Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Formation of bioactive titania films under specific anodisation conditions

Porous oxide films consisting of rutile titania and anatase titania were formed on the surfaces of Ti6Al4V via an anodic oxidation technique at a constant anodizing voltage of 30 V, using a special power supply in H2SO4 solution. During the anodic oxidation process, anodising current showed unusually high, inducing the formation of bioactive titania films at low anodising voltage. As electrical parameters, anodising voltage and current were equally important for the crystallisation of titania. The in vitro bioacitivity study showed that apatite began to appear on the anodically oxidised Ti6Al4V after 1 day immersion in 1·5 SBF. Results of SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD confirmed the formation of poorly crystalline apatite containing carbonate. In addition, the formation mechanism of the apatite on the anodically oxidised Ti6Al4V was investigated. It is shown that the formation of Ti–OH groups with negative charges is the key to induce the apatite nucleation in simulated body fluid.
Mechanical and thermal properties of biodegradable hydroxyapatite/poly(sorbitol sebacate malate) composites

In this project, novel hydroxyapatite (HAp)/poly(sorbitol sebacate malate) (PSSM) composites for potential application in soft tissue engineering were developed. The composites consist of the biodegradable polyester prepared from sorbitol, sebacic acid, malic acid and various amount of HAp (5, 10, and 15 wt%). Effects of different weight percents of HAp on the properties of the composites were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to analyze chemical interactions between HAp/PSSM. Tensile tests and differential scanning calorimetry were conducted to evaluate the mechanical and thermal properties of HAp/PSSM composites. Tensile testing on HAp/PSSM composites showed that their mechanical properties improved with increasing concentration of HAp. The Young's modulus and tensile strength of the composites ranged from 16.20±1.73 to 23.96±2.56 MPa and 626.96±81.04 to 1,026.46±105.12 MPa, respectively. The glass transition temperature of all samples was slightly higher than room temperature
Early identification of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy by combination of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and proton MR spectroscopy

Brain damage following a perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) can be diagnosed by different techniques. The aim of the present study was to combine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with proton MR spectroscopy in HIE diagnosis and to evaluate their correlation with outcome. A prospective observational cohort study was performed between February 2012 and February 2013. Consecutive newborns, 24 full-term neonates with HIE (mild to moderate and severe group) and 5 normal neonates, were included. Two sequential MR studies were performed; a conventional MR imaging for observation in T1 weighted image (WI) and T2WI, and proton MR spectroscopy for observation in the left or right basal ganglia and thalamus. MR images were assessed and scored by two neuroradiologists who were blinded to the clinical condition of the infants. The mild to moderate group (n=13) and severe group (n=11) were similar in the visualization of punctate hyperintensity lesions on T1WI and brain edema on T2WI. The differences of N-acetylaspartate/creatine (Cr), choline/Cr and lactate/Cr in the basal ganglia and thalamus in the HIE group were significantly different (P<0.05) compared with the control group, while no significant difference was identified between the mild to moderate and severe group (P>0.05). In conclusion, MR spectroscopy is a complementary tool for the diagnosis of HIE.
Topical Application of Mitomycin-C in Oesophageal Strictures

