Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bisphosphonates for the relief of pain secondary to bone metastases.

BACKGROUND Bisphosphonates form part of standard therapy for hypercalcemia and the prevention of skeletal events in some cancers. However, the role of bisphosphonates in pain relief for bony metastases remains uncertain. OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of bisphosphonates for the relief of pain from bone metastases. SEARCH STRATEGY MEDLINE (1966-1999), EMBASE (1980-1999), CancerLit (1966-1999), the Cochrane library (Issue 1, 2000) and the Oxford Pain Database were searched using the strategy devised by the Cochrane Pain, Palliative and Supportive Care Group with additional terms 'diphosphonate', 'bisphosphonate', 'multiple myeloma' and 'bone neoplasms'. (Last search: January 2000). SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials of bisphosphonates compared with open, blinded, or different doses/types of bisphosphonates in cancer patients were included where pain and/or analgesic consumption were outcome measures. Studies where pain was reported only by observers were excluded. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Article eligibility, quality assessment and data extraction were undertaken by both reviewers. The proportions of patients with pain relief at 4, 8 and 12 weeks were assessed. The proportion of patients with analgesic reduction, the mean pain score, mean analgesic consumption, adverse drug reactions, and quality of life data were compared as secondary outcomes. MAIN RESULTS Thirty randomized controlled studies (21 blinded, four open and five active control) with a total of 3682 subjects were included. For each outcome, there were few studies with available data. For the proportion of patients with pain relief (eight studies) pooled data showed benefits for the treatment group, with an NNT at 4 weeks of 11[95% CI 6-36] and at 12 weeks of 7 [95% CI 5-12]. In terms of adverse drug reactions, the NNH was 16 [95% CI 12-27] for discontinuation of therapy. Nausea and vomiting were reported in 24 studies with a non-significant trend for greater risk in the treatment group. One study showed a small improvement in quality of life for the treatment group at 4 weeks. The small number of studies in each subgroup with relevant data limited our ability to explore the most effective bisphosphonates and their relative effectiveness for different primary neoplasms. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS There is evidence to support the effectiveness of bisphosphonates in providing some pain relief for bone metastases. There is insufficient evidence to recommend bisphosphonates for immediate effect; as first line therapy; to define the most effective bisphosphonates or their relative effectiveness for different primary neoplasms. Bisphosphonates should be considered where analgesics and/or radiotherapy are inadequate for the management of painful bone metastases.
Influences of mixed expiratory sampling parameters on exhaled volatile organic compound concentrations

Breath gas analysis is a promising technology for medical applications. By identifying disease-specific biomarkers in the breath of patients, a non-invasive and easy method for early diagnosis or therapy monitoring can be developed. In order to achieve this goal, one essential prerequisite is the reproducibility of the method applied, i.e. the quantification of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The variability of breath gas VOC measurements can be affected by many factors. In this respect, sampling-specific parameters like flow rate and volume of exhalation, exhalation with or without breath holding, exhalation in single or multiple breathing and volume of air inhaled before breath gas exhalation can play a vital role. These factors affecting the measurements must be controlled by optimizing the sampling procedure. For such an optimization, it is important to know how exactly the different parameters affect the exhaled VOC concentrations. Therefore, a study has been undertaken in order to identify some effects of different breath sampling-specific parameters on the exhaled VOC profile using the mixed expired breath sampling technique. It was found that parameters such as filling the sampling bag with high or low flow rate of exhalation, with multiple or single exhalations, in different volumes of exhalation, with breath holding and under different surrounding air conditions significantly affect the concentrations of the exhaled VOCs. Therefore, the specific results of this work should be taken into account before planning new breath gas studies or developing new breath gas collection systems in order to minimize the number of artefacts affecting the concentration of exhaled VOCs.
Right Insular Atrophy in Neurocardiogenic Syncope: A Volumetric MRI Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Alterations in the central autonomic network are hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying neurocardiogenic syncope; however, few data are available regarding the structural changes of the brain in this condition. We used voxel-based morphometry and regional volumetry to identify possible neuroanatomic correlates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 32 patients with neurocardiogenic syncope with a positive response to the head-up tilt test and 32 controls who had no history of syncope. We used voxel-based morphometry to compare GM volumes between patients and controls. In addition, regional volumes of structures known to be included in the central autonomic network were measured and compared between the groups. Correlation analyses were also performed between clinical variables and anatomic data. RESULTS: Voxel-based morphometry showed a significant GM volume reduction in the right insular cortex in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope compared with controls (corrected P = .033). Regional volumetry showed a significant reduction of right insular volumes in patients compared with controls (P = .002, MANCOVA). Smaller right insular volumes in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope were related to larger drops in systolic (P = .020) and diastolic (P = .003) blood pressures during the head-up tilt test. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a novel finding of right insular atrophy in patients with neurocardiogenic syncope with a positive response to the head-up tilt test, implicating the role of right insular dysfunction in the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying neurocardiogenic syncope. Our findings further support the hypothesis that right insular dysfunction may cause a decrease in sympathetic activity and a reciprocal increase in parasympathetic activity, leading to syncope.
“The Mauna Kea Observatories Near‐Infrared Filter Set. III. Isophotal Wavelengths and Absolute Calibration” (PASP, 117, 421 [2005])

