Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Ninth Cranial Nerve Stimulation for Epilepsy Control

Objective: To determine the anatomical and surgical feasibility of placement of a stimulator around the nerve of Hering (HN; a branch of cranial nerve nine). We previously determined the success of HN stimulation in controlling epileptiform activity in a canine model study. The present study assessed the ability to extrapolate the ease of surgical dissection and surrounding anatomy to humans. Methods: Fifteen human cadavers (8 male, 7 female) were studied. The HN on each side was specifically evaluated in each specimen with respect to its presence, size, surgically accessible length below the mandibular angle, relationship to the internal carotid artery (ICA) and carotid bifurcation and relation to the common facial vein (CFV), thyroid cartilage (superior edge) and superior cervical ganglion (SCG). Results: All 15 cadavers exhibited specimens of HN bilaterally, with the nerve diameter ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mm (mean 1.0 mm); in relation to the ICA, the HN coursed anteromedially in 60%, anteriorly in 33% and anterolaterally in 7% of cases, and appeared to distinctly emerge at the level of the carotid bifurcation in all specimens. The surgically accessible length below the mandibular angle ranged from 6 to 30 mm (mean 15 mm). Relative to the carotid bifurcation, the superior edge of the thyroid cartilage was –35 to 33 mm (mean –5.4 mm) above; the CFV, which was clearly identifiable in only two thirds of the specimens, was –10 to 15 mm (mean 3.0 mm) above; and the inferiormost portion of the SCG was 6–30 mm (mean 16.6 mm) above. Conclusion: This study indicates that the HN was clearly present and surgically accessible in all human specimens. Based on the present study and our previous canine study, HN stimulation could be an important therapy for medically intractable epilepsy.
Metabolic Effects of Breathing Hyperoxic Gas Mixtures During Heavy Exercise

maximum aerobic power under normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. During each submaximal exercise session, oxygen consumption (''O2), ventilation (',,E), heart rate, and blood lactate were measured. Before and after each submaximal task, a muscle biopsy was taken from the vastus lateralis muscle and analyzed biochemically to determine muscle glycogen levels. V02, /CO2, and muscle glycogen utilization were similar under the two conditions. Although the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) was significantly reduced under hyperoxia, the magnitude of the difference was small (0.04 RER units). Under hyperoxia, blood lactate was significantly lowered, which may reflect an enhanced conversion of pyruvate to alanine. The observed significant decrease in VE and heart rate under hyperoxia may reflect responses of the peripheral chemo-and baroreceptors.
Picornavirus, the Most Common Respiratory Virus Causing Infection among Patients of All Ages Hospitalized with Acute Respiratory Illness

ABSTRACT We evaluated the prevalence of respiratory virus infection (RVI) in 403 illnesses of 364 persons hospitalized over a 2-year period with acute respiratory conditions using virus-specific reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assays in addition to cell culture and serology. RVIs were identified in >75% of children under 5 years of age and 25 to 37% of adults. The molecular assays doubled the number of infections identified; picornaviruses were the most frequent in patients of all ages, followed by respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses.
Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of 0.05% tretinoin cream in the treatment of plane warts in Arab children

INTRODUCTION Topical tretinoin (Retin-A), although currently recommended for the treatment of acne, has also been reported to be of benefit in a wide range of skin diseases including plane warts, ichthyosis, lichen planus and photodamaged skin. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical tretinoin (0.05% cream) in the treatment of plane warts in Arab children.METHODS A group of 25 children with plane warts treated with 0.05% topical tretinoin cream (applied once daily for 6 weeks) were compared with a control group of 25 untreated children. Patients were reviewed weekly and a final assessment was done at 12 weeks.RESULTS After 12 weeks, clearance of warts was observed in 84.6% of the treated group as compared with 32% of the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The drug was well tolerated. Even though 42.3% of the treated group had some redness and peeling, only one patient discontinued treatment.CONCLUSION Topical 0.05% tretinoin cream.
Severity of Human Rhinovirus Infection in Immunocompromised Adults Is Similar to That of 2009 H1N1 Influenza

