Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Serum galectin-9 in cervical cancer].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the expression level of Galectin-9 (Gal-9) in the serum of cervical cancer patients and analyze the clinic significance of it. METHODS Collected sera from 29 patients with cervical cancer, 45 patients with cervical inter-epithelial lesion (CIN) and 26 normal females. Determination of Gal-9 was performed by ELISA, and in the group of patients with cervical cancer, these results were compared with the serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Then selecting four patients from the invasive cervical cancer group performed Gal-9 retrospective immuno-staining analysis. RESULTS Gal-9 concentration was 27.15 ng/L in the group of patients with cervical cancer that was significantly higher compared with the patients with CIN (21.20 ng/L) and the normal females (17.43 ng/L), and the Gal-9 concentration was significantly correlated with both VEGF and CRP in cervical cancer group. Two of these patients, who had a higher Gal-9 serum level, shown more intense staining and the other two patients, with lower serum level of Gal-9, had moderate immunostaining, suggesting that at least part of serum Gal-9 might be produced by cervical cancer tissue. CONCLUSIONS Gal-9 might play a role in the progression and invasion of cervical cancer and warrants further study.
Putative Role of Catecholamines in Cancer ( in vitro and in vivo studies )

Since their arrival on the clinical scene, β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs) antagonists or β-blockers as they are commonly known, have proved to be one of the most versatile and widely used drugs in clinical practice. Although dichloroisoproterenol (DCI) was the first β-blocker synthesized by Elli Lilly, it was pronethalol that was the first β-blocker tested for clinical use, but due to the finding that it was carcinogenic in mice it was never approved for clinical use. The first β-blocker, propranolol that was free of carcinogenic activity and entered into clinical practice in 1964 for the treatment of angina pectoris was introduced by Sir James Black (Dr. Black received the Nobel Prize for his invention in 1988 and was knighted by the Queen of England in 2000). It was a revolutionary drug that created a new category of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Since their introduction, β-blockers have gone a sea change both in terms of their nature and properties and their therapeutic uses. Propranolol was a non-selective antagonist that competitively blocked both β1 and β2 adrenergic receptors, and thus produced certain adverse effects due to β2 receptors blockade, such as potentiation of effects of hypoglycemic drugs, causing bronchoconstriction in sensitive individuals and masking warning signs of hypoglycemia (mainly β1 effects). It was also a highly lipophilic drug that crossed the blood brain barrier and produced CNS adverse effects. Atenolol, a hydrophilic and β1-selective (cardioselective) β-blocker that did not cross into the CNS and did not produce adverse effects due to β2 receptors blockade, was approved for clinical use in 1976 and changed the dynamics of treatment of cardiovascular diseases once again. The breadth of
Mortality and injury from motorcycle collisions in Phetchaburi Province.

A retrospective analysis was done in 3,225 injured motorcyclists treated at Phra Chom Klao Hospital between April 1, 1999 and March 31, 2000. The peak of all motorcycle crashes was found between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Male motorcycle riders accounted for 69 per cent of the accident population, and most riders were under 21 years of age. Approximately 21 per cent of the accident-involved riders had been drinking alcohol and about half of the riders were unlicensed. Only 4 per cent of the riders were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Helmet usage was much lower among passengers, only about 1 per cent. The upper and lower extremities were injured most frequently, although these injuries were not life threatening. The most fatal injuries to the motorcyclists were to the head, abdomen, and chest in decreasing frequency.
Whole Earth Telescope observations of the subdwarf B star KPD 1930+2752: a rich, short‐period pulsator in a close binary

