Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Revision stapedectomy for otosclerosis: report of 73 cases].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine causes and evaluate results of revision stapedectomy. DESIGN Retrospective review of 73 revision stapedectomies. SETTING Revision stapedectomies were performed in two tertiary otolaryngology departments (Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Paris, France, and Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Bruxelles, Belgium). METHODS Patients characteristics, indications for revision, intraoperative findings, and hearing results were noted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hearing results were reported as recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. We also reported hearing results with and without the use of a laser. RESULTS Conductive hearing loss was the main indication for revision (78%). Mean intraoperative findings included prosthesis malfunction (50%), fibrous adhesions (32.8%), incus necrosis (8.5%), and otosclerotic regrowth (7%). When revision was performed because of cochleovestibular complication, middle ear exploration revealed three findings: oval window granuloma (30.7%), perilymphatic fistula (30.7%), and a too long prosthesis (23%). Postoperative air-bone gap (ABG) was closed to less than 10 dB in 51.5% of cases and to less than 20 dB in 68.7% of cases, with 9% of sensorineural hearing loss (not exceeding 15 dB in 80% of cases). The use of an argon laser in 14 patients (19%) showed slightly better hearing results (postoperative ABG < 10 dB in 61.5% of cases and < 20 dB in 77% of cases), but this difference was not statistically significant compared with patients operated on without the use of a laser. CONCLUSION The results of this series are comparable with previously published studies. Revision stapes surgery is not as successful as primary stapedectomy, but good gap closure can be expected in two-thirds of cases with an experienced surgeon.
Anti-inflammatory Flavonoid C-Glycosides from Piper aduncum Leaves

Abstract Four new compounds, acacetin 8-C-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (1), 7-methoxyacacetin 8-C-[β-D-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (2), 7-methoxyacacetin 8-C-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (3), and 4‴-O-acetylacacetin 8-C-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-D-glucopyranoside] (4), along with ten known compounds (5–14), were isolated from Piper aduncum leaves. The effects of these compounds on lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-12 p40, IL-6, and TNF-α in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were evaluated. Compounds 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, and 11–13 inhibited the production of both IL-12 p40 and IL-6, with IC50 values ranging from 0.35 ± 0.01 to 1.40 ± 0.04 µM and 1.22 ± 0.02 to 3.79 ± 0.10 µM, respectively. Compounds 5 and 10 only showed strong inhibition effects on the production of IL-12 p40, with IC50 values of 2.76 ± 0.08 and 0.39 ± 0.05 µM, respectively. However, all compounds showed weak activity or no activity on TNF-α production at the tested concentrations.
Comparison between gamma and beta irradiation effects on hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and gelatin hard capsules

The effects of electron beam or λ-irradiation on technological performances (capsule hardness, expressed as deforming work and dissolution time) of empty 2-shell capsules made of gelatin or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) were studied. Capsule structural changes induced by radiation treatment were investigated by capillary viscometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The capsules were irradiated in the air at 5, 15, and 25 kGy. The deforming work of nonirradiated HPMC capsules (0.06±0.01 J) was lower than that of gelatin capsules (0.10±0.01 J). The dissolution time of the HPMC capsules (414±33 seconds) was slightly higher than that determined for gelatin hard capsules (288±19 seconds). The hardness and dissolution time of gelatin and HPMC capsules were not significantly influenced by the irradiation type and the applied irradiation dose. As the viscometry analyses are concerned, irradiation caused a reduction of the intrinsic viscosity and water and dimethyl sulfoxide solvent power in both the cases. AFM analysis showed that the radiation treatment did not appreciably affect the surface roughness of the samples nor induce structural changes on capsule surface. However, measurements of force-distance curves pointed out a qualitative parameter for the identification of the irradiated capsules. On the bases of these preliminary results, empty gelatin or HPMC hard capsules can be sanitized/sterilized by ionizing radiation.
Nutritional rehabilitation of severely malnourished children at domiciliary level through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme: a perspective study.

