Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Edward Crisp Bullard, 21 September 1907 - 3 April 1980

Edward Crisp Bullard, known to everyone as Teddy, was the most distinguished and best known British geophysicist of his generation, whose experimental and theoretical work contributed to every aspect of the subject. He will be remembered as one of the major figures in the development of the Earth sciences during the 20th century, both for his own contributions and for his influence on his colleagues and students.
Choledochal cysts: analysis of disease pattern and optimal treatment in adult and paediatric patients.

BACKGROUND Choledochal cysts are dilations of the biliary tree. Although commonly reported in Asian populations, the incidence outside of Asia is as low as 1:150 000. The largest series of patients with choledochal cyst disease outside of Asia is this one, studying 70 patients treated in Vancouver between 1971 and 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective chart review. RESULTS In all, 19 paediatric and 51 adult patients were evaluated; 21% of paediatric and 25% of adult patients were Asian. All paediatric patients had type I or IV cysts, whereas adult patients represented the different subtypes. Abdominal pain was the presenting symptom in 79% of children and 88% of adults, vomiting was present in 42% of children and 63% of adults and jaundice was seen in 31.5% of children and 39% of adults. Ultrasound was used in 94.7% of children, and ERCP in 80% of adults. In all, 84% of paediatric patients, 100% of adult patients with type I cysts and 85.7% of adult patients with type IV cysts received complete cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Complications in both groups were low. CONCLUSIONS Although Vancouver does have a large Asian population, this does not explain how common choledochal cysts are in this city. Although some authors argue that paediatric and adult disease are caused by different aetiologies, presentation patterns in our study between the two groups were very similar. We recommend complete cyst excision and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy as the surgery of choice, and advocate early surgery after diagnosis to promote ease of surgery and prevention of future complications.
APOBEC3 enzymes restrict marginal zone B cells

In general, a long‐lasting immune response to viruses is achieved when they are infectious and replication competent. In the mouse, the neutralizing antibody response to Friend murine leukemia virus is contributed by an allelic form of the enzyme Apobec3 (abbreviated A3). This is counterintuitive because A3 directly controls viremia before the onset of adaptive antiviral immune responses. It suggests that A3 also affects the antibody response directly. Here, we studied the relative size of cell populations of the adaptive immune system as a function of A3 activity. We created a transgenic mouse that expresses all seven human A3 enzymes and compared it to WT and mouse A3‐deficient mice. A3 enzymes decreased the number of marginal zone B cells, but not the number of follicular B or T cells. When mouse A3 was knocked out, the retroelement hitchhiker‐1 and sialyl transferases encoded by genes close to it were overexpressed three and two orders of magnitude, respectively. We suggest that A3 shifts the balance, from the fast antibody response mediated by marginal zone B cells with little affinity maturation, to a more sustained germinal center B‐cell response, which drives affinity maturation and, thereby, a better neutralizing response.
Humanized mouse models to study human diseases

Purpose of reviewUpdate on humanized mouse models and their use in biomedical research. Recent findingsThe recent description of immunodeficient mice bearing a mutated IL-2 receptor gamma chain (IL2rγ) facilitated greatly the engraftment and function of human hematolymphoid cells and other cells and tissues. These mice permit the development of human immune systems, including functional T and B cells, following engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The engrafted functional human immune systems are capable of T and B cell-dependent immune responses, antibody production, antiviral responses, and allograft rejection. Immunodeficient IL2rγnull mice also support heightened engraftment of primary human cancers and malignant progenitor cells, permitting in-vivo investigation of pathogenesis and function. In addition, human-specific infectious agents for which animal models were previously unavailable can now be studied in vivo using these new-generation humanized mice. SummaryImmunodeficient mice bearing an IL2rγnull mutated gene can be engrafted with functional human cells and tissues, including human immune systems, following engraftment with human hematolymphoid cells. These mice are now used as in-vivo models to study human hematopoiesis, immunity, regeneration, stem cell function, cancer, and human-specific infectious agents without putting patients at risk.
Case 2: Fever, rash and pulmonary involvement

A previously healthy 2-y-old girl was admitted to our hospital with fever persisting for 5 d, bilateral bulbar conjunctival injection, cracked lips, cervical lymphadenopathy and polymorphous exanthema, although no respiratory symptoms were observed. Even though she was treated with antibiotics for several days before the current visit, the fever did not subside. The laboratory findings were as follows: white blood cell (WBC) count 13 000/ml, red blood cell (RBC) count 376 /10/ml, haemoglobin (Hb) 9.6 g/dl, haematocrit (Ht) 29.5%, platelet (Plt) count 32.1 /10/ml, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 21 IU/l, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) 41 IU/l, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) 356 IU/l, C-reactive protein (CRP) 12.6 mg/ dl, immunoglobulin (Ig) G 1350 mg/dl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 102 mm/h, and antibody titre for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (phytohaemagglutinin, PHA) was 1280 /. Chest radiographs (Figure 1) were obtained to evaluate the source of her fever on day 5 of the disease. Case 2
Sonar Measurement of Fetal Crown-Rump Length as Means of Assessing Maturity in First Trimester of Pregnancy

