Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subendocardial fibrosis in remote myocardium results from reduction of coronary driving pressure during acute infarction in rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of hemodynamic changes occurring during acute MI in subsequent fibrosis deposition within non-MI. METHODS By using the rat model of MI, 3 groups of 7 rats each [sham, SMI (MI <30%), and LMI (MI >30%)] were compared. Systemic and left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics were recorded 10 minutes before and after coronary artery ligature. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated in picrosirius red-stained heart tissue sections 4 weeks later. RESULTS Before surgery, all hemodynamic variables were comparable among groups. After surgery, LV end-diastolic pressure increased and coronary driving pressure decreased significantly in the LMI compared with the sham group. LV dP/dt max and dP/dt min of both the SMI and LMI groups were statistically different from those of the sham group. CVF within non-MI interventricular septum and right ventricle did not differ between each MI group and the sham group. Otherwise, subendocardial (SE) CVF was statistically greater in the LMI group. SE CVF correlated negatively with post-MI systemic blood pressure and coronary driving pressure, and positively with post-MI LV dP/dt min. Stepwise regression analysis identified post-MI coronary driving pressure as an independent predictor of SE CVF. CONCLUSION LV remodeling in rats with MI is characterized by predominant SE collagen deposition in non-MI and results from a reduction in myocardial perfusion pressure occurring early on in the setting of MI.
Acute Pyelonephritis Represents a Risk Factor Impairing Long‐Term Kidney Graft Function

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and acute pyelonephritis (APN) often occur after renal transplantation, but their impact on graft outcome is unclear. One hundred and seventy‐seven consecutive renal transplantations were investigated to evaluate the impact of UTIs and APN on graft function. The cumulative incidence of UTIs was 75.1% and that of APN was 18.7%. UTIs occurred mainly during the first year after transplantation and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enteroccocus sp. were the most frequent pathogens identified. The risk of developing APN was higher in female (64%) than in male recipients, and was correlated with the frequency of recurrent UTIs (p < 0.0001) and rejection episodes (p = 0.0003). APN did not alter graft or recipient survival, however, compared to patients with uncomplicated UTIs, patients with APN exhibited both a significant increase in serum creatinine and a decrease in creatinine clearance, already detected after 1 year (aMDRD‐GFR: APN: 39.5 ± 12.5; uncomplicated UTI: 54.6 ± 21.7 mL/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.01) and still persistent (∼− 50%) 4 years after transplantation. Multivariate analysis revealed that APN represents an independent risk factor associated with the decline of renal function (p = 0.034). Therefore, APN may be associated with an enduring decrease in renal graft function.
Renal Cell Cancer among Paperboard Printing Workers

A physician's alert prompted us to investigate workers' cancer risk at a paperboard printing manufacturer. We conducted a retrospective cohort mortality study of all 2,050 persons who had worked at the facility for more than 1 day, calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRS) for bladder and renal cell cancer, and conducted a nested case-control study for renal cell cancer. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) from all causes [SMR = 1.0,95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.9–1.21 and all cancers (SMR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3–1.0) were not greater than expected. One bladder cancer and one renal cell cancer were included in the mortality analysis. Six incident renal cell cancers were observed, however, compared with less than two renal cell cancers expected (SIR = 3.7, 95% CI = 1.4–8.1). Based on a nested case-control analysis, the risk of renal cell cancer was associated with overall length of employment but was not limited to any single department or work process. Although pigments containing congeners of dichlorobenzidine and o-toluidine had been used at the plant, environmental sampling could not confirm any current exposure. Several limitations and a potential selection bias limit the inferences that can be drawn. (Epidemiology 1992;3:483–489)
Synthetic gamma-ray spectra for Homeland Security radionuclides analysis

Homeland Security applications use radiation detectors to identify radionuclides by gamma spectroscopy techniques. In order to check compliance of such systems to performance requirements, a computer code which predicts the gamma-ray spectra for various radiation detectors, as NaI(Tl) and Ge was employed. The spectrum of a chosen radio-nuclide is generated according to its activity, its photo peak energy and yield (taken from data libraries). The detector efficiency, resolution and peak to Compton dependence are used to generate a pulse height spectrum for a specific detector. The developed program works with two main libraries of radioisotopes. One is a general library containing all practically encountered radioisotopes, and second library contains the fission products radioisotopes with half life higher than 1 min. The synthetic pulse height spectra can be used as input to evaluate the analysis ability of different systems and to investigate the efficiency of different shielding configurations.
Effects of body mass index on sleep patterns during pregnancy

