Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Event-related desynchronization (ERD) patterns to emotion-related feedback stimuli.

Event-related desynchronization (ERD) of alpha components was studied in 14 healthy right handed subjects in an effective task. In the present study positive and negative emotions were operationalized by winning and losing certain amounts of money in a gambling situation while measuring ERD to positive and negative feedback stimuli. All the subjects demonstrated comparable (i.e. statistically not separated) intensities of positive and negative affect of self-report data. The obtained results suggest that ERD can be used as an indicator of localized brain activation in affective tasks. As it was evidenced by ERD analyses, the left and right lobes participated in Valence discrimination. The predicted relative left frontal activation to the positive feedback stimuli and right frontal activation to the negative feedback stimuli was supported. This effect was restricted to the upper (i.e. 10-12 Hz) alpha band. These findings are evidenced in favour of specific role of frontal hemispheric asymmetries in valence discrimination. It is concluded that ERD seems to be able to evidence relatively small differences in emotion processing and appears to be a suitable method with which to study emotion.
Performance improvement of optical fibre oxygen sensor detection scheme incorporating narrow bandpass emission optical filter

We report performance improvement of an optical fibre oxygen sensor based on direct measurement fluorescence quenching of oxygen sensitive ruthenium complex and indirect measurement of lifetime through phase fluorometry. Comparison between detection scheme with and without emission filters using various bandpass ranges are being investigated. A 1.7 fold increase in fluorescence intensity is observed with a detection scheme employing broad (195 nm) bandpass emission filter compared to a system without emission filter. Six fold increase in fluorescence emission is detected when a narrow (25 nm) emission filter is adopted in the system. Similarly, six fold increase in phase angle value φω is demonstrated in an in-direct O2 sensor measurement when 25 nm bandpass emission filter is employed in such system. Improvement in O2 sensor sensitivity and linearity are also reported with the inclusion of narrow bandpass emission filter.
Topical tretinoin therapy and all-cause mortality.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relation of topical tretinoin, a commonly used retinoid cream, with all-cause mortality in the Veterans Affairs Topical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial (VATTC). The planned outcome of this trial was risk of keratinocyte carcinoma, and systemic administration of certain retinoid compounds has been shown to reduce risk of this cancer but has also been associated with increased mortality risk among smokers. DESIGN The VATTC Trial was a blinded randomized chemoprevention trial, with 2- to 6-year follow-up. Oversight was provided by multiple independent committees. SETTING US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers. Patients A total of 1131 veterans were randomized. Their mean age was 71 years. Patients with a very high estimated short-term risk of death were excluded. Interventions Application of tretinoin, 0.1%, or vehicle control cream twice daily to the face and ears. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Death, which was not contemplated as an end point in the original study design. RESULTS The intervention was terminated 6 months early because of an excessive number of deaths in the tretinoin-treated group. Post hoc analysis of this difference revealed minor imbalances in age, comorbidity, and smoking status, all of which were important predictors of death. After adjusting for these imbalances, the difference in mortality between the randomized groups remained statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS We observed an association of topical tretinoin therapy with death, but we do not infer a causal association that current evidence suggests is unlikely.
The impact of robot-mediated adaptive I-TRAVLE training on impaired upper limb function in chronic stroke and multiple sclerosis

Abstract Purpose: The current study aimed to investigate proof-of-concept efficacy of an individualized, robot-mediated training regime for people with MS (pwMS) and stroke patients. Method: Thirteen pwMS and 14 chronic stroke patients performed 36 (stroke) or 40 (pwMS) training sessions with the I-TRAVLE system. Evaluation of upper limb function was performed at baseline, after training and at 3 months follow-up. Clinical outcome measures consisted of active range of motion (ROM), Motricity Index, Jamar handgrip strength, perceived fatigue and strength, Wolf Motor Function Test (WFMT) and ABILHAND. Robot-generated outcome measures consisted of movement velocity, ROM and actual covered distance compared to straight-line distance. Results: In pwMS, significant improvements were found after training in active shoulder ROM, handgrip strength, perceived strength and WMFT activities. No significant change in clinical outcome was found in stroke patients, except for perceived strength. Significant improvement in speed and movement duration was found after training in both groups. At follow-up, clinical outcome deteriorated in pwMS and was maintained in stroke patients. Conclusions: Robot-mediated training resulted in improved movement coordination in both groups, as well as clinical improvement in pwMS. Absence of functional improvements in stroke patients may relate to severe upper limb dysfunction at baseline. Implications for Rehabilitation Robot-mediated training improved strength, active range of motion and upper limb capacity in pwMS. Robot-mediated therapy allows for adapted training difficulty.
Involvement of membrane-associated TNF in the killing of Leishmania donovani parasites by macrophages.

