Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The exon 3-deleted/full-length growth hormone receptor polymorphism did not influence growth response to growth hormone therapy over two years in prepubertal short children born at term with adequate weight and length for gestational age.

CONTEXT Consensus is lacking as to whether the exon 3-deleted (d3)/full-length (fl) GH receptor (GHR) polymorphism is associated with responsiveness to GH therapy. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate, in short, prepubertal, appropriate-for-gestational age (AGA) patients, 2-yr growth response to GH therapy (31.7+/-3.5 microg/kg.d) according to exon 3-deleted/full-length GHR genotypes. DESIGN We conducted a retrospective study. PATIENTS We studied 106 short AGA children, 58 boys and 48 girls, 7.8+/-2.3 yr, (d3/d3 n=18, d3/fl n=42, and fl/fl n=46). The GH response to two provocative stimuli were under 10 ng/ml in 65 and one or both over 10 ng/ml in 41 patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Patients were followed by a single clinical team and remained prepubertal during the study. The exon 3-deleted/full-length GHR genotypes were determined and analyzed in the same hospital. RESULTS Growth velocity significantly (P<0.0001) increased during the first and second years of therapy, as did height sd score (SDS). These increases were similar in each exon 3-deleted/full-length GHR genotype. Total 2-yr height gain (SDS) did not differ statistically among genotypes: 15.5+/-2.2 cm and 1.2+/-0.5 SDS in d3/d3, 15.9+/-2.0 cm and 1.3+/-0.4 SDS in d3/fl, and 15.4+/-2.1 cm and 1.1+/-0.3 SDS in fl/fl. No significant differences among the three genotypes were found in both sexes or in patients with different GH peak response to provocative stimuli for these parameters. An analysis of previously published studies was also performed. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm in AGA patients those previously found by us and others in small-for-gestational-age patients and suggest that neither sex nor GH peaks after provocative stimuli might influence significantly the responsiveness to GH therapy according to the exon 3-deleted/full-length GHR genotypes.
High frequency of human papillomavirus infection in carcinoma of the urinary bladder

Background and Methods. The prevalence of type 6, 11, 16, 18, and 33 human papillomavirus (HPV) was investigated with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on formalin‐fixed, paraffin wax‐embedded material, including 48 neoplastic and 21 normal urinary bladder specimens. The PCR‐amplified DNA were analyzed by gel electrophoresis and dot blot and Southern blot hybridization. Some tissues were tested further by nonisotopic in situ hybridization.
The “Black Turbinate” Sign: An Early MR Imaging Finding of Nasal Mucormycosis

SUMMARY: Rhinocerebral mucormycosis is a rare angioinvasive fungal infection that has a strong predilection for patients with poorly controlled diabetes and immunosuppression. Initial presenting symptoms are nonspecific and frequently are attributed to more mundane sinonasal and orbital pathologies. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for survival and minimizing neurologic sequelae. CT and MR imaging are often used in the diagnostic work-up; however, CT findings are nonspecific.
Epidemiological indicators of suicides in the Republic of Croatia

The aim of the study was to investigate possible shifts of the suicide rate during the last 15 years in the Republic of Croatia (1985-2000), the distribution of male and female suicides according to age and some other characteristics according to sex in the 1990-2000 period, and the distribution of male and female suicides during the war and post-war period. Data were collected from the Suicide Register of the Ministry of the Interior. According to the Register, 9987 suicides had been reported in 1990-2000. The suicide rates in the lost 15 years did not change as well as during the war and post-war period. The suicide rate was 19.26. The highest suicide rate was in the 15-30 age group and in those older than 65 years. The women were on average five years older than men. Hanging was the most frequent method of suicide (50%). Men used firearms and explosives more often than women. Medical problems were more often present among women than men, as opposed to alcoholism, which was more present among men. Almost 80% of the victims had previously verbally announced suicide. Prevention efforts should be focused on alcoholism, drug abuse, family crisis, reduction of firearms and explosives possession, and improvement of economic status among men, and toward previous suicide attempts, mental disorders and unemployment among women. Among both sex groups prevention must be directed toward the youth and the elderly and verbal suicide announcement must be seriously estimated.
Crosslinked PVA Nanofibers Reinforced with Cellulose Nanocrystals: Water Interactions and Thermomechanical Properties

