Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endomysium antibodies are superior to gliadin antibodies in screening for coeliac disease in patients presenting supposed functional gastrointestinal symptoms

Objective - To study the accuracy of IgA- and IgG-gluten antibodies and endomysium antibodies as screening tools for endoscopy with small bowel biopsy for histologic diagnosing of coeliac disease. Design - Comparing serology with histologic examination - the ? gold standard? for diagnosing coeliac disease. Settings - 1. The municipality of Östhammar, Sweden. 2. The catchment area of the University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Patients - 1. A random subsample (50 with dyspepsia, 50 with irritable bowel syndrome and 50 symptomless) of a representative sample from an adult Swedish general population (20-80 years; n=1260). 2. All patients with a diagnosis of coeliac disease admitted to the University Hospital in Uppsala, Sweden during the course of 10 months. Main outcome measures - The accuracy of IgA- and IgG-gluten antibodies and endomysium antibodies. Results - There were no significant correlations between IgA-gluten antibodies and IgG-gluten antibodies, on the one hand, and symptoms or symptom severity, on the other. Using duodenal biopsy results as the gold standard, IgA-gluten antibodies had a low specificity and IgG-gluten antibodies a low sensitivity, whereas endomysium antibodies had an excellent accuracy. Conclusion - Endomysium antibodies seem to be the screening test of choice. The load of diagnostic upper endoscopies would be considerably decreased compared to using gluten antibodies.
SUTURES ALONE ARE SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT REGENERATION ACROSS A GAP IN THE CONTINUITY OF THE SCIATIC NERVE IN RATS

We have proposed that it is sufficient to provide a simple substratum on which regenerating axons may traverse a gap in a peripheral nerve. To test this hypothesis we set up a new experimental model in which sutures were used to bridge a 10 mm long defect in a peripheral nerve. A defect was created bilaterally in 25 rat sciatic nerves. The cut ends of the nerve were joined by three laps of a continuous suture, on one side with 8/0 polyamide (non-absorbable) and on the other with 8/0 polyglactin (absorbable), leaving a 7 mm gap. At two weeks a matrix that contained capillaries, fibroblast-like cells, and mononuclear cells had formed between the nerve endings, and the sutures were surrounded by foreign-body-like tissue reactions. At four weeks axons had grown into the distal nerve segment on both sides in 65%-90% of the cases as indicated by a response to the pinch reflex test and immunocytochemistry for presence of neurofilament protein. Axons were organised in minifascicles and these tended to grow larger as the demarcation of the entire regenerated segment by a perineurial-like structure improved with time. At 12 weeks axonal counts of cross-sections of the distal tibial trunk showed many myelinated nerve fibres but no significant difference in axonal counts or degree of myelination between the polyamide and polyglactin sides. The results show that conventional sutures alone are sufficient to support regeneration across a short gap in a peripheral nerve, a method that may be of potential clinical value.
A revision of the cosmopolitan land planarian Bipalium kewense Moseley, 1878 (Turbellaria: Tricladida: Terricola)

Knowledge of the cosmopolitan land planarian Bipalium kewense is briefly reviewed. A neotype and paraneotypes are designated. External morphology and internal anatomy of the species are redescribed. Karyological studies on B. kewense reveal a diploid chromosome complement of 16; one subtelocentric, three submetacentric and four metacentric chromosome pairs. Taxonomy of B. kewense is revised and full synonomy provided. New synonomies include Placocephalus isabellinus Geba and Bipalium costaricensis Hyman. Species that phenetically resemble B. kewense are divided into three groups primarily on the basis of stripe pattern and cutaneous musculature. A differential diagnosis distinguishing B. kewense from taxa in these groups is provided. Present distribution of the species is mapped. New records are reported from Barbados, Colombia, Costa-Rica, El Salvador, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Tahiti, Taiwan and Zimbabwe. Worldwide B. kewense exhibits a disjunct distribution pattern. In Australia and in the United States a similar pattern of occurrence is evident. The species appears to be dispersed with rooted plants. The natural range of B. kewense extends from Vietnam to Kampuchea, possibly extending to Malaysia. Elsewhere it has been introduced by man. The bipaliid fauna of Vietnam, to which B. kewense belongs, appears to have closer phenetic affinities with the faunas of adjacent southern rather than northern regions.
Long-term results of arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb

