Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Melatonin Secretion is Supersensitive to Light in Migraine

The present study examined the sensitivity to light of melatonin (MLT) secretion in familial migraine during a headache-free interval. Twelve female patients and 12 healthy controls were included in the trial. All subjects were studied twice. In each session, light exposure (300 lx) or placebo was randomly administered for 30 min between 00.30 and 01.00 h. Blood was sampled hourly between 20.00 and 24.00 h, and 02.00 and 04.00 h and every 15 min between 00.30 and 01.30 h. Plasma MLT levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. MLT suppression was more marked in the migraine group than in the control group [difference of area under curve (δAUC) = −53.8 ± 16.2 vs. 18.5 ± 12.7 pg/h/ml, P < 0.005; maximum of MLT suppression (δ) = −35.7 ± 10.2 vs.- 6.7 ± 5.8 pg/ml, P < 0.05]. These findings show a clear hypersensitivity to light in young female migraineurs during the headache-free period.
Interferon therapy for chronic non‐A non‐B and chronic delta liver disease in haemophilia

Summary. The case histories of a carrier of haemophilia A with chronic post transfusion non‐A non‐B hepatitis and a severe haemophiliac with chronic delta hepatitis are described. Therapy with lymphoblastoid alpha interferon resulted in improvement of NANB and HDV related chronic hepatitis and resolution of HIV related thrombocytopenia. Interferon may modulate replication of more than one transfusion transmitted virus in the haemophiliac.
Impulsive-aggressive traits and suicidal behavior in adolescents and young adults with alcoholism

Suicidal behavior and alcohol use disorders among adolescents and young adults are serious public health problems. In the study of suicidal behavior among young people with alcoholism, it has been shown that aggression and impulsivity are higher among those who attempted suicide. Impulsivity has been related to suicidal and self-destructive behaviors within different psychiatric conditions, i.e. alcohol and substance use disorders, mood disorders, conduct disorder, impulse control disorders, antisocial personality disorder, and borderline personality disorder. The term impulsivity has been used to define different constructs such as (1) personality trait or cognitive style in which disinhibition is the core characteristic, (2) a tendency to act immediately in response to external or internal stimuli, and (3) a group of psychiatric disorders with behavioral dyscontrol. Among adolescents suicidal behavior is transmitted in families independently of psychiatric conditions, but not independently of impulsivity/aggression. Two causal links between impulsiveness and alcoholism have been proposed: (1) adolescents who develop alcoholism possess higher premorbid levels of impulsiveness than those who do not develop alcoholism, and (2) levels of impulsiveness differentiate both populations only after the development of alcoholism, with higher levels of impulsiveness among those adolescents who developed alcoholism. Cognitive behavioral techniques have shown promising results in the treatment of adolescents with alcohol and substance use disorder and suicidality. The relative frequency of suicidal behavior among adolescents and young adults suffering from alcoholism and its subsequent devastating effects on individuals, families and society merits further research and development of prevention strategies.
Objects and properties: a study of the breakdown of semantic memory.

This paper reports a study of the breakdown of semantic memory in the case of a subject with semantic dementia. The first experiment shows that the subject failed to comprehend words of low familiarity and word frequency, even though the spoken word forms were recognised as familiar. Experiments 2 and 3 showed (a) that the recall of word meanings in definition tasks did not vary with the generality of the word meaning (e.g. category, basic level, or subordinate property) but varied instead with the concept familiarity and frequency of the name; (b) that the ability to verify properties of basic-level objects was not affected by the ability to comprehend the property name, but depended instead on the degree of knowledge demonstrated for the object name in definition tasks; (c) that properties were frequently verified correctly when the object had been defined only to the superordinate level. It is argued that the results do not support the widely held view that, in general, specific information is lost first when semantic memory breaks down. The selective failure to recall specific information for some word meanings is discussed with reference to two theoretical accounts.
Bending moments of zirconia and titanium abutments with internal and external implant-abutment connections after aging and chewing simulation.