In 1975 the Government of India launched the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme aiming to reduce the incidence of malnutrition and to reduce infant and child morbidity and mortality rates in the country. In this scheme a village-level center provides severely malnourished (SMN) children with therapeutic supplementary feed and advises mothers to continue breastfeeding and give adequate quantity of weaning foods. This prospective study assessed the impact of the ICDS package of services on the nutritional status of SMN children in India. A total of 926 children aged 6 months to <6 years attending 25 centers were assessed by utilizing the weight-for-age criterion. Overall results indicate a positive impact of the integrated package of nutrition and health services on the nutritional status of SMN children in field conditions. The findings also establish the value of domiciliary management of SMN children at village level. Hence this approach is recommended in preference to that of hospital management which is less effective more costly and often unacceptable to village people for socioeconomic and cultural reasons.
Analytic Requirements for Immunosuppressive Drugs in Clinical Trials

Summary Essential to the evaluation of (1) the pharmacokinetics, (2) concentration-effect relationships, and (3) the application of therapeutic drug monitoring, during new immunosuppressive drug clinical trials, is the development of validated analytical methodology for the measurement of pharmacologically active drug and metabolites in biofluids and tissues. The characteristics of analytical methodology developed for cyclosporines A and G, FK-506, mycophenolate mofetil, and rapamycin during clinical trials will be described. The advantages of establishing validated analytical methodology as early as possible during clinical trials include: (a) early identification of metabolites and their quantitative and pharmacological significance; (b) early development of interpretable PK and PK-PD data; (c) accrual of experience that will be directly useful in patient monitoring after drug approval; (d) optimization of analysis conditions; and (e) early development of reference methodology for therapeutic drug monitoring tests. A suggested set of performance criteria for drug analysis during clinical trials and thereafter will be presented.
Idiopathic brachial neuritis in children

Brachial plexopathy is a rare disorder in children, which can occur as a result of trauma, inflammation, vasculitis or malignancies. Idiopathic Brachial Neuritis (IBN) is a rare neurologic disorder that affects mainly the lower motor neurons of brachial plexus and/ or individual nerves or nerve branches. It is often preceded by antecedent events such as infection or immunization and commonly present with a triad of abrupt onset painful unilateral upper limb (frequently right-sided) and neck weakness followed by flaccid paralysis with associated wasting around the shoulder girdle and arm muscles. The diagnosis is made clinically, with MRI or electromyography reserved for less clear-cut cases. The longterm prognosis for children is better than adults. Here, the author will focus on paediatric phenotype IBN aiming to increase awareness of clinician to its treatment, prognosis, and important differential diagnosis such as hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy, asthmatic amyotrophy (Hopkins syndrome), osteomyelitis-associated neuritis and reemphanise it as a differential diagnosis in children with unexplained monoparesis.
Impact of Stimulant Medication Use on Heart Rate and Systolic Blood Pressure During Submaximal Exercise Treadmill Testing in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVES Inappropriately decreased heart rate (HR) during peak exercise and delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) has been observed in adult users of stimulant medications who underwent exercise testing, suggesting autonomic adaptation to chronic stimulant exposure. In the general population, this pattern of hemodynamic changes is associated with increased mortality risk. Whether the same pattern of hemodynamic changes might be observed in adolescent stimulant medication users undergoing exercise testing is unknown. METHODS Among adolescents (aged 12 to 20 years) that underwent submaximal exercise treadmill testing from 1999 to 2004 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, propensity score matching of stimulant medication users (n = 89) to matched nonusers (n = 267) was conducted. Testing consisted of a 3-minute warm-up period, two 3-minute exercise stages, and three 1-minute recovery periods, with the goal of reaching 75% of the predicted HR maximum. A linear mixed model analysis was used to evaluate the effect of stimulant exposure on each of the exercise outcomes. RESULTS Stimulant medication users compared to matched nonusers had a lower peak HR in Stage 2 (154.9 vs. 158.3 beats/minute [bpm], p = 0.055) and lower HR at 1-minute recovery (142.2 vs. 146.4 bpm, p = 0.030). However, submaximal HRR at 1 minute did not differ between stimulant users and matched nonusers (13.0 vs. 12.1 bpm, p = 0.38). Duration of stimulant use was not related to these outcomes. CONCLUSION Adolescent stimulant medication users compared to matched nonusers demonstrated a trend toward decreased HR during submaximal exercise, which is potential evidence of chronic adaptation with stimulant exposure. There was no evidence for delayed HRR in this study, and thus, no evidence for decreased parasympathetic activity during initial exercise recovery. Exercise testing outcomes may have utility in future research as a method to assess stimulant-associated autonomic nervous system adaptations.
Escherichia coli 987P pilus: purification and partial characterization