We reviewed 48 arthrodeses of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb in 39 patients being treated for osteoarthritis. The mean follow-up period was 90 months (range 14 months-17 years). In 28 (58%) hands pain relief was excellent and in 6 (12%) good. Mobility was significantly reduced ( p < 0.002). Mean key pinch (52.9 N) and grip strength (219.5 N) were comparable with the unoperated hand (51.0 and 239.1 N, respectively). Hand function was near normal. In 29 hands an additional operation was needed to remove the osteosynthesis material; 14 hands failed to unite. Osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapezial joint increased significantly faster in the operated hands than in the unoperated ones ( p < 0.0001). A soft tissue procedure (such as flexor carpi radialis interposition arthroplasty) is advised instead of arthrodesis, because of the large number of reoperations, based on non-union and removal of the osteosynthesis material. From a survey of published papers we conclude that arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb can best be done by stapling and bone grafting.
Temporal Trends in Voluntary Release of Largemouth Bass

Abstract We used creel survey data collected from 1975 to 2006 to evaluate temporal changes in the voluntary release of legally harvestable largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides at four Texas reservoirs and two Florida lakes noted for providing high-quality largemouth bass fisheries. The voluntary release rate increased substantially over time at all six water bodies and reached asymptotic levels exceeding 0.90 in two Texas reservoirs in the early 2000s. Year explained from 68% to 96% of the variability in voluntary release rates. The level of voluntary release ranged from 0.53 to 0.99 among Texas reservoirs in the early 2000s. The increase in voluntary release over time was similar at the two Florida lakes, which had identical largemouth bass harvest regulations, but the levels differed. Catch and release of legally harvestable largemouth bass was more prevalent than harvest at five of the six water bodies included in this study but also varied across small spatial scales. Fishery managers should measure.
Lower extremity isometric joint torque in children with juvenile chronic arthritis

Objective: To determine the intratester reliability of joint torque testing with a hand-held dynamometer (HHD) during contractions of four major lower extremity muscles in children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and to compare results for children with JCA to results for children without disability. Methods: Eleven children with JCA and 14 children with normal musculoskeletal function were tested with a HHD using isometric muscle contractions of the right quadriceps, hamstrings, tibialis anterior and triceps surae. Results: Intratester reliability values exceeded the 0.92 level, regardless of the number of trials, for all motions tested. Statistically lower joint torque values were found in a subgroup of children with JCA for contractions of the tibialis anterior (p = 0.003) and triceps surae (p = 0.05) muscles. Conclusions: HHD offers a reliable means of testing the joint torque generated with contraction of these lower extremity muscles in children with JCA. Findings in children with JCA compared to children without disability agree with previous reports concerning quadriceps muscle function, but also point to concerns for muscles associated with generating ankle joint torque.
The slope aspect affects the heterogeneity and growth of ground vegetation in deciduous temperate forest

The species richness, H’ and D’ diversity and evenness J in southwesternand northeastern-facing slopes were compared and height of twelve herbaceous plant species was measured five times during vegetation season in old-growth beech forest. The opposite slopes chosen for studies were similar in relation to slope inclination, type of soil, species composition and canopy cover. Two study plots 60 m2 encompassing two rows of 1by 2-m 15 rectangular quadrates2 were established. The study revealed that northern slopes were characterized by significantly lower mean species diversity (H’ = 0.82; D’ = 0.47) compared to southern slopes (H’ = 1.2; D’ = 0.59), similar evenness (ca. J = 0.72) and higher heterogeneity with respect to spatial structure using Euclidean distance and range of DCA scores of quadrates of plots. Two-way ANOVA yielded significant differences of effect of slope aspect (P <0.001) and period of time (P <0.01) on average vegetation height. Nevertheless, interaction of time and aspect turned out to be insignificant. The highest mean values of height of plants were observed at the end of July and the end of June. Generally plants growing on north-facing slope were taller and had higher cover than those growing in southern sloped forest. This can be the result of lower species diversity on northeastern slope which favours development of individual species in conditions of weak interspecific competition and stronger intraspecific interactions.
Prevalence of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain

