Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved screening for silent atrial fibrillation after ischaemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES To what extent silent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is present in ischaemic stroke patients has not been established. We hypothesized that brief intermittent long-term electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings at regular time intervals are more effective than short-term continuous ECG monitoring in detecting silent AF episodes. METHODS AND RESULTS Consecutive patients who had suffered an ischaemic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and were without known AF underwent a 24 h continuous ECG recording and performed 10 s rhythm registrations using a hand-held ECG recorder twice daily for 30 days and when arrhythmia symptoms occured. Two hundred and forty-nine stroke patients were included. Mean National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was 0.9 (0-10). In total, 17 patients were diagnosed with AF. One hundred and eight AF episodes were diagnosed in 15 patients using intermittent recording, out of which 22% where unscheduled symptom triggered episodes. In three patients AF was diagnosed with both methods and in two patients AF was detected exclusively with 24 h Holter monitoring. A significant difference in favour of the hand-held ECG was shown between the two methods (P = 0.013). The total prevalence of AF was 6.8% and increased to 11.8% in patients ≥75 years. No AF was found in patients <65 years. CONCLUSIONS Prolonged brief intermittent arrhythmia screening substantially improves the detection of silent paroxysmal AF in patients with a recent ischaemic stroke/TIA, and thus facilitates the detection of patients who should receive oral anticoagulant treatment.
Alcohol misuse and anxiety : prevalence and incidence

The relationship between anxiety disorders and substance misuse is intimate. Here we concentrate on alcohol, although for completeness we also briefly mention other substances taken for anxiety relief or that cause anxiety. The term ‘misuse’ is important and should be qualified. Many people drink alcohol or take illicit drugs without any apparent consequences. Once this use becomes problematic, at any level of consumption, misuse is a more appropriate term. Recent research exploring the molecular underpinning of anxiety disorders, together with advances in our understanding of how alcohol affects brain neurochemistry, can help to explain this intimate relationship. We review the evidence and how this can provide a framework for both diagnosis and management in a patient with comorbidity. Few studies address the best way of managing patients with dual diagnosis but several drugs are licensed for the treatment of individual anxiety disorders and are likely to be helpful in combination with alcohol treatment strategies. Until recently, anxiety was used as an umbrella term that spanned the spectrum from normal human emotion to severe pathological states. The 1970s and 1980s heralded the beginning of a more rigorous approach to the discrete constellation of symptoms that make up the individual anxiety disorders. This has not only helped in tailoring therapeutic approaches but has also enabled researchers to explore the pathophysiological foundations of the various disorders. The ICD–10 (World Health Organization, 1992) categorises anxiety disorders as phobic (social, simple, agoraphobic), generalised, panic disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Of these, the last is less robustly associated with substance misuse. Although pharmacological and psychological treatments for anxiety disorders are effective, the most common response for an individual with anxiety is to use recreational drugs, principally alcohol, to alleviate the symptoms. The widespread availability and relative low cost of alcohol means that although it is widely used as a social lubricant and for its short-term euphoriant effects, it is also frequently used as self-medication for anxiety disorders, low mood and sleep problems. Prospective studies show that alcohol dependence and anxiety disorders demonstrate a reciprocal causal relationship over time, with anxiety disorders leading to alcohol dependence and vice versa (Kushner et al, 1990).
CUSTOS LOGÍSTICOS: DISCUSSÃO SOB UMA ÓTICA DIFERENCIADA

A Logistica, atualmente, e considerada relevante, em muitos segmentos de negocio, por seus custos, pelas oportunidades de otimizacao dos mesmos e pelos impactos na apuracao de valor economico, que podem resultar em aperfeicoamento do processo logistico. Este artigo tratou a respeito dos custos logisticos, seus elementos na gestao da Logistica Empresarial, associados aos fatores fisicos determinantes de custos, aos macroprocessos existentes (abastecimento, planta e distribuicao) e das cadeias logisticas que os compoem. O principio objetivo foi o de ordenar, de forma diferenciada, a discussao sobre o tema central que vem sendo comentado na literatura de Logistica e evidenciar as informacoes de custos que deveriam ser geradas pela Controladoria no suporte a gestao da Logistica Empresarial. O proposito da estruturacao realizada, para ordenar a discussao sobre os elementos de custos logisticos, foi buscar a abrangencia na visao desses custos, e nao aprofundar / detalhar a discussao sobre cada um deles.
Psychosocial stress and asthma morbidity

