Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and overall survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a systematic review

Abstract A summary of the evidence pertaining to the association between methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and overall survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is not currently available. We thus reviewed the literature on the association between MTFHR C677T and overall survival in pediatric ALL. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and ISI Web of Knowledge literature databases without language restrictions to identify observational studies among children diagnosed between ages 0 and 19 years that assessed MTHFR 677 polymorphisms in relation to ALL survival. We identified six studies comprising 909 pediatric patients with ALL. The magnitude of relative risk (RR) for pediatric ALL mortality varied by genotype comparison and study population, ranging from RR = 0.84 (95% confidence limits [CL]: 0.24, 3.0) for a TT vs. CT/CC comparison to RR = 7.0 (95% CL: 0.98, 49) for a TT vs. CC comparison. The current evidence suggests that individuals with MTHFR 677 variants (i.e. at least one T allele) may have a higher relative risk of pediatric ALL mortality, with greater statistical support for MTHFR 677TT. With more detailed supporting evidence, MTHFR 677 genotyping at diagnosis could provide an option for individualizing therapy and further reducing pediatric ALL mortality in certain populations.
New Xanthone from the roots of Swertia cordata (G. Don) Clarke

Abstract The chloroform extract of Swertia cordata (G. Don) roots was subjected to column chromatography, afforded two (one new and one known) xanthones. Both the compounds were isolated for the first time from S. cordata. The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of melting point,1D (1H NMR & 13C NMR) and 2D (1H 1H COSY, HSQC & HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, in addition to high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Detection of viable myocardium and scar tissue.

In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), regional and global left ventricular (LV) contractile dysfunction may be (partially) reversible following revascularization. The concept of myocardial viability has been introduced to understand this phenomenon of functional recovery after revascularization and refers to the fact that myocardium can be dysfunctional but still alive (stunning or hibernating). 1 In the setting of acute myocardial infarction, stunning can occur, which is the persistent LV dysfunction following opening of the occluded coronary artery; recovery of function occurs usually within months. In the setting of chronic LV dysfunction, the pathophysiology underlying the dysfunction is referred to as myocardial hibernation. This phenomenon refers to downgrading of myocardial contractile function secondary to a chronic severe coronary artery stenosis, which results in lesser blood flow and reduced delivery of metabolites and oxygen. Specifically, aerobic (fatty acid) metabolism is then switched to anaerobic (glucose) metabolism, to cope with the reduced oxygen delivery secondary to reduced myocardial blood flow. As a consequence, anaerobic metabolism yields less energy in terms of ATP, resulting in reduced myocardial contraction. Following adequate revascularization with restoration of coronary artery blood flow, recovery of function will occur. In contrast to these two situations, contractile dysfunction may also be related to scar formation. In this case, the dysfunction is not reversible after revascularization. Scar formation can vary from transmural to non-transmural scar, and the extent of transmurality is related to the severity of contractile dysfunction. Kaandorp et al. 2 evaluated 48 patients with chronic CAD and LV dysfunction using resting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (to assess wall motion) and contrast-enhanced MRI (to assess scar tissue). The majority of segments with mild …
Off-Label Dermatological Uses of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Treatment

Background: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was originally licensed as antibody replacement therapy in patients with primary immunodeficiencies. Subsequent experimental use of IVIG during the last several decades, however, has shown that it is effective in numerous medical conditions. Currently there are six United States, Food and Drug Administration approved clinical indications for IVIG including: the treatment of primary immunodeficiencies, the prevention of bacterial infections in patients with hypogammaglobulinemia caused by B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the prevention of coronary artery aneurysms in Kawasaki disease, the prevention of infections, pneumonitis, and acute graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation, the reduction of serious bacterial infections in children with HIV, and the increase of platelet counts in patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. IVIG treatment have been reported in the following dermatologic diseases: autoimmune blistering diseases, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens Johnson syndrome, drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome, pyoderma gangrenosum, pityriasis rubra pilaris, atopic dermatitis, dermatomyositis, scleromyxedema, nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, vasculitis, lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, polymorphous light eruption, urticaria, Behçet’s disease, scleroderma, Mucha-Habermann disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, acne vulgaris, streptococcal and staphylococcal toxic shock syndrome. The vast majority of these reports are in the form of individual case reports and small case series. A growing number of published reports suggest that IVIG treatment may be effective in the treatment of numerous inflammatory skin disease outside their currently approved indications. The following article provides a summary of the salient points in relation to the clinical use of intravenous immunoglobulin in dermatology.
Uplink user capacity of a multi-cell CDMA system with hotspot microcells

