Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical stage I and II Hodgkin's disease: long-term results of therapy without laparotomy. Experience at one institution.

BACKGROUND We concluded a program in which we administered radiotherapy only to clinical stages I and II Hodgkin's disease patients at standard risk, with the addition of 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy before radiotherapy for high-risk patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS From 1980 to 1991, 313 patients with clinical stages I or II Hodgkin's disease underwent treatment in our hospital. Fifty percent of the patients in groups previously identified as being at high risk for relapse received 4 cycles of combination chemotherapy before radiotherapy. The remaining half of the patients received radiotherapy only. RESULTS Low- and high-risk patients aged 15-59 years had, respectively, complete remission (CR) rates of 97% and 94%, 5-year survivals of 95% and 91%, and 5-year freedom from relapse (FFR) rates of 78% and 89%. Older low- and high-risk groups had CR rates of 97% and 93%, 5-year survivals of 60% and 56% and 5-year FFR of 77% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSION Here we present our favorable results after treating standard-risk patients with clinical stages I and II Hodgkin's disease with radiotherapy only. With the addition of chemotherapy, the rate of relapse in the high-risk patients was reduced below that of the standard-risk patients. Overall survival was the same for the high- and standard-risk patients.
Learning Induces Long-Term Potentiation in the Hippocampus

Years of intensive investigation have yielded a sophisticated understanding of long-term potentiation (LTP) induced in hippocampal area CA1 by high-frequency stimulation (HFS). These efforts have been motivated by the belief that similar synaptic modifications occur during memory formation, but it has never been shown that learning actually induces LTP in CA1. We found that one-trial inhibitory avoidance learning in rats produced the same changes in hippocampal glutamate receptors as induction of LTP with HFS and caused a spatially restricted increase in the amplitude of evoked synaptic transmission in CA1 in vivo. Because the learning-induced synaptic potentiation occluded HFS-induced LTP, we conclude that inhibitory avoidance training induces LTP in CA1.
Protein marker profiling in different T classification in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The identification of specific biomarkers related to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) will be helpful in early detection and determination of reasonable treatment options, which are crucial for the prognosis of patients with laryngeal SCC. The purpose of this study was to profile the protein markers that can be used for diagnosis and prognosis of laryngeal SCC and to observe laryngeal SCC progression with distinct stages of malignant transformation.
Ciliary body enlargement and cyst formation in uveitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute anterior uveitis has diverse causes and systemic associations. Inflammation is predominantly localised to the iris and pars plicata. Little is known about the in vivo effects of uveitis on ciliary body anatomy. METHODS: Bilateral, high frequency, high resolution, ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on consecutive patients with unilateral anterior uveitis to evaluate ciliary body anatomy. Imaging was repeated when possible during the clinical course. The cross sectional area of the anterior ciliary body was measured using image processing and analysis software. Measurements from the uveitic eyes were compared with the fellow eyes and the effect of treatment was evaluated. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were enrolled. Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrated a larger ciliary body cross sectional area in the uveitic eyes compared with the fellow, clinically uninvolved eyes (2.45 (SD 0.48) mm2 versus 1.55 (SD 0.15) mm2, (p = 0.0000; paired t test)). A ciliochoroidal effusion was present in one uveitic eye. Epithelial cysts were imaged bilaterally in four uveitic patients (29%) and unilaterally in unaffected eyes of two uveitic patients. Ciliary body cross sectional area decreased following steroid therapy (p = 0.0001; paired t test). New cysts were noted in three uveitic eyes during the follow up period and in none of the fellow, unaffected eyes. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound biomicroscopy offers a new approach to the evaluation of anterior uveitis. The response to treatment can be evaluated objectively and therapeutic efficacy can be more easily assessed. It has the potential to help elucidate the pathophysiology and anatomical changes of this heterogeneous group of disorders.
A Unified Approach to Theory Reasoning

Theory reasoning is a kind of two-level reasoning in automated theorem proving, where the knowledge of a given domain or theory is separated and treated by special purpose inference rules. We define a classification for the various approaches for theory reasoning which is based on the syntactic concepts of literal level — term level — variable level. The main part is a review of theory extensions of common calculi (resolution, model elimination and a connection method). In order to see the relationships among these calculi, we define a super-calculus called theory consolution. Completeness of the various theory calculi is proven. Finally, due to its relevance in automated reasoning, we describe current ways of equality handling.
Continuous subcutaneous IGF-1 therapy via insulin pump in a patient with Donohue syndrome

