Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of effect-site concentration of propofol for laryngeal mask airway insertion using fentanyl or morphine as adjuvant

Background and Aims: Insertion of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) requires adequate depth of anaesthesia, which provides jaw relaxation and suppression of upper airway reflexes. Propofol can provide these conditions especially when combined with narcotics. This study had been designed to find out the effect-site concentration (EC 50 ) of propofol using target controlled infusion (TCI) when fentanyl or morphine is added as an adjuvant. Methods: Patients satisfying inclusion criteria were divided into fentanyl and morphine groups. Intravenous glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg was given 15 min before induction. Patients were given either intravenous fentanyl (1 μg/kg) or morphine (0.1 mg/kg) before propofol infusion depending on the group. Patients in either groups were induced by continuous infusion of propofol at an EC of 6 μg/mL by TCI with Schneider pharmacokinetic model. The LMA supreme of appropriate size was inserted 1 min after achieving target concentration. Patient movement at LMA insertion or within 1 min of insertion was classified as failure. For subsequent patients, the target EC was increased/decreased depending on previous patients′ response. Dixons up and down method was used to determine the EC 50. The EC 50 is defined as the mean of crossover midpoints in each pair of failure to success. Results: The EC 50 of propofol in the fentanyl group for LMA insertion was 5.95 ± 0.6 μg/ml and morphine group was 5.75 ± 0.8 μg/ml. No significant difference in insertion conditions was noticed between the two groups (P = 0.3). Conclusion: We conclude that there was no significant difference in propofol EC 50 for insertion of LMA and insertion conditions were similar when fentanyl or morphine was used as an adjuvant drug.
Comparison of maintenance and emergence characteristics after desflurane or sevoflurane in outpatient anaesthesia

Both sevoflurane and desflurane have shorter emergence times compared to isoflurane based anaesthesia. Because of its pharmacological properties, desflurane appears to yield a rapid early and intermediate recovery compared with sevoflurane. The aim of this study was to assess the maintenance and emergence characteristics after anaesthesia with sevoflurane or desflurane. One hundred female patients scheduled to undergo daycare laparoscopic gynaecological surgery were enrolled for this prospective study. Patients were randomised into two groups to receive either desflurane [group I (D); n = 50] or sevoflurane [group II (S); n = 50] for maintenance of anaesthesia. The demographic data and the duration of procedure were comparable in both the groups. The early recovery time was shorter after maintenance of anaesthesia with desflurane compared with sevoflurane. However, this faster early recovery failed to lead to early readiness for home discharge. The intraoperative haemodynamic characteristics were comparable with both sevoflurane and desflurane. Both sevoflurane and desflurane provide a similar time to home readiness despite a faster early recovery with desflurane. The intraoperative haemodynamics are similar with both the agents.
Traumatic orbital encephalocele: Presentation and imaging

ABSTRACT Objective: Traumatic orbital encephalocele is a rare but severe complication of orbital roof fractures. We describe 3 cases of orbital encephalocele due to trauma in children. Methods: Retrospective case series from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and Medical College of Wisconsin. Results: Three cases of traumatic orbital encephalocele in pediatric patients were found. The mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accident in 2 patients and accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1 patient. All 3 patients sustained orbital roof fractures (4 mm to 19 mm in width) and frontal lobe contusions with high intracranial pressure. A key finding in all 3 cases was progression of proptosis and globe displacement 4 to 11 days after initial injury. On initial CT, all were diagnosed with extraconal hemorrhage adjacent to the roof fractures, with subsequent enlargement of the mass and eventual diagnosis of encephalocele. Conclusion: Orbital encephalocele is a severe and sight-threatening complication of orbital roof fractures. Post-traumatic orbital encephalocele can be challenging to diagnose on CT as patients with this condition often have associated orbital and intracranial hematoma, which can be difficult to distinguish from herniated brain tissue. When there is a high index of suspicion for encephalocele, an MRI of the orbits and brain with contrast should be obtained for additional characterization. Imaging signs that should raise suspicion for traumatic orbital encephalocele include an enlarging heterogeneous orbital mass in conjunction with a roof fracture and/or widening fracture segments.
Methods and models to study irrigation

The success of endodontic treatment depends on the eradication of microbes from the root canal system and prevention of reinfection. The factors that remain a challenge in the irrigation and disinfection of the root canal include biofilm resistance, poor penetration of the irrigant, and exchange of irrigants in the highly complex root canal anatomy. Progress in the search for better irrigants and irrigant delivery is necessary. A variety of different study models have been used in endodontic research on irrigation. In this article, the various models are discussed in light of relevant literature.
Applicability of superfolder YFP bimolecular fluorescence complementation in vitro

