Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of uveal melanoma therapy on patients' quality of life: a psychological study.

PURPOSE The objective of this study ws to describe the quality of life of 98 patients treated with brachytherapy or stereotactic external beam irradiation, either with the Leksell Gamma Knife or a 6-MV LINAC. METHODS The EORTC QLQ-C30 and the EORTC QLQ-OPT37 psychological questionnaires and the HADS-D scale were used. Two visual analogue scales (VASs) were applied to compare overall quality of life before and after treatment. RESULTS The results revealed no significant differences in quality of life (p=0.215) among treatments with different methods of radiotherapy. Comparison of quality of life before and after therapy did, however, indicate a decrease in quality of following radiotherapy. The average binocular visual acuity (VA) was 0.8 (range 0.3-1). Complication arising from the treatment included a reduction in VA in the affected eye, keratitis, cataract, scleral and corneal necrosis, radiation retinopathy, radiation optic neuropathy, retinal detachment and glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS Due to the diagnosis revealed and the subsequent radiotherapy, patients with uveal melanoma experienced a reduced quality of life. However, compared to patients with other types of cancer, they seemed to feel relatively well and showed fewer signs of deterioration.
Hyperfibrinolysis and the risk of hemorrhage in stable cirrhotic patients

Abstract Background: Bleeding is an important complication of cirrhosis. Currently, there is no coagulation test that can reliably predict clinical hemorrhage. However, previous studies demonstrated significant correlations between hyperfibrinolysis and following bleeding in advanced cirrhotic patients. Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of hyperfibrinolysis in cirrhotic patients at stable conditions and to assess its role in predicting subsequent hemorrhage. Methods: The prospective cohort study included 58 consecutive cirrhotic patients at the Liver Clinic, Chulalongkorn Hospital. Assays for liver functions, PT, APTT, fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were performed at baseline. The subjects were followed-up for 10 months to observe clinical hemorrhage and survival. Results: The mean age was 56.4 years and 47% were male. The etiologies of liver diseases were virus (62.1%), alcohol (24.1%) or unknown (8.6%). Hyperfibrinolysis as reflected by ELT<120 minutes or FDPs>10 μg/mL was present in 32.8% and 74.1%, respectively. Fibrinolytic activity was significantly correlated with platelet counts and coagulation times, but not as much with liver function tests. By 10 months, 13 cases (22.4%) showed hemorrhagic episodes and 7 (12.1%) were expired, including 2 from bleeding. The significant predictors for death were Child class B or C, presence of ascites, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and prolonged APTT. However, none of the clinical, biochemical, or hemostatic factors was associated with clinical bleeding. Conclusion: Hyperfibrinolysis is common in cirrhotic outpatients. However, it cannot predict subsequent hemorrhage or survival. Novel hemostatic tests are required to assess the probability of bleeding in this disorder.
Iatrogenic and toxic myopathies

There has been increasing awareness of the adverse effects of therapeutic agents and exogenous toxins on the structure and function of muscle. The resulting clinical syndrome varies from one characterized by muscle pain to profound myalgia, paralysis, and myoglobinuria. Because toxic myopathies are potentially reversible, their prompt recognition may reduce their damaging effects or prevent a fatal outcome. Interest in the toxic myopathies, however, derives not only from their clinical importance but also from the fact that they serve as useful experimental models in muscle research. Morphological and biochemical studies have increased our understanding of the basic cellular mechanisms of myotoxicity. Toxins may produce, for instance, necrotizing, lysosomal‐related, inflammatory, anti‐microtubular, mitochondrial, hypokalemia‐related, or protein synthesis–related muscle damage. Muscle Nerve 27: 142–156 2003
Immediately loaded platform-switched implants in the anterior mandible with fixed prostheses: a randomized, split-mouth, masked prospective trial.