This paper studies the number of simultaneous voice users (or user capacity) supportable on the uplink of a multiple macrocell CDMA system with multiple "hotspot" microcells embedded within. These microcells operate over the same bandwidth as the macrocells and are assumed to be installed in regions of high user demand. First, conditions for optimal performance of such a system are established. This analysis shows that the total user capacity is maximum when there are equal numbers of active users in each cell. Along with these conditions, analytical approximations are presented for computing maximum user capacity as a function of the number of microcell bases in the system. In particular, the approximations show the total user capacity as growing linearly with the number of hotspot microcells. Simulation results verify this trend when the number of microcells in the system is not large. The numerical constants for this linear trend are related to basic system and propagation parameters. When the number of microcells gets large, it is shown that the same linear growth in capacity can be sustained by desensitizing the macrocells, i.e., raising the received power requirements at the macrocell bases.
Detection of Human Herpesvirus 6 and Varicella-Zoster Virus in Tear Fluid of Patients with Bell's Palsy by PCR

ABSTRACT Human herpesvirus 6 DNA was detected by PCR in the tear fluid of 7 (35%) of 20 patients with Bell's palsy and of 1 (5%) of 20 healthy controls. Varicella-zoster virus was detected by PCR in the tear fluid of 2 of 20 Bell's palsy patients but in none of the tear fluids from 20 healthy controls. These findings suggest an association between human herpesviruses and Bell's palsy.
“Nothing is Wrong, Doctor”: Understanding and Managing Denial in Patients with Cancer

From a psychological perspective, denial is the process by which the mind defends itself against painful or threatening thoughts, feelings, perceptions, or information and may manifest in healthy or sick persons as well as in patients or those who care for them. For someone with a possible cancer diagnosis, there are several individual steps involved in the denial process, as the threatened meaning of one or more symptoms is sculpted into a more acceptable reality. Although most often felt to be a dysfunctional response, denial of illness is widespread and may serve an important adaptive or coping function, especially in a person facing the challenge of cancer. It may help a person cope with the various stages of their illness and treatment by allowing them time to process distressing information at a manageable rate. However, denial may also be dysfunctional, especially if it causes delay in seeking treatment for symptoms that present in the context of a true malignancy. Many clinicians misdiagnose denial when avoidance, disavowal, or another coping mechanism is invoked or when cognitive impairment or sensory deficits adversely affect perception. This article discusses denial in the context of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis and strategies for managing this common condition.
Combined associations of sitting time and physical activity with obesity in young adults.

BACKGROUND We investigated associations of total sedentary behavior (SB) and objectively-measured and self-reported physical activity (PA) with obesity. METHODS Data from 1662 adults (26-36 years) included daily steps, self-reported PA, sitting, and waist circumference. SB and PA were dichotomized at the median, then 2 variables created (SB/self-reported PA; SB/objectively-measured PA) each with 4 categories: low SB/high PA (reference group), high SB/high PA, low SB/low PA, high SB/low PA. RESULTS Overall, high SB/low PA was associated with 95 -168% increased obesity odds. Associations were stronger and more consistent for steps than self-reported PA for men (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.36-5.32 and OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01-3.79, respectively) and women (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.58-4.49 and OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.21-3.31, respectively). Among men, obesity was higher when daily steps were low, irrespective of sitting (low SB/low steps OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.03-4.17; high SB/low steps OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.36-5.32). CONCLUSIONS High sitting and low activity increased obesity odds among adults. Irrespective of sitting, men with low step counts had increased odds of obesity. The findings highlight the importance of engaging in physical activity and limiting sitting.
The connection of depression and heart disease and its implications

