Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MESENTERIC AND SKELETAL MUSCLE MICROVASCULAR RESPONSIVENESS IN SUBACUTE SEPSIS

This study was performed to assess the effects of subacute sepsis in rats on the in vitro reactivity of arterioles (internal diameter, 100–150 μm) to α1- and α2-adrenergic stimulation and to angiotensin II. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered septic by intraperitoneal implantation of a gelatin capsule containing sterile rat feces and 1 x 106 viable colony forming units of Escherichia coli. Control rats underwent sham laparotomy and implantation of a gelatin capsule containing only sterile feces. In vitro reactivity of arterioles from mesentery and skeletal muscle were studied 48 h later in a pressurized (50 mmHg) no flow state using videomicroscopy. Subacute sepsis decreased the contractile response of nonprecontracted microvessels from both anatomical sites to phenylephrine (both p < .01 versus control) and blunted the relaxation response to staurosporine (both p < .01), an inhibitor of protein kinase C. The small contraction to angiotensin II of mesenteric vessels was inhibited by sepsis (p < .05) but was unaltered in the skeletal muscle microcirculation. In the precontracted mesenteric microvessels from septic rats, endothelium-dependent relaxation to clonidine and to adenosine 5‘-diphosphate were decreased (both p < .01 versus control), whereas in skeletal muscle microvessels, clonidine and adenosine 5’-diphosphate elicited constriction (both p < .01). Relaxation to the endothelium independent vasodilators sodium nitroprusside and pinacidil was preserved across all vessels. In conclusion, mesenteric and skeletal muscle microvascular responses to angiotensin II and α1 - and α2-adrenergic stimulation are altered in subacute sepsis. This may in part lead to systemic hypotension and altered organ perfusion during states of chronic sepsis.
Clinical Outcomes of Surgery Versus Endoscopic Balloon Dilation for Stricturing Crohn’s Disease

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic balloon dilation and surgery are commonly practiced in stricturing Crohn’s disease. Nonetheless, there are still scant data directly comparing these 2 strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of endoscopic balloon dilation versus surgical resection in symptomatic Crohn’s strictures. DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SETTINGS: The study was conducted at a single tertiary center. PATIENTS: Seventy-nine patients were identified, 40 in the surgical group and 39 in the endoscopic balloon dilation group (mean age 42.8 ± 13.9 versus 38.5 ± 12.2 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes of all patients referred for endoscopic balloon dilation were compared with patients referred to surgery because of stricturing disease between the years 2006 and 2013. The primary outcome was the need for reintervention (either endoscopic balloon dilation or surgery) for symptomatic Crohn’s disease during follow-up. RESULTS: The proportion of patients who required any reintervention during follow-up was significantly lower in the surgical group versus the endoscopic balloon dilation group (OR = 5.62 (95% CI, 1.66–19.01); p = 0.005). The need for surgery/resurgery during follow-up was also significantly lower in the surgically treated group (OR = 3.53 (95% CI, 1.01–12.29); p = 0.047). Reintervention-free survival and surgery-free survival were both significantly shorter in the endoscopically treated group in a Kaplan-Mayer analysis. The rate of major complications was similar in the endoscopically and surgically treated groups (7.6% versus 7.5%; p = 0.7). LIMITATIONS: The small cohort and the retrospective data collection were limitations of this study. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients with fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease, a direct comparison showed reduced need for reinterventions with a similar rate of immediate major complications after surgery compared with endoscopic balloon dilation.
THE CAPILLARY PATTERN IN HUMAN MASSETER MUSCLE DURING AGEING

The effect of ageing on the capillary network in skeletal muscles has produced conflicting results in both, human and animals studies. Some of the inconsistencies are due to non-comparable and biased methods that were applied on thin transversal sections, especially in muscles with complicated morphological structures, such as in human masseter muscle. We present a new immunohistochemical method for staining capillaries and muscle fibres in 100 µm thick sections as well as novel approach to 3D visualization of capillaries and muscle fibres. Applying confocal microscopy and virtual 3D stereological grids, or tracing capillaries in virtual reality, length of capillaries within a muscle volume or length of capillaries adjacent to muscle fibre per fibre length, fibre surface or fibre volume were evaluated in masseter muscle of young and old subjects by an unbiased approach. Our findings show that anatomic capillarity is well maintained in masseter muscle in old subjects; however, vascular remodelling occurs with age, which could be a response to changed muscle function and age-related muscle fibre type transformations.
ER stress and autophagy are involved in the apoptosis induced by cisplatin in human lung cancer cells

