Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single or bilateral lung transplantation for emphysema?

BACKGROUND Most programs favor single lung transplantation for emphysema. However, this is controversial, and we have favored bilateral lung transplantation, confining single lung transplantation mainly to use in older patients and those of small stature. METHODS A retrospective analysis was done of 119 consecutive lung transplantation procedures for emphysema at Barnes Hospital between 1989 and 1994 (50 single lung, 69 bilateral lung transplants) to (1) identify outcome differences between the two groups and (2) define the appropriate role of these two procedures. RESULTS The single lung transplantation group was older and had a higher proportion of female patients. However, baseline pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in 1 second), arterial oxygen tension, and exercise tolerance (6-minute walk distance) were similar. After transplantation, 90-day mortality (single lung transplantation 10% versus bilateral lung transplantation 7.2%; p = 0.74) and duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, and hospitalization were similar. Both groups achieved a significant and sustained improvement in forced expiratory volume, arterial carbon dioxide tension, arterial oxygen tension, and exercise tolerance within 3 months. However, the improvements in forced expiratory volume, arterial oxygen tension, and exercise tolerance were consistently significantly better in recipients of bilateral transplants at and beyond 6 months. Obliterative bronchiolitis was equally prevalent in both groups. Survival was similar but showed a trend toward better late survival in recipients of bilateral transplants (5-year actuarial survival: bilateral lung transplantation 53% versus single lung transplantation 41%). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that (1) both procedures are satisfactory options in emphysema, producing durable results; (2) bilateral lung transplantation is not associated with increased operative mortality or morbidity and achieves superior improvements in spirometry findings, oxygenation, exercise tolerance, and possibly late survival; and (3) the superior improvements in function (and late survival) after bilateral lung transplantation may be attributed to the presence of more pulmonary reserve after the onset of obliterative bronchiolitis.
Platin sensitivity and long-term survival in Stage III epithelial ovarian cancer patients.

PURPOSE The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of platin sensitivity on long-term survival of Stage III epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. METHODS The records of all histologically confirmed Stage III EOC and PPC patients diagnosed during 1995-2006 were reviewed. A comparison of selected characteristics was made between long-term (> 5 years) and short-term (< 3 years) survivors. RESULTS Among 58 Stage III patients, 20 had long-term and 18 short-term survival. The rate of platin sensitive patients in long-term survivors was significantly higher than in short-term survivors (95.0% vs 27.8%, p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of platin sensitivity for long-term survival was 95% and 72.2%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive value was 79.2% and 92.8%, respectively. No statistically significant difference between the groups was found with regard to other selected characteristics. CONCLUSION The rate of platin sensitive patients was significantly higher among long-term survivors than among short-term survivors but the specificity and positive predictive value of platin sensitivity for long-term survival prediction were relatively low precluding its practical clinical use.
Mitochondrial hTERT exacerbates free‐radical‐mediated mtDNA damage

Telomerase is often re‐activated in human cancers and is widely used to immortalize cells in culture. In addition to the maintenance of telomeres, telomerase has been implicated in cell proliferation, genomic instability and apoptosis. Here we show that human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is targeted to the mitochondria by an N‐terminal leader sequence, and that mitochondrial extracts contain telomerase activity. In seven different human cell lines, mitochondrial telomerase increases hydrogen‐peroxide‐mediated mitochondrial DNA damage. hTERT expression did not alter the rate of hydrogen peroxide breakdown or endogenous cellular levels. Because the damaging effects of hydrogen peroxide are mediated by divalent metal ions (Fenton chemistry), we examined the levels of bioavailable metals. In all cases, higher levels of chelatable metals were found in hTERT‐expressing cells. These results suggest that mitochondrial telomerase sensitizes cells to oxidative stress, which can lead to apoptotic cell death, and imply a novel function of telomerase in mitochondrial DNA transactions.
Expression analysis of metallothioneins and mineral contents in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) under heavy metal stress.

