Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PATIENTS WITH SPINAL METASTASIS SUBMITTED TO NEUROLOGICAL DECOMPRESSION AND STABILIZATION

Objetivo: Evaluar retrospectivamente los resultados quirurgicos de pacientes con metastasis osea y mieloma multiple en la columna vertebral, sometidos a descompresion neurologica y artrodesis con instrumentacion con tornillos pediculares solamente por acceso posterior, para verificar si los pacientes muestran mejoria clinica con respecto al dolor y el deficit neurologico en relacion con el periodo preoperatorio. Metodos: Se trata de un estudio transversal, retrospectivo, de serie de casos en el que se analizaron los datos de las historias clinicas de los pacientes con metastasis osea en la columna vertebral, sometidos a cirugia entre enero de 2007 y febrero de 2011. Resultados: De los 42 pacientes de la muestra, de acuerdo con la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov (p = 0,000), hubo una mejoria en el dolor con respecto al preoperatorio, con 33 pacientes (78,6%) reportando mejoria y solo 9 de ellos (21,4%) manteniendo las quejas iniciales de dolor. De los 25 pacientes disponibles para evaluacion de mejoria neurologica (≠ Frankel E) 9 pacientes (36%) tuvieron algun tipo de mejora en el postoperatorio y ningun paciente operado presento empeoramiento neurologico, lo que indica la significacion estadistica de acuerdo con la prueba de Kolmogorov-Smirnov (p = 0,000). Tambien se observo correlacion estadistica (p = 0,042) entre la puntuacion funcional de Frankel despues de la operacion y el alivio del dolor, mediante la prueba de chi-cuadrado. Conclusiones: El tratamiento quirurgico de los pacientes con metastasis en la columna vertebral por medio de artrodesis con instrumentacion pedicular y descompresion puede tener beneficios clinicos significativos, sobre todo en lo que se refiere la mejora de los sintomas de dolor y mejora de la funcion neurologica.
Diabetes mellitus and sexuality--does it really matter?

INTRODUCTION The extent to which diabetes may influence sexuality has not yet been established. Identifying the risk factors of female sexual dysfunctions will facilitate the introduction of effective therapeutic models that aim to normalize the glycemic control and will enhance sexual functioning. AIMS To evaluate the influence of diabetes mellitus on female sexual functions, behaviors and depressive symptoms as well as to establish the predictors for female sexual dysfunctions in diabetic subjects. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To asses reported female sexual dysfunctions by using Female Sexual Function Index in diabetic females. METHODS A total of 544 females living in the upper Silesia region aged 18-55 years old were eligible for this questionnaire-based, retrospective, cross-section study. The study group included females with diabetes mellitus (N = 264), regardless its type and duration; healthy non-diabetic subjects were controls. The Blatt-Kuppermann Index was used to evaluate climacteric symptoms, the Back Depression Inventory-to screen for depressive symptoms and the Female Sexual Function Index-for sexual dysfunction in female (FSD). RESULTS Multiple logistic regression revealed that the risk of desire and arousal dysfunction was lower in respondents for whom having a satisfactory sexual life was extremely important compared to those for whom it was slightly important or not important at all (referent) (OR: 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Respondents highly satisfied with sexual contacts with their partner were at lover risk of desire, arousal, and orgasmic disorders and FSD compared to referent subjects (OR: 0.12; 0.03; 0.01 and 0.03 respectively). Depressive symptoms were associated with higher prevalence of arousal disorders and FSD (OR: 13.6 and 3.57, respectively), diabetes-orgasmic dysfunctions (OR = 10.1). CONCLUSIONS In women, the presence of diabetes is an independent predictor of orgasmic dysfunctions. However, the presence of depressive symptoms, individual perception of sexual needs and partner-related factors are stronger predictors of female sexual dysfunctions.
Rooting of stem segments from fig tree cultivars

