Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Renal resistance to atrial natriuretic factor as a cause of the escape failure phenomenon in patients with non-ascitic liver cirrhosis].

BACKGROUND Chronic administration of synthetic mineralocorticoids leads in healthy subjects only to temporary fluid retention with subsequent restoration of sodium balance, i.e. the so-called mineralocorticoid escape phenomenon. There is a failure of mineralocorticoid escape in patients with ascitic liver cirrhosis with progressive fluid retention. The aim of this study was to contribute to the elucidation of the mechanisms of the escape phenomenon in patients with preascitic liver cirrhosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Synthetic mineralocorticoid, fludrocortisone, was administered for 7 days to 8 patients with non-ascitic liver cirrhosis (LC) and 6 controls (CO) on a high sodium diet. CI seemed to have some central volume expansion before fludrocortisone administration, as assessed from a higher left atrial diameter and lower plasma aldosterone. Fludrocortisone administration in CI led to a comparable increase of ANF and suppression of plasma aldosterone as in CO with a higher diameter of the left atrium and lower PRA than in controls. Despite a comparable increase of ANF after fludrocortisone administration cGMP excretion was significantly higher in CO than in CI (434.5 + 247.1 vs. 824.6 + 317.3 pmol/min, p < 0.05). Natriuresis of CI seemed to depend on urinary cGMP excretion before fludrocortisone administration. The natriuretic response of these CI to a high sodium diet was exaggerated (290.0 + 53.9 vs. 160.0 + 18.3, p < 0.05), but they were unable to escape completely from the retaining effect of fludrocortisone. CONCLUSIONS Failure of mineralocorticoid escape in patients with preascitic liver cirrhosis may be due to the renal resistance to ANF with insufficient increase of urinary cGMP excretion.
Suitability evaluation of habitat for ardeidae waterfowls based on logistic regression model

Wetland ecological systems have recently suffered varying degrees of damage, significantly threatening wetland waterfowls and their living spaces. Considering Mai Po-Deep Bay Wetland as an example, the current study analyzed 14 independent variables that are closely related to ardeidae waterfowls. The actual data on ardeidae waterfowls in January 2003 were used as induced variables in a logistic regression model. Nine variable factors, including land use, normalized difference vegetation index, gradient, rainfall, TM4 vein, TM3 vein, road density, road distance, and habitat density, were obtained via screening. The precision of the model reached 0.743 via Nagelkerke R2 inspection with better fitting. The model result was used for the fast clustering for suitability classification of habitat. Classification result shows a good agreement with the actual data on ardeidae waterfowls within the same period, and the precision reached 77.4%. Finally, all variable factor data in January 2009 were collected to perform time-scale inspection on the regression equation. Moreover, the fitting precision with actual data on ardeidae waterfowls within the same period reached 75.8%. Therefore, the proposed model has better universality.
[Knowledge and practices on toxoplasmosis in physicians attending pregnant women in Durango, Mexico].

OBJECTIVES To determine the level of knowledge and practices about toxoplasmosis in physicians attending pregnant women in Durango, Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred physicians attending pregnant women in Durango,Mexico were surveyed. Of them, 67 were general practitioners, 17 family physicians, and 16 obstetricians. They were asked about (i) the parasite Toxoplasma gondii; (ii) general aspects about toxoplasmosis including clinical manifestations,diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology; and (iii) their practices and experiences on toxoplasmosis. RESULTS From 66 to 89% (mean 78.5%) of physicians answered correctly about the parasite; 25 to 63% (mean 46.9%) answered correctly about clinical manifestations; and 36 to 45% (mean 40.5%) answered correctly about the serological diagnosis. Only 7% knew about the use of avidity test. Few physicians (23%) knew what medicaments are used against toxoplasmosis.From 12 to 86% (mean 40.3%) of participants answered correctly about transmission routes and only 7% got the right answer about susceptibility of infection. Fifty-nine percent of physicians never requested laboratory tests for detecting toxoplasmosis, and only 31% provide information for preventing infection to all their patients. Sixteen (16%) physicians had detected at least one case of Toxoplasma infection acquired during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS The physicians surveyed showed an incomplete knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasmosis. Results are useful for optimal design of strategies in the medical education about toxoplasmosis.
An RNA Binding Protein Negatively Controlling Differentiation in Fission Yeast

