Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of dibutyryl camp (dBcAMP) on morphological differentiation, growth and invasion in vitro of a hamster brain‐tumor cell line: A comparative study of dBcAMP effects in 2‐ and 3‐dimensional cultures

The use of agents that stimulate cancer cells to differentiate is proposed as a potential approach to the treatment of malignancy. To evaluate the effects of a differentiation inducer on morphology, growth and invasion in vitro of brain‐tumor cells, a diffusely invasive hamster glial cell line (CxT3C15) was treated with Imm dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP). The efficacy of dBcAMP was tested in monolayer cultures, 3‐dimensional static cultures (i.e., spheroids) and confrontation cultures with an embryonic chick heart. CxT3C15 cells exhibited increased numbers of long cellular processes (morphological differentiation) following treatment of monolayer cultures with Imm dBcAMP. One mm dBcAMP also altered the macroscopic and ultrastructural morphology of CxT3C15 grown as spheroids. These alterations were: (i) a fast transition of rough to smooth morphology macroscopically, and (ii) fading of the cell borders concomitant with the disappearance of cell‐membrane excrescences, as seen by scanning electron microscopy. Exponential growth of CxT3C15 in monolayers was not changed following treatment with ImM dBcAMP. Treatment of CxT3C15 spheroids with the same dose of dBcAMP caused a reduction of relative volume increase (30‐40%). Invasion of CxT3C15 in an embryonic chick heart in vitro was not altered after addition (prior to or at the time of co‐culture) of Imm dBcAMP to the co‐cultures.
A retrospective observational study of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in adults with severe sepsis: Comparison with a controlled clinical trial*

Objective:To compare characteristics and outcomes of patients treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated) (DrotAA) in clinical practice to those treated in a phase III randomized controlled trial (PROWESS). Design:Observational data were collected retrospectively from patients who received DrotAA as part of physician-directed treatment. Setting:Intensive care units of five teaching institutions. Patients:Patients were ≥18 yrs old, had severe sepsis (confirmed/suspected infection with one or more sepsis-induced organ dysfunctions), and received DrotAA. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Baseline demographics, severity of illness, time from organ dysfunction onset to DrotAA treatment, daily assessment of organ dysfunction, serious bleeding events, and in-hospital mortality were reported. Timing from severe sepsis documentation to start of DrotAA infusion was categorized: day 0 (same calendar day); day 1 (next calendar day); and day ≥2 (second calendar day or later). Clinical practice patients (n = 274) were younger, had more comorbidities, had higher severity of illness (as measured by organ dysfunction or greater vasopressor/ventilator use), and received DrotAA later than PROWESS patients (all p < .05). Overall hospital mortality for clinical practice patients was 42%, compared with 37% for DrotAA-treated PROWESS patients with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score ≥25. Mortality for day 0, day 1, and day ≥2 groups was 33%, 40%, and 52%, respectively. In PROWESS, the vast majority were treated on day 0 or day 1. Serious bleeding events during infusion were noted in 4.0% of clinical practice patients compared with 2.2% of PROWESS DrotAA-treated patients with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score ≥25. Conclusions:Patients treated in clinical practice differed from those in PROWESS. Patients were younger, had more comorbidities, had greater severity of illness, and had longer mean time from severe sepsis onset to the start of DrotAA. Hospital mortality for patients treated within 1 day of severe sepsis onset was similar to DrotAA-treated PROWESS patients. While the low number of serious bleeding events precludes a definitive assessment, the observed incidence of serious bleeding events in clinical practice patients was numerically higher than in DrotAA-treated PROWESS patients.
Proyecto de Educación para la Salud de la Unidad de Salud Bucodental para personas con discapacidad de 6 a 18 años del Servicio Madrileño de Salud