Acid-catalyzed vapor phase esterification with maleic anhydride was used to improve the integrity and thermo-mechanical properties of fiber webs based on poly(vinyl alcohol), PVA. The fibers were produced by electrospinning PVA from aqueous disper- sions containing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The effect of esterification and CNC loading on the structure and solvent resistance of the electrospun fibers was investigated. Chemical characterization of the fibers (FTIR, NMR) indicated the formation of ester bonds between hydroxyl groups belonging to neighboring molecules. Thermomechanical properties after chemical modification were analyzed using thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. An 80% improve- ment in the ultimate strength was achieved for CNC-loaded, crosslinked PVA fiber webs measured at 90% air relative humidity. Besides the ultra-high surface area, the composite PVA fiber webs were water resistant and presented excellent mechanical properties. V C 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40334.
Strategies to re-express epigenetically silenced p15INK4b and p21WAF1 genes in acute myeloid leukemia

p15INK4B and p21WAF1 are TGF-β targets that are silenced in leukemia by epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation and/or histone modifications. Mechanisms for establishing and maintaining epigenetic silencing of p15INK4B and p21WAF1 are not well established. The reversible nature of epigenetic modifications has lead to the development of drugs that target DNA methyltransferases, histone deacetylases, and histone methyltransferases, which have been used to re-express aberrantly silenced genes in leukemia. Recently, non-coding RNA, referred to as natural antisense transcripts (NATs), have been implicated in the regulation of epigenetic modifications. Here, we review epigenetic mechanisms for silencing p15INK4B and p21WAF1 and the role of NATs in this process. We also review epigenetic drugs and drug combinations used to re-express p15INK4B and p21WAF1. Lastly, we discuss the potential use of NATs to target the activity of epigenetic drugs to specific genes and to permanently re-express epigenetically silenced genes.
Dendrimer-assisted controlled growth of carbon nanotubes for enhanced thermal interface conductance

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with systematically varied diameter distributions and defect densities were reproducibly grown from a modified catalyst structure templated in an amine-terminated fourth-generation poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer by microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Thermal interface resistances of the vertically oriented MWCNT arrays as determined by a photoacoustic technique reveal a strong correlation with the quality as assessed by Raman spectroscopy. This study contributes not only to the development of an active catalyst via a wet chemical route for structure-controlled MWCNT growth, but also to the development of efficient and low-cost MWCNT-based thermal interface materials with thermal interface resistances ≤10 mm2 K W−1.
Surgical Management of Coexisting Cataract and Glaucoma

Glaucoma and cataract are the two most common causes of vision loss in the elderly population. Cataract is the leading cause of reversible blindness in the world, whereas glaucoma is the leading cause of age-related irreversible vision loss. Because cataract is frequently observed in patients with glaucoma, patients with coexisting glaucoma and cataract face complex considerations in terms of their surgical management. Part of the complexity in treating concomitant glaucoma and cataract lies in the fact that treatment has changed with the advent of new medications and technology. For example, introduction of prostaglandins to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) has significantly decreased the need for glaucoma surgery, just as new glaucoma surgery techniques and devices are coming into clinical practice. With the advent of phacoemulsification and newer technologies such as laser lens extraction, as well as new foldable intraocular lenses, cataract surgery can be performed through smaller incisions compared with the era of extracapsular cataract extraction. Recent prospective randomized glaucoma clinical trials have reported significant findings affecting the management of glaucoma based on a better understanding of the outcomes of glaucoma treatment and diagnosis. These studies have also reported on the role of glaucoma treatment in the development of cataracts and the outcomes of cataract surgery in patients with underlying glaucoma. In addition, evidence-based medicine with its comprehensive searches of the literature and analysis of data quality in clinical trials has led to conclusions regarding treatment outcomes and recommendations. The presence of cataract can affect the ability to assess glaucoma progression, and cataract extraction affects the intraocular pressure and
East China Summer Rainfall Variability of 1958–2000: Dynamical Downscaling with a Variable-Resolution AGCM