BACKGROUND Heavy metals are considered to be the most important pollutants in the contamination of soils; they adversely affect plant growth and development and cause some physiological and molecular changes. The contamination of agricultural soils by heavy metals has changed the mineral element content of vegetables. Plant metallothioneins (MTs) are thought to have the functional role in heavy metal homeostasis, and they are used as the biomarkers for evaluating environmental pollution. We aimed to evaluate the expression of MT isoforms (MT1, 2, 3 and 4) and some mineral element composition of tomato roots, leaves and fruits exposed to copper and lead. RESULTS Heavy metal applications increased MT1 and MT2 gene expressions compared to the control in the tissues of tomato. The highest level of MT1 and MT2 transcripts was found in roots and leaves, respectively. The expression of MT3 is induced in roots, leaves and fruits except for Pb treatment in roots. MT4 expression increased in fruits; however, other tissues did not show a clear change. Our results indicated that Cu content was higher than Pb in all tissues of tomato. The lower doses of Cu (10 ppm) increased the content of Mg, Fe, Ca and Mn in roots. Pb generally increased the level of minerals in leaves and fruits, but it decreased Mg, Mn and Fe contents in roots. CONCLUSION Both heavy metals not only moved to aerial parts but also caused alterations to mineral element levels. These results show that MT transcripts are regulated by Cu and Pb, and expression pattern changes to MT isoforms and tissue types. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
ASHMEN-an approach to ATM services over shared media networks

The resource management for ASHMEN (ATM over Shared Media Networks) is concerned with Quality-of-Service (QoS) support and QoS provision in the local area networking environment in order to offer wide area ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) services over shared media networks. Based on a prototypical implementation, including the design of a highly flexible resource management scheme, empirical values in terms of statistical QoS guarantees for delay and throughput have been investigated. The approach developed determines that in-advance performance assumptions can be maintained during the operation of ATM connections between an ATM backbone and ASHMEN-capable end systems attached to a shared media network via an Attachment Device.
London–East Anglia randomised controlled trial of cognitive–behavioural therapy for psychosis

Background Despite growing evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT) for psychosis, typically only about 50% of patients show a positive response to treatment. This paper reports the first comprehensive investigation of factors which predict treatment outcome. Method In a randomised controlled trial of CBT for medication-resistant psychosis (see Part I) measures were taken at baseline of demographic, clinical and cognitive variables. Changes over time were assessed on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and the relationship between potential predictor variables and outcome was investigated using analysis of variance and covariance. Results A number of baseline variables were identified as predictors of good outcome in the CBT group. Key predictors were a response indicating cognitive flexibility concerning delusions (P=0.005) and the number of recent admissions (P=0.002). Outcome was less predictable in the control group and was not predicted by any cognitive variable. Conclusions Good outcome is strongly predicted in patients with persistent delusions by a cognitive measure, while this was not the case in controls. Thus we argue that positive outcome in CBT is due in part to specific effects on delusional thinking.
Expression of Ovarian Steroid Hormone Receptors in Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic Neurones During Pregnancy and Lactation

During late‐pregnancy, tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurones, a critical component of the negative‐feedback loop regulating prolactin secretion, become unresponsive to the stimulatory effects of prolactin. The change in TIDA responsiveness to prolactin at this time results in a decrease in dopamine secretion and a prolactin surge. As the onset of parturition and the antepartum prolactin surge depend on the withdrawal of progesterone in the presence of oestrogen, it is likely that ovarian steroid hormones mediate this change in TIDA responsiveness. To determine whether ovarian steroids can directly modulate TIDA activity, and whether changes of receptor numbers might contribute to overall steroid‐regulation of these neurones, we investigated the level of oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression within TIDA neurones during pregnancy and lactation. Animals were sacrificed on dioestrous, days 12, 19 and 21 of pregnancy and day 5 of lactation, and the proportion of TIDA neurones expressing ERα or PR, as well as the total number of PR expressing cells within the arcuate nucleus, was determined. Approximately 75% and 55% of tyrosine hydroxylase neurones expressed ERα and PR, respectively. Levels of steroid receptor expression within TIDA neurones remained fairly constant, except for an increase in ERα on days 12 and 19 of pregnancy compared to dioestrous and lactation day 5. The presence of steroid receptors on TIDA neurones during pregnancy and lactation supports the concept of a direct effect of steroid hormones on these neurones at this time. Thus, steroid hormones may directly act on TIDA neurones to regulate maternal prolactin secretion. The relatively stable level of expression during late pregnancy suggests that a shift in steroid receptor expression during late pregnancy does not contribute to the change in TIDA responsiveness to prolactin at this time.
Adolescent maladjustment and family dynamics.

