Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hypercalcemia in Patients Treated with Oral Bisphosphonates for Tumor-Induced Osteolysis

Abstract Objective: Hypercalcemia as the consequence of an excessive bone resorption is a common complication in patients with cancer. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of hypercalcemia in patients with tumor-induced osteolysis starting therapy with bisphosphonates. Methods: The questionnaire-based survey (data collected during three consecutive examinations within a 3-month period) was conducted among 1,450 patients treated with bisphosphonates for tumor-induced osteolysis. Results: Hypercalcemia was found in 8.7% respondents starting the treatment with bisphosphonates. The most common cause of malignancy-associated hypercalcemia was prostate cancer, multiple myeloma and breast cancer. On the other hand, hypercalcemia was the most prevalent among patients with multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer of an unknown primary origin and bladder cancer. Metastases were reported in 342 patients, while pathological fractures in 37. The normalization of calcium level was obtained in 91.4% of the patients treated with bisphosphonates, mostly clodronate. During the bisphosphonate therapy, pathological fractures occurred in 4.6% of patients and the percentage of the patients reporting bone pain decreased from 79.9% to 30.9%. Conclusion: Multiple myeloma, prostate and breast cancer are the most common causes of hypercalcemia of malignancy in patients with tumor-induced osteolysis starting therapy with bisphosphonates.
BAFF and BAFF Receptor Levels Correlate with B Cell Subset Activation and Redistribution in Controlled Human Malaria Infection

Characteristic features of Plasmodium falciparum malaria are polyclonal B cell activation and an altered composition of the blood B cell compartment, including expansion of CD21−CD27− atypical memory B cells. BAFF is a key cytokine in B cell homeostasis, but its potential contribution to the modulation of the blood B cell pool during malaria remains elusive. In the controlled human malaria model (CHMI) in malaria-naive Dutch volunteers, we therefore examined the dynamics of BAFF induction and B cell subset activation and composition, to investigate whether these changes are linked to malaria-induced immune activation and, in particular, induction of BAFF. Alterations in B cell composition after CHMI closely resembled those observed in endemic areas. We further found distinct kinetics of proliferation for individual B cell subsets across all developmental stages. Proliferation peaked either immediately after blood-stage infection or at convalescence, and for most subsets was directly associated with the peak parasitemia. Concomitantly, plasma BAFF levels during CHMI were increased and correlated with membrane-expressed BAFF on monocytes and dendritic cells, as well as blood-stage parasitemia and parasite-induced IFN-γ. Correlating with increased plasma BAFF and IFN-γ levels, IgD−CD38lowCD21−CD27− atypical B cells showed the strongest proliferative response of all memory B cell subsets. This provides unique evidence for a link between malaria-induced immune activation and temporary expansion of this B cell subset. Finally, baseline BAFF-R levels before CHMI were predictive of subsequent changes in proportions of individual B cell subsets. These findings suggest an important role of BAFF in facilitating B cell subset proliferation and redistribution as a consequence of malaria-induced immune activation.
Duration Dependence in the Exit Rate Out of Unemployment in Belgium: Is it True or Spurious?

On the basis of aggregate data for the early nineties, we analyse the determinants of unemployment duration for laid-off male workers in Wallonia (Belgium). Our results demonstrate that if ranking in recruitment occurs, the standard Mixed Proportional Hazard specification can be too restrictive, leading to an overstatement of the extent of true negative duration dependence. We conclude that negative duration dependence is largely spurious. We also decompose the time variation of the hazard in (unobserved) compositional and direct cyclical and seasonal effects. We find counter-cyclical variation in the quality of young workers, but none for the prime aged.
Survival of ART and Amalgam Restorations in Permanent Teeth of Children after 6.3 Years

