Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endoscopically assisted balloon dacryocystoplasty and silicone intubation versus silicone intubation alone in adults.

PURPOSE To compare the success rate of endoscopically assisted balloon dacryocystoplasty (DCP) and silicone intubation (DCP-SI) with endoscopically assisted silicone intubation alone (SI) in adults with incomplete nasolacrimal duct (NLD) obstruction. METHODS. In a retrospective nonrandomized comparative case series, 62 eyes of 55 adult patients with incomplete NLD obstruction underwent endoscopic probing and either SI (n=39 eyes) or DCP-SI (n=23 eyes) under general anesthesia. The last follow-up examination included diagnostic probing and irrigation if there was not success. Success was defined as disappearance of the symptoms and failure as partial improvement or absence of improvement at last follow-up. RESULTS Patients ranged from 20 to 85 years of age (mean: 60.93, SD: 15.60). Tubes were removed between 6 and 20 weeks (mean: 7.49, SD: 2.25) postoperatively. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 63 months (mean: 14.60, SD: 10.33). Success rate of the eyes with SI (21/39, 53.84%) and DCP-SI (14/23, 60.86%) were not statistically different (p=0.60). Complications included slight nasal and canalicular bleeding in almost all eyes in both groups which was easily controlled, slit punctum in four eyes with bicanalicular intubation (4/50, 8%), and monocanalicular tube lost in three eyes prematurely. CONCLUSIONS Success rate of endoscopic DCP-SI had no statistically significant difference from silicone intubation alone in treatment of incomplete NLD obstruction in adults.
Runx transcription factors: Lineage‐specific regulators of neuronal precursor cell proliferation and post‐mitotic neuron subtype development

runt‐related (RUNX) genes encode evolutionarily conserved transcription factors that play essential roles during development and adult tissue homeostasis. RUNX proteins regulate the transition from proliferation to differentiation in a variety of cell lineages. Moreover, they control the diversification of distinct cellular phenotypes in numerous tissues. Alterations of RUNX functions are associated with several cancers and other human pathologies, underscoring the vital roles of these transcription factors in adult organs. Insights into the functions and regulations of mammalian RUNX proteins have been provided mostly by studies of RUNX involvement in mechanisms of hematopoietic and skeletal development and disease. A growing number of recent investigations are revealing new functions for RUNX family members during the development of the mammalian nervous system. This review will discuss recent progress in the study of RUNX protein involvement in mammalian neural development, with emphasis on the differentiation of olfactory, sensory, and motor neuron lineages. J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 1063–1072, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
News media, social media, and hyperlink networks: An examination of integrated media effects

ABSTRACT Research typically focuses on one medium. But in today's digital media environment, people use and are influenced by their experience with multiple systems. Building on media ecology research, we introduce the notion of integrated media effects. We draw on resource dependence and homophily theories to analyze the mechanisms that connect media systems. To test the integrated media effects, we examine the relationships between news media visibility and social media visibility and hyperlinking patterns among 410 nongovernmental organization (NGO) websites in China. NGOs with greater news media visibility and more social media followers receive significantly more hyperlinks. Further, NGOs with a similar number of social media followers prefer to hyperlink to each other. The results suggest that both news media and social media systems are related to the configuration of hyperlink networks, providing support for the integrated media effects described. Implications for the study of hyperlink networks, online behaviors of organizations, and public relations are drawn from the results.
Inverse modulation of IL‐10 and IL‐12 in the blood of women with preneoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix

It has been postulated that an impaired immune response may contribute to the progression of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated preneoplastic lesions. Based on this hypothesis, we evaluated the cytokine production in the blood of patients with squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) of the uterine cervix. The levels of type‐1 (interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) and IL‐12) and type‐2 (IL‐4 and IL‐10) cytokines were measured in whole blood culture supernatants of patients with low‐ and high‐grade SIL and control women. There was no difference in IL‐4 and IFN‐γ levels between patients with SIL and the control group. In contrast, the ratio of IL‐12/IL‐10 levels was significantly lower in patients with SIL compared with the control group. A lower IL‐12/IL‐10 ratio in women with SIL was also observed when peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants and plasma samples were analysed. In patients, neither the lower expression of the CD3ε chain nor the higher frequency of HLA‐DRB1*1501 expression could be correlated with abnormal cytokine production. These results suggest that a part of the cytokine network, namely IL‐10 and IL‐12, is perturbed in patients with SIL. A better knowledge of the role of these cytokines in regulating the growth of HPV‐associated SIL might have practical implications for the development of vaccines or immunomodulatory strategies in the treatment of cervical cancers.
Commentary: Health Review Committee

