Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors in Cerebral Ischemia: The Best Knowledge for the Best Prevention

Objective: To update the less frequent etiologies causing lacunar infarcts (LIs). To highlight recent advances in risk factors, clinical syndromes, topography, complementary tests and long-term prognosis in this subtype of ischemic stroke. Patients and Methods: The most important studies are analyzed, from CM Fisher works, selecting those referring to LIs of unusual etiology, and recent advances and controversies in the clinical management of LI are discussed. Results: LIs are found in approximately 11% of patients admitted with stroke. The pure motor hemiparesis (55%) constitutes the most usual lacunar syndrome. However, lacunar syndromes may not be caused by LIs in 10–20% of cases. LIs caused by microembolism and cholesterol embolism from the aortic arch are reviewed. Hematological diseases can also cause LI, such as polycythemia rubra vera, essential thrombocythemia and primary antiphospholipidic antibody syndrome. Other etiologies are carotid plaque embolism, severe stenosis of a perforated arteriole and amyloid angiopathy. Infectious arteritis by neurolues, neurocysticercosis, neuroborreliosis, by AIDS or Helicobacter pylori infection have also been associated with the presence of LIs. Likewise, inflammatory arteritis in systemic lupus erythematosus or granulomatous angiitis, cocaine abuse and panarteritis nodosa have been related to LI, although in the latter LI would be caused by a thrombotic microangiopathy and not by vasculitis. Conclusions: LI is an ischemic stroke subtype with a characteristic clinical presentation and a short-term favorable prognosis. Although high blood pressure constitutes the main risk factor and the main etiology, LIs may be caused, in less than 5% of cases, by various etiologies, mainly hematological diseases and infectious or inflammatory arteritis. It is essential to make a correct etiological diagnosis for LI as treatment will be different according to its etiology. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel
Real-time frequency domain temperature and oxygen sensor with a single optical fiber

The combined excited-state phosphorescence lifetimes of an alexandrite crystal and platinum tetraphenylporphyrin Pt(TPP) in a single-fiber sensor are used to monitor temperature and oxygen concentration in the physiological range from 15-45/spl deg/C and 0-50% O/sub 2/ with precision of 0.24/spl deg/C and 0.15% O/sub 2/ and accuracy of 0.28/spl deg/C and 0.2% O/sub 2/. A 500-/spl mu/m cubic alexandrite crystal bound to the distal end of a 750-/spl mu/m-diameter optical fiber core and the Pt(TPP) coated circumferentially with a length of 1 cm from the end of the same fiber are excited with pulsed super-bright blue LED light. This apparatus uses a 125-kHz sampler for data acquisition and frequency domain methods for signal processing. The instrument amplifies both the dc and ac components of the photomultiplier output and band limits the signal to 20 kHz. The fundamental frequency of the excitation is set to 488.3 Hz and the highest harmonic used is the 35th. This bandlimited signal is sampled and averaged over a few hundred cycles in the time domain. The frequency domain representation of the data is obtained by employing fast Fourier transform algorithms. The phase delay and the modulation ratio of each sampled harmonic are then computed. At least four log-spaced harmonic phases or modulations are averaged before decoding the two lifetimes of temperature and oxygen phosphorescent sensors. A component of zero lifetime is introduced to account for the excitation backscatter leakage through optical interference filters seen by the photodetector. Linear and second-order empirical polynomials are employed to compute the temperatures and oxygen concentrations from the inverse lifetimes. In the situation of constant oxygen concentration, the lifetime of Pt(TPP) changes with temperature but can be compensated using the measured temperature lifetime. The system drift is 0.24/spl deg/C for the temperature measurement and 0.59% for the oxygen concentration measurement over 30 h of continuous operation. The instrumentation and methods allow for 6-s update times and 90-s full-response times.
Effect of whole-body (18)F-FDG PET imaging on clinical staging and management of patients with malignant lymphoma.

