Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injection as an Adjuvant in the Treatment of Neovascular Glaucoma Accompanied by Vitreous Hemorrhage after Diabetic Vitrectomy

Purpose. To determine the efficacy of intravitreal ranibizumab injection as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of neovascular glaucoma (NVG) accompanied by postvitrectomy diabetic vitreous hemorrhage (PDVH). Methods. Eighteen NVG patients (18 eyes) accompanied by PDVH were enrolled in this prospective, monocenter, 12-month, interventional case series. The consecutive 18 patients with an IOP ≥ 25 mmHg despite being treated with the maximum medical therapy were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab injections. Vitreous surgery or/with Ahmed valve implantation were indicated if no clinical improvement in vitreous haemorrhage and uncontrolled IOP was shown. Results. Ten patients got clear vitreous and controlled IOP only with 2.7 ± 1.8 injections of ranibizumab without additional surgery. Vitrectomy or/with Ahmed valve implantation was administered in the other 8 eyes due to uncontrolled VH and IOP. At follow-up month 12, all the 18 eyes gained clear vitreous. At month 12 BCVA improved significantly compared to baseline. The baseline and follow-up at month 12 IOP/medication usage were 36.7 ± 8.1 mmHg on 3.4 ± 0.7 medications and 16.2 ± 4.9 mmHg on 0.67 ± 0.77 medications, respectively. Conclusions. The findings suggest that intravitreal ranibizumab injection as adjuvant therapy for treatment of NVG accompanied by PDVH may be safe and potentially effective. This clinical trial is registered with NCT02647515.
Effects of behavioral stress reduction Transcendental Meditation intervention in persons with HIV

Stress is implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of HIV. The Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a behavioral stress reduction program that incorporates mind–body approach, and has demonstrated effectiveness in improving outcomes via stress reduction. We evaluated the feasibility of implementing TM and its effects on outcomes in persons with HIV. In this community-based single blinded Phase-I, randomized controlled trial, outcomes (psychological and physiological stress, immune activation, generic and HIV-specific health-related quality of life, depression and quality of well-being) were assessed at baseline and at six months, and were compared using parametric and nonparametric tests. Twenty-two persons with HIV were equally randomized to TM intervention or healthy eating (HE) education control group. Retention was 100% in TM group and 91% in HE control group. The TM group exhibited significant improvement in vitality. Significant between group differences were observed for generic and HIV-specific health-related quality of life. Small sample size may possibly limit the ability to observe significant differences in some outcomes. TM stress reduction intervention in community dwelling adults with HIV is viable and can enhance health-related quality of life. Further research with large sample and longer follow-up is needed to validate our results.
Hunting Effects on Favourable Conservation Status of Highly Inbred Swedish Wolves

The wolf (Canis lupus) is classified as endangered in Sweden by the Swedish Species Information Centre, which is the official authority for threat classification. The present population, which was founded in the early 1980s, descends from 5 individuals. It is isolated and highly inbred, and on average individuals are more related than siblings. Hunts have been used by Swedish authorities during 2010 and 2011 to reduce the population size to its upper tolerable level of 210 wolves. European Union (EU) biodiversity legislation requires all member states to promote a concept called “favourable conservation status” (FCS) for a series of species including the wolf. Swedish national policy stipulates maintenance of viable populations with sufficient levels of genetic variation of all naturally occurring species. Hunting to reduce wolf numbers in Sweden is currently not in line with national and EU policy agreements and will make genetically based FCS criteria less achievable for this species. We suggest that to reach FCS for the wolf in Sweden the following criteria need to be met: (1) a well‐connected, large, subdivided wolf population over Scandinavia, Finland, and the Russian Karelia‐Kola region should be reestablished, (2) genetically effective size (Ne) of this population is in the minimum range of Ne = 500–1000, (3) Sweden harbors a part of this total population that substantially contributes to the total Ne and that is large enough to not be classified as threatened genetically or according to IUCN criteria, and (4) average inbreeding levels in the Swedish population are <0.1.
Endovascular Treatment of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