KPD 1930+2752 is a short-period pulsating subdwarf B (sdB) star. It is also an ellipsoidal variable with a known binary period of 2.3 h. The companion is most likely a white dwarf and the total mass of the system is close to the Chandresekhar limit. In this paper, we report the results of Whole Earth Telescope (WET) photometric observations during 2003 and a smaller multisite campaign of 2002. From 355 h of WET data, we detect 68 pulsation frequencies and suggest an additional 13 frequencies within a crowded and complex temporal spectrum between 3065 and 6343 μHz (periods between 326 and 157 s). We examine pulsation properties including phase and amplitude stability in an attempt to understand the nature of the pulsation mechanism. We examine a stochastic mechanism by comparing amplitude variations with simulated stochastic data. We also use the binary nature of KPD 1930+2752 for identifying pulsation modes via multiplet structure and a tidally induced pulsation geometry. Our results indicate a complicated pulsation structure that includes short-period (≈16 h) amplitude variability, rotationally split modes, tidally induced modes and some pulsations which are geometrically limited on the sdB star.
Rapid method for testing the susceptibility of Aspergillus fumigatus to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole by assessment of oxygen consumption.

OBJECTIVES Antifungal stress conditions affect fungal germination and growth. The assessment of oxygen consumption resulting from the challenge of Aspergillus fumigatus conidia with antifungal agents might be predictive of the susceptibility of this species to the agents evaluated. METHODS The antifungal susceptibilities of A. fumigatus to amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole and posaconazole were evaluated for 20 clinical strains by two methods: the rapid assessment of oxygen consumption and the CLSI M38-A2 microdilution method. For the determination of oxygen consumption, conidia were suspended in RPMI 1640 medium with two different concentrations of each antifungal drug (0.25 and 2 mg/L); the oxygen consumption was quantified in a biological oxygen monitor. RESULTS A. fumigatus strains showed a wide spectrum of amphotericin B, itraconazole and voriconazole MICs (0.06 to >16 mg/L), but posaconazole MICs ranged from 0.06 to 1 mg/L. Distinct respiratory kinetics, which corresponded to the MIC results, were found. Strains with the highest itraconazole and voriconazole MICs grew faster, undoubtedly consuming the oxygen available in the liquid medium. The reproducibility of this new method was adequate (87%), as well as the agreement with the CLSI method (85%). CONCLUSIONS Although the potential of this new and rapid method (4-8 versus 48 h CLSI method) for evaluating the susceptibility of A. fumigatus to the antifungal agents has been demonstrated by these preliminary results, further collaborative studies with more isolates should better assess the value of this methodology for testing isolates in the clinical laboratory.
Antibiotic Prophylaxis Prior to Elective ERCP Does Not Alter Cholangitis Rates or Shorten Hospital Stay: Results of an Observational Prospective Study of 138 Consecutive ERCPS.

OBJECTIVES The role of prophylactic antibiotherapy prior to elective endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is unclear. We aimed to determine whether patients receiving systemic antibiotics prior to ERCP had lower morbidity and mortality rates as well as shorter hospitalization compared to patients who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a prospective study of all patients undergoing ERCP in our unit. Antibiotic use, postERCP cholangitis rates, 30-day mortality and hospital stay were studied. Also, bacteriological examination of bile aspirates from these patients was conducted and antibiotic susceptibility was determined for the isolated pathogens. OUTCOMES One hundred-thirty eight consecutive ERCPs conducted in our unit in a 9 month period were included. Cholangitis developed in 3 (4.6%) cases in the antibiotics groups and 3 (4%) cases in the control group (p=0.8). Hospital stay did not differ significantly between the two study groups (p=0.58). There was only one procedure-related death which was the result of postERCP pancreatitis in a patient with severe associated illnesses. Bile aspirates showed bacterial growth in 75% of the cases where bile was obtained, with E. coli being the most frequently isolated microorganism. No differences in bacteriological profiles were noted between the two study groups. CONCLUSION There seems to be no influence on patient-related outcome of antibiotic prophylaxis prior to elective ERCP.
To Assess the Nutritional Status and Morbidity Patterns Among Non-Pregnant Non-Lactating Rural Women of Reproductive Age Group ( 1840 Years )

