Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the outcomes of the sling technique using a commercial and hand-made polypropylene sling.

PURPOSE To compare the outcomes and costs of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) surgery using a hand-made sling (Marlex®) versus a commerciallyavailable suburethral polypropylene sling (Advantage®). MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-nine women with SUI due to bladder neck hypermobility and/or sphincter incompetence diagnosed by clinical examination and urodynamic studies were divided into two groups: group 1 (n = 19) consisted of patients from an academic center (Department of Urology, University Hospital of Federal University of Maranhao, and group 2 (n = 20) patients from private practice. The hand-made polypropylene suburethral sling was used in group 1 and the commercial sling in group 2. The patients were evaluated 30, 60 and 90 days after surgery. RESULTS The mean duration of surgery was 43 min. in group 1 and 51 min. in group 2. No postoperative voiding difficulties were observed in group 1 (100%), as well as, in 94.7% of patients of group 2. A bladder catheter was not required in any of the patients of the two groups at the end of the study. The level of satisfaction was 100% in group 1, whereas, one patient of group 2 considered the surgery to be unsuccessful. Urodynamic studies showed low amplitude uninhibited contraction in 11.1% of patients of group 1 and 10.5% of group 2. No complications were observed in either group. CONCLUSION The hand-made polypropylene mesh (Marlex®) can be used for sling procedures, saving costs and yielding results similar to that obtained with commercial sling systems.
Mast Cell Fibroblastoid Differentiation Mediated by Airway Smooth Muscle in Asthma

Mast cell microlocalization to the airway smooth muscle (ASM) bundle is a key feature of asthma, but whether these mast cells have an altered phenotype is uncertain. In this paper, we report that in vivo, mast cells within the ASM bundle, in contrast to mast cells in the bronchial submucosa, commonly expressed fibroblast markers and the number of these cells was closely related to the degree of airway hyperresponsiveness. In vitro human lung mast cells and mast cell lines cultured with fibronectin or with primary human ASM cells acquired typical fibroblastic markers and morphology. This differentiation toward a fibroblastoid phenotype was mediated by ASM-derived extracellular matrix proteins, independent of cell adhesion molecule-1, and was attenuated by α5β1 blockade. Fibroblastoid mast cells demonstrated increased chymase expression and activation with exaggerated spontaneous histamine release. Together these data indicate that in asthma, ASM-derived extracellular matrix proteins mediate human mast cell transition to a fibroblastoid phenotype, suggesting that this may be pivotal in the development of airway dysfunction in asthma.
The Effects of Information Request Language and Template Usage on Query Formulation

: The ability to retrieve accurate information from relational databases requires proficiency in structured query language (SQL). In spite of its declarative nature, teaching and learning SQL for complex data-retrieval tasks remains a challenge. Cognitive load theory (CLT) explains the interactions between working and long-term memories in acquiring complex knowledge and skills. We used CLT to identify two instructional interventions expected to improve query writing performance under conditions of high and low query (code) complexity. First, we presented information requests in pseudo-SQL language rather than manager English to clarify the relevant elements in the data model. Second, we provided a query template as an intermediate problem-solving step prior to coding. We conducted an experiment with 63 student participants in a 2 x 2 x 2 repeated measures design in which the request language was either pseudo SQL or manager English, the task included a query template or did not, and the task had either low or high query (code) complexity. Results show that both request language and template usage significantly affected query writing performance but in different situations. Pseudo SQL requests had a significant positive impact on query accuracy with less complex queries but had no impact with more complex queries. On the other hand, using a query template prior to writing SQL code improved task performance with more complex queries but not with less complex queries. We discuss the implications of these findings for instructional design and future research.
A direct effect of 24,25‐(OH)2D3 and 1,25‐(OH)2D3 on the modeling of fetal mice long bones in vitro