ABSTRACT The isophotal wavelengths, flux densities, and AB magnitudes for Vega (α Lyr) are presented for the Mauna Kea Observatories near‐infrared filter set. We show that the near‐infrared absolute calibrations for Vega as determined by Cohen et al. and Megessier are consistent within the uncertainties, so that either absolute calibration can be used.
A REVIEW OF AD HOC ON-DEMAND DISTANCE VECTOR ROUTING PROTOCOL FOR MOBILE AD HOC NETWORKS

A mobile ad hoc network is networks which utilizes multi-hop radio relaying and are capable of operati ng without the support of any fixed infrastructure. Ef ficient dynamic routing is a challenge in such a ne twork. On-demand routing protocol is widely developed in ad hoc networks because of its effectiveness and efficiency. In this paper, the significance of Ad h oc On-Demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol, Load Balancing AODV, Modified AODV, Adaptive Secure AODV have been reviewed. The simulated parameters such as packet delivery ratio, throughput, end to end delay, routing overload and energy were taken in to consideration. The simulat ed results showed that the AODV protocol enhances the packet delivery ratio, throughput, decreases the ro uting overload and end to end delay.
Extracellular polysaccharides mediate pilus retraction during social motility of Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus is a Gram-negative bacterium with a complex life cycle that includes vegetative swarming and fruiting-body formation. Social (S)-motility (coordinated movement of large cell groups) requires both type IV pili and fibrils (extracellular matrix material consisting of polysaccharides and protein). Little is known about the role of this extracellular matrix, or fibril material, in pilus-dependent motility. In this study, mutants lacking fibril material and, therefore, S-motility were found to be hyperpiliated. We demonstrated that addition of fibril material resulted in pilus retraction and rescued this phenotype. The fibril material was further examined to determine the component(s) that were responsible for triggering pilus retraction. Protein-free fibril material was found to be highly active in correcting hyperpiliation. However, the amine sugars present in hydrolyzed fibril material, e.g., glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) had no effect on fibril− mutants, but, interestingly, cause hyperpiliation in wild-type cells. In contrast, chitin, a natural GlcNAc polymer, was found to restore pilus retraction in hyperpiliated mutants, indicating that a polysaccharide containing amine sugars is likely required for pilus retraction. These data suggest that the interaction of type IV pili with amine-containing polysaccharides on cell and slime-trail surfaces may trigger pilus retraction, resulting in S-motility and slime-trailing behaviors.
Structure-properties relationship of ultra-fine grained V-microalloyed dual phase steels

