Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of a Blended Learning Program on Developing Palestinian Tenth Graders' English Writing Skills

This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of using a blended learning program on developing Palestinian tenth graders’ English writing skills. To achieve the study aims, the researchers designed a writing achievement test consisting of (40) items. The sample study consisted of (40) students from Shohadaa' Rafah Basic School in Rafah Directorate of Education 2012-2013. The blended learning program was used in teaching the experimental group (20) students, while the traditional method was used with the control one (20) students in the second term of the school year (2012-2013). The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The study findings revealed that there were significant differences at (α ≤0.05) in the mean scores of the test in favor of the experimental group. The findings also pointed out that there were statistically significant differences at (α ≤0.05) in the participants' achievement level before and after implementing the blended program in favor of the post-application. This was attributed to the blended learning program in teaching writing. In the light of the study results, the researcher recommended that education stakeholders should adopt the blend in teaching English, hold educational courses and workshops for teachers in employing blended learning to enrich the teaching learning process, create effective learning environment that enhances self- learning and develops students' achievement level.
A New Practical Desensitization Protocol for Oxaliplatin-Induced Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions: A Necessary and Useful Approach.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Desensitization protocols for patients with immediate hypersensitivity reactions (IHSRs) have proven to be effective, but they are not widely used in clinical practice because of impracticalities such as high cost, long procedure duration, and a lack of trained personnel. We aimed to determine the clinical characteristics of oxaliplatin-induced IHSRs and assess measures to protect against these reactions and to validate a new practical desensitization protocol. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 2640 cases of oxaliplatin IHSRs in 271 oxaliplatin users and prospectively used a newly designed desensitization protocol 32 times in 12 patients with hypersensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapy. The protocol consisted of increases in infusion rate every 15 minutes, regardless of the concentration of the chemotherapy agent in the infusion bags. RESULTS Of the 271 patients administered oxaliplatin, 45 (16.6%) experienced IHSRs. Of 39 patients who experienced an IHSR but needed to continue oxaliplatin, 6 (15.4%) stopped treatment due to the reaction, and 33 (84.6%) continued despite the risk of further reactions. The new desensitization protocol was successfully completed in 12 patients (100%), but it was ineffective in 3 patients (all with a negative skin prick test), who experienced fever without urticaria. CONCLUSIONS Many patients who experience oxaliplatin-induced IHSRs are required to stop first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy or to continue without desensitization, with the associated risks. Our new desensitization protocol is practical and easy to use in clinical practice.
Expression and secretion of heterologous proteases by Corynebacterium glutamicum

Genes encoding the basic protease of Dichelobacter nodosus (bprV) and the subtilisin of Bacillus subtilis (aprE) were cloned and expressed in Corynebacterium glutamicum. In each case, enzymatically active protein was detected in the supernatants of liquid cultures. While the secretion of subtilisin was directed by its own signal peptide, the natural signal peptide of the bprV basic protease did not facilitate secretion. A hybrid aprE-bprV gene in which the promoter and signal peptide coding sequences of subtilisin replaced those of bprV could be expressed, and basic protease was secreted by C. glutamicum. Expression of these proteases in C. glutamicum provides an opportunity to compare protein secretion from this gram-positive host with that from other gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.
The application of a standardized strategy of evaluation in patients with syncope referred to three syncope units.

BACKGROUND The appropriate diagnostic work-up of patients with syncope is not well defined. We applied the guidelines of Italian 'Associazione Nazionale Medici Cardiologi Ospedalieri' to a group of consecutive patients with syncope referred to three Syncope Units. The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of those guidelines in the 'real world' and their impact on the use of the tests. METHODS We evaluated 308 consecutive patients with syncope (mean age 61 +/- 20 years; median of three syncopal episodes per patient). The hierarchy and appropriateness of diagnostic tests and the definitions of the final diagnosis followed standardized predefined criteria. In brief, all patients underwent initial evaluation consisting of history, physical examination, supine and upright blood pressure measurement and standard electrocardiogram (ECG) (only in patients > 45 years or with history of heart disease). Any subsequent investigations were based on the findings of the initial evaluation. Priority was given to cardiological tests (prolonged ECG monitoring, exercise test, electrophysiological study), or to neurally mediated tests (carotid sinus massage, tilt test, ATP test), or to neuro-psychiatric tests, as appropriate. FINDINGS The initial evaluation alone was diagnostic in 72 patients (23%). One further test was necessary for diagnosis in 65 patients (21%), > or = 2 tests in 64 (21%) and > or = 3 tests in 50 (16%). The diagnostic yield was 10% for ECG, 3% for echocardiogram, 16% for Holter, 5% for exercise test, 27% for electrophysiological study, 57% for carotid sinus massage, 52% for tilt testing and 15% for ATP test. At the end of the work-up the mechanism of syncope remained unexplained in 57 patients (18%). CONCLUSIONS When standardized criteria based on the appropriateness of indications are used, few simple tests are usually needed for diagnosis of syncope.
Neutron Radiotherapy for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Lacrimal Gland

