Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pre‐birth cohort study of atopic dermatitis and severe bronchiolitis during infancy

Infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis (i.e. severe bronchiolitis) are at increased risk of childhood asthma. There are many known risk factors for severe bronchiolitis, including cardiac and pulmonary diseases. Less is known about the association between atopic diseases and risk of severe bronchiolitis. We sought to further examine risk factors for severe bronchiolitis, focusing on atopic dermatitis (AD).
Interhemispheric Competition After Stroke: Brain Stimulation to Enhance Recovery of Function of the Affected Hand

Background and purpose. Within the concept of interhemispheric competition, technical modulation of the excitability of motor areas in the contralesional and ipsilesional hemisphere has been applied in an attempt to enhance recovery of hand function following stroke. This review critically summarizes the data supporting the use of novel electrophysiological concepts in the rehabilitation of hand function after stroke. Summary of review. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are powerful tools to inhibit or facilitate cortical excitability. Modulation of cortical excitability may instantaneously induce plastic changes within the cortical network of sensorimotor areas, thereby improving motor function of the affected hand after stroke. No significant adverse effects have been noted when applying brain stimulation in stroke patients. To date, however, the clinical effects are small to moderate and short lived. Future work should elucidate whether repetitive administration of rTMS or tDCS over several days and the combination of these techniques with behavioral training (ie, physiotherapy) could result in an enhanced effectiveness. Conclusion. Brain stimulation is a safe and promising tool to induce plastic changes in the cortical sensorimotor network to improve motor behavior after stroke. However, several methodological issues remain to be answered to further improve the effectiveness of these new approaches.
LY53857, a 5HT2 Receptor Antagonist, Delays Occlusion and Inhibits Platelet Aggregation in a Rabbit Model of Carotid Artery Occlusion

Summary The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the ergoline 5HT2 receptor antagonist, LY53857 in a rabbit model of vascular arterial occlusion. LY53857 (1 and 10 εM) inhibited serotonin amplified platelet aggregation responses to threshold concentrations of ADP in rabbit platelets in vitro. LY53857 (1 εM) not only inhibited the serotonin component of rabbit platelet aggregation, but also inhibited in vitro aggregation induced by ADP (48.7 ± 16.7% inhibition), collagen (76.1 ± 15.9% inhibition) and U46619 (65.2 ± 12.3% inhibition). The effectiveness of this ergoline 5HT2 receptor antagonist in blocking aggregation to ADP, collagen and U46619 may be related to its ability to inhibit a serotonin component of platelet aggregation since rabbit platelets possess high concentrations of serotonin that may be released during aggregation produced by other agents. Based on the effectiveness of LY53857 to inhibit rabbit platelet aggregation, we explored the ability of LY53857 to extend the time to carotid artery occlusion in rabbits following electrical stimulation of the artery. Reproducible carotid artery occlusion was induced in rabbits by moderate stenosis coupled to arterial cross clamping, followed by electrical stimulation. With this procedure, occlusion occurred at 47.0 ± 7 min (n = 30) after initiation of the electrical stimulation. Animals pretreated with LY53857 (50 to 500 εg/kg i.v.) showed a delay in the time to carotid artery occlusion (at 100 εg/kg i.v. occlusion time extended to 164 ± 16 min). Furthermore, ex vivo platelet aggregation from animals treated with LY53857 (300 εg/kg i.v.) resulted in 40.5% inhibition of platelet aggregation in response to the combination of ADP (1 εM) and serotonin (1 εM). These studies document the ability to obtain reproducible arterial occlusion in the rabbit and showed that intravenously administered LY53857 prolonged the time to carotid artery occlusion. Prolongation of carotid artery occlusion time was accompanied by inhibition of serotonin-amplified ADP-induced aggregation in rabbit platelets, an effect observed both in vitro and ex vivo. Thus, the rabbit is a useful model for studying the effectiveness of 5HT2 receptor antagonists in prolonging vascular occlusion induced by insult of the carotid artery.
CD11b+ cells and ultraviolet-B-resistant CD1a+ cells in skin of patients with polymorphous light eruption.