The study was undertaken to assess the nutritional status, dietary intake and morbidity patterns among 100 non-pregnant non-lactating rural women of reproductive age group (18-40 years) in the village Bashahpur, Gurgaon. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using both qualitative and quantitative data-collection methods. The study involved interviews using a questionnaire, measurement of food/nutrient intake, anthropometry, observations of clinical signs of morbidities and assessment of their general knowledge and awareness about health, nutrition and sanitation. The mean BMI of the women was found to be 21.12 (±3.7) kg/m2 with 25% of them being underweight and 16% being overweight or obese. The overall quality of food and nutrient intake was poor as the intake of all the food groups (except fats, sugars and milk and milk products) was found to be much lower than their RDAs. The mean energy and protein intake was found to be 983.60 (±309.6) kcal and 27.33 (±8.2) g, respectively which met only 50% of the nutrient requirements. Similarly, the intake of micronutrients was also found to be inadequate particularly of iron and folic acid which met only 37.8% and 11% of the RDAs, respectively. Dietary deficiencies were also present in NPNL women of Badshahpur reflecting their effects in the clinical signs like pale conjunctiva, menstrual problems and pregnancy complications, etc. The mean general knowledge score was found to be 12 (±3.2) out of 24 which reflected that subjects possessed average knowledge about health, nutrition and hygiene. Efforts are needed to improve diet quality and education for rural women so that they rise in economic status and are better nourished.
Safety education of pedestrians for injury prevention.

BACKGROUND Each year about one million people die and about 10 million are seriously injured on the world's roads. Educational measures to teach pedestrians how to cope with the traffic environment are considered to be an essential component of any prevention strategy, and pedestrian education has been recommended in many countries. However, as resources available for road safety are limited, a key question concerns the relative effectiveness of different prevention strategies. OBJECTIVES To quantify the effectiveness of pedestrian safety education programmes in preventing pedestrian-motor vehicle collisions. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Injuries Group specialised register, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, TRANSPORT, MEDLINE, EMBASE, ERIC, PSYCHLIT, SPECTR, and the WHO database on the Internet. We checked reference lists of relevant reviews and papers and contacted experts in the field. Most database searching was conducted in 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials of safety education programmes for pedestrians of all ages. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS One reviewer screened records. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality of trials. Because of differences in the types of interventions and outcome measures used in the trials, meta-analyses were not carried out. MAIN RESULTS We found 15 randomised-controlled trials of pedestrian safety education programmes, conducted between 1976 and 1997. Methodological quality of the included trials was generally poor. Allocation concealment was adequate in three trials, outcome assessment was blinded in eight, and in most of the studies large numbers of participants were lost to follow-up. Study participants were children in 14 studies and institutionalised adults in one. Eight studies involved the direct education of participants, seven used parents as educators. No trials were conducted in a developing country and there were none of pedestrian safety training in the elderly. None of the included trials assessed the effect of pedestrian safety education on the occurrence of pedestrian injury but six trials assessed the effect on observed behaviour. Some of these trials showed evidence of behavioural change following pedestrian safety education but it is difficult to predict what effect this might have on pedestrian injury risk. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS Pedestrian safety education can result in improvement in children's knowledge and can change observed road crossing behaviour but whether this reduces the risk of pedestrian motor vehicle collision and injury occurrence is unknown. There is evidence that changes in safety knowledge and observed behaviour decline with time suggesting that safety education must be repeated at regular intervals.
Levy Based Cross-Commodity Models and Derivative Valuation

