Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripheral Nerve Block Facilitates Acute Inflammatory Responses Induced by Surgical Incision in Mice

Background and Objectives Anesthesia with peripheral nerve block (PNB) improves the early recovery profile of patients undergoing surgery, including the control of postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and the length of hospital stay. However, the influence of PNB on wound inflammation and the repair process has not been fully investigated. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of PNB on local inflammation of incised tissue in the acute phase of postoperative pain development. Methods Sciatic nerve block with 0.5% ropivacaine was performed before plantar incision in mice. Pain behavior, neutrophil infiltration, phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, and gene induction of inflammatory mediators were assessed for 7 days postoperatively. Results Sciatic nerve block with 0.5% ropivacaine treatment transiently increased the withdrawal threshold to mechanical stimuli and thermal latency for 2 hours after surgical incision, whereas no changes were observed from 3 hours after incision throughout the postoperative period. However, Gr-1+ neutrophil infiltration and the number of CD68+ macrophages engulfing TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling+ apoptotic cells were significantly increased after incision. Tumor necrosis factor &agr; and prostaglandin E2 were up-regulated at the incised sites. In addition, the expressions of lipoxygenase-15 and heme oxygenase-1, which resolve inflammation and promote wound healing after the acute inflammatory phase, were increased. Conclusions Single PNB before incision promoted acute phase inflammation mediated by neutrophils and macrophages at the sites of incision, whereas postoperative pain was not altered. Peripheral nerve block might locally accelerate innate immune responses after surgical incision without altering the nociceptive profile.
Interaction between methyl CpG-binding protein and ran GTPase during cell division in tobacco cultured cells.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Methyl CpG-binding proteins are considered to play critical roles in epigenetic control of gene expression by recognizing and interacting with 5-methylcytosine (m(5)C) in eukaryotes. However, among 13 corresponding genes in Arabidopsis thaliana, designated as featuring a methyl-binding domain (MBD), only four have so far been shown actually to bind to m(5)C. One example, AtMBD5, was selected here to screen for interacting proteins. METHODS Yeast two-hybrid assays were used for screening, and physical interaction was confirmed by pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Cellular localization was analysed by fluorescence-tagged fusion proteins using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) cultured bright yellow 2 cells. KEY RESULTS A gene finally identified was found to encode AtRAN3, a protein that belongs to the Ran GTPase family, which plays a critical role in nucleocytoplasmic transport and spindle bipolarization during cell division. AtMBD5 and AtRAN3 were clearly shown to interact in the nucleus by BiFC. On co-expression of AtMBD5-cyan fluorescence protein and yellow fluorescence protein-AtRAN3 in tobacco cells, both localized to the nucleus in the resting stage, migrating to the cytoplasm, primarily around chromatin, during mitosis, particularly at metaphase. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that AtMBD5 becomes localized to the vicinity of chromosomes with the aid of AtRAN3 during cell division, and may play an important role not only in maintenance of chromatin structures by binding to m(5)C, but also in progress through mitosis by detaching from m(5)C. The present findings also shed light on the physiological function of Ran GTPases, direct target proteins of which have not thus far been well defined, suggesting their key role in chromatin movements in plant cells.
Cosmetic wastewater treatment by coagulation and advanced oxidation processes

In this study, the treatment process of three cosmetic wastewater types has been investigated. Coagulation allowed to achieve chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 74.6%, 37.7% and 74.0% for samples A (Al2(SO4)3), B (Brentafloc F3) and C (PAX 16), respectively. The Fenton process proved to be effective as well – COD removal was equal to 75.1%, 44.7% and 68.1%, respectively. Coagulation with FeCl3 and the subsequent photo-Fenton process resulted in the best values of final COD removal equal to 92.4%, 62.8% and 90.2%. In case of the Fenton process, after coagulation these values were equal to 74.9%, 50.1% and 84.8%, while in case of the H2O2/UV process, the obtained COD removal was 83.8%, 36.2% and 80.9%. High value of COD removal in the Fenton process carried out for A and C wastewater samples was caused by a significant contribution of the final neutralization/coagulation. Very small effect of the oxidation reaction in the Fenton process in case of sample A resulting from the presence of antioxidants, ‘OH radical scavengers’ in the wastewater.
Resumption of ethanol seeking behaviour in rats

