Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An antisense construct reduces N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor 2A expression and receptor‐mediated excitotoxicity as determined by a novel flow cytometric approach

The N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a major neurotransmitter receptor in the central nervous system (CNS), with functional roles in learning, memory, and sensation. Several mechanisms potentiate NMDARs, and NMDAR hyperexcitability plays pathophysiological roles in many conditions, such as neurodegenerative disease, ischemia, and chronic conditions arising from spinal cord injury. Previous research suggests that the NR2A subunit of the receptor contributes to NMDAR excitotoxicity in heterologous cells and in neurons in vivo. To investigate the role of NR2A in NMDAR excitotoxicity, we have developed a system based on flow cytometry that allows rapid evaluation of the effect of antisense constructs on protein expression and channel function. The enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) was fused to obligatory NMDAR subunits, allowing expression to be monitored in living cultured cells. An NR2A antisense construct, asNR2A, specifically and effectively reduced NR2A‐EYFP expression. NR1 and NR2A fusion proteins formed functional, excitotoxic channels upon co‐expression. The asNR2A RNA significantly reduced NMDAR excitotoxicity when NR2A levels were limiting for channel formation. Using our assay system, further optimization can be achieved rapidly. The asNR2A construct and the assays developed for this study can be used to provide insights into NMDAR biology and disease. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
'Mutual intacting': a grounded theory study of clinical judgement practice issues.

AIM This paper reports a study conducted to explore how nurses working at advanced practice level in chronic and acute care outpatient contexts responded to decision-making concerns in clinical practice. BACKGROUND Current theoretical explanations of clinical judgement offer insight into how healthcare professionals process information; however, they are incomplete as they do not consider psychosocial issues. Research evidence informing clinical judgement practice is based largely on acute care hospital settings. Consequently, little is known about how practitioners make clinical judgements in outpatient contexts where patients can participate in their own care. METHOD A grounded theory approach was used to analyse interview data about clinical judgements made in actual clinical practice. Twenty-one nurses working at advanced practice level in mental healthcare clinics and accident and emergency in the Republic of Ireland were recruited. Concurrent data collection and analysis, constant comparative analysis and theoretical sampling were conducted in 2002-2005. FINDINGS The core category to emerge from the data was 'mutual intacting'. This refers to the main strategies that practitioners used to resolve concerns about eliciting patient information and selecting treatments that were acceptable to patients. It highlights the clinical judgement practices that practitioners find useful to engage patients to facilitate effective decision-making. CONCLUSION Practitioners could draw from the various strategies identified in this research to develop their clinical judgement practice further in ways that include the development of an effective relationship with their patients. Negotiation and compromise are particularly useful strategies that should be used to facilitate effective treatment delivery that takes account of patients' circumstances.
Association of metabolic syndrome with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in an Indian population

Background and Aims: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is thought to have increased association with metabolic syndrome (MS) which represents a cluster of factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. However, the extent of association of COPD with MS and its individual components are still an unsettled issue, and it is likely to vary from population to population. Under the above context, this study was undertaken to investigate the association of MS and its components with COPD. Materials and Methods: With a cross-sectional analytic design, 77 COPD and an equal number of non-COPD (apparently healthy) participants were studied purposively. The two groups were found to be matched by age, sex, and monthly income groups. The data of COPD patients and non-COPD participants were collected from a tertiary level hospital in Kolkata and a locality of Greater Kolkata, respectively. They were interviewed, and the frequencies of MS were assessed using 3 criteria (National Cholesterol Education Program-Third Adult Treatment Panel [NCEP ATP III], modified NCEP ATP III, and International Diabetic Federation [IDF]). Anthropometric measurements were taken, and fasting blood sample was collected to test the fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of respondents. Logistic regression was applied to estimate the odds ratio (OR). Results: Among the COPD subjects, 44%, 46%, and 31% had coexisting MS as defined by NCEP ATP III, modified NCEP ATP III, and IDF criteria, respectively. The corresponding percentages in the non-COPD groups were 31%, 38%, and 32%. On multivariate analysis, a significant association of MS (P < 0.015) with COPD was found only when the NCEP ATP III criteria were used. The (mean ± standard deviation) FBG concentration among COPD and non-COPD groups was 130 ± 65 mg/dl and 97 ± 26 mg/dl, which was significantly different (P < 0.001). The difference in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P < 0.063) and HDL level (P < 0.058) lied just outside the statistical significance among COPD and non-COPD groups. Gender, exercise habit, family history of hypertension, and smoking habits were important confounders for the association of COPD with individual MS components. Using NCEP ATP III criteria, female gender (OR = 3.48), COPD groups (OR = 3.05), and family history of hypertension (OR = 3.31) were found as determinants (P < 0.05) of MS. Using modified NCEP ATP III criteria, female (OR = 3.66) and family history of hypertension (OR = 3.84) were found as determinants (P < 0.05) of MS. Conclusions: COPD is associated with MS only when the NCEP ATP III is used for the diagnosis of MS. No association can be revealed on using the IDF criteria for MS. Body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference does not seem to be appropriate measures for assessing the presence of MS among COPD patients. Among the components of MS BMI, SBP, FBG, TG, and HDL are significantly associated with COPD.
A comparison of the effects of honey, fish oil and their combination on wound healing in rat

