Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Communication, Sense of Community, and Disaster Recovery: A Facebook Case Study

Disasters create an urgent need for people to deal with novel emergent problems. To respond effectively, people require information (about the event, support resources, actions etc.) and the ability to interpret and use available information to deal with diverse, emergent hazard consequences and demands over time. This diversity renders top-down, homogenous approaches to disaster communication ineffective. This paper examines whether a social media-based communication strategy, using Facebook, represents a more effective way of accommodating this diversity (e.g., event impacts, geographical, demographic, social), meeting the information needs of affected populations, and enhancing the quality of disaster communication. Data on how 583 people who used a Facebook page (Tassie Fires - We Can Help) specifically developed to assist response and recovery for the 2011 Tasmanian wildfire/bushfire disaster were obtained using an open-ended questionnaire. The accounts of people’s experience of the event and their engagement with the Facebook page obtained from their responses to the questionnaire were analysed using thematic analysis. The paper also discusses evidence regarding how the development of functional social relationships amongst those who engaged via the page enhanced the effectiveness of the disaster communication process. In particular, it discusses how engagement with the page and the way the page was managed by the Administrator facilitated the development of Sense of Community, a social structural characteristic known to influence the quality of disaster communication. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implication of the findings for future research into the relationship between Facebook use, disaster communication and disaster recovery.
Epigenetic Silencing of the Candidate Tumor Suppressor Gene Per1 in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: Epigenetic events are a critical factor contributing to cancer development. The purpose of this study was to identify tumor suppressor genes silenced by DNA methylation and histone deacetylation in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Experimental Design: We used microarray analysis to screen for tumor suppressor genes. Results: We identified Per1, a core circadian gene, as a candidate tumor suppressor in lung cancer. Although Per1 levels were high in normal lung, its expression was low in a large panel of NSCLC patient samples and cell lines. Forced expression of Per1 in NSCLC cell lines led to significant growth reduction and loss of clonogenic survival. Recent studies showed that epigenetic regulation, particularly histone H3 acetylation, is essential for circadian function. Using bisulfite sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that DNA hypermethylation and histone H3 acetylation are potential mechanisms for silencing Per1 expression NSCLC. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that disruption of circadian rhythms plays an important role in lung tumorigenesis. Moreover, our findings suggest a novel link between circadian epigenetic regulation and cancer development.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in metastatic breast cancer: overview of six randomized trials.

PURPOSE High doses of effective chemotherapy are compelling if they can be delivered safely. Substantial interest in supporting high-dose chemotherapy with bone marrow or autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation in the 1980s and 1990s led to the initiation of randomized trials to evaluate its effect in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. METHODS We identified six randomized trials in metastatic breast cancer that evaluated high doses of chemotherapy with transplant support versus a control regimen without stem-cell support. We assembled a single database containing individual patient information from these trials. The primary analysis of overall survival was a log-rank test comparing high dose versus control. We also used Cox proportional hazards regression, adjusting for known covariates. We addressed potential treatment differences within subsets of patients. RESULTS The effect of high-dose chemotherapy on overall survival was not statistically different (median, 2.16 v 2.02 years; P = .08). A statistically significant advantage in progression-free survival (median, 0.91 v 0.69 years) did not translate into survival benefit. Subset analyses found little evidence that there are groups of patients who might benefit from high-dose chemotherapy with hematopoietic support. CONCLUSION Overall survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer in the six randomized trials was not significantly improved by high-dose chemotherapy; any benefit from high doses was small. No identifiable subset of patients seems to benefit from high-dose chemotherapy.
Islet amyloid polypeptide in patients with pancreatic cancer and diabetes.

