Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate and Intravenous Lipid Emulsions on Reversing Bupivacaine-Induced Electrophysiological Toxicity in a Porcine Experimental Model.

BACKGROUND Bupivacaine cardiotoxicity mainly manifests as inhibition of the cardiac sodium channel, which slows conduction, particularly at the ventricular level. Experimental studies have demonstrated that intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) can reduce the cardiotoxic effects of bupivacaine, but the extent of these effects is controversial. Sodium bicarbonate (B) represents the standard treatment of toxicity related to sodium channel-blocking drugs. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ILEs and B on the speed of recovery from bupivacaine-induced effects on the electrocardiographic parameters. METHODS Bupivacaine 4 mg/kg was administered to 24 anesthetized pigs. Three minutes after delivering the bupivacaine bolus, the animals were given the following: ILE 1.5 mL/kg followed by 0.25 mL/kg/min (ILE group) and B 2 mEq/kg followed by 1 mEq/kg/h (B group). Controls (C group) were given saline solution, 50 mL followed by 1 mL/kg/h. Electrophysiological parameters were evaluated in sinus rhythm and during right ventricular pacing at several time intervals up to 30 minutes. Data were analyzed as the area under the curve (AUC) for the first 10 minutes (AUC10) or 30 minutes (AUC30). RESULTS Bupivacaine increased the sinus cycle length, PR interval, and QRS duration. AUC30 of the sinus rhythm QRS duration after antidote administration was significantly different among the 3 groups (P = .003). B group experienced faster recovery from intoxication than the C group (AUC10, P = .003; AUC30, P = .003) or the ILE group (AUC10, P = .018). During the first minute, 50% of the B group (versus 0% of the ILE and C groups) had recovered >30% of QRS duration (P = .011). The trend toward faster recovery in the ILE group than in the C group did not reach significance (AUC10, P = .23; AUC30, P = .06). Effects on the paced QRS duration at a rate of 150 bpm were more intense but with similar results (B versus C group: AUC10, P = .009; AUC30, P = .009; B versus ILE: AUC10, P = .015; AUC30, P = .024). The recovery process of the paced QRS tended to be slower for all antidotes. CONCLUSIONS In a closed-chest swine model, B was an effective treatment for electrophysiological alterations caused by established bupivacaine toxicity. At clinical doses, B ameliorated bupivacaine electrocardiographic toxicity faster than ILE. Use-dependent effects of bupivacaine are prominent and delay the effects of both antidotes, but B produces faster recovery than ILE.
One-step Card Tests for Fecal Calprotectin and Lactoferrin in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective The diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as well as the evaluation of disease activity, can be challenging. The aim of the study was to evaluate the significance of onestep card tests for fecal calprotectin (FC) and fecal lactoferrin (FL) in patients with IBD. Material and methods: We have examined fecal samples for FC and FL obtained from 29 patients with IBD (15 with ulcerative colitis UC and 14 with Crohn’s disease CD) and 12 healthy individuals. A qualitative one-step card test was used for each marker.
Sponges

