Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mometasone furoate in the treatment of vulvar lichen sclerosus: could its formulation influence efficacy, tolerability and adherence to treatment?

Abstract Purpose: To assess the effectiveness, tolerability, and convenience of the cream formulation of mometasone furoate 0.1% (MMF) in the treatment of active vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) and to compare the cream with the ointment formulation. Methods: The following efficacy parameters were assessed in 27 VLS patients treated with MMF cream for 12 weeks (group A): (i) response rate, (ii) percentage of patients achieving an improvement from baseline of ≥75% in subjective and objective scores, and (iii) mean reduction in subjective and objective scores. These efficacy assessments, as well as those regarding safety and adherence, were compared with the assessments recorded among 37 VLS patients treated with MMF ointment (group B). Results: 59.3% (group A) and 78.4% (group B) of patients were considered responders; 44.4% and 40.7% of patients in group A and 54.1% and 45.9% in group B achieved an improvement of at least 75% in subjective and objective scores, respectively. MMF ointment obtained a significantly higher improvement in symptom scores in comparison with the cream formulation. Conclusions: MMF in ointment formulation seems to be more effective in treating active VLS in comparison with MMF cream. Both formulations are well tolerated and there is no difference in patient adherence and satisfaction.
Relationship between water-holding capacity and intramuscular fat content in Japanese commercial pork loin

Objective The relationship between water-holding capacity (WHC) and intermuscular fat (IMF) was studied in Japanese commercial pork. Methods Longissimus muscles of pigs (n = 62), obtained from two meat packing plants, were analyzed for IMF content, moisture content, drip loss, cooking loss, and pH. Pairwise relationships among these traits were determined using correlation analyses. Results IMF content was significantly correlated with moisture content (r = −0.88; p<0.01) and pH (r = 0.32; p<0.05), but not with drip loss (r = −0.23; p = 0.07) or cooking loss (r = −0.10; p = 0.42). In contrast, drip loss was significantly (and negatively) correlated with pH (r = −0.57; p<0.01). Conclusion IMF content was not significantly correlated with WHC in pork, and so ultimately, we consider pH to be one of the most important factors influencing WHC in pork meat.
Throughput Capacity Study for MANETs with Erasure Coding and Packet Replication

SUMMARY Throughput capacity is of great importance for the design and performance optimization of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). We study the exact per node throughput capacity of MANETs under a general 2HR-(g, x, f) routing scheme which combines erasure coding and packet replication techniques. Under this scheme, a source node first encodes a group of g packets into x (x ≥ g) distinct coded packets, and then repli-cates each of the coded packets to at most f relay nodes which help to forward them to the destination node. All original packets can be recovered once the destination node receives any g distinct coded packets of the group. To study the throughput capacity, we first construct two absorbing Markov chain models to depict the complicated packet delivery process under the routing scheme. Based on these Markov models, an analytical expression of the throughput capacity is derived. Extensive simulation and numerical results are provided to verify the accuracy of theoretical results on throughput capacity and to illustrate how system parameters will affect the throughput capacity in MANETs. Interestingly, we find that the replication of coded packets can improve the throughput capacity when the parameter x is relatively small.
Study of retinal neurodegeneration and maculopathy in diabetic Meriones shawi: A particular animal model with human‐like macula