We report the clinical and angiographic results of endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Over a three-year period, 80 unruptured aneurysms in 74 patients were electively treated with endovascular management. One aneurysm was diagnosed during investigations for a second ruptured aneurysm, 54 aneurysms were incidentally discovered, 18 aneurysms presented with symptoms of mass effect and seven aneurysms presented with symptoms of brain stem ischemia. Mean size of the 80 unruptured aneurysms was 12.5±8.0 mm (range, 2–39 mm). Thirty-six aneurysms (45%) were small (<10 mm), 38 aneurysms (47.5%) were large (10–25 mm), and six aneurysms (7.5%) were giant (25–39 mm). Forty-eight wide-necked aneurysms (60%) were coiled with the aid of a supporting device. The mortality rate was 1.25%, and the overall morbidity was 1.25%. Of these, one of the patients suffered a stroke, leading to severe disability (1.25%). In one patient, the aneurysm ruptured during treatment, resulting in death. Initial aneurysm occlusion was complete (100%) in 76.25% aneurysms, nearly complete (90%–98%) in 10% aneurysms and incomplete (60%–85%) in 13.75% aneurysms. Follow-up angiography was available in 67 patients with 73 treated aneurysms (91.25%) from one to 36 months (mean 9.3 months); partial reopening occurred in 7.5%, mainly large and giant aneurysms (5.5%). Additional coiling was performed in four aneurysms. There were no complications in additional treatments. At 14.1-month clinical follow-up (range, 2 to 36 months), mRS score was 0 in 78.75% patients, 1 in 10% patients, 2 in 8.75% and 3 in 1.25%. There was no aneurysmal rupture during the follow-up period. Endovascular treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms has low procedural mortality and morbidity rates.
First Approach to Purposeful Sampling for Determining Key Factors on Outcome Bias

It is common, in educational research studies, to select purposeful population samples. Independent of the selected method, there is an associated bias to the sampling process because of the subjectivity of the person or group of people who accomplish the task. This paper shows the pilot of a protocol development for observing how people approach purposeful sampling using a real research problem. Engineers and non-engineers were observed completing the task and were monitored for collecting the differences between both points of view, and for identifying possible bias in the purposeful sample. Five stages were conducted for piloting the protocol for gathering information in how purposeful sampling is traditionally performed. Two participants with knowledge in educational research performed the activity for the first iteration of the pilot. In addition, four participants (two engineer students and two non-engineer students) performed a second pilot using an improved protocol. Finally, a panel of experts was asked to review the process for a final protocol. For the activity designed, participants were asked to review 118 profiles of people with diverse academic and social backgrounds. The goal was to choose 3 profiles for each of four categories, aiming to identify those participants who were the best representatives of each of the categories: 1. Engineers with a low level of Lifelong Learning (ELL), 2. Non-Engineer with a low level of Lifelong Learning (nELL); 3. Engineers with a high level of Lifelong Learning (EHL), and 4. Non-Engineer with a high level of Lifelong Learning (nEHL). The time for the assignment was limited to 90 minutes, and a think-aloud protocol was followed for data collection. The iterative process design for the protocol allowed to improve the resources, time management, and activity logistics for the Purposeful Sampling Activity. The time for the whole activity was calibrated and defined as 90 minutes. The time alert was changed from 10 to 15 minutes, and 10 minutes were defined to be given to those individuals who asked for more time. After participants’ feedback, new resources such as pens, sticky notes, eraser, water, and digital database with the information were included. The activity allowed to identify bias in sample selection due to lack of usage of the complete data set. Likewise, each expert defined different criteria for selection, setting diverse start points. This bias was induced by variables such as age, undergraduate background, expertise in a specific field of study and degree of development of specific skills through the professional life. In conclusion, this study showed the design of a protocol for collecting information about how non-intended bias was present in a purposeful sampling. This analysis may guide the process of purposeful selection of samples for qualitative research and provides a tool for measuring the bias reduction between traditional and statistical purposeful selection of information-rich cases.
The Proposed Conceptual Model for Investigating Moderating Effects of Contextual Factors on Supply Chain Management Practice-Performance Link in Malaysian Small and Medium Enterprises

