Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatic lidocaine metabolism and liver histology in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis

Recent advances in the medical and surgical treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis have made it increasingly important to develop noninvasive tests of liver function. Our study has evaluated the hepatic conversion of lidocaine to its primary metabolite monoethylglycinexylodide and compared this with liver histological findings in 225 patients with chronic hepatitis (161 with hepatitis C, 23 with hepatitis B, 21 with autoimmune hepatitis and 20 with cryptogenic hepatitis). One hundred seven (47.7%) patients had cirrhosis at the time of evaluation. A decline in monoethylglycinexylodide production was observed with worsening liver histological conditions from a mean of 81.5 ± 7.0 ng/ml in patients with chronic persistent hepatitis to 61.2 ± 5.5 ng/ml for chronic active hepatitis and 20.9 ± 1.5 ng/ml in patients with cirrhosis (p < 0.05). A further stepwise decline in monoethylglycine xylodide production was observed with worsening Child class: from 25.5 ± 2.2 ng/ml for class A patients to 8.9 ± 1.4 ng/ml for patients with Child class C disease (p < 0.05). All patients with monoethylglycinexylodide production less than 20 ng/ml had cirrhosis confirmed on histological examination. In contrast, no relationship was observed between liver histological status and serum transaminases (AST or ALT), bilirubin, albumin and prothrombin time. Thirty‐five patients underwent repeat histological evaluation and monoethylglycinexylodide testing after receiving at least 6 mo treatment for chronic hepatitis (interferon for hepatitis B and C and corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis). The change in monoethylglycinexylodide production observed in these patients was a linear function of the change in Knodell histological index (r = 0.73, p < 0.005). We conclude that hepatic monoethylglycinexylodide production parallels liver histological condition in patients with chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis. Monoethylglycinexylodide testing may therefore prove to be a useful noninvasive test by which to monitor hepatic function and assess response to drug treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis. (HEPATOLOGY 1994;19:933–940.)
Piketty’s Capital: The Revival of Political Philosophy, Political Economy and Social Sciences in the Light of the Declaration of Human and Citizens’ Rights in the French Revolution of 1789

Piketty’s Capital in Twenty-First Century has posed a totally new platform for the discussion of the economy and capitalism. Piketty has reinvented the classical political economy founded by Adam Smith in his 1776 Wealth of Nations. Piketty has shown via massive historical research how growth and inequality have developed since 1793. Piketty’s conclusion is that the French Revolution did not change the existing inequality either in the medium or in the long term. Piketty’s prediction is that a new form of global capitalism will arise, patrimonial capitalism, in which inequality will develop further and the 1% of the World population will control 95% of all wealth in the World.
Turystyka zrównoważona – pytania o naukową użyteczność koncepcji

Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie, w świetle stanu badań, najpoważniejszych zastrzeżeń formułowanych wobec koncepcji zrównoważonego rozwoju turystyki, a także ograniczeń wdrażania jej założeń w praktyce. Wskazano m.in. na niejednoznaczność interpretacji pojęcia „zrównoważenie” i wynikające z tego konsekwencje metodologiczne w studiach nad turystyką, problem pomiaru oraz oceny stopnia „zrównoważenia” zjawisk i procesów w turystyce, a także na społeczny sprzeciw wobec propozycji samoograniczania konsumpcji turystycznej oraz sytuację niestabilności warunków klimatycznych i gospodarczopolitycznych, uniemożliwiających implementację zasad zrównoważonego rozwoju na obszarach recepcji turystycznej. W konkluzji rozważań wysunięto tezę o potrzebie dookreślenia nowego paradygmatu turystyki zrównoważonej, nieodwołującego się wprost do imperatywu zgodnego (harmonijnego) łączenia wielu celów rozwoju turystyki i wartości.
Dynamics of the Methanogenic Archaeal Community during Plant Residue Decomposition in an Anoxic Rice Field Soil