Purpose of reviewThe objective of this review is to provide an overview and discussion of recent epidemiologic and mechanistic studies of stress in relation to asthma incidence and morbidity. Recent findingsRecent findings suggest that stress, whether at the individual (i.e. epigenetics, perceived stress), family (i.e. prenatal maternal stress, early-life exposure, or intimate partner violence) or community (i.e. neighborhood violence; neighborhood disadvantage) level, influences asthma and asthma morbidity. Key recent findings regarding how psychosocial stress may influence asthma through Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, prenatal and postnatal maternal/caregiver stress, and community violence and deprivation are highlighted. SummaryNew research illustrates the need to further examine, characterize, and address the influence of social and environmental factors (i.e. psychological stress) on asthma. Further, research and innovative methodologies are needed to characterize the relationship and pathways associated with stress at multiple levels to more fully understand and address asthma morbidity, and to design potential interventions, especially to address persistent disparities in asthma in ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged communities.
DNA Polymerase I Is Not Required for Replication of Linear Chromosomes in Streptomyces

ABSTRACT Both polA (encoding DNA polymerase I; Pol I) and a paralog were deleted from Streptomyces strains. Despite the UV sensitivity and slow growth caused by the ΔpolA mutation, the double mutant was viable. Thus, in contrast to a previous postulate, Pol I and its paralog are not essential for replication of Streptomyces chromosomes.
Nonlinear characteristics of heart rate variability during unsupervised and steady physical activities

The heart rate (HR) exhibits various behavior patterns in different postures and during physical activities, whereas a conventional long-term analysis of HR variability has the confounding effect whether the subject was physically active or immobilized. A specially designed ambulatory recorder that simultaneously measures the electrocardiogram and body accelerations was used to study the short-term (⩽11 beats, α1) fractal correlation property and the approximate entropy (ApEn) of RR interval data during sleep, sitting and standing (passive standing or mild walking) levels and immediately after rising in the morning in 15 healthy subjects. The α1 exponent that increased from sleep to sitting to standing implies an increased correlation of HR dynamics, which is concomitant with an increased ratio of low-frequency power to high-frequency power (LF/HF) that is usually linked with an increased sympathetic activity. A lower ApEn value during standing and after rising implies a reduced complexity of HR dynamics. Compared to the HR measures during the standing level, the LF/HF ratio showed a quick autonomic shift and α1 showed a rapid recruitment of fractal HR behavior after rising, whereas the ApEn value had a slower recovery of HR complexity. In conclusion, both linear and nonlinear HR behaviors during different unsupervised physical activities can be better interpreted with the aid of the recorded movement data.
Arteriovenous Shunts in Primary Varicosis? A Critical Essay

Arteriovenous fistulas result in a rise of pressure in the venous circulatory system, which many authors consider to be the cause of concomitant varicose veins. 22, 28 Analogously, arteriovenous anastomoses, occurring physiologically7 or as congenital malformationsls are discussed to play a role in the development of varicosis. In 1948 Pratt described the &dquo;syndrome of arterial varices&dquo; as a sequel to open arteriovenous anastomoses and this observation has been re-
Phenolic Compounds in Five Epilobium Species Collected from Estonia

Epilobium species have been traditionally used as medicinal plants to treat benign prostate hyperplasia. The present study investigated the content of polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids in Epilobium parviflorum Schreb. , E. hirsutum L. , E. adenocaulon Hausskn. , E. montanum L. , and E. palustre L. growing in Estonia. The total contents of polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids were studied using UV spectroscopy with subsequent HPLC quantification of gallic acid, ellagic acid, and quercetin as marker compounds. All roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of the plants investigated contained comparable amounts of polyphenols, tannins, and flavonoids. There was a clear positive correlation between the contents of tannins and flavonoids in various plant parts. The content of these biologically active compounds suggests the use of E. parviflorum, E. hirsutum, E. adenocaulon, E. montanum, and E. palustre collected from Estonia as herbs both individually or as a blend.
Stochastic Landau equation with time-dependent drift.

