Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonsynaptic epileptogenesis in the mammalian hippocampus in vitro. I. Development of seizurelike activity in low extracellular calcium.

Epileptiform activity induced in rat hippocampal slices by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) was studied with extracellular and intracellular recordings. Perfusing the slices with low Ca2+ (less than or equal to 0.2 mM) or EGTA-containing solutions blocked the synaptic responses of hippocampal pyramidal cells (HPCs). Despite the block, spontaneous paroxysms, termed seizurelike events (SLEs), appeared in the CA1 area and then recurred regularly at a stable frequency. Transient hypoxia accelerated their development and increased their frequency. When [Ca2+]o was raised in a stepwise manner, the SLEs disappeared at 0.3 mM. With extracellular recording from the CA1 stratum pyramidale, a SLE was characterized by a large negative shift in the field potential, which lasted for several seconds. During this period a large population of CA1 neurons discharged intensely and often in synchrony, as concluded from the frequent appearance of population spikes. Synchronization, however, was not a necessary precursor for the development of paroxysmal activity, but seemed to be the end result of massive neuronal excitation. The cellular counterpart of a SLE, as revealed by intracellular recording from HPCs in the discharge zone of the paroxysms, was a long-lasting depolarization shift (LDS) of up to 20 mV. This was accompanied by accelerated firing of the neuron. A prolonged after-hyperpolarization succeeded each LDS and arrested cell firing. Brief (approximately 50 ms) bursts were commonly observed before LDS onset. Single electrical stimuli applied focally to the stratum pyramidale or alveus evoked paroxysms identical to the spontaneous SLEs, provided they surpassed a critical threshold intensity. Subthreshold stimuli elicited only small local responses, whereas stimuli of varied suprathreshold intensities evoked the same maximal SLEs. Thus the buildup of a SLE is an all or nothing or a regenerative process, which mobilizes the majority, if not all, of the local neuronal population. Each SLE was followed by absolute and relative refractory periods during which focal stimulation was, respectively, ineffective and less effective in evoking a maximal SLE. In most slices the spontaneous SLEs commenced at a "focus" located in the CA1a subarea (near the subiculum). SLEs evoked by focal stimulation arose near the stimulating electrode. From their site of origin the paroxysmal discharges spread transversely through the entire CA1 area at a mean velocity of 1.74 mm/s. Consequently, the discharge zone of a SLE could encompass for several seconds the entire CA1 area. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers and Concern for Increasing Volume of Ischemic Stroke Patients Requiring Rehabilitation

Objectives To determine whether prolonged length of stay (pLOS) in ischemic stroke is related to delays in discharge disposition arrangement. Methods We designed a retrospective study to compare patients with acute ischemic stroke who experienced pLOS to those who did not experience pLOS. Patients who have had acute ischemic stroke between July 2008 and December 2010 were included unless they arrived >48 hours after time last seen normal, had an unknown last seen normal, or experienced an in-hospital stroke. pLOS was defined in our prospective stroke registry (before the generation of this research question) as hospitalization extended for ≥24 hours more than necessary to determine neurologic stability and next level of care/disposition for a given patient. We characterized the frequency of each cause of pLOS and further investigated the destinations that were more frequently associated with pLOS among patients with delay resulting from arranging discharge disposition. Results Of the 274 patients included, 106 (31.9%) had pLOS. Reasons for pLOS were discharge disposition (48.1%), non-neurologic medical complications (36.8%), delays in imaging studies (20.8%), awaiting procedure (10.4%), and neurologic complications (9.4%). Among patients with pLOS caused by delayed disposition, more than half were awaiting placement in an inpatient rehabilitation facility. Conclusions For the majority of our patients, pLOS was caused by acquired medical complications and delayed disposition, most commonly inpatient rehabilitation. Further efforts are needed to prevent complications and further investigation is necessary to identify the factors that may contribute to delayed discharge to inpatient rehabilitation facilities, which may include delayed planning or heightened scrutiny of insurance companies regarding their beneficiaries.
Return of ovulatory cyclicity following an intramuscular injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera).

