Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of basophil activation test in diagnosis of occupational nonasthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis

from 120 before treatment to MFI 22 following omalizumab (data not shown) indicating a decreased IgE load on the basophils. We hypothesize that the favourable clinical response to omalizumab reflects decreased activation of mast cells (similar to the effect in basophils) because of decreased IgE binding to systemic mast cells, which has occurred in this nonatopic individual with an abnormal mast cell population. A BMA performed 7 months after treatment commenced showed persistence of abnormal CD25 and CD2 positive mast cells, consistent with SM, despite the patient’s dramatic clinical improvement. Anaphylaxis associated with SM may have catastrophic consequences. We alert our colleagues to the efficacy of omalizumab for treatment of such patients whether atopic or nonatopic. Jo A Douglass, Robyn O’Hehir and Astrid Voskamp received omalizumab for an investigator initiated study not involving systemic mastocytosis. Jo A Douglass and Robyn O’Hehir participated in contracted research for Novartis. Jo A Douglass received travel sponsorship from Schering-Plough.
Detrended fluctuation analysis of photoplethysmogram pulse rate intervals in sleep disordered breathing

The fluctuation of heartbeat intervals is irregular and erratic in healthy young individuals. Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) influences the fluctuation of heart rate. In this study, we investigated the effects of SDB on heart rate fluctuations by analyzing the short- and long-range correlation of photoplethysmogram pulse to pulse intervals (PPIs). We recruited 160 children referred to British Columbia Children's Hospital for overnight polysomnography and recorded the photoplethysmogram (PPG) using the Phone Oximeter™. Detrended fluctuation analysis was applied to analyze the scaling behavior of PPIs time series in children with and without SDB. We found stronger short-range (10 to 40 pulses) and long-range (70 to 200 pulses) correlation in children with SDB. This reflects the loss of irregularity of heart rate in children with SDB.
Treatment of diarrheal disease.

455 Areview of the last five to 10 years of literature regarding oral rehydration recommendations and the treatment of diarrhea have yielded the following information. There is no change in the indications and recommendations for the use of oral rehydration solutions in diarrheal disease in children outlined in the original Canadian Paediatric Society statement (1). However, there have been a number of studies that amplify the recommendations made in this paper and new evidence is presented on the composition of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) and therapy with antidiarrheal compounds. These compounds have a variety of mechanisms of action: alteration of intestinal motility, alteration of secretion, absorption of toxins or fluid and alteration of intestinal flora. They have the potential to modify the amount of fluid loss and the duration of diarrhea, but some are of no proven benefit and may have the potential for toxicity. It is worth considering the latest evidence about these compounds. It is also worthwhile to re-emphasize some of the basic strategies in dealing with diarrheal disease.
Glutamine Metabolism: Nutritional and Clinical Significance Glutamine: The Emperor or His Clothes?

In this introduction to the Proceedings of the Symposium on Glutamine, we consider various lines of evidence that might potentially lead to an answer to the question posed in the title. We begin with a short summary of the multiple functions of glutamine, which are extensive and, superficially at least, equally as impressive as those of glutamate. However, each of these amino acids may serve an equivalent role in some of these functions due to their ready metabolic interconversion. We raise the question whether glutamine is of primordial or rudimentary significance or whether it is a product of somebody else’s existence. Thus, there is a short account of the prebiotic events of evolution that led to the appearance of glutamine and life on Earth. In doing this, it then appears that glutamine is a rather schizophrenic molecule, stable and thermodynamically reliable in biochemical environments, but labile in chemical ones. We then turn to the involvement of glutamine in mammalian N (nitrogen) commerce, with initial emphasis on the nitrogen cycle on Earth, then N transport and N excretion, before assessing its contribution to carbon/energy or C/E commerce. We hypothesize that, in addition to its utilization in immune cell function and in normal intestinal tissues, glutamine is a particularly key anapleurotic and energy-yielding substrate in conditions of hypoxia, anoxia and dysoxia. It also serves as a quantitatively important gluconeogenic metabolite under normal postabsorptive conditions. We postulate that in certain conditions, this carbon-energy econometric function might be by-passed with ornithine. In conclusion, the answer to the question above depends on the context, and this point will receive elaboration in many of the individual contributions that collaborate to form these Proceedings. J. Nutr. 131: 2449S–2459S, 2001.
Entecavir for treatment of lamivudine-refractory, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Lamivudine treatment is associated with frequent development of resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV) and loss of treatment benefit. In preclinical and phase II studies, entecavir demonstrated potent antiviral activity against lamivudine-resistant HBV. METHODS In this phase III, double-blind trial, hepatitis B e antigen-positive patients who were refractory to lamivudine therapy (persistent viremia or documented YMDD mutations while receiving lamivudine) were randomized to switch to entecavir 1 mg daily (n = 141) or continue lamivudine 100 mg daily (n = 145) for a minimum of 52 weeks. Two coprimary end points were assessed at 48 weeks: histologic improvement and a composite end point (HBV branched DNA <0.7 MEq/mL and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] <1.25 times the upper limit of normal). RESULTS Histologic improvement occurred in 55% (68/124) of entecavir-treated vs 28% (32/116) of lamivudine-treated patients (P < .0001). More patients on entecavir than lamivudine achieved the composite end point: 55% (77/141) vs 4% (6/145), respectively (P < .0001). Mean change from baseline in HBV DNA was -5.11 log(10) copies/mL for entecavir-treated patients and -0.48 log(10) copies/mL for lamivudine-treated patients (P < .0001). Virologic rebound because of entecavir resistance substitutions occurred in 2 of 141 of entecavir-treated patients, and genotypic evidence of resistance was detected in 10 patients. The safety profile of entecavir was comparable to lamivudine with fewer ALT flares on treatment. CONCLUSIONS In patients with lamivudine-refractory chronic hepatitis B, switching to entecavir provides superior histologic improvement, viral load reduction, and ALT normalization compared with continuing lamivudine, with a comparable adverse event profile.
Pressor with promise: using vasopressin in cardiopulmonary arrest.

