Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The adsorption of major tear film lipids in vitro to various silicone hydrogels over time.

PURPOSE An in vitro study was conducted to measure the adsorption of major tear film lipids to soft contact lenses over time. METHODS Commercial balafilcon A (PureVision; Bausch & Lomb, Rochester, NY), galyfilcon A (Acuvue Advance; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care), lotrafilcon A and B (Night & Day And O(2)Optix; CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA), senofilcon A (Acuvue Oasys; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Jacksonville, FL) and etafilcon A (Acuvue 2; Johnson & Johnson Vision Care) lenses were all soaked for 14 hours in the dark at 34.5 degrees C in either cholesterol (CH; nonpolar lipid) or phosphatidylethanolamine (PE; polar lipid), tagged with 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD) and N-fluorescein-5-thiocarbamoyl (FITC) labels, respectively. After rinsing, the lenses were measured for fluorescence and the corresponding lipid concentration was calculated from an appropriate standard curve. The lenses were then placed into a fresh 1-mL aliquot of the lipid being tested, and the procedure was repeated for 20 days. RESULTS In vitro adsorption of CH was greater that that of PE for all lens types (P < 0.0001 at days 14 and 20). After 20 days of soaking in PE, the lotrafilcon polymers showed the lowest adsorption of all the silicone hydrogel lenses tested at 0.4 and 1.5 microg/lens, for lotrafilcon A (P < or = 0.0001) and lotrafilcon B, respectively (P < or = 0.0001). Galyfilcon A and senofilcon A showed significantly higher PE adsorption at 5.1 and 4.9 microg/lens, respectively, compared with all other silicone hydrogel lenses investigated (P < 0.03). Senofilcon A (P < 0.0001) and balafilcon A (P < 0.02) had the highest affinity for CH of all the lens types after 20 days, with adsorptions of 23.2 and 24.1 microg/lens, respectively. Lotrafilcon B (P < 0.0001) showed the lowest in vitro adsorption of CH of all the lens types, at 3 mug/lens. CONCLUSIONS In vitro lipid adsorption varied greatly depending on the lens material for both polar and nonpolar lipids. Overall, there was less in vitro adsorption of lipid to the lotrafilcon A and B polymers than for any of the other silicone hydrogel polymers tested. The quantity of lipid adsorption by lotrafilcon polymers was similar to "conventional" hydrogel lenses.
Preparedness of class and subject teachers for work with children with developmental difficulties

Adequate teacher training for work in inclusive conditions is essential for successful realization of inclusive politics and practice. The paper presents the experiences of other countries in teacher education and teachers' preparedness for work in inclusive school. The empirical research was conducted to see how teachers in Serbia evaluate their preparedness for work with children with developmental difficulties, what is the role of teacher initial education in training for work in inclusive conditions. The sample included 212 class and subject teachers from five elementary schools in Belgrade. To gather data we used an instrument with a combination of survey-type questions and a descriptive scale. The results show that the majority of the teachers assess that they are not adequately trained for work with children with developmental difficulties, and that their initial teacher training did not increase their preparedness for work in that domain. There are no significant differences between class teachers and subject teachers in their evaluation of their own preparedness for work with children with developmental difficulties. The discussion of the article is dedicated to the possibilities of improving initial teacher training in order to provide better teacher preparedness inclusive practice.
Phase I Trial of Repeated Intrathecal Autologous Bone Marrow‐Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Stem cell therapy is an emerging alternative therapeutic or disease‐modifying strategy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this open‐label phase I clinical trial was to evaluate the safety of two repeated intrathecal injections of autologous bone marrow (BM)‐derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in ALS patients. Eight patients with definite or probable ALS were enrolled. After a 3‐month lead‐in period, autologous MSCs were isolated two times from the BM at an interval of 26 days and were then expanded in vitro for 28 days and suspended in autologous cerebrospinal fluid. Of the 8 patients, 7 received 2 intrathecal injections of autologous MSCs (1 × 106 cells per kg) 26 days apart. Clinical or laboratory measurements were recorded to evaluate the safety 12 months after the first MSC injection. The ALS Functional Rating Scale‐Revised (ALSFRS‐R), the Appel ALS score, and forced vital capacity were used to evaluate the patients' disease status. One patient died before treatment and was withdrawn from the study. With the exception of that patient, no serious adverse events were observed during the 12‐month follow‐up period. Most of the adverse events were self‐limited or subsided after supportive treatment within 4 days. Decline in the ALSFRS‐R score was not accelerated during the 6‐month follow‐up period. Two repeated intrathecal injections of autologous MSCs were safe and feasible throughout the duration of the 12‐month follow‐up period.
Efficacy of volar and dorsal plate fixation for unstable dorsal distal radius fractures.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of volar and dorsal plate fixation for unstable dorsal distal radius fractures. METHODS Forty-seven cases were selected from patients undergoing surgical reduction and internal fixation treatment in our hospital from August 2006 to October 2010, with 21 males and 26 females, aged 39-73 years old. Patients were divided into two groups: volar plate fixation group (Group A) which has 32 cases, including 27 cases with locking plate, 5 cases with ordinary T plate, and 4 cases combined with dorsal Kirschner wire fixation; dorsal plate fixation group (Group B) which has 15 cases, including 7 cases with locking plate. The efficacy of the two fixation methods were compared in terms of postoperative wrist function, X-ray score, and postoperative complications. RESULTS Compared with those of preoperative groups, the volar tilt, ulnar deviation and radial styloid height in both group A and B were significantly improved one week after surgery as shown by X-ray imaging. Comparison of X-ray images one week after surgery with those of six months after surgery showed no significant changes in volar tilt, ulnar deviation or radial styloid height. 87.5% of patients in group A and 86.7% of patients in group B got "excellent" in their wrist function assessment, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (X(2)=0.825, P=1.000). But patients in group A hax significantly lower incidence rate of postoperative complications than group B (X(2)=4.150, P=0.042). CONCLUSION For unstable distal radius fractures with dorsal displacement, volar plate fixation can achieve satisfactory reduction results, and cause less tendon damage or other complications than dorsal plate fixation.
Correlation between DNA ploidy, proliferation marker Ki-67 and early tumor progression in renal cell carcinoma. A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE The course of metastatic renal cell carcinoma shows a broad range of interindividual variation that cannot be sufficiently predicted by tumor stage and grade. The aim of this study was to establish the prognostic value of DNA ploidy and the proliferation marker Ki-67 in renal cell carcinoma. METHODS Both parameters were measured simultaneously in 100 tumors and then correlated with the classic prognostic criteria pathologic stage and tumor differentiation grade as well as clinical course (early tumor progression). RESULTS DNA ploidy correlated well with staging, grading and early progression. The proliferation index (Ki-67) correlated well with tumor stage and histopathological grade but not with the clinical course (early progression). CONCLUSION Due to the diverse biological potential of renal cell carcinoma observation of further clinical course, including late tumor progression, will be necessary to determine whether one of these two indicators can provide additional information beyond what differentiation grade and tumor stage already tell us.
Peer education training for sexual health and well-being in public high schools in South Africa: Is it enough to change peer educators themselves?