Abstract Donohue syndrome (DS) is a severe form of congenital insulin resistance due to mutation(s) in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene. Given the similarities between insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptors, recombinant human IGF-1 (rhIGF-1) has been used to treat severe insulin resistance due to INSR mutation(s). Traditional subcutaneous therapy may be limited by the shortened IGF-1 half-life in these patients. We report the case of a female with molecularly confirmed DS treated with continuous rhIGF-1 therapy via an insulin pump. With treatment, the patient’s hemoglobin A1c decreased from 9.8% to 8.8%, and her weight increased by 0.8 kg. Development of an ovarian tumor complicated her course, but it was unclear whether this was related to rhIGF-1 therapy. Limited treatment options exist for patients with DS. The use of continuous rhIGF-1 via an insulin pump may be a viable option, although further experience is needed to establish safety and efficacy.
Significant Aerosol Influence on the Recent Decadal Decrease in Tropical Cyclone Activity Over the Western North Pacific

Over the past two decades, the number of tropical cyclones (TCs) has decreased markedly in the southeastern part of the western North Pacific (WNP) as a component of the interdecadal variation. This decrease has partially been explained by an internal low‐frequency variability of sea surface temperature (SST) in the Pacific, but influences of external forcing remain unclear. Here we show that past changes in sulfate aerosol emissions contributed approximately 60% of the observed decreasing trends in TC genesis frequency in the southeastern WNP for 1992–2011, using multiple simulations by a global climate model. This decrease was mainly attributed to the increased vertical wind shear and decreased low‐level vorticity, associated with a trans‐basin multidecadal SST change driven by aerosol forcing. The near‐future projection shows that the aerosol forcing still has some potential influence on decadal TC change, but the projected decreasing frequency is mainly due to increasing greenhouse gases forcing.
A Comparison of Cervical and Vaginal Human Papillomavirus

Objectives: We wanted to compare detection of a broad spectrum of human papillomavirus (HPV) types detected in cellular specimens from the vagina and cervix, which could provide information about the potential of each anatomical site for harboring infection. Previous studies have failed to present data on or detect a broad spectrum of HPV genotypes and/or have not carefully sampled the vagina, instead relying on self-collection that is likely contaminated with cervical cells. Study Design: We conducted follow-up study of 353 women who had participated in study of HPV and cervical neoplasia in Costa Rica. We collected paired cervical and vaginal specimens; vaginal specimens were collected from the fornix to minimize cervical contamination. Specimens were tested in a masked fashion for >40 HPV types using a MY09/MY11 PCR method and type-specific dot blot hybridization. Results: The prevalence for any carcinogenic HPV type in vaginal and cervical specimens was similar (P = 0.3). However, the prevalence for any HPV type in vaginal specimens was greater than in cervical specimens (P = 0.0002), primarily due to a twofold increased vaginal prevalence of HPV types of the α3/α15 phylogenetic species (e.g., HPV61) (P <0.00005). Conclusions: Carcinogenic HPV types appeared to have a similar affinity for vaginal and cervical epithelium, but noncarcinogenic HPV types of the α3/α15 phylogenetic species may have a tropism for vaginal epithelium.
Bandwidth-Efficient Coded Modulation with Optimized Linear Partial-Response Signals

We study the design of optimal signals for bandwidth-efficient linear coded modulation. Previous results show that for linear channels with intersymbol interference (ISI), reduced-search decoding algorithms have near-maximum-likelihood error performance, but with much smaller complexity than the Viterbi decoder. Consequently, the controlled ISI introduced by a lowpass filter can be practically used for bandwidth reduction. Such spectrum shaping filters comprise an explicit coded modulation, for which we seek the optimal design. We simultaneously constrain the bandwidth and maximize the minimum Euclidean distance between signals. We show that under quite general assumptions the problem can be formulated as a linear program, and solved with well-known efficient optimization techniques. Numerical results are presented, and the performance of the optimal signals, measured by their combined bandwidth and noise immunity, is analyzed. The new codes are comparable to set-partition (TCM) trellis codes. Tests of an M-algorithm decoder confirm this and show that the performance occurs at small detection complexity.
Activities of Vancomycin, Ceftaroline, and Mupirocin against Staphylococcus aureus Isolates Collected in a 2011 National Surveillance Study in the United States