Despite their widespread use, current methods of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and advanced cardiac life support continue to yield poor results. In the United States, the national average for long-term survival after cardiac arrest in patients with an out-of-hospital arrest remains <5%. Surprisingly, the use of epinephrine, the mainstay of pharmacological therapy in cardiac arrest, is supported only by animal studies and anecdotal case reports. We would like to present evidence that vasopressin, alone or in combination with epinephrine, is more effective than epinephrine in the treatment of cardiopulmonary arrest. Its use during advanced cardiac life support may improve the chances of survival after cardiopulmonary arrest. All forms of stress elicit an endocrine response. Cardiopulmonary arrest, the ultimate stress,1 results in the release of endogenous epinephrine and norepinephrine in animals and humans. Systemic vascular resistance increases, with preferential redistribution of blood flow to myocardial and cerebral vessels.2 The discovery of this pressor response prompted trials of catecholamines in animal models of cardiac arrest, ultimately leading to the use of epinephrine in human subjects. For more than three decades, epinephrine has been the drug of choice and the major pharmacological intervention in cardiac arrest. A recent randomized, controlled trial comparing epinephrine with placebo showed that neither high-dose nor standard-dose epinephrine altered survival in cardiac …
Real time EEG based automatic brainwave regulation by music

In this paper, we proposed an approach to automatically regulate the mood or brainwave of the paralyzed or sensory impaired or psychologically sick people. A MATLAB based algorithm has been developed to analyze the brain wave signals obtained from a real time EEG data acquisition system corresponding to different moods of the subject people. The program translated the brain wave signals into command to select and play suitable music tracks according to the state of the brain. These music or sound tracks, selected based on the choice of the target people, acted in turn as a feedback to continuously adjust the subject's mood as desired. Relaxation music, subcontinental soft patriotic, Rabindra Sangeet & motivational songs were used as example for relaxation, entertainment and warm-up respectively. Sample stored EEG data of different patients having different moods were used to verify the feasibility of the approach and the obtained results ensured its effectiveness.
The Psittacosis Group as Bacteria

This work is the proceedings of a conference held at the University of Rochester in 1962. It consists of 23 papers and, as is so often the case, they are not of equal quality. A couple, in fact, occupy only two or three pages, and their substance does not warrant inclusion. On the other hand, the majority of the papers constitute real contributions to descriptions of the use of computers in biomedical research. Five of the papers treat of patient care, while another five are concerned with research in neurophysiology. The remaining papers are spread throughout the field although there are two in psychology and two in information retrieval. Despite the fact that the book appears two years after the conference, it is still largely up-to-date for anyone who is contemplating initiating the use of computer techniques in his research. This is a work which any beginner in biomedical computation should look through, for it will probably suggest to him techniques and procedures to be explored. FREDERICK G. KILGOUR
The presence of voltage-gated sodium, potassium and chloride channels in rat cultured astrocytes

Patch-clamp recording from the plasmalemma of rat cultured astrocytes reveals the presence of both voltage-dependent sodium and voltage-dependent potassium conductances. These conductances are similar but not identical to the corresponding conductances in the axolemma. Whereas the h∞ relation of the sodium channels has the same voltage dependence as in the nodal axolemma, the peak current-voltage relation is shifted by about 30 mV along the voltage axis in the depolarizing direction. It is speculated that the glial cells synthesize sodium and potassium channels for later insertion into the axolemma of neighbouring axons. The astrocytes also express a plasmalemmal voltage-dependent anion conductance that is turned on at about —40 mV (that is, near the resting potential of the cultured astrocytes). The channels involved are large enough to be just permeable to glutamate but not to ascorbate. It is suggested that the conductance of this channel for chloride plays a physiological role in the spatial buffering of pottassium by glial cells.
Legume proteomics: Progress, prospects, and challenges