Nader Tanideh, Ehsan Abdordideh, Seyedeh Leili Asadi Yousefabad, Sajad Daneshi, Omid Koohi Hosseinabadi, Soleiman Mohamadi Samani Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran Laboratory Animals Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Journal of Coastal Life Medicine 2016; 4(9): 683-688
Robust tracking of vessels in oceanographic airborne images

In this paper we present and evaluate an algorithm for tracking vessels in oceanographic airborne image sequences on the visible spectrum. Such sequences are challenging due to sun reflections, wakes, wave crests and fast motions, which significantly degrade the performance of general purpose tracking algorithms. The proposed method is based on state-of-the-art correlation filter tracking complemented with an image segmentation and blob analysis stage. The purpose of this later stage is to re-center the target in the tracking window to compensate for drifts in the correlation filter. We evaluate our proposal using a known benchmark in the field and compare it with general purpose tracking algorithms. Results show that our method beats the general purpose state-of-the-art tracking algorithms in the airborne maritime scenario both in performance and in computation time.
Influence of anticoagulant therapy in assessment of Fibrinolysis activity in post acute myocardial infarction patients

Acute myocardial infarction is a serious disease in which a patient can survive or die depending on his or her attitude towards life, myocardial infarction, commonly known as a heart attack, is the irreversible necrosis of heart muscle secondary to prolonged ischemia. Morbidity and mortality from myocardial infarction are significantly reduced if patients and bystanders recognize symptoms early, activate the emergency medical service (EMS) system, and thereby shorten the time to definitive treatment. The goal of antithrombotic therapy (the combination of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy) is to prevent clot extension and clot reformation in cases where the clot has undergone fibrinolysis either by intrinsic mechanisms, fibrinolytic treatment, or mechanical means . This is a descriptive analytical case control study aimed to evaluate the effect of anticoagulants therapy( heparin and warfarin ) in D-dimer, PT, INR and PTT level among patients with acute myocardial infarction conducted in Sudan cardiac center hospital. Thirty patients after MI and twenty normal controls have been studied. Both male and female of different ages and different duration of disease from first day above to thirty day . The MI patients also include co-exist disease diabetes and hypertension, they received different Anticoagulants therapy. The results of PTT in patients in mean were (31.65 second) and the mean of PTT results in control were (32.71 seconds) demonstrated in table (2) the results of D-Dimer in patient in mean were ( 2264 ng/ml) and the mean of D-Dimer results in control (145.6ng/ml) demonstrated in table. In this study, we found a statistically significant superiority of warfarin in combination with aspirin (relative risk reduction, 29 percent) as well as of warfarin alone relative risk reduction, 19 percent) as compared with aspirin for the reduction in the composite end point.
Adolescent Abuse of Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide (DXM), a constituent of more than 125 patent cough/cold remedies, is the most popular antitussive medication in the United States. Cough syrups or capsules also contain additional ingredients such as acetaminophen, chlorpheniramine maleate, guaifenesin, and/or pseudoephedrine, and toxicity with overdosage is additive to that of dextromethorphan alone. An unknown number of adolescents in the United States and Europe intoxicate themselves with acute megadoses of dextromethorphan. A megadose of DXM is defined as 5 to 10 times the dose recommended for control of annoying nonproductive coughs. Although a moderate overdose of pure DXM hydrobromide is free of serious adverse effects, approximately 5% of persons of European ethnicity lack the ability to metabolize the drug normally, leading to rapid acute toxic levels. Variable quantities of pure dextromethorphan powder in multiples of 1 gram are easily available from the worldwide web, including e-Bay. Recipe-like extraction procedures are quickly available on the Internet for seemingly simple and inexpensive home manufacture of concentrated dextromethorphan powder from Coricidin HBP Cough & Cold™ tablets (street name triple C). Adolescents intoxicate themselves at parties and even before or after school since the drug is legal, relatively inexpensive, and easily purchased or shoplifted at drug or convenient stores. Acute megadoses of the drug have profound psychological and physiological effects similar to those of phencyclidine (PCP). Megadoses of dextromethorphan used to self-intoxicate, can produce a false-positive screening test for phencyclidine in a urine specimen.
Peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor‐α−/− mice show enhanced hepatocyte proliferation in response to the hepatomitogen 1,4‐bis[2‐(3,5‐dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene, a ligand of constitutive androstane receptor

