Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular effects of octreotide in patients with hepatic cirrhosis

Octreotide is thought to reduce splanchnic and variceal blood flow with minimal effects on the systemic circulation in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. However, we noticed significant bradycardia in some patients immediately after administration of bolus doses of octreotide. Therefore, we investigated the effect of intravenous octreotide on systemic hemodynamics in 59 patients with cirrhosis. In two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled protocols, 32 patients received a 25‐μg bolus and 20 patients received an infusion of 50‐μg/hr of octreotide/placebo. Immediately after the bolus dose of octreotide was administered, there were significant reductions in pulse rate (77 ± 3 vs. 65 ± 3 beats per minute, P < 0.01) and cardiac output (9.2 ± 0.8 vs. 7.9 ± 0.8 L/min; P < 0.01) and significant increases in mean arterial pressure (81 ± 3 vs. 87 ± 3 mm Hg; P < 0.05), mean pulmonary artery pressure (9.1 ± 1.0 vs. 16.6 ± 1.5 mm Hg; P < 0.01), right atrial pressure (3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 6.6 ± 1.0 mm Hg; P < 0.01), right ventricular pressure (7.1 ± 0.6 vs. 12.5 ± 1.3 mm Hg; P < 0.01), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (4.8 ± 0.8 vs. 11.2 ± 1.4 mm Hg; P < 0.01), systemic vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular resistance. Thirty minutes after the start of the infusion, there were significant increases in mean right atrial pressure, right ventricular pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. This study suggests that intravenous octreotide has significant effects on the systemic circulation in patients with cirrhosis and that these effects appear to be more marked after administration of bolus doses.
Trials of nonoperative management exceeding 3 days are associated with increased morbidity in patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstruction

BACKGROUND Controversy exists over how long trials of nonoperative management should be pursued in patients with uncomplicated adhesive small bowel obstructions (ASBOs) before deciding to proceed with surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of incremental delays in surgery on the 30-day postoperative outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for uncomplicated ASBO. METHODS American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program 2005–2011 data were used to identify patients with uncomplicated ASBO in whom a trial of nonoperative management was attempted. Multivariate logistic or linear regression model was created to determine the independent association between the length of preoperative hospitalization and 30-day postoperative outcomes after adjustment for patient- and procedure-related factors. RESULTS A total of 9,297 patients were included in the study. The 30-day postoperative mortality and overall morbidity rates of the entire cohort were 4.4% and 29.6%, respectively. The median postoperative length of hospitalization was 7 days (interquartile range, 5–11 days). After risk adjustment, there was no association between preoperative length of hospitalization and 30-day postoperative mortality. In contrast, increased 30-day overall morbidity was observed in patients who received their operation after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 3 days compared with earlier in their hospitalization. Furthermore, an increased postoperative length of hospitalization was found in patients who were operated on after a preoperative length of hospitalization of 4 days. CONCLUSION Trials of nonoperative management for uncomplicated ASBO exceeding 3 days are associated with increased morbidity and postoperative length of hospitalization. These trials should therefore generally not extend beyond this time point. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.
Oxygenation and cerebral perfusion pressure improved in the prone position

Background: Treatment of patients in the prone position is a well‐established method to improve oxygenation in general intensive care unit (ICU) practice. This method is rarely used in a neurosurgical ICU, considering the risk of intracranial hypertension. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of prone position on intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) and systemic oxygenation in patients with reduced intracranial compliance. We hypothesize that the beneficial effects of prone position can outweigh the hazardous effects on the intracranial pressure.
Rules of Thumb for Conservation of Metapopulations Based on a Stochastic Winking‐Patch Model

From a theoretical viewpoint, nature management basically has two options to prolong metapopulation persistence: decreasing local extinction probabilities and increasing colonization probabilities. This article focuses on those options with a stochastic, single‐species metapopulation model. We found that for most combinations of local extinction probabilities and colonization probabilities, decreasing the former increases metapopulation extinction time more than does increasing the latter by the same amount. Only for relatively low colonization probabilities is an effort to increase these probabilities more beneficial, but even then, decreasing extinction probabilities does not seem much less effective. Furthermore, we found the following rules of thumb. First, if one focuses on extinction, one should preferably decrease the lowest local extinction probability. Only if the extinction probabilities are (almost) equal should one prioritize decreases in the local extinction probability of the patch with the best direct connections to and from other patches. Second, if one focuses on colonization, one should preferably increase the colonization probability between the patches with the lowest local extinction probability. Only if the local extinction probabilities are (almost) equal should one instead prioritize increases in the highest colonization probability (unless extinction probabilities and colonization probabilities are very low). The rules of thumb have an important common denominator: the local extinction process has a greater bearing on metapopulation extinction time than colonization.
Accelerated fracture healing in the geriatric, osteoporotic rat with recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐bb and an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix

Aging and osteoporosis contribute to decreased bone mass and bone mineral density as well as compromised fracture healing rates and bone repair quality. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to determine if recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB (rhPDGF‐BB) delivered in an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix would enhance tibial fracture healing in geriatric (>2 years of age), osteoporotic rats. A total of 80 rats were divided equally among four groups: Fracture alone; Fracture plus matrix; Fracture plus matrix and either 0.3 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL rhPDGF‐BB. At 3 and 5 weeks, rats were euthanized and treatment outcome was assessed histologically, radiographically, biomechanically, and by micro‐CT. Results indicated rhPDGF‐BB‐treated fractures in osteoporotic, geriatric rats caused a statistically significant time‐dependent increase in torsional strength 5 weeks after treatment. The healed fractures were equivalent in torsional strength to the contralateral, unoperated tibiae. Data from the study are the first, to our knowledge, to underscore rhPDGF‐BB efficacy in an injectable beta‐tricalcium phosphate/collagen matrix accelerated fracture repair in a geriatric, osteoporotic rat model. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Orthop Res 26:83–90, 2008
Effects of isometric handgrip training among people medicated for hypertension: a multilevel analysis

ObjectiveTo examine the longitudinal effects of isometric handgrip (IHG) exercise training on blood pressure using hierarchical linear modeling. MethodsData from 43 participants who were medicated for hypertension at the time of training were amalgamated from three previous investigations. In each study, IHG training was completed 3 days/week for 8 weeks at 30% of maximal voluntary contraction and resting blood pressure was assessed at twice-weekly intervals throughout. ResultsHierarchical linear modeling analysis revealed a linear pattern of blood pressure decline over time with estimated reductions of 5.7 and 3 mmHg reductions in systolic and diastolic pressure, respectively. Participants with higher initial systolic pressure showed greater rates of blood pressure decline (r=−0.67), inferring that individuals with higher blood pressure stand to achieve greater benefits from this method of training. ConclusionsThese results provide further evidence that IHG training lowers resting blood pressure among persons medicated for hypertension.
Identifying barriers to emergency care services.

OBJECTIVE This paper aims to present a review of published evidence of barriers to emergency care, with attention towards both financial and other barriers. METHOD With the keywords (financial) accessibility, barriers and emergency care services, citations in PubMed were searched and further selected in the context of the objective of this article. RESULTS Forty articles, published over a period of 15 years, showed evidence of significant barriers to emergency care. These barriers often tend to persist, despite the fact that the evidence was published many years ago. Several publications stressed the importance of the financial barriers in foregoing or delaying potentially life-saving emergency services, both in poor and rich countries. Other publications report non-financial barriers that prevent patients in need of emergency care (pre-hospital and in-patient care) from seeking care, from arriving in the proper emergency department without undue delay or from receiving proper treatment when they do arrive in these departments. CONCLUSION It is clear that timely access to life-saving and disability-preventing emergency care is problematic in many settings. Yet, low-cost measures can likely be taken to significantly reduce these barriers. It is time to make an inventory of these measures and to implement the most cost-effective ones worldwide.
Characterization of porcine stable kidney cell line adapted to hyperthermic temperature

SummaryThe optimum temperature for the growth of porcine stable (PS) kidney cell line is 37°C. We have adapted the cell line to grow at 40°C. The original cell line grown at 37°C has been denoted as PS-37, and the adapted new strain has been denoted as PS-40. Both the cell lines were screened for mycoplasma by Hoechst staining and tritiated uridineuracil uptake and were found to be negative. Comparative characterization of PS-40 and its progenitor PS-37 cell line was done by using various parameters. The antigenic studies indicated that the new cell strain was not cross-contaminated with any other cell lines. It was observed that PS-40 cells were more fibroblastic with clean cytoplasm and appeared healthy. The growth of PS-40 cells was faster than the original cell line. The karyological study showed heteroploid chromosome number in PS-40 cells. The modal chromosome number of PS-40 cells was 58, whereas that of PS-37 cell line was 38. The lactic dehydrogenase isoenzyme pattern showed a cathodal shift of bands. The PS-40 cell strain could be cryopreserved and revived. The viability of PS-37 as well as PS-40 cell lines is in the range of 90–95%, and the growth characteristics of thawed cells showed six-to eightfold multiplications within 5d. The virus susceptibility study revealed that the cytopathic effect was more profound and observed 1 d earlier in PS-40 cell line. Increased yields of Japanese encephalitis, Sindbis, and Semliki forest viruses were obtained by 1.8, 1,75, and 1.5 log plaque-forming units/ml. respectively. The yield of West Nile virus was, however, comparable to that in PS-37 cell line. Both the cell lines were refractory to Dengue viruses.
Embryonic Stem Cells as a Platform for Analyzing Neural Gene Transcription