OBJECTIVES To test the fracture load of zirconia abutments with different types of implant-abutment connections after chewing simulation and to compare their bending moments to internally connected identical titanium abutments. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight identical customized zirconia abutments with different implant-abutment connections were fabricated for four different test groups: one-piece internal implant-abutment connection (BL; Straumann Bonelevel), two-piece internal implant-abutment connection (RS; Nobel Biocare Replace Select), external implant-abutment connection (B; Brånemark MK III), two-piece internal implant-abutment connection (SP; Straumann Standard Plus). Twelve titanium abutments with one-piece internal implant-abutment connection (T; Straumann Bonelevel) served as control group. After aging by means of thermocycling (5-50°C, 120 s) and chewing simulation (1,200,000 cycles, 49 N load, 1.67 Hz), static load was applied at a 30° angle to the palatal surface until failure. Bending moments were calculated for comparison of the groups. Data were analyzed descriptively and by performing the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS The mean bending moments of the abutments were 714.1 ± 184.9 N cm (T), 331.7 ± 57.8 N cm (BL), 429.7 ± 62.8 N cm (RS), 285.8 ± 64.4 N cm (B) and 379.9 ± 59.1 N cm (SP). The bending moments of control group T were significantly higher than those of all other groups. The values of group RS were significantly higher than those of group B but within the value range of groups SP and BL. CONCLUSION The bending moments of the different tested types of zirconia abutments vary with different implant-abutment connections after chewing simulation. The use of a secondary metallic component might have a beneficial influence on the stability of zirconia abutments.
Effects of resource supplements on mature ciliate biofilms: an empirical test using a new type of flow cell

Biofilm-dwelling consumer communities play an important role in the matter flux of many aquatic ecosystems. Due to their poor accessibility, little is as yet known about the regulation of natural biofilms. Here, a new type of flow cell is presented which facilitates both experimental manipulation and live observation of natural, pre-grown biofilms. These flow cells were used to study the dynamics of mature ciliate biofilms in response to supplementation of planktonic bacteria. The results suggest that enhanced ciliate productivity could be quickly transferred to micrometazoans (ciliate grazers), making the effects on the standing stock of the ciliates detectable only for a short time. Likewise, no effect on ciliates appeared when micrometazoan consumers were ab initio abundant. This indicates the importance of ‘top-down’ control of natural ciliate biofilms. The flow cells used here offer great potential for experimentally testing such control mechanisms within naturally cultivated biofilms.
Study of transient response characteristics of electrons in GaN by Monte Carlo method

The authors have theoretically investigated transient response of electrons in bulk Wurtzite GaN at 300K using one particle monte-carlo method. The relevant lattice scattering mechanisms like deformation potential acoustic phonons, polar optical phonons, impurity and intervalley phonon scatterings are incorporated in the Boltzmann transport equation which is then solved to obtain the transient response characteristics. The transient response characteristics at 300K show that higher peak drift velocities are obtained at higher field values. The velocity - field characteristics for electrons at 300K exhibit a negative differential resistance (NDR) effect.
Shareholder Agreements and Firm Value: Evidence from French Listed Firms

In listed companies, some shareholders can be signatories to agreements that govern their relations. This paper investigates the effects of such agreements on the valuation of firms. I use a sample of French firms that is well suited for my analysis insofar as French law requires the disclosure of the shareholder agreements’ clauses. In line with previous literature, a negative relationship between firm value and the dispersion of voting rights across major shareholders is observed. However, the existence of a shareholder agreement tends to offset this negative effect. This countervailing effect is more pronounced when a “concerted action” provision is in force and/or the contracting shareholders are of the same type. Shareholder agreements thus appear as efficient coordination mechanisms rather than expropriation mechanisms.
Effects of Computer-Assisted Speech Training on Mandarin-Speaking Hearing-Impaired Children