Cisplatin [cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II (CDDP)] is one of the most classical and effective chemotherapeutic drugs for the treatment of cancers including lung cancer. However, the presence of cisplatin resistance in cancer lowers its curative effect and limits its usage in the clinic. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanisms of cisplatin resistance in lung cancer involving endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy. In the present study, we detected the effect of cisplatin on cell viability, ER stress and autophagy in lung cancer cell lines A549 and H460. We also tested the effects of ER stress and autophagy on apoptosis induced by cisplatin. The results showed that cisplatin induced apoptosis, ER stress and autophagy in lung cancer cell lines. In addition, the inhibition of ER stress by 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) or tauroursodeoxycholic acid sodium (TUDC) enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in the human lung cancer cells. Meanwhile, combination treatment with the autophagic inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) or chloroquine (CQ) further increased the apoptosis induced by cisplatin in the human lung cancer cells. The present study provides a novel treatment strategy - cisplatin in combination with an autophagic inhibitor or an ER stress inhibitor leads to increased apoptosis in human lung cancer cells.
LOW BLOOD PRESSURE SYNDROME: A MYTH OR A REALITY? Results of a patient's survey at a teaching hospital in Karachi

Objective: To study patient’s knowledge, perceptions attitude and practice with regard to low blood pressure. Design: A Questionnaire-based survey. Settings: Family Practice Center, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, in June 2004. Main outcome measures: Low blood pressure is a disease, causes and treatment of low blood pressure, patient ever suffered from low blood pressure, low blood pressure can be diagnosed with BP apparatus, without apparatus and stress can cause low blood pressure. Results: A 110 patients were interviewed. Majority of the subjects were educated young married men, well placed socio-economically. A majority (73%) of the respondents consider low blood pressure as a disease entity. Weakness, dizziness, low mood and headaches are reported as symptoms and use of salt (41%) and medications (20%) are considered treatments for low blood pressure. Conclusion: Further studies are recommended to ascertain the existence of low blood pressure syndrome in our population as a myth or a disease entity. Physician and patient education is also strongly recommended.
Effect of Substitution of Proline‐77 to Aspartate on the Light‐Driven Proton Release of Bacteriorhodopsin

Wild‐type bacteriorhodopsin (BR) and another retinal protein archaerhodopsin 4 (AR4) are both light‐driven proton pumps, but exhibit opposite temporal orders of proton release and uptake upon a flash illumination at neutral pH due to a higher pKa of proton release complex (PRC) in AR4. Since the 77th residue in the extracellular side is proline (P) in BR, but aspartic acid (D) in AR4, we have mutated P77 in BR by D in this study. The new point mutation was found to affect the kinetics of proton release and the pH dependence significantly. Upon a flash excitation, three components “fast proton release,”“proton uptake” and “slow proton release” were observed at neutral pH in P77D. The pKa of PRC in the M intermediate was increased from 5.6 in the wild‐type to 7.0, and became closer to that in AR4, which is 8.4. The coupling strength between D85 and PRC were also weakened, as expected. These data indicate that the 77th residue in AR4 greatly account for the difference between the two proton pumps.
Controversies in congenital clubfoot : literature review.