To examine the effects of 24,25‐(OH)2D3 and 1,25‐(OH)2D3 on fetal long bone modeling the radii and ulnae of 16 day fetal mice were grown in vitro for 2 days. Their growth, mineralization, and resorption were assessed by measuring diaphyseal length, calcium and phosphorus content, hydroxyproline‐protein ratios, and the release of incorporated 45Ca. The results showed that 24,25‐(OH)2D3 at concentrations of 10−10‐10−8 M stimulated the growth of the bones as indicated by their increased diaphyseal length, periosteal bone area, and hydroxyproline content. Calcium and phosphorus content was significantly increased; 45Ca release was unaltered. Bones incubated in media containing 10−6 M 24,25‐(OH)2D3 responded in a similar fashion to bones incubated in media containing 10−10‐10−8 M 1,25‐(OH)2D3, with inhibition of bone growth as indicated by reduced diaphyseal length, periosteal bone area, hydroxyproline‐protein ratios, and calcium and phosphorus content; 45Ca release was significantly increased. Neither metabolite affected total bone length. The results suggest a role for 24,25‐(OH)2D3 in the growth of fetal mice bones in vitro and also confirm the findings from previous studies that 1,25‐(OH)2D3 and high concentrations of 24,25‐(OH)2D3 stimulate bone resorption.
Physical interpretation, modeling and impact on phase change memory (PCM) reliability of resistance drift due to chalcogenide structural relaxation

Chalcogenide materials are extensively used in phase-change memory (PCM) cells, where the ability to electrically change the structural phase from crystalline to amorphous and vice versa is exploited. Although the amorphous phase is quite stable with respect to crystallization, structural relaxation (SR), affecting the concentration of localized states in the band gap, strongly impacts the electrical properties of the amorphous phase even at room temperature. This work combines a previous physics-based model for transport in the chalcogenide glass and a new kinetic model for defect annealing, allowing to quantitatively account for the time and temperature dependences of SR and on its impact on the I-V curve for different read currents. The optimization of readout conditions to minimize the reliability impact is finally discussed.
A Framework for Human Relevance Analysis of Information on Carcinogenic Modes of Action

The human relevance framework (HRF) outlines a four-part process, beginning with data on the mode of action (MOA) in laboratory animals, for evaluating the human relevance of animal tumors. Drawing on U.S. EPA and IPCS proposals for animal MOA analysis, the HRF expands those analyses to include a systematic evaluation of comparability, or lack of comparability, between the postulated animal MOA and related information from human data sources. The HRF evolved through a series of case studies representing several different MOAs. HRF analyses produced divergent outcomes, some leading to complete risk assessment and others discontinuing the process, according to the data available from animal and human sources. Two case examples call for complete risk assessments. One is the default: When data are insufficient to confidently postulate a MOA for test animals, the animal tumor data are presumed to be relevant for risk assessment and a complete risk assessment is necessary. The other is the product of a data-based finding that the animal MOA is relevant to humans. For the specific MOA and endpoint combinations studied for this article, full risk assessments are necessary for potentially relevant MOAs involving cytotoxicity and cell proliferation in animals and humans (Case Study 6, chloroform) and formation of urinary-tract calculi (Case Study 7, melamine). In other circumstances, when data-based findings for the chemical and endpoint combination studied indicate that the tumor-related animal MOA is unlikely to have a human counterpart, there is little reason to continue the risk assessment for that combination. Similarly, when qualitative considerations identify MOAs specific to the test species or quantitative considerations indicate that the animal MOA is unlikely to occur in humans, such hazard findings are generally conclusive and further risk assessment is not necessary for the endpoint–MOA combination under study. Case examples include a tumor-related protein specific to test animals (Case Study 3, d-limonene), the tumor consequences of hormone suppression typical of laboratory animals but not humans (Case Study 4, atrazine), and chemical-related enhanced hormone clearance rates in animals relative to humans (Case Study 5, phenobarbital). The human relevance analysis is highly specific for the chemical–MOA–tissue–endpoint combination under analysis in any particular case: different tissues, different endpoints, or alternative MOAs for a given chemical may result in different human relevance findings. By providing a systematic approach to using MOA data, the HRF offers a new tool for the scientific community's overall effort to enhance the predictive power, reliability and transparency of cancer risk assessment.
Does Practice-Based Teacher Preparation Increase Student Achievement? Early Evidence from the Boston Teacher Residency