Abstract Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) using yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) is a widely employed method to study protein-protein interactions in cells. As yet, this technique has not been used in vitro. To evaluate a possible application of BiFC in vitro, we constructed a ‘superfolder split YFP’ system where 15 mutations enhance expression of the fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and enable a native purification due to improved solubility. Here, we present the crystal structure of ‘superfolder YFP’, providing the structural basis for the enhanced folding and stability characteristics. Complementation between the two non-fluorescent YFP fragments fused to HRas and Raf1RBD or to 14-3-3 and PMA2-CT52 resulted in the constitution of the functional fluorophore. The in vivo BiFC with these protein interaction pairs was demonstrated in eukaryotic cell lines as well. Here, we present for the first time BiFC in vitro studies with natively purified superfolder YFP fusion proteins and show the potential and drawbacks of this method for analyzing protein-protein interactions.
Comparison of oscillometric blood pressure measurement by two clinical monitors

Moreover, to reduce the chances of trauma and bleeding during the retrieval of the guidewire from the oral cavity occupied with tumour mass, a sterile Terumo guidewire was chosen for this technique. This guidewire has a unique property that its tip is very soft and it finds way even in a small opening, and any injury to the airway is very unlikely. Moreover, it becomes very slimy in presence of water, which eases the smooth threading of the guidewire.
Content-adaptive mode-dependent filtering algorithm for H.264/advanced video coding intra prediction

Abstract. In H.264/advanced video coding (AVC), low-pass filtering is performed on neighboring coded pixels before intra prediction is applied to reduce the effect of quantization errors. However, reducing the effect of quantization errors by conventional methods is difficult in some areas, depending on the image characteristics. To alleviate this issue, we need to consider the prediction direction. We propose a mode-dependent filtering technique to reduce the effect of quantization errors. Our method has a threshold to adaptively choose between the conventional and proposed methods to reduce the number of flag bits that are sent to the decoder. The method is compared with other benchmark methods in terms of their average bit-saving and peak signal-to-noise ratio. Simulation results show that the average bit-rate reduction is about 1.222% in test sequences.
Chemotaxis: how bacteria use memory

Abstract Bacterial chemotaxis represents one of the simplest and best studied examples of unicellular behavior. Chemotaxis allows swimming bacterial cells to follow chemical gradients in the environment by performing temporal comparisons of ligand concentrations. The process of chemotaxis in the model bacterium Escherichia coli has been studied in great molecular detail over the past 40 years, using a large range of experimental tools to investigate physiology, genetics and biochemistry of the system. The abundance of quantitative experimental data enabled detailed computational modeling of the pathway and theoretical analyses of such properties as robustness and signal amplification. Because of the temporal mode of gradient sensing in bacterial chemotaxis, molecular memory is an essential component of the chemotaxis pathway. Recent studies suggest that the memory time scale has been evolutionary optimized to perform optimal comparisons of stimuli while swimming in the gradient. Moreover, noise in the adaptation system, which results from variations of the adaptation rate both over time and among cells, might be beneficial for the overall chemotactic performance of the population.
Understanding the Essentials of Pharmacogenomics- The Potential Implications for the Future Pharmacotherapy

The genetic makeup affects drug responses to a greater extend. Personalized medicine deals with the prescription of specific therapeutic agent best suited for an individual based on the pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic information. By understanding the genetic variations in an individual, it becomes easy for a clinician to select the appropriate drug in an adequate dose. Genetic variations can influence drug action in many ways, the common ones being the drug metabolizing enzyme (CYP450), the site of drug action (receptors), and at the drug transporter levels (p-glycoprotein). Safety and efficacy of many commonly prescribed drugs like aspirin, isoniazid, omeprazole, warfarin, hydralazine etc are affected by the genetic makeup of individuals. Similarly, the pharmacotherapy of common diseases like asthma, hypertension, depression etc is also influenced by genetic variations. Pharmacogenomics can also offer benefits like proper determination of drug dosage, and production of better vaccines and can definitely reduce the healthcare costs and helps to enable drug safety by understanding the genetic profile of an individual. Integration of pharmacogenomic information into clinical practice will also require clinical trials to assess their clinical usefulness. The usefulness of pharmacogenomic data also depends upon the affordability, ease of application, and ease of interpreting the results etc.
Variations in Potassium Channel Genes Are Associated With Breast Pain in Women Prior to Breast Cancer Surgery