Abstract The effect of vanadium microalloying on ultra-high strength dual phase (DP) ferrite-martensite steel microstructure and properties was studied. It was found that the addition of 0.14 wt% V to a Fe-0.18C-1.5Mn-0.3Si-0.008N reference alloy introduced very significant ferrite grain size refinement in the cold rolled and annealed state. During continuous annealing the initial ferrite to austenite transformation kinetics were strongly retarded, however under slow cooling both pearlite and bainite transformations were suppressed indicating increased hardenability. After cold rolling and intercritical annealing at 750 ⁰C intense V(C,N) precipitates (mean radius 3.7 nm) were observed in the ferrite phase whereas precipitates were scarce in martensite (austenite) and much larger (mean radius 6.7 nm). Significant gains in YS, UTS and work hardening rate were observed at low martensite fractions due to a combination of selective precipitation strengthening and grain refinement of ferrite. However, at higher martensite fractions (> 45%) the YS, UTS and work hardening rate became lower than the reference, primarily due to softening of the martensite. The latter was attributed to the fixing of solute carbon by V(C,N). The net increase in tensile strength with martensite content of the vanadium alloy was ~ 4 MPa/%α’ compared to ~ 16 MPa/%α’ for the reference alloy. A recently developed size-sensitive mean field structure-properties model was extended to capture these microalloying effects. At iso-tensile strength both the fracture strain and hole expansion behaviour of the new microalloyed steel showed improved performance over the reference.
Geological control of floristic composition in Amazonian forests

Aim Conservation and land‐use planning require accurate maps of patterns in species composition and an understanding of the factors that control them. Substantial doubt exists, however, about the existence and determinants of large‐area floristic divisions in Amazonia. Here we ask whether Amazonian forests are partitioned into broad‐scale floristic units on the basis of geological formations and their edaphic properties.
Evaluating the physiological significance of respiratory sinus arrhythmia: looking beyond ventilation–perfusion efficiency

Key points • Respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is the variation of heart rate with breathing: heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration. • RSA is seen in many species including humans where it is strongest in the young and fit. The loss of RSA has been linked with cardiac mortality; however, the function of RSA is presently unknown. • One hypothesis proposed previously is that RSA allows for more efficient gas exchange between the lungs and the blood. • Our theoretical study does not support this hypothesis. Instead, a new hypothesis is proposed and tested using computational tools – that RSA helps the heart do less work while maintaining healthy levels of blood gases. • Of course, this new hypothesis needs to be further tested both experimentally and by using more sophisticated mathematical models, but if correct, it could explain why inducing RSA artificially in patients with cardiovascular disease improves their health.
Gate Circuits with Feedback in Finite Algebras of Transients

Simulation of gate circuits is an ecien t method of detecting hazards and oscillations that may occur in the presence of gate and wire delays. Ternary simulation, introduced by Eichelberger in 1965, consists of two algorithms, called A and B, and its results are well understood. Ternary simulation has been generalized by Brzozowski and Esik in 2003 to an innite algebra C and nite algebras Ck, k 2, where C2 is ternary algebra. Simulation in C has been studied extensively for feedback-free circuits, for which Algorithm A always terminates and Algorithm B is unnecessary. We study the simulation of gate circuits with feedback in nite algebras Ck, in which Algorithms A and B always terminate. The Boolean functions of the gates are restricted to a set G, where G = H [ ~ H, H = for, xorg, and ~ H is the set of functions obtained by complementing any number of inputs and/or the output of functions from H. For gate functions restricted to G, we prove that Algorithm B in Algebra Ck, for k > 2 provides no more information than Algorithm B in ternary algebra.
Monitoring k-nearest neighbor queries over moving objects