A killing process is described where macrophages destroy 3H Thymidine prelabeled Leishmania parasites during the process of phagocytosis. This phagocytosis associated killing may represent a first line of defense and reduces drastically the amount of parasites homing in the macrophages. Treatment of the macrophages with anti-TNF antibody inhibited the phagocytosis associated killing. Soluble TNF had no effect on Leishmania parasites. Macrophages performed the killing process in the complete absence of any secreted TNF. Experiments using fixed macrophages and macrophage membranes revealed the existence of a 26 Kd membrane-TNF molecule. This membrane TNF was active against a TNF sensitive tumor cell line whereas the fixed cells or the isolated membranes had no cytotoxic effect on Leishmania parasites. This data indicates, that the Leishmanicidal effect was mediated through TNF but that apparently TNF itself was not the cytotoxic principle. Experiments using organ macrophages from Leishmania infected susceptible C 57/Bl 6 healer mice demonstrated that during the first 4 weeks of the infection the organ macrophages were totally unable to destroy Leishmania parasites independent of additional activation whereas the mechanism to destroy P815 tumor cells was unaffected. Similar data were obtained in therapy protocols using interferon gamma encapsulated in liposomes in order to target the substance to the macrophages. Also under these in vivo conditions the organ macrophages could not be activated and no beneficial effect was obtained by this activation treatment. In contrast, when therapy was started early (day 0 or 1) or late (5 weeks) after infection a highly significant reduction of the parasite burden was obtained. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Efficacy of Therapeutic Touch in Treating Pregnant Inpatients Who Have a Chemical Dependency

Chemical dependency is known to complicate about 3.8% of pregnancies in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In this study, 54 English-speaking, hospitalized women were randomly assigned to receive either (a) daily Therapeutic Touch over a 7-day period for 20 minutes each day, (b) shared activity with a registered nurse for 20 minutes over a 7-day period, or (c) standard ward care. Anxiety was measured using Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Withdrawal symptoms were measured using a standardized Symptom Checklist. Anxiety scores were significantly less on Days 1, 2, and 3 (p < .05) for the group receiving Therapeutic Touch. Therapeutic Touch may be of value as an adjunctive measure in the treatment of chemical dependency among pregnant women.
Memantine Treatment of Cognitive Symptoms in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Disease: Secondary Analyses From a Placebo-controlled Randomized Trial

Memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, is approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer disease (AD) and has also been investigated in patients with mild to moderate AD. To characterize the specific cognitive benefits of memantine in patients with mild to moderate AD, a post hoc analysis was conducted of a 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial comparing memantine (10 mg twice daily) to placebo. Cognition was assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) total score, individual items, and aggregated subscales, using a mixed model repeated measures analysis. As assessed by the ADAS-cog total score, participants in the placebo group demonstrated significantly more cognitive decline from baseline than participants treated with memantine at all visits beginning at week 8. Subjects treated with placebo also declined significantly more than individuals in the memantine group on 5 of 11 ADAS-cog individual items: orientation, language, comprehension, word finding, and recall of test instructions. Out of 3 ADAS-cog aggregated item subscales (language, memory, and praxis), outcomes in 2 (language and memory) favored memantine. Consistent with findings from trials conducted in moderate to severe AD patients, this post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial suggests that memantine benefits core aspects of language and some aspects of memory in patients with mild to moderate AD.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty Versus Medical Therapy as Initial Treatment of Glaucoma: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