Although Brazil is the largest fig ( Ficus carica L.) producer in the Southern Hemisphere, it mainly uses only one cultivar, ‘Roxo de Valinhos’. In addition, propagation is almost entirely through hardwood cuttings. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish a propagation method that provides more successful rooting of stem segments of fig cultivars for the purpose of expanding the genetic base of the fig tree. The cultivars used were ‘Brunswick’, ‘Calabacita’, ‘Negro de Bursa’, ‘Mini Figo’, ‘Lampa Preta’, ‘Lemon’, ‘Troiano’,’ Nazare’, ‘Tres num Prato’, ‘Princesa’, ‘Colo de Dama’, ‘Montes’, ‘Bebera Branca’, ‘Pingo de Mel’, and ‘Roxo de Valinhos’. The propagation methods used were layering, hardwood cuttings, nodal segments, herbaceous cuttings originating from the removal of sprouts, and herbaceous cuttings obtained during growth. We found that the propagation method influences the rooting of stem segments, and cultivars differ in their rooting potential.
Identification- and Singularity-Robust Inference for Moment Condition Models

This paper introduces a new identification‐ and singularity‐robust conditional quasi‐likelihood ratio (SR‐CQLR) test and a new identification‐ and singularity‐robust Anderson and Rubin (1949) (SR‐AR) test for linear and nonlinear moment condition models. Both tests are very fast to compute. The paper shows that the tests have correct asymptotic size and are asymptotically similar (in a uniform sense) under very weak conditions. For example, in i.i. d. scenarios, all that is required is that the moment functions and their derivatives have 2 + γ bounded moments for some γ > 0. No conditions are placed on the expected Jacobian of the moment functions, on the eigenvalues of the variance matrix of the moment functions, or on the eigenvalues of the expected outer product of the (vectorized) orthogonalized sample Jacobian of the moment functions. The SR‐CQLR test is shown to be asymptotically efficient in a GMM sense under strong and semi‐strong identification (for all k ≥ p, where k and p are the numbers of moment conditions and parameters, respectively). The SR‐CQLR test reduces asymptotically to Moreira's CLR test when p = 1 in the homoskedastic linear IV model. The same is true for p ≥ 2 in most, but not all, identification scenarios. We also introduce versions of the SR‐CQLR and SR‐AR tests for subvector hypotheses and show that they have correct asymptotic size under the assumption that the parameters not under test are strongly identified. The subvector SR‐CQLR test is shown to be asymptotically efficient in a GMM sense under strong and semi‐strong identification.
Chromium Ions Removal from Wastewater Using Carbon Nanotubes

Functionalized MWCNTs were used for the removal of heavy metal Cr+3 ions from wastewater. The optimum conditions for batch adsorption of Cr3+ ions and the maximum adsorption efficiency were found to be 99.83% for MWCNTs at 25 mg; and pH 6. The results showed that MWCNTs have large adsorption capacity due to their higher surface area. The equilibrium isotherm of (MWCNTs) shows that the Langmuir isotherm fits the experimental data better than Freundlich adsorption
Symptomatic Hypoglycemia in NIDDM Patients Treated With Oral Hypoglycemic Agents

We assessed the prevalence of hypoglycemic symptoms in patients (aged 40–65 yr) treated with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) attending routine diabetes clinics at our hospital. Symptoms were experienced during the previous 6 mo in 41 of 203 (20.2%) patients treated with sulfonylureas but in none of the 16 patients treated with metformin alone. Hypoglycemic symptoms were experienced at least monthly in 5.9% and less frequently in 14.3% of patients. The prevalence of symptoms decreased with increasing duration of sulfonylurea administration (P < .01). Mean glycosylated hemoglobin and postprandial plasma glucose were significantly lower in patients reporting hypoglycemic symptoms than in those without symptoms (P < .001). The prevalence of hypoglycemic symptoms was significantly higher in patients treated with glyburide than in patients treated with gliclazide (P < .01) or chlorpropamide (P < .05). The prevalence of symptoms was higher in patients taking medications in addition to OHAs (P < .01). Ten (24%) of the patients who experienced hypoglycemic symptoms were taking drugs that may potentiate sulfonylureas.
Effects of protein supplementation in chronic hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the impact of oral protein supplementation given during hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis on nutritional status, number of hospitalizations, and length of stay. DESIGN We used a randomized crossover design in which serum albumin, normalized protein catabolic rate (nPCR), total hospitalizations, and length of stay were compared in patients who received protein supplements with those who did not. The study was conducted for 1 year (November 2005 to October 2006). SETTING This study was conducted at an outpatient dialysis facility. SUBJECTS Forty-nine patients were treated with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for at least 3 months. RESULTS The nPCR significantly increased by month 4 of treatment from a baseline of 1.05 to 1.16 (P = .007). The control group had a significant decline in nPCR during the first 6 months, from 1.11 to 0.98 (P = .038). Improvement was evident in albumin by month 3, from 3.49 to 3.52 (P = .035), but this was not sustained. In the second 6 months, the control group had a significant drop, from 3.35 to 3.19 (P = .014), and the difference between the protein-supplementation and control groups was significant during the second 6 months (P = .037). The nPCR also dropped significantly (P = .024) for the control group in the second 6 months. When protein supplementation ended, weight dropped significantly for those with a body mass index of <20. Trends toward a reduction in hospitalization admissions and hospital days were seen in both crossover treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS In-center supplementation of protein generally improves serum markers of nutrition overall, and when it is discontinued, these markers decline. Larger studies are needed to confirm the trends that we observed regarding nutritional markers and reductions in hospitalizations and hospitalization days.
Management of the Major Coagulopathy with Onset during Laparotomy