The link between emotion (affect) and the heart is not a new story. Folklore in a number of cultures considered the heart as the organ of emotion. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" appears in the biblical Proverbs (17:22), and Shakespeare observed ". a light heart lives long. " (Loves Labor Lost). In the last fifteen years this link has become the focus of a growing literature of prospective, epidemiological studies (Carney et al, 1988; Thomas et al, 1992; Andaetai, 1993; Aromaa et al, 1994; Vogt et al, 1994; Frasure-Smith et al, 1995;Lapaneefa/., 1995; Wassertheil-Smollerefa/., 1996; Barefoot & Schroll, 1996; Pratt et al, 1996; Bingefors et al, 1996; Ford et al, 1998; Sesso et al, 1998; Cohen et al, 2000; Penninx et al, 2001). Almost all have reported some positive, statistically significant association of depression with cardiovascular disease (CVD), although one found the association with change in depression status rather than baseline depression (Wassertheil-Smoller et al, 1996), and another found the association with all-cause mortality but not CVD mortality (Vogt et al, 1994). One did not report any association at all (Thomas et al., 1992). This latter finding could be a result of characteristics of the sample or related to the study methods. It also could be simply an exception. Despite modest variation, the reported results are remarkably consistent, especially since the studies were conducted by different research teams, and used different measures of depression and CVD outcome. The consistency of findings is even more remarkable due to the widely varying study populations that included those with and without pre-existing heart disease; those with
Tolerance of juvenile Mytilus galloprovincialis to experimental seawater acidification

Coastal ocean acidification is expected to interfere with the physiology of marine bivalves. In this work, the effects of acidification on the physiology of juvenile mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis were tested by means of controlled CO2 perturbation experiments. The carbon- ate chemistry of natural (control) seawater was manipulated by injecting CO2 to attain 2 reduced pH levels: �0.3 and �0.6 pH units as compared with the control seawater. After 78 d of exposure, we found that the absorption efficiency and ammonium excretion rate of juveniles were inversely related to pH. Significant differences among treatments were not observed in clearance, ingestion and respiration rates. Coherently, the maximal scope for growth and tissue dry weight were observed in mussels exposed to the pH reduction ΔpH = �0.6, suggesting that M. galloprovincialis could be tolerant to CO2 acidification, at least in the highly alkaline coastal waters of Ria Formosa (SW Portugal).
Evaluation of radioadaptive response induced in CHO-K1 cells in a non-traditional model

Purpose: The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of sequential exposures to low doses of gamma-radiation that induce a radioadaptive response to a later high-dose of radiation in CHO-K1 cells. Materials and methods: Cells were cultured in four dilution cycles and grown to confluency. Radiation treatment was performed once per cycle with 0.1 Gy gamma-rays. After the last radiation period (chronic radiation) the culture was irradiated with a higher dose (1 Gy). Each cell culture was immediately divided into two fractions: one of them was used to carry out the comet assay and the other for the structural chromosome aberration test. In the first fraction, genotoxic damage was evaluated by degree of damage in 300 cells per experimental point. The second assay was performed with 400 cells per treatment. The statistical analysis was carried out using the χ2-test. Results: Results from these assays demonstrated a genotoxic effect for both the adaptive and acute treatments (p < 0.001). The comet assay showed a significant increase in damage for the combined treatment when compared with 1 Gy treatment (p < 0.001). The frequency of chromosomal aberrations (CA) was lower for the combined treatment than for that using the highest radiation dose. Conclusions: These results suggest the possible induction of a radioadaptive response after the sequential exposure to very low doses of radiation. The finding of decreased cytogenetic damage after one cell cycle and not immediately after radiation could indicate the eventual potentiation of repair mechanisms.
[Mutational analysis of the muscle segment homeobox gene 1 (MSX1) in Chilean patients with cleft lip/palate].

