Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ALA/PDT in the treatment of actinic keratosis: spot versus confluent therapy

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) represents commonly occurring, atypical keratinocytic proliferations confined to the epidermis. While it is the standard of care to destroy AK, few advances have been made to the traditional approaches of physical ablation (e.g. cryosurgery, curettage) and chemotherapeutics (e.g. topical 5‐fluorouracil). The recent advances in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) offer a novel, safe, and effective approach to AK therapy. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 20% ALA solution and blue light for the treatment of multiple facial AK. PATIENTS/METHODS: A total of 32 patients were offered either partial treatment (i.e. individual target lesions treated) or confluent treatment (i.e. entire region treated). At 15–20 hours after ALA solution application, treated areas were exposed to visible blue light for 16 minutes and 40 seconds. RESULTS: ALA/PDT treatment resulted in a rapid resolution of multiple AK lesions with a limited period of associated photosensitivity. Side effects experienced by individual patients were found to be influenced by a number of factors: use of analgesic and topical anesthetic agents, body region treated, partial versus confluent treatment, and light exposure time. CONCLUSION: Twenty per cent ALA/PDT offers a safe, effective, and cost‐efficient means of managing multiple AK lesions per treatment session with a low recurrence rate. In addition to a favorable tolerability profile, most patients also achieved an improvement in skin texture.
The Perception of Prosodic Focus in Persian

In a previous production experiment, post-focus compression (PFC) of F 0 and intensity were found to be present in Persian. It was also shown that F 0 and duration were the main correlates of prosodic focus in Persian. However, the perceptual relevance of PFC in Persian was not yet clear. The present paper reports the findings of an experiment on focus perception in Persian. Native speakers of Persian listened to sentences produced with focus in different positions as well as the neutral-focus sentence, and judged the presence and location of focus. Results show that final focus is identified much less well than other types of focus, and most of its confusion is with neutral focus. This shows that the presence of PFC is a main factor in recognizing prosodic focus in Persian.
Muscle glycogen content and glucose uptake during exercise in humans: influence of prior exercise and dietary manipulation

There are many factors that can influence glucose uptake by contracting skeletal muscle during exercise and although one may be intramuscular glycogen content, this relationship is at present not fully elucidated. To test the hypothesis that muscle glycogen concentration influences glucose uptake during exercise, 13 healthy men were studied during two series of experiments. Seven men completed 4 h of two‐legged knee extensor exercise 16 h after reducing of muscle glycogen by completing 60 min of single‐legged cycling (Series 1). A further six men completed 3 h of two‐legged knee extensor exercise on two occasions: one after 60 min of two‐legged cycling (16 h prior to the experimental trial) followed by a high carbohydrate diet (HCHO) and the other after the same exercise followed by a low carbohydrate diet (LCHO) (Series 2). Muscle glycogen was decreased by 40 % when comparing the pre‐exercised leg (EL) with the control leg (CL) prior to exercise in Series 1. In addition, muscle glycogen was decreased by the same magnitude when comparing LCHO with HCHO in Series 2. In Series 1, glucose uptake was 3‐fold higher in the first 60 min of exercise, in the presence of unchanged pre‐exercise GLUT4 protein in EL compared with CL, suggesting that the lower glycogen, and not the exercise the day before, might have provided the stimulus for increased glucose uptake. Despite the same magnitude of difference in pre‐exercise glycogen concentration when comparing Series 1 with Series 2, neither direct‐nor isotopic tracer‐determined glucose uptake was higher in LCHO compared with HCHO in Series 2. However, arterial concentrations of insulin and glucose were lower, while free fatty acids and adrenaline were higher in LCHO compared with HCHO. These data suggest that pre‐exercise glycogen content may influence glucose uptake during subsequent exercise. However, this is only the case when delivery of substrates and hormones remains constant. When delivery of substrates and hormones is altered, the potential effect of glycogen on glucose uptake is negated.
Cordon Pricing Considering Air Pollutants Emission

