Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interferon alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: assessment of virological, biochemical and histological treatment response.

UNLABELLED Aim of the study is to establish the efficacy of treatment of chronic hepatitis C with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin in treatment-naive patients, in non-responders to interferon monotherapy, in relapsers after interferon monotherapy, and to evaluate the possible predictors of treatment response. MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred thirty one patients with chronic hepatitis C were included and assigned to 24-week course of interferon alpha-2b with ribavirin. At the end of 24-week combination therapy biochemical, histological, virological and complete end-of-treatment responses were evaluated. Patients with virological end-of-treatment response were treated with interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for further 24 weeks and followed-up for the next 6 months after stopping therapy. RESULTS End-of-treatment response was assessed in 119 patients: 57.1% were treatment-naive, 28.6% were non-responders, and 14.3%--relapsers. Overall virological end-of-treatment response rate was 35.3%, biochemical--64.7%, histological--80.9% and complete--33.3%. Treatment-naive patients have better end-of-treatment response than non-naive patients in all dimensions, but statistical significance is reached only evaluating histological end-of-treatment response. Sustained virological response of overall 119 patients was in 23.6%. There was no statistically significant difference in sustained virological response rate among all patient groups. None of pre-treatment demographic, clinical, biochemical and morphological parameters was found as possible response predicting factors. Hepatitis C virus genotype was assessed in 40 patients. Hepatitis C virus genotype 1 was found in 34 (85%), genotype 2 in 3 (7.5%), and genotype 3 in 3 (7.5%) patients. In conclusion, in our studied population with high prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (85%), there is low sustained virological response rate (23.6%) to interferon alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin therapy.
Dying in the Hospital: Perspectives of family members

Background Although most patients express a preference to die at home, many (over 30 percent) still die in hospital. This study's purpose was to explore the experience of hospital death from the perspective of patients’ family members. Methods Interviews were conducted with family members of patients who had died at hospitals affiliated with a large tertiary referral centre in the United States. Content analysis was used to analyze findings. Findings We interviewed 30 family members by phone. Themes were arranged by time frame: before death, time of death, and after death. Conclusion Families do not interpret clinical cues leading up to death in the same way healthcare providers do; families need clear and direct explanations from providers. Clinicians should assess patient and family understandings of prognosis and communicate clearly and directly. Family members value being with their loved one at the time of death, and they value spending time with the body after death; this should be facilitated in clinical practice.
Differential availability/processing of decorin precursor in arterial and venous smooth muscle cells

The existence of specific differentiation markers for arterial smooth muscle (SM) cells is still a matter of debate. A clone named MM1 was isolated from a library of monoclonal antibodies to adult porcine aorta, which in vivo binds to arterial but not venous SM cells, except for the pulmonary vein. MM1 immunoreactivity in Western blotting involved bands in the range of Mr 33–226 kDa, in both arterial and venous SM tissues. However, immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that MM1 bound to a 100‐kDa polypeptide that was present only in the arterial SM extract. By mass spectrometry analysis of tryptic digests from MM1‐positive 130‐ and 120‐kDa polypeptides of aorta SM extract, the antigen recognized by the antibody was identified as a decorin precursor. Using a crude decorin preparation from this tissue MM1 reacted strongly with the 33‐kDa polypeptide and this pattern did not change after chondroitinase ABC treatment. In vitro, decorin immunoreactivity was found in secreted grainy material produced by confluent arterial SM cells, although lesser amounts were also seen in venous SM cells. Western blotting of extracts from these cultures showed the presence of the 33‐kDa band but not of the high‐molecular‐weight components, except for the 100‐kDa monomer. The 100/33‐kDa combination was more abundant in arterial SM cells than in the venous counterpart. In the early phase of neointima formation, induced by endothelial injury of the carotid artery or vein‐to‐artery transposition, the decorin precursor was not expressed, but it was up‐regulated in the SM cells of the media underlying the neointima in both models. Collectively, these data suggest a different processing/utilization of the 100‐kDa monomer of proteoglycan decorin in arterial and venous SM cells, which is abolished after vein injury.
Geography and microenterprises: clustering, networking, and knowledge spillovers

