Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clonidine: an alternative to benzodiazepines for premedication in children

Purpose of review The aim of this review is to summarize the use of clonidine for paediatric premedication and to make a comparison with benzodiazepines. A routine clonidine premedication protocol is also presented. Recent findings In the US 50% of young children undergoing surgery receive premedication and midazolam is the most frequently used drug. The number of trials that compare midazolam with active controls are few and this premedicant is not adequately validated. Clonidine is still used as premedication in a small number of centres but the literature on paediatric use of clonidine is steadily growing. A recent review article has concluded that the use of clonidine does enhance the quality of perioperative management in infants and children and more recent publications support the use of clonidine for premedication. Its effect on the circulation is mild but routine atropine administration is recommended. Contraindications to the use of clonidine are few. Apart from a general overview on the effects of clonidine this article will also summarise the published trials that have compared clonidine with benzodiazepines for premedication in children. Summary Midazolam the most commonly used drug for paediatric premedication worldwide. Despite having a number of beneficial effects it is far from an ideal premedicant, especially concerning its effect on cognition/amnesia, confusion and long-term behavioural disturbances. Clonidine lacks the majority of the negative effects associated with midazolam and is associated with a number of beneficial perioperative effects. Our clinical experience of replacing midazolam with clonidine as premedicant in children, including also outpatients, has been favourable.
[Antiproliferative effect of silencing LSD1 gene on Jurkat cell line and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of silencing LSD1 gene by RNA interference on the proliferation, apoptosis on human lymphocytic leukemia Jurkat cell line and its mechanism. METHODS The hairpin- like oligonucleotide sequences targeting LSD1 gene was transfected into Jurkat cells by lipofectamine(TM) 2000. The LSD1 mRNA and protein were detected by RQ- PCR and Western blot. Cell growth was determined by MTT. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, procaspase- 3, and histone H3K4me, H3K4me2, H3K4me3, Act- H3, H3K9me were detected by Western blot. RESULTS LSD1 mRNA was markedly suppressed by the shRNA targeting LSD1. LSD1 shRNA suppressed the proliferation and induced cells apoptosis of Jurkat cells. The cell apoptotic rate was (41.34±3.58)%, (3.45±1.54)%, (1.76±0.52)% in LSD1 shRNA, Neg-shRNA and Blank respectively, the difference among them was statistically significant (P<0.05). LSD1 shRNA down- regulated the expressions of Bcl- 2 and procaspase- 3, and up- regulated the expression of Bax. The methylation of H3K4me1, me2 and acetylation of Act- H3 improved without change of the methylation of H3K4me3. CONCLUSIONS Deplete of LSD1 gene maybe through modifying the methylation of histone H3K4 to promote the cell apoptosis and inhibit cell growth in Jurkat cell line.
Pit and fissure sealants versus fluoride varnishes for preventing dental decay in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND The majority of the detected increment in dental caries among children and adolescents is confined to pit and fissure surfaces of first molars. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants with fluoride varnishes in the prevention of dental decay on occlusal surfaces. SEARCH STRATEGY The Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and 10 other databases were searched to November 2009. There were no language or publication restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA Random or quasi-random allocation study design; sealants versus fluoride varnish or sealants and fluoride varnish combination versus fluoride varnish alone; and subjects under 20 years of age. The primary outcome of interest was the increment in the numbers of carious occlusal surfaces of permanent premolars and molars. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened search results, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of trials. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for differences between intervention and control groups and in split-mouth studies for differences of paired tooth surfaces being carious or not. No data could be combined or meta-analyses undertaken due to the clinical and methodological diversity between study designs. MAIN RESULTS Four studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Results of one split-mouth study at low risk of bias and one cluster randomised study at moderate/high risk of bias revealed the effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants to be statistically significantly higher than an application of fluoride varnish every 6 months in preventing occlusal decays of first molars at 23 months (with a RR of 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58 to 0.95); and at 4 years and 9 years (with a RR of 0.42, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.84 and RR of 0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.79, respectively). One small parallel group study at moderate/high risk of bias failed to find a difference between sealants and fluoride varnishes. Further, one split-mouth study at low risk of bias with 24 months of follow-up found significantly more caries on the fluoride varnished tooth surfaces, compared to sealed plus fluoride varnished surfaces, with a RR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.21 to 0.61). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There was some evidence on the superiority of pit and fissure sealants over fluoride varnish application in the prevention of occlusal decays. However, current scarce data limit recommendations on whether to apply pit and fissure sealants or fluoride varnishes on occlusal surfaces.
Facial nerve injury‐induced disinhibition in the primary motor cortices of both hemispheres

