Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Declining case fatality rates for acute myocardial infarction in South Asian and white patients in the past 15 years

Objectives: To determine whether case fatality rates in South Asian (Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani) patients with acute myocardial infarction have shown similar declines to those reported for white patients during the past 15 years. Design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Setting: Coronary care unit in east London. Patients: 2640 patients—29% South Asian—admitted with acute myocardial infarction between January 1988 and December 2002. Main outcome measures: Differences over time in rates of in-hospital death, ventricular fibrillation and left ventricular failure. Results: The proportion of South Asians increased from 22% in 1988–92 to 37% in 1998–2002. Indices of infarct severity were similar in South Asian and white patients, with declining frequencies of ST elevation infarction (88.2% to 77.5%, p < 0.0001), Q wave development (78.1% to 56.9%, p < 0.0001) and mean (interquartile range) peak serum creatine kinase concentrations (1250 (567–2078) to 1007 (538–1758) IU/l, p < 0.0001) between 1988–92 and 1998–2002. Rates of in-hospital death (13.0% to 9.4%, p < 0.01), ventricular fibrillation (9.2% to 6.0%, p < 0.001) and left ventricular failure (33.2% to 26.5%, p < 0.0001) all declined; these changes did not interact significantly with ethnicity. Odds ratios for the effect of time on risk of death increased from 0.81 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.93) to 1.02 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.21) after adjustment for ethnicity and indices of infarct severity (ST elevation, peak creatine kinase, Q wave development and treatment with a thrombolytic). Conclusions: In the past 15 years, death from acute myocardial infarction among South Asians has declined at a rate similar to that seen in white patients. This is largely caused by reductions in indices of infarct severity.
Destruction of Pacific Corals by the Sea Star Acanthaster planci

Acanthaster planci, a coral predator, is undergoing a population explosion in many areas of the Pacific Ocean. Data on feeding rates, population movements, and stages of infestation were collected along coral reefs of Guam and Palau. Direct observations on destruction of Guam's coral reefs indicate that narrow, fringing reefs may be killed as rapidly as 1 kilometer per month. In a 2�-year period, 90 percent of the coral was killed along 38 kilometers of Guam's shoreline.
Clonal and temporal patterns of nasopharyngeal penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae stains in children attending a day care center

The nasopharyngeal carriage of penicillin-susceptible and penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (PSSp and PRSp, respectively) was analyzed in 116 children attending a day care center in Rouen, France, by three observation periods in November, January, and March of the winter of 1993 to 1994. The carriage rate of S. pneumoniae was found to be 47.7, 47.3, and 49.6% at each different observation period, and PRSp accounted for 42.2, 40.3, and 40.6% of pneumococcal isolates, respectively. The 52 isolates recovered in November were distributed in 34 electrophoretic types (ETs) by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis; 15 PRSp isolates, all of serotype 23F, belonged to a clonal complex of five ETs, representing the dominant population of PRSp in November. The temporal pattern of S. pneumoniae carriage was studied in 17 children who were colonized at the three periods by multilocus enzyme analysis of their isolates. The PSSp isolated, exhibiting distinct ETs, were transient only among these day care attendees. In contrast, most of the PRSp isolated in January and March belonged to the clonal complex. Thus, this PRSp population was resident in the day care center throughout the study period.
Using decision theory to formalize emotions in multi-agent systems

We use the formalism of decision theory to develop principled definitions of emotional states of a rational agent. We postulate that these notions are useful for rational agent design. First, they can serve as internal states controlling the allocation of computations and time devoted to cognitive tasks under external pressures. Second, they provide a well defined implementation-independent vocabulary the agents can use to communicate their internal states to each other. Finally, they are essential during interactions with human agents in open multi-agent environments. Our approach provides a formal bridge between the rich bodies of work in cognitive science and the high-end AI architectures for designing rational artificial agents.
Esophageal echo-Doppler monitoring in burn shock resuscitation: are hemodynamic variables the critical standard guiding fluid therapy?