BACKGROUND Platform-switched implants have been demonstrated to maintain marginal bone-level stability after immediate loading. The present study evaluated crestal bone loss and soft tissue stability around ANKYLOS plus® implants (A-implants) and Certain® PREVAIL(TM) (B-implants). MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients were identified to receive three A- or three B-implants on each side of their mandibles, with randomization. All implants were loaded immediately after their insertion and splinted with a cemented provisional prosthesis. Final prostheses were delivered 3 months after implantation. Peri-implant crestal bone loss, gingival recession, and other soft tissue changes were evaluated throughout a 2-year follow-up. RESULTS A total of one hundred seven implants were placed in 18 patients. Two of the group A-implants and one group B-implant failed. At the final 24-month assessment, bone loss of at least 2 mm (mesially or distally) was recorded at 5 of the 44 surviving A-implants (11%) and 33 of the 47 B-implants (70%), a success rate of 88.63% for the A- and 29.78% for the B-implants. CONCLUSIONS Significant changes in the level of the crestal bone loss around immediately loaded platform-switched dental implants seem to be related to the platform shape and size, as well as the implant-abutment connection, when abutments are not removed.
Study of an Electro-Optic Polymer Modulator

In order to characterize electro-optic polymer modulators, a full-vectorial finite-difference mode solver has been developed to solve Maxwell's equation for an optical waveguide, and a finite-element method has been employed to analyze a microwave electrode. A systematic and detailed discussion has been presented to describe and design a modulator about performance parameters: <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$V_{\pi}L,\Delta fL, N_{m}, \alpha_{c}$</tex></formula>, and <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex Notation="TeX">$z_{c}$</tex></formula> with all the necessary design parameters: optical waveguide (width and height), electrode (width and height), and thickness of cladding layer. We can see that most of the results are interesting, even very different from general opinions, for example, one can observe that <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">$V_{\pi}L$</tex></formula> is not always reduced with an increased width of optical waveguide. These will be helpful for an optimized design of a modulator.
Isolation of various forms of sterol β‐d‐glucoside from the seed of Cycas circinalis: neurotoxicity and implications for ALS‐parkinsonism dementia complex

The factors responsible for ALS‐parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS‐PDC), the unique neurological disorder of Guam, remain unresolved, but identification of causal factors could lead to clues for related neurodegenerative disorders elsewhere. Earlier studies focused on the consumption and toxicity of the seed of Cycas circinalis, a traditional staple of the indigenous diet, but found no convincing evidence for toxin‐linked neurodegeneration. We have reassessed the issue in a series of in vitro bioassays designed to isolate non‐water soluble compounds from washed cycad flour and have identified three sterol β‐d‐glucosides as potential neurotoxins. These compounds give depolarizing field potentials in cortical slices, induce alterations in the activity of specific protein kinases, and cause release of glutamate. They are also highly toxic, leading to release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Theaglycone form, however, is non‐toxic. NMDA receptor antagonists block the actions of the sterol glucosides, but do not compete for binding to the NMDA receptor. The most probable mechanism leading to cell death may involve glutamate neuro/excitotoxicity. Mice fed cycad seed flour containing the isolated sterol glucosides show behavioral and neuropathological outcomes, including increased TdT‐mediated biotin–dUTP nick‐end labelling (TUNEL) positivity in various CNS regions. Astrocytes in culture showed increased caspase‐3 labeling after exposure to sterol glucosides. The present results support the hypothesis that cycad consumption may be an important factor in the etiology of ALS‐PDC and further suggest that some sterol glucosides may be involved in other neurodegenerative disorders.
Impact of Model, Methodological, and Parameter Uncertainty in the Economic Analysis of Vaccination Programs

