Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of environmental cues on the differentiation of myofibroblasts in peritoneal granulation tissue

This study investigated the effect of haemodynamic stress, active stretch, and neuronal input on the differentiation of myofibroblasts in peritoneal granulation tissue. Lengths of silastic tubing (10 mm long×3 mm diameter) were placed in the peritoneal cavity of the rat. By 2 weeks, a capsule of granulation tissue had formed around the tubing. This capsule consisted of several layers of myofibroblasts and the matrix that they had produced, overlaid by a single layer of mesothelial cells. The silastic tubing was removed and at the same time, the living tube of tissue was everted so that the mesothelium now lined its inner surface. To examine the effect of haemodynamic factors on myofibroblast differentiation, the 10 mm long tubes of mesothelial‐lined granulation tissue were transplanted into the severed abdominal aorta of the same rat in which the granulation tissue was grown. End‐to‐end anastomoses were performed to extend the existing aorta. At 1, 2, and 3 months post‐transplantation, the grafts were removed and a progressive increase in the percent volume fraction of myofilaments (% Vvmyo) was observed (from 35.7±1.6% to 58.7 3±1.4%; p<0.05). To determine whether the active stretching that occurs in vivo could account for differentiation of the constituent myofibroblasts, tubes of granulation tissue were placed into a mechanical device in which they underwent continuous stretching of 5–10% elongation from the resting position at 50 cycles per minute for 3, 24 or 72 h. This caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in %Vvmyo after 72 h. Granulation tissue was also transplanted into the rat anterior eye chamber, where it became surrounded by adrenergic nerves supplying the host iris. Two months after implantation, there was no significant change in the %Vvmyo of the myofibroblasts (35.7±1.6% to 33.3±2.7%). These studies show that myofibroblasts of the granulation tissue encapsulating free‐floating foreign bodies in the peritoneal cavity further differentiate towards a smooth muscle phenotype when transplanted into a smooth muscle environment, namely the abdominal aorta. Similar changes are seen when the granulation tissue is subjected to active, intermittent stretch in vitro, while the presence of nerves has no effect. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Indications and Outcomes of Reconstructive Surgery in Chronic Pain of Spinal Origin

Study Design. Peer-reviewed literature was reviewed and summarized. Objective. To synthesize the indications and published outcomes of reconstructive lumbar spine surgery for the treatment of chronic pain of spinal origin. Methods. A literature review was conducted. Results. The most common indication for reconstructive lumbar surgery is pain that is refractory to nonsurgical treatment. Lumbar fusion has been shown to improve symptoms in carefully selected patients with incapacitating pain. Conclusions. A successful arthrodesis is the fundamental surgical goal for patients with chronic pain of spinal origin. However, a successful fusion does not always correlate with a successful clinical result.
Functional Comparison of the Photosystem II Center-Antenna Complex of a Phycocyanin-less Mutant of Cyanidium caldarium with That of Chlorella pyrenoidosa.

The photosystem II (PSII) antenna of a phycocyanin-less mutant (III-C) of Cyanidium caldarium was studied by means of O(2) activation and fluorescence induction measurements and compared to that of the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa.In Cyanidium this antenna contains only about 40 (Chl) a molecules per center yet shows PSII energy transfer as efficient as in Chlorella with 240 Chl a + b per center. In Cyanidium, PSII energy transfer occurs among at least four centers which are located close to each other. Cyanidium and Chlorella show the same PSII action and low temperature emission spectra, in the Chl a region despite the gross differences in antenna size.It is proposed that the PSII center-antenna complex found in Cyanidium is a core unit of the center-antenna complex of green algae; the only major difference between them is the addition of light-harvesting Chl a/b in the latter. It is further proposed that this core is the site of energy transfer between PSII centers.
Effect of BANS location on the prognosis of clinical stage I melanoma: new data and meta‐analysis

Intermediate thickness (0.76–1.69 mm) clinical stage I melanomas at BANS locations (upper Back, posterior Arm, posterior Neck, posterior Scalp) were initially reported to have worse prognosis than similar thickness lesions at other subsites. Subsequent investigation did not support this observation. We re‐examined the hypothesis in 156 consecutive patients with clinical stage 1 melanomas in this thickness range, who were seen at the Massachusetts General Hospital from 1977 to 1985. Patients with BANS lesions suffered recurrences at twice the rate of those with non‐BANS lesions (28% compared with 13% at 5 years after excision of the primary melanoma), but this difference was not statistically significant.
Medical student depression, anxiety and distress outside North America: a systematic review

North American medical students are more depressed and anxious than their peers. In the UK, the regulator now has responsibility for medical students, which may potentially increase scrutiny of their health. This may either help or hinder medical students in accessing appropriate care. The prevalences of anxiety, depression and psychological distress in medical students outside North America are not clear. A better understanding of the prevalence of, risk factors for and results of psychological distress will guide the configuration of support services, increasingly available for doctors, for medical students too.
Cardiogenic shock in acute myocardial infarction

