Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term Impact of Poor Birth Condition on Social and Economic Outcomes in Early Adulthood

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to investigate the association of poor birth condition with long-term social and economic outcomes at 25 to 31 years of age. METHODS: This was a population-based cohort study using data derived from linkage of routinely collected Swedish data. All term infants born in Sweden between 1973 and 1979 identified from the Swedish birth registry (n = 651 615) were included in the study. Infants were categorized into 3 groups: (1) infants with a normal (>7) Apgar score at 1 or 5 minutes of age without encephalopathy; (2) infants with a low (<7) Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes of age without encephalopathy; and (3) infants with a low (<7) Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes with evidence of encephalopathy. The main outcome measures were achievement of a university education and participant's income in early adulthood. RESULTS: Infants with low Apgar scores who did not develop encephalopathy were less likely to have attended university (odds ratio [OR]: 1.14 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.23]) and were more likely to have no income from work (OR: 1.19 [95% CI: 1.07–1.32]) than those born in good condition. Infants who developed encephalopathy also had greater risks of these adverse outcomes (not attended university, OR: 1.94 [95% CI: 1.13–3.33]); no income from work, OR: 3.08 [95% CI: 1.89–5.01]). CONCLUSIONS: Infants born in poor condition had worse measures of social performance than their peers, and this association was not restricted to those infants who developed obvious neurologic symptoms in the neonatal period. However, even in infants with likely encephalopathy, more than half obtained employment and one third attended university.
Urine Discoloration Associated With Metronidazole

Objective: To report a case of metronidazole-induced urine discoloration in a patient with Clostridium difficile sepsis. Case Summary: A 52-year old man was admitted with sepsis secondary to C difficile colitis, which developed after he had been recently treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics for community-acquired pneumonia. The C difficile infection was treated with metronidazole, and the patient subsequently developed cola-colored urine. When metronidazole was inadvertently stopped for 34 hours, the urine color returned to normal, but again darkened when the medication was restarted. The patient suffered no clinically adverse effects from the abnormal urine color. He completed the treatment course for colitis and was discharged to home. Discussion: Urine discoloration is a known side of metronidazole. However, it has been poorly reported in the literature, and many clinicians are unaware that it may happen. Here we report the case of a patient who developed dark urine while receiving treatment with metronidazole. Other potential causes of the urine discoloration were explored, including hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, or adverse reactions to other medications, with no clear positive findings. An objective causality assessment (Naranjo probability scale) revealed that the urine discoloration was probably due to metronidazole. Conclusions: Metronidazole can cause urine discoloration without otherwise harming the patient. Clinicians should be aware of this potential side effect and provide reassurance to patients who develop abnormal urine that there are no clinically relevant adverse outcomes.
Aphasiology and Other Aspects of Language

This work brings together the author's writings, both published and unpublished, covering a 20-year period in the development of aphasiology. The book is fascinating, and the author's abiding interest in fundamental language phenomena is evident in every page. It is important to note the complete title: Aphasiology and Other Aspects of Language . This is in no sense a basic or clinical text concerned with aphasia as such. It is a philosophic and historical analysis of the study of aphasia, with emphasis on linguistics in the broadest sense. The work as a whole synthesizes a body of information and opinion and contributions from many sources, with more questions than answers, and more challenges than achievements. Therefore, it should be judged as literature as well as scientific exposition. The color and vigor that mark creative writing are present in abundance. For example, the 16-page chapter on nomenclature and definitions can only confuse
Eine enzymatische Methode zur Bestimmung von Cefotaxim in Serum- und Harnproben