The null hypothesis tested was that there is no difference in the survival percentages of all restorations placed through the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) approach, with high-viscosity glass ionomer, and those produced through the traditional approach, with amalgam (TA), in the permanent dentitions of children after 6.3 years. Using a parallel group design, we randomly assigned a total of 370 children, aged 6 to 9 years, to the ART group and 311 children, also aged 6 to 9 years, to the TA group. Eight dentists placed a total of 1117 single- and multiple-surface restorations. The cumulative survival percentages for ART glass-ionomer restorations were statistically significantly higher than those of amalgam restorations at all time intervals except the first (p ≤ 0.044). After 6.3 years, the cumulative survival percentages of ART and amalgam restorations were 66.1% (SE = 3.1%) and 57.0% (SE = 3.3%), respectively. We concluded that the restorations produced with the ART approach, with high-viscosity glass ionomer, survived longer than those produced with the traditional approach, with amalgam, in the permanent teeth of young children.
Cytotoxicity evaluation of three light-cured dentin adhesive materials on human gingival fibroblasts, ex vivo.

PURPOSE To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of three current light-cured dentin adhesives, in both uncured and post-cured conditions, on human gingival fibroblasts. MATERIAL AND METHODS The materials tested were Heliobond, Adper Single Bond 2 and Xeno V, which are characterized by various compositions and application procedures. Each agent, in volumes of 5 and 10 μL, was tested after polymerization, and those unpolymerized were diluted in DMEM to 10-3 and 10-5. The cytotoxicity of the adhesives was assessed on the basis of a test of cell viability in a culture of human gingival fibroblasts, with the use of tetrazolic salt (MTT assay). RESULTS The results showed that, among the adhesive/bonding systems tested, Xeno V was the least cytotoxic. There were statistically significant differences in cell survival between polymerized Xeno V, Adper Single Bond 2 and Heliobond in the amount of 5 μL as well as between the Xeno V and Adper Single Bond 2 in 10-5 dilutions. The tested adhesives were more toxic in the polymerized form than in the dilutions. Samples of 10 μL resulted in a lower survival percentage of fibroblasts compared to 5 μL. CONCLUSION All the tested adhesives demonstrated cytopathic effects towards human gingival fibroblasts, but varied in their cytotoxicity. This has clinical implications. Dentists should follow the rules of adhesive application, precisely dose them and not allow direct contact with the gums as, even after polymerization, adhesive agents exhibit potential cytotoxic activity.
Oxytocin and Pain: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Findings

Objectives:A review of the literature was conducted to assess the association between oxytocin (OT) and pain. Methods:PsychInfo, PubMed, and Medline (EBSCO) research databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles written between 1950 and 2012. Of a total of 1166 articles returned, 50 (9 human, 33 animal, and 8 spinal cord samples) met full inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Results:OT had a reliable effect as defined by increasing pain tolerance in 29 of 33 animal studies reviewed. This effect persisted across central and peripheral modes of administration and type of noxious stimulus used (eg, heat, electric). The results suggest that OT acts as an analgesic for acute pain in animals. Preliminary research with humans offers consistent evidence to suggest that OT decreases pain sensitivity, though the reliability and stability of such effects cannot yet be determined. Although the findings are encouraging, there is a need for methodologically rigorous work in humans where OT is administered centrally. Discussion:Further research seems to be warranted as the existence of biologically and psychologically plausible mechanisms linking OT and pain have been well supported using animal models with limited but encouraging human research. Implications and recommendations are discussed. Findings from this research may inform therapeutic methods for the management of pain.
Identification of extreme motor phenotypes in Huntington's disease