Although an examination of the determinants of microenterprise performance has been a frequent area of research in the literature, data shortcomings have prevented a careful study of the effects of firm clustering and networking. Using GPS technology to pinpoint firms' locations, we examine the potential agglomeration benefits not only from the clustering of small businesses, but also the potential benefits of knowledge spillovers benefiting entrepreneurs. We find that for some microenterprises clustering is beneficial in terms of employment growth while for others clustering raises total revenue per worker. Although the size of the owner's informal business network does not appear to improve growth, we find a positive effect on revenue per worker for commercial firms. There is evidence that having lived in a larger city in the past enhances performance for some firms.
THE RIBONUCLEIC ACID IN THE MAUTHNER NEURON OF THE GOLDFISH

THE ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the Mauthner axon and myelin sheath of the goldfish (Curussius uuratus) (EDSTROM, EICHNER and EDSTROM, 1962) is of immediate interest in the study of the origin and function of the axoplasm. Further characterization of this RNA is desirable and has necessitated improved analytical procedures, to be described in the present paper. Results indicating quantitative gradients in the axon and its myelin sheath will be presented. The base composition of the RNA of the axon and myelin sheath has been found to be of a ribosomal type.
Reaction of melon genotypes to Rhizoctonia solani

O cultivo intensivo de melao (Cucumis melo L.) no Nordeste brasileiro tem favorecido a ocorrencia de doencas radiculares como a rizoctoniose, causada pelo fungo Rhizoctonia solani. Visando selecionar genotipos com potencial de utilizacao nos programas de melhoramento e/ou no manejo integrado da doenca, foram avaliados 20 genotipos de melao, em relacao a dois isolados do patogeno (RS-9 e RS-10). As sementes foram plantadas em solo infestado com o patogeno pela incorporacao de 50 mg de substrato (graos de arroz) colonizado kg-1 de solo. A avaliacao dos genotipos foi realizada apos 15 dias, com o auxilio de escala de notas de 0 a 4, para agrupamento de cada genotipo em cinco classes e calculo do indice de severidade da doenca. Nenhum dos genotipos apresentou reacao de imunidade a R. solani, independentemente do isolado. Os indices de severidade da doenca variaram de 6,2 a 85,4% e de 7,8 a 85,2% para os isolados RS-9 e RS-10, respectivamente. Quando considerados os dois isolados do patogeno simultaneamente, os genotipos Sancho, AF-1805, Athenas, AF-682, Torreon e Galileo comportaram-se como altamente resistentes. Os genotipos Sancho e AF-1805 apresentaram os menores indices de severidade da rizoctoniose em relacao a RS-9 e, o genotipo Gold Pride, em relacao a RS-10. Esses genotipos diferiram significativamente dos demais, considerando cada isolado do patogeno individualmente e, portanto, constituem fontes promissoras de resistencia a R. Solani, devendo ser preferidos para plantio em areas infestadas pelo patogeno.
Dubins' Problem on Surfaces II: Nonpositive Curvature

Let M be a complete, connected, two-dimensional Riemannian manifold with nonpositive Gaussian curvature K. We say that M satisfies the unrestricted complete controllability (UCC) property for the Dubins problem if the following holds: given any $(p_1,v_1)$ and $(p_2,v_2)$ in TM, there exists, for every $\eps > 0$, a curve $\gamma$ in M, with geodesic curvature smaller than $\eps$, such that $\gamma$ connects $p_1$ to $p_2$ and, for $i=1,2$, $\dot\gamma$ is equal to $v_i$ at $p_i$. Property UCC is equivalent to the complete controllability of a family of control systems of Dubins' type, parameterized by $\eps$. It is well known that the Poincare half-plane does not verify property UCC. In this paper, we provide a complete characterization of the two-dimensional nonpositively curved manifolds M, with either uniformly negative or bounded curvature, that satisfy property UCC. More precisely, if $\sup_MK -\infty$, we show that UCC holds if and only if (i) M is of the first kind or (ii) the curvature satisfies a suitable integral decay condition at infinity.
S680N substitution of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor is a common polymorphism not associated with spontaneous human twinning.

