Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impacto da manobra de recrutamento alveolar no pós-operatório de cirurgia bariátrica videolaparoscópica

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Complicacoes pulmonares em cirurgias bariatricas sao frequentes, e, por isso, manobras de recrutamento alveolar (MRA) tem sido utilizadas para preveni-las ou reduzi-las no pos-operatorio (PO) imediato. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar o impacto da MRA executada no intraoperatorio de pacientes submetidos a cirurgia bariatrica por videolaparoscopia na incidencia de complicacoes pulmonares no pos-operatorio. METODO: Ensaio clinico aleatorio com 30 pacientes alocados em Grupo Controle (GC) e Grupo Experimental (GE), sendo analisadas variaveis espirometricas, ventilatorias, hemodinâmicas e radiograficas. A MRA foi realizada no GE com pressao positiva expiratoria final de 30 cmH2O e pressao de plato inspiratoria de 45 cmH2O por 2 minutos apos a desinsuflacao do pneumoperitoneo. RESULTADOS: Observaram-se queda significativa nos valores espirometricos (p < 0,001) e maior incidencia de complicacoes pulmonares na radiografia toracica (p = 0,02) no GC, bem como melhora significativa da escala de BORG dispneia (p < 0,001) no GE. CONCLUSOES: Concluiu-se que a MRA e uma tecnica segura e eficaz quando utilizada para a prevencao de complicacoes pulmonares em pacientes submetidos a cirurgia bariatrica, resultando em achados espirometricos e radiologicos mais favoraveis no Grupo Experimental em relacao ao Grupo Controle no PO.
Zur Wirkung von Indometacin auf die DNA-Strangbruchrate und den Poly(ADP-Ribose)-Metabolismus in Lymphozyten von Patienten mit chronischer Polyarthritis*

die Methode von Altmann et al. (1979) herangezogen. Die Messung der Enzymaktivitäten erfolgte durch Einbau von tritiummar kiertem NAD während der PAR-Synthese in isoliertem Rohchromatin, das durch schonende Lyse der Lymphozyten gewonnen wurde. Die PAR-Polymerase wurde in Gegenwart von extern zugesetzter Kalbsthy mus-DNA, die PAR-Glycohydrolase in Abwesenheit von Fremd-DNA bestimmt.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALCOHOL INTOXICATION, STRESSORS AND INJURY IN URBAN VIOLENCE

The relationships between alcohol consumption and intoxication, stressors and injury in urban violence were investigated in parallel case control and cohort studies of injured people presenting at a large Accident and Emergency Department. Alcohol intoxication and consumption were assessed using the breath analysis and diary method, stressors were assessed using the Holmes and Rahle Life Style Score for the periods up to one week; more than one week but less than one month; more than one month but less than one year; and more than a year prior to injury, and injury severity was calculated by means of four injury severity indices. The Glasgow Coma Score was recorded as a measure of the effect of alcohol on brain function. Cases could not be differentiated from controls on the basis of experience of major life events or minor stressors in the period prior to injury, or on the basis of age, employment status, social class or the types of relationship formed with peers or sexual partners. Cases drank more during an average weekend than controls, drank more on each weekend drinking session than controls, and were more likely to binge drink (consume more than ten units) compared to controls. Consumption of more than ten units of alcohol in the six hours prior to assault and blood alcohol levels of greater than 160 mgm per 100 ml were associated with injury. A predominance of facial injuries was found. While blood alcohol concentration and injury severity were significantly related to levels of alcohol consciousness, there was no significant relationship between injury severity and blood alcohol concentrations. The results of this study suggest that heavy binge drinking increases vulnerability to injury.
Demonstration of Interleukin-β on Perifollicular Endothelial Cells in the Thyroid Glands of Patients with Graves’ Disease*