BACKGROUND Mutations of the MSX1 gene may contribute to non-syndromic forms of cleft lip and/or cleft palate. AIM To search for mutations of MSX1 coding regions, including one highly conserved non-coding region in the single intron, among Chilean patients with cleft lip/palate. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied 45 patients with cleft lip/palate and their parents. Oral mucosa samples were obtained with a swab. DNA was extracted and amplified by PCR. RESULTS Two missense mutations (G16D and G34A) were identified in this study that may be useful for future admixture studies. The G16D mutation appears to disrupt a possible splicing site and may contribute to clefting in this population. CONCLUSIONS Rare MSX1 mutations are found in some cases of cleft lip and/or cleft palate but others remain to be found most likely in other regulatory regions of the gene.
A Review of the Effectiveness of Crime Prevention by Design Approaches towards Sustainable Development

Worldwide concern about population growth and rapid urbanization will continue to address crime as a social problem. The design of buildings and the arrangement of streets and other outdoor spaces can influence crime and level of fear of crime. Several studies related to sustainable development define it as reflecting a tension between economic activities and the environment. There has been little empirical evidence in the examination of crime and fear of crime as prerequisites for sustainability although in recent years, studies have concentrated on the consideration of crime as a sustainability indicator. Evidence suggests that reducing crime and fear of crime can improve the quality of life that is an essential factor in producing developments that are more sustainable. Previous research has focused on measures that are believed to be effective in reducing crime rates. Crime prevention, in truth, is to prevent crime before it happens. This approach is one of the most appropriate ways to save money and time that, in turn will be more sustainable in the long run. This article seeks to evaluate the objectives and effectiveness of crime prevention by designing strategies addressing socio-economic and environmental sustainability. The study makes use of available sources and data from previous studies and research. It argues that a secure and sustainable community must be defined by its image of a healthy community.
The respiratory effects od diazepam supplementation of spinal anaesthesia in elderly males.

In 15 elderly male patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery under lumbar sub-arachnoid or epidural analgesia, Paco2 determinations were performed before and at intervals following the intravenous injection of a sleep dose of diazepam. No statistically or clinically significant changes in Paco2 were observed and it was concluded that diazepam in a dose of 0.32 mg/kg, did not produce respiratory depression. Prolonged recovery and postoperative amnesia were observed as possible disadvantages of the use of this technique in elderly patients.
Association between Serotype-Specific Antibody Response and Serotype Characteristics in Patients with Pneumococcal Pneumonia, with Special Reference to Degree of Encapsulation and Invasive Potential

ABSTRACT We studied the immunoglobulin (Ig) response to causative serotype-specific capsular polysaccharides in adult pneumococcal pneumonia patients. The serotypes were grouped according to their degree of encapsulation and invasive potential. Seventy patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, 20 of whom were bacteremic, were prospectively studied. All pneumococcal isolates from the patients were serotyped, and the Ig titers to the homologous serotype were determined in acute- and convalescent-phase sera using a serotype-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The Ig titers were lower in bacteremic cases than in nonbacteremic cases (P < 0.042). The Ig titer ratio (convalescent/acute titer) was ≥2 in 33 patients, 1 to 1.99 in 20 patients, and <1 in 17 patients. Patients ≥65 years old had a lower median Ig titer ratio than did younger patients (P < 0.031). The patients with serotypes with a thin capsule (1, 4, 7F, 9N, 9V, and 14) and medium/high invasive potential (1, 4, 7F, 9N, 9V, 14, and 18C) had higher Ig titer ratios than did patients with serotypes with a thick capsule (3, 6B, 11A, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F) and low invasive potential (3, 6B, 19A, 19F, and 23F) (P < 0.05 for both comparisons after adjustment for age). Ig titer ratios of <1 were predominantly noted in patients with serotypes with a thick capsule. In 8 patients with pneumococcal DNA detected in plasma, the three patients with the highest DNA load had the lowest Ig titer ratios. In conclusion, a high antibody response was associated with serotypes with a thin capsule and medium/high invasive potential, although a low antibody response was associated with serotypes with a thick capsule and a high pneumococcal plasma load.
Security issues in biomedical wireless sensor networks