Objective - To explore the prevalence of fibromyalgia and chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain in a general population using the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology from 1990. Design - Structured interview and clinical examination, including tender-point count and pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter, of subjects with suspected chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain. Setting - The general population in south-west Sweden 1995-1996. Subjects - 303 individuals with suspected chronic widespread pain were identified in a previously defined cohort containing 2425 men and women aged 20-74 years. 202 individuals were invited and 147 agreed to participate. Main outcome measures - Tenderpoint count, pain threshold and prevalence of chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia. Results - The prevalence of fibromyalgia was estimated to 1.3% (95% CI 0.8-1.7; n=2425) and that of all chronic widespread pain to 4.2% (95% CI 3.4-5.0; n=2425). The mean pain threshold measured with a dolorimeter was lower in subjects with chronic widespread pain (p<0.01) and correlated with the number of tender points (r= -0.59, p<0.01) but could not be used to distinguish the subjects with fibromyalgia. Conclusion - Compared to other studies, fibromyalgia and chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain seemed to be relatively rare conditions in the south-west of Sweden.
Richness and distribution of porcupines (Erethizontidae: Coendou) from Colombia

Abstract In spite of previous reviews, there is still no consensus on the information associated to the richness of the genus Coendou in Colombia. To clarify some issues concerning the distribution and the taxonomic identity of the species of Coendou in the country, we reviewed specimens from five natural history collections. We introduce the first record of Coendou ichillus from the Orinoco river basin of the country, extending the distribution of the species by more than 600 km to the north from previous known localities in Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, we present new records of C. pruinosus and C. quichua from the Amazonia and inter-Andean valleys, respectively. Only one skull presents the diagnostic characters of C. bicolor; thus, previous records of this species for the country were based on misidentifications. Coendou is distributed in seven of the nine geographic provinces of Colombia. Coendou prehensilis was found in five provinces and is expected to be present in the Amazonia, whereas C. pruinosus was documented in three provinces (North Andean, Orinoco and Guyana). The rest of the species of Coendou were distributed in one or two provinces. The richest provinces were North Andean and Orinoco with six and four Coendou species, respectively. The elevational ranges of C. prehensilis and C. pruinosus are revised to 0–1975 and 90–2200 m, respectively.
Le Sostanze di Riserva dei Pollini E Il Loro Significato, Filogenetico, Ecologico, Embriologico

Abstract The Author gives a critical abridged account of the vast bibliography concerning the reserve substances of pollen and points out the contrasting deductions that the various Authors drew from casuistry, trying to find a general ecological signification. In the experimental part, the Author refers to the researches made in Cuba, Rio de Janeiro, Sanremo, on reserve substances (starches and lipids) observed in 1170 species and varieties, originate from tropical, subtropical, temperate and cold zones. Regarding the starches, of which she studies the forms and the hydrolisis during the germination of the pollen, the Author concludes that the species with amilaceous pollen are mostly anemogamous, but that there are also amongst them some entomogamous, a few ornitogamous and a few hydrogamous ones. On the contrary, the species with fatty pollen are all zoogamous. Regarding carotinoids of pollen, the hypothesis is set forth that their presence is colligated to entomogamy, the carotinoids being soluble in .
Celecoxib versus diclofenac in the management of osteoarthritis of the knee: A placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind comparison