Cardiogenic shock is estimated to occur in approximately 7–10% of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) [1,2] and is the leading cause of death for hospitalized AMI patients [3–5]. Despite clinical advances in AMI treatment, cardiogenic shock continues to be associated with a poor prognosis. The underlying basis of cardiogenic shock in 50–60% of patients is extensive myonecrosis [6]. Early recognition of cardiogenic shock complicating AMI is important; prompt supportive measures and definitive treatment with revascularization using percutaneous or surgical techniques can improve long-term survival [4,7,8]. This article will review the definition, etiology, pathophysiology, predictors of survival, treatment options, and specific conditions associated with cardiogenic shock in AMI.
Degradation of crude oil by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Alcaligenes odorans.

Two types of Indian crude oil (Bombay High and Gujarat) were tested for their biodegradability by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Alcaligenes odorans. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus S30 and Alc. odorans P20 degraded Bombay High crude oil by 50% and 45%, while only 29% and 37% of Gujarat crude oil (heavy crude oil) was degraded by these isolates, respectively. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Alc. odorans in combination degraded 58% and 40% of Bombay High and Gujarat crude oils, respectively, which were significantly higher than that of by individual cultures. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus S30 degraded more of the alkanes fraction than the aromatics fraction of both crude oils. GC fingerprinting of alkane fraction showed major degradation of heptadecane (C17), octadecane (C18), nonadecane (C19), eicosane (C20), docosane (C22), tricosane (C23) and tetracosane (C24) of crude oil, while the Alc. odorans P20 degraded alkanes and aromatics equally. The asphaltenic component increased in both types of crude oil after biodegradation . The two strains grew very well on n-alkane up to C33 as well as on pristane (branched-chain alkane) but could not grow on cycloalkanes. Acinetobacter calcoaceticus S30 could not grow on pure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds except naphthalene but Alc. odorans P20 could grow on anthracene, phenanthrene, dibenzothiophene, fluorene, fluoranthene, pyrene and chrysene.
Malaria chemoprophylaxis in British casualties returning from Afghanistan.

Introduction British military personnel deploying on OP HERRICK to Afghanistan are exposed to a seasonal malaria risk from May to November (1). In accordance with current policy, all ranks are prescribed Anti-Malarial Chemoprophylaxis (AMC) and instructed to take it (2). All AMC regimes require continuation for a period after possible exposure. Therefore, personnel requiring medical evacuation from Afghanistan to the Role 4 facility at the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM) should, depending on the time of year, be prescribed AMC. This topic has been subject to two previous audits cycles, both of which have demonstrated poor compliance with this principle of care (3, 4). This audit was repeated in order to quantify current AMC prescription rates in military personnel admitted to RCDM Birmingham and to determine whether there had been improvement since the previous audit cycle.
Occupational exposure to organic solvent mixtures during pregnancy and the risk of non-syndromic oral clefts

Objectives: To examine the association between maternal occupational exposure to mixtures of organic solvents during pregnancy and the risk of non-syndromic oral clefts. Methods: A case-control study (164 cleft lip with/without cleft palate (CL/P), 76 cleft palate (CP), 236 controls) was conducted in France to investigate the role of maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents at the beginning of pregnancy in the risk of non-syndromic oral clefts. An expert chemist, guided by a detailed description of the women’s occupational tasks, assessed exposure for each. Analysis of the findings used logistic regression. Results: In the control group, 39% of the women who reported working during pregnancy were exposed to at least one type of organic solvent. The risk of oral clefts was associated with oxygenated (for CL/P: OR = 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.9; and for CP, OR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.7 to 2.7), chlorinated (OR = 9.4, 95% CI 2.5 to 35.3; OR = 3.8, 95% CI 0.7 to 20.7), and petroleum (OR = 3.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 8.8; OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.3 to 4.9) solvents. The risk of oral clefts increased linearly with level of exposure within the three subgroups of oxygenated solvents we considered (aliphatic alcohols, glycol ethers, and other oxygenated solvents, including esters, ketones, and aliphatic aldehydes). Conclusions: Results suggest that maternal occupational exposure to organic solvents during pregnancy may play a role in the aetiology of oral clefts. The limited number of subjects and the problem of multiple exposures require that these results be interpreted cautiously.
Sperm impairments in adult vesper mice (Calomys laucha) caused by in utero exposure to bisphenol A

