Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Case reports of adjuvant combination therapy in severe acne vulgaris with chemical peeling using glycolic acid and iontophoresis

Dear Editor, In Japan, treatment with topical adapalene and antimicrobials along with systemic antimicrobials has been the mainstay of medical treatment for acne according to guidelines published by the Japanese Dermatological Association (JDA) in 2008. Adjuvant combination therapy with chemical peeling using glycolic acid and subsequent iontophoresis with vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E was performed on five patients (age range, 16–27 years; mean age, 19.8 years) with severe acne vulgaris. Chemical peeling with 20% glycolic acid at pH 3.2 (Jorbi Neutralizer 20; Keisei, Tokyo, Japan) and subsequent iontophoresis using either Moisture Gel (Environ; Protea Japan, Tokyo, Japan) or ascorbyl 2-phosphate 6-palmitate (APPS) and DL-a-tocopherol phosphate (TPNa; ITO, Tokyo, Japan) were performed 4–6 times at 2–4-week intervals. Moisture Gel contained vitamin C (ascorbyl acid), vitamin A (retinyl palmitate), vitamin E, vitamin B5 and b-carotene. In all cases, remarkable improvement was observed in acne severity from “severe” to “mild”, and the number of total lesions, inflammatory lesions, and non-inflammatory lesions and postinflammatory pigmentation (PIH). In particular, the number of inflammatory lesions decreased markedly. A representative case is shown in Figure 1. Mild and transient adverse reactions such as redness and stinging after the therapy was noted in two of the five cases. Japanese Dermatological Association guidelines recommend chemical peeling with glycolic acid for treating both non-inflammatory and inflammatory lesions that are unresponsive or unavailable to medical treatment. In the JDA guidelines for chemical peeling, glycolic acid is the agent recommended for one of the methods to treat acne. Chemical peeling promotes remodeling of epithelia, unroofing of red papules and pustules, and improving hypercornification while exerting antibacterial effects against Propionibacterium acnes. Chemical peeling with glycolic acid also inhibits PIH. The mechanisms underlying the action of glycolic acid accelerate the turnover of the epidermis and inhibit melanin formation in melanocytes. The usefulness of iontophoresis for treating acne has been reported. APPS is a vitamin C derivative that has amphipathic (hydrophilic and lipophilic) properties. It is also effective for perifollicular pigmentation. TPNa inhibits the production of lipoperoxide, exerts anti-inflammatory effects and has antimicrobial activity against P. acnes. Combination therapy of chemical peeling and subsequent iontophoresis would be more effective for treating acne than any of these treatments alone. Because chemical peeling breaks through the normal barrier function of the epidermis, effective iontophoresis can be induced. In particular, follicles and the sebaceous gland are not highly resistant areas for permeability; hence, transadnexal absorption is more effective. Based on these results, adjuvant combination therapy with chemical peeling using glycolic acid and subsequent iontophoresis with vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E appears to
Neighbor Selection and Hitting Probability in Small-World Graphs

Small-world graphs, which combine randomized and structured elements, are seen as prevalent in nature. Jon Kleinberg showed that in some graphs of this type it is possible to route, or navigate, between vertices in few steps even with very little knowledge of the graph itself. In an attempt to understand how such graphs arise we introduce a different criterion for graphs to be navigable in this sense, relating the neighbor selection of a vertex to the hitting probability of routed walks. In several models starting from both discrete and continuous settings, this can be shown to lead to graphs with the desired properties. It also leads directly to an evolutionary model for the creation of similar graphs by the stepwise rewiring of the edges, and we conjecture, supported by simulations, that these too are navigable. © Institute of Mathematical Statistics, 2008.
Semantic Memory in the Clinical Progression of Alzheimer Disease

Background and Objective: Semantic memory measures may be useful in tracking and predicting progression of Alzheimer disease. We investigated relationships among semantic memory tasks and their 1-year predictive value in women with Alzheimer disease. Methods: We conducted secondary analyses of a randomized clinical trial of raloxifene in 42 women with late-onset mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease. We assessed semantic memory with tests of oral confrontation naming, category fluency, semantic recognition and semantic naming, and semantic density in written narrative discourse. We measured global cognition (Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale), dementia severity (Clinical Dementia Rating sum of boxes), and daily function (Activities of Daily Living Inventory) at baseline and 1 year. Results: At baseline and 1 year, most semantic memory scores correlated highly or moderately with each other and with global cognition, dementia severity, and daily function. Semantic memory task performance at 1 year had worsened one-third to one-half standard deviation. Factor analysis of baseline test scores distinguished processes in semantic and lexical retrieval (semantic recognition, semantic naming, confrontation naming) from processes in lexical search (semantic density, category fluency). The semantic-lexical retrieval factor predicted global cognition at 1 year. Considered separately, baseline confrontation naming and category fluency predicted dementia severity, while semantic recognition and a composite of semantic recognition and semantic naming predicted global cognition. No individual semantic memory test predicted daily function. Conclusions: Semantic-lexical retrieval and lexical search may represent distinct aspects of semantic memory. Semantic memory processes are sensitive to cognitive decline and dementia severity in Alzheimer disease.
Implicit Formulation of Homogenization Method for Periodic Elastic-Viscoplastic Solids

