Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Movement of Mexican Rice Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) Through the Texas Rice Belt

Abstract Pheromone-baited traps were used to monitor the movement of the Mexican rice borer, Eoreuma loftini (Dyar) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), through the Texas rice belt from 2000 to 2005. Based on location of discovery in each county and year, the average rate of spread from 1980 to 2005 was 23 km/yr. From 2000 to 2005, the leading edge of the infestation has moved 16.5 km/yr toward Louisiana. The 1.8-fold increase (99% confidence interval) of the area occupied from 2000 to 2005 in the Texas rice belt indicates an expansion of the distribution of E. loftini. If movement continues to occur at similar rates, E. loftini will reach Louisiana by 2008.
Prophylactic 5-Fr pancreatic duct stents are superior to 3-Fr stents: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Temporary prophylactic pancreatic duct stenting effectively reduces post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) in high-risk patients, but the optimal stent remains unclear. We compared rate of spontaneous passage, and technical difficulty of placement for 3-Fr and 5-Fr stents. METHODS A randomized controlled trial at a single academic medical center. Patients deemed high risk for PEP randomly received 5-Fr or 3-Fr pancreatic duct stents. Primary outcome was spontaneous stent passage by 2 weeks. Secondary outcomes were ease and time for stent placement, and number of guide wires required for the entire procedure. RESULTS Patients (69 female [89 %]; mean age 44.9 years, standard deviation [SD] 16.8) were randomly assigned to receive 5-Fr (n = 38) and 3-Fr (n = 40) stents. Indications for stenting were similar. Seven patients in the 3-Fr group actually received a 5-Fr stent, and two in the 5-Fr group had a 3-Fr stent. Spontaneous passage or non-passage was confirmed in 64 (83 %). No statistically significant difference in spontaneous passage rates was seen (5-Fr group, 68.4 %; 3-Fr group 75.0 %; P = 0.617). Non-passage rates were 10.5 % (5-Fr group) and 10.0 % (3-Fr group) ( P = 1.00). The study was stopped after a futility analysis for the primary end point. Placement of 5-Fr stents was rated easier, at a mean score of 1.8 (5-Fr) vs. 3.4 (3-Fr), P < 0.001, with a trend towards being faster, 9.2 vs. 11.1 minutes ( P = 0.355). Fewer guide wires were required for 5-Fr stent placement, 1.5 vs. 1.9 ( P = 0.002). PEP rates did not differ ( P = 0.519). CONCLUSION Placement of 5-Fr compared to 3-Fr pancreatic duct stents for PEP prophylaxis is easier, faster, and requires fewer wires. No statistically significant difference in spontaneous passage was found between the two sizes.
FOAMY CELLS ASSOCIATED WITH PHAGOCYTOSIS OF GLUTARALDEHYDE‐TREATED RED BLOOD CELLS AND RED CELL MEMBRANES

In order to clarify the mechanism for the formation of foamy cells (macrophages with foamy appearance) associated with increased erythrophagocytosis, we tried to reproduce these cells in mice by subcutaneous injection of intact red blood cells (RBCs), OsO, ‐treated RBCs (Os‐RBCs), glutaraldehy de‐treated RBCs (G‐RBCs), or isolated red cell membranes, and time‐course observation was done by light and electron microscopy. Foamy cells were induced by the latter two methods. Within the macrophages, G‐RBCs were fragmented into spherules by newly formed small vacuoles, and with time these spherules lost their hemoglobin content transforming into small vacuoles with translucent matrix. In most of these vacuoles, red cell membrane structure was discernible adjacent to the phagocytic vacuole. Such macrophages containing abundant small vacuoles appear foamy in light microscopy. Foamy cells induced by injection of red blood cell membranes were positive for lipid stains and contained abundant laminated membrane structures in electron microscopy. These results suggest that the foamy cells related with increased erythrophagocytosis are heterogeneous with respect to their pathogenesis and cellular inclusions, and proteinaceous constituents resistant to intracellular digestion are also responsible for the occurrence of foamy cells.
Honeybee venom secretory phospholipase A2 induces leukotriene production but not histamine release from human basophils