Purpose:Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinomas are rare, aggressive orbital tumors that share histopathologic similarities with salivary gland malignancies. Neutron radiotherapy may be useful for treatment due to its high biological effectiveness for salivary malignancies. Methods:The authors retrospectively reviewed the outcomes for 11 lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma patients treated with neutrons from 1988 to 2011. Most had undergone surgery prior to radiation therapy. However, gross residual disease was present in 8 patients. The most common American Joint Committee on Cancer stage was T4cN0M0. Four patients with skull base involvement received a radiosurgery boost and 1 received a proton therapy boost. Results:Median follow up was 6.2 years. Median overall survival was 11.1 years and median disease-free survival was 6.3 years. Five-year local control was estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method as 80%. Three patients had a local recurrence; 4 developed distant metastases. Six patients died. Seven patients had intact vision in the affected eye before neutron radiation. Two required enucleation for a painful dry eye. Of the 5 who avoided an enucleation, 3 had either severe visual impairment (20/400) or only light perception and 2 were without known vision compromise or complications at the time of their death. One patient developed asymptomatic frontal lobe radionecrosis after 2 courses of radiation therapy. Conclusions:Neutron radiation therapy achieved excellent 5-year local control in this series of high-risk patients, with most cases having gross residual disease. Late recurrences and distant metastases remain a challenge. Meaningful ipsilateral vision preservation was not possible in most cases in the long term, although only 2 patients required an enucleation for treatment effects.
Cellular proliferation and neurogenesis in the injured retina of adult zebrafish

The retinas of adult teleost fish can regenerate neurons following a chemical or mechanical injury. Previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical excision of fish retina induces a hyperplasia within the retinal sheet, including the formation of a proliferative blastema from whence new retinal cells are produced to fill the excision site. The current study was designed to address two issues regarding injury-induced retinal hyperplasia: (1) Retinas of adult zebrafish can regenerate following a surgical excision, but compared to other fish they contain very few proliferative cells: Might retinal injury in adult zebrafish therefore induce minimal, or perhaps no, hyperplasia? (2) The fate of injury-induced, proliferative retinal cells outside surgical excision sites has yet to be determined. Do such cells produce retinal neurons? Evidence is presented that mechanical injury to the adult zebrafish retina induces a dramatic increase in the number of proliferative cells both within and external to the lesion site, and some of these cells apparently migrate within the radial dimension of the retina. Evidence is also presented that injury-induced proliferative cells outside a lesion site can produce retinal neurons—including cone photoreceptors, interplexiform cells, and amacrine cells—that are incorporated into the extant retina. The results suggest that the adult zebrafish retina contains a latent population of cells that is induced to proliferate following retinal injury, and that these cells might represent a novel avenue for pluripotent neurogenesis within the intact adult teleost retina.
Antagonists of the cGMP‐gated conductance of vertebrate rods block the photocurrent in scallop ciliary photoreceptors.

1. Hyperpolarizing scallop photoreceptors, like vertebrate rods, use cGMP as an internal messenger and their light‐sensing structure is also of ciliary origin. To ascertain possible functional similarities between the light‐sensitive conductances in the two classes of visual cells, we examined in scallop photoreceptors the effects of several antagonists of the photocurrent of rods. 2. Extracellular application of L‐cis‐diltiazem rapidly and reversibly suppressed the photocurrent. The effect was stereospecific and dose dependent, with a K1/2 of approximately 400 microM. Intracellular dialysis at lower doses (100‐200 microM) also induced a substantial inhibition. 3. L‐cis‐Diltiazem reduced the light‐activated conductance without shifting the intensity‐response curve. Furthermore, the drug also blocked the current directly evoked by application of cGMP. These observations indicate that the inhibitory effects result from blockage of the conductance, rather than from impairment of the activating cascade. 4. The fractional blockage increased e‐fold per approximately 55 mV depolarization, regardless of the side of drug application, as if the charged form of L‐cis‐diltiazem can only access the blocking site from the intracellular compartment. 5. The amiloride derivative 3',4'‐dichlorobenzamil potently suppressed the photocurrent (K1/2 approximately 5 microM), without affecting its kinetics or operating range. Amiloride itself was also effective at higher concentrations. 6. The pharmacological resemblance of these light‐dependent channels to those of rods and cones indicates that significant aspects of the transduction cascade are conserved across disparate sensory cells of ciliary origin.
Effect of Tetracycline Hydrochloride Fibers (Periocol­Tc) on The Level of P. Gingivalis in Chronic Generalized Periodontitis: Clinical & Microbiological Study