Background: Benign oesophageal strictures may occur as a complication of caustic ingestion or severe gastro-oesophageal reflux or as a sequela of oesophageal surgery and other fibrosing conditions. The traditional initial treatment of oesophageal strictures is intraluminal dilation; however, even if frequent, this occasionally may not provide adequate oesophageal lumen capacity or give significant symptom-free intervals, and restricturing after dilation is difficult and challenging. Topical postdilation application of an antifibrotic agent, mitomycin-C, in the treatment of an oesophageal stricture has been described. Patients and Methods: Eight centres participated, with a total of 16 patients (4 girls), median age 48 (range 0–276) months. The causes of stricture were as follows: caustic (10), post–trachea-oesophageal fistula repair (2), peptic (2), Crohn disease (1), and dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (1). The median (range) length and diameter of the strictures were as follows: 22 mm (8–50 mm) and 1.5 mm (1–6 mm). Of the 16 patients, 15 had undergone repeated dilations varying from 3 to more than 1000 (daily self-bouginage) before mitomycin-C, and the median interval between dilations was 4 weeks. Mitomycin-C 0.1 mg/mL was applied after dilation for a median time of 3.5 minutes and a median of 3 (1–12) times. Results: Major success, both endoscopic and clinical improvement or cure, occurred in 10 of 16 patients. In 3 of 16 patients the interval period between dilations increased dramatically. Failure of therapy was considered in 3 of 16. All of the patients remained symptom free for a follow-up time of as long as 5 years. Conclusions: Postdilation application of topical mitomycin-C resulted in major success in 62.5% of patients and partial success in 19%, and it may be a useful strategy in oesophageal strictures of differing causes that are refractory to repeated perendoscopic dilation.
Continuous NSAID use reverts the effects of inflammation on radiographic progression in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives The aim was to compare continuous and on-demand NSAID treatment with respect to their ability to suppress radiographic progression in subgroups of patients with high/elevated CRP-levels, ESR, ASDAS-levels or BASDAI-levels in comparison to patients with normal levels. Methods Post-hoc analyses were performed in a randomized trial comparing continuous and on-demand NSAID treatment. Relevant high/elevated subgroups were created based on time-averaged (ta) CRP (>5mg/L), ta-ESR (>12mm/hr), ta-BASDAI (>4), ta-ASDAS-CRP (>2.1) and ta-ASDAS-ESR (>2.1). Subgroups were further split according to NSAID-use (continuous vs. on-demand). Radiological progression was presented in probability plots. Statistical interactions were tested using multiple and logistic regression analysis. Differences in radiological progression were analysed using the Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test. Results 150 participants randomized to either the continuous-treatment group (n=76), or the on-demand group (n=74) had complete radiographs and were included. The effect of slowing radiological progression with continuous NSAID therapy was more pronounced in patients with elevated ta-CRP-levels, elevated ta-ESR, high ta-ASDAS-CRP or high ta-ASDAS-ESR versus patients with low/normal values. No such effect was found for participants with high vs. low BASDAI. Also, in participants with elevated ta-ESR (irrespective of treatment), there appeared to be a higher rate of structural progression than in participants with normal ta-ESR. Regression analyses showed that continuous NSAID treatment neutralizes the negative effect of inflammation (high ta-ESR). Conclusions Patients with elevated acute phase reactants seem to benefit most from continuous treatment with NSAIDs. Continuous NSAID-therapy in patients with elevated acute phase reactants may lead to an improved benefit-risk-ratio of these drugs.
A team building and team update system in a projectised organisation scenario

In this paper, we propose a system for the management of team building and team update activities particularly suited in a scenario where projectised organisations operate. Our system is characterised by three important features that appear particularly relevant in this scenario; specifically: 1) it defines and uses a model to uniformly represent and handle expert skills; 2) it is highly distributed and, therefore, is tailored to the typical organisation of the current job market where projectised organisations are intermediating most job positions; 3) it considers not only experts' technical skills, but also their social and organisational capabilities, as well as the affinity degree possibly shown by them when they worked together in the past. In this paper, we first describe our system in all details; then, we present the results of some experiments devoted to evaluate its performance; finally, we compare it with some related systems already proposed in the literature.
Improved Alliin Yield in Somatic Embryos of Allium sativum L. (cv. Yamuna Safed) as Analyzed by HPTLC