Reexposure to alcohol may induce subjective carving and relapse to drug self-administration in ex-alcoholics. In this study, we proposed a rat model of “first-drink” -induced drug-seeking relapse. Responding was established in Long Evans rats under a fixed-ratio [FR5:Sr] schedule for oral ethanol. Substitution of water for ethanol solution resulted in extinction of the self-administration. When responding for 8% ethanol and ethanol intake were stable for at least three consecutive 30 min sessions, ethanol delivery was discontinued and only three water dipper cup presentations were available upon responding (3[FR5:water]). When the number of active lever presses decreased to a low stable level, responding was considered extinguished. In Experiment 1, subjects under “extinction” were challenged with three 8% ethanol dipper cup presentations. The re-exposure to ethanol was able to significantly reinstate responding in all subjects. Latency to complete the ethanol presentation significantly decreased compared In the value observed during the previous “extinction” session. In Experiment 2. other subjects were tested for extinction and then reexposed to 4. 8 or 16% ethanol. All three concentrations significantly increased active lever presses, but with different patterns of responding. The resumption of responding was linearly correlated to the ethanol concentration but no significant dose-effect relationship was found. In Experiment 3, reexposure to 8% ethanol in nondeprived rats induced a resumption of responding not significantly different from the effect observed in a restricted diet condition. These results demonstrate that ethanol reexposure is able to reinstate ethanol-seeking behaviour in rats with a past history of ethanol self-administration, and that this effect does not depend on a food motivation drive related to the calorific value of ethanol.
Severe toxicity due to injected but not oral or nasal abuse of methylphenidate tablets.

BACKGROUND Non-medical use of methylphenidate is increasing. Little is known about potential acute medical complications associated with recreational use of methylphenidate. STUDY AIM To identify medical problems associated with methylphenidate abuse. METHODS Retrospective case series of methylphenidate abuse cases presenting to an inner city emergency department. RESULTS We identified 14 cases of methylphenidate abuse between 2003 and 2010. Ten of these patients abused methylphenidate alone while four co-ingested other drugs, mainly alcohol. The route of ingestion was oral in nine patients, nasal in one and intravascular in four. Severe toxicity was exclusively observed in users who injected the drug. Two cases involved accidental intra-arterial injection and resulted in tissue necrosis leading to the amputation of a forearm and of fingertips, respectively. Clinical findings in the non-serious cases included mild to moderate symptoms and signs of sympathetic nervous stimulation such as agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, hallucination, headache, tremor and dizziness. Nine of the fourteen patients were taking methylphenidate as a prescribed drug. Eight patients were former or current multiple substance abusers. CONCLUSION Methylphenidate misuse is not a significant burden for emergency departments in Switzerland. Oral and nasal administration of methylphenidate did not result in severe toxicity. However, injection of crushed methylphenidate pills lead to serious local toxicity. Most patients with methylphenidate abuse had a prescription for the drug indicating deviation from medical use. A history of multiple substance use may be a risk factor for non-medical use of methylphenidate.
Endothelial Injury Markers With High-dose IntravenousIron Therapy in Renal Failure

Endothelial injury is prevalent in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and may be exacerbated by commonly used intravenous (IV) iron therapy. The effects of high-dose IV iron sucrose treatment (200 mg daily in 250 mL of 0.9% saline, administered over 1 hour, median treatment duration 5 days) on circulating endothelium and/or tissue injury markers such as hepatocyte growth factor, thrombomodulin, von Willebrand factor, and C-reactive protein levels were studied. The markers were determined in 24 anemic (mean hemoglobin 9.48 g/dL) pre-dialysis (median creatinine clearance 21.5 mL/min) patients with CRF and defined absolute and/or functional iron deficiency. The measurements were performed before iron administration and 24 hours after the last infusion. All the markers remained unchanged following the IV iron therapy (all p < 0.172); no thrombotic or other adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, the above high-dose IV iron sucrose supplementation does not cause evident endothelial or other tissue injury in patients with CRF, and is clinically safe.
Tumour necrosis factor α gene polymorphism: a predisposing factor to non-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction?

