Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Protective Effect of COX and NOS Inhibitors on LPS Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat

Background: LPS, a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria, is one of the most potent bacterial products in the induction of host inflammatory responses and tissue injury and was used in this study to mimic infections. Purpose: The major goal of this study was to examine the ability of indomethacin, celecoxib, N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to protect the brain from oxidative stress by lipopolysaccharide . Methods: LPS was administered intraperitoneally at a dose 4 mg/kg to adult SD rats . Suspensions of celecoxib, indomethacin and L-NAME were administered orally at a dose of 76 mg, 2 mg and 30 mg per kg body weight after 1 hr of LPS treatment respectively. The animals were sacrificed 24 hrs after LPS injection. NOx and MPO activity was estimated in the brain homogenates. Results: LPS resulted in elevation of the level of Malondialdehyde (MDA, index of lipid per oxidation) and reduction of glutathione (GSH) in all the brain regions. Levels of nitrite/nitrate (NOx), a marker of reactive nitrogen species (RNS), was also found elevated in all the brain regions whereas myeloperoxidase (MPO), a heme-containing enzyme, was significantly increased only in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and medulla. Both COX and NOS inhibitors ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by LPS injection by reducing levels of MDA, restoring GSH content and normalizing the NOx and MPO levels in the brain. Conclusion: The COX and NOS inhibitors regulate the increased free radical generation during infections and LPS-induced oxidative stress. doi: 10.5214/ans.0972. 7531.2008. 150102 Competing interests: None. Source of Funding: ICMR Received Date: 10 Jan 2008 Revised Date: 22 Jan 2008 Accepted Date: 30 Jan 2008
On the difference of equilibrium constants of DNA hybridization in bulk solution and at the solid‐solution interface

The origin of the difference between the equilibrium (affinity) constants of ligand–receptor binding in bulk solution and at a solid‐solution interface is discussed in terms of Gibbsian interfacial thermodynamics. It results that the difference is determined by the surface work that the ligand–receptor interaction spends to accommodate surface binding, and in turn that the value of the surface equilibrium constant (strongly) depends on the surface that confines the event. This framework consistently describes a wide set of experimental observations of DNA surface hybridization, correctly predicting that within the surface work window for DNA hybridization, that ranges from −90 to 75 kJmol−1, the ratio between surface and bulk equilibrium constants ranges from 10−16 to 1013, spanning 29 orders of magnitude. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
K-edge energy-based calibration method for photon counting detectors

In recent years, potential applications of energy-resolved photon counting detectors (PCDs) in the x-ray medical imaging field have been actively investigated. Unlike conventional x-ray energy integration detectors, PCDs count the number of incident x-ray photons within certain energy windows. For PCDs, the interactions between x-ray photons and photoconductor generate electronic voltage pulse signals. The pulse height of each signal is proportional to the energy of the incident photons. By comparing the pulse height with the preset energy threshold values, x-ray photons with specific energies are recorded and sorted into different energy bins. To quantitatively understand the meaning of the energy threshold values, and thus to assign an absolute energy value to each energy bin, energy calibration is needed to establish the quantitative relationship between the threshold values and the corresponding effective photon energies. In practice, the energy calibration is not always easy, due to the lack of well-calibrated energy references for the working energy range of the PCDs. In this paper, a new method was developed to use the precise knowledge of the characteristic K-edge energy of materials to perform energy calibration. The proposed method was demonstrated using experimental data acquired from three K-edge materials (viz., iodine, gadolinium, and gold) on two different PCDs (Hydra and Flite, XCounter, Sweden). Finally, the proposed energy calibration method was further validated using a radioactive isotope (Am-241) with a known decay energy spectrum.
Policy Makers and Bedouin Health Provision

Bedouin in Lebanon are estimated to represent two‐three per cent of the population. Most of them benefited from the 1994 Normalisation Law and are domiciled there. Being in rural areas and under‐privileged neighbourhoods, Bedouin continue to suffer from problems like social exclusion and poor health care provision. This paper assesses the awareness and knowledge of policy makers of the health policies and health status of the Bedouin community in Lebanon. In‐depth interviews were conducted with nine health policy makers from government, private and non‐government organisation sectors, and UN agencies (UNFPA, UNICEF) on topics of Bedouin status and livelihood, health policies and current health provision and use in reproductive and child health, and interventions to improve access to and quality of reproductive and child health and well‐being. Most of the policy makers interviewed had little or no knowledge of Bedouin population estimates, identity status and normalisation, geographical distribution in the rural peripheral areas of Lebanon, range of mobility, common health problems, or provision and use of health services. Policy makers said they had no current or future plans for health policies or procedures for the Bedouin community, but expressed willingness to contribute to any interventions to improve Bedouin health and well‐being. In Lebanon, where the public health sector is feeble and inequitable, mostly affecting marginalised and underprivileged communities including the Bedouin, policy makers hold unrealistic stereotypes about Bedouin and Bedouin health issues, and there are no comprehensive health policies that integrate Bedouin. It is essential that policy makers be more sensitised to and aware of the status of Bedouin in Lebanon, and advocacy and lobbying be initiated to include Bedouin health in government health and social policies.
Mechanically enforced bond dissociation reports synergistic influence of Mn2+ and Mg2+ on the interaction between integrin α7β1 and invasin