PurposeTo compare outcomes of selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) with drug therapy for glaucoma patients in a prospective randomized clinical trial. Patients and MethodsSixty-nine patients (127 eyes) with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were randomized to SLT or medical therapy. Target intraocular pressure (IOP) was determined using the Collaborative Initial Glaucoma Treatment Study formula. Patients were treated with SLT (100 applications 360 degrees) or medical therapy (prostaglandin analog). Six visits over 1 year followed initial treatment. If target IOP range was not attained with SLT, additional SLT was the next step, or in the medical arm additional medications were added. Primary outcome: IOP; secondary: number of steps. ResultsSixty-nine patients were treated. Data collection terminated with 54 patients reaching 9 to 12-months follow-up. Twenty-nine patients were in the SLT group, 25 patients in the medical group. Baseline mean IOP for all eyes was 24.5 mm Hg in the SLT group, 24.7 mm Hg in the medical group. Mean IOP (both eyes) at last follow-up was 18.2 mm Hg (6.3 mm Hg reduction) in the SLT arm, 17.7 mm Hg (7.0 mm Hg reduction) in the medical arm. By last follow-up, 11% of eyes received additional SLT, 27% required additional medication. There was not a statistically significant difference between the SLT and medication groups. ConclusionsIOP reduction was similar in both arms after 9 to 12-months follow-up. More treatment steps were necessary to maintain target IOP in the medication group, although there was not a statistically significant difference between groups. These results support the option of SLT as a safe and effective initial therapy in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
Low Oxygen Concentrations Inhibit Trophoblast Cell Invasion from Early Gestation Placental Explants via Alterations in Levels of the Urokinase Plasminogen Activator System1

Abstract Extravillous trophoblast cell (EVT) invasion in early pregnancy occurs in a relatively low-oxygen environment. The role of oxygen in regulation of EVT invasion remains controversial. We hypothesized that 1) culture in 3% oxygen inhibits EVT invasion compared with culture at 8% or 20% oxygen and 2) inhibition of invasion is due to alterations in levels of components of the urokinase plasminogen activator (PLAU, uPA) system rather than through increased apoptosis and/or decreased proliferation. Placental samples (8–10, 12–14, and 16–20 wk gestation) were obtained from women undergoing elective surgical termination of pregnancy or after cesarean section delivery (term) at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K. EVT invasion from placental explants cultured at 3%, 8%, or 20% oxygen was assessed using Matrigel invasion assays. Invasion was assessed on Day 6, explants were harvested for analysis of apoptosis and proliferation, and medium was stored for analysis of PLAU system components by ELISA and casein zymography. Culture at 3% oxygen inhibited EVT invasion. PLAU receptor and plasminogen activator inhibitor-2 protein levels were increased and PLAU activity decreased in these cultures. There was no difference in the proliferation in explants cultured at the three different oxygen concentrations. Apoptosis, assessed by M30 immunostaining, was increased in EVT at both 3% and 8% oxygen. The reduction in the invasive capacity of EVT cultured at 3% oxygen appears to be mediated both by a general inhibition of the PLAU system and a decrease in the number of cells available to invade.
Exploration of the in-vitro pharmacodynamic activity of moxifloxacin for Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci of lancefield groups A and G.