ABSTRACT Forty-two medical centers from throughout the United States participating in a longitudinal surveillance program were asked to submit 100 consecutive Staphylococcus aureus isolates during July to December 2011. Susceptibility testing using CLSI broth microdilution and mecA detection by PCR analysis was performed on the 4,131 isolates collected. Methods employing Etest glycopeptide resistance detection (GRD; bioMérieux) and brain heart infusion agar containing 4 μg/ml vancomycin (BHIV) were used to screen methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates for heterogeneous intermediate-level resistance to vancomycin (hVISA). Isolates with positive hVISA screen results were confirmed by population analysis profiling-area under the curve (PAP-AUC) determinations. The genetic relatedness of hVISA, ceftaroline-nonsusceptible, or high-level (HL) mupirocin resistance MRSA isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Among 2,093 MRSA isolates, the hVISA screen results were positive with 47 isolates by Etest GRD and 30 isolates by BHIV agar screen. Twenty-five of the GRD- or BHIV screen-positive isolates were confirmed as hVISA by PAP-AUC testing. Results of the current study were compared to results obtained from prior surveillance performed in 2009. The prevalence of hVISA among MRSA isolates was higher in 2011 than in 2009 (1.2% versus 0.4%, P = 0.003), especially for isolates with a vancomycin MIC of 2 (45.4% versus 14.3%, P = 0.01). The overall rate of ceftaroline susceptibility in the current study was 99.4% (one hVISA isolate had an intermediate ceftaroline MIC). HL mupirocin resistance increased from 2.2% in 2009 to 3.2% in 2011 (P = 0.006). Although overall rates of hVISA and HL mupirocin resistance are low, they have increased since 2009.
Educating the general public about multifactorial genetic disease: applying a theory-based framework to understand current public knowledge

The present article describes the application of a theory-based framework to understand current public knowledge of genetic risk factors of multifactorial diseases. The main innovative aspect is the application of E. M. Rogers' knowledge framework which distinguishes three types of knowledge: “awareness knowledge,” “how-to knowledge,” and “principles knowledge. ” We argue that distinguishing these types of knowledge allows for a more sophisticated overview of the general public. To illustrate the application of Rogers' framework, we performed a literature review of current public knowledge of genetic risk factors of multifactorial genetic diseases. Relevant articles were identified by searching the Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase, CINAHL, ERIC, and PsycINFO databases from January 1990 until January 2007 and by performing reference list and author searches. Although this review showed that current public knowledge is limited, it also showed that the knowledge framework may be a useful tool for assessing different types of public knowledge and pinpointing flaws or caveats in public knowledge with more precision and subsequently develop public health campaigns to remedy such flaws. Implications for genetic education are discussed.
Aminochronology and time averaging of Quaternary land snail assemblages from colluvial deposits in the Madeira Archipelago, Portugal

Abstract Understanding the properties of time averaging (age mixing) in a stratigraphic layer is essential for properly interpreting the paleofauna preserved in the geologic record. This work assesses the age and quantifies the scale and structure of time averaging of land snail-rich colluvial sediments from the Madeira Archipelago (Portugal) by dating individual shells using amino acid racemization calibrated with graphite-target and carbonate-target accelerator mass spectrometry radiocarbon methods. Gastropod shells of Actinella nitidiuscula were collected from seven sites on the volcanic islands of Bugio and Deserta Grande (Desertas Islands), where snail shells are abundant and well preserved in Quaternary colluvial deposits. Results show that the shells ranged in age from modern to ~48 cal ka BP (calibrated radiocarbon age), covering the last glacial and present interglacial periods. Snail shells retrieved from two of the colluvial sites exhibit multimillennial age mixing (>6 ka), which significantly exceeds the analytical error from dating methods and calibration. The observed multimillennial mixing of these assemblages should be taking into consideration in upcoming paleoenvironmental and paleoecological studies in the region. The extent of age mixing may also inform about the time span of colluvial deposition, which can be useful in future geomorphological studies. In addition, this study presents the first carbonate-target radiocarbon results for land snail shells and suggests that this novel, rapid, and more affordable dating method offers reliable age estimates for small land snail shells younger than ~20 cal ka BP.
Specialty outpatient care of diabetic patients in Poland--are we far from treatment targets? Rationale, design, and preliminary results of the OPTIMO study.

INTRODUCTION While clinical practice guidelines reflect the best known evidence-based approach to patient care, it is individual clinicians and patients who make decisions and treatment choices, and individual patients who actually achieve (or not) the treatment goals. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to describe the population of diabetic patients attending specialty outpatient clinics, to characterize the management of patients with different types of diabetes, and to assess the accordance of management with the recommendations developed by Diabetes Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS The OPTIMO observational study was conducted from 2006 to 2009 and included patients with diabetes diagnosed according to the 1999 World Health Organization criteria who were observed for 1 to 3 years, with control visits at least every 6 months. Participating physicians used pocket PCs equipped with specially developed software to collect patients' data and to provide educational reminders to clinicians. RESULTS The final analysis involved 9600 patients for whom valid baseline questionnaires were available. Type 2 diabetes was observed in 92% and type 1 diabetes in 6% of the patients. Mean age was 60.5 years. Women constituted 54% of the population. Coronary heart disease was observed in 32% and arterial hypertension in 76% of the patients. At baseline, 23% of the patients had hemoglobin A1c level below 6.5% and 44% below 7.0. Total cholesterol and triglycerides treatment goals were met at baseline by slightly more than half of the patients, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol treatment goal was met only by 33% of the patients. Baseline blood pressure below 130/80 mmHg was reported for 11% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS At the beginning of the OPTIMO study, we have observed considerable deviations from treatment targets recommended by current clinical practice guidelines for diabetic patients, which leaves significant room for improvement in the care of diabetic patients.
Chemical and functional characterization of chickpea protein derivates.