The present study investigated whether moderate amounts of computer-assisted speech training can improve the speech recognition performance of hearing-impaired children. Ten Mandarin-speaking children (3 hearing aid users and 7 cochlear implant users) participated in the study. Training was conducted at home using a personal computer for half an hour per day, 5 days per week, for a period of 10 weeks. Results showed significant improvements in subjects’ vowel, consonant, and tone recognition performance after training. The improved performance was largely retained for 2 months after training was completed. These results suggest that moderate amounts of auditory training, using a computer-based auditory rehabilitation tool with minimal supervision, can be effective in improving the speech performance of hearing-impaired children.
Antibody isotypes in human schistosomiasis mansoni

Summary Summary Schistosoma mansoni‐infected subjects from the Gezira Irrigated Area of Sudan were studied for serum immunoglobulin levels, and specific antibody titres to larval, adult and egg stage antigens, by class and IgG subclass. The 276 subjects were adult chronic cases (frequently exposed male canal cleaners), primary school children, and hospital‐referred cases with acute symptoms including hepatosplenomegaly. Chronic untreated cases were compared with a similar group of canal cleaners 3 months after successful chemotherapy with Praziquantel administered at the start of the non‐transmission season. All cases, except those previously treated, were egg positive at the time of blood sampling. Data from infected and treated cases were compared with measurements of serum immunoglobulin in a panel of European blood donors. The major findings are as follows:
The development and application of a questionnaire to assess the changing personalities of substance addicts during the first year of recovery.

The Addiction Recovery Index, a 60 item questionnaire, was developed and administered to 889 recovering substance addicts with a view to measuring levels of the primary trait of Neuroticism as well as six accompanying subtraits during the first 12 months of recovery. Good reliability and validity scores were achieved for the ARI and results indicated that recovering addict's overall Neuroticism scores reduced as a function of Substance Free Time (F(11,877) = 338.37, p < . 0001). It was also noted that the individual sub-trait scores decreased, but various anomalies, particularly with Anxiety, were recorded.
The Effect Of Zonisamide In Prophylaxis Therapy In Episodic And Chronic Cluster Headache

The prophylactic therapy of the episodic (ECH) and chronic cluster headache (CCH) is based on verapamil and carbolithium. Besides several patients are not responders at this drugs. To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of zonisamide in prophylaxis therapy of ECH and CCH. 11 patients (pz), (4 F,7 M) mean age 42.8 years (SD 5.8), range 36-56 years, suffering from ECH (8pz) and CCH (3 pz) (ICDH ’04 criteria) were studied. In all patients with ECH prophylaxis therapy with verapamil, carbolithium and valproic acid was failed in the past and patients with CCH continued therapy with carbolithium (2 pz) and verapamil (1 pz). During the three months evaluation period zonisamide was administered (starting dose 25mg/die, target dose 100 mg/die). In patients with ECH the basal frequency of attack/days and 1, 2, 3 months respectively was 4.2 (SD 1.9): 2.4 (SD 0.9), 1.6 (SD 0.9), 0.8 (SD 1.1) [P<0.0001]. In patients with chronic CH the basal frequency of attack/days and 1, 3, 6 months respectively was 2 (SD 0.8): 0.2 (SD 0.08), 0.06 (SD 0.04), 0.01 (SD 0.01) [P<0.05] (T-test analysis). In all patients zonisamide was well tolerated (5 patients complained somnolence, lack of concentration, vertigo and nausea but not withdrew the study). These data showed a good efficacy in reduction of frequency of attacks. Still, the drug is tolerable, in fact none patients withdrew the study. Our study suggests that zonisamide could be an alternative or complementary prophylaxis therapy for ECH and CCH.
The output neurones and the dopaminergic neurones of the substantia nigra receive a GABA‐Containing input from the globus pallidus in the rat