ABSTRACT Incorporation of plant residues strongly enhances the methane production and emission from flooded rice fields. Temperature and residue type are important factors that regulate residue decomposition and CH4 production. However, the response of the methanogenic archaeal community to these factors in rice field soil is not well understood. In the present experiment, the structure of the archaeal community was determined during the decomposition of rice root and straw residues in anoxic rice field soil incubated at three temperatures (15°C, 30°C, and 45°C). More CH4 was produced in the straw treatment than root treatment. Increasing the temperature from 15°C to 45°C enhanced CH4 production. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses in combination with cloning and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed that Methanosarcinaceae developed early in the incubations, whereas Methanosaetaceae became more abundant in the later stages. Methanosarcinaceae and Methanosaetaceae seemed to be better adapted at 15°C and 30°C, respectively, while the thermophilic Methanobacteriales and rice cluster I methanogens were significantly enhanced at 45°C. Straw residues promoted the growth of Methanosarcinaceae, whereas the root residues favored Methanosaetaceae. In conclusion, our study revealed a highly dynamic structure of the methanogenic archaeal community during plant residue decomposition. The in situ concentration of acetate (and possibly of H2) seems to be the key factor that regulates the shift of methanogenic community.
Specificity and techniques for resolution of gender conflicts in migrants and host community in public catering organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan

Research objective is identification of features and techniques of the gender conflicts resolution concerning migrants from neighboring countries and the accepting community in the organizations of public catering of the Republic of Tatarstan. The specifics of perception of discrimination in the labor sphere and also forms of its manifestation are considered by female migrants and male migrants. The methods of permission of the gender conflicts arising between migrants and employers in the course of work are analyzed. Considerable attention is paid to techniques for resolution of conflicts among which the important place is allocated to mediation and negotiations. The efficiency of their application by migrants and employers in settlement of the conflicts is estimated. Two schemes of human resource management in the organization (active and passive) and their role in forming of the constructive relations in the organization are analyzed.In article the role of various actors in the decision of the gender conflicts in the organization (colleagues, administrators, and the director, equal on the status) is considered. The important role of external instances (the commissions on labor disputes, the specialized centers of the help to migrants, etc.) in improvement of relationship in collective and elimination of the bases for gender discrimination is emphasized. Holding special events is represented significant (trainings on unity and conflict prevention, joint carrying out leisure, etc.). Authors come as a conclusion that in the organizations of public catering activity of the intermediary is represented important, the mediator has professional skills without having a possibility of the appeal to any instances or seeing in it inexpediency, in the organization there is a risk of emergence of a large number of the conflicts influencing its efficiency.s.
Comparison of the Berlin definition for acute respiratory distress syndrome with autopsy.

RATIONALE A revised definition of clinical criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the Berlin definition, was recently established to classify patients according to their severity. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of these clinical criteria using diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) at autopsy as the reference standard. METHODS All patients who died and had a clinical autopsy in our intensive care unit over a 20-year period (1991-2010) were included. Patients with clinical criteria for ARDS were identified from the medical charts and were classified as mild, moderate, or severe according to the Berlin definition using PaO2/FiO2 oxygenation criteria. Microscopic analysis from each pulmonary lobe was performed by two pathologists. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Among 712 autopsies analyzed, 356 patients had clinical criteria for ARDS at time of death, classified as mild (n = 49, 14%), moderate (n = 141, 40%), and severe (n = 166, 46%). Sensitivity was 89% and specificity 63% to identify ARDS using the Berlin definition. DAD was found in 159 of 356 (45%) patients with clinical criteria for ARDS (in 12, 40, and 58% of patients with mild, moderate, and severe ARDS, respectively). DAD was more frequent in patients who met clinical criteria for ARDS during more than 72 hours and was found in 69% of those with severe ARDS for 72 hours or longer. CONCLUSIONS Histopathological findings were correlated to severity and duration of ARDS. Using clinical criteria the revised Berlin definition for ARDS allowed the identification of severe ARDS of more than 72 hours as a homogeneous group of patients characterized by a high proportion of DAD.
Comparing of Light Transmittance Aggregometry and Modified Thrombelastograph in Predicting Clinical Outcomes in Chinese Patients Undergoing Coronary Stenting with Clopidogrel