Abstract A variable-grid atmospheric general circulation model, namely, Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique-zoom, version 4 (LMDz4), with a local zoom over eastern China, is driven by 40-yr European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data and is used as a downscaling tool of summer rainfall variability for the period 1958–2000. During the integration, the model temperature and wind were nudged to the ERA-40 data through a relaxation procedure. The performance of the LMDz4 in simulating the regional rainfall features is thoroughly assessed through a comparison to both rain gauge data and the reanalysis product. The dynamical downscaling improves not only the climatology of the monsoon major rainband but also the interannual variability modes of rainfall over eastern China in comparison with that of the ERA-40 data. The added values of LMDz4 are evident in both the spatial patterns of dominant rainfall variability modes and the associated temporal variations. A comparis.
Laryngeal mask airway indications: new frontiers for second-generation supraglottic airways

Purpose of review Because of the many advantages of supraglottic airways (SGA) compared to mask ventilation and endotracheal intubation, their areas of application are constantly expanding. The development of second-generation SGAs in particular has led to a widening of the indications for use thanks to the improved oropharyngeal leak pressure and the possibility of inserting a gastric tube. The identification of possible malpositions and any increased ventilation requirements using simple clinical tests must be given particular emphasis. The question of patient safety for expanded indications has to be evaluated. Recent findings The review describes the evolution of these devices in detail with an analysis of the increased range of possible uses for prolonged application periods, minor laparoscopic procedures, obese patients, surgery in the prone position, and caesarean sections. Summary The use of second-generation SGA for expanded indications seems useful and safe, provided the contraindications are heeded, the placement and performance tests are successfully completed and there is adequate clinical expertise.
Violence exposure among school-age children in foster care: relationship to distress symptoms.

OBJECTIVE To describe the amount and nature of violence exposure and examine the relationship between violence exposure and distress symptoms among children in foster care. METHOD Violence exposure and distress symptoms were evaluated in interviews, conducted between July 1996 and March 1998, of 300 children from Los Angeles County living in out-of-home placement. RESULTS Interviews were successfully completed in 91% of eligible children. The majority of children (85%) reported having been a witness to violence, and 51% had been a victim of violence during their lifetime. Of these youths, 54% and 41%, respectively, reported having been exposed to such violence in the past 6 months. Girls, victims of assaultive violence and weapon related violence, and those reporting exposure to mild violence were more likely (p < .05) to have higher levels of distress symptoms than those without such characteristics, after age was controlled for. CONCLUSIONS Children in foster care continue to have high levels of violence exposure, even after removal from their biological parents' home. The relationship between violence exposure and distress symptoms underscores the need for clinicians to inquire about multiple forms of violence exposure among children living in out-of-home placement.
Catalytic activities of cytochrome P450 enzymes and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases involved in drug metabolism in rat everted sacs and intestinal microsomes