OBJECTIVE To determine the influence of the A307/S680 and T307/N680 isoforms of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) gene on the incidence of spontaneous human twinning. DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Clinical Chemistry-Grosshadern, University Hospital Munich, Germany. PATIENT(S) Fifty-four mothers with dichorionic twin pregnancies and 92 singleton mothers as controls, who had conceived without assisted reproduction. INTERVENTION(S) Exon 10 of the FSHR gene was screened for the G2105A/S680N mutation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Amplification of genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULT(S) Allele frequencies for the G2105A/ S680N substitution of the FSHR in twin mothers were not different from those of controls (genotype (isoform) [twins vs. controls]: G/G (S/S) [24.1% vs. 22.3%]; A/G (N/S) [57.4% vs. 55.4%]; A/A (N/N) [18.5% vs. 22.3%]). Subgroup analysis of women with three or more successful pregnancies gave a similar result (G/G (S/S) [17.7% vs. 13.7%]; A/G (N/S) [64.7% vs. 63.6%]; A/A (N/N) [17.6% vs. 22.7%]). There was no correlation between FSHR isoform and twinning. CONCLUSION(S) The S680N substitution of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor is a common polymorphism not associated with spontaneous human twinning.
Optimizing the Performance of MEMS Electrostatic Comb Drive Actuator with Different Flexure Springs

A new design of electrostatic comb drive actuator is presented in this paper by using different spring designs and with different folded beam lengths. An increased displacement of lateral comb drive actuator will subsequently be accomplished with the same actuation voltage. Stress distribution over different spring designs are simulated by COMSOL 3.5a using a standard comb drive with 4 movable comb fingers and device displacement could reach up to maximum of 2. 85µm at a constant driving voltage of 130V. With increase in flexure length from 220μm to 280μm, displacement and capacitance increases from 1. 063μm to 2. 85μm and 327pf to 352pf respectively at 130V.
Coordinating Tectons: Bimetallic Complexes from Bipyridyl Terminated Group 8 Alkynyl Complexes

Bipyridyl appended ruthenium alkynyl complexes have been used to prepare a range of binuclear homometallic ruthenium and heterometallic ruthenium–rhenium complexes. The two metal centers are only weakly coupled, as evinced by IR and UV–vis–near NIR spectroelectrochemical experiments and supported by quantum chemical calculations. The alkynyl complexes of the type [Ru(C≡Cbpy){Ln}] ({Ln} = {(PPh3)2Cp}, {(dppe)Cp*}, {Cl(dppm)2}) undergo reversible one-electron oxidations centered largely on the alkynyl ligands, as has been observed previously for closely related complexes. The homometallic binuclear complexes, exemplified by [Ru(C2bpy-κ2-N′N-RuClCp)(PPh3)2Cp] undergo two essentially reversible oxidations, the first centered on the (C2bpy-κ2-N′N-RuClCp) moiety and the second on the Ru(C≡Cbpy)(PPh3)2Cp fragment, leading to radical cations that can be described as Class II mixed-valence complexes. The heterometallic binuclear complexes [Ru(C2bpy-κ2-N′N-ReCl(CO)3){Ln}] display similar behavior, with initial oxid.
Transcriptional Activation Capacity of the Novel PLAG Family of Zinc Finger Proteins*

We have isolated and characterized two novel cDNAs encoding C2H2 zinc finger proteins showing high sequence homology to PLAG1, a protein ectopically activated by promoter swapping or promoter substitution in pleomorphic adenomas with chromosomal abnormalities at chromosome 8q12. PLAG1 and the two new PLAG1 family members (PLAGL1 and PLAGL2) constitute a novel subfamily of zinc finger proteins that recognize DNA and/or RNA. To examine the potential of the three human proteins to modulate transcription, we constructed several PLAG/GAL4 DNA binding domain fusion proteins and measured their ability to activate transcription of a reporter gene construct in different mammalian cell lines and in yeast. Although the carboxyl-terminal part of PLAGL1 shows strong overall transcriptional activity in mesenchymal (COS-1) and epithelial cells (293), both PLAG1 and PLAGL2 transactivate in mesenchymal cells only if depleted from a repressing region. This effect is less profound in epithelial cells. These data suggest that the activation in pleomorphic adenomas of PLAG1 most likely results in uncontrolled activation of downstream target genes.
CEREBRAL ACTIVATION DURING THERMAL STIMULATION OF BURNING MOUTH DISORDER PATIENTS: AN fMRI STUDY