Background:Several platelet function tests are currently used to measure responsiveness to antiplatelet therapy. This study was to compare two tests, light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) and modified thrombelastography (mTEG), for predicting clinical outcomes in Chinese patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods:Prospective, observational, single-center study of 789 Chinese patients undergoing PCI was enrolled. This study was investigated the correlations between the two tests and performed receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) at 1-year follow-up. Results:MACEs occurred in 32 patients (4.1%). Correlations were well between the two tests in the adenosine diphosphate induced platelet reactivity (Spearman r = 0.733, P < 0.001). ROC-curve analysis demonstrated that LTA (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.677; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.643–0.710; P = 0.0009), and mTEG (AUC: 0.684; 95% CI: 0.650–0.716; P = 0.0001) had moderate ability to discriminate between patients with and without MACE. MACE occurred more frequently in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) when assessed by LTA (7.4% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001), and by TEG (6.7% vs. 2.6%; P < 0.001). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that HPR based on the LTA and mTEG was associated with almost 3-fold increased risk of MACE at 1-year follow-up. Conclusions:The correlation between LTA and mTEG is relatively high in Chinese patients. HPR measured by LTA and mTEG were significantly associated with MACE in Chinese patients undergoing PCI.
The Danish case‐control study of cutaneous malignant melanoma. II. Importance of UV‐light exposure

A population‐based case‐control study of 474 patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma and 926 population controls, conducted in East Denmark over a 3‐year period, included an evaluation of the relationship of UV‐light exposure to cutaneous melanoma risk. Patients with lentigo maligna melanoma were not included. Significantly increased risk was associated with severe sunburn before age 15 (RR = 2. 7 for 5 + vs. never), sunbathing (RR = 1. 6), boating (RR = 1. 4) and vacations spent in the sun (RR = 1. 4 for very sunny vs. never). A significant decrease in risk was associated with occupational exposure during the summer in males (RR = 0. 7), and no association with cutaneous microtopography was seen. These findings were independent of the effects of constitutional risk factors (naevi, freckles and light hair colour). No association was found between the risk of cutaneous melanoma and exposure to artificial UV‐light (fluorescent light, sun lamps, or sun beds). No significant difference was found between superficial spreading melanoma and nodular melanoma with regard to any of the sun exposure variables. Our data indicate that exposure to intermittent intense sunlight is an important risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma, while long‐term continuous exposure does not appear to be a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma, while long‐term continuous exposure does not appear to be a risk factor.
Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial disease: prospective study of a distinct preexisting syndrome.

RATIONALE Pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (PNTM) disease is increasing, but predisposing features have been elusive. OBJECTIVES To prospectively determine the morphotype, immunophenotype, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator genotype in a large cohort with PNTM. METHODS We prospectively enrolled 63 patients with PNTM infection, each of whom had computerized tomography, echocardiogram, pulmonary function, and flow cytometry of peripheral blood. In vitro cytokine production in response to mitogen, LPS, and cytokines was performed. Anthropometric measurements were compared with National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) age- and ethnicity-matched female control subjects extracted from the NHANES 2001-2002 dataset. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Patients were 59.9 (+/-9.8 yr [SD]) old, and 5.4 (+/-7.9 yr) from diagnosis to enrollment. Patients were 95% female, 91% white, and 68% lifetime nonsmokers. A total of 46 were infected with Mycobacterium avium complex, M. xenopi, or M. kansasii; 17 were infected with rapidly growing mycobacteria. Female patients were significantly taller (164.7 vs. 161.0 cm; P < 0.001) and thinner (body mass index, 21.1 vs. 28.2; P < 0.001) than matched NHANES control subjects, and thinner (body mass index, 21.1 vs. 26.8; P = 0.002) than patients with disseminated nontuberculous mycobacterial infection. A total of 51% of patients had scoliosis, 11% pectus excavatum, and 9% mitral valve prolapse, all significantly more than reference populations. Stimulated cytokine production was similar to that of healthy control subjects, including the IFN-gamma/IL-12 pathway. CD4(+), CD8(+), B, and natural killer cell numbers were normal. A total of 36% of patients had mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. CONCLUSIONS Patients with PNTM infection are taller and leaner than control subjects, with high rates of scoliosis, pectus excavatum, mitral valve prolapse, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator mutations, but without recognized immune defects.
Video coding standardization process: More High Efficient Video Coding less H.264/AVC