Epidemiologic work conducted over several decades has suggested that long-term residence in cities with elevated ambient levels of air pollution from combustion sources is associated with increased mortality. Subsequently, two prospective cohort studies, the Six Cities Study (as reported in Dockery et al., 1993) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) Study (as reported in Pope et al., 1995), estimated that annual average all-cause mortality increased in association with an increase in fine particles (all particles less than 2.5 µm in median aerodynamic diameter [PM2.5]). As part of the Six Cities Study, Dockery and colleagues (1993) had prospectively followed a cohort of 8111 adult subjects in the northeastern and midwestern United States for 14 to 16 years beginning in the mid-1970s. The authors found that higher ambient levels of fine particles and sulfate (SO ) were associated with a 26% increase in mortality from all causes when comparing the most polluted to the least polluted city and that an increase in fine particles was also associated with increased mortality from cardiopulmonary disease. The relative risks in all-cause mortality were associated with a difference (or range) in ambient fine particle concentrations of 18.6 µg/m 3 and a difference of ambient sulfate concentrations of 8.0 µg/m 3 , comparing the least polluted city to the most polluted city.
Accuracy of a separating foil impression using a novel polyolefin foil compared to a custom tray and a stock tray technique

PURPOSE To compare the dimensional accuracy of three impression techniques- a separating foil impression, a custom tray impression, and a stock tray impression. MATERIALS AND METHODS A machined mandibular complete-arch metal model with special modifications served as a master cast. Three different impression techniques (n = 6 in each group) were performed with addition-cured silicon materials: i) putty-wash technique with a prefabricated metal tray (MET) using putty and regular body, ii) single-phase impression with custom tray (CUS) using regular body material, and iii) two-stage technique with stock metal tray (SEP) using putty with a separating foil and regular body material. All impressions were poured with epoxy resin. Six different distances (four intra-abutment and two inter-abutment distances) were gauged on the metal master model and on the casts with a microscope in combination with calibrated measuring software. The differences of the evaluated distances between the reference and the three test groups were calculated and expressed as mean (± SD). Additionally, the 95% confidence intervals were calculated and significant differences between the experimental groups were assumed when confidence intervals did not overlap. RESULTS Dimensional changes compared to reference values varied between -74.01 and 32.57 µm (MET), -78.86 and 30.84 (CUS), and between -92.20 and 30.98 (SEP). For the intra-abutment distances, no significant differences among the experimental groups were detected. CUS showed a significantly higher dimensional accuracy for the inter-abutment distances with -0.02 and -0.08 percentage deviation compared to MET and SEP. CONCLUSION The separation foil technique is a simple alternative to the custom tray technique for single tooth restorations, while limitations may exist for extended restorations with multiple abutment teeth.
Fam60a defines a variant Sin3a‐Hdac complex in embryonic stem cells required for self‐renewal

Sin3a is the central scaffold protein of the prototypical Hdac1/2 chromatin repressor complex, crucially required during early embryonic development for the growth of pluripotent cells of the inner cell mass. Here, we compare the composition of the Sin3a‐Hdac complex between pluripotent embryonic stem (ES) and differentiated cells by establishing a method that couples two independent endogenous immunoprecipitations with quantitative mass spectrometry. We define the precise composition of the Sin3a complex in multiple cell types and identify the Fam60a subunit as a key defining feature of a variant Sin3a complex present in ES cells, which also contains Ogt and Tet1. Fam60a binds on H3K4me3‐positive promoters in ES cells, together with Ogt, Tet1 and Sin3a, and is essential to maintain the complex on chromatin. Finally, we show that depletion of Fam60a phenocopies the loss of Sin3a, leading to reduced proliferation, an extended G1‐phase and the deregulation of lineage genes. Taken together, Fam60a is an essential core subunit of a variant Sin3a complex in ES cells that is required to promote rapid proliferation and prevent unscheduled differentiation.
The Risk of Severe Hypoglycemia in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Starting Insulin Therapy with Premixed Insulin Analogues Taken Twice Daily: An Observational Study in Turkish Patients