The purpose of this study was to profile sleep patterns during pregnancy according to body mass index (BMI) and to correlate labour outcomes with both BMI and hours sleep. Data were collected from 200 postpartum women detailing sleep characteristics before and during pregnancy. A validated sleep questionnaire was employed, which comprised of questions about sleep apnoea, snoring, subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication and daytime dysfunction. Descriptive analyses were used. With advancing gestation, the mean (SD) number of hours sleep per night declined: pre-pregnancy 8.1 (SD 1.4); 1st trimester 8.3 (SD 1.8); 2nd trimester 7.7 (SD 1.7) and 3rd trimester 6.7 (SD 2.2). In the 18.5–24.9 BMI group, there was a marked difference in hours sleep per night from pre-pregnancy to 1st (8.6 h, p = 0.007), 2nd (7.9 h, p = 0.023) and 3rd (6.4 h, p = 0.000) trimesters in primiparous women. In the 25–29.9 BMI group, there was a difference from pre-pregnancy to 3rd trimester (p = 0.000). These changes were not reflected in a clinically significant difference in birth weight or mode of delivery.
Inadequate leptin level negatively affects body fat loss during a weight reduction programme for childhood obesity

Obesity is a typical example of a complex multifactorial disease arising from behavioural, environmental and genetic factors that may affect individual responses to dietary intake and physical activity. Observational, longitudinal dietary interventional studies in obese patients present contrasting reports on the predictive value of baseline leptin levels. We report on the effect of a weight reduction programme in three different groups of obese children (82 patients in all) assembled on the basis of their baseline leptin levels adjusted for body mass index (BMI), gender and pubertal development. The effectiveness of this programme was decreased in patients with relative hyperleptinaemia or hypoleptinaemia compared to children with baseline leptin levels appropriate to BMI gender and pubertal development.
Using daily routines to promote medication adherence in older adults.

PURPOSE To understand the medication routines used by older adults taking four or more medications daily. METHOD One hundred forty-nine community-dwelling older adults were interviewed about the individual routines, storage locations, equipment, and assistance that enabled their adherence to a medication regimen. A subsample of 84 older adults was observed completing one medication routine in their home environments. FINDINGS Medication habits were embedded in mealtime, wake-up, and sleep routines for 91% of the sample. Participants developed unique, individualized behaviors for taking medications that were choreographed within broader daily routines. The primary locations for storing medications were the kitchen and bathroom. Equipment used to promote adherence was primarily pillboxes or self-made adaptations. More than 50% of the entire sample required some type of assistance related to medication adherence. IMPLICATIONS Findings support the role of occupational therapists in collaborating with clients to develop individualized medication routines to promote medication adherence.
Assessing Temporary Product-Specific Subsidies: A Time Series Intervention Analysis

We propose an analytical framework based on the Kalman Filter to quantify central distortionary effects of product-specific subsidies. In our application, we use time series of foreign and domestic order book levels during and after the temporary installation of a “cash for clunkers” subsidy by the German government in 2009 to assess implied disruptions in the German automobile sector and eleven competing industries of the German manufacturing sector. We find stimulus-effects to be rather mild, some evidence of intertemporal program reversal, and consumers’ windfall gains to clearly come at the expense of other industries.
Tumours of the Central Nervous System

Proton MR relaxation times T1 and T2 were determined in vitro in 136 small specimens of astrocytomas grades I—IV, of oligodendrogliomas, metastases of adenocarcinomas, meningiomas and acoustic neuromas. In addition, 7 samples of peritumoural white matter were analysed. The analysed specimens were studied microscopically in their entirety regarding tumour type and occurrence of necrosis and non-tumour tissue admixture, such as fibrosis and haemorrhage. Most of the gliomas had longer relaxation times than normal white matter and T2 was significantly longer than in the other three tumour groups. The metastases had longer T1 than normal white matter, while T2 varied. The astrocytomas tended to show shorter relaxation times with increasing degree of malignancy, and shortening of T1 and T2 correlating with the proportion of tissue necrosis. Similarly, the metastases with tissue necrosis had shorter T1 and T2 than non-necrotic samples. The meningiomas had T1 values comparable with normal cortex, while the T2 values varied. Tumours containing a large proportion of fibrous tissue had shorter relaxation times than the others. Acoustic neuromas had only slightly longer T1 than normal white matter, while T2 was not prolonged. Both T1 and T2 were significantly shorter than in all other tumours studied. Peritumoural white matter had prolonged relaxation times compared with normal white matter, correlating to increased water content. These in vitro differences regarding relaxation times in various types of tumours of the central nervous system, dependent on various types of tissue alterations, should be of interest for the interpretation of in vivo images.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and endocarditis treated with ceftaroline salvage therapy.