This paper considers the issue of air pollutants emission for the optimal and sustainable determination of cordon location, toll level, and price of park and ride (P&R). Although air pollutants emission decreases within the cordon by the implementation of cordon pricing scheme, it may increase outside the cordon and the whole network. Hence, air pollutants emission may only transfer from inside of the cordon to its outside. Therefore, in this paper, a multi-objective bi-level optimization model is developed. A solution algorithm is also presented based on the second version of strength Pareto evolutionary algorithm (SPEA2). The results reveal that this multi-objective model can be a useful tool for the sustainable and optimal design of the cordon and P&R scheme. In addition, cordon pricing is a multi-objective problem. Therefore, it is necessary to consider air pollutants emission. By choosing another non-dominated result in the solution space, air pollutants emission outside the cordon and the whole network can be reduced without a significant reduction in social welfare.
Selected nutritional habits of teenagers associated with overweight and obesity

Introduction A balanced diet is at the heart of healthy growth and development of children and youth, whereas inappropriate eating habits considerably influence the incidence of disorders connected with nutrition, including overweight and obesity. This paper aims at studying nutritional factors of 18-year-old secondary school youth in the urban environment and their effect on the incidence of overweight and obesity. Materials and methods The survey was conducted among 1,999 secondary school students chosen at random. The research tool consisted an original survey questionnaire. The measurements of respondents’ height and body mass provided data for calculating the body mass index. Results and conclusion The percentage of youth with deficient body mass was estimated at 8.4%. The percentage of normal weight students in the surveyed group was estimated at 77.6%. Overweight and obesity characterized 14.0% of the total number. As many as 21.8% of overweight and obese respondents would eat one or two meals as opposed to 16.8% of normal weight students. Three-fourths of the surveyed students would eat breakfast regardless of their nutritional habits. Lunch is eaten by 52.9% of normal weight 18-year-olds and 46.1% of overweight and obese students. The analysis of mealtimes suggests that overweight and obese students would have their breakfast and dinner at later hours than the rest of the surveyed. More than half of the participating students failed to eat lunch (53.9%), and one in four students within this group resigned from supper. Girls would eat fruit and vegetables more frequently than boys several times a day. The percentage of persons in the surveyed groups who would eat fast foods on a daily basis was similar regardless of their nutritional status. Sweetened carbonated beverages would be drunk more often by overweight and obese boys (81.2%) as compared with boys with proper body mass (75.8%). The same type of beverages would be popular with two-thirds of girls, and this result was similar regardless of their nutritional status. About 44.2% of overweight and obese girls and 20% of girls with proper body mass attempted to lose weight, and 5.7% of boys tried to go on a diet. Eating limitations were declared by 16.5% of overweight and obese boys and ca. 3% of normal weight boys. Conclusion Within the surveyed group of youth, it was possible to indicate eating errors primarily consisting in irregular eating, too low a number of meals during the day, particularly skipping breakfast, which took place more frequently among overweight and obese students rather than normal weight ones. The survey points to the insufficient intake of vegetables and fruit as opposed to salty and sweet meals. It is essential to convey the knowledge on the causes of overweight and obesity as well as rules of a healthy diet as factors preventing civilization diseases.
Neurological Symptoms, Genotype-Phenotype Correlations and Ethnic-specific Differences in Bulgarian Patients With Wilson Disease

