Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
TRANSPLANTATION OF STEM CELLS FROM THE ADULT HUMAN BRAIN TO THE ADULT RAT BRAIN

OBJECTIVETo investigate the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of stem cells and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) from the adult human brain after transplantation into adult rodent brains. METHODSAdult human NPCs were obtained from temporal lobe specimens removed because of medical intractable epilepsy. The cells were transplanted into the posterior periventricular region above the hippocampus in the brains of either healthy adult rats (control) or rats with selective injury of the hippocampal CA1 region (global ischemia). RESULTSIn the control animals, grafted cells were mainly distributed from the site of transplantation toward the midline along white matter tracts. The density of transplanted cells elsewhere, including the hippocampus, was low and apparently random. In animals with CA1 damage, NPCs showed targeted migration into the injured area. Cell survival at 10 weeks was 4.7 ± 0.3% (control, n = 3) and 3.7 ± 1.1% (ischemia, n = 3); at 16 weeks, cell survival was 3.4 ± 0.6% (control, n = 2) and 7.2 ± 1.5% (ischemia, n = 2), i.e., comparable to what has been observed earlier when transplanting embryonic tissue into the human brain or progenitor cells between inbred rats. The number of dividing cells decreased with time. Sixteen weeks after transplantation, 4 ± 1% (n = 4) of the cells showed proliferative activity. We did not observe signs of tumor formation or aberrant cell morphology. Neuronal differentiation was much slower than what has been observed earlier in vitro or after transplantation to the developing nervous system, and 16 weeks after transplantation many surviving cells were still in maturation. CONCLUSIONThe present study shows that adult human NPCs survive, show targeted migration, proliferate, and differentiate after grafting into the adult rat brain.
Apo forms of cytochrome C550 and cytochrome cd1 are translocated to the periplasm of Paracoccus denitrificans in the absence of haem incorporation caused by either mutation or inhibition of haem synthesis

An apo form of cytochrome C550 can be detected by immunoblotting cell‐free extracts of a mutant of Paracoccus denitrificans that is deficient in c‐type cytochromes. This apoprotein is found predominantly in the periplasm, the location of the holocytochrome in the wild‐type organism, indicating that translocation of the polypeptide occurs in the absence of haem attachment. The polypeptide molecular weight, as judged by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, is indistinguishable from that of the holoprotein and the chemically prepared apoprotein; this suggests that the N‐terminal signal sequence is removed in the mutant as in the wild‐type organism. In the presence of levulinic acid, an inhibitor of haem biosynthesis, apocytochrome c550 and aponitrite reductase (cytochrome cd1) accumulated in the periplasm of wild‐type cells. Synthesis of these apoproteins was blocked by chloramphenicol. Thus in P. denitrificans the synthesis of these polypeptides is neither autoregulated nor regulated by the availability of haem. That the apoproteins appear in the periplasm argues against the possibility of polypeptide/haem co‐transport from cytoplasm to periplasm. These observations are related to, and contrasted with, the biosynthesis of c‐type cytochromes in eukaryotic cells.
Innovative cognitive style, proactive personality and employee creativity: The moderating effects of work discretion and time pressure

This paper aims to examine the influence of innovative cognitive style, proactive personality and working conditions on employee creativity by taking an interactional perspective. Innovative cognitive style refers to individual's idiosyncrasy of thinking about and dealing with original idea, while proactive personality conceptualizes individual's strategic opportunity-seeking behaviors toward exploring novelty. Work discretion and time pressure, two critical contextual factors suggested to impact employee creativity in organizational literature, may also influence how individuals convert their innovative cognitive style and proactive personality into creativity. In an attempt to extend current understanding of creativity in organizations, this study examines the relationship between individual characteristics (innovativeness and proactiveness) and employee creativity, and how the relationship is moderated by work discretion and time pressure.
Fractional dual-phase-lag heat conduction model for laser pulse heating

In the present work, the short-pulse laser heating of a semi-infinite medium is considered. The time fractional dual-phase-lag model is used as the heat conduction model and the corresponding fractional heat conduction equation with a volumetric heat source is established. The semi-analytical solution for the temperature distribution is obtained by using the Laplace transform method. Finally, the influence of pertinent parameters on the temperature distribution is studied graphically.
Burnout in orthopaedic surgeons: a review

Training and practice of orthopaedic surgery are stressful endeavours, placing orthopaedic surgeons at risk of burnout. Burnout syndrome is associated with negative outcomes for patients, institutions and, especially, the surgeon. The aim of this review is to summarize available literature on burnout among orthopaedic surgeons and provide recommendations for future work in this field.
The Relationships Among Three Components of Perceived Risk of Injury, Previous Injuries and Gender in Non-Contact/Limited Contact Sport Athletes