Legumes are the major sources of food and fodder with strong commercial relevance, and are essential components of agricultural ecosystems owing to their ability to carry out endosymbiotic nitrogen fixation. In recent years, legumes have become one of the major choices of plant research. The legume proteomics is currently represented by more than 100 reference maps and an equal number of stress‐responsive proteomes. Among the 48 legumes in the protein databases, most proteomic studies have been accomplished in two model legumes, soybean, and barrel medic. This review highlights recent contributions in the field of legume proteomics to comprehend the defence and regulatory mechanisms during development and adaptation to climatic changes. Here, we attempted to provide a concise overview of the progress in legume proteomics and discuss future developments in three broad perspectives: (i) proteome of organs/tissues; (ii) subcellular compartments; and (iii) spatiotemporal changes in response to stress. Such data mining may aid in discovering potential biomarkers for plant growth, in general, apart from essential components involved in stress tolerance. The prospect of integrating proteome data with genome information from legumes will provide exciting opportunities for plant biologists to achieve long‐term goals of crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.
Variational calculation of polarization of quantum-well photoluminescence.

We calculate for the first time the circular polarization of GaAs/${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As quantum-well photoluminescence taking into account the true nonparabolic valence-band structure. Versus the excitation energy, we find high positive polarization for the transition n=1 heavy-hole\char21{}to\char21{}conduction-band transition and negative polarization at the onset of n=1 light-hole\char21{}to\char21{}conduction-band transition in qualitative agreement with experiments. We also study the ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathrm{y}}$${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{y}}$As/InP system and predict no negative polarization in this case.
Temporal Production of the Signaling Lipid Phosphatidic Acid by Phospholipase D2 Determines the Output of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Signaling in Cancer Cells

ABSTRACT The Ras-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) cascade is an important signaling module in cells. One regulator of the Ras-ERK cascade is phosphatidic acid (PA) generated by phospholipase D (PLD) and diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Using a newly developed PA biosensor, PASS (phosphatidic acid biosensor with superior sensitivity), we found that PA was generated sequentially by PLD and DGK in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated HCC1806 breast cancer cells. Inhibition of PLD2, one of the two PLD members, was sufficient to eliminate most of the PA production, whereas inhibition of DGK decreased PA production only at the later stages of EGF stimulation, suggesting that PLD2 precedes DGK activation. The temporal production of PA by PLD2 is important for the nuclear activation of ERK. While inhibition of both PLD and DGK had no effect on the overall ERK activity, inhibition of PLD2 but not PLD1 or DGK blocked the nuclear ERK activity in several cancer cell lines. The decrease of active ERK in the nucleus inhibited the activation of Elk1, c-fos, and Fra1, the ERK nuclear targets, leading to decreased proliferation of HCC1806 cells. Together, these findings reveal that PA production by PLD2 determines the output of ERK in cancer cell growth factor signaling.
An overview of factors maximizing successful split-thickness skin grafting in diabetic wounds

Open wounds, from ulcerations or slow healing, are one of the comorbidities in diabetic patients that can lead to amputation. Therefore, an optimal way to close and heal wounds quickly in diabetic patients is required. Split-thickness skin grafts (STSG) offer a quick method of wound closure for diabetic patients. This article review will look at causes of failure in STSG, and ways to optimize success.
Forward slicing algorithm based test data generation

In this paper we have suggested a new method for test data generation using dynamic forward slicing algorithm. Separating the suspicious parts of code from the original program will make the process of test data generation easier. In forward dynamic slicing, the slices produced are much smaller than the original program and the search space for testing is considerably reduced. In this paper, we discuss the forward algorithm and the advantages of using forward dynamic algorithm for test data generation. The test cases are generated by analyzing the constraints present in the slices constructed from forward dynamic slicing algorithm. In the proposed method, the program for which the test data to be generated is analyzed. Forward slicing of the program is done with respect to all the variables whose value is changed during program execution. Slices obtained are then verified for statements which define certain constraints for test data generation. This helps to clearly define the limits of test data and remove the ambiguities about the value of the test data which is to be generated. The test data is then generated based on the constraints. In the proposed method, since forward algorithm is used, the execution traces need not be recorded and analyzing the constraints present in the slices will help in fault localization and debugging. This is one of the most important advantages of our method.
Unconditional Time Delay Stability Analysis for Space Force Telepresence Teleoperation System Rate