Objectives:The aim of our study was to characterize the neurological symptoms in Bulgarian patients with Wilson disease (WD), to investigate genotype-phenotype correlations, and to test whether there are differences in phenotype between patients of different ethnic origin. Patients and Methods:A total of 126 Bulgarian patients with WD were included in the study. Detailed history, physical and neurological examination, laboratory investigation of copper metabolism, slit-lamp examination, abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography of the brain, molecular genetic testing, and statistical analysis were performed. Results:Eighty-two patients demonstrated neurological signs. Tremor and dysarthria were most frequently observed. Rigidity, bradykinesia, and pyramidal signs were found in >25% of the patients. Dystonia, chorea, athetosis, ballismus, and epilepsy were rarely observed. We identified a total of 27 mutations of ATP7B. The most frequent mutation is p.H1069Q found on at least 1 allele in 78% of the patients. We did not find a significant correlation between p.H1069Q homozygosity and age of onset, ceruloplasmin level, and urinary copper excretion. The patients homozygous for p.H1069Q presented more frequently with hepatic signs. Mutations predicted to cause production of truncated protein are associated with earlier age at onset and lower ceruloplasmin level. In contrast to Bulgarian patients, Roma patients had an earlier disease onset and more frequent hepatic manifestation. Conclusions:WD presents with a variety of neurological signs. The mutation p.H1069Q is not uniformly associated with late onset and neurological presentation. Frameshift and nonsense mutations lead to severe phenotype. There are ethnic-specific differences in disease manifestation.
WebQual: An Instrument for Consumer Evaluation of Web Sites

Despite the critical need to know how consumers' perceptions of Web sites influence their behavior, and especially their intention to revisit or purchase, there is no extant general measure for evaluating Web sites and no consensus on what such an instrument should measure. The authors used the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Technology Acceptance Model to develop the WebQual instrument for consumer evaluation of Web sites. They refined it through a literature review and interviews with Web designers and users, and tested it using four samples of Web consumers. WebQual includes 12 dimensions (informational fit-to-task, tailored information, trust, response time, ease of understanding, intuitive operations, visual appeal, innovativeness, emotional appeal, consistent image, on-line completeness, relative advantage) and shows strong measurement validity. It is a highly validated instrument that can provide both wide- and fine-grained measurements of organizational Web sites.
Fermented Wheat Aleurone Enriched With Probiotic Strains LGG and Bb12 Modulates Markers of Tumor Progression in Human Colon Cells

Fermentation of dietary fiber by the microflora enhances the levels of effective metabolites, which are potentially protective against colon cancer. The specific addition of probiotics may enhance the efficiency of fermentation of wheat aleurone, a source of dietary fiber. We investigated the effects of aleurone, fermented with fecal slurries with the addition of the probiotics LGG and Bb12 (aleurone+), on cell growth, apoptosis, and differentiation, as well as expression of genes related to growth and apoptosis using two different human colon cell lines (HT29: adenocarcinoma cells; LT97: adenoma cells). The efficiency of fermentation of aleurone was only slightly enhanced by the addition of LGG/Bb12, resulting in an increased concentration of butyrate. In LT97 cells, the growth inhibition of aleurone+ was stronger than in HT29 cells. In HT29 cells, a cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 and the alkaline phosphatase activity, a marker of differentiation, were enhanced by the fs aleurone+. Treatment with all fermentation supernatants resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis and an upregulation of genes involved in cell growth and apoptosis (p21 and WNT2B). In conclusion, fs aleurone+ modulated markers of cancer prevention, namely inhibition of cell growth and promotion of apoptosis as well as differentiation.
Evaluation of the Microbiology of Soft-Tissue Abscesses in the Era of Community-Associated Strains of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: An Argument for Empirical Contact Precautions

To ascertain the microbiology of skin abscesses, emergency department records were reviewed to identify patients with debrided skin abscesses. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 255 (67.6%) of 377 culture samples from episodes in the adult cohort and from 145 (79.7%) of 182 culture samples from episodes in the pediatric cohort. Thus, empirical use of contact precautions for patients with skin abscesses should be strongly considered.
Emerging drugs for Hodgkin's lymphoma

Importance of the field: Although to date most patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) can be cured, the current treatment is associated with acute and long-term complications such as infertility, cardiovascular damage and secondary malignancies. Moreover, novel effective therapies are urgently needed for elderly patients and for patients relapsing after high-dose chemotherapy. Areas covered in this review: Currently emerging promising approaches include drugs targeting cell surface structures by mAbs and immunotoxins, as well as small molecules targeting intracellular proteins. This article includes clinical trials published within the past 3 decades and early results reported in international conferences. What the reader will gain: This article summarizes the biological basis and early clinical data on emerging drugs for HL. Take home message: To date, several new drugs are being tested for HL that are expected to change the approach in both first-line and relapsed patients.
Stochastic Hydrogeology: What Professionals Really Need?