The purpose of this work was to evaluate a potentially useful animal model, Meriones shawi (M.sh)—developing metabolic X syndrome, diabetes and possessing a visual streak similar to human macula—in the study of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema (DME). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by high fat diet administration in M.sh. Body weights, blood glucose levels were monitored throughout the study. Diabetic retinal histopathology was evaluated 3 and 7 months after diabetes induction. Retinal thickness was measured, retinal cell types were labeled by immunohistochemistry and the number of stained elements were quantified. Apoptosis was determined with TUNEL assay. T2D induced progressive changes in retinal histology. A significant decrease of retinal thickness and glial reactivity was observed without an increase in apoptosis rate. Photoreceptor outer segment degeneration was evident, with a significant decrease in the number of all cones and M‐cone subtype, but—surprisingly—an increase in S‐cones. Damage of the pigment epithelium was also confirmed. A decrease in the number and labeling intensity of parvalbumin‐ and calretinin‐positive amacrine cells and a loss of ganglion cells was detected. Other cell types showed no evident alterations. No DME‐like condition was noticed even after 7 months. M.sh could be a useful model to study the evolution of diabetic retinal pathology and to identify the role of hypertension and dyslipidemia in the development of the reported alterations. Longer follow up would be needed to evaluate the potential use of the visual streak in modeling human macular diseases.
Sensor Monitoring of Physical Activity to Improve Glucose Management in Diabetic Patients: A Review

Diabetic individuals need to tightly control their blood glucose concentration. Several methods have been developed for this purpose, such as the finger-prick or continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMs). However, these methods present the disadvantage of being invasive. Moreover, CGMs have limited accuracy, notably to detect hypoglycemia. It is also known that physical exercise, and even daily activity, disrupt glucose dynamics and can generate problems with blood glucose regulation during and after exercise. In order to deal with these challenges, devices for monitoring patients’ physical activity are currently under development. This review focuses on non-invasive sensors using physiological parameters related to physical exercise that were used to improve glucose monitoring in type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients. These devices are promising for diabetes management. Indeed they permit to estimate glucose concentration either based solely on physical activity parameters or in conjunction with CGM or non-invasive CGM (NI-CGM) systems. In these last cases, the vital signals are used to modulate glucose estimations provided by the CGM and NI-CGM devices. Finally, this review indicates possible limitations of these new biosensors and outlines directions for future technologic developments.
Post‐Traumatic Shoulder Movement Disorders: A Challenging Differential Diagnosis Between Organic and Functional

Peripheral trauma may be a trigger for the development of various movement disorders, though the pathophysiology remains controversial and some of these patients have a functional (psychogenic) disorder. We report on 3 cases of shoulder movement disorders subsequent to trauma to the shoulder region. Physiology was done in all the patients to extend the physical examination. Two patients had a history of recurrent shoulder dislocation and were diagnosed with Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome. One patient had shoulder injury after repeated falls while performing as a cheerleader. In 2 patients, there were some clinical features suggesting a functional etiology, but physiological studies in all 3 failed to produce objective evidence of a functional nature. Shoulder movement after trauma is uncommon. Diagnosis in such cases is challenging, considering the complex pathophysiology. The movements can be associated with prolonged pain and handicap, and once established, they appear resistant to treatment.
Inhibition of thymocyte positive selection by natural MHC: peptide ligands

The 3A9 transgenic mouse line carries the rearranged TCR genes from a T cell hybridoma that recognizes hen egg lysozyme peptide 46 – 61 in the context of MHC class II Ak molecules. As expected, positive selection of immature 3A9 thymocytes to become mature CD4+ 8− T cells was efficient on the “selecting” CBA (H‐2k ) genetic background but not on the “non‐selecting” C57BL/6 (H‐2b ) background. Surprisingly, positive selection was also inefficient on the CBA × C57BL/6 F1 background (H‐2kb ). We present evidence that expression of Abβ molecules on thymus epithelium (in conjunction with Abα or Akα molecules) inhibits the positive selection of 3A9 thymocytes mediated by Akα : Akβ complexes, in a process evocative of peptide antagonism of mature T cells.
The Intricacies of User Adjustments of Alerting Thresholds