Unilateral facial nerve transection induces plastic reorganization of the somatotopic order in the primary motor cortex area (MI). This process is biphasic and starts with a transient disinhibition of connections between cortical areas in both hemispheres. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here, cortical excitability has been studied by paired pulse electrical stimulation, applied either within the MI or peripherally to the trigeminal nerve, while the responses were recorded bilaterally in the MI. The ratios between the amplitudes of the second and first evoked potentials (EPs or fEPSPs) were taken as measures of the inhibitory capacity in the MI ipsilateral or contralateral to the nerve injury. A skin wound or unilateral facial nerve exposure immediately caused a transient facilitation, which was followed by a reset to some level of inhibition in the MI on both sides. After facial nerve transection, the first relatively mild reduction of inhibition started shortly (within 10 min) after denervation. This was followed by a second step, involving a stronger decrease in inhibition, 40–45 min later. Previous publications have proved that sensory nerve injury (deafferentation) induces disinhibition in corresponding areas of the sensory cortex. It is now demonstrated that sham operation and, to an even greater extent, unilateral transection of the purely motoric facial nerve (deefferentation), each induce extended disinhibition in the MIs on both sides.
Quality of life: subjective descriptions of challenges to patients with end stage renal disease.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this qualitative study was to describe how persons with end stage renal disease (ESRD) experience and manage the quality of their daily lives. DESIGN Naturalistic inquiry methods guided the collection of interview data and the use of content analysis and constant comparison techniques to inductively identify themes and categories of meaning. SAMPLE/SETTING Participants were 80 adults recruited from an outpatient hemodialysis center. FINDINGS The three emergent conceptual categories that describe the quality of everyday life among the study group were: 1) Life Restricted with sub-themes "tied down," "left out," and "doing without;" 2) Staying Alive with sub-themes "love from others," "accept it as part of life," and "trust in God;" and 3) Feeling Good with sub-themes "personal satisfaction" and "being happy. " CONCLUSION The insights shared by this study group can assist providers with planning and implementing educational and support programs for patients and families.
Towards a semantic Web for bioinformatics using ontology-based annotation

Nowadays, biologists use biological data sources and tools to find relevant information for their research. However, with the explosion of the amount of online accessible data and tools, finding the relevant sources and retrieving the relevant information is not an easy task. Further, often information from different sources needs to be integrated. The vision of a semantic Web alleviates these difficulties. The semantic Web is an extension of the current Web in which information is given a well-defined meaning by annotating Web content with ontology terms. In this paper, we discuss the semantic Web vision and focus on an important technology, ontologies, that is needed to make this vision happen.
Supporting nurse preceptors through online continuing education.

BACKGROUND A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using an online continuing education course to increase knowledge and self-efficacy in nurse preceptors who work with student nurses in acute and primary care settings. METHODS A one-group pre- and posttest repeated measures design was used. Pre-course knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed with an electronic survey. Post-course knowledge and satisfaction assessments were embedded in the course. Knowledge retention and change in self-efficacy were assessed with an electronic follow-up survey. Analysis used paired sample t tests. RESULTS Participants (N = 13) reported satisfaction with the course. Participant knowledge increased from pretest to post-course and from pretest to follow-up. Knowledge declined from post-course to follow-up. No change in self-efficacy ratings was observed. CONCLUSION This study suggests that online continuing education is a feasible strategy to support preceptor learning. Further research on the effectiveness of this approach in changing and retaining knowledge and improving self-efficacy is needed.
Mitigating energy hole problem with power control in heterogeneous sensor networks

Structure of a network and nodes' position are two important factors in energy consumption (EC) of sensors in a multi-hop wireless sensor network (WSN). On the other hand, selection of the specific transmission power by a node changes its surrounding structure and its neighborset. In this paper, we study the problem of equalizing EC in heterogeneous WSNs by adjusting sensors' transmission power level. We define a network formation game and prove that it always converges to Nash stable topologies which preserve network connectivity. Based on this game, we propose distributed localized algorithm to establish balanced EC and show its performance on different network distributions and densities.
Age-Corrected Empirical Genetic Risk Estimates for First-Degree Relatives of IDDM Patients

The families of 554 type I (insulin-dependent) diabetics were genetically analyzed according to probands' sex and age at onset applying a modification of Strömgren's method of age correction. Lifetime recurrence risk of type I diabetes (risk up to age 80 yr) for firstdegree relatives in three consecutive generations was calculated. The overall risk (± 1 SE) for siblings was 6.6 ± 1.1% and for children was 4.9 ± 1.7%. The similar risks among siblings and children argue against a simple autosomal recessive trait. The results do not permit a conclusion about a distinct mode of inheritance. Regardless of age at onset, offspring of male probands always had a higher risk than offspring of female probands. Among all probands, fathers were significantly more often affected with type I diabetes (about twice) than mothers (4.1 ± 0.9 vs. 1.7 ± 0.6%, respectively). The risk for further siblings of the proband was significantly increased in the presence of a type I diabetic parent (25.2 ± 10.3 vs. 5.8 ± 1.0% for remaining probands), indicating a nonrandom clustering of type I diabetes in families. Younger age at onset (<25 yr) was not associated with an increased risk to siblings. Type II diabetes was not more frequent among parents and siblings of type I diabetics than in the general population. The calculated risk estimates are of practical value in genetic counseling and are important for genetic models concerning type I diabetes.
Decomposition of intramuscular EMG signals using a knowledge -based certainty classifier algorithm