ABSTRACT This retrospective chart review of patients at a tertiary referral center compares characteristics and clinical features of patients diagnosed with human rhinovirus (HRV) infection to those of patients with 2009 H1N1 influenza A (pH1N1) during the pandemic respiratory season of 2009 to 2010. Hospital admission rates, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and mortality were not statistically different between the HRV and pH1N1 groups; however, more patients in the HRV group were considered immunocompromised.
A pilot study of satisfaction in oncology nursing care: an indirect predictor of quality of care

Purpose – Although “satisfaction” is not easy to define, excellence in health care is impossible without professional/patient satisfaction, so this paper aims to report on a pilot study designed in order to evaluate the degree of nursing staff satisfaction with the implementation of measures to improve quality of care.Design/methodology/approach – The project consisted of several phases: writing protocols of care; training of nursing staff in their management; and a cross‐sectional study to evaluate nursing staff satisfaction with them. The design of the survey consisted of a 16‐item Likert scale, which had to be auto filled. A factorial analysis to simplify and validate the tools was used, using statistical analyses with SPSS software 8.0. Practical implications – The results are applicable to young small oncological units with high degree of variability in patient care. The study showed that nursing staff satisfaction with new improvement measures taken improves safety and finally quality of care.Finding.
Impact of Results of a Rapid Staphylococcus aureus Diagnostic Test on Prescribing of Antibiotics for Patients with Clustered Gram-Positive Cocci in Blood Cultures

ABSTRACT In tropical northern Australia, approximately 20% of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). We prospectively evaluated the impact on clinician antibiotic prescribing of the results obtained from performing the GeneXpert MRSA/SA test on 151 positive blood cultures with clustered Gram-positive cocci. The GeneXpert result led to earlier appropriate prescription of vancomycin for 54% of patients with MRSA; 25% of patients avoided vancomycin, and 16% of patients had all antibiotics ceased.
Regional Occurrence of Plasmid-Mediated Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Oxacillinase OXA-58 in Acinetobacter spp. in Europe

ABSTRACT The spread of the plasmid-mediated carbapenem-hydrolyzing oxacillinase OXA-58 was detected in Acinetobacter sp. clinical isolates from southern Europe, the Balkans, and central Turkey. It may contribute significantly to the emergence of carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter spp. , at least in this part of the world.
Biotechnology by Design: An Introductory Level, Project-Based, Synthetic Biology Laboratory Program for Undergraduate Students

Synthetic biology offers an ideal opportunity to promote undergraduate laboratory courses with research-style projects, immersing students in an inquiry-based program that enhances the experience of the scientific process. We designed a semester-long, project-based laboratory curriculum using synthetic biology principles to develop a novel sensory device. Students develop subject matter knowledge of molecular genetics and practical skills relevant to molecular biology, recombinant DNA techniques, and information literacy. During the spring semesters of 2014 and 2015, the Synthetic Biology Laboratory Project was delivered to sophomore genetics courses. Using a cloning strategy based on standardized BioBrick genetic “parts,” students construct a “reporter plasmid” expressing a reporter gene (GFP) controlled by a hybrid promoter regulated by the lac-repressor protein (lacI). In combination with a “sensor plasmid,” the production of the reporter phenotype is inhibited in the presence of a target environmental agent, arabinose. When arabinose is absent, constitutive GFP expression makes cells glow green. But the presence of arabinose activates a second promoter (pBAD) to produce a lac-repressor protein that will inhibit GFP production. Student learning was assessed relative to five learning objectives, using a student survey administered at the beginning (pre-survey) and end (post-survey) of the course, and an additional 15 open-ended questions from five graded Progress Report assignments collected throughout the course. Students demonstrated significant learning gains (p < 0.05) for all learning outcomes. Ninety percent of students indicated that the Synthetic Biology Laboratory Project enhanced their understanding of molecular genetics. The laboratory project is highly adaptable for both introductory and advanced courses.
Analyzing and Forecasting Near-Miss Clones in Evolving Software: An Empirical Study