Objective: We address the question of necessary conditions for users to adjust system settings, such as alarm thresholds, correctly. Background: When designing systems, we need to decide which system functions users should control. Giving control to users empowers them, but users must have the relevant information and the ability to adjust settings correctly for their control to be beneficial. Method: Using the example of adjusting an alerting threshold, we analyze the conditions for when users can and when they cannot possibly adjust threshold settings adequately. Results: We identify two obstacles that limit users’ ability to adjust thresholds adequately: (a) the difficulty of determining the correct threshold settings, especially because of users’ strong response to false positive indications, and (b) the difficulty of collecting the information necessary for setting the threshold. Conclusion: Users often cannot identify the optimal settings for a system, so it is unlikely that they choose adequate system settings. Application: System designers must consider the difficulties users face and analyze them explicitly when deciding on user involvement in processes.
Human Dosimetry and Preliminary Tumor Distribution of 18F-Fluoropaclitaxel in Healthy Volunteers and Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients Using PET/CT

18F-fluoropaclitaxel is a radiolabeled form of paclitaxel, a widely used chemotherapy agent. Preclinical data suggest that 18F-fluoropaclitaxel may be a reasonable surrogate for measuring the uptake of paclitaxel. As a substrate of P-glycoprotein, a drug efflux pump associated with multidrug resistance, 18F-fluoropaclitaxel may also be useful in identifying multidrug resistance and predicting tumor response for drugs other than paclitaxel. Methods: After informed consent was obtained, 3 healthy volunteers and 3 patients with untreated breast cancer (neoadjuvant chemotherapy candidates, tumor size > 2 cm) received an intravenous infusion of 18F-fluoropaclitaxel and then underwent PET/CT. Healthy volunteers underwent serial whole-body imaging over an approximately 3-h interval, and organ 18F residence times were determined from the time–activity curves uncorrected for decay to determine dosimetry. Radiation dose estimates were calculated using OLINDA/EXM software. For breast cancer patients, dynamic imaging of the primary tumor was performed for 60 min, followed by static whole-body scans at 1 and 2 h after injection. Results: Dosimetry calculations showed that the gallbladder received the highest dose (229.50 μGy/MBq [0.849 rad/mCi]), followed by the small and large intestines (161.26 μGy/MBq [0.597 rad/mCi] and 184.59 μGy/MBq [0.683 rad/mCi]). The resultant effective dose was 28.79 μGy/MBq (0.107 rem/mCi). At approximately 1 h after injection, an average of 42% of the decay-corrected activity was in the gastrointestinal system, with a mean of 0.01% in the tumor. All 3 breast cancer patients showed retention of 18F-fluoropaclitaxel and ultimately demonstrated a complete pathologic response (no invasive cancer in the breast or axillary nodes) to chemotherapy that included a taxane (either paclitaxel or docetaxel) at surgical resection. The tumor-to-background ratio increased with time to a maximum of 7.7 at 20 min. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility of using 18F-fluoropaclitaxel PET/CT tumor imaging and provides radiation dosimetry measurements in humans. Although further study is needed, it is hoped that the measured intratumoral 18F-fluoropaclitaxel distribution can serve as a surrogate for paclitaxel, and potentially other chemotherapeutic agent retention, in solid tumors.
Examining the Relationship between Teachers’ Self-Efficacy, their Digital Competence, Strategies to Evaluate Information, and use of ICT at School

ABSTRACT Research indicates that self-efficacy in teaching is a key issue for carrying out good teaching practice. The aim of this paper was to examine the relationship between teachers’ self-efficacy in information and communication technologies (ICT), their strategies to evaluate information, their digital competence, and use of ICT at school. A sample of 332 teachers participated in a survey. The teachers answered self-report questions and responded to a multiple-choice test on digital competence. Structural equation modelling was used to test a hypothesized model of the relationship between self-efficacy in basic ICT, self-efficacy in online collaboration, strategies to evaluate information, digital competence, and the use of ICT. The analysis confirmed that the empirical data supported the hypothesized model. Significant factor loadings and positive relationships between the factors were found. Overall, the factors in the model explained 41% of teachers’ digital competence, 49% of their self-efficacy in online collaborative, and 36% of their use of ICT at school.
Blunted insula activation reflects increased risk and reward seeking as an interaction of testosterone administration and the MAOA polymorphism