Objective: A clinical trial was conducted in 600 patients with OA of the knee to test the hypothesis that the specific COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib, has equivalent efficacy and a superior tolerability/safety profile when compared to diclofenac, the current worldwide standard of care. Methods: Patients were administered celecoxib 100 mg BID, diclofenac 50 mg TID or placebo for 6 weeks in a multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Results: Primary efficacy measures (index joint pain by VAS, WOMAC index) indicated statistically significant improvement versus placebo for both celecoxib and diclofenac and no statistically significant differences between celecoxib and diclofenac. American Pain Society (APS) measures to assess the rapidity of onset of action showed statistically significant and comparable pain relief versus placebo within 24 h for both celecoxib and diclofenac. More diclofenac patients reported GI side effects than patients treated with either placebo or celecoxib. Diclofenac-treated patients experienced statistically significant elevations in mean hepatic transaminases and serum creatinine and reductions in haemoglobin concentration when compared to placebo, events not observed with celecoxib. Conclusion: Celecoxib 200 mg daily is as effective as diclofenac 150 mg daily for relieving signs and symptoms of OA of the knee, including pain, and has a rapid onset of action. However, celecoxib appears to have a superior safety and tolerability profile.
Current concepts on diagnosis, autoantibodies and therapy in Sj gren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune and rheumatic disorder. Most patients have mild to moderate complaints and this may explain the great discrepancy in prevalence found in population studies compared to studies performed in the clinic. However, there is no straightforward and simple diagnostic test for Sjögren's syndrome, although several classification criteria have been designed. Initiatives have been taken to propose a new set of classification criteria in a joint effort by research groups in Europe and USA. A large number of autoantibodies have been reported in Sjögren's syndrome where, in some cases, the antibodies are correlated with the extent and severity of disease. The finding of serum autoantibodies directed against the muscarinic M3 receptor is an important advance in understanding the pathogenesis of not only the impaired glandular function but also associated features of autonomic dysfunction in some patients. The treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome is still mainly symptomatic.
Seaward Nutrient Transport in the Lower St. Lawrence Estuary

A transect across the lower St. Lawrence estuary was occupied to estimate volume transport and nutrient distributions (total dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus, and silicate) during February and May through September. Seaward transport was restricted to the upper 50 m and varied from 17 × 103 m3/s (August) to 129 × 103 m3/s (May). Nutrient and volume transport data are combined to estimate seasonal variability in monthly surface nutrient transport towards the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The estimates vary as follows: 0.72–6.72 × 103 tons N/mo, 0.05–0.48 × 103 tons P/mo and 0.50–6.73 tons Si/mo. Ratios between monthly freshwater input into the estuary and the corresponding values for net seaward transport, which varied from 1.1 to 9.4, are combined with annual data (1960–73) on monthly freshwater input into the estuary to estimate potential annual variability in seaward transport for each of the above months. Observed nutrient data, with the above transport estimates, suggest the possible range in monthly seaward.
Functional polymorphisms in matrix metalloproteinase‐1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and rheumatoid arthritis

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the functional polymorphisms in the promoter of matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) and in the regulatory region of the monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) gene are associated with susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its clinical features. The MMP‐1 1G/2G polymorphism and the MCP‐1 promoter A/G polymorphism were determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism in 117 RA patients and 97 healthy controls. The genotype distribution of the MMP‐1 promoter did not differ between RA patients and control subjects. However, in the 2G/2G genotype, ESR and Plat were higher than the 1G/1G genotype. The genotype distribution of the MCP‐1 promoter did not differ between the RA and control groups. Clinically there was no significant difference among RA patients according to the MCP‐1 promoter genotypes. Our data show that the functional promoter polymorphism in the MMP‐1 promoter may not play an important role in the susceptibility of RA, but the polymorphism may be related to clinical phenotypes.
Up-regulation of CD44 in rheumatoid chondrocytes

The adhesion molecule CD44 is thought to play an important role in the inflammatory process. To identify the expression of CD44 in articular chondrocytes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), monoclonal anti-CD44 antibodies were immunohistochemically used to react with articular cartilage specimens of 15 patients with RA, 9 with osteoarthritis (OA), and 6 with femoral neck fracture (FF). The proportion of CD44-positive chondrocytes in RA was 93±2% (N=16), which was significantly higher than that in OA (59±7%, N=9, p<0.001) and FF (46±5%, N=6, p<0.001). Among CD44 isoforms examined, the hemopoietic form was dominant in chondrocytes in RA. Therefore, up-regulation of CD44 on chondrocytes may play a significant role in cartilage degeneration in RA.
ACUTE POSTOPERATIVE SWELLING AFTER HAND SURGERY: AN EXPLORATORY, DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMISED STUDY WITH PARACETAMOL, NAPROXEN, AND PLACEBO