This study examined the relationships among perception of risk of injury, worry/concern of injury, and confidence in avoiding injury. Participants were 154 athletes from three non- contact/limited contact sports (swimming, track, and baseball). Measures included the Perception of Risk of Injury Scale (RISSc; Kontos, Feltz, & Malina, 2000), Worry about Injury in Sports Scale (WISSc; Short et al., 2005), Confidence in Avoiding Injury in Sports Scale (CAISSc; Short et al., 2005), and The Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (Crowne & Marlowe, 1960). Correlations between the measures indicated a positive relationship between the fear of injury and probability of injury and a negative relationship between fear of injury and confidence in avoiding injury. There was also a negative relationship between the probability of injury and confidence in avoiding injury. Significant gender differences were only found for the worry in avoiding uncontrollable injuries, with males fearing injury more than females. In regard to previous injury, if an athlete was previously injured, they reported more fear of reinjury and a higher probability of reinjury. Results also showed that if an athlete reported more than one injury in the past 12 months, the more perceived risk of reinjury and reduced confidence an athlete had. With this knowledge, it may be possible to create programs capable of decreasing the negative perceptions and changes in behavior that often increase the fear of injury.
Persistence of use of lipid-lowering medications: a cross-national study.

CONTEXT Although clinical trials have demonstrated the benefits of lipid-lowering therapy, little is known about how these drugs are prescribed or used in the general population. OBJECTIVE To estimate predictors of persistence with therapy for lipid-lowering drug regimens in typical populations of patients in the United States and Canada. DESIGN A cohort study defining all prescriptions filled for lipid-lowering drugs during 1 year, as well as patients' demographic and clinical characteristics. SETTING New Jersey's Medicaid and Pharmacy Assistance for the Aged and Disabled programs and Quebec's provincial medical care program. PATIENTS All continuously enrolled patients older than 65 years who filled 1 or more prescriptions for lipid-lowering drugs (N = 5611 in the US programs, and N = 1676 drawn from a 10% sample in Quebec). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Proportion of days during the study year for which patients had filled prescriptions for lipid-lowering drugs; predictors of good vs poor persistence with therapy. RESULTS In both populations, patients failed to fill prescriptions for lipid-lowering drugs for about 40% of the study year. Persistence rates with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors were significantly higher than those seen with cholestyramine (64.3% vs 36.6% of days with drug available, respectively). Patients with hypertension, diabetes, or coronary artery disease had significantly higher rates of persistence with lipid-lowering regimens. In New Jersey, multivariable analysis indicated that the poorest patients (those enrolled in Medicaid) had lower rates of drug use than less indigent patients (those enrolled in Pharmacy Assistance for the Aged and Disabled) after adjusting for possible confounders, despite virtually complete drug coverage in both programs. When rates of use were measured in the US population for the 5 years following the study year, only 52% of surviving patients who were initially prescribed lipid-lowering drugs were still filling prescriptions for this drug class. CONCLUSION In all populations studied, patients who were prescribed lipid-lowering drug regimens remained without filled prescriptions for over a third of the study year on average. Rates of persistence varied substantially with choice of agent prescribed, comorbidity, and socioeconomic status, despite universal coverage of prescription drug costs. After 5 years, about half of the surviving original cohort in the United States had stopped using lipid-lowering therapy altogether.
Low bone mineral density in achondroplasia and hypochondroplasia

Achondroplasia (ACH) and hypochondroplasia (HCH) are the most common form of short‐limb skeletal dysplasias caused by activated fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) signaling. Although decreased bone mass was reported in gain‐of‐function mutation in Fgfr3 mice, both disorders have never been described as osteoporotic. In the present study, we evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) in ACH and HCH patients.
Initial effect of controlled release chlorhexidine on subgingival microorganisms.