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are playing an increasingly important role in sustaining economic growth and generating employment in Malaysia. SMEs also play a very crucial role in supply chain management (SCM) as they may serve the roles of suppliers, producers, distributors and customers. However, adoption of SCM in Malaysian SMEs has not been broadly explored. Therefore, the authors propose a conceptual model by examining the moderating effects of contextual factors (firm size, firm age and supply chain length) on the relationship between SCM practices, namely, information sharing, strategic supplier partnership, customer relationship, material flow management, corporate culture and SCM performance in a single study. The study has important managerial implications as the findings will enable management of SMEs to understand progressive and highly varied SCM practices and contextual factors that contribute to the SCM performance and its effective implementation.
Pterostilbene, an Active Constituent of Blueberries, Suppresses Aberrant Crypt Foci Formation in the Azoxymethane-Induced Colon Carcinogenesis Model in Rats

Purpose: Epidemiologic studies have linked the consumption of fruits and vegetables to reduced risk of several types of cancer. Laboratory animal model studies have provided evidence that stilbenes, phenolic compounds present in grapes and blueberries, play a role in inhibiting the risk of certain cancers. Pterostilbene, a naturally occurring stilbene from blueberries, was tested for its preventive activity against colon carcinogenesis. Experimental Design: Experiments were designed to study the inhibitory effect of pterostilbene against the formation of azoxymethane-induced colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) preneoplastic lesions in male F344 rats. Beginning at 7 weeks of age, rats were treated with azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body weight s.c., once weekly for 2 weeks). One day after the second azoxymethane treatment, rats were fed experimental diets containing 0 or 40 ppm of pterostilbene. At 8 weeks after the second azoxymethane treatment, all rats were sacrificed, and colons were evaluated for ACF formation and for inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Effects on mucin MUC2 were also determined. Results: Administration of pterostilbene for 8 weeks significantly suppressed azoxymethane-induced formation of ACF (57% inhibition, P < 0.001) and multiple clusters of aberrant crypts (29% inhibition, P < 0.01). Importantly, dietary pterostilbene also suppressed azoxymethane-induced colonic cell proliferation and iNOS expression. Inhibition of iNOS expression by pterostilbene was confirmed in cultured human colon cancer cells. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that pterostilbene, a compound present in blueberries, is of great interest for the prevention of colon cancer.
Infection with group C rotavirus in a suburban community in Brazil

Group C rotaviruses are associated with sporadic outbreaks of gastroenteritis worldwide. Age‐specific seroprevalence of group C rotavirus antibodies was investigated in sera, randomly collected and representative of a suburban community in Brazil which had previously been screened for group A rotavirus antibodies. Antibody prevalence to group C rotavirus was low in children under 5 years and increased slowly with age to 36% seropositivity in adults, reflecting continuous exposure to primary infection in all age groups. This suggests a higher incidence of infection than disease might predict. Adult antibody prevalence was similar to that in other geographical settings. No obvious patterns of infection with group A and group C rotavirus were found within individuals, which suggests independent transmission. However, further epidemiological studies are required to understand group C rotavirus dynamics and possible interactions with group A rotavirus transmission and immunity.
Quantum gravity corrections to neutrino propagation

Massive spin-1/2 fields are studied in the framework of loop quantum gravity by considering a state approximating, at a length scale L much greater than Planck length l(P), a spin-1/2 field in flat spacetime. The discrete structure of spacetime at l(P) yields corrections to the field propagation at scale L. Neutrino bursts ( &pmacr; approximately 10(5) GeV) accompanying gamma ray bursts that have traveled cosmological distances L are considered. The dominant correction is helicity independent and leads to a time delay of order (&pmacr;l(P))L/c approximately 10(4) s. To next order in &pmacr;l(P), the correction has the form of the Gambini and Pullin effect for photons. A dependence L(-1)(os) approximately &pmacr;(2)l(P) is found for a two-flavor neutrino oscillation length.
Towards a framework for designing speech-based player interaction in multiplayer online games