The Boston Teacher Residency is an innovative practice-based preparation program in which candidates work alongside a mentor teacher for a year before becoming a teacher of record in Boston Public Schools. We find that BTR graduates are more racially diverse than other BPS novices, more likely to teach math and science, and more likely to remain teaching in the district through year five. Initially, BTR graduates for whom value-added performance data are available are no more effective at raising student test scores than other novice teachers in English language arts and less effective in math. The effectiveness of BTR graduates in math improves rapidly over time, however, such that by their fourth and fifth years they out-perform veteran teachers. Simulations of the program's overall impact through retention and effectiveness suggest that it is likely to improve student achievement in the district only modestly over the long run.
Sibling Vesicoureteral Reflux in Multiple Gestation Births

Background. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most commonly inherited disease of the genitourinary tract. Although the majority of evidence supports a genetic cause, the tendency for this condition to spontaneously improve over time has made it difficult to determine the actual mode of transmission. We report the incidence of VUR in siblings of multiple gestation births and for the first time compare the relative incidence of reflux between identical and fraternal twins. Methods. A database consisting of all radionuclide cystograms and voiding cystourethrograms performed between the years 1986 and 1996 was searched for multiple gestation births. The medical records of each patient were evaluated for age at presentation, zygosity, reflux grade, and time to resolution. Children with secondary causes of VUR (eg, posterior urethral valves) were excluded. Triplets were treated as 2 pairs of twins for statistical analysis. Results. Forty-six pairs met the inclusion criteria (31 dizygotic and 15 monozygotic). Overall, 23 (50%) of 46 siblings of index cases had demonstrable VUR. Comparison of VUR prevalence between identical and nonidentical twins was revealing with 80% (12/15) of identical twins and 35% (11/31) of fraternal twins having VUR. When only the youngest individuals in each group were considered, 100% (7/7) of the monozygotics and 50% (5/10) of the dizygotics demonstrated this trait. Conclusions. High concordance for VUR in identical twin siblings supports a genetic basis for the transmission of this disease. Results obtained from fraternal twin siblings provides convincing evidence that this trait is transmitted in an autosomal dominant fashion.
Comparison of Clinical Efficacies of Autologous Serum Eye Drops in Patients With Primary and Secondary Sjögren Syndrome

Purpose: Autologous serum eye drops are considered to be safe and efficient for the treatment of dry eyes associated with Sjögren syndrome (SS). The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacies of autologous serum eye drops in the management of primary and secondary SS. Methods: Patients with primary (n = 20; 35 eyes) and secondary (n = 14; 27 eyes) SS dry eye were included. Serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor &agr;, interleukin (IL)-1&bgr;, IL-6, and IL-8] were measured by a multiplex immunobead assay. The ocular symptom scores, ocular staining grades, and tear break-up time were evaluated before and after 4 weeks of 50% autologous serum eye drop application. Results: At enrollment, patients with secondary SS had higher serum proinflammatory cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor &agr;, IL-1&bgr;, IL-6, and IL-8) than patients with primary SS (P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of autologous serum eye drop treatment, patients with primary SS had significantly improved ocular symptoms (P < 0.01), ocular surface staining grades (P < 0.01), and tear break-up time (P < 0.05). However, patients with secondary SS had no improvement (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our results suggest that autologous serum eye drops might not be effective for the treatment of secondary SS because of elevated serum proinflammatory cytokine levels.
The benefits of virtual reality simulator training for laparoscopic surgery

Purpose of review Virtual reality is a computer-generated system that provides a representation of an environment. This review will analyse the literature with regard to any benefit to be derived from training with virtual reality equipment and to describe the current equipment available. Recent findings Virtual reality systems are not currently realistic of the live operating environment because they lack tactile sensation, and do not represent a complete operation. The literature suggests that virtual reality training is a valuable learning tool for gynaecologists in training, particularly those in the early stages of their careers. Furthermore, it may be of benefit for the ongoing audit of surgical skills and for the early identification of a surgeon's deficiencies before operative incidents occur. It is only a matter of time before realistic virtual reality models of most complete gynaecological operations are available, with improved haptics as a result of improved computer technology. Summary It is inevitable that in the modern climate of litigation virtual reality training will become an essential part of clinical training, as evidence for its effectiveness as a training tool exists, and in many countries training by operating on live animals is not possible. Abbreviation MIST–VR: Minimally Invasive Surgical Trainer–Virtual Reality.
Estrogen increases the number of spinophilin‐immunoreactive spines in the hippocampus of young and aged female rhesus monkeys