After ultraviolet exposure Langerhans cells (epidermal CD1a+ cells) disappear from the healthy skin, and CD11b+ macrophage-like cells, which are reported to produce interleukin-10, appear in a matter of days. These phenomena are related to the ultraviolet-induced local suppression of contact hypersensitivity reactions. A defect in this suppression might allow inadvertent immune reactions to develop after ultraviolet (over)exposure; i.e., it could cause ultraviolet-B-induced polymorphous light eruption. In order to test this we first exposed buttock skin of eight healthy volunteers to six minimal erythema doses from Philips TL12 lamps, and indeed observed a dramatic disappearance of CD1a+ cells 48 and 72 h later, at which time the number of CD11b+ cells increased in the dermis, and some occurred in the epidermis. The epidermis thickened and showed large defects, filled by CD11b+ cells, just below the stratum corneum. In 10 patients with polymorphous light eruption (five with a normal minimal erythema dose and five with a low minimal erythema dose) CD1a+ cells were present in the epidermis as well as in the dermis before exposure. Strikingly, these cells were still present in considerable number at 48 and 72 h after exposure to six minimal erythema doses. CD11b+ cells already present in the dermis before ultraviolet exposure, increased after ultraviolet exposure, and subsequently also invaded the epidermis. Despite the six minimal erythema doses, there were no apparent defects in the epidermis of the polymorphous light eruption patients. This deviant early response to ultraviolet radiation is likely to be of direct relevance to the polymorphous light eruption and is perhaps useful as a diagnostic criterion.
Dispersal kinetics of deuterated water in the lungs and airways following mouth inhalation: real-time breath analysis by flowing afterglow mass spectrometry (FA-MS)

Pulmonary oedema is a medical condition characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the extravascular space in the alveoli. Effective oxygenation is impaired and this leads to significant short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. The detection and monitoring of pulmonary oedema by measuring lung water volume is therefore crucial in the initiation and guidance of therapeutic intervention. The current gold standard bedside measurement of extravascular lung water volume (EVLW) is the dilution method using various indicators, but despite the good correlation of the results with those obtained using the post-mortem gravimetric method, the invasiveness of the dilution technique limits its general application in the wider clinical setting. In the present preliminary experiments, the dispersal kinetics of deuterium (actually HDO) in exhaled breath of three healthy participants following the inhalation of deuterium oxide (D2O) vapour are explored as monitored using flowing afterglow mass spectrometry (FA-MS). Here, we present the basic ideas of lung water estimation using this novel technique, and briefly discuss its limitations and required future work.
A Randomized Prospective Comparison of Self-Expandable Plastic Stents and Partially Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stents in the Palliation of Malignant Esophageal Dysphagia

OBJECTIVES:Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) provide effective palliation in patients with malignant dysphagia, although severe complications and mortality may result. We performed a prospective controlled trial to compare a new self-expanding polyester mesh stent (Polyflex) with SEMS (Ultraflex). METHODS:One hundred one patients with unresectable esophageal carcinoma were randomized to placement of a Polyflex (N = 47) or a partially covered Ultraflex (N = 54) stent. Patients with esophagogastric junction (EGJ) malignancy were excluded.RESULTS:Placement was successful in 46 (98%) patients with the Polyflex and 54 (100%) patients with the Ultraflex stent. In one patient, the Polyflex stent could not be placed. After 1 wk, dysphagia was improved by at least 1 grade in 100% of the Polyflex group and in 94% of the Ultraflex group. Major complications were observed in 48% of the Polyflex group and 33% of the Ultraflex group. Intraprocedural perforation occurred in 1 Polyflex and 1 Ultraflex patient. Two Polyflex patients had postprocedural hemorrhage. Twenty (44%) patients with a Polyflex stent and 18 (33%) with an Ultraflex stent had recurrent dysphagia because of tumor overgrowth, stent migration, hyperplastic granulomatous reaction, or food bolus impaction. Multivariate analysis showed a significantly higher complication rate with Polyflex than with Ultraflex stents (odds ratio 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.4). However, median survival was 134 days with Polyflex and 122 days with Ultraflex stents (P = NS). CONCLUSIONS:No difference was seen in palliation of dysphagia between the two stents. Significantly more complications, especially late stent migration, were observed in the Polyflex group.
Use of a bioabsorbable polymer for the delivery of ofloxacin during experimental osteomyelitis treatment