An automated system for resolving an intramuscular electromyographic (EMG) signal into its constituent motor unit potential trains (MUPTs) is presented. The system is intended mainly for clinical applications where several physiological parameters for each motor unit (MU), such as the motor unit potential (MUP) template and mean firing rate, are required. The system decomposes an EMG signal off-line by filtering the signal, detecting MUPs, and then grouping the detected MUPs using a clustering and a supervised classification algorithm. Both the clustering and supervised classification algorithms use MUP shape and MU firing pattern information to group MUPs into several MUPTs. Clustering is partially based on the K-means clustering algorithm. Supervised classification is implemented using a certainty-based classifier technique that employs a knowledge-based system to merge trains, detect and correct invalid trains, as well as adjust the assignment threshold for each train. The accuracy (93.2%±5.5%), assignment rate (93.9%±2.6%), and error in estimating the number of MUPTs (0.3±0.5) achieved for 10 simulated EMG signals comprised of 3-11 MUPTs are encouraging for using the system for decomposing various EMG signals.
Binocular visual responses in cells of the rat dLGN

In the mammalian visual system the output of the retina reaches the cerebral cortex by means of a synaptic link within the thalamus, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN). In higher mammals this structure is visibly laminated, such that input from the two eyes remains segregated, binocular responses in essence being seen first in the cerebral cortex. In the rat this segregation is less obvious. With only around 3–10% of retinal ganglion cells projecting axons to the ipsilateral dLGN, the dLGN may be considered basically monocular; however, these ipsilaterally projecting axons contact cells in a region described as the ‘hidden lamina’, whose physiological properties have not been well described. In the anatomical literature, there is some debate as to the possibility of cross‐over between the terminations of the two eyes. Here, a population of cells physiologically receiving input from the ipsilateral eye is described – surprisingly, the majority (63%) had powerful, excitatory input from both eyes, suggesting a simple form of binocular integration at a stage earlier than previously described for other, more ‘visually developed’ species, in which thalamic binocular integration is complex.
Steady dynein forces induce flutter instability and propagating waves in mathematical models of flagella

Cilia and flagella are highly conserved organelles that beat rhythmically with propulsive, oscillatory waveforms. The mechanism that produces these autonomous oscillations remains a mystery. It is widely believed that dynein activity must be dynamically regulated (switched on and off, or modulated) on opposite sides of the axoneme to produce oscillations. A variety of regulation mechanisms have been proposed based on feedback from mechanical deformation to dynein force. In this paper, we show that a much simpler interaction between dynein and the passive components of the axoneme can produce coordinated, propulsive oscillations. Steady, distributed axial forces, acting in opposite directions on coupled beams in viscous fluid, lead to dynamic structural instability and oscillatory, wave-like motion. This ‘flutter’ instability is a dynamic analogue to the well-known static instability, buckling. Flutter also occurs in slender beams subjected to tangential axial loads, in aircraft wings exposed to steady air flow and in flexible pipes conveying fluid. By analysis of the flagellar equations of motion and simulation of structural models of flagella, we demonstrate that dynein does not need to switch direction or inactivate to produce autonomous, propulsive oscillations, but must simply pull steadily above a critical threshold force.
Phosphorylation Drives an Apoptotic Protein to Activate Antiapoptotic Genes

Background: Influenza A matrix 1 protein (M1) associates with nuclear domain 10 (ND10) early in infection. Results: Phosphorylated M1 upon nuclear translocation induces survival genes by inhibiting death domain-associated protein 6 (Daxx) of ND10. Conclusion: M1 in early infection exhibits phosphorylation-dependent antiapoptotic function. Significance: This study uncovers the antiapoptotic role of M1 and identifies a possible therapeutic target to limit virus infection. During infection, viral proteins target cellular pathways that regulate cellular innate immune responses and cell death. We demonstrate that influenza A virus matrix 1 protein (M1), an established proapoptotic protein, activates nuclear factor-κB member RelB-mediated survival genes (cIAP1, cIAP2, and cFLIP), a function that is linked with its nuclear translocation during early infection. Death domain-associated protein 6 (Daxx) is a transcription co-repressor of the RelB-responsive gene promoters. During influenza virus infection M1 binds to and stabilizes Daxx protein by preventing its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. Binding of M1 with Daxx through its Daxx binding motif prevents binding of RelB and Daxx, resulting in up-regulation of survival genes. This interaction also prevents promoter recruitment of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a) and lowers CpG methylation of the survival gene promoters, leading to the activation of these genes. Thus, M1 prevents repressional function of Daxx during infection, thereby exerting a survival role. In addition to its nuclear localization signal, translocation of M1 to the nucleus depends on cellular kinase-mediated phosphorylation as the protein kinase C inhibitor calphostin C effectively down-regulates virus replication. The study reconciles the ambiguity of dual antagonistic function of viral protein and potentiates a possible target to limit virus infection.
On the Calculation of Henry's Law Constants of Chlorinated Benzenes in Water from Semiempirical Quantum Chemical Methods