Aim: To compare the efficacy of locally delivered drug (LDD) tetracycline hydrochloride fibers (Periocol- TC) on the levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of chronic generalized periodontitis. Materials M reduction in PI, GI, PPD and colonies of Porphyromonas gingivalis ; and gain terms of RAL, were statistically more as compared to control group. Conclusion: LDD, Periocol – TC may be a valuable adjunct to SRP in the Treatment Of Chronic Periodontitis.
Inclusion body myositis: clinical, morphological, physiological and laboratory findings in 18 cases

Eighteen consecutive patients with inclusion body myositis (IBM) were studied. The mean age of onset of symptoms was 60 years. A typical clinical pattern with insidious onset of muscle weakness in knee extensors and finger flexors combined with dysphagia was observed. Serial measurements of the maximal voluntary muscle strength revealed a mean loss of muscle strength of 1.4% per month. Two of the cases had common variable immunodeficiency, and three cases had reduced levels of the IgG3 subclass. Treatment with prednisone resulted in a temporary improvement of muscle function in three patients. No positive effect of azathioprine or cyclosporine A could be documented. The results show that IBM may be associated with immunodeficiency, and that prednisone treatment may temporarily improve the clinical signs. The results from our studies on the progression of the muscle weakness may provide basis for future studies on treatment of IBM.
Utility of ultrasonographic venous assessment prior to forearm arteriovenous fistula creation.

AIM The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of Doppler ultrasound (US) prior to native forearm arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. MATERIALS AND METHODS US mapping was carried out pre-operatively to evaluate the major veins and arteries in the appropriate arm. One hundred and 6 patients were identified retrospectively over 2 years with complete clinical and US data. A failed fistula was defined as an inability to provide blood flow to meet adequacy targets by 6 months (urea reduction ratio > or = 65%). RESULTS Twenty-nine patients (27.4%) had successful forearm AVFs. The mean minimum forearm cephalic vein diameter (CVD) was 2.51 +/- 0.14 and 2.23 +/- 0.06 mm in successful and failed fistulae, respectively (p = 0.04). This result was primarily due to differences observed in women. A receiver operator curve analysis showed that a cutpoint of 2.6 mm for minimum forearm CVD had the greatest predictive value with a likelihood ratio of 3.94 (95% CI: 1.97 - 7.84) for fistula failure. Multivariate logistic regression analysis determined that male gender and minimum forearm CVD were the only significant predictors for fistula success with odds ratios of 3.90 (95% CI: 1.30 - 11.68) and 2.31 (95% CI: 1.00 - 5.43), respectively. The study is limited by the possibility that US results in patients may have lead to an alternative type of access being attempted. CONCLUSIONS US mapping prior to forearm AVF creation is of modest benefit. Only male gender and minimum forearm CVD were predictive of AVF success.
Decreased immunoreactivity for cell‐cycle regulator p27Kip1 in Kaposi's sarcoma correlates with higher stage and extracutaneous involvement

A consistent relationship has been established between the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and human herpes virus‐8 (HHV8) infection. HHV8‐encoded v‐cyclin, through its complexing with cyclin‐dependent kinase 6, contributes to the phosphorylation and proteasome‐mediated degradation of p27Kip1. On the other hand, down‐regulation of p27Kip1 expression seems to facilitate metastatic dissemination in a variety of human neoplasms. Although the neoplastic nature of KS remains controversial, it has been repeatedly demonstrated that in some patients KS may behave as a malignant neoplasm and follow an ominous course, especially in HIV‐positive patients and when associated with extracutaneous involvement. To determine whether decreased p27Kip1 levels are also related to more aggressive behaviour in KS, it was decided to investigate p27Kip1 immunoreactivity in KS biopsy specimens and its possible changes in relation to cutaneous versus extracutaneous involvement and HIV serological status. Forty‐nine cases of KS (29 AIDS‐related and 21 classical) corresponding to 30 cutaneous biopsy specimens (ten macules, seven plaques, and 13 tumours) and 19 extracutaneous biopsy specimens were immunostained to determine the expression of p27Kip1 and the proliferation marker Ki‐67 antigen. The mean percentages of p27Kip1‐positive cells were significantly higher in biopsy specimens from skin lesions (77.8±21.1) than in those from extracutaneous locations (42.0±26.0). Amongst cutaneous lesions, p27Kip1 expression was significantly higher in macules (83.8±18.5) and plaques (91.4±6.4) than in tumours (65.8±22.6). Ki‐67 immunoreactivity showed no correlation with any of the variables studied. These results lend support to the hypothesis that decreased levels of p27Kip1, which may have been brought about by HHV8 infection, play a role in KS progression through its various histopathological stages, to its eventual extracutaneous spread. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameters affecting the loss of ganglion cells of the retina following ablations of striate cortex in primates