Testosterone, a male sex hormone, has been suggested to partly explain mixed findings in males and females when investigating behavioral tendencies associated with the MAOA polymorphism. Prior studies indicated that the MAOA polymorphism represents a vulnerability factor for financial risk‐taking and harm avoidance and that testosterone increases human risk‐taking. We therefore assumed an interactive influence of the MAOA polymorphism and testosterone application on decision making and corresponding neural correlates in a risk and reward context. Stratified for the MAOA polymorphism (S =short, L =long), 103 healthy males were assigned to a placebo or testosterone group (double blind, randomized) receiving a topical gel containing 50 mg testosterone. During a functional MRI scan, the participants performed a sequential decision making task. Our results indicate that testosterone and the MAOA polymorphism jointly influence sequential decision making. The MAOA‐S variant was associated with less automatic harm avoidance as reflected in response times on safe decisions. Moreover, after testosterone administration, MAOA‐S carriers were more risk‐taking. Overall activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula and inferior frontal gyrus increased with growing risk for losses. In the anterior insula, testosterone administration mitigated this effect solely in MAOA‐S carriers. This might be a reflection of an improved coping during risk‐reward conflicts subsequently modulating risky decision making. While the molecular basis is not well defined so far, our results support the assumption of testosterone as a modulatory factor for previously reported sex differences of behavioral associations with the MAOA‐S variant. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4574–4593, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accuracy of the Distress Thermometer for home care patients with palliative care needs in Germany

ABSTRACT Objective: Our aim was to examine the accuracy of the German version of the Distress Thermometer (DT) compared with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in patients with palliative care needs living at home. Method: Ours was a 15-month cross-sectional study beginning in September of 2013 in Germany with consecutive patients cared for by a palliative home care service. The survey was implemented during the initial visit by a home care team. Patients were excluded if they were under 18 years of age, mentally or physically unable to complete the assessment questionnaires as judged by their healthcare worker, or unable to understand the German language. During the first encounter, the DT and HADS were applied, and sociodemographic and medical data were collected. Results: A total of 89 persons completed both the HADS and DT questionnaires (response rate = 59.7%; mean age = 67 years; female = 55.1%; married = 65.2%; living home with relatives = 73.0%; oncological condition = 92.1%; Karnofsky Performance Scale [KPS] score: 0–40 = 30.3%, 50–70 = 57.3%, >80 = 6.7%). The mean DT score was 6.3 (±2.3), with 84.3% of participants scoring above the DT cutoff (≥4). The mean HADStotal score was 17.9 (±7.8), where 64% of participants had a total HADS score (HADStotal) ≥15, 51.7% reported anxiety (HADSanxiety ≥ 8), and 73% reported depression (HADSdepression ≥ 8). Using the HADS as a gold standard, a DT cutoff score ≥5 was optimal for identifying severe distress in patients with palliative care needs, with a sensitivity of 93.0%, a specificity of 34.4%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 73.3%, and likelihood ratios LR+ = 1.42 (<3) and –LR = 0.203 (<0.3). Significance of results: The DT performed satisfactorily compared to the HADS in screening for distress in our study and can be employed as an instrument for identification of patients with distress. Consequent to the high prevalence of distress, we recommend its routine use for screening distressed persons at home with palliative care needs in order to offer adequate support.
Peri-operative risk factors for delayed gastric emptying after a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a frequent cause of morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and readmission after a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We sought to evaluate predictive peri-operative factors for DGE after a PD. METHODS Four hundred and sixteen consecutive patients who underwent a PD at our tertiary referral centre were identified. Univariate and multivariate (MV) logistic regression models were used to assess peri-operative factors associated with the development of clinically significant DGE and a post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF). RESULTS DGE occurred in 24% of patients (n = 98) with Grades B and C occurring at 13.5% (n = 55) and 10.5% (n = 43), respectively. Using MV regression, a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.19], operating room (OR) length >5.5 h (OR = 2.72) and prophylactic octreotide use (OR = 2.04) were independently associated with an increased risk of DGE. DGE patients had a significantly longer median hospital stay (12 versus 7 days), higher 90-day readmission rates (32% versus 18%) and an increased incidence of a pancreatic fistula (59% versus 27%). When controlling for POPF, only OR length >5.5 h (OR 2.73) remained significantly associated with DGE. CONCLUSIONS DGE remains a significant cause of morbidity, increased hospital stay and readmission after PD. Our findings suggest patients with a BMI ≥35 or longer OR times have a higher risk of DGE either independently or through the development of POPF. These patients should be considered for possible enteral feeding tube placement along with limited octreotide use to decrease the potential risk and consequences of DGE.
Adiponectin, Leptin, and Leptin Receptor in Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Treated with Insulin Detemir