The serum concentrations associated with the oral administration of 400 mg moxifloxacin every 24 h over 48 h in man were simulated in an in-vitro dilutional, continuous bacterial culture model of infection. The initial inoculum was 5 x 10(7)-5 x 10(8) cfu/mL and all strains were tested on at least three occasions. Two strains of Staphylococcus aureus (one methicillin susceptible, the other resistant) with moxifloxacin MICs 0.14 mg/L and 0.06 mg/L and two strains of beta-haemolytic streptococci, Lancefield Group A, MIC 0. 16 mg/L and Group G, MIC 0.4 mg/L were used. In addition, two laboratory-generated mutants with raised moxifloxacin MICs were also employed: methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) MIC 1.0 mg/L and Group A streptococcus MIC 1.8 mg/L. The antibacterial effect of moxifloxacin was judged by changes in viable count over time, and the area under the bacterial-kill curve (AUBKC) after 24 and 48 h. For S. aureus MIC 0.14 mg/L the AUBKC(24) (log cfu/mL.h) was 77.8 +/- 4.6 and AUBKC(48) 92.0 +/- 6.9. For its mutant, moxifloxacin MIC 1.0 mg/L, the AUBKC(24) was 116.1 +/- 15.6 and AUBKC(48) 211.9 +/- 23.1, indicating decreased killing. AUBKC(24) and AUBKC(48) values of 110.7 +/- 10.3 and 130.9 +/- 21.3, respectively, were noted for the MRSA strain. The Group A streptococcus, MIC 0.16 mg/L, had an AUBKC(24) of 91.4 +/- 19.4 and AUBKC(48) of 157.0 +/- 70.9. The mutant, MIC 1.8 mg/L, had an AUBKC(24) of 127.0 +/- 1.9 and AUBKC(48) of 205.1 +/- 6.4. Despite a lower MIC (0.4 mg/L) the single strain of Group G streptococcus tested was killed poorly, AUBKC(24) 139.9 +/- 3.6 and AUBKC(48) 252.3 +/- 18.6. The pharmacodynamic parameters AUC/MIC, T > MIC, (AUC > MIC)/MIC (AUC = area under the curve, T = time) and WAUC ((AUC/MIC) (T > MIC/100)) (WAUC = weighted area under the curve) were related to AUBKC(24) and AUBKC(48) using an inhibitory sigmoid E(max) model. T > MIC was poorly related to AUBKC (r = 0.36) while AUC/MIC, (AUC > MIC)/MIC and WAUC were strongly related to AUBKC(24) (r = 0.75-0.79) and AUBKC(48) (r = 0.78-0.84). The maximum antibacterial effect was achieved with an AUC/MIC ratio of 150-200. AUC-related pharmacodynamic parameters predicted antibacterial effect better than T > MIC.
Selection of appropriate endoscopic therapies for duodenal tumors: an open-label study, single-center experience.

AIM To determine an appropriate compartmentalization of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for duodenal tumors. METHODS Forty-six duodenal lesions (excluding papillary lesions) from 44 patients with duodenal tumors treated endoscopically between 2005 and 2013 were divided into the ESD and EMR groups for retrospective comparison and analysis. RESULTS The mean age was 65 ± 9 years (35-79 years). There were 24 lesions from men and 22 from women. The lesions consisted of 6 early cancers, 31 adenomas and 9 neuroendocrine tumors. Lesion location was the duodenal bulb in 15 cases and the descending part of the duodenum in 31 cases. The most common macroscopic morphology was elevated type in 21 cases (45.6%). Mean tumor diameter was 11.9 ± 9.7 mm (3-60 mm). Treatment procedure was ESD (15 cases) vs EMR (31 cases). The examined parameters in the ESD vs EMR groups were as follows: mean tumor diameter, 12.9 ± 14.3 mm (3-60 mm) vs 11.4 ± 6.7 mm (4-25 mm); en bloc resection rate, 86.7% vs 83.9%; complete resection rate, 86.7% vs 74.2%; procedure time, 86.5 ± 63.1 min (15-217 min) vs 13.2 ± 17.0 min (2-89 min) (P < 0.0001); intraprocedural perforation, 3 cases vs none (P = 0.0300); delayed perforation, none in either group; postprocedural bleeding, 1 case vs none; mean postoperative length of hospitalization, 8.2 ± 2.9 d (5-16 d) vs 6.1 ± 2.0 d (2-12 d) (P = 0.0067); recurrence, none vs 1 case (occurring at 7 mo postoperatively). CONCLUSION ESD was associated with a longer procedure time and a higher incidence of intraprocedural perforation; EMR was associated with a lower rate of complete resection.
NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION

When Buchanan Dam was constructed in 1938, there was no tainter gate dewatering system provided. Thus, routine maintenance occurred primarily when low reservoir levels exposed the entire gate face. At such times, gates could be exercised, painted and repaired. The only problem was that you had more than thirty gates to deal with and even small maintenance issues became complex because you never knew when the lake would suddenly rise. This caused the premature and unwanted termination of gate painting and chain replacement on at least two occasions. The termination of chain replacement efforts resulted in the hiring of divers to complete the unfinished work underwater and at a greatly increased cost. This made it very clear that a dependable and easy to install dewatering system was no longer a luxury but, much more so, a necessity. Also, the tainter gates had been evaluated and recommended for gate strengthening. There was no way the Owner could embark on such a major undertaking without a viable gate dewatering system. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) is the above referenced Owner of Buchanan Dam. Once the LCRA made the decision to authorize the development and design of dewatering systems, they also concluded that the system should be deployable in an emergency situation. That is, the system should be deployable in flowing water in the event of a gate failure or a gate malfunction. This decision was based on the value of the water which would be lost if the gate failure emptied the lake down to the gate sill elevation. They concluded that this occurrence is not unreasonable, having witnessed the problems subsequent to the Folsom Dam gate failure a few years ago. Since no system for dewatering a tainter gate in emergency flowing water existed to our knowledge, we embarked upon a very unique and challenging assignment. This is why you have to love engineering.
Galantamine Provides Sustained Benefits in Patients with ‘Advanced Moderate’ Alzheimer’s Disease for at Least 12 Months