Energy commodities, such as oil, gas, and electricity, lack the liquidity of equity markets, have large costs associated with storage, exhibit high volatilities, and can have significant spikes in prices. Furthermore, and possibly more importantly, commodities tend to revert to long run equilibrium prices. Many complex commodity contingent claims exist in the markets, such as swing and interruptible options; however, the current method of valuation relies heavily on Monte Carlo simulations and tree-based methods. In this article, we develop a new cross-commodity modeling framework which accounts for jumps and cointegration in prices and introduce a new derivative valuation methodology by working in Fourier space. The method is based on the Fourier space time-stepping algorithm of Jackson, Jaimungal, and Surkov [J. Comput. Finance, 12 (2008), pp. 1-28] but is tailored for mean-reverting models. We demonstrate the utility of the method by applying it to European, American, and barrier options on a single commodity, to European and Bermudan spread options on two commodities, and to a particular class of swing options.
Accurate characterization of multi-resonant reflectarray cells by artificial neural networks

This paper describes the accurate characterization of the reflection coefficients of a multilayered reflectarray element by means of artificial neural networks. The procedure has been tested with different RA elements related to actual specifications. Up to 9 parameters were considered and the complete reflection coefficient matrix was accurately obtained, including cross polar reflection coefficients. Results show a good agreement between simulations carried out by the Method of Moments and the ANN model outputs at RA element level, as well as with performances of the complete RA antenna designed.
Sensorimotor function and dizziness in neck pain: implications for assessment and management.

SYNOPSIS The term sensorimotor describes all the afferent, efferent, and central integration and processing components involved in maintaining stability in the postural control system through intrinsic motor-control properties. The scope of this paper is to highlight the sensorimotor deficits that can arise from altered cervical afferent input. From a clinical orthopaedic perspective, the peripheral mechanoreceptors are the most important in functional joint stability; but in the cervical region they are also important for postural stability, as well as head and eye movement control. Consequently, conventional musculoskeletal intervention approaches may be sufficient only for patients with neck pain and minimal sensorimotor proprioceptive disturbances. Clinical experience and research indicates that significant sensorimotor cervical proprioceptive disturbances might be an important factor in the maintenance, recurrence, or progression of various symptoms in some patients with neck pain. In these cases, more specific and novel treatment methods are needed which progressively address neck position and movement sense, as well as cervicogenic oculomotor disturbances, postural stability, and cervicogenic dizziness. In this commentary we review the most relevant theoretical and practical knowledge on this matter and implications for clinical assessment and management, and we propose future directions for research. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 5.
PD-controller: a new active queue management scheme

This paper describes a proportional-differential (PD) control algorithm as a new active queue management (AQM) scheme for TCP/IP congestion control. From the viewpoint of the control theory, TCP congestion control system can be regarded as a feedback regulating system. In this paper, a robust AQM called PD-controller is proposed. The design principles of PD-controller are presented in details. Its performance is extensively evaluated by simulations. The results demonstrate that the PD-controller AQM is stable and robust against traffic load fluctuations, UDP and HTTP disturbances. Its superiority over other AQMs is also demonstrated.
Pharmacotherapy for inherited colorectal cancer

Importance of the field: An important recent consideration in the medical management of colorectal cancer risk has been the notion of primary prevention or ‘chemoprevention’ of adenomas. A number of promising agents, and even combinations of agents, have shown promise in clinical trials. This review is written in the interest of capturing the current state of chemoprevention in familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). This will take a decidedly clinical perspective. Areas covered in this review: This review addresses mainly randomized clinical chemoprevention trials. A search using PubMed from 1980 to present was conducted. What the reader will gain: The reader should gain an appreciation of the role that chemoprevention clinical trials in FAP has had in establishing a basis for clinically oriented use of selected drugs, mainly sulindac and celecoxib, as adjuncts to surgical and endoscopic treatment. In addition, the reader will see how FAP trials can provide a foundation for similar trials in nonfamilial adenomas. Take-home message: As a proving ground for new, potential chemopreventive agents, trials in FAP involved short-term (3- to 12-month) administration of drug. Endpoints generally involved measures of adenoma regression in the rectal segment retained post-colectomy.
Diseño e implementación de tareas de modelización con iPad®'s: un enfoque dual