Despite common occurrence, congenital talipes equinovarus (clubfoot) is still a subject of controversy. It poses a significant problem with its unpredictable outcome, especially when the presentation for treatment is late. The true etiology remains unknown although many theories have been put forward. A standard management scheme is difficult as there is no uniformity in the pathoanatomy, classification and radiographic evaluation. These differ according to the age of the child and the severity of the condition. The paper discusses these controversies with an emphasis on the proposed etiologies and types of treatment performed.
Behaviour state analysis through brain computer interface using wearable EEG devices: a review

In recent years, a vast research is concentrated towards the development of electroencephalography (EEG) based human computer interface in order to enhance the quality of life for medically as well as non-medical applications. Industry and community of research have been attracted by wireless EEG reading devices and they are easily available in the market. Such technology can be incorporated into psychology, anesthesiology, and for real-time patients monitoring. A brain computer interface (BCI) is a direct communication channel between the human brain and the digital computer. In this paper, we present a review on characteristics and specification of EEG-based human computer interfaces for real-time applications using wearable or wireless EEG devices.
Moral Judgment and Drivers' Behavior among Brazilian Students

It is well known that lifestyle, social deviance, and criminal background are related to involvement in road accidents. This study addressed the connection between moral judgment and driving behavior, especially deliberate violations of the traffic law. 260 university students (age 18–30 years, 41% women) completed the Sociomoral Reflection Measure and Driver Behavior Questionnaire. No significant associations were found, probably due to the small variance in Moral Judgment score in this selected sample. This study presented a Portuguese 28-item version of the Driver Behavior Questionnaire that reproduced the same four-factor structure as the British version: ordinary violations, aggressive violations, errors, and lapses.
The ScanHip ® total hip arthroplasty: Radiographic assessment of 72 hips after 10 years

We analyzed the radiographic and clinical outcome of the ScanHip total hip arthroplasty in 70 patients after 10 years. The Swedish National Hip Register, in which the end-point of the survival analysis is defined as revisions, reported a 10-year survival rate of 94% with the ScanHip, but in the present series 13% of the femoral stems and 29% of the sockets met the criteria for aseptic loosening. Focal osteolysis was found around 8 sockets (11%) and 23 stems (32%) and had occurred significantly oftener around loose sockets, but not around femoral stems. Linear polyethylene wear was significantly increased in loose sockets, but no relationship was noted between polyethylene wear and stem loosening or was there a correlation between clinical symptoms or patients' satisfaction and component loosening. Therefore precise serial long-term radiographic follow-up is the only satisfactory method for detecting aseptic loosening of total hip arthroplasty. It gives the surgeon more detailed information about each case than survival analysis alone.
Double-balloon enteroscopy in the diagnosis of an adenocarcinoma of the fourth portion of the duodenum: report of a case.

due to a coincident bariatric jejunum-ileal bypass sur-gery at that time.Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed antral ery-thematous gastritis, and no alteration was noted in the firstor second portions of the duodenum. Fecal stool occultblood testing was positive (3+), but colonoscopy showedno alterations. Scintigraphy with 99 Tc and marked eryth-rocytes was performed and revealed positivity for intesti-nal bleeding, probably at the proximal small bowel.DBE demonstrated first, second and third portions ofthe duodenum with no abnormalities. In the fourth portionof the duodenum a vegetative, infiltrative and friable le-sion was noted, extending about 10 cm, involving almostall the circumference and the lumen of the organ, allow-ing however the transposition of the double-balloonenteroscope. Multiple biopsies were performed. Histologi-cal examination demonstrated moderately differentiatedadenocarcinoma of the duodenum. The immunohistochemi-cal evaluation was consistent with adenocarcinoma. Afterthe diagnosis, the patient and his family elected treatmentat a private hospital and we lost the follow-up.
Obésité et chirurgie bariatrique : quelle évolution post-opératoire des troubles psychiatriques et des comportements addictifs ? : Une revue systématique de la littérature