The Escherichia coli somatic pilus, 987P, has been purified after removal by homogenization from a 987P+ enterotoxigenic E. coli. Cell-free pili were precipitated by the addition of MgCl2, collected, and dissolved in MgCl2-free buffer. Five cycles of precipitation and dissolving resulted in a preparation of 987P that was judged to be homogeneous based on electron microscopy and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the electron microscope, 987P was rod shaped, having a diameter of 7 nm and an apparent axial hole. Cells and membrane vesicles were not observed in the purified pilus preparation. Electrophoresis of 987P through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels resulted in a single band when the sample was denatured in the absence of mercaptoethanol and in two bands when the sample was denatured in the presence of mercaptoethanol. The calculated molecular weight of 987 was variable, depending upon the polyacrylamide concentration and whether mercaptoethanol was included in the denaturing solution. Chemically, 987P is composed primarily of protein but also contains an unidentified amino sugar. The amino terminal amino acid of 987P is alanine and its isoelectric point is pH 3.7. 987P possesses no detectable hemagglutinating activity.
Zinc as an adjunct to antibiotics for the treatment of severe pneumonia in children <5 years: a meta-analysis of randomised-controlled trials

Abstract The effect of Zn, as an adjunct to antibiotics, on the treatment of severe pneumonia in young children is still under debate; therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic role of Zn for severe pneumonia in children younger than 5 years. PubMed, Cochrane library and Embase databases were systematically searched from inception until October 2015 for randomised-controlled trials (RCT) that assessed the effect of Zn as an adjunct to antibiotics for severe pneumonia. Random-effects model was used for calculating the pooled estimates, and intention-to-treat principle was also applied. Nine RCT involving 2926 children were included. Overall, the pooled results showed that adjunct treatment with Zn failed to reduce the time to recovery from severe pneumonia (hazard ratios (HR)=1·04; 95 % CI 0·90, 1·19; I 2=39 %; P=0·58), hospital length of stay (HR=1·04; 95 % CI 0·83, 1·33; I 2=57 %; P=0·74), treatment failure (relative risk (RR)=0·95; 95 % CI 0·79, 1·14; I 2=20 %; P=0·58) or change of antibiotics (RR=1·07; 95 % CI 0·79, 1·45; I 2=44 %; P=0·67). In addition, continuous outcomes were consistent while meta-analysed with standard mean difference, and all outcomes remained stable in intention-to-treat analysis. No significant differences were observed in the two groups between death rate, adverse events or recovery times of severe pneumonia indicators. Our results suggested that adjunct treatment with Zn failed to benefit young children in the treatment of severe pneumonia. Considering the clinical heterogeneity, baseline characteristics of children, definition of severe pneumonia and Zn supplement way should be taken into consideration in future research. This study was registered at PRESPERO as CRD42015019798.
The functional basis of c-myc and bcl-2 complementation during multistep lymphomagenesis in vivo.