BACKGROUND Little or no data exist on the ability of subgingival application of PerioChip (2.5 mg chlorhexidine gluconate in a biodegradable chip; Astra Pharmaceuticals, Westborough, MA, USA) to suppress periodontopathic microorganisms. The present study compared the subgingival microbiota of periodontitis sites receiving the chlorhexidine chip plus scaling and root planing (Sc/Rp) or Sc/Rp alone. METHODS Seven males and six females, mean age 49 years, with moderate to advanced periodontitis participated in the study. In each patient, two bilateral pockets probing 6-7 mm were randomly assigned to treatment by chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp, or by Sc/Rp alone. Subgingival placement of chlorhexidine chips was carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions. Sc/Rp was performed with hand instruments for at least 10 min in each study tooth. Subgingival samples were collected by paper-points at baseline, at 2 weeks and at 4 weeks post-treatment. Anaerobic culture methods were used for microbial isolation and identification. The microbiologic examination was carried out blindly. Microbiological data were evaluated by a repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS No statistical difference was found in total colony counts between subgingival sites treated with chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and those treated with Sc/Rp alone. Also, the percentage of major periodontal pathogens (Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Bacteroides forsythus) and the percentage of total periodontal pathogens (A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, B. forsythus, Prevotella intermedia-group, Fusobacterium, Eubacterium, Campylobacter rectus, Peptostreptococcus micros, Eikenella corrodens, enteric rods) were not significantly different between the chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp group and the Sc/Rp group. At baseline, A. actinomycetemcomitans was recovered from 4 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites and 2 Sc/Rp sites, P. gingivalis from 5 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites and 4 Sc/Rp sites, and B. forsythus from 9 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and 7 Sc/Rp sites. At 4 weeks, A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 2 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites but not in any site receiving Sc/Rp, P. gingivalis in 2 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp sites but not in any Sc/Rp site, and B. forsythus in 1 chlorhexidine chip + Sc/Rp and in 2 Sc/Rp sites. CONCLUSION The present data obtained from bilateral periodontitis lesions of 13 adults suggest that chlorhexidine chip treatment of adult periodontitis lesions provides little or no additional antimicrobial benefits compared to thorough Sc/Rp alone.
Target international normalized ratio values for preventing thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: results of the J-RHYTHM Registry.

BACKGROUND Target anticoagulation levels for warfarin in Japanese patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS Of 7,527 patients with NVAF, 1,002 did not receive warfarin (non-warfarin group), and the remaining patients receiving warfarin were divided into 5 groups based on their baseline international normalized ratio (INR) of prothrombin time (≤1.59, 1.6-1.99, 2.0-2.59, 2.6-2.99, and ≥3.0). Patients were followed-up prospectively for 2 years. Primary endpoints were thromboembolic events (cerebral infarction, transient ischemic attack, and systemic embolism), and major hemorrhage requiring hospital admission. During the follow-up period, thromboembolic events occurred in 3.0% of non-warfarin group, but at lower frequencies in the warfarin groups (2.0, 1.3, 1.5, 0.6, and 1.8%/2 years for INR values of ≤1.59, 1.6-1.99, 2.0-2.59, 2.6-2.99, and ≥3.0, respectively; P=0.0059). Major hemorrhage occurred more frequently in warfarin groups (1.5, 1.8, 2.4, 3.3, and 4.1% for INR values ≤1.59, 1.6-1.99, 2.0-2.59, 2.6-2.99, and ≥3.0, respectively; P=0.0041) than in non-warfarin group (0.8%/2 years). These trends were maintained when the analyses were confined to patients aged ≥70 years. CONCLUSIONS An INR of 1.6-2.6 is safe and effective at preventing thromboembolic events in patients with NVAF, particularly patients aged ≥70 years. An INR of 2.6-2.99 is also effective, but associated with a slightly increased risk in major hemorrhage. (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry UMIN000001569)
The implications of Ramadan fasting for human health and well-being

Abstract Islamic Ramadan is a 29–30 day fast in which food, fluids, medications, drugs and smoking are prohibited during the daylight hours which can be extended between 13 and 18 h · day−1 depending on the geographical location and season. The majority of health-specific findings related to Ramadan fasting are mixed. The likely causes for these heterogeneous findings lie in the amount of daily time of fasting, number of subjects who smoke, take oral medications, and/or receive intravenous fluids, in the type of food and eating habits and in changes in lifestyle. During Ramadan fasting, glucose homeostasis is maintained by meals taken during night time before dawn and by liver glycogen stores. Changes in serum lipids are variable and depend on the quality and quantity of food intake, physical activity and exercise, and changes in body weight. Compliant, well-controlled type II diabetics may observe Ramadan fasting, but fasting is not recommended for type I, noncompliant, poorly controlled and pregnant diabetics. There are no adverse effects of Ramadan fasting on respiratory and cardiovascular systems, haematologic profile, endocrine, and neuropsychiatric functions. Conclusions: Although Ramadan fasting is safe for all healthy individuals, those with various diseases should consult their physicians and follow medical and scientific recommendations.
A role for acetylcholine receptors in their own aggregation on muscle cells