UNLABELLED Correct staging is important in selecting the appropriate treatment for lymphoma patients. PET imaging with (18)F-FDG is useful for staging of lymphoma as well as for monitoring of therapy. However, to our knowledge, the clinical impact of PET on staging and management of lymphoma patients has not been reported. METHODS Standardized questionnaires were mailed to referring physicians asking them whether and how the results of PET imaging had influenced clinical staging and management of the disease in their patients. Management changes, when present, were classified as intermodality (e.g., medical to surgical, surgical to radiation, medical to no treatment) or intramodality (e.g., altered medical, surgical, or radiotherapy approach). RESULTS The referring physicians returned 52 of 108 questionnaires (48.1%). Physicians indicated that PET led to a change in the clinical stage in 44% of patients: 21% were upstaged and 23% were downstaged. Findings of the PET examination resulted in intermodality changes in management in 42% of patients, in intramodality changes in 10%, and in a combination of the management changes in 10%. Other, not further specified, treatment changes were reported in 6% of patients. PET did not result in any management changes in only 32% of patients. CONCLUSION This survey-based study of referring physicians indicates that FDG PET has a major impact on the management of lymphoma patients, contributing to changes in clinical stage in 44% and changes in treatment in >60% of cases.
PhadiatopTM compared to skin‐prick test as a tool for diagnosing atopy in epidemiological studies in schoolchildren

The validity of the PhadiatopTM test as compared to the skin‐prick test (SPT) for diagnosing atopy in the epidemiological field has not been studied in schoolchildren. The aim of the present study was to evaluate its validity for classifying schoolchildren 9–12 yr old into atopics and non‐atopics. A total of 621 children whose parents authorized both a SPT and a blood extraction from all children participating in the phase II of the International Study of Allergies in Children (ISAAC) in Cartagena (Spain) were included in the analysis. A positive SPT was that with at least a wheal having a maximum diameter of 3 mm, once the negative value had been subtracted. PhadiatopTM was performed according to the manufacturer instructions. Diagnostic tests using SPT as the gold standard were calculated for the whole group of children and also for those with asthma or rhinoconjunctivitis and for children without any of them. The results of the tests were: sensitivity 85.0% (95% CI 82.2–87.8%), specificity 85.5% (95%CI 82.7–88.3%), positive predictive value 72.7% (95%CI 69.0–76.1%), negative predictive value 92.7% (95%CI 90.6–94.7%) and accuracy 85.3% (95%CI 82.3–88.0%). The results improved among the symptomatic groups. PhadiatopTM can be used as a valid alternative to SPT in the epidemiological setting to diagnose atopy.
Dietary fructose and the metabolic syndrome

Purpose of review Fructose, a naturally found sugar in many fruits, is now commonly used as an industrial sweetener and is excessively consumed in Western diets. High fructose intake is increasingly recognized as causative in development of prediabetes and metabolic syndrome. The mechanisms underlying fructose-induced metabolic disturbances are unclear but are beginning to be unravelled. This review presents recent findings in this field and an overall mechanistic insight into the metabolic effects of dietary fructose and its role in metabolic syndrome. Recent findings Recent animal studies have confirmed the link between fructose feeding and increased plasma uric acid, a potentially causative factor in metabolic syndrome. Advanced glycation end products are also implicated because of their direct protein modifications and indirect effects on inflammation and oxidative stress. Human studies have demonstrated fructose's ability to change metabolic hormonal response, possibly contributing to decreased satiety. Summary There is much evidence from both animal models and human studies supporting the notion that fructose is a highly lipogenic nutrient that, when consumed in high quantities, contributes to tissue insulin insensitivity, metabolic defects, and the development of a prediabetic state. Recently evidence has helped to decipher the mechanisms involved in these metabolic changes.
Changes of the gastric endocrine cells in the C57BL/6 mouse after implantation of murine lung carcinoma: an immunohistochemical quantitative study.