BACKGROUND One of the newest methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) antibiotics to receive FDA approval is ceftaroline fosamil, a member of a new subclass of cephalosporins with unique activity against MRSA. However, ceftaroline is currently only FDA approved for complicated skin/soft tissue infections and community-acquired pneumonia; there are currently no clinical data regarding its use in MRSA bacteraemia and endocarditis. We report a series of six patients in which ceftaroline was utilized as salvage monotherapy in persistent MRSA bacteraemia or endocarditis. METHODS Using pharmacy records, 11 ceftaroline-treated patients were identified between January 2011 and November 2011 at University Health System and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, TX, USA. All cases were reviewed and six patients received ceftaroline therapy for MRSA bacteraemia or endocarditis due to persistent or recurrent bacteraemia while on standard antibiotics (vancomycin or daptomycin). RESULTS All six patients experienced rapid clearance of their bacteraemia after starting ceftaroline. In the case of endocarditis for which the patient subsequently developed heart failure and required valve replacement, there was no evidence of growth from cultures taken from the excised valve, suggesting sterilization within 13 days of starting ceftaroline. CONCLUSIONS Ceftaroline exhibits potent anti-MRSA activity in both in vitro and animal studies, including rabbit endocarditis models; however, the lack of clinical data has limited its use in bacteraemia and endovascular infections in humans. We hope that this series serves as an initial stepping stone for further evaluation of this compound for more invasive infections due to MRSA.
Financial Literacy Education with Aboriginal People: The Importance of Culture and Context

Learning about effective ways to manage money is a 21st century skill and the focus of financial literacy education (FLE) initiatives globally. Individuals deemed to have lower levels of financial literacy are often the targets of financial literacy workshops/programs. In this research paper the key outcomes are identified from a qualitative study that explored the FLE practices with an Aboriginal community in Canada (that the author is a member of). This includes conceptualising what influences financial decision-making and the role of culture and context in financial literacy education with a Community instead of for a Community. Discussed is the importance of adopting a praxis approach to FLE and integrating site based education development with Community members instead of imposing education on individuals. Last, outlined in this paper is how the above findings may offer insights for financial educators and/or planners participating in financial literacy education and engaging with Aboriginal clients.
Multiple sclerosis and anesthetic implications

Purpose of review Multiple sclerosis remains prevalent among young women in the United States of America. It is a disease of the central nervous system that possesses many anesthetic implications. Anesthesia providers need to understand this disorder and its multiple anesthetic ramifications. Recent findings Recent work has provided more insight into the etiology of multiple sclerosis, its pathogenesis, diagnosis and natural history. A number of new medications have also been added to the therapeutic armamentarium. Optimal anesthetic care entails a thorough preoperative evaluation, medication history and neurologic examination, intraoperative awareness of conditions that may precipitate attacks and lead to potentially lifethreatening complications, as well as postoperative attention to respiratory and other risks. Recommendations for management are based on information from small retrospective studies and anecdotal reports. Summary In summary, our aim is to provide an updated view of multiple sclerosis from the perspective of perioperative care, emphasizing interactions between the disease, surgery and anesthesia.
The relationship between odd- and branched-chain fatty acids and microbial nucleic acid bases in rumen

Objective This study aims to identify the relationship between odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) and microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen, and to establish a model to accurately predict microbial protein flow by using OBCFA. Methods To develop the regression equations, data on the rumen contents of individual cows were obtained from 2 feeding experiments. In the first experiment, 3 rumen-fistulated dry dairy cows arranged in a 3×3 Latin square were fed diets of differing forage to concentration ratios (F:C). The second experiment consisted of 9 lactating Holstein dairy cows of similar body weights at the same stage of pregnancy. For each lactation stage, 3 cows with similar milk production were selected. The rumen contents were sampled at 4 time points of every two hours after morning feeding 6 h, and then to analyse the concentrations of OBCFA and microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen samples. Results The ruminal bacteria nucleic acid bases were significantly influenced by feeding diets of differing forge to concentration ratios and lactation stages of dairy cows (p<0.05). The concentrations of OBCFAs, especially odd-chain fatty acids and C15:0 isomers, strongly correlated with the microbial nucleic acid bases in the rumen (p<0.05). The equations of ruminal microbial nucleic acid bases established by ruminal OBCFAs contents showed a good predictive capacity, as indicated by reasonably low standard errors and high R-squared values. Conclusion This finding suggests that the rumen OBCFA composition could be used as an internal marker of rumen microbial matter.
The Change of Former Female Migrants Lifestyle in Sragen Indonesia