We examined the presence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the thyroid glands of 20 patients with Graves’ disease and 10 control subjects, using anti-IL-1 monoclonal antibodies in conjunction with immunohistochemical techniques. In 13 (65%) Graves’ disease patients, IL-1β, but not IL-1α, was demonstrated on the capillary endothelial cells (EC) around follicles (perifollicular EC). However, the EC of arteries and veins were negative for both IL-1β and IL-1α. In the control group, none of the thyroid glands showed positive staining for IL-1β or IL-1α. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.025) between the presence of IL-1β on perifollicular EC and the presence of serum antimicrosomal antibodies. These results provide an important insight into the involvement of IL-1β in the development of Graves’ disease. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 69: 738, 1989)
Polymorphisms in genes coding for GRK2 and GRK5 and response differences in antihypertensive-treated patients

Objectives The G-protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) GRK2 and GRK5 are important regulators of &bgr;-adrenergic signaling. This study characterized single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the GRK2 gene (ADRBK1) and determined if these and a GRK5 Gln41Leu polymorphism affect the blood pressure (BP) response to atenolol or hydrochlorothiazide or adverse cardiovascular outcomes in hypertensives. Methods ADRBK1 regions were sequenced for 48 individuals. Putative functional SNPs were tested for mRNA expression differences in 96 lymphoblastoid cell line samples and 12 leukocyte samples from hypertensives. BP response to atenolol and hydrochlorothiazide by ADRBK1 SNPs and GRK5 Gln41Leu was tested in 418 patients from the Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses Study using linear regression. The influence of ADRBK1 SNPs and GRK5 Gln41Leu on death, myocardial infarction or stroke in treated hypertensives was evaluated in a case–control cohort (1 : 3) of the International Verapamil SR/Trandolapril Study GENEtic Substudy using logistic regression models. Results A novel ADRBK1 promoter SNP was not associated with differential GRK2 expression. GRK5 Leu41 decreased the risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes independent of treatment strategy (adjusted odds ratio 0.535, 95% confidence interval: 0.313–0.951, P=0.0222), but was not associated with BP response to antihypertensive medication. An ADRBK1 SNP (rs1894111 G>A) showed a signal for association with systolic and diastolic BP response to hydrochlorothiazide in Whites [diastolic BP: −11.29±3.74 (G/A) versus −4.26±4.79 mmHg (G/G), P=0.0034 and systolic BP: −18.37±14.90 (G/A), −8.11±7.55 mmHg (G/G), P=0.0191]. Conclusion The GRK5 Leu41 allele protects from adverse cardiovascular outcomes in treated hypertensives.
α-Oligofurans: a computational study.

Recently, α-oligofurans have emerged as interesting and promising organic electronic materials that have certain advantages over α-oligothiophenes. In this work, α-oligofurans were studied computationally, and their properties were compared systematically with those of the corresponding oligothiophenes. Although the two materials share similar electronic structures, overall, this study revealed important differences between α-oligofurans and α-oligothiophenes. Twisting studies on oligofurans revealed them to be significantly more rigid than oligothiophenes in the ground state and first excited state. Neutral α-oligofurans have more quinoid character, higher frontier orbital energies, and higher HOMO-LUMO gaps than their α-oligothiophene counterparts. The theoretical results suggest that oligofurans (and subsequently polyfuran) have lower ionization potentials than the corresponding oligothiophenes (and polythiophene), which in turn predicts that oligofurans can be lightly doped more easily than oligothiophenes. Oligofuran dications (8 F(2+)-14 F(2+)) of medium-sized and longer chain lengths show a polaron-pair character, and the polycations of α-oligofurans cannot accommodate high positive charges as easily as their thiophene analogues.
Molecular mimicry and immunomodulation by the HRES-1 endogenous retrovirus in SLE