Abstract Preoperative breast pain in women with breast cancer may result from a number of causes. Previous work from our team found that breast pain occurred in 28.2% of women (n = 398) who were about to undergo breast cancer surgery. The occurrence of preoperative breast pain was associated with a number of demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as variation in two cytokine genes. Given that ion channels regulate excitability of sensory neurons, we hypothesized that variations in potassium channel genes would be associated with preoperative breast pain in these patients. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated for associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms and inferred haplotypes among 10 potassium channel genes and the occurrence of preoperative breast pain in patients scheduled to undergo breast cancer surgery. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify those genetic variations that were associated with the occurrence of preoperative breast pain while controlling for age and genomic estimates of and self-reported race/ethnicity. Variations in four potassium channel genes: (1) potassium voltage-gated channel, delayed rectifier, subfamily S, member 1 (KCNS1); (2) potassium inwardly rectifying channel, subfamily J, member 3 (KCNJ3); (3) KCNJ6; and (4) potassium channel, subfamily K, member 9 (KCNK9) were associated with the occurrence of breast pain. Findings from this study warrant replication in an independent sample of women who report breast pain following one or more breast biopsies.
An open randomized study comparing disulfiram and acamprosate in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of acamprosate (ACP) and disulfiram (DSF) for preventing alcoholic relapse in routine clinical practice. Methods: One hundred alcoholic men with family members who would encourage medication compliance and accom- pany them for follow-up were randomly allocated to 8 months of treatment with DSF or ACP. Weekly group psychotherapy was also available. The psychiatrist, patient, and family member were aware of the treatment prescribed. Alcohol consumption, craving, and adverse events were recorded weekly for 3 months and then fortnightly. Serum gamma glutamyl transferase was measured at the start and the end of the study. Results: At the end of the trial, 93 patients were still in contact. Relapse (the consumption of >5 drinks/40 g of alcohol) occurred at a mean of 123 days with DSF compared to 71 days with ACP (P = 0.0001). Eighty-eight per cent of patients on DSF remained abstinent compared to 46% with ACP (P = 0.0002). However, patients allocated to ACP had lower craving than those on DSF (P = 0.002). Conclusion: DSF is superior to ACP for preventing relapse in alcohol-dependent men with good family support. Further comparisons between these two drugs in different treatment settings and populations are warranted.
Correlation of clinico-pathologic and radiologic parameters of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

CONTEXT As of today, there is no validated standard method to assess clinical response of breast cancer to neo- adjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Some centers use clinical dimensions while others use radiological measurements to evaluate response according to RECIST criteria. AIMS The aim was to correlate and compare the clinical, radiological, and pathological parameters for assessing the tumor response in patients of breast cancer receiving NACT. SETTINGS AND DESIGN Single institution, prospective nonrandomized study conducted over a 2-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with diagnosed breast cancer were assessed for response to NACT prior to surgery using clinical and radiological techniques. This was correlated with pathological reponse which was assessed by measuring gross dimensions and Miller-Payne grading of response to chemotherapy. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Spearman's rho nonparametric. RESULTS Fifty two patients completed the evaluation (out of 313 cases of ca breast treated during the same period) with a median age of 52.5 years. We noted a 26.9% clinical complete response (CR) and 19.2% had pathological CR. Clinical evaluation had a sensitivity and specificity of 73.5% and 88.5% respectively compared to 14.2% and 100% respectively for radiological assessment. CONCLUSIONS Clinical assessment of response to NACT shows a higher sensitivity compared to radiological assessment. However the overall low sensitivity and specificity rates of clinical assessment mandate a search for a better method of evaluation.
Reduced heat shock protein 70 in airway smooth muscle in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

ABSTRACT Studies demonstrated that pathophysiological abnormalities of airway smooth muscle (ASM) contribute significantly to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis, the aim of this study is to investigate heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in ASM in COPD. ASM from 8 COPD patients and 6 controls were isolated for detection of Hsp70 using Western blot. Male adult Wister rats were exposed to mixture of cigarette smoke/air or room air for an indicated period. The lung tissues were obtained for pathological analysis, and ASM were dissected for Hsp70 detection. Normalized Hsp70 in ASM from COPD patients was significantly lower than that from controls (P <.001), and it was a significant positive correlation of Hsp70 and lung function. One-month exposure of rats to cigarette smoke/air mixture led to increased expression of Hsp70 and heat shock transcription factor (Hsf1) in ASM as compared to controls, whereas 3-month exposure caused dramatically reduced Hsp70 and Hsf1 than control animals. In addition, 3-month exposure to cigarette smoke/air mixture resulted in significantly lower Hsp70 and Hsf1 in rats ASM than 1-month exposure (P <.001), and it was a positive correlation of Hsf1 and Hsp70. Long-term cigarette smoking results in reduced expression of Hsp70 in ASM. This finding provides additional insight in understanding molecular changes in ASM during COPD pathogenesis.
Gene therapy with VEGF 165 for angiogenesis in experimental acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate coronary angiogenic response to transmural injection of plasmid encoding VEGF 165 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) zones in a canine model. METHODS: The heart of eleven dogs was exposed and AMI was induced by occlusion of the diagonal branch of anterior descending coronary artery. For each of 10 selected points in the infarction area and its peripheral zone injections of 1 ml of saline solution (control group: five dogs) or 1 ml of plasmid encoding VEGF 165 solution (200 µg/ml) (VEGF group: six dogs) were introduced. Tecnecium myocardial scintigraphy was performed immediately after animal recovery and 14 days later to evaluate the myocardial perfusion. The animals were sacrificed and the hearts were submitted to a histological study of the infarcted area, peripheral zone and normal posterior ventricular wall, to evaluate the number of arterioles and capillaries. RESULTS: Immediate modifications in myocardial perfusion found in scintigraphic studies were similar in both groups. In the second evaluation at 14 days, hypoperfusion of ischemic area had recovered by 70% to 90% when compared to the day of AMI. Histologic evaluation of the peripheral area of AMI indicated a larger number of vessels in the VEGF group when compared to controls (mean: 123.81 + 21.48 and 40 + 6.13, p < 0.01, respectively). This increase resulted mainly from an increase in the number of capillaries (97.5 + 16.04 in the VEGF group and 22.18 + 3,25 in control group, p < 0.01), as the number of arterioles did not increase significantly. In the VEGF group, a comparison in the number of vessels of the AMI peripheral area and normal myocardium revealed a non-significant increase of vessels in the ischemic area (123.81 + 21.48 and 95.14 + 41.19). CONCLUSION: An intramural injection of plasmid VEGF 165 resulted in a significant increase in the number of capillaries in the peripheral AMI area. This increase may have a beneficial effect in the reduction and recovery of the ischemic area secondary to AMI.
Flexible Sample Size Considerations Using Information-Based Interim Monitoring