Both neurotrophic factors and activity regulate synaptogenesis. At neuromuscular synapses, the neural factor agrin released from motor neuron terminals stimulates postsynaptic specialization by way of the muscle specific kinase MuSK. In addition, activity through acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) has been implicated in the stabilization of pre‐ and postsynaptic contacts on muscle at various stages of development. We show here that activation of AChRs with specific concentrations of nicotine is sufficient to induce AChR aggregation and that this induction requires the function of L‐type calcium channels (L‐CaChs). Furthermore, AChR function is required for agrin induced AChR aggregation in C2 muscle cells. The same concentrations of nicotine did not induce observable tyrosine phosphorylation on either MuSK or the AChR β subunit, suggesting significant differences between the mechanisms of agrin and activity induced aggregation. The AChR/L‐CaCh pathway provides a mechanism by which neuromuscular signal transmission can act in concert with the agrin‐MuSK signaling cascade to regulate NMJ formation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2007.
Awareness of oral cancer and precancer among patients attending a hospital in Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVE To assess awareness about oral cancer and precancer among patients attending for dental treatment at a University Dental hospital. METHODS AND MATERIALS A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 410 randomly selected outpatients attended the Dental Hospital (teaching), Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. The questionnaire included questions to ascertain information on socio-demographic parameters, awareness of oral cancer and precancer, habits of betel chewing, smoking and alcohol consumption. RESULTS Ninety five percent of the respondents were aware of the possibility of occurrence of cancer in the mouth while only 44.9% (n=184) were aware about precancer. Of the 390 individuals who were aware of the existence of oral cancer, 80.7% were knowledgeable about the causal relationship between betel chewing habit and oral cancer. Forty-seven and 17 percent were aware of links with tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, respectively. However, out of those who had knowledge of oral cancer, 18 % (n=69) were not knowledgeable about associations with habits. CONCLUSIONS This survey revealed that the patients attending the hospital were well informed about oral cancer. However, awareness about precancer was relatively low. Knowledge about the causal relationships with tobacco smoking and use of alcohol was low compared to that for betel chewing.
Diagnostic value of attenuation measurements of the kidney on unenhanced helical CT of obstructive ureterolithiasis.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of attenuation measurements of the kidney on unenhanced helical CT in patients with obstructive ureterolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Consecutive unenhanced helical CT scans of patients referred for acute unilateral renal colic were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with CT evidence of other urinary system diseases were excluded. Included scans (n = 145) were assessed for ureteral stone and secondary signs of obstruction such as unilateral collecting system or ureteral dilatation, perinephric stranding, and periureteral edema. Renal attenuation in Hounsfield units was measured in the upper, middle, and lower portions of the parenchyma, and a mean value was determined for each kidney. RESULTS Ureteral stones were present in 76 patients. Renal attenuation on the side with lithiasis was lower than on the opposite kidney: 27.2 +/- 3.9 H vs 32.6 +/- 3.4 H (p < 0.001). Attenuation differences between kidneys were higher for patients with ureterolithiasis: 5.4 +/- 3.2 H (range, -3.3 to 13.0 H) versus 1.2 +/- 1.0 H (range, 0-4.7 H) (p < 0.001). An attenuation difference between kidneys greater than or equal to 5.0 H had 61% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value, 69% negative predictive value, and 79% accuracy for diagnosis of ureteral lithiasis. CONCLUSION Attenuation difference between kidneys greater than or equal to 5.0 H was a valuable sign and had diagnostic performance similar to other secondary signs of obstructive ureterolithiasis. Furthermore, attenuation difference had the advantage of being an objective, measurement-based indicator.
Comparison of quantitative PCR and flow cytometry as cellular viability methods to study bacterial membrane permeabilization following supercritical CO2 treatment.

Foodborne illness due to bacterial pathogens is increasing worldwide as a consequence of the higher consumption of fresh and minimally processed food products, which are more easily cross-contaminated. The efficiency of food pasteurization methods is usually measured by c.f. u. plate counts, a method discriminating viable from dead cells on the basis of the ability of cells to replicate and form colonies on standard growth media, thus ignoring viable but not cultivable cells. Supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) has recently emerged as one of the most promising fresh food pasteurization techniques, as an alternative to traditional, heat-based methods. In the present work, using three SC-CO2-treated foodborne bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli) we tested and compared the performance of alternative viability test methods based on membrane permeability: propidium monoazide quantitative PCR (PMA-qPCR) and flow cytometry (FCM). Results were compared based on plate counts and fluorescent microscopy measurements, which showed that the former dramatically reduced the number of cultivable cells by more than 5 log units. Conversely, FCM provided a much more detailed picture of the process, as it directly quantifies the number of total cells and distinguishes among three categories, including intact, partially permeabilized and permeabilized cells. A comparison of both PMA-qPCR and FCM with plate count data indicated that only a fraction of intact cells maintained the ability to replicate in vitro. Following SC-CO2 treatment, FCM analysis revealed a markedly higher level of bacterial membrane permeabilization of L. monocytogenes with respect to E. coli and S. enterica. Furthermore, an intermediate permeabilization state in which the cellular surface was altered and biovolume increased up to 1.5-fold was observed in L. monocytogenes, but not in E. coli or S. enterica. FCM thus compared favourably with other methods and should be considered as an accurate analytical tool for applications in which monitoring bacterial viability status is of importance, such as microbiological risk assessment in the food chain or in the environment.