In this study, to determine incremental, perturbed displacement fields in periodic elastic-viscoplastic solids, an incremental homogenization problem is fully implicitly formulated using a linearized constitutive relation, a micro/macro-kinematic relation, and a stress balance equation. It is shown that the homogenization problem can be iteratively solved with quadratic convergences by successively updating strain increments in unit cells, and that the present formulation allows versatility in the initial setting of strain increments in contrast to Terada-Kikuchi (2001) and Miehe (2002). This homogenization algorithm is then examined by analyzing a holed plate, with an elastic-viscoplastic micro-structure, subjected to tensile loading. It is thus demonstrated that the convergence in iteratively solving the homogenization problem strongly depends on the initial setting of strain increments in unit cells, and that quick convergences can be attained if the initial setting of strain increments is appropriate.
ParTIES: a toolbox for Paramecium interspersed DNA elimination studies

MOTIVATION Developmental DNA elimination occurs in a wide variety of multicellular organisms, but ciliates are the only single-celled eukaryotes in which this phenomenon has been reported. Despite considerable interest in ciliates as models for DNA elimination, no standard methods for identification and characterization of the eliminated sequences are currently available. RESULTS We present the Paramecium Toolbox for Interspersed DNA Elimination Studies (ParTIES), designed for Paramecium species, that (i) identifies eliminated sequences, (ii) measures their presence in a sequencing sample and (iii) detects rare elimination polymorphisms. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION ParTIES is multi-threaded Perl software available at https://github.com/oarnaiz/ParTIES. ParTIES is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence v3.
Gene expression patterns underlying parasite‐induced alterations in host behaviour and life history

Many parasites manipulate their hosts’ phenotype. In particular, parasites with complex life cycles take control of their intermediate hosts’ behaviour and life history to increase transmission to their definitive host. The proximate mechanisms underlying these parasite‐induced alterations are poorly understood. The cestode Anomotaenia brevis affects the behaviour, life history and morphology of parasitized Temnothorax nylanderi ants and indirectly of their unparasitized nestmates. To gain insights on how parasites alter host phenotypes, we contrast brain gene expression patterns of T. nylanderi workers parasitized with the cestode, their unparasitized nestmates and unparasitized workers from unparasitized colonies. Over 400 differentially expressed genes between the three groups were identified, with most uniquely expressed genes detected in parasitized workers. Among these are genes that can be linked to the increased lifespan of parasitized workers. Furthermore, many muscle (functionality) genes are downregulated in these workers, potentially causing the observed muscular deformations and their inactive behaviour. Alterations in lifespan and activity could be adaptive for the parasite by increasing the likelihood that infected workers residing in acorns are eaten by their definitive host, a woodpecker. Our transcriptome analysis reveals numerous gene expression changes in parasitized workers and their uninfected nestmates and indicates possible routes of parasite manipulation. Although causality still needs to be established, parasite‐induced alterations in lifespan and host behaviour appear to be partly explained by morphological muscle atrophy instead of central nervous system interference, which is often the core of behavioural regulation. Results of this study will shed light upon the molecular basis of antagonistic species interactions.
Preoperative characteristics of working-age patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Objective Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is performed more in working-age (<65 years) patients. Until now, research in this patient population has been conducted mainly among retired (≥65 years) patients. Aim of this study was therefore to describe demographic, physical, psychological and social characteristics of working TKA patients and to subsequently compare these characteristics with retired TKA patients and the general population. Methods A cross-sectional analysis. Preoperative data of 152 working TKA patients was used. These data were compared with existing data of retired TKA patients in hospital registers and with normative values from literature on the general population. Demographic, physical, psychological and social (including work) characteristics were analyzed. Results The majority (83.8%) of working TKA patients was overweight (42.6%) or obese (41.2%), a majority (72.4%) was dealing with two or more comorbidities, and most (90%) had few depressive symptoms. Mean physical activity level was 2950 minutes per week. Compared to the retired TKA population, working TKA patients perceived significantly more stiffness and better physical functioning and vitality, were more physically active, and perceived better mental health. Compared to the general population working TKA patients perceived worse physical functioning, worse physical health and better mental health, and worked fewer hours. Conclusion This study shows that a majority of working TKA patients are overweight/obese, have multiple comorbidities, but are highly active in light-intensity activities and have few depressive symptoms. Working patients scored overall better on preoperative characteristics than retired patients, and except for physical activity scored overall worse than the general population.
Sonography of Sports Injuries of the Hip