BACKGROUND The diabetes mellitus that occurs in patients with pancreatic cancer is characterized by marked insulin resistance that declines after tumor resection. Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a hormonal factor secreted from the pancreatic beta cells, reduces insulin sensitivity in vivo and glycogen synthesis in vitro. In this study, we examined the relation between IAPP and diabetes in patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS We measured IAPP in plasma from 30 patients with pancreatic cancer, 46 patients with other cancers, 23 patients with diabetes, and 25 normal subjects. IAPP immunoreactivity and IAPP messenger RNA were studied in pancreatic cancers, pancreatic tissue adjacent to cancers, and normal pancreatic tissue. RESULTS Plasma IAPP concentrations were elevated in the patients with pancreatic cancer as compared with the normal subjects (mean [+/- SD], 22.3 +/- 13.6 vs. 8.0 +/- 5.0 pmol per liter; P < 0.001), normal in the patients with other cancers, and normal or low in the patients with diabetes. Among the patients with pancreatic cancer, the concentrations were 25.0 +/- 8.7 pmol per liter in the 7 patients with diabetes who required insulin, 31.4 +/- 12.6 pmol per liter in the 11 patients with diabetes who did not require insulin, and 12.2 +/- 2.4 pmol per liter in the 9 patients with normal glucose tolerance (3 patients had impaired glucose tolerance; their mean plasma IAPP concentration was 11.7 +/- 5.5 pmol per liter). Plasma IAPP concentrations decreased after surgery in the seven patients with pancreatic cancer who were studied before and after subtotal pancreatectomy (28.9 +/- 16.4 vs. 5.6 +/- 3.4 pmol per liter, P = 0.01). Pancreatic cancers contained IAPP, but the concentrations were lower than in normal pancreatic tissue (17 +/- 16 vs. 183 +/- 129 pmol per gram, P < 0.001). In samples from the patients with both pancreatic cancer and diabetes, immunostaining for IAPP was reduced in islets of pancreatic tissue surrounding the tumor; in situ hybridization studies suggested that transcription occurred normally in these islets. CONCLUSIONS Plasma IAPP concentrations are elevated in patients with pancreatic cancer who have diabetes. Since IAPP may cause insulin resistance, its overproduction may contribute to the diabetes that occurs in these patients.
Reconfigurable circuits for wireless applications using KTN ferroelectrics

This paper reports on a study of KTN-based ferroelectric devices. KTN compositions with 40 to 60% of tantalum were investigated at microwave frequencies. Several basic circuits (coplanar waveguides, stub resonators and interdigital capacitors) were realized to inter-compare the performances of the different compositions. Maximum tuning factors of 25.8% for stubs and 39.5% for interdigital capacitors were got under a 60-kV/cm DC field with the KTaO0.45Nb0. 55O3 composition. The values of commutation quality factors got for interdigital capacitors appeared to be slightly dependent on the composition.
Relapsing and remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in B cell deficient mice.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model for the human autoimmune central nervous system (CNS) disease multiple sclerosis (MS). To examine the role of B cells in EAE with a relapsing and remitting disease course (R-EAE) we generated (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 mice deficient in B cells by disrupting their mu heavy chain transmembrane region (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 muMT-/-. By immunizing (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 and (B10.PL x SJL/J)F1 muMT-/- mice with the encephalitogenic N-terminal peptide Acl-11 of myelin basic protein (MBP), we observed that B-cell deficient mice exhibited a relapsing and remitting disease course. Since a similar day of onset and day of first relapse were observed these data suggest that B cells do not play a vital role in the activation of T cells leading to the initiation of EAE, nor in the reactivation of T cells resulting in R-EAE.
Self-etching adhesives improve the shear bond strength of a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement to dentin.

PURPOSE Despite the improvements of resin-modified glass-ionomer cements, the dentin bond strength of these materials remains inferior to that provided by "bonding system/composite" combinations and limits the clinical use of RMGIC. The objective of this in vitro study was to investigate the effect of new self-etching bonding systems on the adhesion to dentin of Fuji II LC. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven recent self-etching systems were studied (Clearfil SE Bond = CSE, Optibond Solo Plus Self-Etching Primer = OSP, One Up Bond F = OUP, Mac Bond II = MB2, Xeno III = XB3, ADPER Prompt-L-Pop = ADP, Unifil Bond = UB) and compared with Cavity Conditioner (C). After the bonding procedure, a resin-modified glass-ionomer cylinder (Fuji II LC) was bonded to the surface using a Teflon mold (diameter: 3 mm; height: 5 mm). The different specimens were tested in a shear bond mode (0.5 mm/min). Statistical analyses were performed with one-way ANOVA and Fischer PLSD test (p < 0.05). RESULTS The one-way ANOVA revealed a significant influence of the surface treatment parameter (p < 0.0001). The lowest shear bond strength values were obtained with Cavity Conditioner. The highest values were obtained with MB2. The multiple comparisons revealed that ADP = OBP = XB3 = OUB = UB = CSE and that UB = CSE = MB2. CONCLUSION The application of the 7 self-etching adhesives tested in this study improves the dentin shear bond strengths of Fuji II LC. This increase depended on the adhesive system and ranged from 50% for ADP up to 130% for MB2.
Hyperalgesia and decreased neuronal nitric oxide synthase in diabetic rats