Background: Tumour necrosis factor α (TNF α) is implicated in the pathophysiology of heart failure. Plasma TNF α is raised in patients with myocardial dysfunction in proportion to the symptoms. Objective: To determine whether this genetic variant is over represented in heart transplant recipients. Patients: 175 heart transplant recipients and a control group of 212 healthy volunteers were studied. The reason for transplantation was severe symptomatic myocardial dysfunction in all cases. Methods: The TNF α genotype was determined by polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis. The populations were compared for their fit to Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium by calculating the expected frequencies of each genotype and comparing them to the observed values. A χ2 test was used to determine the significance of the difference between the observed and expected values. Results: No differences were found in the frequency of the TNF2 allele between all heart transplant recipients taken together (54/175, 31%) and healthy volunteers (58/212, 27%). A higher proportion of TNF2 allele carriers was present in cardiac recipients with a pretransplant diagnosis of viral mediated or idiopathic heart failure than in those with ischaemic myocardial dysfunction (26/69 (37.7%) v 28/106 (26.4%), p = 0.03). Patients with a non-ischaemic aetiology had a higher prevalence of TNF2 than healthy volunteers (26/69 (37.7%) v 58/212 (27%), p = 0.05). Conclusions: The TNF2 allele is overrepresented in patients with end stage non-ischaemic myocardial dysfunction. This may represent a genetic predisposition in a small subset of patients who could respond favourably to anti-TNF α treatment.
Surface treatment of CIS solar cells grown under Cu-excess

High-efficiency devices based on Cu(In, Ga)Se2 (CIGS) use an overall Cu-poor absorber. However, all the electronic properties (defect densities, transport properties, bulk recombination) are better in material that was grown under Cu-excess. Therefore the objective of this work is to make even better solar cells from "Cu-rich" absorbers. In all Cu-poor chalcopyrite based solar cells, the limiting factor for the open circuit voltage is the recombination in the space charge region whereas for the ones based on "Cu-rich" absorbers it is dominated by recombination at the interface. In this work, pure CuInSe2 (CIS) absorbers without Ga are grown under Cu-excess by coevaporation. After removal of the CuxSe secondary phase we obtain single phase material. In order to achieve interfaces that do not dominate the recombination, the surface was made Cu-poor by deposition of indium and Se and annealing in selenium vapor. The cell performance was remarkably improved by using this surface treatment and a 13% efficient solar cell was achieved using "Cu-rich" absorbers compared to 14% achieved with Cu-poor absorbers in a standard 3-stage process. In addition to classical characterization of the cell (IV and IVT, QE), the electronic structure of the surfaces and interfaces are investigated by photoluminescence, Auger electron spectroscopy and capacitance-voltage measurements, which show that it is indeed possible to keep a stoichiometric absorber while making the surface Cu-poor.
Increased New lncRNA–mRNA Gene Pair Levels in Human Cumulus Cells Correlate With Oocyte Maturation and Embryo Development