Quantitative hydrogeology celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2006. Geostatistics is younger but has had a very large impact in hydrogeology. Today, geostatistics is used routinely to interpolate deterministically most of the parameters that are required to analyze a problem or make a quantitative analysis. In a small number of cases, geostatistics is combined with deterministic approaches to forecast uncertainty. At a more academic level, geostatistics is used extensively to study physical processes in heterogeneous aquifers. Yet, there is an important gap between the academic use and the routine applications of geostatistics. The reasons for this gap are diverse. These include aspects related to the hydrogeology consulting market, technical reasons such as the lack of widely available software, but also a number of misconceptions. A change in this situation requires acting at different levels. First, regulators must be convinced of the benefit of using geostatistics. Second, the economic potential of the approach must be emphasized to customers. Third, the relevance of the theories needs to be increased. Last, but not least, software, data sets, and computing infrastructure such as grid computing need to be widely available.
CHLAMYDIA TRACHOMATIS AND RECURRENT SPONTANEOUS ABORTION IN IRAQI PREGNANT WOMEN

Background Certain infectious agents have been identified more frequently in cultures from women who have had a spontaneous pregnancy loss; these include Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Chlamydia. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women who experienced recurrent spontaneous abortion. Methods A total of 119 women, age ranged from 23.9−28.5 years were enrolled in the current study and were classified into: Group ARecurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA): n= 62 women, with a mean age of (28.5±0.68); Group Bnonrecurrent spontaneous abortion (non-RSA): n= 34 women, with a mean age of (26.4±0.85) and group CControl (successful pregnancy): n= 23 women, with a mean age of (23.9±0.88). From each patient and control blood and urine samples were collected. Urinalysis test strips including Leukocytes esterase in urine was done, and estimation of IgM levels against Chlamydia trachomatis in sera of patients was done using ELISA method. Results Based on ELISA screening assay, results showed a significant difference in the level of circulating C.trachomatis specific IgM antibody between group A and group C (p< 0.05) as well as between group B and group C (p< 0.01). Also highly significant positive correlation (r=0.401, p<0.001) between C.trachomatis acute infection and urine level of leukocyte esterase. Conclusion C.trachomatis infection is an important causative agent of miscarriages in women. C.trachomatis infection diagnostic procedures should be considered in screening tests during pregnancy.
Dietary intake of different types and characteristics of processed meat which might be associated with cancer risk – results from the 24-hour diet recalls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

Abstract Objective There is increasing evidence for a significant effect of processed meat (PM) intake on cancer risk. However, refined knowledge on how components of this heterogeneous food group are associated with cancer risk is still missing. Here, actual data on the intake of PM subcategories is given; within a food-based approach we considered preservation methods, cooking methods and nutrient content for stratification, in order to address most of the aetiologically relevant hypotheses. Design and setting Standardised computerised 24-hour diet recall interviews were collected within the framework of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), a prospective cohort study in 27 centres across 10 European countries. Subjects Subjects were 22 924 women and 13 031 men aged 35–74 years. Results Except for the so-called ‘health-conscious’ cohort in the UK, energy-adjusted total PM intake ranged between 11.1 and 47.9 g day−1 in women and 18.8 and 88.5 g day−1 in men. Ham, salami-type sausages and heated sausages contributed most to the overall PM intake. The intake of cured (addition of nitrate/nitrite) PM was highest in the German, Dutch and northern European EPIC centres, with up to 68.8 g day−1 in men. The same was true for smoked PM (up to 51.8 g day−1). However, due to the different manufacturing practice, the highest average intake of NaNO2 through PM consumption was found for the Spanish centres (5.4 mg day−1 in men) as compared with German and British centres. Spanish centres also showed the highest intake of NaCl-rich types of PM; most cholesterol- and iron-rich PM was consumed in central and northern European centres. Possibly hazardous cooking methods were more often used for PM preparation in central and northern European centres. Conclusions We applied a food-based categorisation of PM that addresses aetiologically relevant mechanisms for cancer development and found distinct differences in dietary intake of these categories of PM across European cohorts. This predisposes EPIC to further investigate the role of PM in cancer aetiology.
European aspen and hybrid aspen under changing environment - Leaf traits, growth and litter decomposition