TO evaluate the role of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, we investigated nociception and nNOS expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of rats with streptozocin-induced diabetes. Paw withdrawal threshold to noxious mechanical stimuli was decreased in both L-NAME-treated and diabetic rats. The number of NADPH-diaphorase positive neurons was significantly decreased in untreated diabetic compared with control rats. Decreased expression of nNOS protein was confirmed by immunoblotting. Insulin treatment completely prevented decreases in withdrawal threshold and nNOS expression. Cyclic GMP content paralleled nNOS expression in experimental animals. These results suggest that decreased nNOS-cGMP system in DRG may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic sensory neuropathy.
Complete WO Phage Sequences Reveal Their Dynamic Evolutionary Trajectories and Putative Functional Elements Required for Integration into the Wolbachia Genome

ABSTRACT Wolbachia endosymbionts are ubiquitously found in diverse insects including many medical and hygienic pests, causing a variety of reproductive phenotypes, such as cytoplasmic incompatibility, and thereby efficiently spreading in host insect populations. Recently, Wolbachia-mediated approaches to pest control and management have been proposed, but the application of these approaches has been hindered by the lack of genetic transformation techniques for symbiotic bacteria. Here, we report the genome and structure of active bacteriophages from a Wolbachia endosymbiont. From the Wolbachia strain wCauB infecting the moth Ephestia kuehniella two closely related WO prophages, WOcauB2 of 43,016 bp with 47 open reading frames (ORFs) and WOcauB3 of 45,078 bp with 46 ORFs, were characterized. In each of the prophage genomes, an integrase gene and an attachment site core sequence were identified, which are putatively involved in integration and excision of the mobile genetic elements. The 3′ region of the prophages encoded genes with sequence motifs related to bacterial virulence and protein-protein interactions, which might represent effector molecules that affect cellular processes and functions of their host bacterium and/or insect. Database searches and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the prophage genes have experienced dynamic evolutionary trajectories. Genes similar to the prophage genes were found across divergent bacterial phyla, highlighting the active and mobile nature of the genetic elements. We suggest that the active WO prophage genomes and their constituent sequence elements would provide a clue to development of a genetic transformation vector for Wolbachia endosymbionts.
Synthesis and Characterization of Titanium Oxide Nanomaterials Using Sol-Gel Method

This paper reports the effect of temperature on the properties of TiO_2 nanomaterials, synthesis and characterization. TiO2 powders were synthesized by sol-gel method using TiCl4 solution added in deionized water in ice bath under fume hood followed by the addition of ethanol with vigorous stirring for 30 min at room temperature. The gel solution was obtained and then got dried using oven at 200oC for 4 hours. Then, the dried gel was calcinated at 250oC, 400oC and 600oC using furnace for 4 hours each. The synthesized TiO2 nanomaterials were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis spectrophotometer, Transmission electron microscope (TEM), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). XRD shows the particles size with high crystallinity and purity which is in good agreement with the TEM result. The particles size of the synthesized TiO2 nanomaterial at calcination temperatures of 250oC, 400oC and 600oC were 9.22 nm, 14.33 nm and 36.72 nm respectively calculated from XRD result. The absorption edge for TiO2 nanomaterials synthesized by sol gel synthesis method was found to be 350 nm and the corresponding calculated band gap energy was 3.54 eV. The average particles size of the synthesized TiO2 nanopowder investigated from TEM using histograms at calcination temperatures of 250oC, 400oC and 600oC were found (8.55 ± 0.25) nm, (13.82 ± 0.41) nm and (36.06 ± 2.03) nm respectively. The polygonal structure of TiO2 nanomaterials were studied by scanning electron microscope. The EDS result showed that at calcination temperatures of 250oC, 400oC and 600oC, the concentrations of titanium were 33.34%, 32.6% and 31.89%, and the concentrations of chlorine were 2.64%, 0% and 0%, and the concentrations of oxygen were 64.02%, 67.4% and 68.11% in the synthesized TiO2 nanopowder respectively which is qualitatively confirmed by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy results.
Milnacipran plasma levels and antidepressant response in Japanese major depressive patients