Introduction : la chirurgie bariatrique est le traitement de l’obesite morbide le plus efficace sur la perte de poids et ses complications somatiques mais aucun consensus n’existe concernant son impact sur les comorbidites psychiatriques incluant les comportements addictifs. L’objectif de cette revue de la litterature est d’evaluer l’evolution de ces troubles en post-chirurgie bariatrique. Methode : la base de donnees PubMed a ete exploitee sur la periode s’etendant de 1999 a 2016. Les etudes prospectives selectionnees s’interessaient a l’evolution des troubles de l’usage de substances, de l’addiction et du craving alimentaire, et des troubles psychiatriques en pre- et post-chirurgie. Resultats : 39 articles repondaient aux criteres d’inclusion. Dix etudiaient les consommations de substances, 4 le craving alimentaire, l’addiction alimentaire et/ou comportements alimentaires, et 29 les comorbidites psychiatriques (troubles de l’humeur et anxieux et troubles du comportement alimentaire ; TCA). Discussion : concernant l’usage d’alcool, les resultats montraient une augmentation de sa consommation a partir de 2 ans post-chirurgie, plus important pour la chirurgie Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. La prevalence des troubles depressifs semblait plus elevee a partir de 2 ans en post-chirurgie, alors qu’aucune tendance claire ne se degageait pour les troubles anxieux. On notait une diminution significative des TCA en post-chirurgie (BED et BN). Peu d’etudes etudiaient le craving et l’addiction alimentaire a l’aide d’outils standardises de facon prospective. Conclusion : le depistage des comorbidites psychiatriques et addictives chez les patients candidats a la chirurgie est important pour optimiser les soins. Des etudes avec de larges cohortes longitudinales sont necessaires pour preciser l’evolution de celles-ci sur une periode superieure a 2 ans en post-chirurgie. Une meilleure connaissance de l’evolution des conduites addictives incluant l’addiction alimentaire apparait necessaire.
More Efficient VLR Group Signature Satisfying Exculpability

In this letter, we improve NF'07 (Nakanishi and Funabiki) VLR group signature scheme such that it satisfies exculpability and has lower computation costs. In the proposed scheme, a group member generates his own private key together with the group manager in order to realize exculpability while the signature size is not made longer. Also, a new revocation check method is proposed at the step of verifying, and the computation costs of verifying are independent of the number of the revoked members, while they are linear with the number of the revoked members in the original scheme. Thus, the proposed scheme is more efficient than the original scheme and can be applicable to mobile environments such as IEEE 802.1x.
Association between digital ischaemia and malignant disease.

direct contact between erythrocytes and damaged blood vessels may be a factor in the production of burr cells (Brain et al., 1962). Burr cells were present in all cases that we examined. The peripheral blood film in our patients is therefore in many ways similar to that seen after removal of the spleen. In two patients the level of Howell-Jolly bodies was greater than that said to occur after splenectomy (0.3 % of erythrocytes) and was closer to the higher values (3.9-5.3 % of erythrocytes) which Fraser et al. reported in three cases of splenic atrophy associated with steatorrhoea. The significance of these findings, we believe, is twofold. Firstly, the sequelae of Thorotrast characteristically occur after a long latent period-of the order of 20 years or more-and most patients are unaware that the injection has been made. In the absence of a history of splenectomy previous Thorotrast administration may be suspected when the peripheral blood film shows the changes usually associated with removal of the spleen. This is particularly so when haematological examination is otherwise normal. Secondly, these changes may be indicative of a progressive loss of splenic function in patients exposed to Thorotrast. After intravascular injection the particles of thorium are phagocytosed by reticuloendothelial cells and are deposited mainly in the spleen and liver, and to a lesser extent in the bone marrow. Fig. 2 shows the appearances of heavy deposits of thorium in the spleen of a 33-year-old woman who at the age of 13 had 20 ml. of Thorotrast injected into the left carotid artery. Attempts to estimate dosage to the spleen from the radioactive material deposited there are for technical reasons extremely difficult, but the dosage has been calculated by Rundo (1955) to be in the region of 1,100-1,300 rep' of a-rays and 130-150 rep of a-rays 20 years after an injection of 20 ml. of Thorotrast. As a result of this irradiation, and the interstitial fibrosis which follows the deposition of thorium in tissues, it is not unreasonable to postulate that over the years there will be a progressive loss of splenic function in these patients, and that this will underlie the peripheral blood changes we have described. The careful study and follow-up of such cases may therefore provide useful information regarding the effects of the loss of splenic function and its possible role in some of the sequelae of Thorotrast administration.
Myelinogenic potential of an immortalized oligodendrocyte cell line