This paper seeks to provide comparison between actual H.264AVC video coding standard and future High Efficient Video Coding (HEVC) standard. We compared some important tools features, like block size, transform coding, intra/inter prediction, entropy coding, etc. The idea is to show improvements in HEVC video coding design and possibility to be potentially used in different applications.
A nine-year review of orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago.

OBJECTIVE To describe the demographic characteristics of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago over a nine-year period. METHODS The case notes of patients who underwent orthognathic surgery procedures at the University of Otago from 2001 to 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. This was augmented with a brief literature review of surgical considerations and complications in orthognathic surgery among older patients. RESULTS The 92 patients included in the study were aged 15 to 56 years. The mean patient age increased over the nine-year observation period, from 22.1 years (sd, 9.4) during 2001-2003, 25.0 years (sd, 12.7) during 2004-2006, to 27.7 years (sd, 11.4) during 2007-2009. Most patients were from New Zealand European or European backgrounds, with only 5.5% identifying as Maori, and 3.3% as Asian. A female preponderance was observed (with a female:male ratio of 1.6:1). Complications were encountered with 24 patients (26.1%). Ten patients had long-term (lasting for one year or more) sensory nerve disturbance; all of those had undergone a mandibular bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) procedure (they comprised 12.7% of all BSSO patients treated); half of those patients were over 35 years old, and four were over 40 years old. CONCLUSIONS There has been an increase in the proportion of older patients undergoing orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago. Observations from this case series support findings from other studies demonstrating a higher rate of sensory nerve disturbance among older BSSO patients.
The p21-activated Protein Kinase-related Kinase Cla4 Is a Coincidence Detector of Signaling by Cdc42 and Phosphatidylinositol 4-Phosphate*

Signal transduction pathways that co-regulate a given biological process often are organized into networks by molecules that act as coincidence detectors. Phosphoinositides and the Rho-type GTPase Cdc42 regulate overlapping processes in all eukaryotic cells. However, the coincidence detectors that link these pathways into networks remain unknown. Here we show that the p21-activated protein kinase-related kinase Cla4 of yeast integrates signaling by Cdc42 and phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PI4P). We found that the Cla4 pleckstrin homology (PH) domain binds in vitro to several phosphoinositide species. To determine which phosphoinositides regulate Cla4 in vivo, we analyzed phosphatidylinositol kinase mutants (stt4, mss4, and pik1). This indicated that the plasma membrane pool of PI4P, but not phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate or the Golgi pool of PI4P, is required for localization of Cla4 to sites of polarized growth. A combination of the Cdc42-binding and PH domains of Cla4 was necessary and sufficient for localization to sites of polarized growth. Point mutations affecting either domain impaired the ability of Cla4 to regulate cell morphogenesis and the mitotic exit network (localization of Lte1). Therefore, Cla4 must retain the ability to bind both Cdc42 and phosphoinositides, the hallmark of a coincidence detector. PI4P may recruit Cla4 to the plasma membrane where Cdc42 activates its kinase activity and refines its localization to cortical sites of polarized growth. In mammalian cells, the myotonic dystrophy-related Cdc42-binding kinase possesses p21-binding and PH domains, suggesting that this kinase may be a coincidence detector of signaling by Cdc42 and phosphoinositides.
Enkephalin co‐expression with classic neurotransmitters in the amygdaloid complex of the rat