The relationship between antidepressant effects and plasma levels of milnacipran was studied in 49 cases of major depression without psychotic features during 6 weeks of milnacipran treatment. The daily dose of milnacipran was 50 mg/day for the first week, and up to 100 mg/day thereafter. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Montgomery and Åsberg depression rating scale (MADRS) before treatment and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the beginning of this study. Thirty‐four patients (69.4%) were responders (defined as a 50% or greater decrease in the baseline MADRS score). Significant differences of MADRS scores were seen from 1 week after the beginning of this study (p = 0.004, unpaired t‐test) between responders and nonresponders. The mean plasma milnacipran level of responders, 82.0 ± 29.4 ng/ml, was similar to that of non‐responders, 78.6 ± 23.1 ng/ml; there was no significant difference between responders and nonresponders. Neither a significant linear nor a curvilinear relationship was obtained between the final MADRS score and the plasma levels of milnacipran. Although there was no significant relationship between the plasma levels of milnacipran and the antidepressant response, milnacipran should be considered an efficacious agent in the treatment of major depressive patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bacteriological Profile of Ear Infections and Its Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern in Tertiary Care Hospital Navi Mumbai

The objective of this study was to know the bacteriological profile and its antibiotic susceptibility pattern of ear infection in patients attending tertiary care hospital & to study the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the above isolates. Ear swabs were collected & immediately processed. A total of 80 patients prescription were collected over a period of 7 months comprising 42 males and 38 females. Out of these, Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media (CSOM) was the most common disease & maximum number of cases was from the age group 21 to 30 years 22 cases (27.5%). Out of total 80 specimens 11 shows no growth of organism while 69 specimens shows growth of one or two organisms. Out of 69 growths, 58 shows single isolate and 11 shows two isolates. , Pseudomonas, Proteus, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella & Enterobacter species were the most common Gram-negative bacteria isolated followed by Staphylococcus aureus & CONS Gram-positive bacteria. The occurrence of gram negative organisms (GNB) was higher than for gram positive (GPC) with GNB 58/91 (63.73%), GPC 25/91 (27.47%) and fungi 8/91 (8.80%). Gram negative bacteria shows >90% sensitivity to Ceftazidime, Ciprofloxacin, Lomefloxacin, Gentamicin & Netilline, >75% sensitivity to Pefloxacin, Ofloxacin, Cefaperazone & Amikacin. They are resistance to Amoxyclave, Cefotaxime & Cefuroxime. Gram positive bacteria shows >90% sensitivity to Cephalexin, Linezolid, Gentamicin & Tetracycline. >80% sensitivity Cloxacillin, Cefotaxime, Lincomycin, Co-trimoxazole, Tetracycline & Amoxyclave.
Efficacy and safety of hexaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy in patients with low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Non‐surgical therapies are needed to reduce the rate of progression of low‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1) to high grade CIN (CIN 2/3). The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of hexaminolevulinate (HAL) photodynamic therapy (PDT) in the treatment of patients with CIN 1.
Neuroblastoma Management in Chinese Children