There is a need for improved methods to analyze transcriptional control of mammalian stem cell genes. We propose that embryonic stem cells (ESCs) will have broad utility as a model system, because they can be manipulated genetically and then differentiated into many cell types in vitro, avoiding the need to make mice. Results are presented demonstrating the utility of ESCs for analyzing cis‐acting sequences using Olig2 as a model gene. Olig2 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in the development of a ventral compartment of the nervous system and the oligodendrocyte lineage. The functional role of an upstream region (USR) of the Olig2 gene was investigated in ESCs engineered at the undifferentiated stage and then differentiated into ventral neural cells with sonic hedgehog and retinoic acid. Deletion of the USR from the native gene via gene targeting eliminates expression in ventral neural cells differentiated in cell culture. The USR is also essential for regulated expression of an Olig2 transgene inserted at a defined foreign chromosomal site. A subregion of the USR has nonspecific promoter activity in transient transfection assays in cells that do not express Olig2. Taken together, the data demonstrate that the USR contains a promoter for the Olig2 gene and suggest that repression contributes to specific expression. The technology used in this study can be applied to a wide range of genes and cell types and will facilitate research on cis‐acting DNA elements of mammalian genes.
Comparative Efficacy and Toxicity of Different Species of Sargassum in Haizao Yuhu Decoction in PTU-Induced Goiter Rats

Background Haizao Yuhu Decoction has been widely used to treat thyroid-related diseases especially goiter with few side effects in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), including herb pair Sargassum (HZ) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (GC), as one of “eighteen antagonistic medicaments. ” The two different species of Sargassum, Sargassum fusiforme (Sf) and Sargassum pallidum (Sp), are not clearly differentiated in clinical use, so that herb pair Sf-GC and Sp-GC could show different effect and toxicity. Methods We investigated the antigoitrous effect and toxicity and clarified the potential underlying mechanism of the two different species of Sargassum in HYD (HYDf and HYDp) in PTU-reduced goiter rats. Results The results demonstrated that both HYDf and HYDp could exhibit antigoitrous effect through alterations in hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis and inhibition of the TPO gene expression; there is no difference in the antigoitrous effects between the two different species of Sargassum application in HYD. Conclusion This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of herb pair HZ-GC applied in HYD in goiter rats at molecular, cellular, and whole level and compared the two species of Sargassum further. We provide a reliable way to clarify the possible mechanism of the antagonistic medicament herb pair HZ-GC for its application.
prtH2, Not prtH, Is the Ubiquitous Cell Wall Proteinase Gene in Lactobacillushelveticus

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus helveticus strains possess an efficient proteolytic system that releases peptides which are essential for lactobacillus growth in various fermented dairy products and also affect textural properties or biological activities. Cell envelope proteinases (CEPs) are bacterial enzymes that hydrolyze milk proteins. In the case of L. helveticus, two CEPs with low percentages of amino acid identity have been described, i.e., PrtH and PrtH2. However, the distribution of the genes that encode CEPs still remains unclear, rendering it difficult to further control the formation of particular peptides. This study evaluated the diversity of genes that encode CEPs in a collection of strains of L. helveticus isolated from various biotopes, both in terms of the presence or absence of these genes and in terms of nucleotide sequence, and studied their transcription in dairy matrices. After defining three sets of primers for both the prtH and prtH2 genes, we studied the distribution of the genes by using PCR and Southern blotting experiments. The prtH2 gene was ubiquitous in the 29 strains of L. helveticus studied, whereas only 18 of them also exhibited the prtH gene. Sequencing of a 350-bp internal fragment of these genes revealed the existence of intraspecific diversity. Finally, expression of these two CEP-encoding genes was followed during the growth in dairy matrices of two strains, ITG LH77 and CNRZ32, which possess one and two CEP-encoding genes, respectively. Both genes were shown to be expressed by L. helveticus at each stage of growth in milk and at different stages of mini-Swiss-type cheese making and ripening.
Comparative Evaluation of Antibacterial Efficacy of Six Indian Plant Extracts against Streptococcus Mutans.