En este trabajo presentamos el disen o de dos propuestas para introducir la modelizaci on de fen omenos f isicos a trav es de actividades de modelizaci on asistidas mediante iPad 's. Cada una de las propuestas que vamos a presentar tiene una visio n de la modelizacio n: en un caso se trata de utilizar la modelizacio n como vehi culo para introducir contenidos matema ticos concretos mientras que, en el otro, pretendemos desarrollar una actividad que ayude a los alumnos a poner en marcha la competencia en resolucio n de problemas a trave s de la modelizacio n. El objetivo es proporcionar dos propuestas basadas en la modelizacion dando detalles suficientes para que estas puedas ser implementadas en un aula de ultimo curso de ESO o primer curso de Bachillerato.
Polymerase Chain Reaction as a Diagnostic Adjunct in Herpesvirus Infections of the Nervous System

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a powerful technique that allows detection of minute quantities of DNA or RNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), vesicle and endoneurial fluids, blood, fresh‐frozen, and even formalin‐fixed tissues. Various infectious agents can be detected with high specificity and sensitivity, including bacteria, parasites, rickettsia and viruses. PCR analysis of CSF has revolutionized the diagnosis of nervous system viral infections, particularly those caused by human herpesviruses (HHV), and has now replaced brain biopsy as the gold standard for diagnosis of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis. PCR analysis of both CSF and nervous system tissues has also broadened our understanding of the spectrum of disease caused by HSV‐1 and ‐2, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and HHV‐6. Nonetheless, positive tissue PCR results must be interpreted cautiously, especially in cases that lack corroborating clinical and neuropathologic evidence of infection. Moreover, positive PCR results from tissues do not distinguish latent from productive (lytic) viral infections. In several neurological diseases, negative PCR results have provided strong evidence against a role for herpesviruses as the causative agents. This review focuses on the use of PCR tests to diagnose HSV and VZV infections of the nervous system.
Resection of Pediatric Brain Tumors: Intraoperative Ultrasound Revisited

Background: Extent of resection is a very important prognostic marker in most pediatric brain tumors. Intraoperative imaging facilitates resection control. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) is a cost-effective alternative to intraoperative magnetic resonance, but scant literature addresses its utility in this context. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all pediatric brain tumors operated at our center using navigated three-dimensional ultrasound (US). The utility of the US in resection control was recorded and extent of resection evaluated. Results: IOUS was used in 20 cases (3 for frameless biopsy and 17 for tumor resection control). It was 100% accurate in localizing all tumors and yielded 100% diagnosis in the biopsy cases. Technical limitations precluded its use in 2 of the 17 cases of tumor resection. In the remaining 15, it correctly predicted the residual tumor status in 13 cases (87%). A gross total resection was achieved overall in 12 cases (80%) with postoperative morbidity in only one case. Conclusions: IOUS is a useful tool to localize intracranial tumors and guide the resection reliably. Widespread use can improve its applicability and make it an effective intraoperative imaging tool in pediatric brain tumors.
Two types of VIP neuronal components in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons constitute a large group in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and it is thought that they are involved in the generation and entrainment of circadian rhythm. We have characterized these VIP‐expressing neurons in rat SCN by their ability to induce the mammalian Period1 (Per1) gene in response to light exposure, innervation of retinal afferents, day‐night variations in VIP mRNA, and coexpression of gastrin releasing peptide (GRP). VIP neurons in the ventrolateral SCN (SCNVL) were subdivided into two groups, light‐evoked Per1‐inducible main SCNVL (SCNVLmain) and non‐Per1‐inducible medially located SCNVL (SCNVLmed). Retinal innervation was abundant in the SCNVLmain but nearly absent in the SCNVLmed. Day‐night variation in VIP mRNA expression level was observed in the SCNVLmain but not in the SCNVLmed. GRP mRNA was seen in rarely SCNVLmed but abundant in SCNVLmain, where some neurons coexpressed VIP mRNA. These findings indicate that VIP neurons in the SCN can be divided into two topographically and functionally distinct groups. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.