Abstract Partial lesions of striate cortex were made in newborn and adolescent or young adult macaque monkeys, one newborn squirrel monkey, and adult squirrel and owl monkeys. After survival times ranging from 3 1/2 weeks to 8 years, the retinas were examined for transneuronal retrograde ganglion cell loss and retinal projections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, and other targets were examined for changes. After lesions in infant macaque monkeys and long postoperative survivals, nearly 80% of the ganglion cells were lost in the altered portions of the retinas. The degeneration appeared to be exclusively of ganglion cells projecting to the parvocellular layers of the lateral geniculate nucleus, and the loss of this class of cell appeared to be complete or nearly complete for the affected portions of the retina. Cases with shorter survivals showed that nine-tenths of the potential loss occurred within 6 months, and about half of the potential loss took place within one month. In cases where lesions were placed in adolescent and young adult macaque monkeys, the loss also was of ganglion cells projecting to the parvocellular layers. However, the rate of cell loss was slower so that little or no cell loss was apparent after six months, and only one-third to three-fourths of the potential loss occurred within 12–14 months. A cell loss of 22% was measured in the altered portions of the retina of a squirrel monkey lesioned as an infant and surviving for 6 months, but no regions of ganglion cell loss were apparent in the retinas of owl and squirrel monkeys lesioned as adults and surviving as long as two or more years. We conclude that nearly 80% of the ganglion cells project to the parvocellular layers in macaque monkeys, and that the ultimate survival of these ganglion cells depends on the presence of target neurons in the parvocellular layers. Age is important in that the loss of ganglion cells proceeds rapidly in infant macaque monkeys, but slowly in older animals. Infant New World monkeys, judging from one squirrel monkey, are also susceptible to ganglion cell loss, although apparently at a rate comparable to older macaque monkeys. Finally, adult New World monkeys do not appear to be susceptible to ganglion cell loss. These age and species differences in rates of loss and susceptibility to loss challenge a “sustaining collateral” hypothesis proposed earlier (Weller et al., 1979), and suggest alternatives and modifications.
Comparison of bevacizumab and cabergoline in the treatment of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in a rat model

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of bevacizumab in a rat model of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and compare with cabergoline. The study was performed with 24 rats in four main groups (one non-stimulated control and three OHSS treatment groups; bevacizumab, cabergoline and placebo). The rats were randomly assigned to four experimental groups (six rats per group). Efficacy of treatment was assessed on 29th day by measuring weight gain, number of eggs, presence of ascites and ovarian weight. Peritoneal fluid levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Ovarian weights were significantly higher in the OHSS groups than the control group. Ovarian weights in OHSS placebo group were found to be higher than those in OHSS-treatment groups (p = 0.002). VEGF levels were found increased in the OHSS-placebo group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). This increase was not seen in the OHSS groups treated with either bevacizumab or cabergoline. We demonstrate in this study that bevacizumab can lower VEGF production and ovarian weight in rats treated with gonadotropins.
Enhancing Sensitivity of Detection of Immune Responses to Mycobacterium leprae Peptides in Whole-Blood Assays

ABSTRACT Although worldwide leprosy prevalence has been reduced considerably following multidrug therapy, new case detection rates remain relatively stable, suggesting that transmission of infection still continues. This calls for new efforts, among which is development of assays that can identify subclinical/early-stage Mycobacterium leprae-infected subjects, a likely source of transmission. Areas in which leprosy is endemic often lack sophisticated laboratories, necessitating development of field-friendly immunodiagnostic tests for leprosy, like short-term whole-blood assays (WBA). In classical, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)-based gamma interferon (IFN-γ) release assays, M. leprae peptides have been shown to discriminate in a more specific fashion than M. leprae proteins between M. leprae-exposed contacts and patients as opposed to healthy controls from the same area of endemicity. However, peptides induced significantly lower levels of IFN-γ than did proteins, particularly when whole blood was used. Therefore, possibilities of specifically enhancing IFN-γ production in response to M. leprae peptides in 24-h WBA were sought by addition of various cytokines and antibodies or by mannosylation of peptides. In addition, other cytokines and chemokines were analyzed as potential biomarkers in WBA. We found that only interleukin 12 (IL-12), not other costimulants, increased IFN-γ production in WBA while maintaining M. leprae peptide specificity, as evidenced by lack of increase of IFN-γ in control samples stimulated with IL-12 alone. The IL-12-induced increase in IFN-γ was mainly mediated by CD4+ T cells that did not produce IL-2 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Mannosylation further allowed the use of 100-fold-less peptide. Although not statistically significantly, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) and macrophage c protein 1 (MCP-1) levels specific for M. leprae peptide tended to be increased by IL-12. IP-10 production was also found to be a useful marker of M. leprae peptide responses, but its production was enhanced by IL-12 nonspecifically. We conclude that IFN-γ-based WBA combined with IL-12 represents a more sensitive and robust assay for measuring reactivity to M. leprae peptides.