At the design phase of a clinical trial the total number of participants needed to detect a clinically important treatment difference with sufficient precision frequently depends on nuisance parameters such as variance, baseline response rate, or regression coefficients other than the main effect. In practical applications, nuisance parameter values are often unreliable guesses founded on little or no available past history. Sample size calculations based on these initial guesses may, therefore, lead to under- or over-powered studies. In this paper, we argue that the precision with which a treatment effect is estimated is directly related to the statistical information in the data. In general, statistical information is a complicated function of sample size and nuisance parameters. However, the amount of information necessary to answer the scientific question concerning treatment difference is easily calculated a priori and applies to almost any statistical model for a large variety of endpoints. It is thus possible to be flexible on sample size but rather continue collecting data until we have achieved the desired information. Such a strategy is well suited to being adopted in conjunction with a group sequential clinical trial where the data are monitored routinely anyway. We present several scenarios and examples of how group sequential information-based design and monitoring can be carried out and demonstrate through simulations that this type of strategy will indeed give us the desired operating characteristics.
Isolation of dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP 4) isoforms from porcine kidney by preparative isoelectric focusing to improve crystallization

Abstract In the present studies we resolved the post-translational microheterogeneity of purified porcine dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP 4) from kidney cortex. Applying SDS-homogeneous DP 4 onto an analytical agarose isoelectric focusing (IEF) gel, pH 4–6, activity staining resulted in at least 17 isoforms between pH 4.8–6.0. These could be separated into fractions with only two to six isoforms by means of preparative liquid-phase IEF, using a Rotofor cell. Starting off with three parallel Rotofor runs under the same conditions at pH 5–6, the fractions were pooled according to the specific activity of DP 4, pH and analytical IEF profile, and further refractionated without any additional ampholytes. Since excessive dilution of ampholytes and proteins was kept to the minimum, a second refractionation step could be introduced, resulting in pH gradients between 0.022 and 0.028 pH increments per fraction. By performing two consecutive refractionation steps, the high resolution necessary for the separation of DP 4 isoforms could be achieved. This represents an alternative method if isolation of isoforms with similar pI's results in precipitation and denaturation in presence of a narrow pH range. Furthermore, it demonstrates that preparative IEF is a powerful tool to resolve post-translational microheterogeneity of a purified protein required for crystallization processing.
Dynamics of septin ring and collar formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Although the septin ring and collar in budding yeast were described over 20 years ago, there is still controversy regarding the organization of septin filaments within these structures and about the way in which the ring first forms and about how it converts into a collar at the mother-bud neck. Here we present quantitative analyses of the recruitment of fluorescently-tagged septins to the ring and collar through the cell cycle. Septin ring assembly began several minutes after polarity establishment and this interval was longer in daughter than in mother cells, suggesting asymmetric inheritance of septin regulators. Septins formed an initial faint and irregular ring, which became more regular as septins were recruited at a constant rate. This steady rate of septin recruitment continued for several minutes after the ring converted to a collar at bud emergence. We did not detect a stepwise change in septin fluorescence during the ring-to-collar transition. After collar formation, septins continued to accumulate at the bud neck, though at a reduced rate, until the onset of cytokinesis when the amount of neck-localized septins rapidly decreased. Implications for the mechanism of septin ring assembly are discussed.