Introduccion Las actividades de la Atencion Sanitaria son la prevencion, promocion, diagnostico, tratamiento y rehabilitacion. Si bien los profesionales sanitarios centramos nuestra practica en las tres ultimas, la prevencion y promocion de la salud muchas veces no son objetivo principal de nuestro trabajo. La filosofia sanitaria actual debe centrar necesariamente sus esfuerzos para que todas las actividades sean realizadas y tengan la misma importancia. Para conseguirlo, la educacion sanitaria se convierte en la herramienta fundamental de la prevencion y la promocion de la salud en general, y bucodental en particular. La Unidad de Salud Bucodental para personas con discapacidad de 6 a 18 anos de la Comunidad de Madrid (USBD-D), consciente de este cambio, introduce esta forma de trabajo, apoyandose en los padres/tutores y comunidad como agentes principales del cuidado de este colectivo. Material y metodo: Estudio descriptivo de la intervencion educativa realizada por la USBD-D a padres/tutores sobre habitos higienico-dieteticos relacionados con la salud bucodental y planteamiento de otra linea de actuacion sanitaria: la Educacion para la Salud. Resultados: la intervencion educativa fue altamente valorada por los asistentes, evaluandola con encuestas de satisfaccion, y por los profesionales, gracias a la guia del observador. Conclusiones: La Educacion para la Salud es una herramienta fundamental para la captacion y motivacion de los pacientes, familiares y comunidad que atendemos en nuestra practica diaria. Con ella conseguimos prevenir las enfermedades y promover la salud y el autocuidado, aumentando la satisfaccion de las personas a las que va dirigida y la de los propios trabajadores, que ven en ella otra forma de realizar su practica asistencial.
Production and Functional Properties of Dairy Products Containing Lactophorin and Lactadherin

Mizuho Inagaki1, Xijier2, Yoshitaka Nakamura3, Takeshi Takahashi3, Tomio Yabe1,2, Toyoko Nakagomi4, Osamu Nakagomi4 and Yoshihiro Kanamaru1,2 1Department of Applied Life Science, Gifu University 2United Graduate School of Agricultural science, Gifu University 3Food Science Institute, Division of Research and Development, Meiji Co., Ltd. 4Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Global Center of Excellence, Nagasaki University Japan
Investigation and Improvement of Maximum Likelihood Channel Estimator in OFDM Systems

Frequency offsets are the most destructive effects to the orthogonality between carriers, also known as Inter-Carrier-Interference (ICI) in OFDM systems. This offset can be corrected by implementing a proper correction scheme which relies on channel estimation techniques such as Maximum Likelihood Channel Estimator (MMLE). Further improvements enhance the reliability, Accuracy and Quality of Service (QoS) of OFDM. This paper studies MMLE behavior to improve the limitation and the overall performance of channel estimation process using matlab simulation software and propose an improved version of MMLE which shows the noticeable degradation of Bit Error Rate (BER). Simulation results shows that lower Bit Error Rates (BER) can be achieved using this improved method which further achieves more orthogonal OFDM carriers and less ICI.
Perioperative Optimization of the Heart Failure Patient

Heart failure is a major public health problem with an estimated 5.7 million adults over age 20 affected, accounting for approximately 7% of all cardiovascular deaths in 2006. According to data from The Framingham Heart Study, the incidence of heart failure after age 65 approaches 10 per 1000 population and after age 40 the lifetime risk for both men and women is 1 in 5. As the population ages, the clinical and economic impact of heart failure will increase. The estimated direct and indirect cost in the United States alone for 2009 is $37.2 billion. In 2006, nearly 45 million inpatient procedures were performed at hospitals in the United States and of those procedures, only 7 million were performed on the cardiovascular system. It is estimated that 6% to 7% of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery have heart failure. The literature on improving perioperative outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease has focused mainly on the subgroup with coronary heart disease (CHD). There has not been nearly as much clinical investigation or discussion on the perioperative optimization of patients with heart failure, despite the fact that recent studies have shown it to be an even more significant perioperative risk factor than CHD. In a retrospective evaluation of patients with heart failure undergoing major noncardiac surgery, Xu-Cai and colleagues noted longer hospital stays, increased likelihood for hospital readmission, and substantial long-term mortality rates. Similarly, Hammill and colleagues
Drug Prescription Pattern in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Purpose: To evaluate the prescribing pattern of clinicians in the general outpatient unit of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH),. Methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study conducted using 500 prescriptions made at the general outpatient unit of AKTH between April and July 2009. Results: A total of 497 prescriptions were successfully analyzed. The average number of drugs per encounter in the facility was 3.04. Generic prescribing was low at 42.7 % while antibiotic prescription was high at 34.4 %. Injections were prescribed in 4 % of encounters while 36.2, 19.1, 25.8 and 1 % of encounters had analgesics, antimalarials, antihypertensives and anxiolytics prescribed, respectively. Vitamins were prescribed in 9.7 % of encounters. Conclusion: Polypharmacy, low rate of generic prescriptions and overuse of antibiotics still remain a problem in health care facilities in Nigeria. This calls for sustained interventional strategies and periodic audit at all levels of health care to avoid the negative consequences of inappropriate prescriptions.
Modeling biocide action against biofilms