The role of basophils in an anaphylactic response is well recognized but is usually masked by mast cells, which contain similar mediators for the induction of generalized vasodilatation and laryngeal constriction. The rapid onset of systemic anaphylactic symptoms, particularly in insect stings and ingested food, suggest that basophils, a circulating pool of cells containing histamine and other potent mediators such as leukotrienes, may be more involved in systemic anaphylaxis than originally thought. We wished to examine if secretory phospholipase A2, a systemic allergen found in honey bee venom (HBV‐sPLA2) may activate basophils directly leading to rapid systemic mediator release. Basophils were isolated from human blood and stimulated with increasing concentrations of HBV‐sPLA2. We found that physiological concentrations of HBV‐sPLA2 induce rapid leukotriene C4 production from purified human basophils within 5 min, while interleukin (IL)‐4 expression and production was induced at later time‐points. Histamine release was not induced, signifying that HBV‐sPLA2 did not induce generalized degranulation. Surface expression of CD63, CD69 and CD11b were up‐regulated following HBV‐sPLA2 treatment. Stimulation of basophils with anti‐immunoglobulin E (IgE) following treatment with HBV‐sPLA2 did not induce more leukotriene release. To investigate the mechanism of leukotriene production, 9–12 octadecadiynioc acid, a cyclooxygenase‐1 (COX‐1) and 15‐lipoxygenase inhibitor, was used and this abrogated leukotriene production. These results indicate that HBV‐sPLA2 can directly activate human basophils in vitro to induce leukotriene production.
The importance of geographical distance to different types of R&D collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry

ABSTRACT Innovation within companies is generated by a combination of different types of knowledge from external and geographically dispersed sources. Although the geographical dimension of collaboration has previously been investigated, studies have not distinguished between different types of knowledge involved in collaboration. This article analyses how the number of collaborations between pharmaceutical multinational companies (MNCs) and external organizations is affected by geographical distance, distinguishing between four knowledge types: basic science, clinical science, core knowledge, and exploration knowledge. We use co-publications as a proxy for collaborations. Our results show that collaborations in basic science and core knowledge areas are more negatively affected by geographical distance than collaborations within clinical science and exploration knowledge areas. This suggests that the importance of geographic proximity depends on the type of knowledge that is being transferred in R&D collaborations. Our results have implications for companies´ collaboration strategies and their choices for the R&D sites´ location.
Idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis--natural history and treatment. Multicenter Giant Cell Myocarditis Study Group Investigators.

BACKGROUND Idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis is a rare and frequently fatal disorder. We used a multicenter data base to define the natural history of giant-cell myocarditis and the effect of treatment. METHODS We identified 63 patients with idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis through journal announcements and direct mailings to cardiovascular centers worldwide. RESULTS The patients consisted of 33 men and 30 women with an average age of 42.6 years; 88 percent were white, 5 percent were black, 5 percent were Southeast Asian or Indian, and 2 percent were Middle Eastern. Most presented with congestive heart failure (47 patients, or 75 percent), ventricular arrhythmia (9 patients, or 14 percent), or heart block (3 patients, or 5 percent), although in some cases the initial symptoms resembled those of acute myocardial infarction (4 patients). Nineteen percent had associated autoimmune disorders. The rate of survival was worse than among 111 patients with lymphocytic myocarditis in the Myocarditis Treatment Trial (P<0.001); among our patients, the rate of death or cardiac transplantation was 89 percent, and median survival was only 5.5 months from the onset of symptoms. The 22 patients treated with corticosteroids and cyclosporine, azathioprine, or both therapies survived for an average of 12.3 months, as compared with an average of 3.0 months for the 30 patients who received no immunosuppressive therapy (P=0.001). Of the 34 patients who underwent heart transplantation, 9 (26 percent) had a giant-cell infiltrate in the transplanted heart and 1 died of recurrent giant-cell myocarditis. CONCLUSIONS Giant-cell myocarditis is a disease of relatively young, predominantly healthy adults. Patients usually die of heart failure and ventricular arrhythmia unless cardiac transplantation is performed. Despite the possibility of fatal disease recurrence, transplantation is the treatment of choice for most patients.
Alterations of IL-6, IL-6R and gp130 in early and late onset severe preeclampsia