Direct somatic embryo formation (without intervening callus) from garlic clove basal tissue was induced in which the influence of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on various explants was examined. Medium added with 2.0 mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) were the most effective PGR combination for somatic embryo induction. It induced embryos directly in 85.5% of the basal clove explant. Callus induction was also obtained from other parts of explant and 2.0 mg/l 2,4-D induced callusing in 86.5% of the inoculated explants. Protein, amino acid and alliin content were measured in callus and in embryos. Somatic embryos had more soluble protein and free amino acid compared to callus. HPTLC analysis revealed that alliin was significantly high in somatic embryos compared to undifferentiated callus tissue; the content was even more in older embryos. The present study of Allium indicates that the event of morphogenetic development including in vitro embryogeny can effectively be analysed by monitoring the changes of biochemical profiles.
Long-term prognosis and factors affecting biliary atresia from experience over a 25 year period.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to delineate the long-term prognosis and factors we have noted in our 25 years of experience treating patients suffering from biliary atresia (BA) who have undergone Kasai's operation. METHODS We studied 141 patients (69 male and 72 female infants) who underwent Kasai's operation at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1976 and 2000. Factors analyzed included age at time of surgery, postoperative bile flow, frequency of cholangitis, prophylactic long-term oral antibiotics given, and intrahepatic biliary cyst formation. RESULTS The 5-year and 10-year survival rates for native liver patients were 34.8% (49/141) and 30.5% (43/141). If surgery was performed before the patient was 60 days old, the results were 44.8% (26/58) and 39.7% (23/58). Good bile flow occurred in 115 patients (81.6%) and 88 (62.4%) became jaundice-free. Cholangitis was encountered in 77 patients (54.6%) within the first two postoperative years. Prophylactic oral antibiotics lowered the rate of recurrent cholangitis (p = 0.011). Multiple intrahepatic biliary cysts occurred in 11.3% (16/141) of patients, who had a higher mortality rate when compared with the other patients (p = 0.037). The factors that had a positive effect include: (1) less than 60 days of age at time of surgery, (2) good bile flow, (3) low frequency of cholangitis, (4) long-term prophylactic antibiotics, and (5) no multiple intrahepatic cyst formation. CONCLUSION The long-term survival rate can be improved if Kasai's operation is performed early, there is a detailed dissection producing good bile flow, and long-term prophylactic antibiotics are given to prevent recurrent cholangitis and formation of multiple intrahepatic cysts.
Optimal monitoring time interval between DXA measures in children

The monitoring time interval (MTI) is the expected time in years necessary to identify a change between two measures that exceeds the measurement error. Our purpose was to determine MTI values for dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans in normal healthy children, according to age, sex, and skeletal site. 2014 children were enrolled in the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study and had DXA scans of the lumbar spine, total hip, nondominant forearm, and whole body. Measurements were obtained annually for seven visits from 2002 to 2010. Annualized rates of change were calculated by age and sex for all bone regions. A subgroup of 155 children ages 6 to 16 years (85 boys) had duplicate scans for calculation of scan precision. The bone mineral density (BMD) regions of interest included the spine, total body less head (TBLH), total hip, femoral neck, and one‐third radius. Bone mineral content (BMC) was also evaluated for the spine and TBLH. The percent coefficient of variation (%CV) and MTI were calculated for each measure as a function of age and sex. The MTI values were substantially less than 1 year for the TBLH and spine BMD and BMC for boys ≤ 17 years and girls ≤ 15 years. The hip and one‐third radius MTIs were generally 1 year in the same group. MTI values as low as 3 months were found during the peak growth years. However, the MTI values in late adolescence for all regions were substantially longer and became nonsensical as each region neared the age for peak bone density. All four DXA measurement sites had reasonable (< 1 year) MTI values for boys ≤ 17 years and girls ≤ 15 years. MTI was neither useful nor stable in late adolescence and young adulthood. Alternative criteria to determine scan intervals must be used in this age range. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Topological and Geometrical Random Walks on Bidisperse Random Sphere Packings

Motivated by the problem of predicting the release kinetics of matrix tablets, we study random walks on the contact graph of a random sphere packing of spheres of two sizes. For a random walk on the unweighted graph that terminates in a specied target set, we compare the euclidean distance covered to the number of steps. We nd a linear dependence of the former on the latter, with proportionality constant the edge length expectation of the contact graph. This result makes it possible to compare predictions of diusion path lengths on geometric graphs.
Genital HIV-1 RNA Quantity Predicts Risk of Heterosexual HIV-1 Transmission