Die Methode beruht auf der kompetitiven Hemmung einer j3-Lactamase durch ein /3-Lactam-Antibiotikum (4, 5, 6). Das Cephalospprinderivat Padac (Abb. 2) (7) wird von der j3-Lactamase aus Enterobacter cloacae P99 leicht hydrolysiert. Dabei ist ein Farbumschlag von rot nach gelb zu beobachten, der im Photometer bei 550 nm zu verfolgen ist. Die Umsetzungsgeschwindigkeit dieses leicht spaltbaren Cephalosporins wird nach Zugabe von Cefotaxim durch eine kompetitive Hemmung verringert, wobei der Grad der Enzymhemmung mit der Menge Cefotaxim in der zu analysierenden Probe korreliert ist. Als leicht umzusetzendes Substrat eignet sich auch Cephaloridin, wobei die Absorptionsanderung bei 255 nm gemessen werden mus.
Konzeption und Zwischenergebnis der Therapiestudie ALL-BFM 90 zur Behandlung der akuten lymphoblastischen Leukämie bei Kindern und Jugendlichen: Die Bedeutung des initialen Therapieansprechens in Blut und Knochenmark

In the ongoing trial ALL-BFM 90 for the treatment of childhood non-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) 1468 unselected patients (pts) were enrolled from 84 centers in Germany and Switzerland from 4/90 to 12/93. Based on the results of the previous trial ALL/NHL-BFM 86 this treatment program focused especially on therapy modifications for average (MRG) and high risk (HRG) pts, on the evaluation of therapy response for prognosis, and on the identification of high risk pts by molecular genetics. For average risk pts consolidation therapy was intensified by the addition of L-asparaginase (L-ASP) on a randomized basis. In HRG induction and consolidation therapy was modified by introduction of early intensification elements that had proved to be effective in relapsed pts. This patient group was randomized for the evaluation of the effects of G-CSF administered in the intervals between the intensification elements. Distribution of the 1376 eligible pts into the three treatment arms SRG (standard risk), MRG, and HRG was as expected (17 pts not yet assigned): 385 pts (28.0%), 834 pts (60.6%), and 140 pts (10.2%), respectively. Treatment consisted of the 8-drug induction (Protocol I), consolidation (Protocol M), reinduction (Protocol II), and maintenance therapy (total therapy duration 24 months). The drug doses and combinations were only slightly modified compared to the previous study ALL-BFM 86 with the exception of the randomized L-ASP containing arm MRG-2 (Protocol M-A) and group HRG. Preventive cranial irradiation was reduced to 12 Gy and applied to MRG and HRG pts only. As in study ALL-BFM 86, the initial response to a 7-day exposure to prednisone and to the first intrathecal injection of MTX at diagnosis was evaluated at day 8 of treatment with regard to blast count in peripheral blood (PB). In addition, pts were now investigated for the presence of blasts in the bone marrow (BM) at day 15 of treatment to compare the prognostic power of both response parameters. Identification of translocation t(9; 22) and/or BCR-ABL rearrangement characterized a small subgroup of pts that were not detected by poor initial therapy response. These pts were enrolled in HRG for more intensive treatment including allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). After a median observation time of 22 months, the overall probability for event-free survival (p-EFS) is 82 +/- 2%. 11 pts (0.8%) died before complete remission (CR) was achieved, 15 pts (1.1%) died while in CR for reasons other than relapse. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
End of Life in High-Security Prisons in Switzerland

Similar to other institutions, the Swiss prison system faces a growing number of elderly prisoners, trends toward securitization, and, in consequence, more prisoners who will spend the end-of-life (EOL) period of time in prison. By law, prisoners should have the same access to care as the rest of the population. However, custody makes meeting the demands of medical and palliative care difficult. This article focuses on the organizational challenges related to EOL care. Based on ethnographic and documentary research, it examines the institutional logic of the prison and the competing “new” logic emerging with EOL care. It illustrates the ambivalences within these logics and the blurred distinction between “care” and “custody” and evaluates how prison staff interpret this overlap and the effects in shaping everyday practices.
Surface Structure of Silver Nanoparticles as a Model for Understanding the Oxidative Dissolution of Silver Ions.

The toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been related to the release of ionic silver. This process is influenced by a large variety of factors and is poorly understood. The key to understanding Ag(+) release by AgNPs is its subvalency. This is a fundamental property of Ag that can be elucidated by analyzing the crystal structures of a specific class of Ag materials as well as MO/DFT (molecular orbital/density functional theory)-optimized Ag13(OH)4 clusters, being precursors of AgNPs. Semimetallic silver at the (111) faces of AgNPs has a subvalency of +(1)/3 v.u. , forming ≡Ag3OH(0) surface groups with a maximum site density of 4.7 sites/nm(2). Oxidative dissolution may remove these groups with the simultaneous formation of oxygen radicals that may further interact with the surface via different pathways. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can create a circular process with the dissolution of ≡Ag3OH(0), exposure of new metallic sites at the underlying lattice, and subsequent oxidation to ≡Ag3OH(0). This regeneration process is interrupted by the penetration of O(•) radicals into the lattice, forming highly stable Ag6O octahedra with subvalent silver that protects the AgNP from further oxidation. A thermodynamic model has been developed that quantitatively describes the equilibrium condition between ≡Ag3OH(0) and ≡Ag6O(0) and explains a large variety of collectively observed phenomena.
Remote Control Laboratory Using EJS Applets and TwinCAT Programmable Logic Controllers

This paper presents a new methodology to develop remote laboratories for systems engineering and automation control courses, based on the combined use of TwinCAT, a laboratory Java server application, and Easy Java Simulations (EJS). The TwinCAT system is used to close the control loop for the selected plants by means of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) deployed in PCs with the TwinCAT run-time tool. EJS is used to develop the laboratory front-end applets that let teachers and students parametrize and observe the behavior of the PLCs from any computer. The laboratory Java server application establishes the connection between the EJS applets and the PLCs, fulfilling the TwinCAT connection requirements while ensuring an individualized access to each PLC. This paper also shows how the practical work in some undergraduate control courses at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, already uses the TwinCAT PLC + Java server + EJS applet strategy to provide real-time support to the controllers, remote individualized access to the experiments, and a user-friendly graphic controller interface for the students.
Safety Issues on British Mental Health Wards

BACKGROUND: Assuring patient safety on inpatient psychiatric units is a complex issue that involves mitigating risks as well as promoting safety by building an environment that supports engagement and constructive activity. OBJECTIVES: To review the concerns surrounding inpatient psychiatric units in the United Kingdom that led to a service user–designed program, Star Wards. The essential elements of the program are outlined along with a rationale for how Star Wards’ 75 ideas effectively build greater engagement, address boredom, and enhance safety on inpatient psychiatric wards. DESIGN: This article reports on the development and dissemination of Star Wards. Included is information on the program’s effectiveness; data were drawn from an evaluation of Star Wards conducted by a U.K. university. RESULTS: Psychiatric wards that have adopted Star Wards have demonstrated improvements in patient satisfaction, staff morale, levels of boredom, and incidents of aggression. CONCLUSION: Boredom and poor staff–patient engagement on psychiatric wards may contribute to aggression and violence. Drawing on Star Wards ideas, nurses and service users can work together to enhance safety via an active ward program and greater staff–patient engagement. The innovations suggested by Star Wards are practical ways to build programming and create platforms for dialogue with service users, particularly around what they need to move toward recovery.
Sirtuins and the circadian clock: Bridging chromatin and metabolism

The sirtuin family of protein deactylases contributes to the regulation of circadian functions. Gloss Emerging data on the regulation of the circadian clock by protein acetylation reveal unexpected links with fundamental cellular functions. This review with three figures and 81 references highlights the recent advances in our understanding of the roles of the sirtuin family of protein deactylases in the control of circadian genetics, epigenetics, and metabolism. New strategies for treatment of various metabolic and aging-related disorders may become possible with the development and characterization of drugs that modulate sirtuin activity. The circadian clock is a finely tuned system of transcriptional and translational regulation that is required for daily synchrony of organismal physiological processes. Additional layers of complexity that contribute to efficient clock function involve posttranslational modifications and enzymatic feedback loops. SIRT1, the founding member of the sirtuin family of protein deacetylases, was the first sirtuin to be reported to modulate circadian function. SIRT1 affects the circadian clock by its actions in the nucleus. Moreover, recent data implicate SIRT3 and SIRT6 in controlling mitochondrial and nuclear circadian functions, revealing previously unappreciated roles that extend to various subcellular domains, including fatty acid metabolism in the mitochondria. This review focuses on the roles of sirtuins in directing circadian functions in diverse organelles and speculates on the endogenous signals that may mediate the segregated roles of this family of enzymes.
Análise das impressões digitais de DNA e de fatores de virulência de linhagens de Helicobacter pylori