An experience with 31 patients who developed major bleeding diatheses during laparotomy was reviewed. Management of the initial 14 patients was by standard hematologic replacement, completion of all facets of operation, and then closure of the peritoneal cavity, usually with suction drainage; only one patient survived.The subsequent 17 patients had laparotomy terminated as rapidly as possible to avoid additional bleeding. Major vessel injuries were repaired; ends of resected bowel were ligated; and holes in other gastrointestinal segments and the bladder were closed by purse-string sutures. One patient had a ureter ligated. Laparotomy pads (4–17) were then packed within the abdomen to effect tamponade, and the abdomen was closed under tension without drains or stomata. Following correction of the coagulopathy, the abdomen was re-explored at 15 to 69 hours in the 12 survivors. Definitive surgery then was completed: bowel resection and reanastomosis; ureter reimplantation; drains for bile, pancreatic juice, and urine; and stomata for bowel or urine diversion or decompression. Eleven of 17 patients, deemed to have a lethal coagulopathy, survived.This technique of initial abortion of laparotomy, establishment of intra-abdominal pack tamponade, and then completion of the surgical procedure once coagulation has returned to an acceptable level has proven to be lifesaving in previously non-salvageable situations.
Judgments of Grammaticality of Sentences with a Differing Number of Arguments: A Comparison of English and Japanese Speakers

This study explored native speakers' linguistic intuition as revealed in judging the grammaticality of sentences. Speakers of English (n = 36) and Japanese (n = 57) judged the relative grammaticality of sentences involving a verb which occurred together with one, two or three arguments. Findings showed that English speakers were more affected by the number of arguments in sentences. They judged sentences having three arguments as grammatical most often and ones having one or two arguments as grammatical less often However, Japanese speakers gave rather similar and more grammatical judgments regardless of the number of arguments in sentences. The findings indicate a difference in tightness of argument structure in the two languages even when the sentences judged are simple sentences and they are given without any sentential context.
Amplification by Hyperoxia of Coronary Vasodilation Induced by Propofol

We tested the hypothesis that in vitro coronary and myocardial effects of propofol (10–300 &mgr;M) should be significantly modified in an isolated and erythrocyte-perfused rabbit heart model in the absence (Pao2 = 137 ± 16 mm Hg, n = 12) or in the presence (Pao2 = 541 ± 138 mm Hg, n = 12) of hyperoxia. The induction of hyperoxia provoked a significant coronary vasoconstriction (−13% ± 7%). Propofol induced increased coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. Because high oxygen tension has been reported to induce a coronary vasoconstriction mediated by the closure of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels, we studied the effects of propofol in 2 additional groups of hearts (n = 6 in each group) pretreated by glibenclamide (0.6 &mgr;M) and cromakalim (0.5 &mgr;M) in the absence and presence of hyperoxia, respectively. The pretreatment by glibenclamide induced a coronary vasoconstriction (−16% ± 7%) which did not affect propofol coronary vasodilation. The pretreatment by cromakalim abolished the amplification of propofol coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. Propofol induced a significant decrease in myocardial performance for a concentration >100 &mgr;M both in the absence and presence of hyperoxia. We conclude that propofol coronary vasodilation is amplified in the presence of hyperoxia. This phenomenon is not explained by the previous coronary vasoconstriction induced by glibenclamide. However, the pretreatment of hearts by cromakalim abolished the amplification of propofol coronary vasodilation in the presence of hyperoxia. The myocardial effects of propofol were not affected by the presence of hyperoxia.
Effect of clavulanic acid on the activities of ten beta-lactam agents against members of the Bacteroides fragilis group