Integrins require the divalent ions magnesium and manganese for ligand recognition. Here we mechanically enforced bond dissociation to explore the influence of these ions on the mechanical strength of the specific bond between α7β1 integrin and its pathologically relevant ligand invasin. Upon addition of these cations to the measurement buffer, we observe a pronounced increase in the force necessary to separate integrin and invasin coated beads. Both ions were found to work synergistically. With free invasin in the measurement buffer we furthermore observe that competitive blocking of binding sites overrides the increase in binding strength of individual beads. We show that this is due to a very strong dependence of bond affinity on divalent ions. Our study illustrates the importance of divalent ions for the regulation of force transmission by integrin ligand bonds on the molecular level. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of breast cancer risk using a machine learning approach embedded with a locality preserving projection algorithm

In order to automatically identify a set of effective mammographic image features and build an optimal breast cancer risk stratification model, this study aims to investigate advantages of applying a machine learning approach embedded with a locally preserving projection (LPP) based feature combination and regeneration algorithm to predict short-term breast cancer risk. A dataset involving negative mammograms acquired from 500 women was assembled. This dataset was divided into two age-matched classes of 250 high risk cases in which cancer was detected in the next subsequent mammography screening and 250 low risk cases, which remained negative. First, a computer-aided image processing scheme was applied to segment fibro-glandular tissue depicted on mammograms and initially compute 44 features related to the bilateral asymmetry of mammographic tissue density distribution between left and right breasts. Next, a multi-feature fusion based machine learning classifier was built to predict the risk of cancer detection in the next mammography screening. A leave-one-case-out (LOCO) cross-validation method was applied to train and test the machine learning classifier embedded with a LLP algorithm, which generated a new operational vector with 4 features using a maximal variance approach in each LOCO process. Results showed a 9.7% increase in risk prediction accuracy when using this LPP-embedded machine learning approach. An increased trend of adjusted odds ratios was also detected in which odds ratios increased from 1.0 to 11.2. This study demonstrated that applying the LPP algorithm effectively reduced feature dimensionality, and yielded higher and potentially more robust performance in predicting short-term breast cancer risk.
Linearity of electrical impedance tomography during maximum effort breathing and forced expiration maneuvers

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) provides global and regional information about ventilation by means of relative changes in electrical impedance measured with electrodes placed around the thorax. In combination with lung function tests, e.g. spirometry and body plethysmography, regional information about lung ventilation can be achieved. Impedance changes strictly correlate with lung volume during tidal breathing and mechanical ventilation. Initial studies presumed a correlation also during forced expiration maneuvers. To quantify the validity of this correlation in extreme lung volume changes during forced breathing, a measurement system was set up and applied on seven lung-healthy volunteers. Simultaneous measurements of changes in lung volume using EIT imaging and pneumotachography were obtained with different breathing patterns. Data was divided into a synchronizing phase (spontaneous breathing) and a test phase (maximum effort breathing and forced maneuvers). The EIT impedance changes correlate strictly with spirometric data during slow breathing with increasing and maximum effort (r=0.993, p<0.001) and during forced expiration maneuvers (r=0.998, p<0.001). Strong correlations in spirometric volume parameters FEV1 (r=0.81, p<0.001), FEV1/FVC (r=0.85, p<0.001), and flow parameters PEF, MEF25, MEF20, MEF75 (r=0.965, p<0.001) were observed. According to the linearity during forced expiration maneuvers, EIT can be used during pulmonary function testing in combination with spirometry for visualisation of regional lung ventilation.
Superconductivity and spin–orbit coupling in non-centrosymmetric materials: a review