In order to determine the relationship between peripheral serum concentrations of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) and progesterone following an intramuscular injection of 150 mg of depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate nonpregnant nonlactating healthy women between ages 19 and 35 and with a history of regular menstrual cycles and no history of pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives or other hormone therapy within the previous 3 months were selected for study. Following the injections at 5-20 days post-injection concentrations ranged from 10-25 ng/ml and then decreased to 5-10 ng/ml by 30 days post-injection. The concentration decreased gradually with little change during the remainder of the study. 1 exception was the increased concentration found at 63 and 70 days post-injecton in a subject. The minimal detectable concentration of medroxyprogenterone acetate was 0.5 ng/ml. All samples were above this level in all 3 subjects prior to 185 days post-injection. In 1 of the 3 patients levels were below this amount in some of the samples between days 185 and 228 but detectable levels were present in all 3 subjects wihtin 30 days of the initial progesterone increase. The study shows that 150 mg of intramuscularly administered medroxyprogesterone acetate (Provera) can suppress ovulation for 200 days.
Maternal obesity and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring

There is a growing body of evidence from both human epidemiologic and animal studies that prenatal and lactational exposure to maternal obesity and high‐fat diet are associated with neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring. These disorders include cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cerebral palsy, anxiety and depression, schizophrenia, and eating disorders. This review synthesizes human and animal data linking maternal obesity and high‐fat diet consumption to abnormal fetal brain development and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric morbidity in offspring. In addition, it highlights key mechanisms by which maternal obesity and maternal diet might impact fetal and offspring neurodevelopment, including neuroinflammation; increased oxidative stress, dysregulated insulin, glucose, and leptin signaling; dysregulated serotonergic and dopaminergic signaling; and perturbations in synaptic plasticity. Finally, the review summarizes available evidence regarding investigational therapeutic approaches to mitigate the harmful effects of maternal obesity on fetal and offspring neurodevelopment. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laparoscopic ‘day case’ management of an ‘endometrioma’ within the broad ligament

thelium (Buyukbayrak et al. 2008). CA19–9 is a tumour marker for pancreatic, gastric, colonic and mucinous ovarian carcinoma. Benign conditions are also associated with elevated CA19–9. Pathophysiological mechanisms include inflammation or proliferation of non-cancerous tissue, obstruction of CA19–9 discharge pathways and malfunction in organs that metabolise CA19–9 (Ito and Gejyo 1999). The first two of them may explain elevated CA19–9 serum levels in case of imperforate hymen. Recently, the assumption that imperforate hymen might be included in the benign conditions causing elevated serum CA125 and CA19–9 levels was put forth (Buyukbayrak et al. 2008). Although more cases are needed, our case may reinforce this tentative statement for the present.
Stochastic l∞ performance optimization for Markovian linear switched systems

In this paper, we study an l<sub>∞</sub> type of performance for linear switched systems when the switching sequence is a Markov process. We define the notion of the stochastic l<sub>∞</sub> gain and derive an exact expression for computing it. The stochastic l<sub>∞</sub> gain mimics the l<sub>∞</sub> induced norm of the deterministic operators. We further synthesize an optimal controller for minimizing the stochastic l<sub>∞</sub> gain and argue that this problem can be cast as a tractable linear program.
Graft Patency Verification in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Principles and Clinical Applications of Transit Time Flow Measurement