A phenomenological model of biocide action against microbial biofilms was derived. Processes incorporated in the model include bulk flow in and out of a well‐mixed reactor, transport of dissolved species into the biofilm, substrate consumption by bacterial metabolism, bacterial growth, advection of cell mass within the biofilm, cell detachment from the biofilm, cell death, and biocide concentration‐dependent disinfection. Simulations were performed to analyze the general behavior of the model and to perform preliminary sensitivity analysis to identify key input parameters. The model captured several general features of antimicrobial agent action against biofilms that have been observed widely by experimenters and practitioners. These included (1) rapid disinfection followed by biofilm regrowth, (2) slower detachment than disinfection, and (3) reduced susceptibility of microorganisms in biofilms. The results support the plausibility of a mechanism of biofilm resistance in which the biocide is neutralized by reaction with biofilm constituents, leading to a reduction in the bulk biocide concentration and, more significantly, biocide concentration gradients within the biofilm. Sensitivity experiments and analyses identified which input parameters influence key response variables. Each of three response variables was sensitive to each of the five input parameters, but they were most sensitive to the initial biofilm thickness and next most sensitive to the biocide disinfection rate coefficient. Statistical regression modeling produced simple equations for approximating the response variables for situations within the range of conditions covered by the sensitivity experiment. The model should be useful as a tool for studying alternative biocide control strategies. For example, the simulations suggested that a good interval between pulses of biocide is the time to minimum thickness. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Health Effects of Welding

Many of the epidemiology studies performed are difficult to compare because of differences in worker populations, industrial settings, welding techniques, duration of exposure, and other occupational exposures besides welding fumes. Some studies were conducted in carefully controlled work environments, others during actual workplace conditions, and some in laboratories. Epidemiology studies have shown that a large number of welders experience some type of respiratory illness. Respiratory effects seen in full-time welders have included bronchitis, airway irritation, lung function changes, and a possible increase in the incidence of lung cancer. Pulmonary infections are increased in terms of severity, duration, and frequency among welders. Although epidemiological studies have demonstrated an increase in pulmonary illness after exposure to welding fumes, little information of the causality, dose-response, and possible underlying mechanisms regarding the inhalation of welding fumes exists. Even less information is available about the neurological, reproductive, and dermal effects after welding fume exposure. Moreover, carcinogenicity and short-term and long-term toxicology studies of welding fumes in animals are lacking or incomplete. Therefore, an understanding of possible adverse health effects of exposure to welding fumes is essential to risk assessment and the development of prevention strategies and will impact a large population of workers.
Spinal muscular atrophy: Recent advances and future prospects

Spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) are characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons associated with muscle paralysis and atrophy. Childhood SMA is a frequent recessive autosomal disorder and represents one of the most common genetic causes of death in childhood. Mutations of the SMN1 gene are responsible for SMA. The knowledge of the genetic basis of SMA, a better understanding of SMN function, and the recent generation of SMA mouse models represent major advances in the field of SMA. These are starting points towards understanding the pathophysiology of SMA and developing therapeutic strategies for this devastating neurodegenerative disease, for which no curative treatment is known so far. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 26: 4–13, 2002
Activation of iNKT Cells Prevents Salmonella-Enterocolitis and Salmonella-Induced Reactive Arthritis by Downregulating IL-17-Producing γδT Cells