In non-centrosymmetric superconductors, where the crystal structure lacks a centre of inversion, parity is no longer a good quantum number and an electronic antisymmetric spin–orbit coupling (ASOC) is allowed to exist by symmetry. If this ASOC is sufficiently large, it has profound consequences on the superconducting state. For example, it generally leads to a superconducting pairing state which is a mixture of spin-singlet and spin-triplet components. The possibility of such novel pairing states, as well as the potential for observing a variety of unusual behaviors, led to intensive theoretical and experimental investigations. Here we review the experimental and theoretical results for superconducting systems lacking inversion symmetry. Firstly we give a conceptual overview of the key theoretical results. We then review the experimental properties of both strongly and weakly correlated bulk materials, as well as two dimensional systems. Here the focus is on evaluating the effects of ASOC on the superconducting properties and the extent to which there is evidence for singlet–triplet mixing. This is followed by a more detailed overview of theoretical aspects of non-centrosymmetric superconductivity. This includes the effects of the ASOC on the pairing symmetry and the superconducting magnetic response, magneto-electric effects, superconducting finite momentum pairing states, and the potential for non-centrosymmetric superconductors to display topological superconductivity.
The role of interventional surgery in oral potentially malignant disorders

Oral potentially malignant disorders are mucosal diseases with a significantly increased risk of squamous carcinoma development – a lethal and deforming disease with rising incidence, especially in young people. Despite the ability to recognise pre-cancer disorders in patients, clinicians remain unable to predict individual mucosal lesion behaviour or quantify the risk of malignant transformation. No clear management guidelines exist and the available scientific literature is unable to answer the fundamental question: does early diagnosis and interventional management treat pre-cancer effectively and prevent malignant transformation?
Enteral and Tube Feeding

This book details the latest diets, enteral delivery systems and methods, and specific indications for enteral feeding. It emphasizes unique requirements and feeding techniques for different diseases. It also offers a treasury of tabular material including nutritional values of commercial formulas, brand names and features of equipment, reference standards of laboratory tests, available enteral modules, available oral liquid medication and more.
Nodes of Ranvier in skin biopsies of patients with diabetes mellitus

Paranodal demyelination has been discussed as a potential mechanism of nerve fiber damage in diabetic neuropathy (DNP). Studies on human tissue are limited, as nerve biopsies are invasive and only rarely performed in patients with confirmed DNP. Skin biopsy has recently been suggested as a tool to analyze paranodal and nodal changes of myelinated fibers.
Protocol of a dose response trial of IV immunoglobulin in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (DRIP study)

High peak levels of serum IgG may not be needed for maintenance treatment of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg). More frequent dosing of IVIg leads to more stable IgG levels and higher trough levels which may be related with improved clinical efficacy. More frequent lower dosing leads to lower peak levels and may induce less systemic side‐effects. The DRIP study is a double‐blind randomized controlled cross‐over intervention study. CIDP patients ≥18 years old, proven IVIg dependent and receiving an individually established but stable maintenance dose and interval of IVIg (Kiovig) can be included. One group (A) will be treated with their normal dosage and interval of IVIg and receive a placebo (albumin 0.5%) infusion in between their regular IVIg infusions, for a total of four infusions. The other group (B) will be treated with half their normal IVIg dosage (with the same volume of placebo to maintain the total volume) at half their interval (double their frequency) for four infusions. After a wash‐out phase (2 infusions), patients will cross‐over to the other treatment group. During the study the total dose of IVIg administered will remain unchanged as before start of the trial. The main objective is to investigate whether high frequent low dosage IVIg treatment is more effective than low frequent high dosage IVIg treatment as maintenance treatment for CIDP. Hand grip strength, as measured by the Martin Vigorimeter, will be used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary objective is to investigate whether high frequent low dosage of IVIg results in less adverse events compared to low frequent high dosage treatment. The DRIP study is currently ongoing and the protocol is presented.
Geriatric Medicine Fellows' Experiences and Attitudes Toward an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

A total of 8 geriatric medicine fellows participated in an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) assessing communication skills and clinical reasoning in common geriatric syndromes. To determine their perceptions about the experience, we conducted surveys and semistructured interviews. We analyzed the survey data using descriptive statistics, and two researchers independently utilized the constant comparative method to code themes from the interview transcriptions. Most perceived the OSCE as a formative tool, and many were concerned that the exam did not accurately measure real-world competence. In conclusion, fellows considered the OSCE to be valuable for reinforcing skills relevant to geriatric medicine but had concerns of exam validity.
Views of Black nurses toward genetic research and testing.