The increasing popularity of beating-heart coronary surgery has raised concerns and doubts about the quality of the coronary anastomoses performed. Intraoperative graft patency verification methods are not commonly used after coronary surgery and, most of the cardiac surgeons, rely on the simple clinical signs (electrocardiogram tracings and hemodynamic stability) to make a diagnosis of coronary graft occlusion. New transit time ultrasound based methods for graft-patency verification have been adopted in many centers during beating-heart and traditional bypass grafting. Although the results are very encouraging, correct interpretation of the flow findings may prove difficult if specific rules are not properly followed. Flow curves, pulsatility index, and flow values should always be considered simultaneously before revising a coronary graft. Measurements should also be always performed with and without a proximal coronary snare. This article summarizes the main features of flowmetry and provides some technical pitfalls and suggestions to achieve an adequate intraoperative flow measure ment adopting the transit time method.
Sorafenib for advanced renal cell carcinoma in real-life practice: a literature review

Sorafenib is a new treatment indicated for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who have failed prior cytokine-based therapy or are considered unsuitable for such therapy. Although treatment with sorafenib under ‘ideal trial conditions’ has been extensively studied, registration and reimbursement authorities are also interested in the behavior of sorafenib in real-life practice. This study aims to conduct a literature review of the dosage and treatment duration; safety, tolerability and effectiveness; costs and cost-effectiveness of sorafenib in routine clinical care. Studies were identified by searching PubMed, Embase, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination databases, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and EconLit up to November 2010. The literature search included articles published in peer-reviewed journals, congress abstracts, and internal studies of Bayer Schering Pharma. Eight studies were included. An open-label study observed stable disease for at least eight weeks in 80% of patients. The most common drug-related adverse events were hand-foot skin reaction, rash, hypertension, and fatigue. Although treatment with sorafenib led to fewer dose reductions, it was also associated with a shorter treatment duration, less time to pro-gression and a shorter survival time as compared to sunitinib. Monthly health care costs were lower with sorafenib as compared to sunitinib. A post-marketing surveillance study showed that patients rated the tolerability and effectiveness of sorafenib as very good, good or sufficient. In conclusion, the current evidence is too limited to derive conclusions and existing studies suffer from methodological shortcomings.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Assessing the public health burden

There is not yet a clear consensus on the incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) or the extent of its burden on public health. In this systematic review, we seek to summarize the incidence of SUDEP and its age distribution, as well as the years of potential life lost and cumulative risks of SUDEP for persons with epilepsy.
Left ventricular function in rheumatoid arthritis during anti-TNF-α treatment: a speckle tracking prospective echocardiographic study.

AIM Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shows a high risk for cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. Although TNF-α has been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial remodelling, TNF-α inhibition did not show any efficacy in patients with advanced heart failure and should be contraindicated in RA with cardiac complications. We aimed to assess global left ventricular (LV) systolic function using global longitudinal strain (GLS) as a measure of myocardial deformation, in a group of RA patients before and during anti-TNF-α treatment. METHODS 13 patients (female:male 7:6) affected by RA were prospectively followed for one year during anti TNF-α treatment. Every subject underwent echocardiography before starting anti-TNF-α drugs and after one year of treatment, to evaluate LV ejection fraction (EF), telediastolic diameter, telediastolic volume and global longitudinal strain (GLS) that was calculated using 2D speckle tracking as the mean GLS from three standard apical views (2, 3 and 4 -chambers). The patients showed a mean age of 43 years at RA onset (SD: 13) and a mean follow-up of 7.3 years (SD: 4.8). Steroid and methotrexate were used in 84.6% and 100%, respectively, in association with etanercept (6 cases), adalimumab (4 cases) and infliximab (3 cases). RESULTS Patients globally showed a normal EF before and after one year of treatment (mean: 65% and 65.7%, respectively). GLS did not differ before or after anti-TNF-α treatment (mean: -15.8% and -16.7%, respectively). CONCLUSION Anti-TNF-α treatment did not significantly modify myocardial contractility after 12 months.
A New Traffic Congestion Detection and Quantification Method Based on Comprehensive Fuzzy Assessment in VANET