BACKGROUND Ever since the introduction of invasive hemodynamic monitoring to major burn care, its utility remains controversial. Besides complications, invasive monitoring as a guideline for burn shock resuscitation is often associated with significant excessive fluid burden. This study was to summarize the clinical experiences of noninvasive esophageal echo-Doppler (ED) monitoring in burn shock resuscitation and discuss the significance of hemodynamic variables in assessment of fluid therapeutic goal. METHODS Twenty-one burn patients with an average total body surface area of 78.86% +/- 7.75% (62-92%) was enrolled in this retrospective study. Fluid therapy was guided according to Chinese general formula and adjusted with urinary output 1 mL/kg/hr as resuscitation goal. Hemodynamic parameters using ED was obtained, including cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), myocardial contractility parameter--maximum acceleration at onset of systole (Acc), afterload parameter--total systemic vascular resistance (TSVR), preload parameter SV/Acc. RESULTS All patients were clinically diagnosed with a relatively stable condition during early shock stage. There existed inherent and dynamic tendency of hemodynamics during burn shock resuscitation with low CO, Acc, SV/Acc, and high TSVR at first followed by a continuous trend of increase in CO, Acc and SV/Acc and decrease in TSVR. Significant correlations could be seen between CO and Acc, CO and TSVR, CO and SV/Acc. The Standardized Regression Coefficients of Acc, TSVR, and SV/Acc with CO as dependent variable were 0.343, -0.670, and 0.053, respectively demonstrating that myocardial contractility and angiotasis played more important role than blood volume did in hemodynamic variation. CONCLUSIONS Hemodynamic variables cannot routinely substitute traditional variables as the burn shock resuscitation goal. Because of its noninvasiveness, ability to real-timely provide complete profile of hemodynamics, ED monitoring is a good adjunctive method for clinical judgment.
LOCALIZATION OF DIURETIC ACTION FROM THE PATTERN OF WATER AND ELECTROLYTE EXCRETION *

The response to diuretic agents is principally determined by three factors: the locus in the nephron where the drug exerts its inhibitory effect on sodium reabsorption; the potency of its action; and the nature and magnitude of the internal regulatory influences which augment the renal tubular reabsorption of sodium. The present studies in dogs were undertaken to ascertain the site of action within the nephron of various diuretic agents. The site of action was inferred from the pattern of water and electrolyte excretion during water diuresis and hydropenia. In general, the following criteria were used: An action in the proximal tubule was assumed if the fraction of filtrate delivered out of this portion of the nephron after administration of a diuretic (as estimated from clearance studies) exceeded that normally delivered out of the proximal convolution (as disclosed by micropuncture studies). An action in the ascending limb of Henle’s loop was assumed if free-water clearance was impaired, either alone or together with an impairment of free-water reabsorption. Finally, an action in the distal tubule and collecting duct was assumed if potassium and hydrogen excretion was reduced at any given rate of sodium excretion. Micropuncture studies in dogs, utilizing the inulin tubular fluid to plasma ratio (inulin TF/P) at the end of the proximal convolution as an index of fractional reabsorption of the filtrate, have delineated the magnitude of sodium reabsorption in this portion of the nephron during normal circumstances and during water diuresis, saline diuresis, and contraction of effective blood volume.13 No similar characterization of reabsorption in the thick ascending limb is available, since micropuncture has not been applicable in the dog to this segment of the nephron. It was necessary, therefore, to examine the normal reabsorptive characteristics of the thick ascending limb as a function of delivery of filtrate before the effects of diuretics could be ascertained.
K‐252a Promotes Survival and Choline Acetyltransferase Activity in Striatal and Basal Forebrain Neuronal Cultures

Abstract: The organic molecule K‐252a promoted cell survival, neurite outgrowth, and increased choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in rat embryonic striatal and basal forebrain cultures in a concentration‐dependent manner. A two‐ to threefold increase in survival was observed at 75 nM K‐252a in both systems. A single application of K‐252a at culture initiation prevented substantial (>60%) cell death that otherwise occurred after 4 days in striatal or basal forebrain cultures. A 5‐h exposure of striatal or basal forebrain cells to K‐252a, followed by its removal, resulted in survival equivalent to that observed in cultures continually maintained in its presence. This is in contrast to results found with a 5‐h exposure of basal forebrain cultures to nerve growth factor (NGF). Acute exposure of basal forebrain cultures to K‐252a, but not to NGF, increased ChAT activity, indicating that NGF was required the entire culture period for maximum activity. Striatal cholinergic and GABAergic neurons were among the neurons rescued by K‐252a. Of the protein growth factors tested in striatal cultures (ciliary neurotrophic factor, neurotrophin‐3, NGF, brain‐derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin‐2, basic fibroblast growth factor), only brain‐derived neurotrophic factor promoted survival. The enhancement of survival and ChAT activity of basal forebrain and striatal neurons by K‐252a defines additional populations of neurons in which survival and/or differentiation is regulated by a K‐252a‐responsive mechanism. The above results expand the potential therapeutic targets for these molecules for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
Two languages - one brain