Whole flour, defatted flour and freeze dried protein concentrate were obtained from chickpea. Protein solubility, water and oil absorption capacity, emulsifying capacity and emulsion stability, foaming capacity and foam stability were used to evaluate the chickpea protein derivates from a chemical and functional standpoint. The chickpea protein concentrate, obtained by alkaline solubilization (pH 10.5) followed by isoelectric precipitation at pH= 4.5 and freeze drying, displayed the highest protein content and the best functional properties. The profiles of the solubility curves corresponding to the chickpea protein concentrate indicate a minimum solubility at pH ranging from 4 to 5 (i.e., protein solubility of 12.5% in the case of chickpea protein concentrate) and two domains of maximum solubility at pH 1.8 and 11.8 (i.e., protein solubility of 53.2% and 85.7%, respectively, in the case of chickpea protein concentrate). The profiles of protein solubility curves are similar with the profiles of the emulsifying capacity vs. pH curves. The foaming capacity increased with the increase of chickpea protein concentration. After 120 hours of storage the foam stability was higher than 90%. The experimental data show that the chickpea protein concentrate can be successfully used as food ingredient due to its chemical composition and functional properties.
On-response deficit in the electroretinogram of the cone system in X-linked retinoschisis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that the reduced b-wave to a-wave ratio of the brief-flash electroretinogram (ERG) of the cone system typically observed in X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) represents a relatively greater deficit in the ON response (response to light onset) than the OFF response (response to light offset). A second purpose was to investigate the use of sawtooth flicker as a stimulus for eliciting ERG ON and OFF responses. METHODS Light-adapted, full-field ERGs were recorded in six patients with XLRS and six age-similar control subjects in response to 8-Hz rapid-on and rapid-off sawtooth flicker to emphasize ON and OFF responses, respectively. ERG responses were analyzed in terms of the amplitudes and implicit times of the a-wave, b-wave, and d-wave components. RESULTS There was no significant difference between the patients with XLRS and the control subjects for either the amplitude of the a-wave of the ON response or the amplitude of the d-wave of the OFF response. However, the amplitude of the b-wave of the ON response was reduced significantly in the patients with XLRS, resulting in a significantly reduced b-wave to d-wave ratio. The patients' implicit times were increased significantly for all waveform components. CONCLUSIONS The reduced b-wave to d-wave ratio of the ERG of the cone system in these patients with XLRS is consistent with a relative dysfunction of the cone ON bipolar cell pathway in this disorder. The results show further that sawtooth flicker is a promising stimulus for eliciting well-defined ERG waveforms that can provide a quantitative assessment of the properties of ON and OFF responses in retinal disease.
Respiratory-Related Hospitalizations following Prophylaxis in the Canadian Registry for Palivizumab (2005–2012) Compared to Other International Registries

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection occurs commonly in infants aged ≤2 years, and severe infection results in hospitalization with accompanying morbidity and mortality. Palivizumab has been available for prophylaxis for the past 15 years. Prospective data on patients who received palivizumab from 2005 to 2012 has been assembled in the Canadian registry (CARESS) to document utilization, compliance, and health outcomes in both hospital and community settings. Long-term data is necessary to evaluate the impact of palivizumab on the incidence of RSV infections, minimize healthcare resources, and identify which infant subpopulations are receiving prophylaxis. A database search was also conducted for similar information from published registries, and hospitalization rates were compared to results from randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Overall hospitalization rates (percent; range) for respiratory-related illnesses and RSV-specific infection in infants who meet standard indications for prophylaxis were 6.6 (3.3–7.7) and 1.55 (0.3–2.06), respectively, in CARESS, which closely aligns with registry data from 4 other countries, despite the former comprising the largest cohort of complex patients internationally. Overall RSV-related hospitalization rates were lower across registries compared to equivalent patients in RCTs. Registry data provides valuable information regarding real-world experience with palivizumab, while facilitating the genesis of new research themes.