Objective: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its receptor complex participate in a number of critical biological activities through several signaling pathways. Placental dysfunction and increased inflammation are believed to underlie the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia (PE), which may involve IL-6-induced signaling. We investigate whether the changes in the expression of IL-6 and its cognate receptors, IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and glycoprotein (gp)130, occur between early and late onset severe PE. Methods: A total of 18 healthy gravidas and 41 severe preeclamptic women were recruited, including 20 pregnancies with early onset and 21 pregnancies with late onset. The IL-6, soluble IL-6R (sIL-6R) and soluble gp130 (sgp130) levels in maternal and umbilical cord sera were tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the immunoactivities of IL-6, IL-6R and gp130 in the placentas were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Results: We found that (1) maternal serum IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were increased, whereas sgp130 was decreased in women with early onset severe PE compared with those with late onset severe PE and normal controls. In contrast to normal controls, IL-6 and sIL-6R expression was up-regulated in late onset severe PE, and similar alterations of IL-6 and its soluble receptors were detected in early and late onset severe PE umbilical sera and (2) compared with late onset severe PE, reduced IL-6 and IL-6R but not gp130 expression was observed in early onset severe PE placentas. Conclusion: These results suggest a probable contributing role of alterations in IL-6 and its corresponding receptors to the pathophysiology of early and late onset severe PE.
Intraoperative vasoplegia: methylene blue to the rescue!

Purpose of review To evaluate the efficacy, dosing, and safety of methylene blue (MTB) in perioperative vasoplegic syndrome (VS). Recent findings Vasoplegic syndrome is a state of persistent hypotension with elevated cardiac output, low filling pressures, and low systemic vascular resistance (SVR). It occurs in up to 25% of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, can last up to 72 h, and is associated with a high mortality rate. MTB has been found to increase SVR and decrease vasopressor requirements in vasoplegic syndrome by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase, thus limiting the generation of nitric oxide, while inhibiting activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase and preventing vasodilation. MTB has been used in postgraft reperfusion during liver transplantation and anaphylaxis in a limited number of cases. Additionally, this medication has been used in septic shock with promising results, but similar to the cardiac surgical population, the effects of MTB administration on clinical outcomes has yet to be elucidated. Summary MTB should be considered during vasoplegic syndrome in cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and usage may be more effective in an early critical window, prior to end-organ hypoperfusion. Other perioperative scenarios of MTB use show promise, but additional studies are required to develop formative conclusions.
Complement takes its Toll: an inflammatory crosstalk between Toll‐like receptors and the receptors for the complement anaphylatoxin C5a

The innate immune system is responsible for a rapid inflammatory response to pathogens that is essential for the clearance of infections. Although this response is vital, it is nonetheless potentially harmful, and dysregulated inflammation is a feature of many disease states. Thus, the mechanisms that regulate the release of soluble mediators of inflammation are an active focus of investigation. The activation by infections of two key components of the innate immune system, the Toll‐like receptors (TLRs) and complement, leading to the release of soluble mediators of inflammation, is critical to microbial killing and clearance. Both TLRs and complement are independently capable of triggering pro‐inflammatory responses, but their synergistic interaction resulting from a substantial crosstalk markedly amplifies those responses and may contribute to the pathophysiology of diseases such as sepsis.
DSM-IV alcohol abuse: investigation in a sample of at-risk drinkers in the community.