In this paper, a simple analysis method for space force telepresence teleoperation system is proposed. Because the long distance between the master controller and the slave side, there exists long time delay in communication channel, which cause the system instability and decreased operation ability. The goal of this paper is to analyze the system unconditional stability with the difference and differential equations based on telepresence system time delay dynamic equation. Simulation results show good performance of the proposed method in space force teleoperation system.
The Effect of Increased Fio2 Before Tracheal Extubation on Postoperative Atelectasis

General anesthesia promotes pulmonary atelectasis, which can be eliminated by a vital capacity (VC) maneuver (inflation of the lungs to 40 cm H2O for 15 s). High-inspired oxygen concentration favors recurrence of atelectasis. Therefore, 100% oxygen before tracheal extubation may contribute to atelectasis. To evaluate whether the use of 100% oxygen before extubation increases the amount of postoperative atelectasis, we studied 30 adults scheduled for elective surgery of the extremities. Ten minutes before the presumed end of surgery, patients were randomly assigned to (a) a fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2) = 1.0 (n = 10), (b) VC maneuver + Fio2 = 1.0 (n = 10), or (c) VC maneuver + Fio2 = 0.4 (n = 10). The amount of atelectasis was measured by computed tomography scan, and oxygenation was studied by arterial blood gas analysis. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Results are presented as mean ± sd;P < 0.05 was considered significant. In the VC maneuver + Fio2 = 0.4 group, postoperative atelectasis was smaller (2.6% ± 1.1% of total lung surface, P < 0.05) than in the Fio2 = 1.0 group (8.3% ± 6.2%) and in the VC maneuver + Fio2 = 1.0 group (6.8% ± 3.4%). Oxygen 100% at the end of general anesthesia promotes postoperative atelectasis. A safety margin in terms of oxygenation during tracheal extubation is essential, and further studies should therefore evaluate whether atelectasis formation could be prevented despite the use of 100% oxygen.
Hepatitis B virus genotypes in Alaska Native people with hepatocellular carcinoma: preponderance of genotype F.

BACKGROUND The development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been associated with specific HBV genotypes and the presence of specific mutations. METHODS From a cohort of Alaska Native people with chronic HBV infection, we genotyped 47 patients with HCC and 1129 patients without HCC, and we tested patients with HCC and control patients for mutations in the basal core promoter and precore regions. RESULTS Genotype F was found in 68% of patients with HCC, versus 18% of those without HCC (P<.001). For patients with genotype F, the median age at diagnosis of HCC was lower than that for patients with other genotypes (22.5 vs. 60 years, respectively; P=.002). Overall, there were no significant differences in the number of basal core promoter and precore region mutations between patients with HCC and control patients. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant association between genotype F and the development of HCC among Alaska Native people with chronic HBV infection but no significant association between HCC and basal core promoter or precore mutations in genotype F.
Phenotypic Variability of Rhodnius ecuadoriensis Populations at the Ecuadorian Central and Southern Andean Region

ABSTRACT Rhodnius ecuadoriensis is an important vector of Chagas disease in Ecuador. Whereas only sylvatic and peridomestic populations are common in Manabí province, this species occupies domestic, peridomestic, and sylvatic habitats in Loja province where high reinfestation of houses was observed. To explore the existence of phenetic changes linked to the domiciliation of the species, this study set out to analyze the wing and antennal phenotypes of R. ecuadoriensis in these two provinces where the vector presents different affinity for domestic habitats. The antennal phenotype and the wing size and shape distinguish the two geographical populations of R. ecuadoriensis. In Manabí, sylvatic and peridomestic specimens were very similar. In Loja, sylvatic and nonsylvatic (domestic and peridomestic) populations showed distinctive characteristics. Remarkable sexual dimorphism of wing and antenna, exclusive of domestic specimens, and high metric disparity in the wing shape of the domestic females point out the existence of a particular situation in this habitat. The results of this phenotypic analysis and previous evidence of behavioral differences support the hypothesis of disruptive selection acting upon R. ecuadoriensis populations.
Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma: clinicopathological relationships, therapy and survival in ninety‐two patients

Clinicopathological findings, methods of treatment and survival in ninety‐two patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) (eighty‐five mycosis fungoides and seven Sezary syndrome), seen in the Leiden University Hospital between 1974 and 1980, are reported. All patients were staged and treatment was given accordingly. Patients without signs of extracutaneous disease (74%) were treated with either total‐skin electron‐beam irradiation (E beam), topical mechlorethamine (HN2) or PUVA. Topical HN2 and E beam had an equal effect on survival. Electron‐beam induced a higher number of initial complete remissions than HN2, but fewer patients relapsed while on maintenance treatment with HN2.