The stochastic differential equation ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{0}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\partial}}}_{\mathit{t}}$A=\ensuremath{\epsilon}(t)A-${\mathit{g}}_{3}$${\mathit{A}}^{3}$+f\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}(t), where f\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}(t) is Gaussian white noise, is studied for arbitrary time dependence of \ensuremath{\epsilon}(t). In particular, cases are considered where \ensuremath{\epsilon}(t) goes through the bifurcation of the deterministic system, which occurs at \ensuremath{\epsilon}=0. In the limit of weak noise an approximate analytic expression generalizing earlier work of Suzuki [Phys. Lett. A 67, 339 (1978); Prog. Theor. Phys. (Kyoto) Suppl. 64, 402 (1978)] is obtained for the time-dependent distribution function P(A,t). The results compare favorably with a numerical simulation of the stochastic equation for the case of a linear ramp (both increasing and decreasing) and for a periodic time dependence of \ensuremath{\epsilon}(t). The procedure can be generalized to an arbitrary deterministic part ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\partial}}}_{\mathit{t}}$A=D(A,t)+f\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}(t), but the deterministic equation may then have to be solved numerically.
Developmental stages of fetal-type Leydig cells in prepubertal rats.

Fetal Leydig cells were studied in rats during and after the perinatal-neonatal period by comparing changes in morphology, number and volume with changes in testicular steroids and serum luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration. Stereologic examination indicated regression of fetal Leydig cells in testis by showing that their total volume as well as the average cell volume decreased between prenatal day 20 and postnatal day 3. The total number and total volume of cells both increased between postnatal days 3 and 11 but the average cell volume did not change during the same time period. Determination of serum LH showed a close correlation between an increase in LH concentration and increases in total number and volume of cells. The combined number of fetal- and adult-type Leydig cells on day 20 was more than 20 times the number of fetal cells at 3 days of age. Electron microscopic analysis showed that fetal Leydig cells after birth formed conspicuous clusters, which were surrounded by a layer of envelope cells and extracellular material. Occasional dividing fetal Leydig cells and possible precursors of fetal or adult Leydig cells were observed. Mitoses of spindle-shaped pericordal cells were frequent during the neonatal period. During and after the second postnatal week fetal Leydig cells again showed signs of regression, indicated by disintegration of the cell clusters, a decrease in cell size, accumulation of collagen between the cells and a decrease in steroid content per cell. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs in cancer pain.

The role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in cancer pain has been well established in the treatment of mild pain and also alone or in association with opioids for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Acutely, NSAIDs may be more than mild analgesics, and may provide additional analgesia when combined with opioids. However, NSAIDs have ceiling effects and there is no therapeutic gain from increasing dosages beyond those recommended. As there is no clearly superior NSAID, the choice should be based on experience and the toxicity profile that probably relates to the COX-1:COX-2 ratio. Among the older drugs, ibuprofen seems to have these properties.Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have been shown to have an opioid-sparing effect. Although the value of a simple narcotic-sparing effect may be questioned in cancer pain treatment, the use of NSAIDs may be useful when the increase in opioid dosage determine the occurrence of opioid toxicity. Like opioids, NSAIDs should not be considered analgesics for a specific type or cause of pain. There is a lack of evidence for any difference between different routes of NSAIDs administration. The long-term toxicity of NSAIDs in cancer pain is poorly defined due to a lack of studies. A variety of strategies have been used in an attempt to reduce the risks associated with NSAID therapy. Those NSAIDs that are weak COX-1 inhibitors may be preferred. In addition, concomitant administration of misoprostol is recommended in patients at increased risk for upper gastrointestinal complications.
The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale in normals and depressives