ABSTRACT Background: This study assesses the clinical features of neuroblastoma and survival. Data for 98 patients between January 2000 and December 2006 at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China, were retrospectively analyzed. Patients and Methods: Diagnostic methods included imaging, 24-hr urine catecholamines, bone marrow biopsies, and histopathology analyses. Treatment followed the modified Japanese Study Group Protocol. Clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome were depicted, and difficulties encountered were analyzed. Results: The median age of patients was 48 months. There were 3, 13, 31, 49, and 2 patients in stages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 4s disease, respectively. Positive urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) prevalence was low in localized disease (51.1%) and high in disseminated disease (70.6%, p = .03). Gross total resection rate was 60.8%. The five-year overall survival (OS) rate was 80% for stages 1 and 2, 48.3% for stage 3, and 20% for stage 4. The five-year OS rates significantly decreased in children older than 18 months (p < .01), and were higher after gross total resection was performed (p = .023). In stage 4 patients, gross total resection significantly improved the five-year OS rate (p = .029). Conclusion: From these data, we suggest that positive urinary VMA, age greater than 18 months, incomplete tumor resection, and advanced stage predict poor prognosis. The results in children with advanced neuroblastoma were not satisfactory in our center. We speculated that lack of multidisciplinary teamwork, nonstandardized treatment, resource limitation, and indigence were the main causes for poorer outcome in late stages.
Outcome of renal transplantation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Renal transplantation is considered to be a good treatment option for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and end-stage renal disease. However, in patients with glomerular diseases, the outcome of renal transplantation can be adversely affected by recurrence of the original disease. Furthermore, the post-transplant course might be complicated by pre-transplant morbidity and treatment history. We studied the outcome of renal transplantation in patients with SLE who underwent transplantations in our center between 1968 and 2001. Patient and graft survival were compared with a matched control group. We specifically looked for any evidence of recurrent disease. There were 23 patients (two male, 21 female) with a mean ±SD age of 34±12 years at transplantation. One patient developed renal failure with serological evidence of SLE activity at 61 months after transplantation. In the absence of urine abnormalities we favored the diagnosis of rejection, although recurrence of lupus nephritis could not formally be excluded. This was the only case of a possible recurrence of lupus nephritis. Two other patients developed extra-renal manifestations of SLE at 6 and 17 months after transplantation. Patient and graft survival rates at 5 years after transplantation were 86% and 68%, respectively. Survival rates were not significantly different from those of a matched control group, 95% and 78%, respectively. Recurrence of SLE after transplantation is rare. The results of renal transplantation in patients with SLE do not differ significantly from a matched control group. Renal transplantation is a good alternative for renal replacement therapy in patients with lupus nephritis.
Attenuation of arteriolar alpha 2-adrenoceptor sensitivity during endotoxemia.

It is well documented that adrenergic responses after endotoxin (ENDT) administration are greatly reduced. The hypothesis of this study is that either alpha 1- or alpha 2-receptor activity is attenuated and the other receptor type is minimally affected during ENDT shock. Reactivity of the arterioles of left cremaster muscles of male Wistar rats anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium was studied using videomicroscopy. Femoral mean arterial pressure and first-, second-, third-, and fourth-order arteriolar diameters were measured. In group I, the decreases in arteriolar diameter and half-maximal effective dose (ED50) values with increasing phenylephrine concentration (alpha 1-adrenergic receptor agonist) were similar in all four branching orders before and after ENDT. In group II, the decreases in arteriolar diameter with increasing clonidine concentrations (alpha 2-adrenergic receptor agonist) were effectively attenuated by ENDT, and ED50 values were increased above control in all four branching orders. In group III, idazoxan (alpha 2-receptor antagonist) effectively blocked the vasoconstrictor effects of clonidine but did not affect the responses to phenylephrine before or after ENDT in all four arteriolar orders. In group IV, prazosin (alpha 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist) blocked the vasoconstrictor effects of phenylephrine before and after the administration of ENDT. However, vasoconstriction due to clonidine post-ENDT even at maximal dosage (10(-3) M), was greatly attenuated in all four branching orders as in group II. It is concluded that during endotoxemia the reduced adrenergic vasoconstrictor response of cremaster muscle arterioles is the result of attenuated activity of alpha 2-adrenergic receptors with minimal if any effects on alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activity. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)