INTRODUCTION To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of six plant extracts of Indian origin often used as traditional medicine against standard strains of Streptococcus mutans. MATERIALS AND METHODS The antimicrobial activity of six plant extracts was determined by the agar well diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the crude (raw), Organic solvent based, aqueous extracts was determined by the agar well diffusion method. RESULTS Out of all the six extracts evaluated, organic solvent based and aqueous extracts of all the extracts were found to have variable antimicrobial activities against the oral pathogen. The crude extract of Garlic was the most effective against Streptococcus mutans with the highest zone of inhibition (24.62 mm) followed by the aqueous extract of Amla (19.47mm) and organic solvent based extract of Ginger (18.76 mm). CONCLUSION Despite of the fact that the extracts were not pure compounds and antimicrobial results were obtained. This recommends the potency of these extracts. The figment of the derivation of antimicrobial compounds from plants seems lucrative as it will lead to the development of a phytomedicine to act against microbes.
Novel power recycling schemes for enhanced radiation efficiency in leaky-wave antennas

Two novel power recycling schemes for enhancing the radiation efficiency of leaky-wave antennas are proposed and demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. The first scheme enhances the radiation efficiency of a single leaky-wave antenna by feeding the energy remaining at the output of the antenna back into its input terminal via a rat-race hybrid coupler. In this manner, the power associated with each information symbol loops several times along the structure until all its energy has been fully radiated, leading ideally to a 100% radiation efficiency. This is the self-recycling scheme. The second scheme enhances the radiation efficiency of a leaky-wave antenna array by re-injecting the energy remaining at the output of the excited element into the adjacent elements of the array via a series feeding network, and possibly including phase-shifters for full-space pencil-beam scanning. This is the cross-recycling scheme.
Effects of Ravuconazole Treatment on Parasite Load and Immune Response in Dogs Experimentally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

ABSTRACT In this work, we investigated the in vivo activity of ravuconazole against the Y and Berenice-78 Trypanosoma cruzi strains using acutely infected dogs as hosts. Ravuconazole was well tolerated, as no significant side effects were observed during the treatment using 6.0 mg/kg twice a day (12 mg/kg/day) for up to 90 days. In all treated animals, parasitemia was permanently suppressed by the first day of treatment, independently of the parasite strain. Cultures of blood obtained posttreatment were negative for 90% of the animals, confirming that the drug induced a marked reduction in the parasite load. The results of PCR tests for T. cruzi in blood performed 1 month posttreatment were consistently negative for three of five and two of five animals infected with the Y and Berenice-78 strains, respectively. All ravuconazole-treated dogs consistently had negative serological test results during and until 30 days after treatment, regardless of the therapeutic scheme used. However, after the end of treatment, an increase in specific antibody levels was observed in all treated animals, although the antibody levels were always significantly lower than those of the nontreated control dogs. Despite being unable to induce a parasitological cure, ravuconazole treatment led to significant reductions in the levels of gamma interferon expression and lesions in cardiac tissues in animals infected with the Y strain, while the level of interleukin-10 mRNA expression increased. We conclude that ravuconazole has potent suppressive but not curative activity in the canine model of acute Chagas' disease, probably due to its unfavorable pharmacokinetic properties (half-life, 8.8 h). The longer half-life of ravuconazole in humans (4 to 8 days) makes it a promising drug for assessment for use as chemotherapy in human Chagas' disease.
Elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in the physiologically relevant range does not inhibit voltage‐gated K+ channels in human T lymphocytes

1 Human T lymphocytes express both voltage‐gated (K(V)) and Ca2+‐activated (K(Ca)) potassium channels. The K(Ca) channel is activated by elevations of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) at concentrations attained during physiological Ca2+ signalling. Whether or not the K(V) channel is affected by [Ca2+]i is a matter of controversy. Here, the interaction between the K+ channels of lymphocytes and [Ca2+]i was studied using cell‐attached and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings, while [Ca2+]i of the same cell was monitored simultaneously by fura‐2 imaging or from the activity of the K(Ca) channels. 2 The K+ channels in cell‐attached patches were measured using a high K+ pipette solution. The K(V) conductance was quantified as the integral of the inward current during voltage ramp stimulation, yielding a measure independent of the cell membrane potential. Whereas the open probability of the K(Ca) channel showed an absolute dependence on [Ca2+]i, the K(V) channel was little affected by [Ca2+]i. The K(V) conductance is not reduced by elevations of [Ca2+]i in the range 0‐8 μM. On the contrary, a modest but consistent increase in the K(V) current component in cell‐attached currents was observed when [Ca2+]i was elevated. 3 The absence of inhibition of the K(V) current by [Ca2+]i was also apparent from whole‐cell measurements with pipette solutions buffered to 1 μM free Ca2+: following break‐in to whole‐cell configuration, depolarizing voltage ramps were applied at regular intervals to activate the K(V) current while the K(Ca) current was measured from the slope of the ramp current below the activation of the voltage‐gated current. During the gradual activation of the K(Ca) current, as the cell interior was perfused with the pipette solution, the K(V) current remained constant in amplitude. 4 In the initial period following break‐in to whole‐cell configuration, a gradual increase in the rate of K(V) current inactivation was generally observed. However, the time course of this change in kinetics was much slower than the perfusion of the cell interior, as judged from the activation of the K(Ca) conductance, ruling out a direct effect of Ca2+, within the physiological range, on K(V) channel kinetics.