of FGF‐8 and BMPs may determine homeobox‐containing gene expression and hence patterning of the facial primordia. Dev Dyn 1999;214:291–302. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cyclosporine A 1% Eye drops for the Treatment of Subepithelial Infiltrates After Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis

Purpose: To describe the use of cyclosporine A (CSA) 1% eye drops for the treatment of symptomatic corneal subepithelial infiltrates (SEI) occurring as a sequelae of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis (AK) that are resistant to tapering of corticosteroid eye drops. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of patients seen at 2 institutions who had symptomatic corneal SEI occurring after AK that was resistant to tapering of corticosteroid eye drops and who were subsequently treated with CSA 1%. Information gathered included basic demographic information (age and sex), involved eye(s), duration of symptoms, initial best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), type of corticosteroid used, clinical course, and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity at the last follow-up visit. Results: Twelve eyes of 7 patients had symptomatic SEI develop after AK that were responsive to corticosteroid eye drops but were resistant to tapering. After the initiation of CSA eye drops, the corticosteroid eye drops could be tapered, and all eyes could be maintained on CSA eye drops once per day or less. Mean follow-up time was 13.0 months (range, 4-28 months). Conclusions: CSA eye drops may be an effective corticosteroid-sparing agent for the treatment of SEI after AK. The use of CSA in this setting warrants further study.
Numerical Model of a Nasal Septal Perforation

This paper describes numerical simulation of airflow in a nose with a nasal septal perforation. Diseased airflow is compared to airflow in a healthy nasal model. The healthy model has been generated from CT scans from the Antrim Area Hospital ENT clinic and is close to being anatomically accurate. The nasal septal perforation has been superimposed on the healthy geometry using image manipulation software. The flow is modeled as laminar, steady state, with the flow rates corresponding to quiet breathing at rest approximately 165 ml/sec. Healthy flow patterns show that the majority of the flow travels close to nasal septum, in the region close to the middle turbinate. In the diseased case, high shear stresses concentrated at the posterior region of the perforation explain bleeding associated with nasal perforations.
Resolving discrepancies between a meta-analysis and a subsequent large controlled trial.

CONTEXT A recent meta-analysis found calcium supplementation to be highly effective in preventing preeclampsia but a large National Institutes of Health trial (Calcium for Preeclampsia Prevention [CPEP]) found no risk reduction due to calcium in healthy nulliparous women. OBJECTIVES To resolve discrepancies between the results of the meta-analysis and the CPEP trial and to assess the role of effect heterogeneity in the discrepancies. DATA SOURCES Literature search of English-language articles published prior to July 10, 1997, the date of publication of the CPEP trial, using MEDLINE and by a manual search of bibliographies of published articles. STUDY SELECTION Trials were included if they reported data on preeclampsia and calcium supplementation. Fourteen trials were systematically evaluated for differences in study design and patient populations. One trial was excluded because its results were reported after publication of the major CPEP results. DATA EXTRACTION The sample size and number of subjects who developed preeclampsia in the calcium supplementation group vs a control group were recorded and analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis. Each author independently extracted the data. DATA SYNTHESIS Substantial heterogeneity existed across trials (P = .001). After stratifying studies by the presence of a placebo-controlled group and by high-risk and low-risk populations, the conclusions of the meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials enrolling a low-risk population (relative risk, 0.79; 99% confidence interval, 0.44-1.42; P = .30) were compatible with the conclusions of the CPEP trial that calcium supplementation does not prevent preeclampsia in healthy nulliparous women. In contrast, the data implied a strong beneficial calcium effect (relative risk, 0.19; 99% confidence interval, 0.08-0.46; P = .001) in healthy high-risk subject populations. However, only 225 women were analyzed and because of inconsistent data, these results remain equivocal. CONCLUSIONS Further studies are needed to establish the efficacy of calcium for preeclampsia prevention in healthy high-risk populations. A single summary measure does not adequately describe the findings of a meta-analysis when the observed effects in individual studies differ substantially. In such settings the primary focus should be to identify and incorporate pertinent covariates that reduce heterogeneity and allow for optimum treatment strategies.
Comparative studies on the biology and filarial susceptibility of selected blood-feeding and autogenous Aedes togoi sub-colonies.