It is well documented that estrogen increases dendritic spine density in CA1 pyramidal cells of young female rats. However, this effect is attenuated in aged rats. We report here a quantitative analysis of estrogen effects on hippocampal spine number as visualized with antispinophilin in young (6–8 years old) and aged (19–23 years old) female rhesus monkeys, a species with a pattern of female endocrine senescence comparable to that of humans. Monkeys were ovariectomized and administered either vehicle or estradiol cypionate 3 months postovariectomy, followed by an additional dose 3 weeks later, with perfusion 24 hours after the last estrogen treatment. Immunolocalization of spinophilin, a spine‐associated protein, was used for quantitative stereologic analyses of total spinophilin‐immunoreactive spine numbers in CA1 stratum radiatum and the inner and outer molecular layers of dentate gyrus. In both young and aged female monkeys, the estrogen‐treated groups had an increase in spinophilin‐immunoreactive spines (37% in young, P < .005; 35% in aged, P < .05) compared with the untreated groups that amounted to more than 1 billion additional immunoreactive spines. The young group also showed a trend toward an estrogen‐induced increase in immunoreactive spines in the dentate gyrus outer molecular layer, but this effect was not statistically significant (P = .097). We conclude that spine number in the rhesus monkey hippocampus is highly responsive to estrogen, yet, unlike the female rat, aged female rhesus monkeys retain the capacity for spine induction in response to estrogen. These data have important implications for cognitive effects of estrogen replacement in postmenopausal women and demonstrate that an estrogen replacement protocol that mimics normal physiological cycles with timed, intermittent peaks can have profound neurobiological effects. J. Comp. Neurol. 465:540–550, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcitonin Gene‐Related Peptide‐Binding Sites of Porcine Cardiac Muscles and Coronary Arteries: Solubilization and Characterization

Abstract: Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP)‐binding sites were solubilized, using digitonin, from the porcine spinal cord, atria, and coronary arteries. The specific binding of 125I‐human α‐CGRP to the solubilized binding sites was inhibited by human α‐ and β‐CGRP and by rat α‐CGRP, but not by angiotensin II or human calcitonin. Scatchard plot analysis of saturation gave the same KD value for CGRP in the crude membrane fractions of the tissues examined. The affinity of CGRP to the binding sites was decreased by solubilization in the atria and coronary arteries, but not in the spinal cord. Affinity labeling followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed distinct molecular sizes of the specific binding sites among the tissues; 70K for the spinal cord, 70K and 90K for the coronary arteries, and 70K and 120K for the atria. These results indicate that the molecular characteristics of the specific binding sites of CGRP in the cardiovascular system are distinct from those in the central nervous system.
THE USE AND BENEFITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT PARKS AND RECREATION SERVICES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES- A PERSPECTIVE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

of Papers Presented at the Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research May 12 -15, 1999 Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia Editor: Paul Heintzman Assisted by: Karen Naugler and Sean Smith Printed and bound by Acadia University Printing Services Copyright © 1999 Canadian Association of Leisure Studies Organizing Team for the Ninth Canadian Congress on Leisure Research: Glyn Bissix Tom Delamere Paul Heintzman Scott Hennigar Susan Markham-Starr Heidi McKinnon Neil Munro Karen Naugler Brenda Robertson Jerry Singleton The Canadian Congress on Leisure Research Is held under the auspices of the Canadian Association for Leisure Studies Le Congres canadien de la recherche en loisir se tient sous les auspices de L' Association canadienne d'etudes en loisir BOARD OF DIRECTORS/CONSEIL D'ADMBVISTRATION 1996-1999 President/Presidente Dr. Edgar L. Jackson University of Alberta Past President/President-sortant Dr. Susan M. Shaw University of Waterloo Vice-President & Treasurer Vice-president et tresorier Robert Soubrier Universite du Quebec a Troie-rivieres Secretary/Secretaire Dr. Tom Hinch University of Alberta Directors/Directeurs Dr. Linda Caldwell Pennsylvania State University Dr. Wendy Frisby University of British Columbia Dr. Susan Markham-Starr Acadia University Dr. Lisa Ostiguy Concordia University Dr. Paul F. Wilkinson York University Dr. Don Dawson Universite d'Ottawa Dr. Colleen Hood Dalhousie University Dr. Gaetan Ouellet Universite du Quebec a Troie-rivieres Dr. Bryan Smale University of Waterloo
Common artifacts in PET myocardial perfusion images due to attenuation-emission misregistration: clinical significance, causes, and solutions.