Studies on bilingual speech processing have implied that bilinguals may either have two separate or one intertwined system. These findings have been obtained by multiple methods using various types of bilinguals. Our study compared monolinguals and two types of bilinguals. We used the same methods for all groups, i.e. we measured attentive identification scores and preattentive discrimination. Our results show that bilinguals process speech sounds differently from monolinguals, and more importantly, that there is a difference between the two types of bilinguals. We suggest that dominant bilinguals have two separate phonological systems, while balanced bilinguals have one uniform system.
Intraocular Pressure Spike and Corneal Decompensation Following Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty in Patients With Exfoliation Glaucoma

Purpose:To report 5 cases of intractable intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation and 2 cases of corneal failure in patients with exfoliation glaucoma after undergoing selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT). Methods:SLT was performed for the treatment of exfoliation glaucoma in 5 patients, all of whom subsequently developed significant IOP elevation within 1 to 5 weeks following treatment. Two patients went on to develop corneal endothelial failure requiring transplantation within 9 to 11 months. Results:All 5 patients failed to respond adequately to topical antiglaucoma therapy and required trabeculectomy. Two patients required secondary implantation of a glaucoma drainage device. Two patients suffered significant endothelial injury requiring corneal transplantation (one receiving penetrating keratoplasty and another receiving Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty). Conclusions:Significant and persistent IOP spikes requiring surgical intervention following SLT are extremely rare, with only 1 other case series of 4 patients (all with heavily pigmented angles) reported in the literature. Exfoliation patients, and likely all patients with heavily pigmented angles, should be considered at higher risk for developing this complication. Corneal endothelial failure is similarly rare. Nine cases have been reported in the literature, none requiring corneal transplantation. Further clinical attention and research is needed to help elucidate what factors (both pressure-dependent and pressure-independent) may predispose patients to corneal changes following SLT.
Itaconate biosynthesis in Aspergillus terreus

Itaconate biosynthesis was studied in intact cells of high-yield (RC4') and low-yield (CM85J) strains of the fungus Aspergillus terreus by methods (tracers, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy) that did not interfere with metabolism. Itaconate formation in RC4' required de novo protein biosynthesis. Krebs cycle intermediates increased in both strains during the production of itaconic acid. The Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway and the Krebs cycle were shown to be involved in this biosynthesis by using 14C- and 13C-labelled substrates and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A metabolic pathway for itaconate formation from glucose in A. terreus is proposed.
In-vitro cytotoxicity and cell uptake study of gelatin-coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

The aim of this study was to modify the surfaces of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IOPs) with gelatin in order to reduce cytotoxicity and enhance cellular uptake. The gelatin-coated IOPs were characterized in terms of their functionalization, size, surface charge, morphology and crystalline structure using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (BIO-TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The cytotoxicity of the gelatin-coated IOPs to human fibroblasts was assessed using an MTT-assay and was compared with uncoated IOPs. Similarly, the cellular uptake of the coated and uncoated IOPs was visualized using BIO-TEM and quantified using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICPS). As shown by the Fourier emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and viability test, the massive uptake of uncoated IOPs lead to reduced viability. However, gelatin coating lead to increased viability and slow uptake without any visible distortion to the cell morphology.
Public health roles for small animal practitioners.

he terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the anthrax scares later that fall heralded a new era of public health concerns in the United States. Bioterror-ism (the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other agents used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants) and agroterrorism (intentional attack on ag-riculture infrastructures with biological agents) are rec-ognized as terror threats equal to traditional weaponry. The post-9/11 era of public health magnifies the role that all health professions play in protecting citizens by preventing or controlling intentional health threats. The veterinary medical profession has been humans through an understanding and application of involved in the protection of public health since the late 19th century. In recent years, the veterinary profession has changed toward a greater number of small animal (canine and feline) veterinarians and diminishing num-bers of veterinarians practicing in fields traditionally as-sociated with public health responsibilities, such as food animal, agricultural, regulatory, and public health prac-tice. The focus of veterinary manpower on the small ani-mal pet population has been a response to the increasing value US residents place on their pets and the desire that pet owners have for advanced veterinary health care. The importance of pets in society is evident by the increas-ing economic impact of pet food manufacturing and sales and the response to recent natural disasters such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many residents refused to evacuate the affected areas without their pets. In the weeks following landfall, public outcry for the care of pets in Katrina-affected areas and fundraising in excess of $43 million
Syndecans Serve as Attachment Receptors for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 on Macrophages