SPoxGEs. *-Professor Heckel in this paper has condensed the results of an extended and very remarkable series of investigations with regard to the affinities of the Sponges. He places them nearest the corals, considering their canal system as homologous with the stomach and circulatory system of the corals. He farther identifies their structure by showing that in both of these types the primitive body wall consists of two layers, an outer homogeneous, which however, springs from an originally cellular layer, and an inner cellular membrane. This comparison is carried so far that as in the Ocelenterata (Acalephs and Polyps) the large vessel, which conveys away the water admitted through the sides by the smaller branches permeating the mass of the sponge, is called the stomach. Sponges are also stated to be either simple or compound, to be composed of one or more individuals in proportion as they have one or more afferent openings. Of course Professor Hoeckel is well aware of the principal objections.to his theory, and states them. The mouthless sponges, for instance, he accounts for by referring to the mouthless Sycocystis, which, however, has young with a well formed mouth. The fact, however, that the water permeating the spongebody goes through minute apertures in the wall itself and is ejected at the so-called mouth, is not encountered with quite the same success. The cutaneous pores of the corals are supposed to be the same as these minute pores, and are supposed to perform the same or a similar office for the animal. The egg of the sponge (Prosycum) is said to pass through the mulberry condition, after which it becomes hollow and clothed with cilia. This cavity enlarging finally breaks through one end, and forms a mouth opposite to the end which has already become attached to the rocks. At this young stage it is said to be not essentially different from a freshwater Polyp, or a young coral. The author nowhere alludes to the late memoir of Prof. H. J. Clark, the most conclusive of any that has yet appeared, advocating the compound nature of the sponge. In this memoir it is clearly shown that in Leucosolenia, a marine sponge. the cells of the inner membrane lining the cavity (stomach of Heackel) are monads and not true cells. That they have the single flagellum surrounded by a vail, or calyx, and contained contractile vesicles and particles of food in various states of digestion. Carter's observations, as well as Professor Hiuckel's, distinctly confirm the flagellate, or single-haired, condition of the cells of the internal membrane, and the structureless, gelatinous nature of the external layer.
FREQUENCY OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE AMONG CHILDREN FROM BIRTH TO 12 YEARS AGE

Objective: To find out frequency of congenital heart defects among children up to 12 years of age. Study design and Duration: This is a cross sectional study of observational type started in January 2018 and completed in August 2018 comprising on total duration of 8 months. Setting: Study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital “National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease” in a Karachi a city of Pakistan. Patients and Methods: Total 60 children were included in this study having ages from birth up to 12 years. Some of these cases were followed on OPD basis and others were admitted in the study institution. A performa was designed containing all relevant questions such as age, presenting complaint, history of congenital heart disease in siblings or family, way of birth elective or emergency cesarean, spontaneous birth and history of any maternal infection before birth of child. Proper history was taken bout the heart disease of children from their parents and proper examination of cases were done and all important points of history and examination were written down. ECG, echocardiography and rest of the necessary investigations were done within in the hospital and its expenses were not put on the parents. Consent was taken from parents of children for including children in study and also from ethical committee of the hospital. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant and above this insignificant. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 2014 and frequencies and percentages were calculated. Results were presented via tables and graphs. Results: In this study 60 children were included of various age groups from birth to 12 years age. There were 40% cases having age up to 3 years, 23.3% between 4-6 years, 20% between 7-9 years and 16.7% between 10-12 years of age. Presenting complaints include respiratory distress in most of the cases (55%), cyanosis in 11.7% cases, anorexia in 15% cases, edema in 3.3%, clubbing of fingers in 6.7% and syncope was in 8.3% cases. Various congenital heart defects reported were ASD in 33.3%, PDA in 21.7%, VSD in 18.3%, Myxomatus valve in 15%, congenital heart disease in 5%, double outlet right ventricle seen in 3.3%, transposition of great arteries in 5% cases, Atrio ventricular septal defects in 6.7% cases, tetralogy of fallots in 3.3%, persistent superior vena cava in 3.3% and cardiomyopathy was seen in only one case. Conclusion: Atrial septal defect is a most common congenital heart defect and respiratory distress is most common presenting complaint in children with CHD. There are many risk factors of this abnormaliy out of which common are maternal infections during pregnancy and use of drugs during first trimester.
New World Leishmaniasis: The Role of Confocal Microscopy in Diagnosis and Follow-up - Tropical Dermatology

Cutaneous leishmaniasis may mimic other infections in overlapping endemic areas and timely treatment prevents dissemination of the parasite. The required histopathological and microbiological examinations are not always available, and can only give a deferred confirmation of the diagnosis. In contrast, reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) allows real-time visualization till the level of papillary dermis. A 59-year-old Brazilian male presented with ulcerated plaques and tumors on the extremities. The clinical differential diagnosis included leishmaniasis and other infections with lymphocutaneous pattern of dissemination. RCM showed the characteristic picture of «eggs in a bird’s nest» which has been described in cutaneous leishmaniasis. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was later confirmed by skin biopsy, in which Leishmania guyanensis was identified by parasitological examination. After treatment with liposomal amphotericin B, reassessment with RCM corroborated the clinical cure, showing an «empty nest» picture. In conclusion, RCM noninvasively provides useful information for diagnosis and follow-up of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
An investigation of the regulation of BLIMP1 by the epstein-barr virus in B cells