Oncogenes are known to be deregulated by chromosomal translocations occurring at high frequency in specific malignancies. Among the most well characterized of these are c-myc, associated with the t(8;14) in Burkitt's lymphomas, and bcl-2, associated with the t(14;18) in follicular lymphomas. In addition to their role in regulating rates of proliferation, it is known that oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes can also regulate rates of apoptotic cell death. The contribution of c-myc and bcl-2 to the regulation of cell death during lymphomagenesis in vivo is assessed using bcl-2-Ig and emu-myc trangenic mice and bcl-2/myc hybrid transgenic mice. Translocations between the endogenous c-myc gene and immunoglobulin loci, e.g., t(12;15), are common in lymphomas arising in the bcl-2-Ig mice. Furthermore, bcl-2/c-myc double transgenic mice exhibit accelerated lymphomagenesis, indicating cooperation between these two oncogenes. Genetic complementation of c-myc and bcl-2 during lymphomagenesis resulted from the suppression of c-myc-associated apoptosis. Other genes are likely involved in regulating cell death during multistep lymphomagenesis.
Evaluation of guidelines for initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy in a longitudinal cohort of HIV‐infected individuals

Objectives:Expert panels have developed several guidelines for initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in patients with HIV infection. To evaluate these guidelines, we simulated their application in a cohort of HIV-infected patients established and followed before HAART was available, and determined how long such patients survived without disease progression in the absence of HAART. Methods:Longitudinal data was used that had been collected from 1982 to 1995 on a prospective cohort of 133 homosexual men with known or clsely approximated dates of HIV-1 seroconversion and negligible antiretroviral exposure. The main definition of disease progression was CD4 cell count ≤ 300 × 106/l or development of clinical AIDS diagnosis within 12 months. Results:The mean number of years between the recommended initiation of therapy and when disease progression occurred in the absence of HAART were as follows: initiation of treatment at first visit, 4.81 years [median, 3.78 years; interquartile range (IQR), 1.85-6.59 years]; CD4 cell count <500 < 106/l or serum RNA >5000 copies/ml (at least 10 000 copies/ml fresh plasma), 4.35 years (median, 3.22 years; IQR, 1.56-6.19 years); CD4 cells <500 × 106/l or serum RNA >20 000 copies/ml (at least 40 000 copies/ml fresh plasma), 3.61 years (median, 2.70 years; IQR. 1.40-5.11 years); and CD4 cells <500 × 106/l, 2.72 years (median, 2.17 years; IQR, 0.81-4.25 years). The percentage of patients who had disease progression before HAART would have been recommended was 0.8, 1.6, 3.2 and 13.6% with each of these four approaches, respectively. Conclusions:Implementation of recommended treatment guidelines will result in a substantial proportion of patients being treated for long periods before immunologic or clinical disease progression would have occurred in the absence of HAART. These findings should be considered in the clinical care of HIV-infected patients and in future recommendations for the initiation of HAART.
Which factors are perceived as obstacles for the growth of Italian academic spin-offs?

ABSTRACT During the last decades, academic spin-offs have received increasing attention from both researchers and practitioners, mainly due to their ability to advance industrial application of scientific knowledge. In the past, scholars believed that these organisations were subjected to fast growth after their establishment. Only in the last decade, scholars realise that the fast-growing perspective hypothesised was an oversimplification, as the majority of high-tech academic spin-offs growth slowly or remain small in size for long time. The aim of our study is to investigate the reasons that inhibit the growth of established academic spin-offs, focusing on the Italian context. Through the implementation of the Delphi technique and of the fuzzy logic we derive new and relevant results, for scholars, spin-offs’ managers and policy-makers.
Successful treatment with tocilizumab in a case of Cogan’s syndrome complicated with aortitis

A 69-year-old man with sensorineural hearing loss and iritis was diagnosed with atypical Cogan’s syndrome. He had several systematic manifestations: aortitis, meningitis, panniculitis and seronegative arthritis. Remission induced by treatment with high doses of prednisolone was followed by relapse within 1 year. Although his condition was resistant to various immunosuppressive drugs, including methotrexate, cyclosporine, azathioprine and adalimumab, his symptoms, inflammatory response and quality of life measures were successfully improved by tocilizumab, a humanized anti-interleukin-6 receptor antibody.
Genome‐wide screening of aberrant DNA methylation which associated with gene expression in mouse skin cancers