Clavulanic acid reduced the MICs of amoxicillin, carbencillin , cefamandole, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime, cephalothin, and penicillin G, but not of cefoxitin or moxalactam, against 77 isolates of the Bacteroides fragilis group, all rapidly beta-lactamase positive by the nitrocefin slide test. It had no effect on the susceptibilities of eight Bacteroides distasonis strains that were slowly beta-lactamase positive (18 h of incubation).
Properties of center manifolds

The center manifold has a number of puzzling properties associated with the basic questions of existence, uniqueness, differentiability and analyticity which may cloud its profitable application in e.g. bifurcation theory. This paper aims to deal with some of these subtle properties. Regarding existence and uniqueness, it is shown that the cut-off function appear- ing in the usual existence proof is responsible for the selection of a single center manifold, thereby hiding the inherent nonuniqueness. Conditions are given for different center manifolds at an equilibrium point to have a nonempty intersection. This intersection will include at least the families of stationary and periodic solutions crossing through the equilibrium. In the case of nonuniqueness the difference between any two center manifolds will be less than el exp(e2x-l) with el and e2 constants, which explains why the formal Taylor expansions of different center manifolds are the same, while the expansions do not converge. The differentiability of a center manifold will in certain cases decrease when moving out of the origin and a simple example shows how the differentiability may be lost. Center manifolds are usually not analytic; however, an analytic manifold may exist which contains all periodic solutions of a certain type but which may otherwise not be invariant. Using this manifold, a new and very simple proof of the Lyapunov subcenter theorem is given.
GROWTH AND SENESCENCE OF THE PRIMARY ANTIBODT-FORMING POTENTIAL OF THE SPLEEN.

Growth and senescence of the primary antibody-forming potential (PAFP) of the spleen was assessed by culturing spleen cells of 1- to 126-week-old mice together with the test antigen in heavily x-irradiated, genetically compatible, 12-week-old mice. The maximum growth rate of the PAFP of the spleen occurred during the first month after birth. The mean doubling time during this period was ∼4 days in contrast to ∼14 days for spleen and body weights. The highest antibody-forming activity was obtained with cells from 40-week-old mice. The PAFP of the spleen increased ∼600-fold between 1 and 40 weeks of age. In contrast the body weight increased only 8-fold and the spleen weight 4-fold. After 40 weeks of age the PAFP of the spleen decreased gradually with age. Among the very old mice (∼120 weeks) it was only one fourth that of the spleen of 40-week-old mice. With improvement in the animal health program the PAFP of the spleen increased, especially among the very old mice. Evidence was presented to show that the change in the PAFP of the spleen with age is due mainly to the change in the number of potential antibody-forming cells. Furthermore, it was shown that the change in the number of these cells with age is not due to migration of these cells to and from the spleen. The significance of these results is discussed from the standpoint of functional differentiation.
An Unusual Twin-His Arrangement in the Pore of Ammonia Channels Is Essential for Substrate Conductance*

Amt proteins constitute a class of ubiquitous integral membrane proteins that mediate movement of ammonium across cell membranes. They are homotrimers, in which each subunit contains a narrow pore through which substrate transport occurs. Two conserved histidine residues in the pore have been proposed to be necessary for ammonia conductance. By analyzing 14 engineered polar and non-polar variants of these histidines, in Escherichia coli AmtB, we show that both histidines are absolutely required for optimum substrate conductance. Crystal structures of variants confirm that substitution of the histidine residues does not affect AmtB structure. In a subgroup of Amt proteins, found only in fungi, one of the histidines is replaced by glutamate. The equivalent substitution in E. coli AmtB is partially active, and the structure of this variant suggests that the glutamate side chain can make similar interactions to those made by histidine.
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids, fatal ischemic heart disease, and nonfatal myocardial infarction in older adults: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