The various types of adolescent disorder may be related to 4 types of unhealthy family interaction. The adolescent's primary role in intrafamilial imbalance is to function as a stabilizing factor, that is, he internalizes or externalizes the unresolved, unspoken parental conflicts. The realization of his individual potentials and emotional growth are impaired, inasmuch as they are made secondary to the primary role. The neurotic equilibrium of the family broken when the adolescent's behavior becomes unendurable to himself, the family and/or society. This precipitates a crisis that tends to mobilize the family to seek some type of help. It is at this time that a clear understanding of adolescent maladjustment and family dynamics becomes most important for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes(11).
Effect on the fura‐2 transient of rapidly blocking the Ca2+ channel in electrically stimulated rabbit heart cells.

1. We used a rapid solution switcher technique to investigate mechanisms that might trigger intracellular Ca2+ release in rabbit ventricular myocytes. The study was carried out at 36 degrees C, intracellular Ca2+ (Ca2+i) was monitored with fura‐2, and myocytes were electrically stimulated. 2. In patch‐clamped cells, using the switcher to apply 20 microM nifedipine (an L‐type Ca2+ current (ICa,L) blocker) 4 s before a depolarization to +10 mV reduced the amplitude of ICa,L to 10.25 +/‐ 2.25% of control (mean +/‐ S.E.M., n = 7 cells). 3. In externally stimulated cells, a rapid switch to 20 microM nifedipine 4 s before a stimulus reduced the amplitude of the fura‐2 transient to 64.01 +/‐ 2.09% of control (mean +/‐ S.E.M., n = 19 cells). Using an in vivo calibration curve for fura‐2, this was equivalent to a reduction in the Ca2+ transient to 50% during nifedipine application. Since an identical nifedipine switch reduced ICa,L to 10.25%, it would seem that blocking a large fraction of ICa,L inhibited only half the Ca2+ transient. 4. The Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchanger is inhibited by 5 mM nickel. Switching to 20 microM nifedipine +5 mM nickel 4 s before a stimulus abolished the fura‐2 transient completely, consistent with the hypothesis that Ca2+ entry via reverse Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange might trigger a fraction of the fura‐2 transient that remained during nifedipine. 5. After the Na(+)‐K+ pump was inhibited by strophanthidin to increase intracellular Na+ (Na+i), a switch to 20 microM nifedipine became progressively less effective in reducing the fura‐2 transient. This suggests that as Na+i rose, other mechanisms (perhaps reverse Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange) appeared able to substitute for ICa,L in triggering the Ca2+ transient. 6. In cells depleted of Nai+ to inhibit the triggering of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release by reverse Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange, a nifedipine switch reduced the fura‐2 transient to 10.9 +/‐ 4.19% (mean +/‐ S.E.M., n = 7; equivalent to 6.5% of the Ca2+ transient). 7. A switch to Na(+)‐free (Li+) solution 100 ms before an electrical stimulus caused an increase in the fura‐2 transient of 12.2 +/‐ 1.5% (mean +/‐ S.E.M., n = 7; equivalent to a 22% increase in the Ca2+ transient). 8. The results confirm that ICa,L is an important trigger for SR Ca2+ release and the resulting Ca2+ transient. However, since 50% of the Ca2+ transient remained when ICa,L was largely inhibited, it would seem likely that other SR trigger mechanisms might exist in addition. These data are consistent with the idea that Ca2+ entry via reverse Na(+)‐Ca2+ exchange during the upstroke of the normal cardiac action potential might trigger a fraction of SR Ca2+ release and the resulting Ca2+ transient.
Association entre la position sociale et les événements cardiovasculaires majeurs : une revue systématique des études épidémiologiques de la littérature