AIM The regional distributions and relative frequencies of some gastric endocrine cells of C57BL/6 mice were studied by immunohistochemical method using seven types of specific antisera against chromogranin A (CGA), serotonin, somatostatin, gastrin, cholecystokinin (CCK)-8, glucagon and human pancreatic polypeptide (HPP) after subcutaneous implantation of murine lung carcinoma (3LL) cells. METHODS The experimental animals were divided into two groups, one is non-implanted sham and the other is 3LL-implanted group. Samples were collected from the two regions of stomach (fundus and pylorus) at 28 d after implantation of 3LL cells (1 x 10(5) cell/mouse). RESULTS In this study, all the seven types of immunoreactive (IR) cells were identified except for HPP. Most of these IR cells in the gastric portion were generally spherical or spindle in shape (open-type cell) while cells showing round in shape (closed-type cell) were found occasionally. The regional distributions of gastric endocrine cells in the 3LL-implanted group were similar to those of non-implanted sham. However, significant decreases of some types of IR cells were detected in 3LL-implanted group compared to those of non-implanted sham. In addition, the IR cells showing degranulation were numerously detected in 3LL-implanted group. CGA-, serotonin- and somatostatin-IR cells in the fundus and pylorus regions, and gastrin-IR cells in the pylorus regions of 3LL-implanted groups significantly decreased compared to those of non-implanted sham. However, no changes on frequencies of CCK-8- and glucagon-IR cells were demonstrated between 3LL-implanted and non-implanted groups. CONCLUSION Endocrine cells are the anatomical units responsible for the production of gut hormones, and the change in their density would reflect a change in the capacity of producing these hormones. Implantation of tumor cell mass (3LL) induced severe quantitative changes of gastric endocrine cell density, and the abnormality in density of gastric endocrine cells may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia and indigestion, frequently encountered in patients with cancer.
Protein expression and functional analysis of the FHIT gene in human tumor cells.

BACKGROUND The fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene at chromosome 3p14.2 has been proposed to be a candidate tumor suppressor gene in human cancers. To test whether FHIT exhibits the functional properties of a tumor suppressor gene, we studied the expression of its protein (pFHIT) in human carcinoma cells and examined the ability of FHIT to inhibit the neoplastic phenotype of cancer cells. METHODS Subcellular localization and patterns of protein expression in tumor cells were determined by immunohistochemical analysis and immunoblotting with the use of polyclonal anti-pFHIT antisera. In tumor cells with undetectable pFHIT, we examined the effect of recombinant pFHIT expression on morphology, growth rate, colony formation, and in vivo tumor formation. RESULTS We demonstrated that pFHIT is a cytoplasmic 17-kd polypeptide whose expression could not be detected in 30 of 52 human carcinoma cell lines tested. We observed, however, that the stable overexpression of pFHIT did not alter cell morphology, inhibit colony formation, or inhibit cell proliferation in vitro. Furthermore, overexpression of pFHIT did not lead to altered cell cycle kinetics in dividing cells. The in vivo tumorigenicity of a tumor cell line that expressed high levels of recombinant pFHIT was equivalent to that of control transfectants and of parental cells. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the replacement of pFHIT in human carcinoma cells does not suppress tumor cell growth and that this protein may be involved in tumorigenesis in ways that are distinct from the "classic" tumor suppressor paradigm.
Universal precautions: a survey of community nurses' experience and practice.

BACKGROUND Universal precautions are a set of guidelines which aim to protect health care workers from blood-borne infections. Community nurses often have to deliver care to people in less than ideal home conditions, their ability to comply with all universal precautions may therefore be compromised. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES This paper presents the findings of a questionnaire survey which aimed to explore community nurses' experience and practices of using universal precautions. DESIGN AND METHODS A questionnaire survey was used for this study. All community learning disability nurses, community mental health nurses and generic community nurses from one Welsh Health Authority were surveyed (n = 543) with a response rate of 70%. RESULTS The majority of community nurses reported compliance with universal precautions, although a small number of nurses stated that they re-sheathed needles, inappropriately stored sharps containers, inadequately wore gloves and experienced difficulties in handwashing. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Community nurses work in a unique and unpredictable environment, which may result in nurses being unable to comply with existing universal precautions guidelines. The production of new infection control guidelines for the community by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence in June 2003, has addressed some of the difficulties faced by community nurses.
Power Doppler sonography of cervical lymphadenopathy.