BLIMP1 is a transcription factor that regulates plasma cell differentiation. In this thesis I explore the regulation of BLIMP1 by EBV and by the EBV oncogene, latent membrane protein-1 (LMP1). In chapter 3, I show that BLIMP1α is down-regulated following the infection of germinal centre (GC) B cells with EBV. I also show that the ectopic expression of LMP1, was sufficient to decrease BLIMP1α expression in these cells and was accompanied by a partial disruption of the BLIMP1α transcriptional programme, including the aberrant induction of C-MYC. In chapter 4, I show that the ectopic expression of BLIMP1α in EBV-transformed cells and in EBV-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma cells can induce the viral lytic cycle. Chapter 5 provides evidence that LMP1 drives a reciprocal regulatory loop in GC B cells involving BLIMP1α and C-MYC which ultimately leads to the activation of C-MYC and the repression of BLIMP1α. Finally, in chapter 6, I present preliminary evidence showing that the BLIMP1β isoform is up-regulated in EBV-transformed B cells and in Hodgkin’s lymphoma cells; an effect which appeared to be mediated by hypomethylation of the BLIMP1β specific promoter. In summary, my results suggest that EBV can subvert normal B cell differentiation by modulating expression of the different BLIMP1 isoforms. These effects appear to be important not only for the regulation of the viral lytic cycle in B cells, but also potentially for the block in differentiation characteristic of EBV-associated B cell lymphomas.
Egg white biologically active proteins activity in relation to laying hen's age.

The study was performed in order to determine the activity of biologically active proteins that naturally occur in egg white in relation to the age of the laying hen. For the experiment 240 eggs were collected from 40 hens (20 birds of ISA Brown and 20 birds of Hy-Line). Hens were kept in individual cages and fed with standard fodder. The activity of cystatin, lysozyme, serine proteinases inhibitors (ovomucoid and ovoinhibitor) were measured in egg whites obtained from hens in 35, 40, 45 and 50 weeks of age. The results of the study showed that cystatin had the lowest activity in egg white collected from 35 weeks old hens, whereas eggs collected in 50 weeks of hen’s age expressed the highest activity of cystatin. This relation was proved for both bird’s crossbreeds. No significant differences in cystatin activity were observed between two experimental lines. Similar to the results obtained for cystatin, the lysozyme activity was the lowest at first time of eggs collection, and then it increased from 244 u/mg protein to 273 u/mg protein for ISA Brown and from 235 u/mg protein to 316 u/mg protein for Hy-Line. Activity of trypsin inhibitors analysed in egg white increased together with the hen’s age from 35 to 45 weeks, when the activity of serine proteinases inhibitors reached the maximum point. Activity of mentioned biological components measured in eggs obtained from 50 weeks old hens was significantly lower. A similar trend was estimated for chymotrypsin inhibitor analysed in egg white. HyLine birds produced eggs with higher anti-trypsin and anti-chymotrypsin activity than ISA Brown hens. It is concluded that activities of biologically active proteins in egg white increase with increasing age of the hens to 45 weeks in case of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, and up to 50 weeks in case of cystatin and lysozyme.
Improvements in Cereal Tissue Culture by Thidiazuron: A Review