The close relationship between cumulus cells and oocyte indicates that the analysis of cumulus gene expression is a potential noninvasive method to aid embryo selection and in vitro fertilization outcome. Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) could regulate essential pathways that contribute to human oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development, which indicates that lncRNA would be valuable biomarkers. In our previous study, AK124742 is a newly detected lncRNA that was identified as being natural antisense to PSMD6, but its role in oocyte and embryo development is still not elucidated and needs to be investigated. Here, the expression of AK124742 and PSMD6 was measured in 40 pairs of cumulus cells from oocytes that result in high-quality embryos (HCCs) and from oocytes that result in poor-quality embryos (PCCs) by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The predictive value of AK124742 and PSMD6 was evaluated using a receiver–operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Notably, elevated expression levels of AK124742 and PSMD6 were observed in HCCs compared to PCCs (72.5% and 62.5%, respectively; P < .01). Expression of AK124742 was potentially positively associated with the PSMD6 levels. The relative expression levels of AK124742 and PSMD6 in the pregnancy group were significantly higher than those in the nonpregnancy group (P < .01). The area under the ROC curve of AK124742 was 0.78 (95% confidence interval: 0.64-0.93). In conclusion, AK124742 and PSMD6 as a new lncRNA–messenger RNA gene pair in human cumulus cells may be considered as potential biomarkers to aid embryo selection.
RISK OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION IN END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE PATIENTS RECEIVING LONG-TERM DIALYSIS

Purpose: This study investigated the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) receiving long-term dialysis and compared the risk between various dialysis modalities using propensity score-matching methods. Methods: From the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan, the authors identified 27,232 patients with ESRD newly diagnosed from 2000 to 2010, including 9,287 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 17,945 patients on hemodialysis (HD). A total of 108,928 controls without kidney disease were randomly selected and frequency matched by age, sex, and index year of ESRD patients. The authors established an additional HD cohort matched by propensity scores of PD patients (N = 9,256 each). All cohorts were followed up until the end of 2011 to measure the incidence of AMD. Results: The incidences of AMD were 1.84, 4.03, 5.37, and 3.50 per 1,000 person-years in the control, ESRD (PD and HD), PD, and HD cohorts, respectively. The hazard ratios for AMD were 1.72, 2.47, and 1.43 for the ESRD, PD, and HD cohorts, with 95% confidence intervals of 1.50 to 1.97, 2.05 to 2.98, and 1.22 to 1.68, respectively, compared with the control cohort. The patients on PD exhibited a hazard ratio of 1.74 (95% confidence interval = 1.27–2.38) for developing AMD compared with propensity score-matched patients on HD. Conclusion: Patients with ESRD may exhibit a higher risk of AMD than people without kidney disease. Patients on PD may be more likely to develop AMD than patients on HD.
Clinicopathological Outline of Dementia with Lewy Bodies Applying the Revised Criteria: The Hisayama Study

To explore the validity of the criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) revised in 2005, we examined community based consecutive autopsy cases. 10.3% of the non‐demented subjects and 31.2% of the demented subjects showed the Lewy body pathology. Applying the revised pathological criteria to the 205 demented subjects, the types of LB pathology of 11 cases (5.4%) were brainstem‐predominant, 24 cases (11.7%) were limbic type and 24 cases (11.7%) were diffuse neocortical type, although there were many subjects not to fit the criteria exactly. The prevalence of Lewy bodies (LBs) was almost same regardless of gender; however, the extent of the LB pathology among females was more severe than that in males. The likelihood of DLB being modified by concomitant Alzheimer's pathology was as follows: 27 cases (13.2%) showed low likelihood, 16 cases (7.8%) showed intermediate likelihood and 16 cases (7.8%) showed high likelihood. Since the numbers of clinical features of DLB were significantly higher in the pathological intermediate and high likelihood DLB groups than in the low likelihood DLB group or no LB group, both the intermediate and high likelihood groups of DLB should be considered as pathological DLB.
Neutralizing antibodies, MxA expression and MMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio as markers of bioavailability of interferon‐beta treatment in multiple sclerosis patients: a two‐year follow‐up study

Background: The objective of this study was to correlate the detection of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) by the cytopathic effect (CPE) assay, with the expression of myxovirus resistance protein A (MxA), and the ratio between matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP‐9) and its tissular inhibitor (TIMP‐1), in order to evaluate their usefulness as markers of interferon beta (IFN‐beta) bioavailability.
Real Time Human Brain Function: Observations and Inferences from Single Trial Analysis of Magnetoencephalographic Signals