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is an inflammatory condition of the joints that arises following an infection. Salmonella enterocolitis is one of the most common infections leading to ReA. Although the pathogenesis remains unclear, it is known that IL-17 plays a pivotal role in the development of ReA. IL-17-producers cells are mainly Th17, iNKT, and γδT lymphocytes. It is known that iNKT cells regulate the development of Th17 lineage. Whether iNKT cells also regulate γδT lymphocytes differentiation is unknown. We found that iNKT cells play a protective role in ReA. BALB/c Jα18−/− mice suffered a severe Salmonella enterocolitis, a 3.5-fold increase in IL-17 expression and aggravated inflammation of the synovial membrane. On the other hand, activation of iNKT cells with α-GalCer abrogated IL-17 response to Salmonella enterocolitis and prevented intestinal and joint tissue damage. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of α-GalCer was related to a drop in the proportion of IL-17-producing γδT lymphocytes (IL17-γδTcells) rather than to a decrease in Th17 cells. In summary, we here show that iNKT cells play a protective role against Salmonella-enterocolitis and Salmonella-induced ReA by downregulating IL17-γδTcells.
Error Reduction by Parallel
Repetition—A Negative Result

We show that no ﬁxed number of parallel repetitions suﬃces in order to reduce the error in two-prover one-round proof systems from one constant to another. Our results imply that the recent bounds proven by Ran Raz, showing that the number of rounds that suffice is inversely proportional to the answer length, are nearly best possible.
The nature and extent of cerebellar atrophy in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy

Purpose: Research indicates that patients with chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) exhibit cerebellar atrophy compared to healthy controls, but the degree to which specific regions of the cerebellum are affected remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize the extent and lateralization of atrophy in individual cerebellar lobes and subregions in unilateral TLE using advanced quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques.
Energiemarkteffizienz und das Quotenmodell der Monopolkommission

[Fazit und Ausblick] Die angedachte Reform des EEG greift nach Ansicht der Autoren zu kurz, da die EEG-Forderung nicht zeitnah und umfassend reformiert, sondern vielmehr die derzeitige Forderlogik beibehalten wird. Innerhalb des bestehenden Fordersystems lassen sich Ineffizienzen jedoch nicht langfristig wirksam reduzieren. Die derzeit geplante Absenkung der Einspeisevergutung zur Kosteneindammung hat damit vor allem einen geringeren Ausbau zur Folge. Eine Umstellung auf ein neues Mengenfordersystem ist erst fur 2018 angedacht. Das dann anvisierte Ausschreibungsmodell ist nach Ansicht der Autoren gegenuber dem Quotenmodell eine weniger effiziente Alternative, wenngleich es zu dem jetzigen Fordersystem fixer Einspeisetarife eine Verbesserung darstellt. Unbestritten ist, dass auch eine effizienzorientierte Forderpolitik mithilfe des von der Monopolkommission vorgeschlagenen Quotenmodells allein nicht die Losung aller Probleme der Energiewende sein kann. Weitere Aufgabenfelder sind vor allem die Bereiche Netzausbau und Versorgungssicherheit. Um dem in Deutschland massiven Netzausbau mit Alternativen gegenzusteuern, schlagt die Monopolkommission eine G-Komponente vor, welche Kraftwerksbetreiber an den Netzkosten beteiligt und hierdurch Anreize setzt, bei der Ansiedlung von Erzeugungsanlagen die Nahe zu Verbrauchsstandorten zu berucksichtigen. Des Weiteren sollte zwischen dem Europaischen Zertifikatehandelssystem und dem konkreten Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energietrager eine direkte Ruckkopplung geschaffen werden, um so die nationalen klimapolitischen Fortschritte aufgrund des Ausbaus erneuerbarer Energien auf europaischer Ebene nicht redundant zu machen.
Plasma levels of testosterone in male rabbits following copulation.