The Hamilton Rating Scale for depression (HDRS) has become the standard observer rating scale for depression, yet there are no adequate data from normal samples. The present study was carried out in northern Italy. The purposes were 1) to examine the ratings in normals and 2) to examine the scale's validity in a different language and culture. The scale was used in 40 normals and 40 depressives who were matched. Two self‐rating scales of depression were administered: the Symptom Rating Test and the Symptom Questionnaire. The results show that the HDRS is a valid mea‐ sure in that it sensitively discriminates between depressed patients and normals. The findings support Hamilton's view that only the first 17 items of the scale are appropriate for computing the score. The use of self‐rating scales yielded additional information. The misclassification rate of the Symptom Rating Test was similar to that of the HDRS. The combined use of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC) and HDRS appears to be more reliable for the selection of depressed patients for research than the RDC only.
Evidence for inducible, L-malate binding proteins in the membrane of Bacillus subtilis. Identification of presumptive components of the C4-dicarboxylate transport systems.

Abstract l-Malate was found to protect inducible C4-dicarboxylate transport in Bacillus subtilis against the inhibitory effects of the irreversible sulfhydryl reagent N-ethylmaleimide. This effect served as the basis for "specifically labeling" B. subtilis with N-ethylmaleimide according to a procedure originally employed by Fox and Kennedy (Fox, C.F. and Kennedy, E. P. (1965) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 54, 891) for N-ethylmaleimide labeling the M-protein component of the lactose transport system of Escherichia coli. By means of this method, three proteins were detected in the membranes of l-malate-induced cells, but not of uninduced cells. These proteins were protected against reaction with N-ethylmaleimide by the presence of saturating amounts of l-malate. The electrophoretic mobilities of these proteins on polyacrylamide gels in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate suggested they had subunit weights of 62,000, 44,000, and 33,000. That they were quantitatively minor components of the membrane was evidenced by the finding that direct labeling with amino acids did not consistently detect the presence of these proteins in the membrane of induced cells. Studies with substrate analogues established a direct correlation between the ability of a compound to competitively inhibit l-malate uptake and the ability of that same compound to protect against N-ethylmaleimide inactivation of C4-dicarboxylate transport activity. Moreover, meso-tartrate, a powerful competitive inhibitor of l-malate uptake, was capable not only of protecting transport activity against N-ethylmaleimide inactivation but also of protecting the 62,000- and 44,000-dalton proteins against reaction with N-ethylmaleimide. The 33,000-dalton protein was not protected against reaction with N-ethylmaleimide by meso-tartrate. l(+)-Tartrate, a poor competitive inhibitor of l-malate uptake, protected neither transport activity nor the 62,000-, 44,000-, or 33,000-dalton proteins from N-ethylmaleimide. A possible role for these proteins in the transport of dicarboxylic acids into B. subtilis is discussed.
Invasive Aspergillosis in Children With Acute Leukemia at a Resource-limited Oncology Center

Background: Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is one of the most feared complications in patients with hematologic malignancies because it is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and significantly compromises antileukemia therapy. Objectives: Analyze all patients with acute leukemia and IA of less than 18 years of age, diagnosed between January 1996 and December 2011. Materials and Methods: Cases were identified from the pediatric database for demographic details, disease characteristics, and IA-related data. Results: Among 356 patients with acute leukemia, 34 were identified to have proven/probable IA (5/29) with a relative incidence of 9% (28/310) and 13% (6/46) among acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia, respectively. Incidence of IA was significantly higher after 2004 especially among ALL patients; older patients with hyperglycemia and high-risk disease were more predisposed. None of the risk factors or type of antifungal treatment predicted mortality. The 120-day aspergillus-attributable mortality rate was 14.7%. IA led to a median of 17 days (2 to 44 d) of additional hospital stay and contributed to delay or reduction in planned chemotherapy in 30/34 patients. Conclusions: An increasing trend in incidence of IA was observed during the latter half of study period. Early empiric therapy led to modest aspergillus-free survival. Clinical and financial implications of IA mandate review of institutional antifungal prophylaxis policy especially in selected ALL patients during induction.
Identification of Ectodomain Regions Contributing to Gating, Deactivation, and Resensitization of Purinergic P2X Receptors