This paper brings together results obtained by applying Magnetic Field Tomography (MFT) to the analysis of Magnetoencephalography (MEG) data over the last decade. It emphasizes the most recent developments where the availability of helmet-like MEG probes with well over 100 sensing coils provide a full coverage of the head. The paper shows that it is possible to extract tomographic information from single trial, millisecond by millisecond MEG signal, and demonstrates two ways that this capability can be exploited. First, the single trial reconstructions are used to obtain robust statistical measures of changes of activity over small latency windows. Second, the interaction between areas is studied by computing the mutual information between short, time-lagged sections of the single trial time-courses. The usefulness of the computationally demanding approach is demonstrated by analyzing experiments using two widely used protocols, one for face and affect recognition and the other for Contingent Magnetic Variation (CMV). The results show foci of significant changes of activity, which are consistent with what is reported in the literature and provide a deeper understanding of their significance. Some new, but not all that unexpected, findings also emerge from the analysis.
Protecting victims of elder financial exploitation: the role of an Elder Abuse Forensic Center in referring victims for conservatorship

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which an Elder Abuse Forensic Center protects financial exploitation (FE) victims through referral to the Office of the Public Guardian (PG) for investigation and possible conservatorship (called ‘guardianship’ in many states). Method: Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center cases involving adults aged 65 and older (April 2007–December 2009) were matched using one-to-one propensity-score matching to 33,650 usual care Adult Protective Services (APS) cases. The final analysis sample consisted of 472 FE cases. Results: Compared to usual care, Forensic Center cases were more likely to be referred to the PG for investigation (30.6%, n = 72 vs. 5.9%, n = 14, p < .001). The strongest predictors of PG referral were suspected cognitive impairment, as identified by APS (odds ratio [OR] = 11.69, confidence intervals [CI]: 3.50–39.03), and Forensic Center review (OR = 7.85, CI: 3.86–15.95). Among referred cases, the court approved conservatorship at higher rates – though not statistically significant – for Forensic Center cases than usual care (52.9%, n = 36/68 vs. 41.7%, n = 5/12). Conclusion: Conservatorship may be a necessary last resort to improve safety for some FE victims, and the Forensic Center appears to provide a pathway to this service. These findings suggest modification to the Elder Abuse Forensic Center conceptual model and contribute to an emerging body of evidence on the role of the Forensic Center in addressing elder abuse.
Clinical effectiveness of the Twin block appliance in the treatment of Class II Division 1 malocclusion.

UNLABELLED The aim of the present study was to assess clinical effectiveness of Class II Division 1 malocclusion treatment with Twin block appliance. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis of cephalometric radiographs of 34 Class II Division 1 patients treated with Twin block appliance was performed before and after treatment. A control group was generated from the normative growth data published by Bhatia and Leighton. The treatment effect was calculated by subtracting the natural growth change from the treatment change. This was then compared to twice the method error to see if the treatment change was clinically significant. RESULTS Mean mandibular length as measured from point Art to point Pog increased by 6.4 mm in the Twin-block group compare with 4.1 mm in the control group. The overjet during treatment was reduced by 4.9 mm. Relative to the maxilla upper incisor tipped backward by 6.7 degrees and in the control group natural growth proclined them by 2.4 degrees. Lower incisor after the treatment tipped forward and the angle between long axis of lower incisor and mandibular plane increased by 3.3 degrees, whereas in the control group they stay almost in the same position, proclination only 0.7 degrees. CONCLUSIONS Twin block appliance clinically significantly increases mandibular length (net effect 2.3 mm) and reduce overjet (net effect 4.9 mm). Modification of the Twin block appliance by acrylic extension to cover the edges of lower incisors reduce dentoalveolar tipping and maximize skeletal changes.