Les maladies cardiovasculaires sont la principale cause de deces dans le monde. Malgre les mesures prises pour depister et prendre en charge les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire, le gradient social de morbimortalite cardiovasculaire continue de s'aggraver. La survenue d'evenements cardiovasculaires majeurs chez des adultes a position sociale inferieure s'explique-t-elle uniquement par les differences de prevalence des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire ? Une revue systematique de la litterature a ete effectuee. Les articles etaient retenus s'ils evaluaient la position sociale a l'aide du revenu, du niveau d'education, ou de la profession, s'ils mesuraient l'incidence d'evenements cardiovasculaires majeurs, s'ils comparaient la survenue d'ECVM selon la position sociale, s'ils effectuaient un ajustement statistique sur les facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire. Soixante-six etudes ont ete selectionnees. Sur 166 resultats, 153 ont objective la persistance d'un exces de risque de survenue d'ECVM dans la classe sociale la plus basse apres ajustement sur les FDR CV, dont 70 avec un resultat statistiquement significatif. Aucune etude ne permet d'expliquer completement le gradient social de morbimortalite CV uniquement par les FDR CV choisis comme variables d'ajustement. Le risque de survenue d'ECVM est superieur dans les classes sociales les moins favorisees et cet exces de risque persiste apres ajustement sur les FDR CV conventionnels. La seule prise en charge de ces FDR est insuffisante pour esperer faire disparaitre le gradient social de morbimortalite cardiovasculaire.
Rodents as reservoir hosts in the transmission of Schistosoma mansoni in Richard-Toll, Senegal, West Africa

Abstract More than 2000 animals belonging to six different rodent species and one insectivore species were examined for infection with schistosomes in the region of Richard-Toll, Senegal. Two murid rodents, Arvicanthisniloticus and Mastomyshuberti, were found infected with Schistosomamansoni. Prevalences were about 5% for both rodent species with a mean worm burden of about 20 worms per host. The sex-ratios of S.mansoni worms were always biased towards males. Prevalences and worm burdens, although similar in both male and female rodents, increased significantly with age. The highest prevalences and worm burdens were found near habitations and decreased significantly with the distance from the town of Richard-Toll. Eggs were also observed in the liver and faeces of the two naturally infected rodent species. The results suggest that rodents participate in the transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in Richard-Toll but the human population is the main source of infection. The genetic resemblance between human and murine isolates of S. mansoni suggests that further epidemiological studies are needed in this region of Senegal.
Performance of 4-State Asymmetric 8-PSK TCM-STBC in Fast Fading Channels

We use an asymmetric 8-PSK signal sets in the 4-state rate 2/3 trellis-coded modulation concatenated with space-time block coding (TCM-STBC) scheme for fast fading channels, and show performance gain over TCM-STBC scheme with symmetric 8-PSK constellations. The performance gain is due to an increase in the minimum product-sum distance and free distance of trellis code compared to that of the symmetric 8-PSK signal sets. Simulation for fast Rayleigh fading channels shows that the proposed asymmetric 8-PSK TCM-STBC scheme outperforms symmetric scheme by about 0.3 dB at frame error rate of 10-3.
TM domain swapping of murine leukemia virus and human T-cell leukemia virus envelopes confers different infectious abilities despite similar incorporation into virions

We investigated the influence of transmembrane protein (TM) domains on incorporation of retroviral envelopes into virions and on infectivity. We introduced complete, truncated, or chimeric Friend murine leukemia virus (F-MuLV) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) envelopes into an MuLV particle-producing complementation cell line. As shown previously for HTLV-1 envelopes containing extracellular domains of F-MuLV TM (C. Denesvre, P. Sonigo, A. Corbin, H. Ellerbrok, and M. Sitbon, J. Virol. 69:4149-4157, 1995), reverse chimeric F-MuLV envelopes containing the extracellular domain of HTLV-1 TM were not processed. In contrast, a chimeric MuLV envelope containing the entire HTLV membrane-spanning and cytoplasmic domains (FHTMi) was efficiently processed, fusogenic as tested in a cell-to-cell assay, and efficiently incorporated into MuLV particles. However, these MuLV particles bearing FHTMi envelope proteins could not infect mouse or rat cells which are susceptible to wild-type F-MuLV. Therefore, envelopes which are readily fusogenic in cell-to-cell assays and also efficiently incorporated into virions may not necessarily confer virus-to-cell fusogenicity. HTLV envelopes, whether parental, chimeric (containing the MuLV cytoplasmic tail) or with a truncated cytoplasmic domain, were incorporated into MuLV particles with equal efficiencies, indicating that the cytoplasmic tails of these envelopes did not determine their incorporation into virions. In contrast to FHTMi envelope, HTLV-1 envelopes with F-MuLV membrane-spanning and cytoplasmic domains, as well as wild-type HTLV-1 envelopes, conferred virion infectivity. These results help to define requirements for envelope incorporation into retroviral particles and their cell-free infectivity.
Effects of tachykinin neuropeptide NKB and A β (25-35) on antioxidant enzymes status in 17 β estradiol treated aging female rats