A method is reported by which the “in utero” crown-rump length of the fetus may be determined by sonar in the first trimester of pregnancy. The accuracy of the technique was assessed by comparing the sonar and the direct postabortum measurements of fetuses in cases of missed abortion. A normal curve of fetal crown-rump length was derived from 214 examinations on 80 patients and by using these values in a further “blind” series it was found possible to predict the maturity of pregnancy to within three days, between the sixth and the 14th weeks of pregnancy.
Modulation of hearing related proteins in the brain and inner ear following repeated blast exposures

Abstract Emerging studies show that blast exposure causes traumatic brain injury (TBI) and auditory dysfunction without rupture of tympanic membrane, suggesting central auditory processing impairment after blast exposure. There is limited information on the mechanisms of blast-induced TBI and associated peripheral and central auditory processing impairments. We utilized a repetitive blast exposure mouse model to unravel the mechanisms of blast TBI and auditory impairment. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to three repeated blasts (20.6 psi) using a shock tube, and the cerebellum was subjected to proteomic analysis. The data showed that calretinin and parvalbumin, two major calcium buffering proteins, were significantly up-regulated after repeated blast exposures, and this was confirmed by Western blotting. Since these proteins are reportedly involved in auditory dysfunction, we examined the inner ear and found both calretinin and parvalbumin were up-regulated, suggesting that modulation of these proteins plays a.
Estudo comparativo da cicatrização de gastrorrafias com e sem o uso do extrato de Jatropha gossypiifolia L. (pião roxo) em ratos

INTRODUCTION: The healing process of the gastrointestinal tract is of huge importance in the surgical field history, as well as the search for appropriate types of threads and suture techniques and the many factors that influence it. The use of phytotherapic drugs as accelerators of the healing process has been done for many years and is one of the current objectives of scientific researches trying to prove its therapeutic properties. PURPOSE: To evaluate the use of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. extract on the healing process of gastrorraphies in rats. METHODS: Forty wistar male rats were divided in 2 groups of 20 rats, named control and Jatropha groups. Ten animals of each group were killed in the third day post-surgery and were named control and Jatropha groups of the 3rd day. The remaining 10 animals of each group were killed in the seventh day and were named accordingly for the 7th day. In each animal, gastrostomy and gastrorraphy were performed in a single plane using polypropylene thread 6-0 (Prolene). The animals from the Jatropha group were given a single dose of 200 mg/kg of the Jatropha gossypiifolia L. extract intraperitoneally on the same day of the procedure and the ones from the control group were given the same quantity in milliliters (ml), but of saline solution (sodium chloride 0.9%). The following parameters were evaluated: 1) macroscopic alterations; 2) the suture's resistance to atmospheric air insufflation (pressure of rupture); 3) histologic characteristics. RESULTS: No animal died during the clinical follow-up and optimal healing of the abdominal wall was seen without any signs of infection, dehiscence, abscesses or peritonitis. Healing of the serous surface was considered good in all animals, without occurrence of fistulas; however, intraperitoneal adhesions occurred in 7 rats of the sub-group control and 9 of the sub-group Jatropha on the 3rd day post-operative and in 9 of the sub-group control and 8 of the sub-group Jatropha on the 7th day, but the differences were not statistically significant between the groups. Healing of the mucous surface was classified as good in all the animals. The resistance of the gastrorraphies to the atmospheric air insufflation showed statistically significant increase of the rupture pressure in the Jatropha group during the 3rd day of observation. Histologic evaluation showed differences that were statistically significant, considered the criteria, as well as reduced acute inflammatory reaction and better coaptation of the edges in the sub-group Jatropha of 7th post-surgery, when comparet to the sub-group control of the same period. CONCLUSION: The raw extract of Jatropha gossypiifolia L. aids the healing on the 3rd day post-surgery, concerning the enhanced resistance of the gastrorraphies to pressure of rupture, and on the 7th day, presenting better coaptation of the edges and reducing acute inflammatory reaction by microscopic analyses.
Targeted IL‐4 therapy synergizes with dexamethasone to induce a state of tolerance by promoting Treg cells and macrophages in mice with arthritis