The manifestation of motor signs in Huntington's disease (HD) has a well‐known inverse relationship with HTT CAG repeat length, but the prediction is far from perfect. The probability of finding disease modifiers is enhanced in individuals with extreme HD phenotypes. We aimed to identify extreme HD motor phenotypes conditional on CAG and age, such as patients with very early or very late onset of motor manifestation. Retrospective data were available from 1,218 healthy controls and 9,743 HD participants with CAG repeats ≥40, and a total of about 30,000 visits. Boundaries (2.5% and 97.5% quantiles) for extreme motor phenotypes (UHDRS total motor score (TMS) and motor age‐at‐onset) were estimated using quantile regression for longitudinal data. More than 15% of HD participants had an extreme TMS phenotype for at least one visit. In contrast, only about 4% of participants were consistent TMS extremes at two or more visits. Data from healthy controls revealed an upper cut‐off of 13 for the TMS representing the extreme of motor ratings for a normal aging population. In HD, boundaries of motor age‐at‐onset based on diagnostic confidence or derived from the TMS data cut‐off in controls were similar. In summary, a UHDRS TMS of more than 13 in an individual carrying the HD mutation indicates a high likelihood of motor manifestations of HD irrespective of CAG repeat length or age. The identification of motor phenotype extremes can be useful in the search for disease modifiers, for example, genetic or environmental such as medication. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is the Whipple Procedure Harmful for Long-term Outcome in Treatment of Chronic Pancreatitis? 15-Years Follow-up Comparing the Outcome after Pylorus-Preserving Pancreatoduodenectomy and Frey Procedure in Chronic Pancreatitis

Objective:The aim of this study was to report on 15-year long-term results of a randomized controlled trial comparing extended drainage procedure (Frey) and classical resectional procedure [pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PD)] in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Background:Chronic pancreatitis is a common inflammatory disease with a prevalence of 10 to 30 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. It is characterized by the progressive conversion of pancreatic parenchyma to fibrous tissue. Different surgical procedures are used in treatment of persistent pain. Methods:Sixty-four patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis with inflammatory mass in the pancreatic head were randomly assigned in 2 treatment groups (PD, n = 32) and (Frey, n = 32). The perioperative course of the randomized controlled trial and the 7 years follow-up have been previously published. All participating patients were contacted with a standardized, validated questionnaire (EORTC QLQ C30) to evaluate the long-term survival, quality-of-life pain, and exocrine and endocrine function. Results:In the 15-year long-term follow-up, the pain control was good and comparable between both groups, but the quality of life was better after Frey procedure in regard of the physical status [PD: 100 (0–100) vs PD: 60 (0–100) (P = 0.011)]. No significant differences in terms of the Pain Score were detected between both groups [PD: 7 (0–100) vs Frey 4 (0–100) P = 0.258]. Seven patients after Frey OP and 6 patients after PD were free of pain. Analyzing the postoperative overall survival, a higher long-term mortality was found after PD (53%) than that found after Frey procedure (30%) resulting in a longer mean survival (14.5 ± 0.8 vs 11.3 ± 0.8 years; P = 0.037). No correlation between endocrine or exocrine pancreatic function and pain was found, whereas continuous alcohol consumption was associated with poorer outcome regarding quality of life (P < 0.001) and pain score (P < 0.001). Conclusions:PD and Frey procedure provide good and permanent pain relief and improvement of the quality of life in long-term follow-up. In addition, a longer survival was found after the organ sparing resection. Together with better short-term results, the organ-sparing procedure seems to be favorable in treatment of chronic pancreatitis.
Mixed-Effects Modeling of the Influence of Midazolam on Propofol Pharmacokinetics

BACKGROUND: The combined administration of anesthetics has been associated with pharmacokinetic interactions that induce concentration changes of up to 30%. Midazolam is often used as a preoperative sedative in advance of a propofol-based anesthetic. In this study, we identified the influence of midazolam on the pharmacokinetics of propofol. METHODS: Eight healthy male volunteers were studied on two occasions in a random crossover manner. During Session A, volunteers received propofol 1 mg/kg in 1 min followed by an infusion of 2.5 mg · kg−1 · h−1 for 59 min. During Session B, in addition to this propofol infusion scheme, a target-controlled infusion of midazolam (constant Ct: 125 ng/mL) was given from 15 min before the start until 6 h after termination of the propofol infusion. Arterial blood samples for blood propofol and plasma midazolam concentration analysis were taken until 6 h after termination of the propofol infusion. Nonlinear mixed-effects models examining the influence of midazolam and hemodynamic variables on propofol pharmacokinetics were constructed using Akaike criterion for model selection. RESULTS: In the presence of midazolam (Cblood: 224.8 ± 41.6 ng/mL), the blood propofol concentration increased by 25.1% ± 13.3% compared with when propofol was given as single drug. Midazolam (Cblood: 225 ng/mL) reduced propofol Cl1 from 1.94 to 1.61 L/min, Cl2 from 2.86 to 1.52 L/min, and Cl3 from 0.95 to 0.73 L/min. Inclusion of mean arterial blood pressure further improved the propofol pharmacokinetic model. CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam reduces the metabolic and rapid and slow distribution clearances of propofol. In addition, a reduction in mean arterial blood pressure is associated with propofol pharmacokinetic alterations that increase the blood propofol concentration.
Is Lower 30-Day Mortality Posthospital Admission Among Blacks Unique to the Veterans Affairs Health Care System?