Aging is the leading risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and oxidative stress involved in the pathophysiology of these diseases. These changes increase during menopausal condition in females when the level of estradiol is decreased. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of tachykinin neuropeptide, Neurokinin B (NKB) and Amyloid beta fragment Aβ (25 - 35) on 17β estradiol (E2) treated aging female rat synaptosomes of different age groups. Aging brain functions were assayed by measuring the activities of antioxidant enzymes—superoxide dismutase (SOD) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) with neuropeptides. An in-vitro incubation of Aβ (25 - 35) in E2 treated brain synaptosomes showed toxic effects on all the parameters. However, NKB and NKB combined with Aβ (25 35) showed stimulating effects in E2 treated rat brain synaptosomes. In the present study, an increase in activity of SOD and decrease in the level of MAO, in the presence of NKB and combined NKB and Aβ in E2 treated brain synaptosomes of aging rats. This study elucidates that treatment of NKB and Aβ with E2 incombination exerts more protective influence than their individual application, against excitotoxicity in age related changes.
The two methods of economics

A Teoria Economica Emprega Dois Metodos: o Metodo Hipotetico-Dedutivo, Utilizado Principalmente Pelos Economistas Neoclassicos, e o Metodo Historico-Dedutivo, Adotado Pelos Economistas Classicos e Keynesianos. Ambos sao Legitimos, Mas, Desde que a Economia e Substantiva, nao uma Ciencia Metodologica, Onde o Objeto e o Sistema Economico, o Metodo Historico-Dedutivo e o Mais Apropriado. o Metodo Hipotetico-Dedutivo Permite que o Economista Desenvolva Ferramentas para Analisar o Sistema Economico, Mas Falha ao Analisar o Sistema como um Todo. em Contrapartida, o Metodo Historico-Dedutivo Parte da Observacao Empirica da Realidade e da Busca por Regularidades e Tendencias. e um Metodo Empirico, Apropriado para as Ciencias Substantivas que Tratam de Sistemas Abertos, como e o Caso da Economia.
High density tantalum pentoxide decoupling capacitors

High-performance ICs require extremely low impedance power distribution. The low voltage, high current requirements of these devices must be provided by decoupling capacitors very close to the IC. Currently this decoupling is provided by discrete surface mount capacitors with relatively high parasitic inductance, requiring many devices in parallel to provide low impedance at high frequencies. Thin film, large area Ta2O5 dielectric capacitors exhibit very low parasitic inductance, but have been limited in capacitance density to -100 nF/cm2 for single layer devices. Multilayer thin film capacitors can substantially increase the available capacitance. These multilayer thin film capacitors can be fabricated in a variety of ways, allowing them to be embedded between FR-4 layers, under ICs, or even embedded in IC packages. Last year at ECTC we described the initial results of two-layer capacitors fabricated on silicon. These devices had two dielectric layers and three copper plates. Now we have extended the technology to three dielectric layers, and have fabricated devices with dielectrics as thin as 1000 Aring, to yield a capacitance density of . 6 muF/cm2. Capacitors are fabricated on silicon wafers by sputtering a metal plate topped with tantalum, and then wet anodizing the tantalum layer. The process is repeated to create a multilayer stack; then the stack is patterned from top to bottom by successive lithographic and etching steps. The paper describes the process in detail. Detailed electrical properties for the resulting devices, such as capacitance density, leakage current, breakdown voltage, and impedance will be presented. Using the three-layer process, we have fabricated devices for inclusion in a 3-D electronic assembly for a DARPA program, and these devices are described. Screening and test methods to ensure device reliability are discussed