AIMS The supraclavicular region is a common site for tuberculous and metastatic nodes from infraclavicular carcinomas. Grey scale sonographic features differentiating the two have been previously described. However, as power Doppler sonography is now frequently used in the assessment of neck nodes, power Doppler features that may help to differentiate the two are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 78 patients, power Doppler sonograms of nodes involved by metastases from infraclavicular carcinomas (n = 24) and tuberculosis (n = 54) were evaluated. The intranodal distribution of vessels and the intranodal vascular resistance of vessels was assessed and compared. In addition, the power Doppler features of metastatic nodes from infraclavicular carcinomas were compared with metastatic nodes from a head and neck primary (n = 38) such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). RESULTS Tuberculous nodes frequently demonstrated displaced hilar vascularity or avascularity and the intranodal vascular resistance was low. Metastatic nodes from infraclavicular primaries demonstrated capsular or mixed vascularity and their intranodal resistance was significantly (P < 0.05) higher. In general, metastatic nodes from infraclavicular primaries had a higher intranodal vascular resistance compared to metastatic nodes from NPC, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION In the supraclavicular region, the presence of displaced low resistance hilar vascularity or avascularity in nodes is suggestive of tuberculous nodes. Metastatic nodes from infraclavicular primaries have a capsular or mixed vascularity with high resistance.
Distribution of Different Collagen Types in the Rat's Tympanic Membrane and Its Suspending Structures

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the histological distribution of collagens in the healthy rat's tympanic membrane. Methods: Immunohistochemical analysis of collagen type I, II, III, and IV in the tympanic membranes in healthy adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The staining was semiquantified using light microscopy in a blinded fashion, not knowing what type of collagen the slide had been stained for. Results: The pars tensa of the tympanic membrane was mainly stained for collagen type II and IV. The fibrous annulus could on immunohistochemistry be subdivided into an inner and an outer portion. The inner portion of the fibrous annulus was mainly stained for collagen type II, whereas the outer portion was most strongly stained for collagen type III and collagen type IV. The test-retest reliability of the semiquantative method was 81%. Conclusion: Collagen type II and IV are the major collagen constituents of the pars tensa of the tympanic membrane. The outer portion of the fibrous annulus has collagen type III and IV as its major constituents, whereas the inner portion is made up of collagen type II.
Gd3+-Asparagine-Anionic Linear Globular Dendrimer Second-Generation G2 Complexes: Novel Nanobiohybrid Theranostics

Designing a unique theranostic biocompatible, biodegradable, and cost-effective agent which is easy to be synthesized as a biohybrid material was the aim of this study. In this matter, asparagine attached to anionic linear globular dendrimer G2 (as a biocompatible, biodegradable, and cost-effective agent which is negatively charged nanosized and water soluble polymer that outweighs other traditionally used dendrimers) and finally contrast agent (Gd3+) was loaded (which made complexes) in synthesized asparagine-dendrimer. Observations revealed that, in addition to successful colon cancer and brain targeting, Gd3+-dendrimer-asparagine, the proposed theranostic agent, could increase T1 MR relaxation times, decrease T2 MR relaxation times significantly, and improve contrast of image as well as illustrating good cellular uptake based on florescent microscopy/flow cytometry and ICP-mass data. In addition to that, it increased tumor growth inhibition percentage (TGI%) significantly compared to FDA approved contrast agent, Magnevist. Totally, Gd3+-anionic linear globular dendrimer G2-asparagine could be introduced to the cancer imaging/therapy (theranostics) protocols after in vivo MR and fluorescent analysis and passing clinical trials. Hence, this nanotheranostic agent would be a promising candidate for brain drug delivery and imaging in the future.
The frontal cortex as a network hub controlling mood and cognition: Probing its neurochemical substrates for improved therapy of psychiatric and neurological disorders