Context: Sports-related injuries of the hip are a common complaint of both competitive and recreational athletes of all ages. The anatomic and biomechanical complexity of the hip region often cause diagnostic uncertainty for the clinicians evaluating these injuries. Therefore, obtaining additional diagnostic information is often crucial for providing injured athletes with a prompt and accurate diagnosis so they can return to activity as soon as possible. Musculoskeletal ultrasound is becoming increasingly important in evaluating and treating sports-related injuries of the hip. Evidence Acquisition: The PubMed database was searched in May of 2013 for English-language articles pertaining to sonography of sports injuries of the hip using the following keywords in various combinations: musculoskeletal, ultrasound, hip, hip sonography, and sports. Study Design: Clinical review. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Results: Musculoskeletal ultrasound is currently being used for both diagnosis and treatment in a wide range of acute and chronic conditions affecting the hip, including tendinosis, tendon/muscle strains, ligamentous sprains, enthesopathies, growth plate injuries, fractures, bursitis, effusions, synovitis, labral tears, and snapping hip. Therapeutically, it is used to guide injections, aspirations, and biopsies. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal ultrasound use is expanding and will likely continue to do so as more clinicians realize its capabilities. Characteristics, including accessibility, portability, noninvasiveness, dynamic examination, power Doppler examination, and low cost highlight the potential of ultrasound.
Pancreatic pseudocysts in the 21st century. Part II: natural history.

The widespread application of ultrasonography and CT has advanced our knowledge of the natural history of pancreatic pseudocysts. It is generally agreed that acute and chronic pseudocysts have a different natural history, although many reports do not differentiate between pseudocysts which complicate acute pancreatitis and those which complicate chronic disease [1]. This makes evaluation of different treatment options difficult or impossible. Also, the treatment evaluation is complicated due to the tendency towards spontaneous resolution of the pseudocysts. The quality of data about spontaneous resolution of acute pseudocysts varies from study to study and, when there is no precise definition of the pseudocyst and when alcohol is the major cause, selection bias can occur which threatens the reliability of the results. Nevertheless, the results from published studies allow us to draw some limited conclusions and to raise questions which require further investigation.
Ethnic differences in 1-year mortality among patients hospitalised with heart failure

Objective The incidence of cardiovascular disease and the prevalence of risk factors have been shown to differ significantly across ethnic groups. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of ethnicity on 1-year mortality among patients with heart failure in a single payer healthcare system with universal access. Design, setting and patients Alberta residents aged 20 years or older hospitalised with heart failure between 1 April 1999 and 31 December 2005 are included. Previously validated algorithms were used to assign ethnicity based on patient surname. Patients were categorised as white, Chinese or East Indian. Main outcome measure One-year mortality after adjusting for baseline differences. Results 52 980 white, 851 Chinese, and 377 East Indian individuals were hospitalised with heart failure. Chinese patients were the oldest and had the highest rates of renal disease. East Indian patients were the youngest and had the highest rates of ischaemic heart disease and diabetes. One-year mortality rates were 31.0% among white patients, 38.7% among Chinese and 26.5% among East Indian patients (p<0.01). Adjusted HR (and 95% CI) for 1-year mortality among Chinese compared with white patients was 1.34 (1.20 to 1.49) and among East Indian compared with white patients it was 1.04 (0.85 to 1.27). These findings were consistent across various subgroups, including patients with incident heart failure. Conclusions Ethnicity appears to modulate patient outcomes in heart failure. Chinese patients have significantly higher 1-year mortality rates compared with white patients; there appear to be no differences in mortality among East Indian and white patients.
Profilometric and Microradiographic Studies on the Effects of Toothpaste and Acidic Gel Abrasivity on Sound and Demineralized Bovine Dental Enamel

The objective of this study was to assess the abrasive effects of toothpastes and acidic F gels on sound and demineralized enamel. Pairs of enamel specimens were cut from bovine incisors, embedded in epoxy resin and polished. An artificial subsurface lesion of 80–90 µm depth was created in one specimen from each pair. The samples were covered with adhesive tape, thereby exposing the enamel for abrasivity testing. All samples were divided into six groups of 15 and brushed with a slurry (1:3) of F gel or toothpaste and human saliva. Brushing with water (control) or with slurry was carried out (16,000 strokes) using a medium toothbrush (load 275 g) mounted in a brushing machine. Abrasion was evaluated using laser profilometry, and was about 50% less on sound than on demineralized enamel (p < 0.001). In the latter, brushing with water (0.09 ± 0.03 µm) or with fluoride-free gel (0.08 ± 0.03 µm) resulted in negligible wear. With a medium-abrasive paste (1.76 ± 0.85 µm) and an acidic F gel (2.48 ± 0.72 µm), brushing abrasion was significantly greater (p < 0.001) than with a low-abrasive paste (0.84 ± 0.38 µm). The greatest wear (16.6 ± 10.8 µm) was observed with high-abrasive paste (p < 0.001), and here transversal microradiography revealed a complete loss of the pseudointact surface after brushing. In vitro formed caries-like lesions can be abraded (by toothbrushing) more easily than sound enamel; hence, initial white spot lesions should preferably be brushed with oral hygiene products of low abrasivity.
Multifocal motor neuropathy