ABSTRACT The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe starts sexual development when starved for nutrients and simultaneously activated by mating pheromones. We have identified a new gene regulating the onset of this process. This gene, callednrd1+, encodes a typical RNA binding protein that preferentially binds poly(U). Deletion ofnrd1 + causes cells to initiate sexual development without nutrient starvation. We have found that the biological role of nrd1 + is to block the onset of sexual development by repressing the Ste11-regulated genes essential for conjugation and meiosis until cells reach a critical level of starvation.
Evaluation of human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C telemedicine clinics.

BACKGROUND Geographical barriers to subspecialty care may prevent optimal care of patients living in rural areas. We assess the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C telemedicine consultation on patient-oriented outcomes in a rural Veterans Affairs population. METHODS This was a pre- and post-intervention study comparing telemedicine with in-person subspecialty clinic visits for HIV and hepatitis C. Eligible patients resided in 2 rural catchment areas. The primary binary outcome was clinic completion. We estimated a logistic regression model with patient-level fixed effects. This approach controls for the clustering of visits by patient, uses each patient's in-person clinic experience as an internal control group, and eliminates confounding by person-level factors. We also surveyed patients to assess satisfaction and patient-perceived reductions in health visit-related time. RESULTS There were 43 patients who accounted for 94 telemedicine visits and 128 in-person visits. Clinic completion rates were higher for telemedicine (76%) than for in-person visits (61%). In regression analyses, telemedicine was strongly predictive of clinic completion (OR 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-4.7). The adjusted effect of telemedicine on clinic completion rate was 13% (95% CI: 12-13). Of the 30 patients (70%) who completed the survey, more than 95% rated telemedicine at the highest level of satisfaction and preferred telemedicine to in-person clinic visits. Patients reported a significant reduction in health visit-related time (median 340 minutes, interquartile range 250-440), mostly due to decreased travel time. CONCLUSIONS HIV and hepatitis C telemedicine clinics are associated with improved access, high patient satisfaction, and reduction in health visit-related time.
Optimization Analysis on Investment in Enterprise Human Resources Training

Human resources training is an important way to improve production efficiency of enterprise. This article based on reviewing the relevant literature of human resources training and efficiency, optimization analysis on investment of enterprise human resources training by Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. It concluded that the investment of enterprise human resources training should distinguish between core and non-core value creation department. There is an optimal allocation proportion of the stock and investment in human resources training between the two departments. The investment in human resources training could not create optimum efficiency if it is fails to reach the optimal allocation proportion. Finally, the paper pointed out that the proportion of investment in enterprise human resources training between the different departments of value creation.
Studies demonstrating improved outcomes in patients with asthma: a 10-year review.

Asthma is an inflammatory airway disease that affects 14 to 15 million Americans and over 100 million people worldwide.1,2 It is a costly disease in terms of human suffering and in economic terms, with estimated annual costs of $6.2 billion in the United States.3 High costs are associated with unnecessary emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Roughly 10 million missed school days by children are associated with lost work productivity in parents of nearly $1 billion.2 Morbidity and mortality are greatest among inner city minority populations, with about 5000 deaths in the United States each year.1 Recent evidence indicates that among the diverse US Hispanic population, Puerto Ricans (especially in the northeast) have the greatest annual asthma mortality (40.9 per million), followed by Cuban Americans (15.8 per million) and Mexican Americans (9.2 per million). 4 In comparison, non-Hispanic whites had an annual asthma mortality of 14.7 per million, and non-Hispanic blacks had a mortality rate of 38.1 per million.4 Diminished quality of life is a major consequence of poorly managed asthma, including nocturnal awakenings or awakening in the early morning with symptoms. Poor sleep quality from asthma or concomitant allergic rhinitis can affect functional status, such as reduced performance at school.5,6 Improving asthma control is helpful not only to the patient, but CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT This course has been approved for a total of two (2) contact hours of continuing education credit (0.2 CEUs) by the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. The University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy is approved by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education as a provider of continuing pharmaceutical education. ACPE Program Number: 064-999-01-202-H-01. This course expires on February 28, 2003.
[Contemporary applications of infrared imaging in medical diagnostics].