This article reviews research to establish highly regenerative cell and tissue culture systems in cereals and grasses as a prerequisite for crop improvement using biotechnological methods. The strategies were described in the historical framework of investigations in this field and then new approaches were discussed focussing on the considerable recent progress made using the cotton defoliant thidiazuron (TDZ) for enhancement of morphogenic competence in the Poaceae during the last 15 years. In 1982, TDZ was first described to have cytokinin-like activity and subsequently, numerous studies have characterized this compound as a powerful plant growth regulator for dicots with special emphasis on recalcitrant leguminous and woody species. However, TDZ was evaluated for cereal tissue culture with a remarkable delay. The results summarized clearly showed that TDZ can significantly improve morphogenic response from callus derived from a wide range of explants concerning frequency of shoot formation, number of shoots per explant and the time needed for shoot induction compared to other cytokinins. Moreover, TDZ has been used effectively for establishment of shoot meristematic cultures from model and agronomically important cultivars using shoot apices, shoot meristematic segments as well as nodes and pronounced differences were obtained regarding shortening of the time frame especially for barley and wheat. Besides that, high frequency plant regeneration with long-term retention of morphogenecity in a relatively genotype-independent manner was observed. Nevertheless, in a few cases problems associated with the use of TDZ were noted. The data summarized imply that TDZ is also a potent growth regulator for cereals which (i) further minimizes the recalcitrant nature of the Poaceae and which (ii) extends the application of transformation protocols to elite genotypes and to more readily available explants.
Species Composition, Distribution, and Relative Abundance of Fishes in the Coastal Habitat off the Southeastern United States·

Ichthyofauna of the coastal «10 m depth) habitat of the South Atlantic Bight were investigated between Cape Fear, North Carolina, and the St. John's River, Florida. Trawl collections from four nonconsecutive seasons in the period July 1980 to December 1982 indicated that the fish community is dominated by the family Sciaenidae, particularly juvenile forms. Spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) and Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus) were the two most abundant species and dominated catches during all seasons. Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortin tyrannus) was also very abundant, but only seasonally (winter and spring) dominant in the catches. Elasmobranch fIShes, especially rajiforms and carcharinids, contributed to much of the biomass of fishes collected. Total fish abundance was greatest in winter and lowest in summer and was influenced by the seasonality of Atlantic menhaden and Atlantic croaker in the catches. Biomass was highest in spring and lowest in summer, and was influenced by biomass of spot. Fish density ranged from 321 individuals and 12.2 kg per hectare to 746 individuals and 25.2 kg per hectare. Most species ranged widely throughout the bight, and showed some evidence of seasonal migration. Species assemblages were dominated by ubiquitous year-round residents of the coastal waters of the bight. Diversity (H') was highest in summer, and appeared influenced by the evenness of distribution of individuals among species. (PDF file contains 56 pages.)
Analyzing Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Extract Efficacy in Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Recovery

Oral aphthous is of prevalent oral ulcers occurring as the recurrent ones. Various factors influence oral aphthous etiology such as mental disorders, immunity, blood disorders and stress. To treat these ulcers, different methods including steroids, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and analgesics are recommended. In the present study, the effect of a sort of buccoadhesive licorice tablet has been analyzed for aphthous stomatitis recovery. The current research is of clinical trials. The study community has been selected out of those referring to Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases Department of The Faculty of Dentistry affiliated with the University of Medical Sciences of Mazandaran in 2016.In the first stage, according to the inclusion criteria, 42 subjects have been selected by convenient sampling and in the continuation, the samples have been randomly and alternately assigned to two groups. Twenty-one (21) patients have been placed in the mucoadhesive licorice tablets intervention group and twenty-one (21) ones in non-medicine base buccoadhesive control group. Finally, the results will enter SPSS20 for analysis. Based on Chi-square test, the time of reaching analgesia and full recovery from aphthous ulcer in the intervention group is meaningfully lower than that of the control group (P<0.001). Also all the intervention group subjects have fully recovered on day 7 (P<0.001). Regarding the anti-inflammatory effects of licorice and the current study derived results, mucoadhesive licorice extract tablets has the potential to alleviate pain, reduce ulcer's diameter and its surrounding inflammation and to accelerate the aphthous stomatitis recovery time.
Uncharted Waters: Bivalves of Midway Atoll and Integrating Mathematics into Biology Education