This study was performed to investigate the potential utility of ofloxacin‐impregnated bioabsorbable polymers for osteomyelitis therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa osteomyelitis was induced in 48 New Zealand White rabbits Four weeks after infection, the animals were randomized to one of four treatment groups: drug‐free polymer, ofloxacin polymer, systemic ofloxacin, or ofloxacin polymer plus systemic ofloxacin. Twentyeight days later, radiographs were taken of the affected area, the animals were killed, and bone was obtained for histoloeic evaluation. culture. and determination of ofloxacin concentrations. The percentage of sterile bone cultures was 33, 83, 75, and 91 for the groups treated with drug‐free polymer, ofloxacin polymer, systemic ofloxacin, and ofloxacin polymer plus systemic ofloxacin, respectively. When compared with the drug‐free polymer, both the ofloxacin polymer and the ofloxacin polymer plus systemic ofloxacin significantly improved the rate of sterilization. The mean concentrations of the drug in bone for the groups treated with ofloxacin polymer, systemic ofloxacin, and ofloxacin polymer plus systemic ofloxacin were 34.9 (range: 2–160), 1.9 (range: 0.8–3), and 26.0 μg/g (range: 9–100 μg/g), respectively. These data suggest that the DL‐lactide:glycolide polymer studied is a suitable vehicle for the delivery of high local concentrations of ofloxacin and that these concentrations result in eradication of the bacterial pathogen in this rabbit model.
Directional information in head related transfer functions

The synthesis of spatial sound, which is played through the headphones, can be done by the use of head related transfer functions (HRTF). The latter describe the changes in the sound wave as it propagates from a spatial sound source to the human eardrum. The functions include many different factors, which influence the accuracy of spatial sound source perception. The most important factors are inter-aural time difference (ITD), inter-aural level difference (ILD) and the spectral changes for different spatial positions. The main goal of our research was determining with the aid of principal component analysis (PCA) the spectral variation important for the perception of direction. We concentrated on the azimuth perception in the horizontal plain. PCA was applied to HRTF linear amplitude spectra, thus excluding the phase spectrum and ITD. The analysis assembled all spectrum variations important for the azimuth perception in the first and partially second PCA weight variation. The hypothesis was tested on and confirmed by 15 test subjects who preformed the virtual sound sources localization tests
Preventative maintenance: A proactive customer service

Telecommunications service providers constantly struggle with the delicate balance of shrinking maintenance budgets and the erosion of their internal knowledge base. Focus on the growing data requirements and new technologies has increased the demand for preventative maintenance in networks for all technologies and domains. Service providers are asking technical experts to identify issues and recommend solutions to achieve optimal network performance and prevent service disruptions. Critical resources in their maintenance and operations groups are seeking support to identify potential network problems, prioritize efforts, and identify the related work activities. Lucent Technologies has responded to these needs by creating a portfolio of preventative maintenance services that identify, analyze, and recommend solutions to solve and prevent network issues. The preventative maintenance suite of services utilizes a combination of specialized skills and state-of-the-art platforms to address network issues such as performance degradation and capacity bottlenecks. The services portfolio includes diagnostic reports and online views of hardware configurations of critical network components for wireline and wireless networks.
The time course and amplitude of EPSPs evoked at synapses between pairs of CA3/CA1 neurons in the hippocampal slice