Effort for development and maintenance of complex large software is believed to have dependency on the amount of duplicated code fragments (code clones) present in code-bases. For example, clones need to be carefully and consistently maintained and/or refactored for preventing accidental error propagation. Thus it is important to understand the proportion and evolution of clones in evolving software systems for cost estimation or the like. This paper presents a study on the evolution of near-miss clones at release level in medium to large open source software systems of different types (operating systems, database systems, editors, etc.) written in three different programming languages namely C, C#, and Java. Using a hybrid clone detector, NiCad, we detected both exact and near-miss clones at different levels of similarity. Applying statistical methods we investigated, from different dimensions, the evolution of both exact and near-miss clones, and also forecasted the amount of clones in future releases of the software systems. Our study offers significant insights into the existence and evolution of code clones and their relationships with programming language or paradigm and program size.
Alteration in α‐ and β‐Adrenoceptor Profile of Rabbit Knee Joint Blood Vessels due to Acute Inflammation

Experiments were performed to investigate the nature of α‐ and β‐adrenoceptors in blood vessels supplying the posterior capsule of the acutely inflamed rabbit knee joint, and results were compared to findings from previous experiments on the normal joint, to assess any alteration which may occur in the adrenoceptor profile due to the inflammation process. Electrical stimulation of the posterior articular nerve resulted in vasoconstriction which was reversed to vasodilatation by phentolamine and yohimbine. The dose‐response curves to close intra‐arterial injection of α‐adrenoceptor agonists showed a rank‐order potency of: adrenaline = phenylephrine = clonidine. The adrenaline dose‐response curve was shifted to the right by administration of antagonists with a rank‐order potency of: phentolamine = yohimbine = prazosin. At this stage of the experiments there was an equal response of α1‐ and α2‐adrenoceptors in blood vessels of the acutely inflamed rabbit knee joint. In another group of animals the neurally mediated vasodilatation, which appeared after administration of phentolamine, was completely blocked by propranolol, and was reduced by about 50% by atenolol. The dose‐response curves to close intra‐arterial injection of β‐adrenoceptor agonists showed a rank‐order potency of: isoprenaline > salbutamol = dobutamine. The isoprenaline dose‐response curve was shifted to the right by administration of antagonists with a rank‐order potency of: propranolol > atenolol. These experiments also showed an almost equal response of β1‐ and β2‐adrenoceptors in blood vessels of the acutely inflamed rabbit knee joint. Overall, compared to previous experiments on the normal joint in which α2‐ and β1‐adrenoceptor responses predominated, acute inflammation resulted in a shift from α2‐ towards α1‐ and from β1‐ towards β2‐adrenoceptor responses.
Mapping of Sequences in Pseudorabies Virus pUL34 That Are Required for Formation and Function of the Nuclear Egress Complex

ABSTRACT The nuclear egress complex (NEC) is required for efficient translocation of newly synthesized herpesvirus nucleocapsids from the nucleus to the cytosol. It consists of the type II membrane protein pUL34 which interacts with pUL31 at the inner nuclear membrane (INM). To map regions within pUL34 required for nuclear membrane targeting and pUL31 interaction, we constructed deletion/substitution mutations. Previously, we showed that 50 C-terminal amino acids (aa) of pseudorabies virus (PrV) pUL34, including the transmembrane domain, could be functionally replaced by cellular lamina-associated polypeptide 2β (Lap2β) sequences. In contrast, replacement of the C-terminal 100 aa abrogated complementation but not pUL31 interaction. To further delineate essential sequences within this region, C-terminal pUL34 truncations of 60, 70, 80, 85, and 90 aa fused to Lap2β sequences were generated. While truncations up to 85 aa were functional, deletion of the C-terminal 90 aa abrogated function, which indicates that the important region is located between aa 171 and 176. Amino acids 173 to 175 represent RQR, a motif suggested to mediate INM targeting. Mutagenesis to RQG revealed that the mutant protein exhibited pronounced Golgi localization, but a fraction still reached the INM. Deletion mutations in the N-terminal domain of pUL34 demonstrated that absence of the first 4 aa was tolerated, while removal of 9 or more residues resulted in a nonfunctional protein. In addition, mutation of three conserved cysteines did not abrogate pUL34 function, whereas alteration of a conserved glutamine/tyrosine sequence yielded a nonfunctional protein.
The Alphaherpesvirus Serine/Threonine Kinase Us3 Disrupts Promyelocytic Leukemia Protein Nuclear Bodies