OBJECTIVE Although a category for alcohol abuse has been included in the major nomenclatures since DSM-III, many questions have been raised about the definitions and validity of this category. METHOD We investigated DSM-IV alcohol abuse in 628 at-risk drinkers residing in households who never met criteria for DSM-IV alcohol dependence at the time of a baseline interview. Cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal information were used. RESULTS Subjects most often met criteria for abuse with the single criterion, recurrent hazardous use (usually driving after drinking too much, on average 4.5 times per year). Younger and white subjects were more likely to receive the abuse diagnosis at baseline, as were drug users and those who drank five or more drinks per occasion frequently. Very few subjects received a diagnosis of DSM-IV alcohol dependence at follow-up, and those who did were equally likely to come from the abuse and non-abuse baseline groups. A current abuse diagnosis at baseline strongly and significantly predicted an abuse diagnosis at follow-up, although a past-only (remitted) abuse diagnosis at baseline was not clearly predictive of abuse at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The DSM-IV alcohol abuse category has some predictive validity. However, given the manner in which respondents met criteria for the disorder, its merits as a diagnostic category remain in question. Researchers should be cautious about combining alcohol dependence and abuse into the same category.
CC Chemokine Receptor 9 Expression Defines a Subset of Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes with Mucosal T Cell Phenotype and Th1 or T-Regulatory 1 Cytokine Profile 1

The chemokine receptor CCR9 is expressed on most small intestinal lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocytes and on a small subset of peripheral blood lymphocytes. CCR9-expressing lymphocytes may play an important role in small bowel immunity and inflammation. We studied the phenotype and functional characteristics of CCR9+ lymphocytes in blood from normal donors. A subset of CCR9+ T cells have a phenotype of activated cells and constitutively express the costimulatory molecules CD40L and OX-40. In contrast to CCR9−, CCR9+CD4+ peripheral blood T cells proliferate to anti-CD3 or anti-CD2 stimulation and produce high levels of IFN-γ and IL-10. IL-10-producing cells were exclusively detected within the CCR9+ subset of CD4+ T cells by intracellular staining and were distinct from IL-2- and IFN-γ-producing cells. Moreover, memory CCR9+CD4+ lymphocytes respond to CD2 stimulation with proliferation and IFN-γ/IL-10 production, whereas memory CCR9−CD4+ cells were unresponsive. In addition, memory CCR9+CD4+ T cells support Ig production by cocultured CD19+ B cells in the absence of prior T cell activation or addition of exogenous cytokines. Our data show that the memory subset of circulating CCR9+CD4+ T cells has characteristics of mucosal T lymphocytes and contains cells with either Th1 or T-regulatory 1 cytokine profiles. Studies on the cytokine profile and Ag specificity of this cell subset could provide important insight into small intestinal immune-mediated diseases and oral tolerance in humans.
Resuscitation of severely burned military casualties: fluid begets more fluid.

BACKGROUND In November 2005, institution of a military-wide burn resuscitation guideline requested the documentation of the initial 24-hour resuscitation of severely burned military casualties on a burn flow sheet to provide continuity of care. The guidelines instruct the providers to calculate predicted 24-hour fluid requirements and initial fluid rate based on the American Burn Association Consensus recommendation of 2 (modified Brooke) mL x kg(-1) x % total body surface area (TBSA)(-1) to 4 (Parkland) mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) burn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the estimated fluid volumes calculated, either by the Modified Brooke or the Parkland formulas, and actual volumes received. METHODS From November 2005 to December 2008, 105 patients were globally evacuated with >20% TBSA burns, of whom 73 had burn flow sheets initiated. Of these, 58 had completed burn flow sheets. Total fluids administered in the first 24-hour period for each patient were recorded. Chart reviews were performed to extract demographic and clinical outcomes data. RESULTS Of the 58, the modified Brooke formula was used in 31 patients (modified Brooke group) to estimate 24-hour fluid requirements and the Parkland formula was used in 21 (Parkland group). In six, 3 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) was used and were excluded from analysis. No significant difference was detected between the two groups for age, %TBSA burned, inhalation injury, or Injury Severity Score. Actual 24-hour resuscitation in the modified Brooke group was significantly lower than in the Parkland group (16.9 L +/- 6.0 L vs. 25.0 L +/- 11.2 L, p = 0.003). A greater percentage of patients exceeded the Ivy index (250 mL/kg) in the Parkland group compared with the modified Brooke group (57% vs. 29%, p = 0.026). On average, those who had 24-hour fluid needs estimated by the modified Brooke formula received a 3.8 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) +/- 1.2 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) resuscitation, whereas the Parkland group received a 5.9 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) +/- 1.1 mL x kg(-1) x %TBSA(-1) resuscitation (p < 0.0001). No differences in measured outcomes were detected between the two groups. On multivariate logistic regression, exceeding the Ivy index was an independent predictor of death (area under the curve [AUC], 0.807; CI, 0.66-0.95). CONCLUSION In severely burned military casualties undergoing initial burn resuscitation, the modified Brooke formula resulted in significantly less 24-hour volumes without resulting in higher morbidity or mortality.
Human autonomic rhythms: vagal cardiac mechanisms in tetraplegic subjects.