F8‐IL‐4 is a recently developed immunocytokine that delivers IL‐4 to sites of inflammation by targeting the neovasculature. We previously reported that F8‐IL‐4, in combination with dexamethasone (DXM), provides a durable therapy in mice with collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA). Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the mechanism by which IL‐4 and DXM combination therapy provides long‐lasting disease remission. F8‐IL‐4 alone attenuated inflammation in CIA and this was associated with increased TH2 and decreased TH17 cell numbers in the joints. Similarly, DXM alone had an antiinflammatory effect associated with lower TH17 cell numbers. In both cases, these therapeutic benefits were reversed once treatment was stopped. On the other hand, combination therapy with F8‐IL‐4 plus DXM led to a synergistic increase in the percentage of regulatory T (Treg) cells and antiinflammatory macrophages in the arthritic joint and spleen as well as IL‐10 levels in serum and spleen. The net result of this was a more pronounced attenuation of inflammation and, more importantly, protection from arthritis relapse post therapy retraction. In conclusion, F8‐IL‐4 plus DXM is a durable treatment for arthritis that acts by promoting Treg cells in a synergistic manner, and by producing a sustained increase in antiinflammatory macrophages.
Free fatty acids sensitize dendritic cells to amplify TH1/TH17‐immune responses

Obesity is associated with body fat gain and impaired glucose metabolism. Here, we identified both body fat gain in obesity and impaired glucose metabolism as two independent risk factors for increased serum levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). Since obesity is associated with increased and/or delayed resolution of inflammation observed in various chronic inflammatory diseases such as psoriasis, we investigated the impact of FFAs on human monocyte‐derived and mouse bone marrow‐derived dendritic cell (DCs) functions relevant for the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation. FFAs such as palmitic acid (PA) and oleic acid (OA) did not affect the pro‐inflammatory immune response of DCs. In contrast, PA and OA sensitize DCs resulting in augmented secretion of TH1/TH17‐instructive cytokines upon pro‐inflammatory stimulation. Interestingly, obesity in mice worsened a TH1/TH17‐driven psoriasis‐like skin inflammation. Strong correlation of the amount of total FFA, PA, and OA in serum with the severity of skin inflammation points to a critical role of FFA in obesity‐mediated exacerbation of skin inflammation. Our data suggest that increased levels of FFAs might be a predisposing factor promoting a TH1/TH17‐mediated inflammation such as psoriasis in response to an inflammatory danger signal.
Clinical update on screening, diagnosis and management of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors associated with polycystic ovary syndrome

Purpose of reviewPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in premenopausal women. This review discusses the screening, diagnosis and management of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors associated with PCOS, highlighting significant recent developments. Recent findingsPCOS is a complex genetic disorder with multiple susceptibility genes as well as environmental factors influencing the expression of various PCOS phenotypes. The first genome-wide association study of PCOS identified susceptibility loci on chromosome 2 near the luteinizing hormone receptor gene LHCGR and chromosome 9 near the obesity gene DEEND1A. Women with PCOS are affected by a variety of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type-2 diabetes, dyslipidemia and obesity. Recently, it has been established that women with PCOS have a high risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These metabolic disturbances are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although women with PCOS have higher rates of cardiovascular risk factors and intermediate markers of CVD, studies definitively documenting increased CVD are lacking. SummaryThe high prevalence of metabolic disorders and CVD risk factors in women with PCOS highlights the need for early screening, diagnosis and treatment of these disorders to promote long-term health and possibly prevent CVD.
TGF‐β regulation of encephalitogenic and regulatory T cells in multiple sclerosis

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been shown to influence the differentiation and function of T cells. The role that TGF‐β plays in immune‐mediated disease, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), has become a major area of investigation since CD4+ T cells appear to be a major mediator of autoimmunity. This review provides an analysis of the literature on the role that TGF‐β plays in the generation and regulation of encephalitogenic and regulatory T cells (Treg) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, as well as in T cells of MS patients. Since TGF‐β plays a major role in the development and function of both CD4+ effector and Treg, which are defective in MS patients, recent studies have found potential mechanisms to explain the basis for these T‐cell defects to establish a foundation for potentially modulating TGF‐β signaling to restore normal T‐cell function in MS patients.
Parallel optimal choropleth map classification in PySAL

In this article, we report on our experiences with refactoring a spatial analysis library to support parallelization. Python Spatial Analysis Library (PySAL) is a library of spatial analytical functions written in the open-source language, Python. As part of a larger scale effort toward developing cyberinfrastructure of GIScience, we examine the particular case of choropleth map classification through alternative parallel implementations of the Fisher-Jenks optimal classification method using a multi-core, single desktop environment. The implementations rely on three different parallel Python libraries, PyOpenCL, Parallel Python, (PP) and Multiprocessing. Our results point to the dominance of the CPU-based Parallel Python and Multiprocessing implementations over the Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)-based PyOpenCL approach.
Regulation of Dietary Supplements in the United States of America