Author(s): McCully, Kristin M. | Advisor(s): Potts, Donald C. ; Ash, Doris | Abstract: To protect and conserve the Earth's biodiversity and ecosystem services, it is important not only to understand and conserve species and ecosystems, but also to instill an understanding and appreciation for biodiversity and ecosystem services in the next generations of both scientists and citizens. Thus, this dissertation combines research into the ecology and identity of large bivalves at Midway Atoll in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) with research on pedagogical strategies for integrating mathematics into undergraduate biology education.The NWHI is one of the few remaining large, mainly intact, predator-dominated coral reef ecosystems and one of the world's largest marine protected areas. Previous bivalve studies focused on the black-lipped pearl oyster, Pinctada margaritifera, which was heavily harvested in the late 1920s, has not recovered, and is now a candidate species for restoration.First, I combined remote sensing, geographic information systems, SCUBA, and mathematical modeling to quantify the abundance, spatial distributions, and filtration capacity of large epifaunal bivalves at Midway Atoll. These bivalves are most abundant on the forereef outside the atoll, but densities are much lower than reported on other reefs, and Midway's bivalves are unlikely to affect plankton abundance and productivity inside the lagoon.Second, I used molecular techniques and phylogenetic reconstructions to identify pearl oysters (Pinctada) from Midway Atoll as P. maculata, a species not previously reported in Hawaii. As a small morphologically cryptic species, P. maculata may be a native species that has not been collected previously, a native species that has been identified incorrectly as the morphologically similar P. radiata, or it may be a recent introduction or natural range extension from the western Pacific.Finally, I review science education literature integrating mathematics into undergraduate biology curricula, and then present and evaluate a computer inquiry module using learner-centered teaching strategies to introduce structured population (matrix) models in an upper-division ecology course. Using pre- and post-test surveys and student interviews, I concluded that students accomplished the module's learning goals: to use matrix models to assess and protect populations and to better appreciate the importance and uses of mathematics in ecology and conservation.
The Roles of Glycerol in Candida Albicans Biofilm Formation and Invasion

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT . 6 LIST OF TABLES . 11 LIST OF FIGURES . 12 Introduction . 13 Biofilm structure and development . 13 Cell morphology and biofilm formation . 16 Biofilm-associated gene expression . 19 The cell surface and adherence . 21 Extracellular matrix material . 27 Biofilm metabolism . 30 Biofilm drug resistance . 32 Regulatory role of glycerol in Candida albicans biofilm formation . 33 Work disclaimer . 33 Introduction . 33 Results . 36 Biofilm-responsive gene expression and function . 36 Rhr2 function in adherence and biofilm formation . 39 Rhr2 impact on biofilm gene expression . 44 Functional basis of the rhr2Δ/Δ mutant biofilm defect . 47 Glycerol and biofilm gene-regulation . 50 Discussion . 54 Methods . 58 Media and Strain Construction . 58 RNA sample preparation for RNAseq analysis . 59 Yeast-cell reporter expression assay in mixed biofilms . 60
Reconstrução de trânsito intestinal: fatores que influenciam a realização

Objetivou-se identificar os fatores que influenciam na reconstrução do trânsito intestinal em pessoas com estoma provisório. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo–analítico, quantitativo, participaram 117 pessoas com estoma provisório, que foram entrevistados, abordando aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos e motivo da não reconstrução do estoma até o momento da coleta dos dados, foi realizada análise descritiva das variáveis, com aplicação de testes para verificar a existência de relação entre os motivos de demora para reconstrução com as demais variáveis. A maioria era do sexo masculino, a neoplasia predominou como patologia que determinou a construção do estoma, as cirurgias foram de urgência, sendo a colectomia a mais frequente. A idade influencia tanto na causa do estoma como na não reconstrução, assim como a presença de comorbidades e a persistência da causa pré-cirúrgica, o que leva à reflexão sobre a importância de ações de promoção de saúde e prevenção de doenças intestinais.
A Handbook of the World's Conifers (2 vols.)

This revised and updated handbook includes detailed information on all 615 conifers, temperate as well as tropical, this encyclopedic work offers users as diverse as ecologists, gardeners, foresters and conservationists the accumulated knowledge of these trees obtained in 35 years of academic research, presented in an easily searchable format.