Galantamine (Reminyl®), a novel agent with a dual mode of action, modulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and inhibits acetylcholinesterase. Galantamine has consistently demonstrated a broad range of beneficial effects and has shown sustained benefits in cognitive and functional abilities for at least 12 months in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As pivotal studies demonstrating the efficacy of cholinergic drugs were designed to exclude patients with severer AD, many patients with the advanced stage of this condition are currently not treated due to the lack of demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials. We aimed to investigate whether there was any evidence for the benefits of galantamine in patients with severer disease, by performing a post hoc analysis using data extracted from the population of the two long-term galantamine studies. We evaluated the efficacy of galantamine in patients with ‘advanced moderate’ AD. ‘Advanced moderate’ patients were those with baseline Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores ≤14 or Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) scores >30. These patients were compared with matched controls who received placebo in a different historical study. Cognitive abilities (assessed using the ADAS-cog scale) of ‘advanced moderate’ AD patients receiving galantamine for 12 months were maintained at baseline levels after 12 months, and significantly improved over those of placebo patients (p < 0.001). Of the ‘advanced moderate’ patients receiving galantamine, 51% with baseline ADAS-cog of >30 maintained or improved their ADAS-cog scores over baseline values, compared with 13% receiving placebo (p < 0.001). In the subgroup of ‘advanced moderate’ patients with baseline MMSE ≤14, 48% of those receiving galantamine and 4% of those receiving placebo maintained or improved their ADAS-cog scores at 12 months (p = 0.001). In both subgroups, the treatment difference (galantamine vs. historical placebo) amounted to approximately 10 points on the ADAS-cog scale. Functional abilities, as assessed using the Disability Assessment for Dementia scale, remained significantly superior in galantamine-treated patients compared with historical placebo-treated patients at 12 months (p < 0.001). In conclusion, galantamine offered sustained efficacy to patients with ‘advanced moderate’ AD, confirming the benefits seen in published studies of patients with mild-to-moderate AD. This drug has potential for broader use in clinical practice.
A failed 6-week,randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of once-daily extended release quetiapine fumarate in patients with acute schizophrenia: lessons learned.

OBJECTIVE To demonstrate the efficacy of once-daily extended release quetiapine fumarate (quetiapine XR) versus placebo in adults with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. METHODS A 6-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. In- or out-patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomized to fixed-dose quetiapine XR 400, 600, or 800 mg/day, quetiapine immediate release (IR) 800 mg/day, or placebo. Primary endpoint was change from baseline in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total score at Week 6. Other efficacy assessments included Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) of Severity (CGI-S) and of Improvement (CGI-I) ratings. Safety assessments included adverse event (AE) reporting and laboratory measures. RESULTS 565 patients were randomized; 333 (58.9%) completed the study. Greater numeric improvements in PANSS total score were seen for quetiapine XR (all doses) and quetiapine IR versus placebo at Week 6; the differences were not statistically significant. Secondary efficacy endpoint results were similar. There was not a high placebo response in this study, but rather an attenuation of drug effect. In general, quetiapine XR was well tolerated over 6-weeks' treatment; there were no unexpected AEs. CONCLUSION The efficacy of quetiapine XR (400, 600, and 800 mg/day) was not established at Week 6. Quetiapine IR, an agent with established efficacy in schizophrenia, also did not separate from placebo at endpoint. Therefore, this is considered a failed study and possible reasons for this are discussed. Quetiapine XR was generally well tolerated and its safety profile was consistent with the known profile of quetiapine.