OF THESIS CEREBRAL ACTIVATION DURING THERMAL STIMULATION OF BURNING MOUTH DISORDER PATIENTS: AN fMRI STUDY Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been widely used to study cortical and subcortical mechanisms related to pain. The pathophysiology of burning mouth disorder (BMD) is not clearly understood. Central neuropathic mechanisms are thought to be main players in BMD. This study aimed to compare the location and extension of brain activation following thermal stimulation of the trigeminal nerve with fMRI blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal. This study included 8 female patients with BMD and 8 matched pain-free volunteers. Qualitative and quantitative differences in brain activation patterns between the two study groups were demonstrated. There were differences in the activation maps regarding the location of activation, with patients displaying greater BOLD signal changes in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC BA 32/24) and bilateral precuneus (p<0.005). The control group showed larger BOLD signal changes in the bilateral thalamus, right middle frontal gyrus, right pre-central gyrus, left lingual gyrus and cerebellum (p<0.005). It was also demonstrated that patients had far less volumetric activation throughout the entire brain compared to the control group. These data are discussed in light of recent findings suggesting brain hypofunction as a key player in chronic neuropathic pain conditions.
Impulsivity, variation in the cannabinoid receptor (CNR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes, and marijuana-related problems.

OBJECTIVE Impulsivity is associated with increased marijuana use and subsequent marijuana-related problems among marijuana users. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) genes have been associated with cannabis-related phenotypes. This exploratory study tested whether the association between different aspects of impulsivity and the number of marijuana-related problems among users is explicated by variation in these putative cannabinoid-related genes. METHOD A total of 151 young adult regular marijuana users (used on M= 41.4% of the prior 60 days, SD = 24.3%) provided DNA and completed measures of trait (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale) and behavioral impulsivity (Stop Signal Task and Delay Discounting Questionnaire), as well as a self-report of marijuana-related problems. Three CNR1 and five FAAH SNPs were genotyped, tested for haplotype blocks, and subsequently examined for association with phenotypes described above. RESULTS CNR1 variation significantly moderated the association between trait-level, but not behavioral, impulsivity and marijuana-related problems, such that the combination of higher trait impulsivity and CNR1 variation was associated with a greater number of marijuana-related problems. In contrast, there were no significant FAAH by impulsivity interactions; however, there was a main effect of FAAH on marijuana-related problems. CONCLUSIONS These findings support an association with CNR1 and FAAH genes and marijuana-related problems among regular marijuana users. CNR1 variation emerged as a moderator of the relationship between trait impulsivity and marijuana problems, thus suggesting that marijuana users with CNR1 risk variants and a higher trait impulsivity are at greater risk for developing marijuana-related problems and supporting a role for CNR1 in a broader impulsivity phenotype.
Bowel preparation is unnecessary.

Extracted from text . Editorial SAJS 54 VOL 43, NO. 3, AUGUST 2005 SAJS Much surgical practice is no more than unexamined habit; one need look no further than our obsessive devotion to overshoes and masks in theatre, or the only recently abandoned use of sclerotherapy for piles (hallowed by more than a century of 'experience'). The question is (or at least should be) simple - is there any evidence to support a practice? In the absence of well-conducted trials there may be a case for relying on weaker evidence; however, once these are available we are morally bound to follow their results. No guidelines exist for bowel preparation, perhaps because mechanical cleansing of the bowel is so .
Initial growth of Au on Ni(110): Surface alloying of immiscible metals.