Previously, we have suggested that liver cell proliferation induced by certain mitogens is dependent on their binding and activation of nuclear receptors of the steroid/thyroid superfamily. More recently, it was shown that absence of the nuclear receptors peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor‐α (PPARα) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) completely abolishes the proliferative response of hepatocytes to the mitogenic stimulus exerted by their specific ligands, peroxisome proliferators (PPs) and 1,4‐bis[2‐(3,5‐dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP), respectively. Here we show that deletion of the PPARα gene accelerates and enhances the proliferative response evoked by the xenobiotic 1,4‐bis[2‐(3,5‐dichloropyridyloxy)] benzene (TCPOBOP), a powerful mouse‐liver mitogen and a ligand of the nuclear receptor CAR. Indeed, the number of hepatocytes entering S phase 24 hours after mitogen treatment was much greater in PPARα−/− mice compared with that of wild type mice (labeling indices 21.4% and 7.5%, respectively). Labeling index of hepatocytes from PPARα−/− mice was found to be higher than that of wild type mice up to 36 hours after treatment, indicating that lack of PPARα not only accelerated but also enhanced the overall proliferative response of the liver. The accelerated entry into S phase observed in hepatocytes from PPARα−/− mice was associated with a very rapid induction of cyclin D1. No major differences between TCPOBOP‐treated PPARα−/− and wild type mice were observed in the expression of the 2 inhibitors of cyclin/CDKs complexes, p27 and p21. The results suggest that PPARα may play a role in modulating CAR‐signaling pathways in the cell, in particular those leading to hepatocyte proliferation.
Prevalence Estimates of Pathological Gambling in Quebec *

Pathological gambling was officially defined and recognized as a psychiatric illness by the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. This survey reports the results of a province-wide study in Quebec based on telephone interviews using standardized assessment instruments with 1,002 subjects. The current prevalence of pathological gambling is 1.2%. The results also show that 88% of the respondents have gambled at least once in their life. The implications of these results for the prevention and treatment of this debilitating disorder are discussed.
Evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness parameters in myopic population using scanning laser polarimetry (GDxVCC).

INTRODUCTION Myopia presents a significant challenge to the ophthalmologist as myopic discs are often large, tilted, with deep cups and have a thinner neuroretinal rim all of which may mimic glaucomatous optic nerve head changes causing an error in diagnosis. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the retinal fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in low, moderate and high myopia using scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation (GDxVCC). SUBJECTS AND METHODS One hundred eyes of 100 emmetropes, 30 eyes of low myopes (0 to - 4 D spherical equivalent(SE), 45 eyes with moderate myopia (- 4 to - 8D SE), and 30 eyes with high myopia (- 8 to - 15D SE) were subjected to retinal nerve fiber layer assessment using the scanning laser polarimetry (GDxVCC) in all subjects using the standard protocol. Subjects with IOP > 21 mm Hg, optic nerve head or visual field changes suggestive of glaucoma were excluded from the study. The major outcome parameters were temporal-superior-nasal-inferiortemporal (TSNIT) average, the superior and inferior average and the nerve fibre indicator (NFI). RESULTS The TSNIT average (p = 0.009), superior (p = 0.001) and inferior average (p = 0.008) were significantly lower; the NFI was higher (P less than 0.001) in moderate myopes as compared to that in emmetropes. In high myopia the RNFL showed supranormal values; the TSNIT average, superior and inferior average was significantly higher(p less than 0.001) as compared to that in emmetropes. CONCLUSION The RNFL measurements on scanning laser polarimetry are affected by the myopic refractive error. Moderate myopes show a significant thinning of the RNFL. In high myopia due to peripapillary chorioretinal atrophy and contribution of scleral birefringence, the RNFL values are abnormally high. These findings need to be taken into account while assessing and monitoring glaucoma damage in moderate to high myopes on GDxVCC.
Epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease

Abstract The worldwide increase in life expectancy is leading to an increase in age-dependent diseases, including nonfamilial, sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the subject of this review. The etiology and pathophysiology of the disease is not fully understood, but present observations suggest that, in addition to genetic risk factors, environmental influences may be involved via epigenetic mechanisms. Currently, there is no effective treatment, but there are indications that lifestyle has an impact on the development of the disease. This view is supported by preclinical studies not only showing that human lifestyle-equivalent interventions have a positive effect on cognitive function in animal models of AD, but also indicating the involvement of underlying epigenetic mechanisms. After a brief overview of the most characteristic chromatin modifications, ie, DNA methylation and histone modifications, epigenetic changes associated with aging are considered, given that aging is the most important risk factor for AD. This is followed by a description of some epigenetic alterations recognized in AD. The impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on the epigenome is then considered. Epigenetic treatments with HDAC inhibitors and RNA-based drugs are considered, which – while still in preclinical stages – are promising for potential benefit. It is concluded that while awaiting results from clinical trials in progress, focusing on lifestyle adjustments with an epigenetic background are the best way to prevent/delay the onset of this devastating disease.
Imaging magnetic vortex configurations in ferromagnetic nanotubes