It is well established that the rabbit ovulâtes in response to mating and a marked ovarian release of 20a-hydroxypregnen-4-en-3-one will occur shortly after coitus in this species (Hilliard, Archibald & Sawyer, 1963). This change in progestin secretion following mating corresponds with the increase of gonado¬ trophin in peripheral blood (Hilliard, Hayward & Sawyer, 1964), and the release of interstitial cell stimulating hormone (icsh) and prolactin from the pituitary gland (Desjardins, Kirton & Hafs, 1967). Moreover, Taleisnik, Caligaris & Astrada (1966) noted a decrease in pituitary content of icsh and an increase in plasma icsh in female rats following copulation. The level of ascor¬ bic acid in the ovary of these animals was lower than in control rats. The hormonal response of the male gonad to copulation is less overt and has received little attention. Copulation will increase the blood levels of icsh and decrease the pituitary concentration of the hormone in the male rat (Taleisnik et al., 1966). The secretion of androgenic steroids into the spermatic venous blood of anaesthetized rabbits appears to increase shortly after coitus (Endroczi, 1962) and this increase is not found in male rabbits with hypothalamic lesions. Since testosterone is the major androgen secreted by the male gonad, it was deemed important to study fluctuations of this hormone in the peripheral blood of the rabbit following coitus.
Using EEG and NIRS for brain-computer interface and cognitive performance measures: a pilot study

This study addresses two important problem statements, namely, selection of training datasets for online Brain-Computer Interface BCI classifier training and determination of participant concentration levels during an experiment. The work also attempted a pilot study to integrate electroencephalograms EEGs and Near Infra Red Spectroscopy NIRS for possible applications such as the BCI and for measuring cognitive levels. Two experiments are presented, the first being a mathematical task interleaved with rest states using NIRS only. In the next, integration of the EEG-NIRS with reference to P300-based BCI systems as well as the experimental conditions designed to elicit the concentration levels denoted as ON and OFF states here during the paradigm, are presented. The first experiment indicates that NIRS can be used to differentiate a concentrated i.e., mental activity level from the rest. However, the second experiment reveals statistically significant results using the EEG only. We present details about the equipment used, the participants as well as the signal processing and machine learning techniques implemented to analyse the EEG and NIRS data. After discussing the results, we conclude by describing the research scope as well as the possible pitfalls in this work from a NIRS viewpoint, which presents an opportunity for future research exploration for BCI and cognitive performance measures.
Racial differences in expectations of joint replacement surgery outcomes.

OBJECTIVE Prior studies have indicated racial differences in patients' expectations for joint replacement surgery outcomes. The goal of this study was to measure these differences using a well-validated survey instrument and to determine if the differences could be explained by racial variation in disease severity, socioeconomic factors, literacy, or trust. METHODS Detailed demographic, clinical, psychological, and social data were collected from 909 male patients (450 African American, 459 white) ages 50-79 years with moderate or severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip or knee receiving primary care at 2 veterans affairs medical centers. The previously validated Joint Replacement Expectations Survey was used to assess expectations for pain relief, functional improvement, and psychological well-being after joint replacement. RESULTS Among knee OA patients (n = 627), the unadjusted mean expectation score (scale 0-76) for African American patients was 48.7 versus 53.6 for white patients (mean difference 4.9, P < 0.001). For hip OA patients (n = 282), the unadjusted mean expectation score (scale 0-72) for African Americans was 45.4 versus 51.5 for whites (mean difference 6.1, P < 0.001). Multivariable adjustment for disease severity, socioeconomic factors, education, social support, literacy, and trust reduced these racial differences to 3.8 points (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.2, 6.3) among knee OA patients and 4.2 points (95% CI 0.4, 8.0) among hip patients. CONCLUSION Among potential candidates for joint replacement, African American patients have significantly lower expectations for surgical outcomes than white patients. This difference is not entirely explained by racial differences in demographics, disease severity, education, income, social support, or trust.