Recently, road traffic congestion is becoming a serious urban phenomenon, leading to massive adverse impacts on the ecology and economy. Therefore, solving this problem has drawn public attention throughout the world. One new promising solution is to take full advantage of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs). In this study, we propose a new traffic congestion detection and quantification method based on vehicle clustering and fuzzy assessment in VANET environment. To enhance real-time performance, this method collects traffic information by vehicle clustering. The average speed, road density, and average stop delay are selected as the characteristic parameters for traffic state identification. We use a comprehensive fuzzy assessment based on the three indicators to determine the road congestion condition. Simulation results show that the proposed method can precisely reflect the road condition and is more accurate and stable compared to existing algorithms.
Jekyll and Hyde: the role of the microenvironment on the progression of cancer

It is now recognized that the host microenvironment undergoes extensive change during the evolution and progression of cancer. This involves the generation of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which, through release of growth factors and cytokines, lead to enhanced angiogenesis, increased tumour growth and invasion. It has also been demonstrated that CAFs may modulate the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, which has therapeutic implications. The altered fibroblast phenotype also contributes to the development of an altered extracellular matrix (ECM), with synthesis of ECM isoforms rarely found in normal tissues, including tenascin‐C isoforms and the fibronectin EDA isoform. There is also emerging evidence of how the tensile strength of the tumour‐associated ECM may be modified and lead to altered signalling in tumour cells. The hypoxic environment of the tumour stimulates angiogenesis and also impacts on other aspects of cell signalling, including the c‐met pathway and lysyl oxidase‐mediated signalling, which can directly promote tumour cell invasion. The inflammatory infiltrate associated with many solid tumours also modulates tumour function, having both anti‐ and pro‐tumour effects. All of these components of the microenvironment provide potential targets for therapeutic attack, with a number of molecules already in clinical trials. It is also becoming evident that characterizing the tumour microenvironment can provide important prognostic and predictive information about tumours, independent of the tumour cell phenotype. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
mEEG: A system for electroencephalogram data management and analysis

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a technique for the acquisition of electrical brain signals. In recent years the increase of information acquired from signal analysis has genereted a large amount of data; therefore, the development of tools for analysis has become necessary. In this paper, the mEEG prototype for EEG data managing is presented. It offers a user-friendly communication solution to exchange data between physicians and biomedical engineers. Features can be used for: (i) perform a fast diagnoses; (ii) show reports about clinical information; (iii) store and retrieve neurological data.
Leptospire Genomic Diversity Revealed by Microarray-Based Comparative Genomic Hybridization

ABSTRACT Comparative genomic hybridization was used to compare genetic diversity of five strains of Leptospira (Leptospira interrogans serovars Bratislava, Canicola, and Hebdomadis and Leptospira kirschneri serovars Cynopteri and Grippotyphosa). The array was designed based on two available sequenced Leptospira reference genomes, those of L. interrogans serovar Copenhageni and L. interrogans serovar Lai. A comparison of genetic contents showed that L. interrogans serovar Bratislava was closest to the reference genomes while L. kirschneri serovar Grippotyphosa had the least similarity to the reference genomes. Cluster analysis indicated that L. interrogans serovars Bratislava and Hebdomadis clustered together first, followed by L. interrogans serovar Canicola, before the two L. kirschneri strains. Confirmed/potential virulence factors identified in previous research were also detected in the tested strains.
Seasonal variation in atmospheric relative humidity contributes to explaining seasonal variation in trunk circumference of tropical rain-forest trees in French Guiana

Abstract: Large seasonal variation in the rate of change in girth of tropical rain-forest tree species has been described, but its origin is still under debate. We tested whether this variation might be related to variation in atmospheric relative humidity through its influence on bark water content and thickness. Variation in trunk circumference of 182 adult trees was measured about twice a month in an undisturbed tropical rain forest over 18 mo using dendrometers. Furthermore, a laboratory experiment was conducted to test the direct influence of relative air humidity on bark water content and thickness. In the field, most trees displayed highly positive rates of change in girth at the onset of the wet season, while a quarter of the trees displayed negative changes during long dry seasons, whatever their total annual growth. This variation was correlated with environmental conditions, particularly with atmospheric relative humidity. Trees with high bark water content and thickness displayed a stronger decrease in girth during the dry season. In the chamber experiment, desiccation induced a decrease in the diameter of the trunk sections in tandem with a decrease in bark water content. As a result, seasonal variation in the rate of change in girth of tropical rain-forest trees reflects variation in trunk biophysical properties, through the influence of relative humidity on bark properties, but not directly variation in secondary growth.
WHAT'S IN A NAME