The Henry's law constants for all 12 polychlorinated benzene congeners were calculated using semiempirical quantum chemical solvation models (SM2, SM2.1, and SM3), and their performances are discussed. The values obtained by the SM3 method are underestimated compared with the experimental values and those calculated by SM2 and SM2.1 methods. This underestimation is larger as the degree of chlorination of the benzenes increases. This bad performance of SM3 to calculate Henry's law constants is attributable to the PM3 Hamiltonian, due to its incapacity to give a good description of electron density in chlorinated benzenes. The best results, within the 95% confidence limit of error of the experimental mean, are obtained using SM2 method. The discussion includes analysis of the different contributions to the free energy of solvation, namely, polarization free energy, cavitation, dispersion, and structural rearrangement of the solvent effects as well as partial atomic charges.
Nonadaptive processes governing early stages of polyploid evolution: Insights from a primary contact zone of relict serpentine Knautia arvensis (Caprifoliaceae).

• Premise of the study: Contact zones between polyploids and their diploid progenitors may provide important insights into the mechanisms of sympatric speciation and local adaptation. However, most published studies investigated secondary contact zones where the effects of genome duplication can be confounded by previous independent evolution of currently sympatric cytotypes. We compared genetically close diploid and autotetraploid serpentine cytotypes of Knautia arvensis (Caprifoliaceae) in a primary contact zone and evaluated the role of adaptive and nonadaptive processes for cytotype coexistence. • Methods: DNA flow cytometry was used to determine ploidy distribution at various spatial scales (from across the entire contact zone to microgeographic). Habitat preferences of diploids and polyploids were assessed by comparing vegetation composition of nearby ploidy-uniform sites and by recording plant species immediately surrounding both cytotypes in mixed-ploidy plots. • Key results: Tetraploids considerably outnumbered their diploid progenitors in the contact zone. Both cytotypes were segregated at all investigated spatial scales. This pattern was not driven by ecological shifts, because both diploids and tetraploids inhabited sites with nearly identical vegetation cover. Certain interploidy niche differentiation was indicated only at the smallest spatial scale; ecologically nonadaptive processes were most likely responsible for this difference. • Conclusions: We conclude that a shift in ecological preferences (i.e., the adaptive scenario) is not necessary for the establishment and evolutionary success of autopolyploid derivatives in primary contact zones. Spatial segregation that would support ploidy coexistence can also be achieved by ecologically nonadaptive processes, including the founder effect, limited dispersal ability, intense clonal growth, and triploid block.
Influence and Interference in Foreign Elections

The use of influence or interference activities by one country to change the tide of elections in another has recently gained prominence due to alleged Russian influence in the 2016 US presidential election and the 2017 French presidential election. In this article, Paul Baines and Nigel Jones chart the evolution of influence and interference in foreign elections. With the rise of its modern digital form, they consider whether it is acceptable as a norm in international relations, or a violation.
Moclobemide for anxiety disorders: a focus on moclobemide for panic disorder

Moclobemide is a reversible selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A. It has proven efficacy in a wide range of depressive disorders, including agitated anxious depression. In an international, multicentre, double-blind parallel-group study, the tolerability and efficacy of moclobemide were compared with that of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxctine. The target dose of moclobemide was 450 mg/day in the dose range of 300–600 mg/day, while the target dose for fluoxetine was 20 nig/day in the dose range of 10–30 mg/day. There were two consecutive studies. The first was an 8-week short-term study of acute adverse events, tolerabilily and efficacy. The efficacy data showed no significant difference between moclobemide and fluoxetine. Evaluation of the tolerability in a long-term study of up to 1 year is still in progress. A review of the moclobemide safety database for panic disorder with 624 patients showed a marginal increase in events with moclobemide compared with placebo for insomnia (11.2%), dizziness (4.5%) and dry mouth (3.7%), with rates for headaches and nausea lower for moclobemide than placebo.These data suggest moclobemide is a well tolerated and effective treatment for panic disorder.