1. The use of everted sacs of the small intestine as an enzyme source for studying the metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450 (P450, CYP) enzymes and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases has been investigated. 2. Most of the drug oxidation activities for testosterone, bufuralol, ethoxyresorufin and 7-ethoxycoumarin resided in the upper part of the everted sacs and in intestinal microsomes. Testosterone 6 β -hydroxylase activities in the everted sacs were about two times higher than those in the intestinal microsomes. By freezing and thawing treatment, the testosterone 6 β - and 16 α -hydroxylase activities of the everted sacs were considerably decreased, and those of the intestinal microsomes were abolished. 3. Microsomal testosterone 6 β -hydroxylation, bufuralol 1'-hydroxylation, and pentoxyresorufin and ethoxyresorufin O -dealkylation were inhibited by ketoconazole, quinine, metyrapone and α -naphthoflavone respectively. Immunoreactive proteins using anti-CYP2B1 and anti-CYP3A2 antibodies were detected in the upper and middle parts of the rat small intestine. 4. Except for morphine 3-glucuronidation, glucuronidation activities in intestinal microsomes or everted sacs were not dependent on the intestinal region. The lower part of the everted sacs exhibited about 10 times higher morphine-3-glucuronidation activities compared with those of the upper part. The glucuronidation activities of 4-nitrophenol in the everted sacs were 10 times higher than those in microsomes. 5. These results demonstrated that the upper part of rat small intestine serves as the major site for intestinal P450-mediated first-pass metabolism. CYP3A enzymes in rat intestinal microsomes may not be stable but probably play an important role in drug oxidations. The high activity of glucuronidation in the rat small intestine should also be considered in terms of drug metabolism.
Impact of ductal carcinoma in situ terminology on patient treatment preferences.

Impact of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Terminology on Patient Treatment Preferences Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is a preinvasive malignancy of the breast and is diagnosed in more than 50 000 women a year in the United States. It is treated with either mastectomy or lumpectomy, often combined with radiation therapy.1 In cases of low-grade DCIS, studies suggest that if progression occurs, it does so within a time frame of 5 to 40 years2 and possibly in only 20% of DCIS cases.3 This raises the possibility that some cases of DCIS will follow an indolent course that will not attain clinical significance during the patient’s lifetime. Accordingly, watchful waiting has been proposed as a reasonable option for DCIS,4 akin to what is currently offered for patients with early stage prostate cancer; however, how to implement such a strategy is unclear. Many women are unable to distinguish between preinvasive and invasive cancer and often overestimate the implications of a DCIS diagnosis.5 These misperceptions may drive patients’ willingness for invasive treatments. Health care providers’ communication with their patients about DCIS plays an important role in patients understanding the risks of their diagnosis. Terms such as carcinoma, stage-0 cancer, and noninvasive cancer are commonly used to describe DCIS and may further contribute to the confusion engendered in many patients.6 Given the inconsistent terminology used for DCIS, we hypothesized that when DCIS is described without the term cancer, women would be more likely to opt for noninvasive approaches such as medication or watchful waiting in place of surgery.
N-Terminal Pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations After Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Relationship With Hematoma Size, Hyponatremia, and Intracranial Pressure

Introduction: The role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH) is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the secretion pattern of NT-proBNP in patients with HICH and to assess its relationship with hematoma size, hyponatremia, and intracranial pressure (ICP). Methods: This prospective study enrolled 147 isolated patients with HICH. Blood samples were obtained from each patient, and values of serum NT-proBNP, hematoma size, blood sodium, and ICP were collected for each patient. Results: The peak-to-mean concentration of NT-proBNP was 666.8 ± 355.1 pg/mL observed on day 4. The NT-proBNP levels in patients with hematoma volume >30 mL were significantly higher than those in patients with hematoma volume <30 mL (P < .05). In patients with severe HICH, the mean concentration of NT-proBNP was statistically higher than that in patients with mild–moderate HICH (P < .05), and the mean level of NT-proBNP in hyponatremia group was significantly higher than that in normonatremic group (P < .05). In addition, the linear regression analysis indicated that serum NT-proBNP concentrations were positively correlated with ICP (r = .703, P < .05) but negatively with blood sodium levels only in patients with severe HICH (r = −.704, P < .05). The serum NT-proBNP levels on day 4 after admission were positively correlated with hematoma size (r = .702, P < .05). Conclusion: The NT-proBNP concentrations were elevated progressively and markedly at least in the first 4 days after HICH and reached a peak level on the fourth day. The NT-proBNP levels on day 4 were positively correlated with hematoma size. There was a notable positive correlation between plasma NT-proBNP levels and ICP in patients with severe HICH. Furthermore, only in patients with severe HICH, the plasma NT-proBNP levels presented a significant correlation with hyponatremia, which did not occur in patients with mild–moderate HICH.
Trade, Agglomeration Effects, and Labor Markets: Theory and Evidence