INTRODUCTION Thermal imaging is a non-contact, non-invasive diagnostic method for study human body temperature. Therefore infra red thermal imaging finds increasing application in clinical medicine. PURPOSE The aim of this paper was to present and discuss the history and applications of thermal imaging in medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS The literature dealing with the history and applications of thermal imaging in medicine has been reviewed. RESULTS Medical thermography was born in 1957 when a surgeon, Dr. R. Lawson discovered that his breast cancer patients had higher skin temperature over the cancer area. Since the 1970's thermography has been used in many areas of medicine. Early problems such as low detector sensitivity, but most significantly, poor training ofthermography technicians was the source of error in thermography and retarded the acceptance of this technique until 1990. Since that time, thermographic equipment has evolved significantly. Modern thermal imaging systems comprise technically advanced thermal cameras coupled to computers with sophisticated software solutions. The recorded images are now of good quality and may be further processed to obtain reliable information. Thermography can be applied as a diagnostic tool in oncology, allergic diseases, angiology, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and elsewhere. Contemporary thermal imaging must be per formed according to certain principles aimed at reliability and reproducibility of results. CONCLUSIONS 1. Thermography is a safe, accurate and, most importantly, a non-invasive diagnostic method in clinical medicine. 2. Ignoring any of the principles worked out by the European Association of Thermology leaves thermography open to error and thus reduces acceptance of this technique in medical diagnostics.
Performances Evaluation and Optimization of Brain Computer Interface Systems in a Copy Spelling Task

The evaluation of the performances of brain-computer interface (BCI) systems could be difficult as a standard procedure does not exist. In fact, every research team creates its own experimental protocol (different input signals, different trial structure, different output devices, etc.) and this makes systems comparison difficult. Moreover, the great question is whether these experiments can be extrapolated to real world applications or not. To overcome some intrinsic limitations of the most used criteria a new efficiency indicator will be described and used. Its main advantages are that it can predict with a high accuracy the performances of a whole system, a fact that can be used to successfully improve its behavior. Finally, simulations were performed to illustrate that the best system is built by tuning the transducer (TR) and the control interface (CI), which are the two main components of a BCI system, so that the best TR and the best CI do not exist but just the best combination of them.
Age at Menarche and Late Adolescent Adiposity Associated with Mammographic Density on Processed Digital Mammograms in 24,840 Women

Background: High mammographic density is strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk. Some, but not all, risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with higher mammographic density. Methods: The study cohort (N = 24,840) was drawn from the Research Program in Genes, Environment and Health of Kaiser Permanente Northern California and included non-Hispanic white females ages 40 to 74 years with a full-field digital mammogram (FFDM). Percent density (PD) and dense area (DA) were measured by a radiological technologist using Cumulus. The association of age at menarche and late adolescent body mass index (BMI) with PD and DA were modeled using linear regression adjusted for confounders. Results: Age at menarche and late adolescent BMI were negatively correlated. Age at menarche was positively associated with PD (P value for trend <0.0001) and DA (P value for trend <0.0001) in fully adjusted models. Compared with the reference category of ages 12 to 13 years at menarche, menarche at age >16 years was associated with an increase in PD of 1.47% (95% CI, 0.69–2.25) and an increase in DA of 1.59 cm2 (95% CI, 0.48–2.70). Late adolescent BMI was inversely associated with PD (P < 0.0001) and DA (P < 0.0001) in fully adjusted models. Conclusions: Age at menarche and late adolescent BMI are both associated with Cumulus measures of mammographic density on processed FFDM images. Impact: Age at menarche and late adolescent BMI may act through different pathways. The long-term effects of age at menarche on cancer risk may be mediated through factors besides mammographic density. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(9); 1450–8. ©2017 AACR.
[Contragestational effects of dihydroartemisinin and artesunate].