ABSTRACT Macrophages are thought to represent one of the first cell types in the body to be infected during the early stage of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission and represent a potential viral reservoir in vivo. Thus, an understanding of HIV-1 attachment to these cells is fundamental to the development of novel anti-HIV-1 therapies. Although one of the major targets of HIV-1 in vivo—CD4+ T lymphocytes—express high CD4 levels, other major targets such as macrophages do not. We asked in this study whether this low CD4 level on macrophages is sufficient to support HIV-1 attachment to these cells or whether cell surface proteins other than CD4 are required for this process. We show that CD4 alone is not sufficient to support the initial adsorption of HIV-1 to macrophages. Importantly, we find that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) serve as the main class of attachment receptors for HIV-1 on macrophages. Most importantly, we demonstrate that a single family of HSPGs, the syndecans, efficiently mediates HIV-1 attachment and represents an abundant class of attachment receptors on macrophages.
Phenytoin does not influence postexercise facilitation of motor evoked potentials

Postexercise facilitation of motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited to transcranial magnetic stimulation occurs after brief, non-fatiguing muscle activation. This phenomenon may be related to post-tetanic potentiation or long-term potentiation (LTP) observed in animal studies. Phenytoin reduces post-tetanic potentiation but does not block LTP. We studied the effects of phenytoin on postexercise MEP facilitation and its decay over time. Phenytoin did not result in either significant change in postexercise MEP facilitation nor significant change in the decay of facilitation. We conclude that postexercise MEP facilitation is unlikely to be secondary to posttetanic potentiation.
Ultra-structural Study by Transmission Electron Microscopy: Effect of Omega-3 on Ovary Cell Organelles after Experimental Induced Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent cause of female infertility, affecting about 4% to 8% of women in the age of procreation. For evaluation the protective effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on ovarian structure in experimental PCO induced by estradiol-valerat, this research was done. Materials and Methods: Wistar female rats (n=40) were allocated into four groups, one control (n=10) and three test groups (n=30), that one group received omega-3 (60 mg/rat/orally/daily), second and third groups were induced PCO by single injection of estradiol-valerate (16mg/ kg/ i.m), third group also received omega-3 (240 mg/kg) for 60 consequence days. Animals were kept in standard conditions. On day 60, the ovarian tissue of Rats in whole groups were removed and prepared for pathological analysis. Results: vacuolated area and rough endoplasmic reticulum expanded, de-granulated, disorganized were seen in PCO groups; however, these side effects decreased in the groups that received omega-3 significantly (p<0.05) in comparison to experiment groups and ovarian weights in PCO experimental decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: Results revealed that administration of omega-3 could significantly treat PCO. This suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acid could diminish negative side effects of PCO on ovary tissue. 1 Women’s Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 2Department of Pathology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Article History: Received 1 October 2013 Accepted 3 February 2014 Revised 15 January 2014 Available online 4 February 2014 Corresponding Author: Arash Khaki, Department of Pathology, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran. Tel: +989143138399 Email: arashkhaki@yahoo.com
Design of Context-Awareness Simulation Toolkit for Ubiquitous Computing

The study deals with the most important elements of ubiquitous computing, that is, the toolkit to acquire, express and safely use the context information. To do so, we introduce CAST(Context-Awareness Simulation Toolkit) and show how it works. CAST generates users and devices in a virtual home domain, designates their relation and creates virtual context information. The created context information is reused by the request of application and put into use for context learning. Particularly, we have given a consideration to security in the process of context creation and its consumption. That is, we applied SPKI/SDSI to test if the created context information was valid information and if the application that called for the context had legitimate authority to do so. CAST not only captures virtual context information, but it also guarantees the safe sharing of the context information requested by the application.
Bioglass-A Miracle Material Dr

Material sciences have experienced immense progress in the evolvement of new materials, especially in the past 30 years. Some of the materials like Glass Ionomer, Composite, Mineral trioxide aggregate have proved their excellence but hunt for a material which could fulfill all the requirements in dentistry is still going on. Materials used in the replacement of tissues have come a long way from being inert to compatible, and now regenerative. Larry Hench developed a material using silica (glass) as the host material, incorporated with calcium and phosphorous to fuse broken bones. This material mimics bone material and stimulates the regrowth of new bone material. Thus, due to its biocompatibility and osteogenic capacity it came to be known as "bioactive glass-bioglass. " It is now encompassed, along with synthetic hydroxyapatite, in the field of biomaterials science known as "bioactive ceramics. " This article aims at the various uses in dentistry, of this novel, miracle material which can bond, induce osteogenesis, and also regenerate bone.