Atomic resolution scanning tunneling microscopy of Au deposited on Ni(110) shows that even though Au is completely insoluble in bulk Ni, it replaces Ni in the first surface layer forming a surface Au-Ni alloy and the squeezed out Ni atoms agglomerate in Ni islands on the surface. This picture is supported by total energy calculations within the effective-medium theory, which also provide a detailed understanding of this surprising phenomenon
Device-to-Device Link Admission Policy Based on Social Interaction Information

We propose an admission policy for device-to-device (D2D) communication link based on a social interaction model. We utilize prior information on user interactive statistics such as contact frequency and contact duration among potential D2D pairs to determine the success rate of message delivery. Targeting a particular delivery success rate, we further propose methods to identify admissible D2D links according to their statistical channel state information. The social-interaction-based D2D admission policy provides a real-life guideline for practical D2D underlay operation in cellular networks.
The evolution of honey bee dance communication: a mechanistic perspective

ABSTRACT Honey bee dance has been intensively studied as a communication system, and yet we still know very little about the neurobiological mechanisms supporting how dances are produced and interpreted. Here, we discuss how new information on the functions of the central complex (CX) of the insect brain might shed some light on possible neural mechanisms of dance behaviour. We summarise the features of dance communication across the species of the genus Apis. We then propose that neural mechanisms of orientation and spatial processing found to be supported by the CX may function in dance communication also, and that this mechanistic link could explain some specific features of the dance form. This is purely a hypothesis, but in proposing this hypothesis, and how it might be investigated, we hope to stimulate new mechanistic analyses of dance communication. Summary: We propose that the neural mechanisms of the honey bee dance language involve systems of orientation and spatial processing discovered in the central complex of the insect brain.
Axial Magnetic Fields at the Ends of a Synchronous Generator at Different Points of Operation

Axial magnetic fields leaking out at the ends of a conventional rotating synchronous machine cause losses. Therefore, it is important to be able to predict the axial magnetic fields. A linear steady-state model for the axial magnetic flux density phasor in the end regions of non-salient synchronous generators has previously been verified experimentally. This paper describes an extension of the model to salient pole synchronous generators and a method for calculating the coefficients. Experiments and 3-D finite element simulations justify a distinction between axial flux density contributions from the d and q components of the stator current. How the coefficients and the axial magnetic fields in the ends of a small synchronous generator change with steady-state operation conditions is here shown with measurements and to some extent with 3-D finite element simulations.
Reduction in acetylcholine sensitivity of axotomized ciliary ganglion cells.

1. Isolated cell clusters from ciliary ganglia of 3‐ to 4‐day‐old chickens were used to examine the electrical characteristics and sensitivity to iontophoretically applied acetylcholine (ACh) of normal cells and cells that had been axotomized on the day of hatching. 2. Resting potentials, input resistances and capacitances were the same in axotomized cells as in normal cells. These averaged about 70 mV, 165 Momega and 35 pF respectively. 3. Sensitivity to iontophoretically applied ACh was lower in axotomized cells than in normal cells by a factor of about 8. The rise times of the ACh potentials were the same in the two groups; indicating that the reduced sensitivity was not due to a diffusion barrier. 4. The slopes of the dose‐reponse curves, plotted on a double‐logarithmic scale, suggested that the co‐operative action of two ACh molecules was involved in activating a post‐synaptic conductance channel. This relation was unaltered by axotomy. 5. The estimated reversal potential for the action of ACh was unchanged after axotomy. 6. Cells in isolated clusters were similar to those in intact ganlia with respect to threshold depolarization, amplitude and time course of action potentials and ability to generate repetitive action potentials. There were no differences in these characteristics between normal and axotomized cells. 7. Cells in the isolated clusters had input resistances which were larger by a factor of 2‐3 and capacitances that were smaller by a factor of about 2 than those of cells in intact ganglia. It is suggested that these differences were due to loss of initial segments of axons from the isolated cells. 8. Normal cells in the isolated clusters displayed spontaneous miniature synaptic potentials, indicating that synaptic integrity was maintained during the isolation procedure. As in intact ganglia, no spontaneous activity was observed in axotomized cells.