Abs tract Purpose: To assess the risk of severe hypoglycemia in Turkish patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) starting insulin therapy with premixed insulin analogues alone or in combination with oral antihyperglycemic medications. Material and Method: Data from a subset of Turkish patients who participated in a 1-year, multinational, multicenter, prospective observational study were evaluated. Insulin treatment was initiated using commonly prescribed premixed regimens: insulin lispro mixture 25/75 (25% insulin lispro, 75% insulin lispro protamine suspension) or biphasic insulin aspart 30/70 (30% insulin aspart, 70% insulin aspart protamine suspension) twice daily. Results: Of the 154 patients treated, 61 (39.6%) were male with a mean age of 56 years and a T2DM duration of 8.9 years. Twelve patients (7.8%) experienced ≥1 episode of severe hypoglycemia, but all recovered. The severe hypoglycemic rate was 0.14 episodes/patient-year. The mean glycated hemoglobin decreased by 2.7% (10.4% to 7.8%) and fasting plasma glucose by 115.9 mg/dL (265.3 mg/dL to 157.6 mg/dL) (p<0.0001). Self-monitored blood glucose (2-hour post morning meal) decreased by 163.3 mg/dL (327.0 mg/dL to 216.2 mg/dL; p<0.0001). Self-monitored blood glucose level was low, particularly at the 2-hour post evening meal. Body mass index increased by 1.4 kg/m, and total daily insulin dose by 4.2 IU. Discussion: In Turkish patients with T2DM, initiation of premixed insulin analogues during routine clinical care significantly improves glycemic control during the first year of treatment, but comes with a risk for severe hypoglycemia. Improvements in physician and patient education within the Turkish population regarding hypoglycemia management may be of benefit. Turk Jem 2013; 17: 83-8
The effect of demineralized bone matrix gel on bone ingrowth and fixation of porous implants.

The presence of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) gel did not enhance or accelerate attachment strength or bone ingrowth and resulted in a significant decrease in implant interface attachment strength at 3 weeks. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating resulted in significant increases in interface shear strength and bone ingrowth compared with non-HA-coated porous implants at all time periods. The HA-coated implants achieved greater attachment strength and bone ingrowth at earlier time periods and maintained greater attachment strength at long-term periods. The results of this study indicate that in the presence of a good bone-implant interference fit, there is no beneficial effect in applying DBM gel to a porous-coated or HA-coated porous implant surface. The small amount that can be applied and the degree of osteoinductivity of DBM seem to preclude it from having a significant biologic effect.
Genome-wide association and genomic selection in animal breeding 1

Results from genome-wide association studies in livestock, and humans, has lead to the conclusion that the effect of individual quantitative trait loci (QTL) on complex traits, such as yield, are likely to be small; therefore, a large number of QTL are necessary to explain genetic variation in these traits. Given this genetic architecture, gains from marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs using only a small number of DNA markers to trace a limited number of QTL is likely to be small. This has lead to the development of alternative technology for using the available dense single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information, called genomic selection. Genomic selection uses a genome-wide panel of dense markers so that all QTL are likely to be in linkage disequilibrium with at least one SNP. The genomic breeding values are predicted to be the sum of the effect of these SNPs across the entire genome. In dairy cattle breeding, the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBV) that can be achieved and the fact that these are available early in life have lead to rapid adoption of the technology. Here, we discuss the design of experiments necessary to achieve accurate prediction of GEBV in future generations in terms of the number of markers necessary and the size of the reference population where marker effects are estimated. We also present a simple method for implementing genomic selection using a genomic relationship matrix. Future challenges discussed include using whole genome sequence data to improve the accuracy of genomic selection and management of inbreeding through genomic relationships.
Cryptanalysis of an RSA variant with moduli N=prql