In experiments carried out in mice, hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits both dihydroartemisinin and artesunate showed contragestational effect. In mice and rabbits they caused embryo absorption whereas in hamsters and guinea pigs they induced abortion. The contragestational ED50 of dihydroartemisinin given sc on d 7 of pregnancy in mice and d 5 of pregnancy in hamsters were 32.8(27.7-38.9) mg.kg-1 and 6.1(5.6-6.7) mg.kg-1 respectively. The ED50 of this drug given im on d 18 of pregnancy in guinea pigs was 18.3(13.9-24.2) mg.kg-1. Dihydroartemisinin also showed mid-pregnancy terminating effect in hamsters. The contragestational ED50 of artesunate given sc on d 5 of pregnancy in hamsters and the ED50 of sodium artesunate given sc on d 5-8 of pregnancy in hamsters were 12.2(10.3-14.4) mg.kg-1 and 1.0(0.9-1.2) mg.kg-1 daily respectively. Results of light microscopic examination revealed that dihydroartemisinin was selectively toxic to embryo sac. At dose levels sufficient to induce embryo sac necrosis, dihydroartemisinin did not injure the uterus and ovary of the maternal animals. On the ground of the foregoing observations we consider that dihydroartemisinin, artesunate and their analogous drugs should not be used to treat malaria in pregnant women and there is the possibility to exploit intentional abortion agents from artemisinin derivatives.
On the patterns of cardiac rhythm in healthy men, with especial reference to the slow rhythm simulating Traube-Hering waves of blood pressure.

1. The pattern of cardiac rhythm of man as observed by means of cardiotachograph, is to some extent, a characteristic to each individual. 2. By repeated and careful observations on twenty normal individuals there were recognized three main components of cardiac rhythm which characterized its pattern. That is 1) the respiratory arrhythmias, 2) the slow waves and 3) the irregular waves. 3. The features of these three components except the respiratory arrhythmias were described and discussed.
The labor market effects of U.S. reemployment programs during the great recession

This paper examines four experimental evaluations of U.S. reemployment programs targeting Unemployment Insurance (UI) recipients during the Great Recession. Results show that, regardless of their specific requirements, the four programs led to shorter UI spells, UI savings that exceeded program costs, and improved employment rates and earnings. Program success was partly attributable to threat effects, occurring because some participants exited UI early to avoid program participation. Also, programs that conducted eligibility reviews reduced UI fraud, pushing job-ready or ineligible participants to exit UI and return to employment sooner. In addition to these effects, results suggest that job search services may have substantial direct value. The program that combined the eligibility review with mandatory job-counselling services produced greater effects than the other programs, and our analyses suggest that this is because services helped participants improve their job search. These findings show that the labor market effects of reemployment programs occur even during an economic downturn, and they provide important policy guidance on the types of programs that are likely to be most effective.
Planar graphs without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles are list vertex 2‐arborable

It is known that not all planar graphs are 4‐choosable; neither all of them are vertex 2‐arborable. However, planar graphs without 4‐cycles and even those without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles are known to be 4‐choosable. We extend this last result in terms of covering the vertices of a graph by induced subgraphs of variable degeneracy. In particular, we prove that every planar graph without 4‐cycles adjacent to 3‐cycles can be covered by two induced forests. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 62, 234–240, 2009
Innovation and R&D Investment of Tunisian Firms: A Two-Regime Model with Selectivity Correction

The purpose of the paper is to produce new empirical evidence regarding the determinants of RD Lee, 1976-1978) and considers a sample of 320 firms during the period 2002-2005. On the one hand, econometrics results show a positive impact of RD there are spillover effects only for innovating firms and which have an absorptive capacity. Also channels for acquisition of external technologies play an important role in explaining R&D expenditures. Finally, ownership structure has a significant impact on R&D investment especially for foreign controlled firms. The effect is positive for innovating firms and negative for noninnovating firms.
A surgical technique for posterior lamellar keratoplasty.