Guidelines for economic evaluations insist that the sensitivity of model results to alternative parameter values should be thoroughly explored. However, differences in model construction and analytical choices (such as the choice of a cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit framework) also introduce uncertainty in results, though these are rarely subjected to a thorough sensitivity analysis. In this article, the authors quantify the effect of model, methodological, and parameter uncertainty, taking varicella vaccination as an example. They used 3 different models (a static model, a dynamic model that only looks at the effect of vaccination on varicella, and a dynamic model that also assesses the implications of vaccination for zoster epidemiology) and 2 forms of analysis (cost-benefit and cost-utility). They also varied the discount rate and time frame of analysis. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate the impact of parameter uncertainty. In their example, model and methodological choice had a profound effect on estimated cost-effectiveness, but parameter uncertainty played a relatively minor role. Under cost-utility analysis, the probabilistic sensitivity analysis suggested that there was a near certainty that vaccination dominates no vaccination, or the other way around, depending on model choice and perspective. Under cost-benefit analysis, vaccination always appeared to be attractive. Thus, the authors clearly show that model and methodological assumptions can have greater impact on results than parameter estimates, although sensitivity analyses are rarely performed on these sources of uncertainty.
Determinants of neonatal mortality at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND More than 10 million under five children die each year of preventable and easily treatable conditions in developing countries. Of these, eight million are infants, half of whom are newborns in their first month of life. A high proportion of babies die in their first month of life, many of them during their first week. The objective of this study is to assess sociodemographic and other determinants of neonatal mortality in Wesley Guild Hospital (WGH), Ilesa, Nigeria. METHODS This is a record review of 235 neonatal deaths reported at WGH from January 01 2001 to December 31 2003. Similarly, records of equal number of neonates (235) admitted to the same hospital during the same period but who were discharged alive was also reviewed for comparison. Four hundred and seventy records were reviewed. The two groups were matched for age, sex and within a 7-day period of admission. Information was collected with the aid of predesigned schedule from the patients' case notes, death registers and discharge summaries in the Records Department of the hospital. Information collected included the bio-data of the mothers, birth weight of neonates, estimated gestational age at delivery, age at death or discharge, date of admission, duration of the illness and date of discharge. Others included mode and place of delivery, maternal booking status and complications of pregnancy and birth. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics by computer software, Epi-Info 2002. RESULTS Teenage pregnancy, low birth weights (LBW), prematurity and neonatal tetanus were positively associated with neonatal death. Unbooked mothers, deliveries at missions and homes and low socioeconomic status were also positively associated with neonatal death (P < 0.05 in all cases). There was no statistically significant association between the sex of neonate, parity of mother and complications in pregnancy with neonatal death (P > 0.05 in all cases). CONCLUSION The major determinants of neonatal deaths were teenage pregnancy, prematurity, LBW, poverty and lack of skilled attendance at delivery. Addressing the basic determinants of neonatal mortality will improve newborn survival and health and this will significantly reduce mortality among under five children in developing countries.
Optimal Parameters for Pulmonary Particle Deposition as Function of Age