BACKGROUND Little is known about the relation of the dietary intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, ie, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fatty fish and alpha-linolenic acid from vegetable oils, with ischemic heart disease among older adults. OBJECTIVE We investigated the associations of plasma phospholipid concentrations of DHA, EPA, and alpha-linolenic acid as biomarkers of intake with the risk of incident fatal ischemic heart disease and incident nonfatal myocardial infarction in older adults. DESIGN We conducted a case-control study nested in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a cohort study of adults aged > or = 65 y. Cases experienced incident fatal myocardial infarction and other ischemic heart disease death (n = 54) and incident nonfatal myocardial infarction (n = 125). Matched controls were randomly selected (n = 179). We measured plasma phospholipid concentrations of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in blood samples drawn approximately 2 y before the event. RESULTS A higher concentration of combined DHA and EPA was associated with a lower risk of fatal ischemic heart disease, and a higher concentration of alpha-linolenic acid with a tendency to lower risk, after adjustment for risk factors [odds ratio: 0.32 (95% CI: 0.13, 0.78; P = 0.01) and 0.52 (0.24, 1.15; P = 0.1), respectively]. In contrast, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were not associated with nonfatal myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS Higher combined dietary intake of DHA and EPA, and possibly alpha-linolenic acid, may lower the risk of fatal ischemic heart disease in older adults. The association of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids with fatal ischemic heart disease, but not with nonfatal myocardial infarction, is consistent with possible antiarrhythmic effects of these fatty acids.
Contact sensitization of mice to nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate

The ability of nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate to induce contact sensitization in mice has been investigated. Topical exposure of mice to 0.5% potassium dichromate in dimethysulphoxide (DMSO) under occlusion resulted in specific contact sensitization in each of 7 experiments. Although sensitization to nickel sulphate under the same conditions was weak and somewhat variable, evidence for significant levels of contact allergy was obtained in 4 of 7 experiments. In addition, repeated topical application of both nickel sulphate and potassium dichromate in DMSO was found to result in the induction of lymphocyte proliferative responses in lymph nodes draining the site of exposure. These data indicate that epicutaneous exposure to both metal salts may cause specific contact in mice.
Cathepsin D messenger RNA is downregulated in human lung cancer

Objectives: Lysosomal proteases cathepsins B and D (CB and CD) play a significant part in cancer progression. For many oncological diseases protein expression levels of CB and CD have been investigated and correlations with tumour characteristics revealed. Meanwhile, there is very little information concerning mRNA expression level. Methods: In the present work, data about mRNA levels of CB and CD in human lung cancer was obtained using reverse transcription followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: For the first time CD and CB mRNA in human lung cancer tumours was quantified. It was shown that CB and CD mRNA levels do not correlate with any tumour characteristics. However, in most analysed tumours, expression of CD mRNA was downregulated compared with adjacent normal tissue (p <0.0003). Conclusions: The data obtained indicate CD mRNA as a potential lung cancer marker.
A Spanning Tree Carry Lookahead Adder

The design of the 56-b significant adder used in the Advanced Micro Devices Am29050 microprocessor is described. Originally implemented in a 1- mu m design role CMOS process, it evaluates 56-b sums in well under 4 ns. The adder employs a novel method for combining carries which does not require the back propagation associated with carry lookahead, and is not limited to radix-2 trees, as is the binary lookahead carry tree of R.P. Brent and H.T. Kung (1982). The adder also utilizes a hybrid carry lookahead-carry select structure which reduces the number of carriers that need to be derived in the carry lookahead tree. This approach produces a circuit well suited for CMOS implementation because of its balanced load distribution and regular layout. >
In-Situ TEM Study of a Nanoporous Ni–Co Catalyst Used for the Dry Reforming of Methane

We performed in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) on a dealloyed nanoporous NiCo catalyst used for the dry reforming of methane (DRM) to investigate the origin of the catalytic activity and structural durability. The in-situ observations and local chemical analysis indicated that the DRM induced chemical demixing of Ni and Co accompanied by grain refinement, implying possible “synergic effects” in a general bimetallic NiCo catalyst when used for the DRM.