Genetic and environmental factors are believed to influence development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Endogenous retroviruses (ERV) correspond to the integrated proviral form of infectious retroviruses, which are trapped within the genome due to mutations. ERV represent a key molecular link between the host genome and infectious viral particles. ERV-encoded proteins are recognized by antiviral immune responses and become targets of autoreactivity. Alternatively, ERV protein may influence cellular processes and the life cycle of infectious viruses. As examples, the HRES-1 human ERV encodes a 28-kDa nuclear autoantigen and a 24-kDa small GTP-ase, termed HRES-1/Rab4. HRES-1/p28 is a nuclear autoantigen recognized by cross-reactive antiviral antibodies, while HRES-1/Rab4 regulates surface expression of CD4 and the transferrin receptor (TFR) through endosome recycling. Expression of HRES-1/Rab4 is induced by the tat gene of HIV-1, which in turn down-regulates expression of CD4 and susceptibility to re-infection by HIV-1. CD4 and the TFR play essential roles in formation of the immunological synapse (IS) during normal T-cell activation by a cognate MHC class II peptide complex. The key intracellular transducer of T-cell activation, Lck, is brought to the IS via binding to CD4. T-cell receptorζ (TCRζ) chain binds to the TFR. Abnormal T-cell responses in SLE have been associated with reduced lck and TCRζ chain levels. HRES-1 is centrally located on chromosome 1 at q42 relative to lupus-linked microsatellite markers and polymorphic HRES-1 alleles have been linked to the development of SLE. 1q42 is one of the three most common fragile sites in the human genome, and is inducible by DNA demethylation, a known mechanism of retroviral gene activation. Molecular mimicry and immunomodulation by a ERV, such as HRES-1, may contribute to self-reactivity and abnormal T and B-cell functions in SLE.
Pathological autoantibodies in cardiomyopathy

Myocardial dilatation and dysfunction in the absence of significant coronary heart disease has been termed “idiopathic” dilated cardiomyopathy (iDCM), which—according to the 1995 task force report on the classification of cardiomyopathies—besides genetic, toxic or infectious causes also includes immune-mediated heart muscle damage in the spectrum of putative DCM etiologies. Incremental research on this topic particularly in the past few years has significantly contributed evidence to the hypothesis that autoimmune reactions against certain myocyte antigens may play a pivotal role in the initiation and/or progression of DCM. Recent transfer experiments in animals (mostly rodents) performed by various groups throughout the world and some preliminary clinical data even indicate that a few of these autoantibodies are indeed “pathogenic”, inferring that they can actually cause cardiac dysfunction and heart failure by their own. Dependent on the individual genetic predisposition such harmful autoimmune reactions are supposed to emerge as a consequence of heart muscle damage induced by viral triggers, ischemia or exposure to cardiotoxins leading to myocyte apoptosis (and/or necrosis) and subsequent liberation of a “critical amount” of self-antigens previously hidden to the immune system. The following article will summarize the so far available evidence for an implication of a confined number of harmful autoantibodies directed against specific cardiac antigens in the pathogenesis of DCM.
Fractures of the fifth metatarsal. Analysis of a fracture registry.

To understand better the natural history of fractures of the fifth metatarsal, a fracture registry was established consisting of patients who had acute fractures of the fifth metatarsal. The first 100 patients were studied to develop data on the natural history of injuries to this bone, and on the results of standard treatment for those injuries. In this study, 3 fracture subtypes were identified : avulsion, true Jones' fracture, and shaft/neck fracture. Avulsion fractures healed without immobilization, usually in 4 weeks. Shaft/neck fractures healed in plaster casts with weight bearing as tolerated in 4 to 6 weeks. True Jones' fractures required a prolonged time to heal when treated with 8 weeks of nonweight bearing and then weight bearing as tolerated in a cast. This method was, however, successful in 72% of patients (average time until union, 21.2 weeks). For the 7 patients in whom conservative treatment failed, surgical fixation at an average of 25 weeks after injury reliably achieved bony union in half the time required with cast treatment. This low-risk procedure met with higher patient satisfaction than prolonged casting.
Role of risperidone in the treatment of bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is a serious illness, distinguished by marked variations in mood, energy and functional capability. The primary goals in the management of bipolar disorder are to treat acute episodes and to prevent recurrence. Many studies have demonstrated that atypical antipsychotic drugs can provide alternatives to traditional mood stabilizers in the treatment of this disorder. Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic that is approved in the USA and in most European countries for use in bipolar mania or bipolar I disorder-manic/mixed episode. Preliminary data exist on the efficacy of risperidone in long-term treatment. However, randomized controlled trials are required to confirm the role of this agent in bipolar depression, and to validate efficacy as in the maintenance setting. This article focuses on the use of risperidone in the treatment of bipolar disorder, with an emphasis on randomized, placebo-controlled trials, and presents a brief overview of other atypical antipsychotic drugs. To conclude,.
Heart type fatty acid binding protein is more sensitive than troponin I and creatine kinase myocardial band at early stage in determining myocardial injury caused by percutaneous coronary intervention.