One of the major pathways of information flow through the basal ganglia is the pallidonigrofugal system. In order to better understand this system in the rat, experiments have been performed to study the topography, synaptic organization, and neurotransmitter content of the pallidonigral projection and to determine whether the pallidonigral neurones make direct synaptic contacts with nigrofugal cells. This was achieved by combining the anterograde transport of the lectin Phaseolus vulgaris‐leucoagglutinin (PHA‐L) with the retrograde transport of lectin‐conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA‐HRP), postembedding immunocytochemistry for gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), and pre‐embedding immunocytochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Following injections of PHA‐L in different regions of the lateral part of the globus pallidus, a substantial number of immunoreactive fibres and terminals occurred in the ipsilateral substantia nigra reticulata (SNr). The immunoreactive elements were distributed according to a rostral to medial and caudal to lateral topography. Injections that were restricted to the medial tip of the globus pallidus led to the anterograde labeling of a small number of fibres that were sparsely distributed in the SNr. The most characteristic feature of the pallidonigral fibres was the presence of large varicosities that were often grouped to form pericellular baskets. Injections of WGA‐HRP in the ventromedial thalamic nucleus, superior colliculus, or midbrain tegmentum, including the pedunculopontine nucleus, showed that the perikarya and primary dendrites of the output cells of the SNr were often surrounded by the large pallidonigral varicosities. The number of varicosities surrounding a single cell varied from 2–12. Electron microscopic analysis showed that the varicosities contained round or slightly pleomorphic vesicles and numerous mitochondria and that they established symmetrical synaptic contacts. Quantitative measurements revealed that the varicosities had a maximum diameter varying from 0.5 to 2.5 μm and a mean cross‐sectional area of 0.76 ± 0.25 μm2 (N = 237, mean ± S.D.). The postsynaptic structures of the pallidonigral varicosities included perikarya (48%), large dendrites (38%), and small dendrites (14%). A large proportion of these postsynaptic targets were retrogradely labeled after injection of WGA‐HRP in the ventromedial thalamic nucleus, superior colliculus, or midbrain tegmentum. Postembedding immunocytochemistry was used to show that the pallidonigral axons and terminals in contact with nigrofugal neurones displayed GABA immunoreactivity. The use of a double immunocytochemical method revealed, that in addition to the nondopaminergic SNr output neurones, the dendrites and perikarya of the dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) receive an input from the globus pallidus. However, this input is very much sparser than that to the cells of the SNr.
Antibodies against measles virus polypeptides in different disease conditions

The occurrence of antibodies to the nucleoprotein and matrix (M) antigens of measles virus was determined in early and late measles convalescent sera and in sera from patients with multiple sclerosis, subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, chronic active hepatitis, and atypical measles. Antibodies to the two components were identified separately in serially diluted samples both by radioimmune precipitation assays and by complement fixation tests employing purified nucleoprotein and M components as antigens. The antibody response to M antigen in connection with acute infections was weak, and with time titers of antibodies to M antigen were reduced below detectable levels in most cases. A different situation was seen in patients with atypical measles. A pronounced antibody response to M antigen was shown to be a part of the generally accentuated immune response in these patients. Confirming results of others, it was shown that in spite of the increased antibody titers against most measles components in sera from patients with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, no or only low titers of antibodies to M antigen were present. However, a similar representation of antibodies to measles virus components was also seen in sera from patients with active chronic hepatitis. The significance of this finding for the interpretation of a weak antibody response to M antigen in the presence of a pronounced antibody response to other components is discussed.
Review of Current Surgical Techniques in Repair of Idiopathic Macular Holes

Idiopathic macular holes have been recognized since 1869 when Knapp described a break in the macula. The ophthalmoscopic findings at that time suggested that retina was torn in such a way that there was no treatment. This paradigm lasted until 1989 when there were reports at various meetings that vitrectomies had been tried in an effort to repair idiopathic macular holes. In 1991, the first published report of macular hole surgery appeared. Since that time, considerable advancement has been made in the surgical technique to repair macular holes. In accord with these advancements and new surgical techniques, the success rates of macular hole repair have gone up. This chapter reviews the current stance in the literature, particularly over the last 2 years when significant advancement has been made, regarding these new techniques.
Carbamazepine and hematological monitoring