RACIONAL: Helicobacter pylori e hoje aceito como o principal agente etiologico de gastrite em seres humanos e fator de risco para ulcera peptica e câncer gastrico. A evolucao da infeccao esta relacionada a diversos fatores, inclusive bacterianos, como presenca do gene cagA e o genotipo vacA s1m1, associados ao desenvolvimento de ulcera e adenocarcinoma gastrico. A tecnica de RAPD ("random amplified polimorphic") tem sido amplamente utilizada para obtencao de impressoes digitais de DNA para examinar a similaridade entre linhagens. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a presenca de cagA e alelos do vacA em amostras de H. pylori e associar os achados com a doenca apresentada e tambem investigar possivel clonicidade entre os fatores de virulencia e as doencas com a impressao digital de DNA gerada pelo RAPD-PCR. METODOS: Foram incluidas 112 amostras provenientes de pacientes com diferentes laudos endoscopicos: gastrite (n = 41), esofagite de refluxo (n = 14), ulcera gastrica (n = 19) e ulcera duodenal (n = 38). A analise dos fatores de virulencia da bacteria foi feita por PCR e as impressoes digitais de DNA foram estabelecidas pelo metodo de RAPD-PCR. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos indicam que houve uma associacao significativa entre ulcera duodenal e o mosaico vacA s1m1. Analisando-se os padroes de bandas geradas pelo RAPD-PCR, sete diferentes dendogramas foram construidos e nao foi possivel detectar associacao significativa entre os agrupamentos, sugerindo que as amostras nao possuem perfil clonal. CONCLUSAO: Os resultados reforcam a importância do gene vacA como um marcador de virulencia do H. pylori. O RAPD da impressao digital de DNA realizado foi incapaz de associar o padrao de bandas com as enfermidades e os genotipos de vacA e cagA.
Arrestin Times for Developing Antipsychotics and β-Blockers

Conformation determines G protein–independent signaling through β-arrestins. Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein)–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest group of structurally related proteins encoded by the human genome. As signal effectors and allosteric regulators, GPCRs dynamically recruit not only specific heterotrimeric G proteins but also the cytosolic scaffold proteins, β-arrestin 1 and 2, which were originally thought only to serve as negative regulators of GPCR signaling. Although about half of currently available therapeutics target GPCR function, usually at the ligand-binding, orthosteric site, evidence suggests that β-arrestins may be therapeutic targets themselves. Indeed, a hitherto undiscovered action of various antipsychotics is to inhibit the ability of the dopamine D2 receptor to engage β-arrestin 2 and activate glycogen synthase kinase 3, which may be a target for developing therapeutics for schizophrenia. Also, certain β-antagonists (blockers) used to treat heart failure, such as carvedilol, have the added effect of promoting activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase through β-arrestin. It seems likely that the structure of β-arrestins allows them to detect different types and conformational states of GPCRs and to respond in functionally distinct fashions by using separate cohorts of signaling proteins, thus generating additional possibilities for therapeutic intervention.
Down-Regulating Destruction: Phosphorylation Regulates the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Nedd4-2