UNLABELLED Misregistration between attenuation and emission images causes artifactual abnormalities on cardiac PET images that result in false-positive defects. This study determines the frequency and mechanisms of misregistration artifacts, identifies their predictors, and validates a method for their routine clinical identification, prevention, or correction. METHODS We performed 1177 consecutive diagnostic myocardial perfusion PET studies using 1 of 3 protocols: (a). 3 initial consecutive measured attenuation correction (MAC) scans, followed by resting and dipyridamole emission scans; (b). an initial MAC scan (early MAC), followed by emission scans; and (c). a MAC attenuation scan obtained after emission scans (late MAC). Emission images were manually shifted to obtain coregistration with attenuation and reconstructed again using shifted emission data that eliminated artifactual defects. Measurements on PET images included heart size, heart and diaphragm displacement after dipyridamole, objective quantitative misregistration of attenuation and emission images, and size or severity of image defects before and after shifting emission images. RESULTS Of 1,177 rest-dipyridamole PET perfusion studies, 252 (21.4%) had artifactual defects due to attenuation-emission misregistration. By shifting emission images, quantitative severity and size of misregistration and artifactual defects significantly decreased (P < 0.001) with visual normalization. Artifactual defects were predicted by horizontal plane misregistration (odds ratio [OR] = 1.545, confidence intervals [CI] = 1.113-2.145, P = 0.009), body mass index (OR = 2.659, CI = 1.032-6.855, P = 0.043), and whole heart area in the horizontal plane at rest (OR = 1.096, CI = 1.018-1.179, P = 0.015). Quantitative misregistration was predicted by diaphragm displacement between rest and dipyridamole (P = 0.001, CI = 0.158-0.630), body mass index (P = 0.005, CI = 0.202-1.124), and whole heart area in the horizontal plane at rest (P = 0.004, CI = -0.144 to -0.028). Diaphragm displacement was significantly larger for obese compared with lean patients (P = 0.027) during the initial 10 min of the imaging protocol. CONCLUSION Misregistration of attenuation and emission images is common in cardiac PET imaging and causes artifactual defects predicted by diaphragmatic displacement, body mass index, and heart size. Multiattenuation imaging sequences and manual, visually optimized coregistration of attenuation and emission images substantially eliminate artifacts for reliably identifying mild perfusion defects of early nonobstructive coronary atherosclerosis as the basis for intense lifestyle and pharmacologic treatment.
An in Vitro Study of Choline Uptake by Intestine from Neonatal and Adult Rats

ABSTRACT. We studied choline uptake by slices of adult and 10–day–old rat intestine which were exposed on their mucosal surface to radiolabeled choline. Both neonatal and adult intestine transported choline. Choline uptake was observed in duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon of the adult rat. In the small intestine, choline uptake consisted of two components: a saturable and a nonsaturable process. The kinetic variables for saturable transport (Km, Vmax) were not significantly different in adult and neonatal small intestine. Some of the transported choline was converted to phosphatidylcholine, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, and betaine. However, most of the transported choline (79–85%) was not metabolized within the intestinal slice during a 15-min period. We conclude that the capacity for choline transport in the rat small intestine is present early in neonatal life. The characteristics of this transport mechanism for choline are similar in the neonate and in the adult small intestine. Neonates should therefore be able to absorb the large amounts of unesterified choline that are present in milk.