Former Female Migrants are identical with less skilled workers having minimum knowledge and skill thereby relying on only remittance to fulfil their life need. This research aimed to find out the change of former female migrants’ lifestyle in Sragen, Indonesia, analyzed using Garner’s social change theory. This qualitative research with case study approach processed the data in-depth and comprehensively through observation, interview, and documentation. The result of research showed that former female migrants used remittance excessively until it is used up rather than used it as business capital. Originally, it could improve their family economy, but after they come back home, they should adapt to environment in their origin area in which husband relies for their life on their wife’s income when they become migrants, children begins to need more attention from a mother, and household need increases. For the sake of their and family’s life former female migrant takes a strategy to enable them to maintain their family wellbeing just like that when they became migrants. The strategy taken by former female migrants is to utilize their remittance optimally for business capital and creating a social network containing productive activities that can increase their income. The activity is conducted in group, including goat breeding, food catering, vegetable-processed food, and handicraft production. Former migrant women who have a business group had equal rights in employment so as to have a lifestyle change was effected in the former migrant women. Their rights when productive activities were carried out because it can access knowledge, information, and capital assistance. Keywords— lifestyle; social change; a former migrant women
Farnesyltransferase inhibitors as radiation sensitizers

Purpose: The inhibition of activated Ras combined with radiotherapy was identified as a potential method for radiosensitization. Materials and methods: Immunoblotting was used to control for prenylation inhibition of the respective Ras isoforms and for changes in activity of downstream proteins. Clonogenic assays with human and rodent tumour cell lines and transfected cell lines served for the testing of radiosensitivity. Xenograft tumours were treated with farnesyl transferase inhibitors and radiation and assayed for ex vivo plating efficiency, regrowth of tumours and EF5 staining for detection of hypoxia. Concurrent treatment with L‐778,123 and radiotherapy was performed in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Results: Blocking the prenylation of Ras proteins in cell lines with Ras activated by mutations or receptor signalling resulted in radiation sensitization in vitro and in vivo. The PI3 kinase downstream pathway was identified as a contributor to Ras‐mediated radiation resistance. Additionally, increased oxygenation of xenograft tumours was observed after FTI treatment. Combined treatment in a phase I study was safe and effective in NSCLC and HNC. Conclusions: Tumour cells with activated Ras were sensitized to radiation. Unravelling the underlying mechanisms promises to lead to even more specific drugs with higher potency and safety.
Identification of vaccine-related polioviruses by hybridization with specific RNA probes

We developed RNA probes for the identification of poliovirus isolates by blot hybridization. Two sets of vaccine strain-specific probes were prepared. They complemented variable genomic domains within (i) the 5'-untranslated region and (ii) the amino-terminal codons of VP1. An enterovirus group probe (EV/5UT) matching highly conserved 5'-untranslated region sequences was used to estimate the quantities of poliovirus (or enterovirus) RNA in the samples. Poliovirus sequences amplified from Sabin strain virion RNA templates by PCR were inserted into the pUC18 plasmid vector. The antisense PCR primer for each probe set contained sequences encoding a T7 promoter. Hybrids were detected by a sensitive nonisotopic method. RNA probes were labeled by incorporation of digoxigenin-uridylate into the transcripts. The binding of probe to immobilized poliovirus RNAs was visualized by hydrolysis of the chemiluminescent substrate 4-methoxy-4-(3-phosphate-phenyl)-spiro-(1,2-dioxetane-3,2'-adamant ane) catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase conjugated to anti-digoxigenin (Fab) fragments. The specificities of the probes were evaluated with a panel of poliovirus isolates that had previously been characterized by sequence analysis. The RNAs of vaccine-related isolates hybridized with the appropriate probe sets. Wild polioviruses representing a broad spectrum of contemporary genotypes were recognized by the inabilities of their genomes to form stable hybrids with the Sabin strain-specific probes.
Quantitative Analysis of Plasma DNA in Colorectal Cancer Patients

Abstract: Extracellular DNA in the plasma or serum of cancer patients has been recently proposed as a source of analyzable cancer‐related gene sequences (qualitative approach). Furthermore, patients with different tumor types show high levels of cell‐free circulating DNA both in plasma and serum (quantitative approach) at the time of surgery. Our aim was to verify whether the level of cell‐free DNA in plasma might help in detecting recurrences during follow‐up of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We studied 70 patients undergoing surgery for primary CRC. Plasma samples were obtained at the time of surgery and during follow‐up. The cell‐free circulating DNA in plasma was quantified by the Dipstick Kit method. At the time of surgery, in all patients, cell‐free DNA levels in plasma were about 25 times higher in comparison with 20 healthy donors. In contrast, the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) value of this cohort of patients was altered in only about 37% of cases. During follow‐up, cell‐free DNA levels decreased progressively in tumor‐free patients, while it increased in those developing recurrences or metastases. The results were further supported by qualitative analysis of circulating tumor‐specific DNA, such as K‐Ras mutations and p16INK4a promoter hypermethylation. These preliminary data confirm that plasma tumor DNA levels (i) are significantly higher in patients with CRC, (ii) decrease progressively in the follow‐up period in tumor‐free patients, and (iii) increase in patients with recurrence or metastasis. We suggest, therefore, that the quantification of plasma cell‐free DNA might represent a useful tool for monitoring of CRC and, prospectively, for identifying high‐risk individuals.