PURPOSE To describe views and beliefs that Black nurses hold regarding several conceptual areas of genetic research and testing. DESIGN Data were generated using a descriptive, cross-sectional design. The sample consisted of 384 Black nurses attending the 2009 annual conference of the National Black Nurses Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. METHODS The chi-squared test was used to evaluate group differences by education level, functional area, age, and gender. FINDINGS One half of the Black nurses surveyed believed the potential for the discriminative misuse of genetic information against minority populations exists. However, 84% of these nurses believed the possibility of information misuse should not be used as a barrier to participation in genetic research and testing by the Black populace. CONCLUSIONS Black nurses expressed concerns about the potential for discriminatory use of genetic information gleaned from research and testing. Yet, Black nurses recognize the importance of racial-ethnic minority participation in genetic research and testing. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Participation in genetic research and testing by diverse populations will provide opportunities to improve the healthcare delivery system and aid the eradication of health disparities. More research is needed to clarify factors that contribute to the bifurcation of importance for participation, reluctance to participate, and what interventions might reduce reluctance.
Increased intestinal permeability in rats subjected to traumatic frontal lobe percussion brain injury.

BACKGROUND Dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is a common occurrence after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We hypothesized that increased intestinal permeability may result from a precisely controlled percussion injury to the exposed brains of anesthetized rats and that such an effect could be assessed in vitro using excised intestinal mucosae mounted in Ussing chambers. METHODS After craniotomy over the left medial prefrontal cortex on anesthetized rats, neurotrauma was produced using a pneumatically driven impactor on the exposed brain. Control rats were subjected to identical procedures but did not receive an impact. Muscle-stripped rat intestinal ileal and colonic segments were mounted in Ussing chambers within 30 minutes of death. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of [C]-mannitol were recorded from intestinal tissue for 120 minutes. Histopathologic analysis was also performed to determine any gross morphologic changes in the intestine. RESULTS Ileal and colonic mucosae showed no differences in TEER in ileum or colon of TBI rats compared with controls. The Papp of mannitol was significantly increased in ilea from rats previously exposed to TBI compared with controls. Histologic analysis showed gross changes to 50% of the ileal but not the colonic sections from TBI rats. CONCLUSION TBI results in significantly reduced ileal barrier function, most likely mediated by open tight junctions. For patients with acute head injury, this may have implications for subsequent oral absorption of nutrients. Systemic delivery of luminal endotoxins may contribute to multiple organ failure.
Effect of Regurgitant jet Direction on Left Ventricular Diastolic Performance in Patients With Aortic Regurgitation

Background. Left Ventricular (LV) diastolic performance is impaired in patients with aortic regurgitation (AR). The objective of this study is to determine the effect of AR jet direction on left ventricular diastolic performance.Methods. 20 patients with significant AR [regurgitant fraction (RF) > 30%] were studied by 2-dimensional, color, pulsed and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Subjects were divided into two groups based on jet direction as observed on the parasternal long-axis color flow image. Ten patients had the jet directed onto the anterior mitral leaflet (AML, mitral group) and 10 had the jet directed to the center of the LV (central group). Patients with significant mitral regurgitation or pseudonormal LV hemodynamics were excluded. The isovolumic contraction and relaxation times (ICT and IRT) were measured by combined mitral inflow and LV outflow velocity waves. Mitral annulus velocity was measured at the lateral annulus on the apical 4-chamber view by pulsed Doppler tissue imaging. The RF was calculated by combined use of pulsed Doppler and 2-dimensional echocardiography.Results. The two groups were similar in age, AR grade, LV end-diastolic volume, LV ejection fraction, and ICT; where-as, significant differences existed in the mitral inflow E/A ratio (mitral group, 0.59±0.17 vs. central group, 1.15±0.46, p<0.01), IRT (mitral group, 104±24 msec vs. central group, 83±15 msec, p<0.01), and mitral annulus velocity during early diastole (mitral group, 5.8±2.0 cm/sec vs. central group, 10.0±2.0 cm/s, p<0.01). Conclusions. LV diastolic performance is altered when a regurgitant jet is directed onto the AML in patients with significant AR.
A Pilot Community Living Skills Group: An Evaluation

This article presents the findings of a 12-week pilot community living skills (CLS) group for eight adults with enduring mental health needs; five of these adults met the inclusion criterion for the study. The group was established to promote skills for home management, community living, personal care and safety, and social and interpersonal functioning. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and a client satisfaction questionnaire were used as broad measurement tools: the COPM was scored pre-group and post-group and the questionnaire was completed following the final session. A follow-up home visit was carried out by therapists to gauge further the skill transfer from group to home environment. In the tasks identified according to the COPM pre-group and post-group, performance and satisfaction scores were improved slightly. The questionnaire results indicated high levels of client satisfaction. The topics rated as most helpful were of a practical nature and those enjoyed less were of a discursive nature. The post-group home visits demonstrated an improvement in the majority of group members in effective task management within the home. The implications for future occupational therapy and research are considered on the basis of the findings. These demonstrate that a basic form of evaluation can be used effectively to promote good clinical practice and, on this occasion, the need for future CLS groups. They also serve to demonstrate the need for a larger scale, more in-depth evaluation of CLS groups within mental health practice.