ABSTRACT Us3, a serine/threonine kinase encoded by all alphaherpesviruses, plays diverse roles during virus infection, including preventing virus-induced apoptosis, facilitating nuclear egress of capsids, stimulating mRNA translation and promoting cell-to-cell spread of virus infection. Given this diversity, the full spectrum of Us3 function may not yet be recognized. We noted, in transiently transfected cells, that herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) Us3 disrupted promyelocytic leukemia protein nuclear bodies (PML-NBs). However, PML-NB disruption was not observed in cells expressing catalytically inactive HSV-2 Us3. Analysis of PML-NBs in Vero cells transfected with pseudorabies virus (PRV) Us3 and those in Vero cells infected with Us3-null or -repaired PRV strains indicated that PRV Us3 expression also leads to the disruption of PML-NBs. While loss of PML-NBs in response to Us3 expression was prevented by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, Us3-mediated degradation of PML was not observed in infected cells or in transfected cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged PML isoform IV. These findings demonstrate that Us3 orthologues derived from distantly related alphaherpesviruses cause a disruption of PML-NBs in a kinase- and proteasome-dependent manner but, unlike the alphaherpesvirus ICP0 orthologues, do not target PML for degradation.
Drug Dosage Adjustment Using Renal Estimation Equations: A Review of the Literature

Purpose To examine the factors affecting drug clearance and the available evidence for drug dosing based on the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) equation and the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (abbrMDRD) equation. Factors that would distort the accuracy of these formulas and the affect of this distortion on the use of either formula in drug dosage adjustment were reviewed. Methods An updated review of the literature was performed that pertained to the accuracy of the CG and abbrMDRD equations and their use in drug dosage adjustment. MEDLINE was searched using the OVIDSP database, from the inception of the database (1950) through June 2008. Discussion To cover the major issues concerning the use of renal estimation equations in drug dosing adjustment, various areas were examined. Topics included the accuracy of the CG and abbrMDRD formulas, variability in these equations because of patient and laboratory factors, the isotope dilution-mass spectrometry standardization initiative, and the applicability of each formula to modifying medication doses. Conclusion Although the abbrMDRD equation has many advantages as compared with the CG equation, too little research has been completed at this time to recommend the clinical use of the abbrMDRD equation in pharmacy practice.
Adaptive Mutations Enhance Assembly and Cell-to-Cell Transmission of a High-Titer Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 5a Core-NS2 JFH1-Based Recombinant