Background: As a result of dissimilarity in lung morphometry and physiological conditions, therapeutic aerosol particles deposit differently in humans of various ages and body weights. Recently, clinical findings observed low inter- and intra- patient reliability in dosing, suggesting that a single aerosol device and particle size distribution is ineffective. Methods: This work conducts a formal optimization study to determine the optimal particle size distribution for maximum drug delivery for a 2, 9 and 21 year old individual over a range of breath rates. The work also explores the optimal particle size distribution for the therapeutic aerosol to provide the same dose volume regardless of breath rate. This study utilizes classical, static statistical, probabilistic models in conjunction with lung cast data to calculate deposition and imparts population variation within normal distributions. Results: This study finds that both optimal particle size for maximum volume weighted deposition efficiencies are age/weight dependent as well as breath rate dependent. A monodisperse particle size is obtained even when a polydisperse spray is allowed for optimization when investigating a single condition (i.e., age or flow rate). The optimal particle size increases from 2 to 5 m for toddler to adults, while the optimal size decreases from 5 to 3 m for a 21 year old adult with a flow rate increasing from 13 to 60 L/min. Optimizing the particle size distribution for reliable dosing of a 21 year old adult was dependent on the minimum dose volume constraint applied. As the dose volume constraint increased from 0.1% to 5% a single peak at 0.5 micron was replace by a bimodal distribution and the mean size grew.
Hyperuricemic syndromes in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Tumor lysis syndrome is a challenging complication of cancer therapy. This review focuses on the risk factors and pathologies of patients at risk for hyperuricemic complications. METHODS A review of the literature was performed that included original articles and related reviews from MEDLINE (PubMed) and published abstracts of meeting presentations. RESULTS Both host-related and tumor-related factors predispose cancer patients to hyperuricemic syndromes. Host-related factors include low urinary flow, pre-existing hyperuricemia, renal failure, dehydration, acidic urine, and suppressed renal uric acid excretion. Tumor-related risk factors include a high tumor cell proliferation rate, large tumor burden, and tumor chemosensitivity. Acute renal failure may occur after cytoreductive chemotherapy in patients with active disease and a high tumor burden. Patients with advanced Burkitt's leukemia/lymphoma, high-grade lymphoma, or acute leukemia with elevated leukocyte counts are at high risk for complications of hyperuricemia. The use of nonrecombinant (uricozyme) or recombinant urate oxidase to prevent or treat urate nephropathy may improve the outcome of patients. CONCLUSION Early recognition of metabolic abnormalities in cancer patients at risk for hyperuricemia is essential for proper therapy. Prospective studies to assess the incidence of and risk factors for hyperuricemic syndromes in patients treated with uricolytic agents are needed.
Effect of physical and chemical mutagens on biopolmer producing strains and RAPD analysis of mutated strains

Mutation (Latin mutare means to change) refers to any heritable change in nucleotide sequence of a gene of the organisms irrespective of altered pheno typic expression of characters of the organisms. Strain improvement can be carried out by physical, such as gamma-rays, x-rays and ultraviolet irradiation, and chemical, such as ethyl methane sulphonate(EMS) and nitroao-methyl guanidine (NTG). The best mutagen and conditions for its use are not identical for all organisms and can only be found by trial and error.The efficiency of alkylating mutagen treated bacterial isolates showed effective reactions depending on the duration of exposure. EMS mainly added the ethyl group to numerous positions on bases of DNA. Out of 20 primers screened, primer A9 was selected on the basis of robustness of amplification, reproducibility, scorability of banding patterns and was employed for diversity analysis. The primer yielded both intense as well as faint bands, and were scored for calculating similarity index values, so as to maximize the number of scorable characters. On the basis of the results obtained, all the four cultures namely, P.putida, B.megterium, E.coli and R.eutropha have higher activity on duration of exposure to UV light. When the period of exposure is for longer duration less will be the survival of the specific cells and all the mutant forms which has the ability to survive alone will remain forever. Similar results were found the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), a PCR based method which could be used to distinguish strains within a species. Data analysis using bioprofile ID software revealed a variable similarity index between the native isolates and their respective mutants. This clearly illustrates that mutation had occurred in U.V treated and EMS treated isolates. Genetic analysis for identifying mutation using the primer A9 revealed a moderate genetic variability proving mutation.
Follicular and Hurthle cell carcinomas of the thyroid: a comparative study.

University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center cases filed as Hurthle cell and follicular carcinoma were reviewed. Requirements for including a case in the study were that the diagnosis of Hurthle cell or follicular carcinoma be confirmed, that histologic material and clinical information be adequate, and that there be at least 9 years of follow-up. The study group included 18 cases of Hurthle cell carcinoma and 33 cases of follicular carcinoma. Ten of the Hurthle cell carcinomas had extrathyroid invasion, three had intrathyroid invasion, and five were encapsulated (i.e., they had intracapsular invasion only). In the follicular carcinoma group, 5 tumors had extrathyroid invasion, 14 had intrathyroid invasion, and 14 were encapsulated. When the cases were stratified according to extent of invasion in this manner, there was no statistically significant difference in rate of local recurrence, rate of metastasis (either regional lymph node or distant), or patient survival between Hurthle cell carcinoma and follicular carcinoma. Other variables including patient age and sex, treatment differences, tumor size, vascular invasion, predominant growth pattern (follicular versus solid-trabecular), nuclear size and pleomorphism, mitotic rate, and tumor necrosis did not provide significant additional prognostic information. Metastases of both Hurthle cell and follicular carcinoma were mostly distant and predominantly involved bone and lung. Behavioral differences between Hurthle cell and follicular carcinoma that were not statistically significant included a higher rate of local recurrence in Hurthle cell carcinoma with intrathyroid invasion, more frequent occurrence of regional lymph node metastasis in Hurthle cell carcinoma with extrathyroid invasion, and absence of distant metastasis and death caused by tumor in encapsulated Hurthle cell carcinoma. Five follicular carcinomas and one Hurthle cell carcinoma appeared to have arisen within an adenoma.
Genomic and Proteomic Pathophysiology of Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma

PEX stems from a pathologic elastotic process involving the cross-linking gene lysyl oxidase-like-1 (LOXL1), and is associated with abnormal formation of elastic extracellular matrix. We previously described a protein sink model to explain PEX material deposition on the lens capsule and other intraocular surfaces. Recent research findings not only provide evidence to support this hypothesis, but also further our understanding of the fundamental disease process. A key aspect of the pathogenic process is the compromise of blood-aqueous barrier integrity in PEXG. Decreased level of LOXL1 is associated with decreased elastin incorporation into elastic tissues, including the elastic lamina of blood vessels. This results in unincorporated elastin that is released as soluble elastin, and leakage of serum proteins, inflammatory cytokines, and extracellular matrix components into aqueous humor. This ultimately leads to aggregation and precipitation of large protein complexes, or PEX material, throughout intraocular surfaces as described in the protein sink model. The pathologic PEX process also affects the biomechanical properties of elastic tissues, such as the trabecular meshwork, lens zonules, and lamina cribrosa. This may be part of the primary pathologic process with intrinsically altered extracellular matrix proteins. This fundamental change in the structural composition of these tissues may alter their rigidity, elasticity, and other biomechanical properties. This likely contributes to increased trabecular meshwork outflow resistance and high intraocular pressure, and mechanical injury to retinal ganglion cell axons at the lamina cribrosa, which are conducive to glaucoma. These pathophysiologic processes combined may underlie some of the clinical hallmarks observed in PEXG.
Duration of tick attachment and Borrelia burgdorferi transmission

Nymphal Ixodes dammini transmitted Borrelia burgdorferi to 1 of 14 rodents exposed for 24 h, 5 of 14 rodents exposed for 48 h, and 13 of 14 rodents exposed for greater than or equal to 72 h. Prompt removal of attached ticks is a prudent public health measure, especially in regions where Lyme disease is endemic.
Predicting proliferative vitreoretinopathy: temporal and external validation of models based on genetic and clinical variables

Purpose To validate three models for predicting proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) based on the analysis of genotypic data and relevant clinical characteristics. Methods The validation series consisted of data from 546 patients operated on from primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) coming from centres in the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK. Temporal and geographical validation was performed. The discrimination capability of each model was analysed and compared with the original series, using a receiver operating curve. Then, clinical variables were combined in order to improve the predictive capability. A risk reclassification analysis was performed with and without each one of the variables. Reclassification of patients was compared and models were readjusted in the original series. Readjusted models were further validated. Results One of the models showed good predictability in the temporal sample as well as in the original series (area under the curve (AUC) original=0.7352; AUC temporal=0.6457, 95% CI 50.17 to 78.97). When clinical variables were included, only pre-existent PVR improves the predictability of this model in the validation series (temporal and geographical samples) (AUC original=0.7940 vs AUC temporal=0.7744 and AUC geographical=0.7152). The other models showed acceptable AUC values when clinical variables were included although they were less accurate than in the original series. Conclusions Genetic profiling of patients with RRD can improve the predictability of PVR in addition to the well-known clinical biomarkers. This validated formula could be a new tool in our current clinical practice in order to identify those patients at high risk of developing PVR.