Phosphorylation of Nedd4-2 regulates epithelial Na+ transport. E3 ubiquitin ligases catalyze ubiquitination, which can target specific proteins for degradation. Although a growing number of E3 ubiquitin ligases and their targets have been identified, much less is known about the mechanisms that regulate their activity. A convergence of data indicate that phosphorylation regulates the binding of Nedd4-2, a HECT (homologous to the E6-AP C terminus) domain E3 ubiquitin ligase, to its target, the epithelial Na+ channel ENaC. Nedd4-2 phosphorylation is emerging as a central convergence point for the regulation of epithelial Na+ transport.
Estudo morfométrico do músculo sóleo de ratos da linhagem wistar pós-imobilização articular

All types of immobilization contribute to muscular atrophy and, in a few days, the muscles undergo volume reduction or loss of function, known as atrophy. Thus, with one or two weeks of immobilization, metabolic activities are considerably reduced and muscle fibers are replaced by dense fibrous scar tissue. This study has as objective to analyze the effect of joint immobilization of the soleus muscle of posterior members of rats on morphometric profile view, at periods of 7 and 14 days. Ten male Rattus navergicus albinus, Wistar variety, were used, separated into two groups of 5 animals each, with the first group submitted to immobilization for 7 days and the second for 14 days. The experiment control was acquired from the right contralateral member of each animal. The immobilization of the left posterior member was done by adapted orthesis. The morphometric analysis of soleus was by non-serial cross sections, 5µm thick. From the obtained images, the muscle fibers areas were analyzed, including connective tissue density, comparing with the control group. With 7 and 14 days of immobilization, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in muscle fiber area can be observed, associated with an increase in interstitial spaces, mostly around muscle fascicules. This suggests there is an increase in conjunctive tissue density and muscular hypotrophy. Thus, it can be concluded that immobilization, even for a short period of time, can change skeletal musculature, with important functional implications.
Apoptosis: Calling Time on Apoptosome Activity

Caspase-9 autoprocessing displaces active caspase-9 bound to the apoptosome, thereby limiting proteolytic activity. Apoptosis is a controlled form of cellular demolition, catalyzed by a family of cysteine proteases called caspases. In response to diverse proapoptotic stimuli, caspase-9 is recruited and activated within an oligomeric complex called the apoptosome. The apoptosome drives autocatalytic processing of caspase-9, triggering a proteolytic caspase cascade that results in the biochemical and morphological changes characteristic of cell death. It is unclear why caspase-9 undergoes autocatalytic processing following apoptosome recruitment, because interdomain processing is dispensable for caspase-9 activity. A study has shed light on this issue by demonstrating that caspase-9 processing within the apoptosome promotes its displacement from the complex, leading to inactivation of this protease. Thus, autoprocessing of caspase-9 within the apoptosome serves as a “molecular timer” that limits the proteolytic activity of this complex through displacement of bound caspase-9 molecules. This timer mechanism may enable cells to prevent low amounts of apoptosome activation from spiraling out of control unless sufficient numbers of apoptosomes are assembled within a particular time window, which would drive full-blown caspase activation and apoptosis.
Schizophrenia: The “BLOC” May Be in the Endosomes

Genetic polymorphisms that affect processes regulated by or participating in endosomal trafficking may increase susceptibility to schizophrenia. Genome-wide association studies have identified multiple genetic polymorphisms associated with schizophrenia. These polymorphisms conform to a polygenic disease model in which multiple alleles cumulatively increase the risk of developing disease. Two genes linked to schizophrenia, DTNBP1 and MUTED, encode proteins that belong to the endosome-localized Biogenesis of Lysosome-related Organelles Complex-1 (BLOC-1). BLOC-1 plays a key role in endosomal trafficking and as such has been found to regulate cell-surface abundance of the D2 dopamine receptor, the biogenesis and fusion of synaptic vesicles, and neurite outgrowth. These functions are pertinent to both neurodevelopment and synaptic transmission, processes tightly regulated by selective cell-surface delivery of membrane proteins to and from endosomes. We propose that cellular processes, such as endosomal trafficking, act as convergence points in which multiple small effects from polygenic genetic polymorphisms accumulate to promote the development of schizophrenia.