Unitary EPSPs were evoked in CA1 pyramidal neurons by activation of single CA3 pyramidal neurons. Seventy-one EPSPs were recorded. The peak amplitudes of these EPSPs ranged from 30 to 665 microV with a mean of 131 microV. Rise times and half-widths were measured, the means +/- SD being 3.9 +/- 1.8 and 19.5 +/- 8.0 msec, respectively. The time courses of these EPSPs were consistent with a brief synaptic current at a localized electrotonic region of the dendritic tree followed by passive spread of current to the soma. EPSPs varied in amplitude from trial to trial. Sufficient records were collected for 12 EPSPs to demonstrate that this variation was greater than could be accounted for by baseline noise. The amplitude variations of one EPSP were reliably resolved from the background noise, and this EPSP fluctuated between 4 discrete amplitudes (including failures) separated by a quantal increment of 278 microV.
Fatigue Testing of Suture Anchors

In a porcine tibia model, we subjected widely used anchor-suture combinations to a fatigue-testing protocol. The Ethibond No. 2 suture was the weakest part of the anchor-suture combinations when they were loaded to failure by a single pull. Under cyclic-loading conditions, fixation strength was decreased compared with single-pull tests. The suture/anchor interface was identified as the weakest link in the Mitek GII/No. 2 combination and in the Zimmer Statak 3.5/No. 2 combination. In most cases the suture was worn through at the eyelet. Threading the GII anchor with a No. 5 suture and use of larger anchors in combination with No. 2 sutures increased the fatigue strength. Suture breakage at the knot was the predominant failure mode for biodegradable anchors inserted into cortical bone. The highest fatigue strength was seen for the Super Anchor/No. 5 combination when the anchor was inserted in cortical bone. Fatigue testing is crucial for evaluation of suture anchors and should be performed along with single-pull testing. The mechanical performance of a suture anchor threaded with a defined suture depends on several key factors: the pullout strength of the anchor, the tensile strength of the suture, and the interaction of anchor and suture at the eyelet (suture/anchor interface).
Good practice in the management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Clinical guidelines. An evidence‐based review with good practice points. EALSC Working Group

The evidence base for diagnosis and management of ALS is still weak, and curative therapy is lacking. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and symptomatic therapy can profoundly influence care and quality of life of the patient and relatives, and may increase survival time. This review addresses the current optimal clinical approach to ALS. The literature search is complete to December 2006. Where there was lack of evidence but consensus was clear we have stated our opinion as good practice points. We conclude that a diagnosis of ALS can be achieved by early examination by an experienced neurologist. The patient should be informed of the diagnosis by the consultant. Following diagnosis, a multi‐diciplinary care team should support the patient and relatives. Medication with riluzole should be initiated as early as possible. PEG is associated with improved nutrition and should be inserted early. The operation is hazardous in patients with VC <50%: RIG may be a better alternative. Non‐invasive positive pressure ventilation improves survival and quality of life but is underused in Europe. Maintaining the patient's ability to communicate is essential. During the course of the disease, every effort should be made to maintain patient autonomy. Advance directives for palliative end of life care are important and should be discussed early with the patient and relatives if they so wish.
Institucionalni model razvoja ruralnog turizma na primjeru Središnje Istre