High plasma HIV-1 RNA concentrations are associated with an increased risk of HIV-1 transmission. Although plasma and genital HIV-1 RNA concentrations are correlated, no study has evaluated the relationship between genital HIV-1 RNA and the risk of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission. In a prospective study of 2521 African HIV-1 serodiscordant couples, we assessed genital HIV-1 RNA quantity and HIV-1 transmission risk. HIV-1 transmission linkage was established within the partnership by viral sequence analysis. We tested endocervical samples from 1805 women, including 46 who transmitted HIV-1 to their partner, and semen samples from 716 men, including 32 who transmitted HIV-1 to their partner. Genital and plasma HIV-1 concentrations were correlated: For endocervical swabs, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient rho was 0.56 (p<0.001), and for semen rho was 0.55 (p<0.001). Each 1 log10 increase in genital HIV-1 RNA was associated with a 2.20-fold (for endocervical swabs, 95% confidence interval 1.60–3.04, p<0.001) and a 1.79-fold (for semen, 95% confidence interval 1.30–2.47, p<0.001) increased risk of HIV-1 transmission. Genital HIV-1 RNA independently predicted HIV-1 transmission risk after adjusting for plasma HIV-1 quantity (hazard ratio 1.67 for endocervical swabs and 1.68 for semen). Seven female-to-male and four male-to-female HIV-1 transmissions (incidence <1% per year) occurred from persons with undetectable genital HIV-1 RNA, but in all eleven plasma HIV-1 RNA was detected. Thus, higher genital HIV-1 RNA concentrations are Correspondence to: Jared Baeten, University of Washington, Box 359927, 325 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104, Tel – 206-520-3808, Fax – 206-520-3831, jbaeten@u.washington. edu. *The Partners in Prevention HSV/HIV Transmission Study team members are listed under Acknowledgements Author contributions: Data and specimens were collected by JMB, JRL, RWC, SDM, ENJ, NRM, AW, LC, MSC, JIM, and CC. JMB, EK, and DD performed the statistical analysis. JMB completed the first draft of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the study design, analysis, interpretation of the data, and the writing of the final draft of the article. Competing interests: JRL is a member of the scientific advisory board of Prosetta Bioconformatics, Inc; CC has served as a paid scientific advisor to the research advisory boards of Merck and Gilead. The other authors report no competing interests. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Sci Transl Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 October 6. Published in final edited form as: Sci Transl Med. 2011 April 6; 3(77): 77ra29. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3001888. N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript associated with greater risk of heterosexual HIV-1 transmission, and this effect was independent of plasma HIV-1 concentrations. These data suggest that HIV-1 RNA in genital secretions could be used as a marker of HIV-1 sexual transmission risk.
Factors determining case fatality in myocardial infarction "who dies in a heart attack"?

OBJECTIVE--To examine the determinants of case fatality in the first major ischaemic heart disease event (heart attack) after screening. METHODS--Prospective study of 7735 middle aged men drawn from general practices in 24 British towns. RESULTS--During 11.5 years follow up there were 743 major ischaemic heart disease events of which 302 (40.6%) were fatal within 28 days of onset. Previous definite myocardial infarction or stroke and age at time of event were most strongly associated with case fatality. In men with no previous myocardial infarction or stroke, after adjustment for a range of risk factors, antihypertensive treatment (odds ratio (OR) = 1.97, P < 0.05), arrhythmia (OR = 1.93, P = 0.06), increased heart rate (OR = 2.03, P = 0.06), and diabetes (OR = 2.61, P = 0.07) were associated with increased case fatality. High levels of physical activity (OR = 0.53, P < 0.05) and moderate drinking (16-42 units/week) (OR = 0.61, P < 0.05) were associated with lower case fatality, although moderate drinking was not associated with a lower incidence of major ischaemic heart disease events. Current smoking, serum total cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure were not significantly associated with case fatality. In men with previous myocardial infarction or stroke, arrhythmia and to a lesser degree antihypertensive treatment, moderate or heavy drinking, and diabetes were associated with higher case fatality. CONCLUSION--These findings suggest that physical activity may be an important modifiable factor influencing the incidence of ischaemic heart disease and the chance of survival in men without a previous heart attack or stroke. Arrhythmia, increased heart rate, diabetes, and treatment for hypertension are also areas of concern.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) Discussion paper prepared for The Workplace Safety and Insurance Appeals Tribunal March 2009 Prepared by :