We develop a generalized spatial competitive model with agglomeration effects and labor mobility across markets -regions and sectors-. In this environment, we characterize the key elasticities that fully determine the differential and aggregate impact of trade and other shocks on local labor markets. We show that our setup yields equivalent counterfactuals to a large class of neoclassical trade, new trade theory, new economic geography, and Roy assignment spatial models. To identify these key elasticities, we propose an empirical methodology that relies on the general equilibrium impact of exogenous trade cost shocks on trade and labor outcomes across local labor markets. We show that this methodology yields the most ecient estimator of the structural elasticities. We finally apply this estimator with disaggregated regional trade data to measure the impact of trade shocks on US local labor markets.
Posttraumatic Stress in Mothers While Their Preterm Infants Are in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit: A Mixed Research Synthesis

In this mixed research synthesis on posttraumatic stress in mothers related to their preterm infants' stay in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU), we synthesized and integrated a total of 37 studies, 25 of which were quantitative and 12 were qualitative studies. The prevalence rates of NICU mothers with elevated posttraumatic stress symptoms ranged from 18% in the United States to 81% in Turkey. Nine of the 12 studies testing interventions to decrease mothers' stress related to their NICU experiences reported significant results. Content analysis of the qualitative studies' findings revealed 5 themes: stark contrast to images of joyous motherhood, cultural overlay, issues of ownership and control, support, and learning to be a NICU mother.
Use of Religion: An Effective Method of Coping among Chinese Patients with Cancer

Religion and/or spirituality (R/S) plays a variety of important and inter-related roles for most advanced cancer patients. It has confirmed that religious involvement helps the patients to ease stress and provides individuals with positive coping strategies. However, much less attention has been given to how religion has been used to cope with cancer in China. The aim of this study was to explore the self-adjustment and experiences of religious coping among Chinese patients with cancer. A qualitative descriptive approach was chosen for this investigation. 16 Chinese patients with cancer were recruited from 4 hospitals in Tai’an, Shandong, China from April 2013 to October 2013 and completed 0.5 - 1 hour of in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed by modification of Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Three themes were derived from the experiences of the participants: 1) self-adjustment including cognitive adjustment, faith adjustment and behavior adjustment; 2) the experience of religion coping with the cancer patients including emotional, physical and social aspect; 3) hope and power including the hope to heal, to survive from cancer, and to live longer, the cure, the spiritual supporter and the helper. The use of religion is an effective method for patients coping with cancer. Cancer patients use religion to obtain physiological, psychological, and spiritual comfort. Such knowledge is imperative for evidence-based nursing practice. As point of care providers, staff nurses are well poised to design systems and processes to accomplish the goals of providing excellent nursing care, which is reflective of a holistic and multicultural environment.
1.3-W ripple-free superluminescent diode

This letter presents the experimental characterization of tapered and stripe superluminescent diodes fabricated from 980-nm high-power triple quantum-well InGaAs-AlGaAs semiconductor material. Record output powers in excess of 1.3 W pulsed have been measured, with 0.1-dB spectral modulation and maximum wall-plug efficiency 16%. Almost 1-W optical power into multimode optical fibers has been achieved with preliminary measurements of coupling efficiency.
OCean surface current measurements using HF radar during the 2011 Japan tsunami hitting Chilean coast

One of the oceanographic high-frequency (HF) radar systems is located in Chile. The radar was in operation when the 2011 Japan tsunami waves hit the Chilean coast after propagating throughout the Pacific Ocean. The unique chance to observe a natural tsunami event using an HF radar showed that such radars are capable to measure tsunami surface current velocity. Large deviations in ocean current measurements were observed by the radar system. The tsunami wave train was clearly seen in radar measurements and it was compared with water level measurements by the tide gauge. The tsunami wave periodicity was estimated for both types of measurement data. It showed agreement estimating two different tsunami wave periods.