Blood-feeding and autogenous sub-colonies were selected from a laboratory, stock colony of Aedes togoi, which was originally collected from Koh Nom Sao, Chanthaburi province, Southeast Thailand. Comparative biology and filarial susceptibility between the two sub-colonies (blood-feeding: F11, F13; autogeny: F38, F40) were investigated to evaluate their viability and vectorial capacity. The results of comparison on biology revealed intraspecific differences, i.e., the average egg deposition/gravid female (F11/F38; F13/F40), embryonation rate (F13/F40), hatchability rate (F11/F38; F13/F40), egg width (F11/F38), wing length of females (F13/F40), and wing length and width of males (F11/F38) in the blood-feeding sub-colony were significantly greater than that in the autogenous sub-colony; and egg length (F11/F38) and width (F13/F40), and mean longevity of adult females (F11/F38) and males (F13/F40) in the blood-feeding sub-colony were significantly less than that in the autogenous sub-colony. The results of comparison on filarial susceptibility demonstrated that both sub-colonies yielded similar susceptibilities to Brugia malayi [blood-feeding/autogeny = 56.7% (F11)/53.3%(F38), 60%(F13)/83.3%(F40)] and Dirofilaria immitis [blood-feeding/autogeny = 85.7%(F11)/75%(F38), 45%(F13)/29.4%(F40)], suggesting autogenous Ae. togoi sub-colony was an efficient laboratory vector in study of filariasis.
Acceleration of Fenamiphos Pesticide Degradation in Liquid Culture and Soil by some Microorganisms

CCELERATED microbial degradation of fenamiphos pesticide (nemacur) in liquid culture and uncultivated and cultivated soil by the efficient strains of Paenibacillus polymyxa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Streptomyces aureofaciens were investigated. Fenamiphos amounts in liquid cultures of the three microorganisms decreased with elapsed time when it was used as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen. P. polymyxa proved to be able to decompose the pesticide at a higher rate than did Ps. fluorescens and S. aureofaciens. In pot experiment, soil amended with fenamiphos and inoculated with the aforementioned biodegrading strains showed higher values of N2ase, dehydrogenase and phosphatase activity than uninoculated soil. The mixture of strains gave higher enzyme activities than when each strain was inoculated individually. Furthermore, soil cultivated with tomato showed higher activities of these enzymes than uncultivated soil. Uncultivated soil inoculated with only S. aureofaciens showed the most rapid disappearance of fenamiphos compared to soil inoculated with P. polymyxa, Ps. fluorescens or the mixture of the three organisms. However the rate of fenamiphos decomposition by the bacterial strains was higher in cultivated soil than in uncultivated soil, and cultivated soil exhibited the most rapid disappearance of fenamiphos with the mixture of the three strains. When soil samples were analyzed for the fenamiphos biodegradation after 22 days of the pesticide addition and 15 days after inoculation with the biodegradants, three metabolites of fenamiphos were detected. Results show that fenamiphos degradation can be effectively accelerated in soil by these microorganisms.
1,1′-(Ethane-1,2-diyl)dipyridinium bis(iodate)

The title salt, C12H14N2 2+·2IO3 −, exhibits two crystallographically independent iodate anions, the I atoms of which are each in a trigonal–pyramidal environment. In the dication, the two pyridine rings adopt an anti conformation with respect to each other; the angle between these two rings is 3.84 (19)°. In the crystal structure, C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the cations and anions lead to the formation of layers arranged parallel to the ab plane. I⋯O halogen bonds [R 2 2(4) graph-set motif] range between 2.873 (2) and 3.036 (3) Å and connect neighbouring IO3 − anions with each other along [100], so as to create a three-dimensional network.
Hematogenous Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcal Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

AbstractVertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is an infection that can lead to significant morbidity including paralysis and chronic pain. Identifying the responsible organism poses a challenge to the physician. Vertebral aspirates are often used to sample the infected region in an attempt to identify the responsible microbe when cultures of blood are negative or reveal an organism not typically associated with VO. To identify the clinical features of patients with coagulase-negative staphylococcal (CNS) VO, we reviewed 272 vertebral aspirates obtained at our institution over 5 years. We identified 7 patients with cultures that yielded CNS. All patients had indwelling intravascular lines or devices. All patients in whom blood cultures were performed had CNS isolated from cultures of blood. Four of the 7 patients had resolution of the infection with antibiotic treatment alone, and 2 patients required surgical intervention. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus may be an etiologic pathogen when it is isolated from multiple cultures of blood in patients with VO and additional risk factors including an indwelling intravascular line or device.
Vitamin D modulates adipose tissue biology: possible consequences for obesity?

Cross-sectional studies depict an inverse relationship between vitamin D (VD) status reflected by plasma 25-hydroxy-vitamin D and obesity. Furthermore, recent studies in vitro and in animal models tend to demonstrate an impact of VD and VD receptor on adipose tissue and adipocyte biology, pointing to at least a part-causal role of VD insufficiency in obesity and associated physiopathological disorders such as adipose tissue inflammation and subsequent insulin resistance. However, clinical and genetic studies are far less convincing, with highly contrasted results ruling out solid conclusions for the moment. Nevertheless, prospective studies provide interesting data supporting the hypothesis of a preventive role of VD in onset of obesity. The aim of this review is to summarise the available data on relationships between VD, adipose tissue/adipocyte physiology, and obesity in order to reveal the next key points that need to be addressed before we can gain deeper insight into the controversial VD–obesity relationship.
Decline in CD4 T lymphocytes with monotherapy bridging strategy for non-adherent adolescents living with HIV infection: Results of the IMPAACT P1094 randomized trial

Introduction Management of persistently non-adherent youth living with HIV (YLHIV) with virologic failure (VF) on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) remains challenging. One strategy has been using 3TC/ FTC monotherapy (3TC/FTC), which in the presence of the M184V resistance mutation, does not suppress viral replication nor select for additional drug resistance mutations, and reduces viral fitness with limited side effects. P1094 compared the immunologic outcome of continuing failing cART vs. switching to 3TC/FTC as a “bridging strategy” to subsequent suppressive cART for non-adherent YLHIV with pre-existing M184V resistance. Materials & methods Participants with documented nonadherence, M184V mutation, CD4+ T cell count ≥100 cells/mm3 and VF (HIV-1 plasma RNA ≥400 copies/mL (2.6 log10 HIV-1 RNA) were enrolled and randomized to continue failing cART vs. switch to 3TC/FTC. The primary endpoint (time to ≥30% CD4+ T cell decline or development of CDC class C events) at 28-weeks were assessed by Kaplan-Meier (K-M) curves in an intent-to-treat analysis. Results Thirty-three perinatally acquired YLHIV participants (16 continuing cART and 17 3TC/FTC) enrolled in the study. The median age, entry CD4+ T cell count, and viral load were 15 years (Inter-quartile range (IQR) 14–20), 472 cells/mm3 (IQR 384–651), and 4.0 log10HIV-1 RNA copies/ml (IQR 3.2–4.5), respectively. Five participants, all in the 3TC/FTC arm, reached the primary endpoint for absolute CD4+ T cell decline (p = 0.02, exact log-rank test comparing monotherapy to cART). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of probability of primary endpoint on 3TC/FTC at 28 weeks was 0.41 (standard error 0.14). There were no CDC class C events or deaths and no statistically significant difference in frequencies of adverse events between the arms. Conclusions Non-adherent participants randomized to 3TC/FTC were more likely than those maintained on failing cART to experience a confirmed decline in CD4+ count of ≥30%. Although this study suffers from limitations of small sample size and premature discontinuation, the randomized comparison to continuing failing cART indicates that 3TC/FTC provides inferior protection from immunologic deterioration for non-adherent youth with M184V resistance. Better alternatives to 3TC/FTC such as ART with higher barriers to resistance and novel adherence and treatment strategies for nonadherent youth are urgently needed. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov NCT01338025
Serotonin Receptor Antagonists for the Prevention and Treatment of Pruritus, Nausea, and Vomiting in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery with Intrathecal Morphine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: We performed a systematic review to determine the overall efficacy of serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists for the prevention and treatment of pruritus, nausea, and vomiting in women receiving spinal anesthesia with intrathecal morphine for cesarean delivery. METHODS: Reports of randomized, controlled trials that compared prophylaxis or treatment of pruritus and/or nausea, and vomiting using one of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonists or placebo in women undergoing cesarean delivery were reviewed. The articles were scored for validity and data were extracted by the authors independently and summarized using relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Nine randomized, controlled trials were included in the systematic review. The nine trials had a total of 1152 patients enrolled; 539 received 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, 413 received placebo, and 200 received other antiemetics and were not included in the analysis. The incidence of pruritus was not reduced with 5-HT3 receptor antagonists prophylaxis compared with placebo (80.7% vs 85.8%, RR [95% CI] = 0.94 [0.81–1.09]). However, their use reduced the incidence of severe pruritus and the need for treatment of pruritus (number-needed-to-treat = 12 and 15, respectively). Their use for the treatment of established pruritus showed improved efficacy compared with placebo with a number-needed-to-treat of three. There was a significant reduction in the incidence of postoperative nausea (22.0% vs 33.6%, RR [95% CI] = 0.75[0.58–0.96]) and vomiting (7.7% vs 16.8%, RR [95% CI] = 0.49 [0.30–0.81]), and the need for postoperative rescue antiemetic treatment with the use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists when compared with placebo (9% vs 23%, RR [95% CI] = 0.38 [0.21–0.68]). CONCLUSIONS: Although prophylactic 5-HT3 receptor antagonists were ineffective in reducing the incidence of pruritus, they significantly reduced the severity and the need for treatment of pruritus, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the need for rescue antiemetic therapy in parturients who received intrathecal morphine for cesarean delivery. They were also effective for the treatment of established pruritus. Although more studies are warranted, the current data suggest that the routine prophylactic use of those drugs should be considered in this patient population.
Use, non-use and perceived unmet needs of assistive technology among Swedish people in the third age