Dr. Dildar Ahmad graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin in 1962. He did post-graduate training in Respirology at the Institute of Chest Disease, London, England from 1964 to 1965 . He was granted his fellowship in Respirology in 1974. He joined the faculty at the University of Western Ontario in 1987 and currently holds the rank of Emeritus Professor of Medicine in the University of Western Ontario. His clinical and research interests were in pulmonary disease and heart lung transplants, and he has published widely in that area. He served as Director Lung Transplant program and as Staff Physician, University Campus London Health Sciences Centre from 1998 to 2003, and Consulting Physician, Respirology at the London Cardiac Institute, London from 2003 to present. Dr. Ahmad has been an assessor for the Tribunal from 1995 to present.
Expression of Wnt3 Activates Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway and Promotes EMT-like Phenotype in Trastuzumab-Resistant HER2-Overexpressing Breast Cancer Cells

To understand the mechanisms leading to trastuzumab resistance in HER2-overexpressing breast tumors, we created trastuzumab-insensitive cell lines (SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2). The cell lines maintain HER2 receptor overexpression and show increase in EGF receptor (EGFR). Upon trastuzumab treatment, SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2 cell lines displayed increased growth rate and invasiveness. The trastuzumab resistance in SKBR3/100-8 and BT474/100-2 was accompanied with activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Further investigation found that Wnt3 overexpression played a key role toward the development of trastuzumab resistance. The expression of Wnt3 in trastuzumab-resistant cells increased nuclear expression of β-catenin and transactivated expression of EGFR. The increased Wnt3 in the trastuzumab-resistant cells also promoted a partial EMT-like transition (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition); increased N-cadherin, Twist, Slug; and decreased E-cadherin. Knockdown of Wnt3 by siRNA restored cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin and decreased EGFR expression in trastuzumab-resistant cells. Furthermore, the EMT markers were decreased, E-cadherin was increased, and the cell invasiveness was inhibited in response to the Wnt3 downregulation. Conversely, SKBR3 cells which had been stably transfected with full-length Wnt3 exhibited EMT-like transition. The Wnt3 transfectants, SKBR3/Wnt3-7 and SKBR3/Wnt3-9, showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin and increase in N-cadherin, Twist, and Slug. The cells were less sensitive to trastuzumab than parental SKBR3 and vector-transfected cells. In summary, our data suggest that Wnt3 overexpression activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway that leads to transactivation of EGFR and promotes EMT-like transition. This could be an important mechanism leading to trastuzumab resistance in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Mol Cancer Res; 10(12); 1597–606. ©2012 AACR.
Testosterone‐Mediated Sexual Dimorphism of the Rodent Heart: Ventricular Lysosomes, Mitochondria, and Cell Growth are Modulated by Androgens

The ventricular myocardium was studied in A/J mice and in Sprague-Dawley rats. In male mice, the ventricles were slightly larger and the specific activities of the lysosomal hydrolases, β-glucuronidase, hexosaminidase,β-galactosidase, and arylsulphatase, and the inner mitochondrial enzyme cytochrome c oxidase were substantially higher than in female mice. Orchiectomy abolished this sex difference. Testosterone administration induced myocardial hypertrophy and accretion of RNA and protein without altering the DNA, and substantial increases in the activities of the lysosomal hydrolases and cytochrome c oxidase. However, the mitochondrial membrane enzyme monoamine oxidase was unaffected by sex, orchiectomy, and testosterone administration. Heart lysosomes from male mice showed a smaller structure-linked latency of the lysosomal enzymes and a greater fragility of the lysosomal membrane to osmotic and mechanical stress than those from female mice. This sex difference was also abolished by orchiectomy and restored by testosterone replacement. Similar sex differences were observed in the rat with respect to heart size, acid hydrolase activities, and lysosomal enzyme latency and membrane stability. These findings indicate that endogenous androgens regulate myocardial cell growth, the activity of enzymes associated with lysosomes and the inner mitochondrial membrane, and some physicochemical properties of lysosomes.