In this paper we consider the question of how best to design voice communication for use in online multiplayer games. We propose a framework to helps shape both our understanding of games and how we approach games as objects of study and as artifacts to be designed. The framework suggests a focus on designing player-to-player interaction within games. We discuss existing implementations of voice communication in multiplayer games, and the metaphors implicit in their design. We propose alternative metaphors that might be used in future designs. We conclude with an outline of work currently in progress that is attempting to understand how best to design for voice communication in Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs).
Effect of Isatin on Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury: an Experimental Study in the Isolated Rat Heart

Introduction: Isatin is an endogen indole that is found in body fluids and reported as a neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, and sedative agent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of isatin on left ventricle functions before and after low-flow ischemia in the isolated rat heart. Patients and Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Isatin (I, 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally) was administered in the I and I-atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) groups 20 min before the hearts were placed on the Langendorff apparatus. Serum physiologic was administered to the control (C) and ANP groups. Low-flow ischemia was applied in all groups. ANP (0.1 μM/L) was added to perfusion solution in the ANP and I + ANP groups 15 min before ischemia. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and maximum and minimum pressure changes were recorded before and after ischemia. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured in the perfusate in all groups. Results: LVDP and minimum pressure change values of the I group were found to be similar to the C group at 60 min of reperfusion. The level of cGMP in the I group was similar to the C group but lower than the ANP and I + ANP groups before and after ischemia. Conclusion: The administration of isatin prior to cardiac ischemia does not significantly alter cardiac function during the reperfusion period in rat heart. The results of the present study showed that isatin may not appear to have a disturbing effect on cardiac functions after low-flow ischemia.
Proactive Screening for Psychosocial Risk Factors in Moderate to Severe Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: the Predictive Validity of the Rome III Psychosocial Alarm Questionnaire

Introduction. Because psychosocial factors are strongly related to IBS symptom severity, there is a need to identify high risk patients before their condition worsens. This study assessed the ability of seven "psychosocial alarm variables" to predict IBS symptom severity. Methods. Eighty two Rome-diagnosed IBS patients (Mean age = 46 yrs, Female = 84%) completed a psychological testing battery that assessed Rome alarm variables: anxiety, suicide ideation, depression, abuse, impaired coping, functional impairment, and pain severity. Results. Pain and functional impairment were highly correlated with IBS symptom severity (IBS symptom severity scale, IBS-SSS); coping and depression were moderately correlated with the IBS- SSS. Regression analyses indicated that psychosocial alarm variables accounted for 46% of the variance in the IBS-SSS. The alarm variable that independently predicted symptom severity was pain severity. Discussion. Data lend empirical validation to the Rome Foundation alarm variables, which appear most useful in flagging patients whose IBS profile is dominated by pain intensity.
Molecular characterization of intact, but cryptic, flagellin genes in the genus Shigella

Flagellin genes (fliC) were detected in two species of the genus Shigella. The fliCSF gene cloned from Shigella flexneri produced normal‐type flagella in an Escherichia coli δ fliC strain while the fliCSS genes from two Shigella sonnei strains produced curly‐type flagella and their expression is repressible by Salmonella FljA repressor. The fliCSF gene (1650bp) shared high similarity with the E. coli fliCE gene not only in the 5′ and 3′ constant sequences but also in the upstream and downstream sequences. The fliCS genes (1572 bp) shared high similarity with the Salmonella typhimurium fliCs gene in the operator and 3’constant sequences and also shared high similarity with the fliCE gene in the downstream sequence, suggesting that the fliC gene has undergone horizontal transfer and recombination. Differences In nucleotide sequences of the central variable regions among the four fliC genes, including fliCE and fliCS, suggest that they started differentiation in each lineage approximately 80 million years ago. Loss of motility in Shigella seems to be evolutionarily a recent event.
Energy intake and energy expenditure among children with polymorphisms of the melanocortin-3 receptor 1 – 4