Abstract The importance of dietary supplements regulation in the United States of America becomes clear when the prevalence of this form of therapy is recognized. One of the most important pieces of legislature affecting dietary supplement manufacturing and distribution is the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994. The Act and its amendments have provided definitions and guidelines to dietary supplement industry and public. These laws address Labeling and Claims, Good Manufacturing Practices, Adverse Event Reporting mechanisms and a number of other areas. The legislation is still undergoing changes. It is believed that strict implementation of the regulations and educating of health care professionals and patients will help dietary supplement field become safer and better understood.
Prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly during the transition to mandatory folic acid fortification in the United States

A decade ago, in 1992, the US Public Health Service recommended 400 μg of folic acid daily for all women of childbearing age. Four years later the Food and Drug Administration approved adding synthetic folic acid to grainproducts, and early in 1998 this became mandatory. The investigators sought to learn whether neural tube defects, that is, spina bifida and anencephaly, have declined in prevalence as a result. A survey of 24 population-based surveillance systems identified 5630 study cases in the years 1995 to 1999 spanning the periods before and during optional folic acid fortification and after fortification became mandatory. Spina bifida declined 31% from the pre-fortification period to the mandatory fortification period. Anencephaly declined 16% in the same time, but not significantly from the optional to the mandatory fortification period. In nine programs with prenatal ascertainment (ascertainment of cases from sources other than birth certificates), the prevalence of spina bifida decreased 40% from the pre-fortification period to the mandatory fortification period. A decline in anencephaly was significant only in programs with prenatal ascertainment. The authors conclude that spina bifida has become less prevalent in connection with folic acid fortification of grain supplies in the United States. A similar connection with anencephaly remains less clear.
Managing variation through system redesign

Previous studies of reengineering in healthcare have identified a lack of process standardisation and inherent process variability as barriers to successful redesign. Some regard healthcare as unsuitable for a process redesign approach. The pilot studies and longitudinal case study presented here demonstrate that process stability can be achieved using a reengineering approach and that this can help reduce patient journey times and the variation in flow times. Furthermore, a cellular approach to process streaming did not create process stability at the expense of system flexibility. The process-based view that was introduced by the redesign activity was seen to be extremely valuable because of the way in which it helped to define patient flows.
Antinociceptive activity of the new triple reuptake inhibitor NS18283 in a mouse model of chemotherapy‐induced neuropathic pain

Chronic neuropathic pain can lead to anxiety and depression. Drugs that block reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine and/or dopamine are widely used to treat depression, and have emerged as useful drugs in the treatment of neuropathic pain. This study compared the acute antinociceptive effects of NS18283, a novel triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (MRI) with indatraline, venlafaxine and escitalopram in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.
PYLORIC STENTING FOR MALIGNANT GASTRODUODENAL OBSTRUCTION: THE KOREAN EXPERIENCE

Self‐expanding metal stents (SEMS) have been widely used for palliation of malignant gastrointestinal (GI) obstruction. Through‐the‐scope (TTS) stent has the advantage of direct placement through the endoscopic channel in malignant gastroduodenal and intestinal obstruction. We prospectively studied the effectiveness of a newly designed uncovered self‐expanding nitinol TTS stent (Niti‐S stent) with an 18 mm diameter and 60 or 80 mm in length, which was inserted through the 3.7 mm working channel of a therapeutic upper GI endoscope (Olympus GIF‐2T200) for palliation of malignant gastroduodenal and intestinal obstruction. However, the uncovered metal stent is apt to permit tumor ingrowth through the interstices. To overcome this limitation, a polyurethane‐covered self‐expanding nitinol TTS stent (Niti‐S covered stent) has been developed. Placement of TTS stent is an easy, rapid, and safe procedure and offers effective palliation of inoperable malignant gastroduodenal and intestinal obstruction, although tumor ingrowth remains to be resolved.
Physiological Implications of the Lactate Threshold

History It has been known for over 60 years that both submaximal and maximal exercise result in an increase in lactic acid levels in the blood. At one time lactic acid was believed to control oxygen consumption (V02) and Long in 1926 proposed that ''O2 increased in proportion to the square of the blood lactate level (33). Our biochemical knowledge has increased dramatically since the days of these theories, and lactic acid, while still important from the exercise physiologist's viewpoint, now is known to contribute much less than originally believed to the regulation of man's physiological responses to exercise. Most recent interest in lactic acid has been centered on the response to submaximal exercise and these measurements have been correlated to two quite different physiological entities — the control of ventilation during exercise and the prediction of competitive endurance capacities.