Abstract In this paper we study an RSA variant with moduli of the form N = p r ⁢ q l {N=p^{r}q^{l}} ( r > l ≥ 2 {r>l\geq 2} ). This variant was mentioned by Boneh, Durfee and Howgrave-Graham [2]. Later Lim, Kim, Yie and Lee [11] showed that this variant is much faster than the standard RSA moduli in the step of decryption procedure. There are two proposals of RSA variants when N = p r ⁢ q l {N=p^{r}q^{l}} . In the first proposal, the encryption exponent e and the decryption exponent d satisfy e ⁢ d ≡ 1 mod p r - 1 ⁢ q l - 1 ⁢ ( p - 1 ) ⁢ ( q - 1 ) ed\equiv 1\bmod p^{r-1}q^{l-1}(p-1)(q-1) , whereas in the second proposal e ⁢ d ≡ 1 mod ( p - 1 ) ⁢ ( q - 1 ) ed\equiv 1\bmod(p-1)(q-1) . We prove that for the first case if d < N 1 - ( 3 ⁢ r + l ) ⁢ ( r + l ) - 2 {d<N^{1-({3r+l}){(r+l)^{-2}}}} , one can factor N in polynomial time. We also show that polynomial time factorization is possible if d < N ( 7 - 2 ⁢ 7 ) / ( 3 ⁢ ( r + l ) ) {d<N^{({7-2\sqrt{7}})/{(3(r+l))}}} for the second case. Finally, we study the case when few bits of one prime are known to the attacker for this variant of RSA. We show that given min ⁡ ( l r + l , 2 ⁢ ( r - l ) r + l ) ⁢ log 2 ⁡ p {\min(\frac{l}{r+l},\frac{2(r-l)}{r+l})\log_{2}p} least significant bits of one prime, one can factor N in polynomial time.
Effects of data model and task characteristics on designer performance: a laboratory study

Abstract A laboratory experiment was conducted to compare designer performance in modelling user views using the relational and the entity relationship models. A user view is a form or a report used in an information system and is one of the sources of user requirements. Previous studies have not considered the effect of user view characteristics on designer performance. This study considered nine user views, which varied in two task characteristics: degree of nesting and derivation span. Degree of nesting is the number of nests in a user view, where a nest pertains to a group of attributes that is multivalued with respect to another group of attributes. Derivation span refers to the presence of attributes from different objects in the same view. Three levels each of degree of nesting and derivation span were considered. Subjects enrolled in a database class were trained in one of the two modelling approaches and were asked to conduct conceptual database design of a specified problem. Each view was graded using a predefined scheme. Results indicated that subjects using the entity relationship model took longer to complete the task but outscored subjects using the relational model. The degree of nesting emerged as a significant predictor of scores. The derivation span also seemed to account for the variation in scores although the effect was not statistically significant. The findings suggest that for novice designers the entity relationship is the appropriate choice for modelling user views. Further, the degree of nesting is an important indicator of the complexity of the user view.
Far infrared wavelength treatment for low back pain: Evaluation of a non-invasive device.

BACKGROUND Low back pain is a significant cause of lost workplace productivity. Identification of simple, safe, and effective treatment strategies that can be used in the workplace are needed. OBJECTIVE To assess whether far-infrared therapy (FIR) can ameliorate chronic back pain in office workers with the hypothesis that back pain could be effectively treated while at work with minimal interruption to the normal working day. METHODS In a cohort study, 50 subjects with low back pain of at least six months duration were recruited from a Florida corporation. The subjects were instructed to use a FIR pad placed in their chairs in contact with the affected area while on the job over a 4 week period for at least 45 minutes a day during workdays. The FIR device used for the study was the Thermotex TTS Platinum Pad, a widely available FDA-registered medical device with preclinical data on its deep heating effects. The outcomes were assessed using subscales of the SF-36v2. RESULTS Results showed statistically significant changes in 9 of 10 SF-36 subscales including both physical and mental components with a near significant improvement to General Health. There was progressive improvement each week in physical component and bodily pain scales. There were no reported adverse events. CONCLUSIONS Use of site-specific FIR therapy over a four-week period in the workplace was associated with significant clinical improvements in pain and quality of life for office workers with previously refractory low back pain.
A 3.5GHz 2W MMIC power amplifier using AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMTs

A 3.3-3.8GHz 2W MMIC power amplifier using AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs PHEMT for wireless local-area network and multi-channel multipoint distribution service applications is demonstrated. This two-stage amplifier is designed to match fully a 50/spl Omega/ input and output impedance. With dual-bias configuration, the amplifier possesses a 30.4dB small-signal gain, and a 34dBm 1-dB gain compression power with 37.1% power-added efficiency. Moreover, high linearity with a 41.5dBm third-order intercept point at a frequency of 3.5GHz is obtained.
Tumor-Specific, Replication-Competent Adenovirus Vectors Overexpressing the Adenovirus Death Protein

ABSTRACT We have constructed two novel adenovirus (Ad) replication-competent vectors, named KD1 and KD3, that may have use in anticancer therapy. The vectors have two key features. First, they markedly overexpress the Ad death protein (ADP), an Ad nuclear membrane glycoprotein required at late stages of infection for efficient cell lysis and release of Ad from cells. Overexpression of ADP was achieved by deleting the E3 region and reinserting the adp gene. Because ADP is overexpressed, KD1 and KD3 are expected to spread more rapidly and effectively through tumors. Second, KD1 and KD3 have two E1A mutations (from the mutant dl1101/1107) that prevent efficient replication in nondividing cells but allow replication in dividing cancer cells. These E1A mutations preclude binding of E1A proteins to p300 and pRB. As a result, the virus should not be able to drive cells from G0 to S phase and therefore should not be able to replicate in normal tissues. We show that KD1 and KD3 do not replicate well in quiescent HEL-299 cells or in primary human bronchial epithelial cells, small airway epithelial cells, or endothelial cells; however, they replicate well in proliferating HEL-299 cells and human A549 lung carcinoma cells. In cultured A549 cells, KD1 and KD3 lyse cells and spread from cell to cell more rapidly than their control virus, dl1101/1107, or wild-type Ad. They are also more efficient than dl1101/1107 or wild-type Ad in complementing the spread from cell to cell of an E1− E3−replication-defective vector expressing β-galactosidase. A549 cells form rapidly growing solid tumors when injected into the hind flanks of immunodeficient nude mice; however, when A549 cells were infected with 10−4 PFU of KD3/cell prior to injection into mice, tumor formation was nearly completely suppressed. When established A549 tumors in nude mice were examined, tumors injected with buffer grew 13.3-fold over 5 weeks, tumors injected with dl1101/1107 grew 8-fold, and tumors injected with KD1 or KD3 grew 2.6-fold. Hep 3B tumors injected with buffer grew 12-fold over 3.5 weeks, whereas tumors injected with KD1 or KD3 grew 4-fold. We conclude that KD1 and KD3 show promise as anticancer therapeutics.
Effects of Alar ligament transection on upper cervical spine rotation

Fresh human cadaveric specimens of occiput (C0) to C3 were subjected to axial torque. The resulting physiological motions were studied in an unconstrained three‐dimensional manner. Effects of sequential transections of the left and right alar ligaments on the relative motions of C0–C1 and C1–C2 were studied. After transection of the left alar ligament, ranges of motion—due to 1.5 Nm torque—increased at both the C0–C1 and C1–C2 joints. Increases were small, on average 1.9° to each side and at each level. Increases due to subsequent cutting of the right alar ligament were, on average, only 0.5° and statistically not significant. In general, neutral zones showed greater increases, e.g., 3.9° to each side at the C1–C2 joint. Comparing right and left axial rotations, after transection of the left alar ligament, showed greater percentage increases for the right, as compared to the left, axial rotation, at both C0–C1 and C1–C2 joints. Functional loss of the alar ligaments indicates a potential for rotatory instability, which, however, must be determined in conjunction with other clinical findings, such as neurological dysfunction, pain, and deformity.