1. We studied eight young men (age range: 20‐37 years) with chronic, clinically complete high cervical spinal cord injuries and ten age‐matched healthy men to determine how interruption of connections between the central nervous system and spinal sympathetic motoneurones affects autonomic cardiovascular control. 2. Baseline diastolic pressures and R‐R intervals (heart periods) were similar in the two groups. Slopes of R‐R interval responses to brief neck pressure changes were significantly lower in tetraplegic than in healthy subjects, but slopes of R‐R interval responses to steady‐state arterial pressure reductions and increases were comparable. Plasma noradrenaline levels did not change significantly during steady‐state arterial pressure reductions in tetraplegic patients, but rose sharply in healthy subjects. The range of arterial pressure and R‐R interval responses to vasoactive drugs (nitroprusside and phenylephrine) was significantly greater in tetraplegic than healthy subjects. 3. Resting R‐R interval spectral power at respiratory and low frequencies was similar in the two groups. During infusions of vasoactive drugs, low‐frequency R‐R interval spectral power was directly proportional to arterial pressure in tetraplegic patients, but was unrelated to arterial pressure in healthy subjects. Vagolytic doses of atropine nearly abolished both low‐ and respiratory‐frequency R‐R interval spectral power in both groups. 4. Our conclusions are as follows. First, since tetraplegic patients have significant levels of low‐frequency arterial pressure and R‐R interval spectral power, human Mayer arterial pressure waves may result from mechanisms that do not involve stimulation of spinal sympathetic motoneurones by brainstem neurones. Second, since in tetraplegic patients, low‐frequency R‐R interval spectral power is proportional to arterial pressure, it is likely to be mediated by a baroreflex mechanism. Third, since low‐frequency R‐R interval rhythms were nearly abolished by atropine in both tetraplegic and healthy subjects, these rhythms reflect in an important way rhythmic firing of vagal cardiac motoneurones.
Optimal timing of harzardous waste clean-up under an environmental bond an a strict liability rule

Inadequate site clean-up and restoration by resource extraction firms leave a toxic legacy which must be dealt with by governments. This study compares the impacts of an environmental bond and a strict liability rule on a firm's incentives for cleaning up hazardous waste during resource extraction and upon termination. The firm's problem is modelled as a stochastic optimal control problem that results in a system of Hamilton Jacobi Bellman equations. The model is applied to a typical copper mine in Canada. The resource price is modelled as a stochastic differential equation, which is calibrated to copper futures prices using a Kalman filtering approach. A numerical solution is implemented to determine the optimal abatement and extraction rates as well as the critical levels of copper prices that would motivate a firm to clean up the accumulated waste under each policy. The paper demonstrates that an environmental bond provides stronger waste abatement incentives, implying that the waste is more likely to be cleaned up under the bond than the liability. The strict liability rule imposes sunk costs on a firm upon termination which would motivate it to remain inactive as a way to escape clean-up costs. However, the environmental bond raises funds ex ante for future clean-up costs and thus encourages site restoration.
In Vivo Effects of ELF MFs on Collagen Synthesis, Free Radical Processes, Natural Antioxidant System, Respiratory Burst System, Immune System Activities, and Electrolytes in the Skin, Plasma, Spleen, Lung, Kidney, and Brain Tissues

In this study, the results related with the effects of 50 Hz, 0.2 mT–3 mT MFs exposures on collagen synthesis, epilepsy, electrolytes, lipid peroxidation (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NOx), respiratory burst system (MPO), antioxidant defense system (GSH), and immune system (NK cell activity) in spleen, skin, lung, kidney, brain, and plasma tissues performed at Gazi Biophysics Department are reviewed. Our studies indicate that ELF MFs had effects on the tissues examined.