Background:Several studies have reported lower risk-adjusted mortality for blacks than whites within the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, particularly for those age 65 and older. This finding may be a result of the VA's integrated health care system, which reduces barriers to care through subsidized comprehensive health care services. However, no studies have directly compared racial differences in mortality within 30 days of hospitalization between the VA and non-VA facilities in the US health care system. Objective:To compare risk-adjusted 30-day mortality for black and white males after hospital admission to VA and non-VA hospitals, with separate comparisons for patients younger than age 65 and those age 65 and older. Research Design:Retrospective observational study using hospital claims data from the national VA system and all non-VA hospitals in Pennsylvania and California. Subjects:A total of 369,155 VA and 1,509,891 non-VA hospitalizations for a principal diagnosis of pneumonia, congestive heart failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, hip fracture, stroke, or acute myocardial infarction between 1996 and 2001. Measures:Mortality within 30 days of hospital admission. Results:Among those under age 65, blacks in VA and non-VA hospitals had similar odds ratios of 30-day mortality relative to whites for gastrointestinal bleeding, hip fracture, stroke, and acute myocardial infarction. Among those age 65 and older, blacks in both VA and non-VA hospitals had significantly reduced odds of 30-day mortality compared with whites for all conditions except pneumonia in the VA. The differences in mortality by race are remarkably similar in VA and non-VA settings. Conclusions:These findings suggest that factors associated with better short-term outcomes for blacks are not unique to the VA.
Decisive role of immunocytochemistry in aspiration cytology of chordoma of the clivus: A case report with review of the literature