PURPOSE To design a surgical technique for transplantation of posterior corneal tissue, while leaving the recipient anterior cornea intact. METHODS In human cadaver eyes, and in a cat and monkey model, recipient eyes had an 8.0-mm limbal incision made with a diamond blade set to 50% of central pachymetry. A stromal pocket was created across the cornea, and a 6.0-mm diameter posterior lamellar disc was excised. A donor posterior disc was implanted into the recipient opening, and the limbal incision was sutured. The procedure was evaluated with keratometry, biomicroscopy, endothelial (supra)vital staining, and light microscopy. RESULTS In human cadaver eyes, post-operative astigmatism averaged 1.2 D (SD, +/- 0.6 D). Posterior transplants showed an intact endothelial cell layer with 1.0% (SD, +/- 1.2%) of cell death. In the animals, six (75%) eyes had clear transplants 2 weeks after surgery; one of these eyes later developed an allograft rejection. Two (25%) eyes showed corneal decompensation, because of inverted implantation of the donor disc. Microscopy showed minimal scarring at the donor-to-host interface and a normal wound-healing response at the posterior stromal wound edges. CONCLUSION In experimental models, posterior lamellar keratoplasty can be performed through a limbal incision and a mid-stromal pocket. The procedure may be a potential alternative in the surgical management of corneal endothelial disorders.
Myeloperoxidase Impairs ABCA1-dependent Cholesterol Efflux through Methionine Oxidation and Site-specific Tyrosine Chlorination of Apolipoprotein A-I*

High density lipoprotein (HDL) isolated from human atherosclerotic lesions and the blood of patients with established coronary artery disease contains elevated levels of 3-chlorotyrosine. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is the only known source of 3-chlorotyrosine in vivo, indicating that MPO oxidizes HDL in humans. We previously reported that Tyr-192 is the major site that is chlorinated in apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), the chief protein in HDL, and that chlorinated apoA-I loses its ability to promote cholesterol efflux from cells by the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) pathway. However, the pathways that promote the chlorination of specific Tyr residues in apoA-I are controversial, and the mechanism for MPO-mediated loss of ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux of apoA-I is unclear. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we now demonstrate that lysine residues direct tyrosine chlorination in apoA-I. Importantly, methionine residues inhibit chlorination, indicating that they can act as local, protein-bound antioxidants. Moreover, we observed near normal cholesterol efflux activity when Tyr-192 of apoA-I was mutated to Phe and the oxidized protein was incubated with methionine sulfoxide reductase. Thus, a combination of Tyr-192 chlorination and methionine oxidation is necessary for depriving apoA-I of its ABCA1-dependent cholesterol transport activity. Our observations suggest that biologically significant oxidative damage of apoA-I involves modification of a limited number of specific amino acids, raising the feasibility of producing oxidation-resistant forms of apoA-I that have enhanced anti-atherogenic activity in vivo.
Nitrogen Uptake, Dissolved Organic Nitrogen Release, and New Production

In oceanic, coastal, and estuarine environments, an average of 25 to 41 percent of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen (NH4 + and NO3 –) taken up by phytoplankton is released as dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). Release rates for DON in oceanic systems range from 4 to 26 nanogram-atoms of nitrogen per liter per hour. Failure to account for the production of DON during nitrogen-15 uptake experiments results in an underestimate of gross nitrogen uptake rates and thus an underestimate of new and regenerated production. In these studies, traditional nitrogen-15 techniques were found to underestimate new and regenerated production by up to 74 and 50 percent, respectively. Total DON turnover times, estimated from DON release resulting from both NH4 + and NO3 – uptake, were 10 � 1, 18 � 14, and 4 days for oceanic, coastal, and estuarine sites, respectively.