Povijesni razvoj turizma pokazuje kako su ruralna podrucja u razlicitim razdobljima bila vrlo privlacna za provođenje dokolice i ugodnog života. Selo i netaknuta priroda predstavljaju idealni krajolik koji zadivljuje i osvaja gradsko stanovnistvo razlicite životne dobi. Ruralna sredina nekima predstavlja prirodu u kojoj nalaze sigurnost, slobodu i ravnotežu, dok drugima pruža mogucnost kusnje vlastite snage i samopouzdanja, preferirajuci pravu prirodu i divlje netaknute predjele gdje je moguce bavljenje ekstremnim sportovima, koji vode do izlaganja opasnostima i izazivanju rizika. U dostupnoj literaturi ne postoji slicno istraživanje o najbitnijim indikatorima koji utjecu na razvoj ruralnog turizma, a takva je tvrdnja potvrđena i tijekom istraživanja koje je provedeno u jedinicama lokalne samouprave Sredisnje Istre. Osnovni cilj ovog rada je prikaz teoretskih razmatranja vezanih uz ruralni turizam te mogucnosti oblikovanja razvojnog modela ruralnog turizma Sredisnje Istre. Osnovni doprinos rada jest u formiranju takvog modela koji bi trebao olaksati izradu analize stanja ruralnog turizma te njegova verifikacija na primjeru Sredisnje Istre, uzimajuci u obzir efikasno planiranje, organiziranje, rukovođenje i kontrolu najosnovnijih turistickih cimbenika na tome prostoru. Predloženi institucionalni model razvoja ruralnog turizma je primijenjen na primjeru Sredisnje Istre iz razloga sto se radi o jednoj od najrazvijenijih turistickih regija u Republici Hrvatskoj, no može imati i svoju opcu primjenu u drugim ruralnim sredinama, ali i u drugim gospodarskim podrucjima u ruralnom prostoru.
Impact of Endogenous Esterase Activity on In Vitro P-Glycoprotein Profiling of Dabigatran Etexilate in Caco-2 Monolayers

Dabigatran etexilate, a double prodrug of dabigatran, is a reversible, competitive, direct thrombin inhibitor that has been approved for use in many countries. A recent guideline from the European Medicines Agency on drug-drug interactions proposed dabigatran etexilate as a sensitive in vivo and in vitro probe substrate for intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibition. We therefore performed a series of in vitro studies to determine the best experimental conditions for evaluation of P-gp involvement on the transport process of dabigatran etexilate across colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cell monolayers. Experiments using expressed carboxylesterase 1 (CES1) and CES2 bactosomes revealed that dabigatran etexilate was hydrolyzed into BIBR 1087 by CES1 expressed in our Caco-2 cells. The impact of CES1-mediated BIBR 1087 formation during transcellular transport experiments was assessed by comparing several combinations of three experimental approaches: radioactivity detection using [14C]dabigatran etexilate as substrate, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) quantification of dabigatran etexilate, and in the presence and absence of a CES inhibitor bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP). The experimental approach that was based on the use of nonlabeled dabigatran etexilate together with LC-MS/MS quantification and the addition of BNPP was selected as the most favorable condition in which to correctly evaluate the permeability coefficient (Papp) of dabigatran etexilate and its transcellular transport by P-gp. The in vitro Caco-2 study at the selected condition revealed that dabigatran etexilate is a P-gp substrate with an efflux ratio of 13.8 and an intrinsic Papp, which is the Papp under the condition of complete blockage of P-gp by P-gp inhibitor, of 29 × 10−6 cm/s.
Compartmental study of diffusion and relaxation measured in vivo in normal and ischemic rat brain and trigeminal nerve

The correlation between the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and T2 of water in rat brain and trigeminal nerve was investigated using a hybrid diffusion‐weighted–CPMG imaging sequence. Little dependence of ADC on T2 was found in brain regions of interest, which is postulated to be due to rapid exchange between intra‐ and extracellular water. Conversely, the ADC of water in trigeminal nerve was found to change significantly with echo time (TE). Parallel to the nerve and with a constant diffusion time (tdiff = 10.8 ms), the ADC increased by approximately 30% between TEs of 25 ms and 185 ms; perpendicular to the nerve, the ADC decreased by a similar amount over the same range of TE. Measurements made following the onset of global ischemia yielded lower ADCs, with similar dependence on TE. Observations that transverse relaxation of water in nerves is multiexponential have previously been interpreted in terms of microanatomical compartments in slow exchange. In the context of this interpretation, our data suggest that diffusional anisotropy is greater outside than within the myelinated axons. Further, data following the onset of global ischemia suggest that the mechanism(s) by which ADC is reduced affect most or all microanatomical environments of nerve, at least insofar as they are represented over the TE domain investigated. Magn Reson Med 43:837–844, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.