Epigenetic alteration of genomic DNA is a common and key process in carcinogenesis. There is considerable evidence indicating that some of the somatic alterations occurring during carcinogenesis in humans also involve the same processes as those observed in mice. Therefore, we analyzed mouse skin cancer tissues induced by the 2‐stage carcinogenesis model to identify skin tumor‐specific differentially methylated regions (ST‐DMRs) during the multistep carcinogenesis process. We have previously identified ST‐DMRs using the restriction landmark genomic scanning (RLGS) technique and reported that some of the mouse ST‐DMRs were also epigenetically modified in human cancers, such as melanoma, neuroblastoma, and brain tumor. These results encouraged us to pursue global methylation screening in mouse skin carcinogenesis. Using the methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) method combined with the NimbleGen promoter plus CpG island (CpGi) array, we identified 615 ST‐DMRs. In combination with global gene expression analysis, 91 of these ST‐DMRs were shown to be located on or around the genes differentially expressed between normal skin and tumor tissues, including a candidate human tumor suppressor gene Tfap2e. As observed in human colorectal cancers, Tfap2e was methylated at a CpGi located in intron 3 and downregulated in skin tumors. Our results identified aberrant methylated regions that were associated with gene expression regulation during carcinogenesis, which may indicate critical genetic regions also involved in human carcinogenesis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation the effect of breathing filters on end-tidal carbon dioxide during inferior abdominal surgery in infants and changes of tidal volume and respiratory rate needs for preventing of increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide

Background: The aim of this study was to prevent of increasing end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) with changing of vital capacity and respiratory rate when using of birthing filter in infants. Materials and Methods: In a randomized clinical trial study, ninety-four infant’ patients were studied in three groups. Basic values, such as peak inspiratory pressure, tidal volume, minute ventilation, respiratory rate, and partial pressure of ET CO2 (PETCO2) level had been evaluated after intubation, 10 min after intubation and 10 min after filter insertion. In the first group, patients only observed for changing in ETCO2 level. In the second and the third groups, respiratory rates and tidal volume had been increased retrospectively, until that ETCO2 ≤35 mmHg was received. We used ANOVA, Chi-square, and descriptive tests for data analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Tidal volume 10 min after filter insertion was statistically higher in Group 3 (145.0 ± 26.3 ml) versus 129.3 ± 38.9 ml in Group 1 and 118.7 ± 20.8 ml in Group 2 (P = 0.02). Furthermore, respiratory rate at this time was statistically higher in Group 2 (25.82 ± 0.43) versus Groups 1 and 3 (21.05 ± 0.20 ml and 21.02 ± 0.60 ml, respectively) (P = 0.001). Minute volume and PETCO2 level were statistically significant between Group 1 and the other two groups after filter insertion (P = 0.01 and P = 0.00,1 respectively). Conclusion: With changing the vital capacity and respiratory rate we can control PETCO2 level ≤35 mmHg during using of birthing filters in infants. We recommend this instrument during anesthesia of infants.
Ten Conferences on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD): A Brief Commentary on 20 Years of Research

Awareness and understanding of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has increased steadily over the last two decades. A series of international conferences, begun in 1995, has offered a forum for researchers and practitioners to get together to discuss the theoretical and practical problems that arose as new findings emerged. The purpose of this brief commentary is to reflect on the contribution made by this series of meetings and to highlight the difficulties that continue to present themselves. In June 2013, more than 150 researchers and practitioners gathered in Ouro Preto, Brazil to celebrate the 10th anniversary of a series of conferences devoted to the study of DCD. The series began in March 1995 at the University of London, where Sheila Henderson organized a meeting of 35 researchers and clinicians who shared an interest in movement disorders in children. The discussions were so stimulating that a follow-up meeting was immediately planned for later that year. Major players in the field then took up the baton. The conference moved from the United Kingdom to the Netherlands (1999), Canada (2002), Italy (2005), Australia (2007), the United States of America (2009), Switzerland (2011) and, most recently, Brazil (2013). As a fun exercise, Sheila Henderson, in her opening address in Ouro Preto, plotted the distance between London and successive conference locations against the number of presentations made. The correlation between these two measures was 0.92, a somewhat meaningless statistic which nevertheless illustrated the growing international interest in the field since 1995! More seriously, Reint Geuze’s DCD-X keynote address included an analysis of the number of articles on DCD published