We image the remnant magnetization configurations of CoFeB and permalloy nanotubes (NTs) using x-ray magnetic circular dichroism photoemission electron microscopy. The images provide direct evidence for flux-closure configurations, including a global vortex state, in which magnetization points circumferentially around the NT axis. Furthermore, micromagnetic simulations predict and measurements confirm that vortex states can be programmed as the equilibrium remnant magnetization configurations by reducing the ratio of the NT's length and diameter.
Combinatorial drug approaches to tackle Candida albicans biofilms

The human fungal opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans resides in the human gut, genitourinary tract and on the skin. The majority of infections caused by C. albicans are biofilm-related. In the first part of this review, we discuss new insights into C. albicans biofilm characteristics, concentrating on the extracellular matrix, phenotypic switching, efflux pumps and persister cells. It is widely accepted that this multicellular lifestyle is more resistant to traditional antifungal treatment compared to free-living cells. Therefore, much effort is put in the search for combinations of drugs leading to synergistic interactions against microbial biofilms to achieve lower effective doses of the drugs. In the second part of this manuscript, we review all recently identified compounds that act synergistically with azoles, echinocandins and/or polyenes against C. albicans biofilms.
Structurally Informative Tandem Mass Spectrometry of Highly Sulfated Natural and Chemoenzymatically Synthesized Heparin and Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans*

The highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides derived from heparin and heparan sulfate have been a highly intractable class of molecules to analyze by tandem mass spectrometry. Under the many methods of ion activation, this class of molecules generally exhibits SO3 loss as the most significant fragmentation pathway, interfering with the assignment of the location of sulfo groups in glycosaminoglycan chains. We report here a method that stabilizes sulfo groups and facilitates the complete structural analysis of densely sulfated (two or more sulfo groups per disaccharide repeat unit) heparin and heparan sulfate oligomers. This is achieved by complete removal of all ionizable protons, either by charging during electrospray ionization or by Na+/H+ exchange. The addition of millimolar levels of NaOH to the sample solution facilitates the production of precursor ions that meet this criterion. This approach is found to work for a variety of heparin sulfate oligosaccharides derived from natural sources or produced by chemoenzymatic synthesis, with up to 12 saccharide subunits and up to 11 sulfo groups.
Development of Feedback Microwave Thermotherapy in Symptomatic Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate ProstaLund Feedback Treatment® (PLFT®) and the CoreTherm® device with regard to biophysics, mechanisms of action, treatment indications, additional techniques, efficacy and safety in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The application of two biophysical equations in the PLFT software is explained. The calculations provide the intraprostatic ? blood flow index? and amount of accumulated coagulation necrosis during treatment. The accuracy of the ? cell kill? calculations is compared to gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histology. The accumulated ? cell kill? monitored on-line during PLFT is considered a useful tool for helping the doctor to tailor the individual ? thermal dose? to each patient. The clinical efficacy, 1 and 5 years after PLFT and Trans-urethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), is compared showing no statistically significant differences. Serious adverse events were more frequent after TURP. Expanded treatment indications for PLFT, to including patients with persistent urinary retention and patients with heavily enlarged prostates (>100 g), were studied in a retrospective survey and in a prospective randomized multicentre study comparing PLFT with surgery (TURP and open surgery). Responder rate after PLFT was close to 80% and statistically equivalent to surgery after 6 months. Serious adverse events were less frequent after PLFT. The intraprostatic blood flow works like a heat sink by transporting heat away from the treatment area during thermotherapy. This is the explanation for the unpredictable outcome and frequent treatment failures described after low-energy transurethral microwave thermotherapy. High-energy TUMT can compensate for this in many ways but results in significant patient discomfort from micturition urge, burning sensations and pain. A new device, the Schelin Catheter®, makes it possible to inject and infiltrate the prostate by the transurethral route. Injections in several locations with local anaesthetics containing epinephrine have a twofold aim: 1) to minimize the intraprostatic blood flow and 2) to achieve good analgesia. Treatment time was reduced by 50% and the total energy required was reduced by 60% when using this technique. The effects of the epinephrine on the intraprostatic blood flow were also verified with positron emission tomography, [15O]H2O-PET. The results in this thesis show that the efficacy, safety and methodological improvements of PLFT now make it a challenger to surgery (TURP and open surgery) as a convenient, office based and more available option. This truly minimally invasive treatment is an attractive option for patients that can replace surgery for the majority of patients with clinical BPH. It also reduces the cost to the taxpayer.