The myelinogenic potential of an oligodendrocyte cell line (N20.1) immortalized by transformation with a temperature‐sensitive retrovirus (Verity et al., J Neurochem 60:577–587, 1993) has been evaluated in a co‐culture system utilizing dorsal root ganglion neurons. When N20.1 cells were placed in co‐culture with dorsal root ganglion neurons at 39°C, the temperature at which TAg expression is decreased relative to that in cells maintained at 34°C, there was a dramatic decrease in the N20.1 proliferation rate compared to cells maintained in the absence of neurons at either temperature. This decrease in proliferation was observed within 3 days of co‐culture and appeared to precede a further decrease in TAg expression that occurred with time in response to the neurons. In co‐cultures the immunoreactivity of N20.1 cells for galactocerebroside increased with time, and the cells appeared to establish contact with neurites and initiate formation of membranous sheets. When the duration of co‐culture was extended to 52 days, myelin‐like figures were noted by electron microscopy. Thus, the extent of N20.1 differentiation is dependent on the presence of neurons and the duration of co‐culture. This culture system represents a potentially powerful tool for the study of neuronal‐glial interactions influencing myelinogenesis and remyelination. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enteric‐Coated Mycophenolate Sodium is Therapeutically Equivalent to Mycophenolate Mofetil in de novo Renal Transplant Patients

The introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) represented a major advance in transplant medicine, although optimal use may be limited by gastrointestinal (GI) side‐effects. An enteric‐coated formulation of mycophenolate sodium (EC‐MPS; myfortic®) has been developed with the aim of improving the upper GI tolerability of mycophenolic acid. Therapeutic equivalence of EC‐MPS (720 mg b.i.d.) and MMF (1000 mg MMF b.i.d.), with concomitant cyclosporine microemulsion (Neoral®) and corticosteroids, was assessed in 423 de novo kidney transplant patients recruited to a 12‐month, double‐blind study. Efficacy failure (biopsy‐proven acute rejection [BPAR], graft loss, death or loss to follow up) at 6 months (EC‐MPS 25.8% vs. MMF 26.2%; 95% CI: [−8.7, +8.0]) demonstrated therapeutic equivalence. At 12 months, the incidence of BPAR, graft loss or death was 26.3% and 28.1%, and of BPAR alone was 22.5% and 24.3% for EC‐MPS and MMF, respectively. Among those with BPAR, the incidence of severe acute rejection was 2.1% with EC‐MPS and 9.8% with MMF (p = ns). The safety profile and incidence of GI adverse events were similar for both groups. Within 12 months, 15.0% of EC‐MPS patients and 19.5% of MMF patients required dose changes for GI adverse events (p = ns). Enteric‐coated‐MPS 720 mg b.i. d. is therapeutically equivalent to MMF 1000 mg b.i. d. with a comparable safety profile.
Hypoglycemia reduces the blood‐oxygenation level dependent signal in primary auditory and visual cortex: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Studies of the effects of hypoglycemia on the brain using neurocognitive testing have suggested that mainly complex functions subserved by secondary and tertiary cortex are affected by mild to moderate hypoglycemia and that intensively treated patients with Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) may have altered sensitivity to the central nervous system effects of hypoglycemia. Functional magnetic resonance imaging provides a sensitive, regionally‐specific probe of possible neurophysiologic changes related to hypoglycemia in the brain. Eleven intensively‐treated T1DM patients and 11 matched non‐diabetic controls took part in a 2‐day protocol in which functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to measure changes in the patterns of brain activation produced by simple auditory and visual stimuli in different conditions. On one day, participants were euglycemic the entire time. On the other day, an initial 50‐min euglycemic period was followed by a 50‐min hypoglycemic period. Results indicated that hypoglycemia reduced the amplitude of the blood‐oxygenation level dependent response in primary auditory and visual cortex to simple auditory and visual stimuli. The latency and duration of the transient hemodynamic response function were not affected. Responses to hypoglycemia were similar in diabetic and non‐diabetic participants. These results suggest that mild to moderate hypoglycemia may alter the balance of blood flow and oxygen extraction when glucose levels are lowered. Intensively‐treated T1DM, with its attendant frequent hypoglycemic episodes, did not seem to alter hypoglycemic responses in primary visual and auditory cortex. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.