Abstract Immunocytochemistry (ICC) proved to be an essential adjunct in the fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytological diagnosis of chordoma of the clivus in a 62-year-old woman. The cytological picture in routinely stained smears was not entirely diagnostic for chordoma due to the paucity of typical ‘physalipherous’ cells. To exclude other primary or metastatic neoplasms of the skull base possibly sharing the same cytological picture, additional direct smears were immunostained with antibodies specific for cytokeratin (CK), vimentin (VIM), SI00 protein (SIOOP), carcinoembrionic antigen (CEA), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), CD68 antigen (KP1) and with the ‘panepithelial’ antibodies B72.3 and Ber-EP4. Chordoma cells showed the following immunoprofile: CK+/VIM−/S100P+/CEA−/EMA+/GFAP−/B72.3−/Ber-EP4−/CD68+. The pattern of immunoreactivity for CK, S100P and CEA confirms previously reported data, while the B72.3−/Ber-EP4−/CD68+ staining profile represents a novel observation. The etection of a CK+/S100+/CEA−/B72.3−/Ber-EP4− immunocytological profile of chordoma cells in aspirates is a basic requirement to exclude pertinent diagnostic differentials, such as metastatic carcinoma, ependymoma and sarcoma, and permits a reliable pre-operative diagnosis of the tumour by aspiration cytology.
Subconjunctival topotecan in fibrin sealant in the treatment of transgenic murine retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE To test the effects of subconjunctival topotecan (TPT) in fibrin sealant (FS) in transgenic murine retinoblastoma (RB). METHODS Growth inhibitory, apoptotic, and cell cycle effects of TPT were assayed in human RB cell lines. In a dose-escalation study, eight groups of three 10- to 14-week-old wild-type mice were treated bilaterally with a single 30-microL injection of subconjunctival TPT in FS (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, or 3.2 mg/mL). Two groups of twenty 10-week-old LHbeta-Tag transgenic mice were then treated in the right eye only with TPT in FS (3.2 mg/mL in 30 microL; 0.1-mg total dose) or with FS only. The contralateral eye in each group was left untreated to serve as an internal control. After 3 weeks, ocular tumor burden was determined by histologic examination. RESULTS At 48 hours, IC(50) values of TPT in Y79 and Weri-Rb1 RB cell lines were 35 nM and 50 nM, respectively. Growth inhibitory effects were correlated with increased apoptosis and accumulation of cells in G2. Cytotoxicity of TPT was comparable in aqueous media and in FS. In the dose-escalation study, no histopathologic evidence of ocular toxicity was observed at any dose. Clinical toxicities (mild enophthalmos and eyelid alopecia) were observed only at the highest dose tested (3.2 mg/mL). In the treatment study, both eyes of TPT-treated mice demonstrated significant reduction in tumor burden compared with both eyes of mice treated with FS only (59% reduction; P = 0.04). In mice treated with TPT, tumor burden in TPT-treated eyes and in untreated contralateral eyes did not differ significantly. CONCLUSIONS Subconjunctival administration of TPT in FS to one eye allows the formation of a TPT depot sufficient for an effect to occur 3 weeks after treatment. This effect -- bilateral reduction in tumor burden without a significant difference in treated versus untreated eyes -- suggests that the major route of drug delivery in this system is hematogenous rather than transscleral.
Effects of a recreational ice skating program on the functional mobility of a child with cerebral palsy

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of an ice skating program on the ambulation, strength, posture and balance of a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Description: The subject was a five-year-old female with a diagnosis of CP and a Gross Motor Classification System level of III. The subject was a slow and labored household ambulator on level surfaces with bilateral forearm crutches and bilateral ankle foot orthoses. She was unable to transfer to and from the floor to stand independently, stand unsupported or take steps independently. Until the initiation of this study she was receiving physical therapy services 2×/week. For the purpose of this study she participated in a 1 h/week local ice skating program for people with disabilities for a period of four months. Outcomes: The subject displayed clinically significant improvements in functional mobility including: improved standing posture; independent transfer to and from the floor to stand; maintenance of independent standing for 3 min; independent walking for 10 feet; increased ability to isolate extremity musculature; increased strength; improved Gross Motor Function Measure-88 scores and increased endurance. A subsequent testing session four months after the ice skating program had ended displayed declines but not to pre-intervention levels in muscle strength; ability to transfer to and from the floor to stand; functional mobility and standing balance. Discussion: The results appear to suggest that the participation in an ice skating program clinically improved this child’s functional mobility. Further research needs to be done with regard to physical recreational programs and the benefit they can have on the function of children with activity limitations.
Fast Multiplication Energy-Efficient 7 : 2 Compressor Mr

In many of digital systems used in like graphical processors, digital signal processors fast parallel multiplication using adder trees are present. Multipliers have attracted lots of researchers’ attention into making high-performance multipliers to consume less power and operate faster. This paper presents efficient implementation of comp ress tree adders on FPGAs. A new 7:2 compr essor architecture based on changing some internal equations are proposed. In addition, using an effi cient full-adder (FA) block is considered to have a high speed compressor. Three 7:2 compresso rs are considered for comparison. The proposed architecture is compared with the best existing designs presented in the state-of-the-art literature in terms of power, delay and area. The paper presents 7:2 compressors that are widely used as building blocks of multipliers. Lots of architectures for 5:2 compressors have been proposed in the literature. The number of transistors used in the design is less than the best existing 5:2 compr essor architectures. By a vast research on these structures, it has been revealed that the structures presented in and have better performance than