The aim of the present study is to quantitatively assess the expression of selected regulatory molecules, such as leptin, leptin receptor, and adiponectin in the blood of obese patients with type 2 diabetes both before treatment and after six months of pharmacological therapy with the long-lasting insulin analogue, insulin detemir. A significant decrease in the analysed regulatory molecules, i.e., leptin receptor and adiponectin, was found in blood plasma of the patients with untreated type 2 diabetes. These changes were accompanied by an increase in plasma leptin concentrations. Insulin treatment resulted in the normalization of plasma leptin receptor and adiponectin concentrations. The circulating leptin level did not change following anti-diabetic therapy with insulin detemir. Gender was a significant factor modifying the circulating level of all the analysed regulatory active compounds. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using Matlab with the Signal Processing Toolbox. The conducted discriminant analysis revealed that the leptin receptor, Δw(19), and adiponectin, Δw(21), were the parameters undergoing the most significant quantitative changes during the six-month therapy with insulin detemir. The conducted examinations indicated the contribution of adipocytokines—the biologically-active mediators of systemic metabolism, such as leptin and adiponectin in the pathomechanism of disorders being the basis for obesity which leads to development of insulin resistance, which, in turn, results in the occurrence of type 2 diabetes.
Characterization of Solubilizing Nanoaggregates Present in Different Versions of Simulated Intestinal Fluid

The absorption of hydrophobic drugs and nutrients from the intestine is principally determined by the amount that can be dissolved by the endogenous fluids present in the gut. Human intestinal fluids (HIFs) comprise a complex mixture of bile salts, phospholipids, steroids and glycerides that vary in composition in the fed and fasted state and between subjects. A number of simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) compositions have been developed to mimic fasted and fed state intestinal conditions and allow the in vitro determination of drug solubility as a proxy for the maximum dissolved concentration it is possible to reach. In particular these solvents are used during the development of lipophilic and poorly water-soluble drugs but questions remain around the differences that may arise from the source and methods of preparation of these fluids. In this work, a range of SIFs were studied using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in order to analyze their structures. In-house prepared SIFs based on sodium taurodeoxycholate (NaTDC) and 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) formed oblate ellipsoidal micelles irrespective of lipid concentration and preparation conditions. In contrast, commercially available SIFs based on sodium taurocholate and lecithin formed prolate ellipsoidal micelles in the fed state and vesicles in the fasted state. These structural variations are the likely reason for the dramatic differences sometimes observed in the solubility enhancements for hydrophobic drugs, nutrients and digestion products when using different SIFs. However, the structural homogeneity of the NaTDC/DOPC micelles makes them ideal candidates for standardizing SIF formulations as the structures of the solubilizing nanoaggregates therein are not sensitive to the preparation method.
Cognitive and neural foundations of religious belief

We propose an integrative cognitive neuroscience framework for understanding the cognitive and neural foundations of religious belief. Our analysis reveals 3 psychological dimensions of religious belief (God's perceived level of involvement, God's perceived emotion, and doctrinal/experiential religious knowledge), which functional MRI localizes within networks processing Theory of Mind regarding intent and emotion, abstract semantics, and imagery. Our results are unique in demonstrating that specific components of religious belief are mediated by well-known brain networks, and support contemporary psychological theories that ground religious belief within evolutionary adaptive cognitive functions.