This study aimed at characterizing the neurotransmitter phenotype of enkephalin neurons in the rat amygdaloid complex. We first established the detailed distribution of vesicular glutamate transporters 1 and 2 (VGLUT1 and ‐2) and glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) in the amygdala by using in situ hybridization. In the amygdaloid complex, GAD65 is strongly expressed in striatal‐like divisions, namely, the anterior amygdaloid area, the central nucleus (CEA), the intercalated nuclei, and the dorsal part of the medial nucleus (MEA). VGLUT1 and ‐2 expression is mostly segregated to specific divisions of the amygdale, with VGLUT2 being expressed only in the MEA, the anterior cortical nucleus (COAa), and the anterior basomedial nucleus (BMAa), whereas VGLUT1 is expressed in all other divisions of the amygdala. Second, we assessed the co‐expression of preproenkephalin (ppENK) with GAD65, VGLUT1, or VGLUT2 by using double fluorescent in situ hybridization. We found that ppENK mRNA co‐localized exclusively with GAD65 in all striatal‐like structures of the amygdaloid complex with the exception of the MEA, where ENK also co‐localized with VGLUT2 mRNA. This co‐localization is most apparent in the posteroventral part of the MEA, where 70% of ENKergic cells expressed VGLUT2. In addition, ppENK also co‐localized with VGLUT1 because more than 95% of ENK cells in the basolateral amygdala expressed VGLUT1. In contrast, less than 25% of ENKergic cells expressed VGLUT1 in the lateral nucleus of the amygdale, with the majority of ENK cells expressing GAD65 mRNA in this nucleus. These results have broad implications for understanding the functional roles of enkephalinergic neurotransmission in the amygdaloid complex. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:943–959, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence of restricted viral replication in adult mink infected with Aleutian disease of mink parvovirus

Strand-specific hybridization probes were used in in situ molecular hybridization specifically to localize cells containing replicative intermediates of Aleutian disease of mink parvovirus (ADV). When adult mink of Aleutian genotype were infected with ADV Utah I, the largest number of cells positive for viral replication (i.e., containing replicative-form DNA and RNA) were found in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens at 10 days after infection. The localization of positive cells in the middle of germinal centers suggested that they were B lymphoblasts. Circulating leukocytes and bone marrow cells also contained viral RNA, but the levels of replicative-form DNA were below detectability. The levels of viral DNA and RNA in adult mink cells replicating ADV were decreased compared with those in permissively infected cell cultures or neonatal mink, suggesting that the replication of ADV in adult mink might be semipermissive or restricted at some early stage of viral gene expression. The low level of viral replication and transcription in lymphoid cells might provide a mechanism for the development of immune disorders and for the maintenance of persistent infection. Single-stranded virion DNA was found in other organs, but the strand-specific probes made it possible to show that this DNA represented virus sequestration. In addition, glomerular immune complexes containing virion DNA were detected, suggesting that ADV virions, or perhaps free DNA, may have a role in the development of ADV-induced glomerulonephritis.
Graphene oxide-chitosan based flexible biosensor

The paper presents flexible graphene oxide (GO)-Chitosan composite based biosensor for electrochemical detection of dopamine (DA). Electrochemical redox based detection tool for analytes has gained popularity due to their high specificity, sensitivity and label free technique. The GO-Chitosan based electrochemical electrodes presented here for three-electrode voltammetry have Ag/AgCl and Platinum based reference and counter electrode, respectively. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) of DA with as prepared electrode show quasi-reversible behaviour with characteristic cathodic peak (7pc) at +200mV and anodic peak (7pa) at −400mV. The voltammogram showed stability against repetitive scan cycles while the peak current showed increase with scan rates (100–200mV/s). The sensors show steady state peak enhancement (6.05–134.05pA) with DA concentration range of 0–100pM. The fabricated electrode is suitable for measuring DA with high sensitivity. The biodegradability of the prepared electrode is suitable for eco-friendly and disposable applications, which aligns with the green technology.