: Measurement of circulating cardiac biomarkers has enabled early diagnosis and risk assessment of acute coronary syndrome. Heart type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) is a relatively novel marker for the diagnosis of myocardial injury. The purpose of the present study was to compare H-FABP with Troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) in determining myocardial injury in patients with early stage of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Blood was withdrawn one hour before and 3 hours after PCI from 40 patients to measure H-FABP, cTnI and CKMB. H-FABP was measured qualitatively. CK-MB and cTnI were measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Before PCI, H-FABP was found to be negative, while cTnI and CK-MB were found to be in normal ranges. Statistical analysis of measurements 3 hours after PCI revealed that H-FABP was significantly positive in 15 (37%) patients, while cTnI was elevated in 11 (27%) patients and CKMB was elevated in 8 (20%) patients. H-FABP is statistically more sensitive than cTnI and CK-MB at detecting myocardial injury after PCI.H-FABP can be used in early stages to detect myocardial injury caused by PCI. H-FABP is more sensitive than cTnI and CK-MB in determining myocardial injury due to PCI within 3 hours. H-FABP may help us stratify a patient's risk in early stages after PCI.
Einfluss histopathologischer Faktoren auf die dynamische MR-Tomographie der Mamma

Aim: To assess the histopathological background of enhancement mechanisms in dynamic MR mammography studies. Methods: The dynamic MR mammography (MRM) examinations were done with a 1.5T MR imager (Magnetom Vision, Siemens) using a double breast coil and a coronal FLASH-3D sequence. Enhancement data were acquired during 9 minutes post contrast medium injection (Gd-DTPA, 0.2 mmol/kg). Acquisition time was 87 sec/slab. Early enhancement at the first post contrast measurement (E 1 ) and slope of wash-out (SE 2-L ) were calculated. In immunohistology, proliferation was assessed by the monoclonal antibody Ki 67, capillaries were stained by a CD 31 antibody. Of a total of 48 operated patients, 58 lesions and 46 surrounding tissues were evaluated. Results: Cellularity, capillary density and proliferation showed statistically significant correlations with E 1 (p < 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, E 1 was significantly associated only with high cellularity (p = 0.002) and the combination of high cellularity and high microvessel density (p = 0.002); a negative slope of wash out was significantly associated only with malignant histology (p = 0.027). Conclusions: Our findings indicate a direct influence of cellularity and microvessel density on early enhancement. The expression of the proliferation marker Ki 67 was not an independent predictor for contrast enhancement.
Monitoring cytokeratin19 (KRT19) levels as response of circulating tumor cells (CTC) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in breast cancer (BC).

CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts Abstract #5022 Background: KRT19 mRNA+ cells before the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy has been shown as an independent prognostic factor for disease recurrence in patients with early BC. Its usefulness for monitoring response to NAC it is not clear. We have studied changes in KRT19 levels during NAC and correlated it with response. Material and Methods: We analyzed a prospective series of 70 BC patients treated with NAQ. Stage II (45%), Stage III (55%), HR negative (43%), HER-2 positive (42%). Treatment was based on sequential anthracyclines and taxanes. Trastuzumab was given concomitant in HER2 disease. KRT19 level expression was measured from lymphocytes of peripheral blood using a quantitative RT-PCR. The analysis was performed at diagnosis (baseline), before taxane administration, at the end of NAC, and after surgery. On the other hand, 27 healthy donors and 18 metastasic BC patients were also analyzed in order to determine a cut-off value for CTC positivity according to receiver operating characteristics [ROC] analysis. Association between variables was performed by Pearson's Chi-squared and Fisher's tests. Results: We observed a differential rate in KRT19 expression, between the control and the metastasic series being higher in the last group (U-Mann-Withney test, p=0.010). According to the selected cut-off value (AUC 0.272; p=0.010 ), we detected CTC in 46/70 (65.7%) patients at baseline, 22/40 (55%) prior to taxane administration, 36/50 (72%) at the end of NAC and 13/17 (76.5%) after surgery.Forty out of 57 patients (70.2%) responded to NAC(15 CR and 25 PR). Decreased in CTCs levels during treatment wasn't associated with response, on the contrary, residual CTCs were detected after surgery in all those cases that responded (p=0.005). The presence of CTCs after completion of chemotherapy, previous to surgery, was inversely related to tumor stage (p=0.012). Negative tumors for HER2 and tumors with high levels of ER expression maintain the CTC levels detected at diagnosis (p=0.044 and p=0.057 respectively). DISCUSSION: We weren't able to find a correlation between response and decrease in CTCs levels. The presence of residual CTCs in responding cases could suggest a release of tumor cells into blood by NAQ and surgery The prognostic factor of residual CTCs needs to be addressed with longer follow up, and taking into account the effect of others therapies. This study is financed by the grant GVA07/130. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5022.
CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE Polyunsaturated fatty acids improve exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Muscle wasting and decreased muscle oxidative capacity commonly occur in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been shown to mediate several inflammatory and metabolic pathways which may be involved in the pathogenesis of muscle impairment in COPD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PUFA modulation on systemic inflammation, reversal of muscle wasting, and functional status in COPD. Methods: Eighty patients with COPD (57 men) with forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) 37.3 (13.8)% predicted received 9 g PUFA or placebo daily in a double blind randomised fashion during an 8 week rehabilitation programme. Body composition (bioelectrical impedance), functional capacity (lung function, incremental cycle ergometry test, submaximal cycle test, isokinetic quadriceps strength) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-a) were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Results: Both groups had similar increases in weight, fat-free mass (FFM), and muscle strength. The peak load of the incremental exercise test increased more in the PUFA group than in the placebo group (difference in increase 9.7 W (95% CI 2.5 to 17.0), p = 0.009) even after adjustment for FFM. The duration of the constant work rate test also increased more in patients receiving PUFA (difference in increase 4.3 min (95% CI 0.6 to 7.9), p = 0.023). The positive effects of PUFA could not be attributed to a decrease in systemic levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a. Conclusions: This is the first study to show beneficial effects of PUFA on exercise capacity in patients with COPD.
Preparation and characterisation of silicone-based coatings filled with carbon nanotubes and natural sepiolite and their application as marine fouling-release coatings

This article reports on the preparation and partial characterisation of silicone-based coatings filled with low levels of either synthetic multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) or natural sepiolite (NS). The antifouling and fouling-release properties of these coatings were explored through laboratory assays involving representative soft-fouling (Ulva) and hard-fouling (Balanus) organisms. The bulk mechanical properties of the coatings appeared unchanged by the addition of low amounts of filler, in contrast to the surface properties, which were modified on exposure to water. The release of Ulva sporelings (young plants) was improved by the addition of low amounts of both NS and MWCNTs. The most profound effect recorded was the significant reduction of adhesion strength of adult barnacles growing on a silicone elastomer containing a small amount (0.05%) of MWCNTs. All the data indicate that independent of the bulk properties, the surface properties affect settlement, and more particularly, the fouling-release behaviour, of the filled materials.
Biofilm structure differentiation based on multi-resolution analysis

Quantitative parameters for describing the morphology of biofilms are crucial towards establishing the influence of growing conditions on biofilm structure. Parameters used in earlier studies generally fail to differentiate complex three-dimensional structures. This article presents a novel approach of defining a parameter vector based on the energy signature of multi-resolution analysis, which was applied to differentiating biofilm structures from confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) biofilm images. The parameter vector distinguished differences in the spatial arrangements of synthetic images. For real CLSM images, this parameter vector detected subtle differences in biofilm structure for three sample cases: (1) two adjacent images of a CLSM stack; (2) two partial stacks from the same CLSM stack with equal numbers of images but spatially offset by one image; and (3) three complete CLSM stacks from different bacterial strains. It was also observed that filtering the noise in CLSM images enhanced the sensitivity of the differentiation using our parameter vector.