ABSTRACT Recombinant hepatitis C virus (HCV) clones propagated in human hepatoma cell cultures yield relatively low infectivity titers. Here, we adapted the JFH1-based Core-NS2 recombinant SA13/JFH1C3405G,A3696G (termed SA13/JFH1orig), of the poorly characterized genotype 5a, to Huh7.5 cells, yielding a virus with greatly improved spread kinetics and an infectivity titer of 6.7 log10 focus-forming units (FFU)/ml. We identified several putative adaptive amino acid changes. In head-to-head infections at fixed multiplicities of infection, one SA13/JFH1orig mutant termed SA13/JFH1Core-NS5B, containing 13 amino acid changes (R114W and V187A [Core]; V235L [E1]; T385P [E2]; L782V [p7]; Y900C [NS2]; N2034D, E2238G, V2252A, L2266P, and I2340T [NS5A]; A2500S and V2841A [NS5B]), displayed fitness comparable to that of the polyclonal high-titer adapted virus. Single-cycle virus production assays in CD81-deficient Huh7-derived cells demonstrated that these changes did not affect replication but increased HCV assembly and specific infectivity as early as 24 h posttransfection. Infectious coculture assays in Huh7.5 cells showed a significant increase in cell-to-cell transmission for SA13/JFH1Core-NS5B viruses as well as viruses with only p7 and nonstructural protein mutations. Interestingly, the E2 hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) mutation T385P caused (i) increased sensitivity to neutralizing patient IgG and human monoclonal antibodies AR3A and AR4A and (ii) increased accessibility of the CD81 binding site without affecting the usage of CD81 and SR-BI. We finally demonstrated that SA13/JFH1orig and SA13/JFH1Core-NS5B, with and without the E2 mutation T385P, displayed similar biophysical properties following iodixanol gradient ultracentrifugation. This study has implications for investigations requiring high virus concentrations, such as studies of HCV particle composition and development of whole-virus vaccine antigens. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major global health care burden, affecting more than 150 million people worldwide. These individuals are at high risk of developing severe end-stage liver diseases. No vaccine exists. While it is possible to produce HCV particles resembling isolates of all HCV genotypes in human hepatoma cells (HCVcc), production efficacy varies. Thus, for several important studies, including vaccine development, in vitro systems enabling high-titer production of diverse HCV strains would be advantageous. Our study offers important functional data on how cell culture-adaptive mutations identified in genotype 5a JFH1-based HCVcc permit high-titer culture by affecting HCV genesis through increasing virus assembly and HCV fitness by enhancing the virus specific infectivity and cell-to-cell transmission ability, without influencing the biophysical particle properties. High-titer HCVcc like the one described in this study may be pivotal in future vaccine-related studies where large quantities of infectious HCV particles are necessary.
Comparative Anticonvulsive Action of 3,5,5-trimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (Tridione), Dilantin and Phenobarbital

1. The marked antagonistic action of 3,5,5-trimethyloxazolidine-2,4-dione (Tridione) against convulsions produced by drugs and electrical shock has been demonstrated in experimental animals. 2. Comparative experiments with phenobarbital and dilantin revealed that tridione is more comparable to phenobarbital in its action but produces less depression in effective doses.
Blood pressure responder rates versus goal rates: which metric matters?

Reducing blood pressure (BP) to guideline-recommended goals associated with reductions in cardiovascular risk is central to effective hypertension management. In addition to measuring BP reduction, clinical trials of antihypertensive agents should assess the percentage of patients responding to treatment. The Food and Drug Administration's defined rate of response required for drug approval is a reduction in diastolic BP (DBP) to <90 mmHg and/or a DBP reduction of ≥10 mmHg. Consequently, some patients may be counted as responders even if they have not reached DBP <90 mmHg. An antihypertensive agent's effectiveness may be better assessed by the proportion of patients who achieve recommended BP goals. This article analyzes the frequency of response rates versus goal rates as endpoints in randomized trials since January 2001. Data showed that goal rates, especially combined systolic BP (SBP)/DBP goal rates, are consistently lower than response rates in studies evaluating both endpoints. Goal rates incorporating both SBP and DBP, or having a focus on SBP for individuals >50 years of age, provide the most clinically relevant information and are a more clinically relevant metric of an agent's ability to reduce BP than DBP alone.
High blood pressure in Latin America: a call to action

High blood pressure (BP) is an enormous global problem, and is especially challenging for low- and middle-income countries such as those of Latin America. Although developed countries have benefited from significant reductions in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease in recent decades, comparable reductions have not been achieved in Latin America. In fact, the prevalence of high BP is increasing in many Latin American countries, and the situation will worsen without definitive efforts to correct it. The growing preponderance of hypertension and chronic diseases, coupled with expected increases in population growth, present a mounting threat to Latin American economies. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the burden of high BP throughout Latin America, and presents recommendations for change. The dismal observations warrant a call to action for improved control of high BP and other cardiovascular risk factors across Latin America. Achieving these ambitious goals will require collaborative efforts by many groups, including policymakers, international organizations, healthcare providers, schools and society as a whole.