Abstract Purpose: To describe the most prominent use of or perceived unmet need of assistive technology (AT) and to compare the characteristics of users, non-users and those expressing perceived unmet need with respect to overall health, independence in everyday life, environmental barriers and socio-demographic features. Method: The study is based on data collected in the “Home and Health in the Third Age Project”. In all, 371 individuals participated and data were collected during home visits in southern Sweden by interviewers trained specifically for this project. The data collection comprised well-proven self-report scales and observational formats on the home environment and health indicators as well as questions about basic demographics and socio-structural data. Results: The proportion of users constituted almost half of the total sample. The most common types of AT used were for furnishing/adaptation (35%) and the highest perceived unmet need concerned AT for communication, in total 8%. Those cohabiting were to a higher extent users of AT for furnishing/adaptation, compared to those who lived alone. A higher perceived unmet need was seen among those who lived alone compared with cohabiting people. Conclusions: These findings are of importance for future planning and development of policy to improve health services for the new generation of elderly. Implications for Rehabilitation In order to support the ageing process, the need for assistive technology has to be monitored in the third age. Assistive technology for furnishings and adaptation are frequently used by individuals in their third age and are important to support ageing in the home. Not only do health aspects impact the use of assistive technology, but gender, living conditions and social situation also matter – older men especially need to be monitored thoroughly according to their perceived unmet needs as well as do older persons living alone.
Dissociation between knowledge of living and nonliving things in dementia of the Alzheimer type

Patients who survive herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) sometimes present a category-specific disorder for living things. Since HSE specifically involves the temporolimbic structures of both hemispheres, these structures could play a critical role in processing and storing information about living things. If this were the case, a category-specific disorder for the same items should also be observed in the early stages of dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) as the temporolimbic structures are often severely affected in this condition. To test this hypothesis, we administered to 15 DAT patients and to 10 normal controls a confrontation-naming task and a verbal associates recognition task, with both living and nonliving items as stimuli. The hypothesis was confirmed, since DAT patients performed worse with living than with nonliving items, and scored worse than normal controls on the living but not the nonliving items.