The highly-interconnected and neurochemically-rich frontal cortex plays a crucial role in the regulation of mood and cognition, domains disrupted in depression and other central nervous system disorders, and it is an important site of action for their therapeutic control. For improving our understanding of the function and dysfunction of the frontal cortex, and for identifying improved treatments, quantification of extracellular pools of neuromodulators by microdialysis in freely-moving rodents has proven indispensable. This approach has revealed a complex mesh of autoreceptor and heteroceptor interactions amongst monoaminergic pathways, and led from selective 5-HT reuptake inhibitors to novel classes of multi-target drugs for treating depression like the mixed α2-adrenoceptor/5-HT reuptake inhibitor, S35966, and the clinically-launched vortioxetine and vilazodone. Moreover, integration of non-monoaminergic actions resulted in the discovery and development of the innovative melatonin receptor agonist/5-HT2C receptor antagonist, Agomelatine. Melatonin levels, like those of corticosterone and the “social hormone”, oxytocin, can now be quantified by microdialysis over the full 24 h daily cycle. Further, the introduction of procedures for measuring extracellular histamine and acetylcholine has provided insights into strategies for improving cognition by, for example, blockade of 5-HT6 and/or dopamine D3 receptors. The challenge of concurrently determining extracellular levels of GABA, glutamate, d-serine, glycine, kynurenate and other amino acids, and of clarifying their interactions with monoamines, has also been resolved. This has proven important for characterizing the actions of glycine reuptake inhibitors that indirectly augment transmission at N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, and of “glutamatergic antidepressants” like ketamine, mGluR5 antagonists and positive modulators of AMPA receptors (including S47445). Most recently, quantification of the neurotoxic proteins Aβ42 and Tau has extended microdialysis studies to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders, and another frontier currently being broached is microRNAs. The present article discusses the above themes, focusses on recent advances, highlights opportunities for clinical “translation”, and suggests avenues for further progress.
Enhancement in Magnetic Anisotropy for hcp-Structured Co Alloy Thin Films Through Pt Addition

The addition effects of Pt in the (0002) Ru underlayer were studied. It was found that the lattice parameter can be tuned as desired through Pt addition in a (0002)-oriented Ru layer. The out-of-plane and in-plane lattice parameter of the RuPt can be increased by 2.3% and 0.44%, respectively. No phase segregation was apparently observed in RuPt films under these process conditions even with a very high Pt content (39%). The RuPt layer thus provides a good template layer to study the Pt addition effects in (0002)-textured hcp Co alloy perpendicular media with a very wide range of Pt content. CoCrPt-SiO2 films were deposited with a Pt addition level varying from 15% to 40% on an optimally designed RuPt underlayer. The magnetic results showed that Hk,Hc,Ku reached a plateau at about 19%-23% Pt content. The maximum values for H k,Hc, and Ku are 16.0 kOe, 6.6 kOe, and 3.1times106 erg/cm3, respectively
¿Como escogen los padres la escuela de sus hijos? Teoria y evidencia para España

En Espana la educacion publica comienza los 3 anos, cuando los ninos empiezan parvulario. Es el momento en el que las familias tienen que decidir la escuela para sus hijos, donde deberan realizar parvulario y primaria y, en ocasiones, secundaria. En principio se deja escoger a las familias, tanto por la relevancia de la decision, como para garantizar la igualdad de oportunidades del sistema. En educacion, como en tantos otros ambitos, hay diferentes perspectivas a considerar, ya sea por parte de las escuelas como de las familias, y el consenso mutuo es fundamental para garantizar el desarrollo adecuado de los ninos.