Clinically important hematological toxicity is uncommon with carbamazepine (CBZ). Only 20 patients with CBZ‐associated aplastic anemia have been reported since 1964. Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia occur in about 2% of patients. Based on the available data on hematological complications of CBZ, we question the justification for expensive, excessive laboratory monitoring.
“ Comparison of Intracoronal Sealing Ability Of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate And Glass Ionomer Cement ” An In Vitro Study

The present study was conducted to compare the sealing ability of MTA and GIC. Method: Endodontic treatment was performed on seventy extracted teeth. 4mm of gutta percha was removed from all the teeth. Teeth were divided into two groups of thirty teeth and two groups of five teeth. Group 1 were sealed with MTA, group 2 with GIC, group 3 (positive control)were not sealed and group 4 (negative control) were sealed with amalgam. All teeth were covered with sticky wax and placed in methylene blue for 48 hours and subjected to diaphanisation. The dye penetration was checked through the cleared samples with a stereomicroscope. Results: The teeth from group 2 leaked more with a mean value of 11.21mm, group 1 had a mean value of 1.86mm. Statistical analysis with Mann Whitney U test and Students t test showed that there was a significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p value < 0.01). Group 4 showed no leakage and Group 3 showed maximum leakage with the mean value of 19.36mm. Conclusion: The above results clearly indicate that MTA is a better material to be used coronally to seal the canals than the GIC.
QT‐interval abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

To examine whether QTc and QTc dispersion across the leads of a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) are different in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) compared with normal subjects, we measured QT and calculated QTc in all 12 leads of a surface ECG in 24 patients with HCM and in 20 age‐ and sex‐matched normal control subjects. Maximal QTc was prolonged in HCM patients (465±24 ms) compared with controls (410±20 ms) (p<0.001). QTc dispersion defined as the difference of maximum‐minimum QTc was also greater in HCM patients (71±21 ms) compared with normals (35±11 ms) (p<0.001). A correlation was found between the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy expressed by the maximal wall thickness and maximal QTc (r=0.48, p<0.02). However, QTc dispersion did not correlate with maximal wall thickness. Thus, patients with HCM show a prolonged QTc (>440 ms) and increased QTc dispersion compared with normal subjects. In addition, the degree of left ventricular hypertrophy correlates with maximal QTc. The presence of a prolonged QT with increased regional dispersion may be associated with the occurrence of serious ventricular arrhythmia and sudden death in HCM.
Intra-Individual Variation in Fasting Urinary Calcium- and Hydroxyproline-Creatinine Ratios Measured in Metabolic Bone Clinic Patients as Both Outpatients and Inpatients

The total intra-individual variation of fasting urinary calcium- and hydroxyproline-creatinine ratios were determined both as outpatients and as inpatients in 46 patients with metabolic bone disorders, including 20 women with osteoporosis. The intra-individual variation of both measurements was reduced considerably by collecting samples in the ward rather than in the outpatient setting, although this was not the case for a sub-group of osteoporotic women. The large intra-individual variation observed for calcium and hydroxyproline (30–40% in osteoporotic women) can give rise to misclassification in screening for fast bone losers. The very large critical difference required (109% and 94%, respectively, for calcium and hydroxyproline) for two results to reflect a significant change, is a major limitation in the use of these analytes for monitoring bone resorption in menopausal and osteoporotic women.
Experimental assessment of qualitative microwave imaging using a 3-D realistic breast phantom

In this work we present an experimental study of qualitative microwave imaging algorithms for breast cancer detection. All the experiments are carried out with a 3-D printed realistic breast phantom filled with designed tissue mimicking liquids. In the following, the first experimental results using the Truncated Singular Value Decomposition (TSVD) scheme and the Linear Sampling Method (LSM) reconstructions are reported.