Three Maya women served as documented rulers during the Classic period. The expressions of their names and titles, unlike those of all of their contemporaries, share a unique syntactic variation throughout Mayan hieroglyphic inscriptions: their systematic lack of feminine prefixes. In addition to this variation, the bestowing of the na bate warrior title upon other exceptionally prominent Maya women suggests that women of extraordinary status in Classic-period Maya society were “masculinized,” or granted male attributes, in order to accommodate their sharing of status or occupancy of roles that were traditionally masculine. Since some male rulers were similarly portrayed with certain feminine traits, it is suggested that the Classic Maya concept of gender was based on a complementary, or balanced, relationship of masculine and feminine. The projection of one gender's traits onto individuals of another sex indicates that gender was not polar but rather inclusive and reciprocal, such that characteristics could be adopted and utilized by members of both sexes in order to make them suitable for specific roles.
Lateral confinement of surface states on stepped Cu(111).

By means of scanning tunneling microscopy we observe the lateral confinement of the two-dimensional electron gas of a s,p-like surface state by a regular distribution of steps on vicinal Cu(111). The surface state appears with a reduced binding energy as a result of scattering at steps and partial confinement within the terraces, as revealed by local scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The energy shift of the bottom of the surface state band is measured for several vicinal Cu surfaces with angle-resolved photoemission and found to be consistent with a simple one-dimensional Kronig-Penney model.
A proteomic approach to investigate potential biomarkers directed against membrane‐associated breast cancer proteins

The identification of specific protein markers for breast cancer would provide the basis for early diagnosis. Particularly, membrane and membrane‐associated proteins are rich in targets for antibodies that may constitute suitable biomarkers of carcinogenesis. However, membrane proteins separation using 2‐DE remains difficult. In this work, the breast cancer cell line MCF7 was used as source of proteins for the screening of potential cell membrane‐associated antigens recognized by autoantibodies in patients with breast cancer and healthy volunteers. The protein extract obtained using trifluoroethanol (TFE) as cosolvent was compared to a total cell lysate protein extract prepared by a current technique. After 2‐DE separation of the two extracts, their protein patterns clearly differed. About 63% of the proteins identified in the TFE‐extract were predicted to possess at least one transmembrane domain. 2‐D blots probed with sera from cancer patients or from healthy volunteers showed that, as expected, additional antigens were provided in the TFE‐extract. Thus, the method described here appeared well suited for proteomic investigation of potential biomarkers undetected by current techniques.
Correlation between Presence of Viable Bacteria and Presence of Endotoxin in Middle-Ear Effusions

ABSTRACT The presence of endotoxin (detected by the Limulusamebocyte lysate assay) was compared to the presence of viableHaemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis (detected by PCR) in 106 middle-ear effusions from pediatric patients with chronic otitis media. Endotoxin was found in 81 of the 106 specimens. Of these 81 specimens, 66 (81.5%) also tested positive for one or both of the gram-negative bacteria H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis. The data suggest that viable gram-negative bacteria, detectable by PCR but often undetectable by culture, may be the source of endotoxin in middle-ear effusions.
MRI in diabetic muscle infarction

A 45-year-old man, with a 20-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hemodialysis-dependent, end-stage renal disease, developed severe right medial thigh pain, swelling, erythema, and an antalgic gait 2 weeks before admission. A diabetic muscle infarction diagnosis was …