IgM anti-GM1 antibodies are associated with motor neuropathy syndromes, including multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN). We compared the ability of serum IgM from patients with multifocal motor neuropathy to bind to GM1 ganglioside alone and to GM1 as a component of a lipid mixture that also contained galactocerebroside and cholesterol (GGC). Our results showed that high-titer selective serum IgM binding to GGC has strong specificity for MMN. Further, over 40% more serums from patients with MMN have high-titer serum IgM binding to GGC than to GM1 alone. The specific composition and structure of the lipid mixture altered the ability of serum IgM to bind to GMl ganglioside. Substitutions of other lipids for galactocerebroside or cholesterol could completely inhibit the antibody binding. We conclude that serum IgM anti-GGC autoantibodies have specificity for MMN and their binding is strongly influenced by the lipid environment of GM1 ganglioside.
Stability threshold and steady-state response of noncontacting coned-face seals©

The dynamic behavior of a noncontacting coned-face seal is analyzed. Stiffness and damping properties of the fluid film and flexible support including elastomeric secondary seal are fully accounted for. Stability threshold and steady-state response in the presence of rotor axial runout and assembly misalignment are investigated. An expression is provided for the critical speed above which the seal becomes dynamically unstable. For stable operation, the relative misalignment between the mating faces is given as a function of rotor runout, assembly misalignment, design parameters, and operation conditions. An expression is provided for the critical rotor runout above which the seal will fail due to face contact. Although the analysis is based on small perturbation assumption, it is shown to be valid in many practical cases. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in San Diego, California, October 22–24, 1984
On the Application of Hierarchical Coevolutionary Genetic Algorithms

This paper examines the use of a hierarchical coevolutionary genetic algorithm under different partnering strategies. Cascading clusters of sub-populations are built from the bottom up, with higher-level sub-populations optimising larger parts of the problem. Hence higher-level sub-populations potentially search a larger search space with a lower resolution whilst lower-level sub-populations search a smaller search space with a higher resolution. The effects of different partner selection schemes amongst the sub-populations on solution quality are examined for two constrained optimisation problems. We examine a number of recombination partnering strategies in the construction of higher-level individuals and a number of related schemes for evaluating sub-solutions. It is shown that partnering strategies that exploit problem-specific knowledge are superior and can counter inappropriate (sub)fitness measurements.
Quantitative Measurement of the Development of Recrystallization Texture in OFE Copper

High purity OFE copper samples, cold rolled 58, 73 and 90%, were studied at different fractions recrystallized to follow the change of texture, the associated kinetics, release of stored energy, growth rates and microstructures. Higher strains led to a stronger copper deformation component and a stronger cube recrystallization component. The strength of the cube texture correlated strongly with the frequency of cube nuclei at the early stage of recrystallization for the 73 and 90% reductions. The kinetics had low Avrami exponents of 1.1, 1.2 and 1.8 respectively for the 3 rolling reductions. Average growth rates, G, decreased linearly with fraction recrystallized. However, unlike the study by Hutchinson et al., here the rate of stored energy release was constant with fraction recrystallized.
Urban networks among Chinese cities along "the Belt and Road": A case of web search activity in cyberspace

“The Belt and Road” initiative has been expected to facilitate interactions among numerous city centers. This initiative would generate a number of centers, both economic and political, which would facilitate greater interaction. To explore how information flows are merged and the specific opportunities that may be offered, Chinese cities along “the Belt and Road” are selected for a case study. Furthermore, urban networks in cyberspace have been characterized by their infrastructure orientation, which implies that there is a relative dearth of studies focusing on the investigation of urban hierarchies by capturing information flows between Chinese cities along “the Belt and Road”. This paper employs Baidu, the main web search engine in China, to examine urban hierarchies. The results show that urban networks become more balanced, shifting from a polycentric to a homogenized pattern. Furthermore, cities in networks tend to have both a hierarchical system and a spatial concentration primarily in regions such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta region. Urban hierarchy based on web search activity does not follow the existing hierarchical system based on geospatial and economic development in all cases. Moreover, urban networks, under the framework of “the Belt and Road”, show several significant corridors and more opportunities for more cities, particularly western cities. Furthermore, factors that may influence web search activity are explored. The results show that web search activity is significantly influenced by the economic gap, geographical proximity and administrative rank of the city.