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of in utero administration of bisphenol A (BPA) on semen parameters of vesper mice. Sixty female Calomys laucha were divided into six groups and received by gavage during gestation the following substances: Water (negative control), Olive Oil (vehicle control), Diethylstilbestrol (DES – positive control – 6.5 μg kg−1 bw) and BPA (40, 80 and 200 μg kg−1 bw). Male offspring were euthanised at 70 days of age, and sperm parameters were analysed. BPA reduced normal sperm morphology (water = 96.1 ± 0.65; BPA200 = 96.8 ± 2.3%), sperm membrane integrity (water = 88.8 ± 1,65; BPA200 = 70.6 ± 4,15%), sperm motility (water = 87.5 ± 1.71; BPA200 = 51.3 ±9.9%) and in vitro penetration rates (water = 55.0 ± 7.14; BPA200 = 7.47 ±2.96%), but it did not affect body weight, anogenital distance, sperm DNA integrity and acrosome integrity. In conclusion, in utero exposure to BPA caused a reduction in sperm parameters of adult C. laucha. Natural mating studies should be conducted to verify the effects of BPA on fertility of the animals.
The relationship between social network characteristics and exchanging sex for drugs or money among drug users in Baltimore, MD, USA

The current study examined social network and drug use factors associated with buying and selling sex among a sample of opiate and cocaine users in Baltimore, Maryland. A sample of 702 drug users who were sexually active were administered a social network and risk behaviour inventory. Compared to 25% of men, only 1.7% of women reported a history of giving money or drugs to get sex during the past 90 days. Conversely, more women (21.2%) than men (4.7%) sold sex for money or drugs. Those who sold sex were more likely to be low frequency crack smokers, were more likely to drink alcohol at least once a day, had a higher average number of crack-only smokers in their network, and had a smaller number of kin in their network. Men who exchanged money or drugs for sex tended to be low frequency crack smokers and reported having more crack-only smokers and injectors and fewer kin in their networks. The results suggest that network composition may be a risk factor for exchanging sex, particularly with respect to crack users, while kin may be a protective factor. These associations may be either a cause or consequence of exchanging sex.
Reforms for Improved Efficiency in Public Budgeting and Finance: Improvements, Disappointments, and Work-in-Progress

The past half-century has brought heightened expectations for what systems of budgeting and finance may be expected to deliver for the public. From systems to provide a first defense against theft and gross misappropriation, they have become systems to help lawmakers direct public resources where they can give the best public return, to help managers efficiently utilize resources under their control, and to communicate plans and results to the public. Government fiscal systems have developed more useful expenditure classification, established new measures for identifying public performance, brought nontraditional spending into control systems, and made finances considerably more transparent. Systems should, in combination with robust democratic institutions, make the public sector perform in the best interests of the citizenry. But in the face of great fiscal system improvements, governments struggle with staying fiscally sustainable, with meeting financial obligations to vulnerable populations, and even with avoiding default, receivership, or bankruptcy. Even as systems improve, government finances decline amid considerable private sector prosperity. Research over the past decade has done little to aid or explain the sweeping expectation and limited success of budget systems to transform essential elements of governance. It is the purpose of this paper to review progress in the development of robust fiscal systems, identify the major obstacles and failures, and link this evidence to the record of recent governmental financial distress, paying particular attention to the struggles of American governments. The broader questions needing to be addressed are the same questions at the forefront of public sector finance 100 years ago; however, the present focus has not been on these broader implications.
Sleep Research: A Primer for Media Scholars

ABSTRACT The average amount of sleep people of all ages get has declined sharply in the past 50 years. The detrimental health effects of sleep deprivation are well documented and substantial. Even though electronic media use often takes place in the hours before sleep, the extent to which media use may interact with sleep is understudied and not well understood. Communication scholars are well positioned to contribute to this area, as a systematic, theoretical understanding of the relationship between media and sleep is still lacking. This primer charts the state of knowledge on electronic media and sleep and explores possible next steps. First, we introduce the problem of sleep deprivation and describe the basic science of sleep with relevant terminology. Then, we review the research on electronic media and sleep and offer an agenda for research.
A review of long‐distance movements by marine turtles, and the possible role of ocean currents

Sea turtle movements often occur in open-sea unsheltered areas, and are therefore likely to be influenced by major oceanographic processes. Only recently has work started to examine the possible relationships of these movements with dynamic oceanic features, and consequently a clear picture of such interaction is only available in a few cases. Newborn sea turtles are thought to rely on oceanic currents to reach their pelagic nursery habitats. The actual extent and timing of these developmental migrations are known for only a few populations, but these movements probably last several years and range over thousands of km. Large juveniles that have been tracked during their pelagic stage were found to make long-distance movements, sometimes swimming against the prevailing currents. Older juveniles of most species leave the pelagic habitat to recruit to neritic developmental habitats. This is a very poorly documented phase of the sea turtle life-cycle, and the few available indications show that turtles may have to swim actively for enormous distances to counterbalance their previous drift with the current. The course and extent of adult postnesting migrations vary greatly among different turtle species, but two main patterns are evident. Some species, like green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles, shuttle between the nesting beach and a specific feeding area used for the entire inter-reproductive period. In these cases, individuals swim, rather than drift, to complete their journeys, with possible advection due to currents sometimes helping them to quickly reach their target, but sometimes providing navigational challenges. Other species such as the olive ridley and the leatherback turtle, leave the coastal nesting areas to reach the pelagic environment where they forage, and perform wandering movements. Major oceanographic processes (such as main currents and eddies) have been recently shown to have a remarkable influence on leatherback movements, making it questionable whether these journeys are to be considered migrations or, rather, prolonged stays in vast feeding areas.
MHC GENE CONTROL OF GROWTH OF AVIAN SARCOMA VIRUS‐INDUCED TUMOURS IN CHICKENS: A STUDY ON THE ROLE OF VIRUS STRAIN