Within the hospital or extended care environment, there is an overwhelming need for constant monitoring of vital body functions and support for patient mobility. Tomorrowpsilas biomedical networks will address these needs by incorporating new technologies like wireless sensor networks into their infrastructure. However, wireless transmission of sensitive patient data presents some obvious security concerns. In this paper we discuss these concerns and how they are addressed by existing systems. We also discuss issues that need further consideration, such as run-time composition of security services depending on the criticality of data transmitted along with a solution for practical sensor systems using TinyOS. Finally, we propose intrusion detection as a future research direction for biomedical sensor networks and we elaborate on the main components of such a system.
Recommendations from the national multiple sclerosis society clinical outcomes assessment task force

This article provides recommendations from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's Clinical Outcomes Assessment Task Force. The Task Force was appointed in 1994 and charged with recommendending improved approaches for clinical outcomes assessment in future controlled clinical trials. The recommendations herein follow extensive deliberation and data analysis during 2.5 years. General principles and desirable measurement attributes were used to assess alternative measurement techniques and clinical scales. On the basis of the analysis of existing multiple sclerosis (MS) data sets, a new measurement approach is proposed. The approach is based on quantitative functional composites that consist of simple quantitative measures from the major clinical dimensions of MS combined into a single score. Quantitative functional composites are likely to provide improved precision and sensitivity in future MS clinical trials. Studies necessary to further refine quantitative functional composites as useful MS clinical trial outcomes are delineated.
Exposure to Low Amounts of Ultrasound Energy Does Not Improve Soft Tissue Shoulder Pathology: A Systematic Review

Background Although therapeutic ultrasound is commonly used to treat shoulder injuries, research to date on the ability of ultrasound to improve outcomes for shoulder pathologies is conflicting. Objective This study aimed to systematically and critically review available literature to ascertain whether beneficial effects of ultrasound were associated with certain shoulder pathologies or particular ultrasound treatment protocols. Methods Five electronic databases were searched, and the included studies, identified through pair consensus, were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that utilized ultrasound for soft tissue shoulder injury or pain. Study Selection and Data Extraction Eight studies included in this review (n=586 patients, median PEDro score=8.0/10) evaluated various parameters, including the duration of patients' symptoms (0–12 months), duty cycle (20% and 100%), intensity (0.1–2.0 W/cm2), treatment time per session (4.5–15.8 minutes), number of treatments (6–39), and total energy applied per treatment (181–8,152 J). Data Synthesis Inconsistent outcome measures among studies precluded meta-analysis; however, 3 RCTs showed statistically significant benefits of ultrasound, 2 of which examined calcific tendinitis. Studies that showed beneficial effects of ultrasound typically had 4 times longer total exposure times and applied much greater ultrasound energy per session (average of 4,228 J) compared with studies that showed no benefit of ultrasound (average of 2,019 J). No studies that delivered ≤720 J per session showed improvement in treatment groups. Limitations Current research involving ultrasound treatment protocols that delivered low levels of ultrasound energy do not adequately address whether ultrasound can improve outcomes for shoulder disorders. Conclusion Determining whether therapeutic ultrasound can affect soft tissue shoulder pathologies will require further research and systematic reviews that involve appropriate ultrasound treatment protocols.