The P2X receptors (P2XRs) are a family of ligand-gated channels activated by extracellular ATP through a sequence of conformational transitions between closed, open, and desensitized states. In this study, we examined the dependence of the activity of P2XRs on ectodomain structure and agonist potency. Experiments were done in human embryonic kidney 293 cells expressing rat P2X2aR, P2X2bR, and P2X3R, and chimeras having the V60-R180 or V60-F301 ectodomain sequences of P2X3R instead of the I66-H192 or I66-Y310 sequences of P2X2aR and P2X2bR. Chimeric P2X2a/V60-F301X3R and P2X2b/V60-F301X3R inherited the P2X3R ligand-selective profile, whereas the potency of agonists for P2X2a/V60-R180X3R was in between those observed at parental receptors. Furthermore, P2X2a/V60-F301X3R and P2X2a/V60-R180X3R desensitized in a P2X2aR-specific manner, and P2X2b/V60-F301X3R desensitized with rates comparable with those of P2X2bR. In striking contrast to parental receptors, the rates of decay in P2X2a/V60-F301X3R and P2X2b/V60-F301X3R currents after agonist withdrawal were 15- to 200-fold slower. For these chimeras, the decays in currents were not dependent on duration of stimuli and reflected both continuous desensitization and deactivation of receptors. Also, participation of deactivation in closure of channels inversely correlated with potency of agonists to activate receptors. The delay in deactivation was practically abolished in P2X2a/V60-R180X3R-expressing cells. However, the recovery from desensitization of P2X2a/V60-F301X3R and P2X2a/V60-R180X3R was similar and substantially delayed compared with that of parental receptors. These results indicate that both ectodomain halves participate in gating, but that the C and N halves influence the stability of open and desensitized conformation states, respectively, which in turn reflects on rates of receptor deactivation and resensitization.
Benefit-risk analysis of different risk-related surveillance schedules following colorectal polypectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS For colorectal screening patients a gain of life time was previously calculated to be about 30-50 days. Different recommendations for recognizing at-risk groups and defining surveillance intervals after an initial finding of colorectal adenomas have been published. However, no benefit-risk analysis regarding specific long-term effects of follow-up patients has been reported to date. METHODOLOGY A Markov model based on time-dependent transition possibilities was developed to compare two surveillance schedules: recommendations based on the Erlangen Registry of Colorectal Polyps (ERCRP) and the National Polyp Study (NPS). The outcome was calculated for a 50-year-old patient with 30 years of follow-up after initial polypectomy. The data used in this model were taken from different sources, namely the ERCRP, the German Study Group of Colorectal Cancer, the German Statistical Yearbook, and from meta-analyses of studies reporting data on complications and sensitivity of colonoscopy. RESULTS Patients under surveillance have a mean lifetime gain of 98 (ERCRP) and 91 (NPS) days compared with those who do not come for surveillance. Approximately 84% and 79% of deaths from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) could be prevented if patients were followed up according to the recommendations of the ERCRP and the NPS, respectively. The risk of death due to colonoscopy for patients during followup is about 0.05% lifetime risk. Sensitivity analysis showed the stability of the results under a wide range of reasonable variations of relevant parameters. In a pessimistic one-way sensitivity analysis regarding compliance, effectiveness was reduced to one third. CONCLUSIONS Surveillance using colonoscopy is an effective tool for preventing CRC after colorectal polypectomy and similar to the screening procedure. The effectiveness is slightly higher when following the recommendations of the ERCRP, especially if a more realistic compliance is assumed.