Many location-based applications require constant monitoring of k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) queries over moving objects within a geographic area. Existing approaches to this problem have focused on predictive queries, and relied on the assumption that the trajectories of the objects are fully predictable at query processing time. We relax this assumption, and propose two efficient and scalable algorithms using grid indices. One is based on indexing objects, and the other on queries. For each approach, a cost model is developed, and a detailed analysis along with the respective applicability is presented. The object-indexing approach is further extended to multi-levels to handle skewed data. We show by experiments that our grid-based algorithms significantly outperform R-tree-based solutions. Extensive experiments are also carried out to study the properties and evaluate the performance of the proposed approaches under a variety of settings.
Epigenetics: general characteristics and implications for oral health

Genetic information such as DNA sequences has been limited to fully explain mechanisms of gene regulation and disease process. Epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNAs, can regulate gene expression and affect progression of disease. Although studies focused on epigenetics are being actively investigated in the field of medicine and biology, epigenetics in dental research is at the early stages. However, studies on epigenetics in dentistry deserve attention because epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in gene expression during tooth development and may affect oral diseases. In addition, understanding of epigenetic alteration is important for developing new therapeutic methods. This review article aims to outline the general features of epigenetic mechanisms and describe its future implications in the field of dentistry.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein in serum after traumatic brain injury and multiple trauma.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to determine whether glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is released after traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether GFAP is related to brain injury severity and outcome after TBI, and whether GFAP is released after multiple trauma without TBI. METHODS This prospective study enrolled 114 patients who had TBI with or without multiple trauma (n = 101) or multiple trauma without TBI (n = 13), as verified by computerized tomography. Daily GFAP measurement began at admission (<12 hours after trauma) and continued for the duration of intensive care (1-22 days). Documentation included categorization of computerized tomography according to Marshall classification, based on daily highest intracranial pressure (ICP), lowest cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), lowest mean arterial pressure (MAP), and 3-month Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). RESULTS The GFAP concentration was lower for diffuse injury 2 than for diffuse injury 4 (p < 0.0005) or nonevacuated mass lesions larger than than 25 mL (p < 0.005), lower for a ICP less than 25 mm Hg than for a ICP of 25 mm Hg or more, lower for a CPP of 60 mm Hg or more than for a CPP of 60 mm Hg or less, lower for a MAP of 60 mm Hg or more than for a MAP less than 60 mm Hg (all p < 0.0005), and lower for a GOS of 1 or 2 than for a GOS of 3, 4 (p < 0.05), or 5 (p < 0.0005). After TBI, GFAP was higher in nonsurvivors (n = 39) than in survivors (n = 62) (p < 0.005). After multiple trauma without TBI, GFAP remained normal. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that GFAP is released after TBI, that GFAP is related to brain injury severity and outcome after TBI, and that GFAP is not released after multiple trauma without brain injury.
IL6-STAT3-HIF Signaling and Therapeutic Response to the Angiogenesis Inhibitor Sunitinib in Ovarian Clear Cell Cancer

Purpose: Ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCA) is an uncommon histotype that is generally refractory to platinum-based chemotherapy. We analyze here the most comprehensive gene expression and copy number data sets, to date, to identify potential therapeutic targets of OCCA. Experimental Design: Gene expression and DNA copy number were carried out using primary human OCCA tumor samples, and findings were confirmed by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Circulating interleukin (IL) 6 levels were measured in serum from patients with OCCA or high-grade serous cancers and related to progression-free and overall survival. Two patients were treated with sunitinib, and their therapeutic responses were measured clinically and by positron emission tomography. Results: We find specific overexpression of the IL6-STAT3-HIF (interleukin 6-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3-hypoxia induced factor) pathway in OCCA tumors compared with high-grade serous cancers. Expression of PTHLH and high levels of circulating IL6 in OCCA patients may explain the frequent occurrence of hypercalcemia of malignancy and thromboembolic events in OCCA. We describe amplification of several receptor tyrosine kinases, most notably MET, suggesting other potential therapeutic targets. We report sustained clinical and functional imaging responses in two OCCA patients with chemotherapy-resistant disease who were treated with sunitinib, thus showing significant parallels with renal clear cell cancer. Conclusions: Our findings highlight important therapeutic targets in OCCA, suggest that more extensive clinical trials with sunitinib in OCCA are warranted, and provide significant impetus to the growing realization that OCCA is molecularly and clinically distinct to other forms of ovarian cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 17(8); 2538–48. ©2011 AACR.
Warm Molecular Gas in M51: Mapping the Excitation Temperature and Mass of H2 with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph

We have mapped the warm molecular gas traced by the H2 S(0)-H2 S(5) pure rotational mid-infrared emission lines over a radial strip across the nucleus and disk of M51 (NGC 5194) using the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on the Spitzer Space Telescope. The six H2 lines have markedly different emission distributions. We obtained the H2 temperature and surface density distributions by assuming a two-temperature model: a warm (T = 100–300 K) phase traced by the low J [S(0)-S(2)] lines and a hot phase (T = 400–1000 K) traced by the high J [S(2)-S(5)] lines. The lowest molecular gas temperatures are found within the spiral arms (T ∼ 155 K), while the highest temperatures are found in the inter-arm regions (T > 700 K). The warm gas surface density reaches a maximum of 11 M☉ pc−2 in the northwest spiral arm, whereas the hot gas surface density peaks at 0.24 M☉ pc−2 at the nucleus. The spatial offset between the peaks in the different phases suggests that the warm phase is more efficiently heated by star formation activity and the hot phase is more efficiently heated by nuclear activity. The warm H2 is found in the dust lanes of M51 and is generally spatially coincident with the cold molecular gas traced by CO emission, consistent with excitation of the warm phase in dense photodissociation regions. The hot H2 is most prominent in the nuclear region. Here, the hot H2 coincides with [O IV] (25.89 μm) and X-ray emission indicating that shocks and/or X-rays are responsible for exciting this phase.
The evolutionary radiation of plesiadapiforms

Very shortly after the disappearance of the non‐avian dinosaurs, the first mammals that had features similar to those of primates started appearing. These first primitive forms went on to spawn a rich diversity of plesiadapiforms, often referred to as archaic primates. Like many living primates, plesiadapiforms were small arboreal animals that generally ate fruit, insects, and, occasionally, leaves. However, this group lacked several diagnostic features of euprimates. They also had extraordinarily diverse specializations, represented in eleven families and more than 140 species, which, in some cases, were like nothing seen since in the primate order. Plesiadapiforms are known from all three Northern continents, with representatives that persisted until at least 37 million years ago. In this article we provide a summary of the incredible diversity of plesiadapiform morphology and adaptations, reviewing our knowledge of all eleven families. We also discuss the challenges that remain in our understanding of their ecology and evolution.
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Brief Dynamic and Supportive Therapy with Waiting List Condition in Minor Depressive Disorders

Background: Although many evidences suggest the presence of specific therapeutic factors in brief dynamic therapy (BDT), few studies have investigated its efficacy in the treatment of depressive disorders in comparison to other psychotherapies. The aim of this study was to determine whether BDT is more effective than brief supportive psychotherapy (BSP) and waiting list condition in the treatment of minor depressive disorders. Method: Thirty patients with primary DSM-IV dysthymic disorder, depressive disorder not otherwise specified or adjustment disorder with depressed mood completed a randomized controlled trial with three treatment groups (BDT, BSP, waiting list condition). A 6-month follow-up was performed for patients treated with both psychotherapeutic approaches. Other psychiatric treatments were not permitted throughout the treatment period and the 6-month follow-up. Symptoms were assessed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and after 6 months of follow-up. Results: Patients treated with both psychotherapeutic approaches showed a significant improvement after treatment in comparison to non-treated controls, but BDT was more effective at follow-up evaluation. Conclusions: BDT is a promising treatment for minor depressive disorders. This study also suggests that BDT is more effective than supportive psychotherapy in improving the long-term outcome of depressive disorders.