Understanding the responses of species and ecosystems to human-induced global environmental change has become a high research priority. The main aim of this thesis was to investigate how certain environmental factors that relate to global change affect European aspen (Populus tremula), a keystone species in boreal forests, and hybrid aspen (P. tremula × P. tremuloides), cultivated in commercial plantations. The main points under consideration were the acclimatization potential of aspen through changes in leaf morphology, as well as effects on growth, leaf litter chemistry and decomposition. The thesis is based on two experiments, in which young aspen ( 8 years) were growing in environments exposed to multiple environmental stress factors (roadside and urban environments). The field studies included litter decomposition experiments. The results show that young aspen, especially the native European aspen, was sensitive to O3 in terms of visible leaf injuries. Elevated O3 resulted in reduced biomass allocation to roots and accelerated leaf senescence, suggesting negative effects on growth in the long term. Water and N availability modified the frost hardening of young aspen: High N supply, especially when combined with drought, postponed the development of frost hardiness, which in turn may predispose trees to early autumn frosts. This effect was more pronounced in European aspen. The field studies showed that mature aspen acclimatized to roadside and urban environments by producing more xeromorphic leaves. Leaf morphology was also observed to vary in response to interannual climatic variation, which further indicates the ability of aspen for phenotypic plasticity. Intraspecific variation was found in several of the traits measured, although intraspecific differences in response to the abiotic factors examined were generally small throughout the studies. However, some differences between clones were found in sensitivity to O3 and the roadside environment. Aspen leaf litter decomposition was retarded in the roadside environment, but only initially. By contrast, decomposition was found to be faster in the urban than the rural environment throughout the study. The higher quality of urban litter (higher in N, lower in lignin and phenolics), as well as higher temperature, N deposition and humus pH at the urban site were factors likely to promote decay. The phenotypic plasticity combined with intraspecific variation found in the studies imply that aspen has potential for withstanding environmental changes, although some global change factors, such as rising O3 levels, may adversely affect its performance. The results also suggest that the multiple environmental changes taking place in urban areas – which correspond closely with the main drivers of global change – can modify ecosystem functioning by promoting litter decomposition, mediated partly by alterations in leaf litter quality.
Non-reactive mood in outpatient depression: A 557-case study

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to find the prevalence of non-reactive mood in major depressive episode (MDE) outpatients, and to compare mood non-reactive and mood reactive patients. Five hundred and fifty-seven consecutive unipolar and bipolar METHOD: Five hundred and fifty-seven consecutive unipolar and bipolar II outpatients, presenting for MDE treatment, were interviewed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale. RESULTS: Non-reactive mood was assessed by MADRS. Non-reactive mood was present in 12.0% of patients. There was no significant age, gender, bipolar II, or unipolar difference between non-reactive and reactive mood patients, while MDE severity was significantly greater in non-reactive mood patients. CONCLUSION: Non-reactive mood is uncommon among bipolar II and unipolar depressed outpatients. It is associated with severe depression, and the proportions of bipolar II and unipolar patients are not different between non-reactive and reactive mood patients. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:119-121)