A model using volumetry to evaluate the effect of drugs on acute postoperative swelling after operations for primary Dupuytren's contracture (DC) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was established and validated. The temperature of the saline and time of measurement during the day influenced the volumetric readings. The error of measurement after volumetry of unoperated and operated hands after operations for DC was 0.7% and 0.6%, respectively. Naproxen (500 mg twice a day), paracetamol (1000 mg four times a day), or placebo were given postoperatively for three days to 35 patients after DC and 42 patients after CTS in a randomised, placebocontrolled study. Hand volume was measured preoperatively and 72 hours after surgery. There was a difference in swelling (p=0.009) indicating different degree of development of swelling 72 hours postoperatively between the DC and CTS placebo groups, which invalidated pooling of the data. After operations for DC naproxen was slightly but not significantly superior to paracetamol and placebo, with paracetamol numerically superior to placebo. The power of the study, caused by the limited number of patients included, does not permit this difference to reach significance. Operations for CTS caused so little swelling that comparisons were invalidated. Naproxen treatment, irrespective of type of operation, did not require rescue analgesics, while two patients after CTS treated with paracetamol did. Two and six placebo-treated patients required rescue drugs after operations for DC and CTS, respectively. We conclude that naproxen might have a clinical relevant effect on swelling when used on minor surgery in the hand, unlike paracetamol. Naproxen might be a useful analgesic during the immediate postoperative phase.
Soybean Growth Response to Plant Density: Relationships among Canopy Photosynthesis, Leaf Area, and Light Interception

Plant spacing greatly affects leaf area, light interception, and canopy apparent photosynthesis (CAP) in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. ]. This study examined relationships among these variables in four population-density and row-width treatment combinations for two seasons. Wide-row (0.96 m) treatments were 3, 11, and 18 plants m -2 in 1988 and 3, 15, and 24 in 1989 ; narrow-row (0.43 m) treatments tended to have greater CAP rates during early growth in 1988, but not 1989, when rates lagged behind the wide-row, high population. The reduction in CAP by the narrow-row treatment in 1989 corresponded to its reduced light interception as measured parallel to the row base (.)
Nitrogen recovery in soils amended with organic manures combined with inorganic fertilisers

Des etudes du prelevement d'azote par l'orge ont ete menees au sud-est de l'Ecosse entre 1994 et 1996. Les sites ont ete semes en avril de chaque annee avec de l'orge de printemps (Hordeum vulgare) et des traitements (temoin sans azote, sulfate d'ammonium (60 kg N.ha -1 ), fumier de porcins, d'ovins, lisier de bovins (en 1994 et 1995 seulement), et fumier de volailles) ont ete appliques a la surface du sol a un taux qui contenait 120 kg N.ha -1 . Les traitements aux fumiers ont ete accompagnes de sulfate d'ammonium marque 15 N a un taux de 60 kg N.ha -1 . Dans tous les cas, les rendements d'orge ont ete augmente significativement (P < 0,001) par des applications de fumiers ou de fertilisants azotes inorganiques. Le fumier de volaille, plus que tout autre traitement, a augmente les rendements significativement pendant les 3 annees, et de plus a provoque une augmentation a court terme des concentrations de N dans la biomasse. Il existait une correlation significative (P < 0,001) entre la concentration de carbone organique soluble du fumier au moment de l'application, et le prelevement total de N par la culture a la recolte. La proportion de N marque retrouvee dans l'orge a varie significativement (P < 0,01) entre les traitements (sulfate d'ammonium 0,296; fumier d'ovin 0,286; de volailles 0,166, lisier de bovins 0,229 et fumier de porcins 0,227) demontrant une interaction entre l'azote et les apports de fumiers.
Characterization of lariciresinol glucosides from Osmanthus asiaticus

Two lariciresinol glucosides, lariciresinol-4'-O-β-D-glucoside (1) and lariciresinol-4-O-β-D-glucoside (2), were isolated from the bark of Osmanthus asiaticus and the 1 H- and 13 C-nmr assignments were made by using nOe and 2D-nmr techniques