A comparison was made of growth patterns (progression/regression) of tumours induced by different strains of avian sarcoma virus in two partially congenic inbred lines of chickens homozygous for different MHC haplotypes. In each instance studied, the ability to regress tumours was shown to be a dominant trait controlled by MHC‐linked genes. The results also demonstrate a difference in growth pattern between tumours induced by different strains of virus in an inbred line as well as different growth patterns of tumours induced by the same strain of virus in the two inbred lines. We conclude that the MHC‐linked resistance gene is part of a polymorphic genetic region and, in addition, that there is immunogenic heterogeneity of the viral gene product expressed on tumour cells induced by closely related viral strains which is relevant to tumour regression. We suggest that the product of the src gene, p60src, is a plausible candidate for the immunogenic target of the MHC‐linked rejection response.
Self-rated health in general practice: a plea for subjectivity.

I think many GPs with some experience recognise that a major problem in medical practice is not always the medical problem in itself. It is the subjective side of the matter, the patient’s ideas, and possibilities of handling the situation of illness, disease, and functional impairment that are the challenges. None of this was focused on in my medical training and continuous medical education. However, there is now a solid mass of research emphasising the importance of the patient’s subjective side of the matter. Paying attention to the patient’s own assessment of health is important not only as a sign of interest and empathy; it can also be crucial in assessing prognosis, guide consultations to important questions, and guide efforts in handling diseases. All these are lessons learned from research on self-rated health. GPs can confidently use and adopt this research in clinical encounters and clinical research. ### Outcomes Outcomes such as mortality, cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung disease, arthritis, functional impairment, depression, and developing diabetes type 2 and its prognosis are associated to self-rated health.1–3 ### Better than doctors’ ratings Self-rated health is a better predictor of future health (good health assessed as no symptoms of disease or minimal impairment if symptoms present) than doctors’ ratings.4 It also adds information beyond a doctor’s ordinary clinical evaluation.1,5 ### Comprehensive There are innumerable factors affecting patients’ health. Self-rated health is a comprehensive way to assess the patient’s situation.1 Self-rated health can guide doctors and their patients in …
BENZYL CARBAMYL ANALOGUE OF LIGNOCAINE: VASODEPRESSOR MECHANISM OF ACTION

1. The benzyl carbamyl analogue of lignocaine [2‐(diethylaminoacet‐amido)‐3‐carbamyl‐4‐methyl‐5‐benzylpyrrole] at an intravenous dose of 4 mg/kg caused a blood pressure decrease of 54 mmHg.
Randomized Clinical Trial of Balloon-Expandable Intracranial Stenting Versus Aggressive Medical Therapy for Symptomatic Intracranial Arterial Stenosis.

tant resource for neurosurgeons and all stroke care team members. Although much ambiguity remains regarding the management of this challenging disease, there is now growing evidence that a thoughtful and proactive approach can make a difference in outcomes. Much innovation is yet to come, and neurosurgeons can be a great force for progress in this important area of health care. Future advances will likely focus on earlier diagnosis and intervention (likely in an ambulance or at the site of ictus), prevention of clot expansion, reduction in the negative sequelae to surrounding brain tissue, and minimally invasive clot evacuation.
The irreversible binding of amyloid peptide substrates to insulin-degrading enzyme

Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a conserved Zn2+metalloendopeptidase involved in insulin degradation and in the maintenance of brain steady-state levels of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our recent demonstration that IDE and Aβ are capable of forming a stoichiometric and extremely stable complex raises several intriguing possibilities regarding the role of this unique protein-peptide interaction in physiological and pathological conditions. These include a protective cellular function of IDE as a “dead-end chaperone” alternative to its proteolytic activity and the potential impact of the irreversible binding of Aβ to IDE upon its role as a varicella zoster virus receptor. In a pathological context, the implications for insulin signaling and its relationship to AD pathogenesis are discussed. Moreover, our findings warrant further research regarding a possible general and novel interaction between amyloidogenic peptides and other Zn2+metallopeptidases with an IDE-like fold and a substrate conformation-dependent recognition mechanism.