Background: Homozygosity for 2 protein-altering polymorphisms in the melanocortin-3 receptor gene (MC3R) coding sequence, C17A and G241A, has been reported to be associated with an obesity phenotype in children, yet how these polymorphisms affect energy homeostasis is unknown. Association between adult body weight and +2138InsCAGACC, another variant in the 3# untranslated region of MC3R, has also been described. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine associations of C17A + G241A and +2138InsCAGACC MC3R variants with children’s energy balance. Design: Children aged 6–19 y were genotyped for MC3R C17A, G241A, and +2138InsCAGACC. Subjects underwent studies of energy intake from a 9835-kcal food array (n = 185), resting energy expenditure (REE) by using indirect calorimetry (n = 302), or total daily energy expenditure (TEE) by using doubly labeled water (n = 120). Linear regression was used to examine the associations between MC3R polymorphisms and the measures of energy balance. Results: Body mass index and fat mass were greater in those with double homozygosity for C17A + G241A (P = 0.001). After accounting for covariates (including body composition), the number of minor C17A + G241A alleles was associated with significantly greater energy intake (b = +0.15, P = 0.02) but not altered REE or TEE. No significant associations were observed between +2138InsCAGACC and measures of either fat mass or energy balance. Conclusions: C17A + G241A polymorphisms may be associated with pediatric obesity because of greater energy intake rather than because of diminished energy expenditure. +2138InsCAGACC does not appear to be associated with obesity or measures of energy balance in children. Am J Clin Nutr doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009. 27537.
Automatic 3D registration for interventional MRI-guided treatment of prostate cancer.

The goal of this research is to register real-time interventional magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) slice images with a previously obtained high-resolution MRI image volume, which in turn can be registered with functional images such as those from SPECT. The immediate application is in iMRI-guided treatment of prostate cancer, where additional images are desired to improve tumor targeting. In this article, simulation experiments are performed to demonstrate the feasibility of slice-to-volume registration for this application. We acquired 3D volume images from a 1.5-T MRI system and simulated low-field iMRI image slices by creating thick slices and adding noise. We created a slice-to-volume mutual information registration algorithm with special features to improve robustness. Features included a multiresolution approach, two similarity measures, and automatic restarting to avoid local minima. To assess the quality of registration, we calculated 3D displacements on a voxel-by-voxel basis over a volume of interest between slice-to-volume registration and volume-to-volume registration, which was previously shown to be quite accurate. More than 800 registration experiments were performed on MR images of three volunteers. The slice-to-volume registration algorithm was very robust and accurate for transverse slice images covering the prostate, with a registration error of only 0.4 +/- 0.2 mm. Error was greater at other slice orientations and positions. The automatic slice-to-volume mutual information registration algorithm is robust and probably sufficiently accurate to aid in iMRI-guided treatment of prostate cancer.
A population genomics insight by 2b‐RAD reveals populations' uniqueness along the Italian coastline in Leptopsammia pruvoti (Scleractinia, Dendrophylliidae)

Marine bioconstructions such as coralligenous formations are hotspot of biodiversity and play a relevant ecological role in the preservation of biodiversity by providing carbon regulation, protection and nursery areas for several marine species. For this reason, the European Union Habitat Directive included them among priority habitats to be preserved. Although their ecological role is well established, connectivity patterns are still poorly investigated, representing a limit in conservation planning. The present study pioneers a novel approach for the analysis of connectivity in marine bioconstructor species, which often lack suitable genetic markers, by taking advantage of next‐generation sequencing techniques. We assess the geographical patterns of genomic variation of the sunset cup coral Leptopsammia pruvoti Lacaze‐Duthiers, 1897, an ahermatypic, non‐zooxanthellate and solitary scleractinian coral species common in coralligenous habitats and distributed across the Mediterranean Sea.