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a high school peer educator training programme on the sexual behaviour and related psychosocial outcomes of peer educators. Method: A total of 728 students from 15 randomly selected public high schools in the Western Cape, South Africa, with a peer education programme and 15 matched comparison schools were recruited, comprising 295 students in the intervention group and 433 students in the comparison arms of the study respectively. Age of sexual debut, use of condom at last sex and psychosocial outcomes such as decision making, goal orientation, critical thinking and self-esteem were measured at baseline and follow-up 18 months later. Results: At follow-up, there were no significant differences in the age of sexual debut, use of condom at last sex, goal orientation, critical thinking and self-esteem scores of the peer educators compared to students in the comparison group. Decision-making scores were significantly higher in the peer educators, compared to students in the comparison group (adjusted difference between means 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.26). Conclusion: Even a highly intensive peer education training programme had limited effects for the peer educators themselves. It is clear that community factors, gendered power relations and poverty need to be addressed to have a lasting impact.
Ankle taping can reduce external ankle joint moments during drop landings on a tilted surface

Abstract Ankle taping is commonly used to prevent ankle sprains. However, kinematic assessments investigating the biomechanical effects of ankle taping have provided inconclusive results. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle taping on the external ankle joint moments during a drop landing on a tilted surface at 25°. Twenty-five participants performed landings on a tilted force platform that caused ankle inversion with and without ankle taping. Landing kinematics were captured using a motion capture system. External ankle inversion moment, the angular impulse due to the medio-lateral and vertical components of ground reaction force (GRF) and their moment arm lengths about the ankle joint were analysed. The foot plantar inclination relative to the ground was assessed. In the taping condition, the foot plantar inclination and ankle inversion angular impulse were reduced significantly compared to that of the control. The only component of the external inversion moment to change significantly in the taped condition was a shortened medio-lateral GRF moment arm length. It can be assumed that the ankle taping altered the foot plantar inclination relative to the ground, thereby shortening the moment arm of medio-lateral GRF that resulted in the reduced ankle inversion angular impulse.
Metabolic response of the cerebral cortex following gentle sleep deprivation and modafinil administration.

STUDY OBJECTIVES The main energy reserve of the brain is glycogen, which is almost exclusively localized in astrocytes. We previously reported that cerebral expression of certain genes related to glycogen metabolism changed following instrumental sleep deprivation in mice. Here, we extended our investigations to another set of genes related to glycogen and glucose metabolism. We also compared the effect of instrumentally and pharmacologically induced prolonged wakefulness, followed (or not) by 3 hours of sleep recovery, on the expression of genes related to brain energy metabolism. DESIGN Sleep deprivation for 6-7 hours. SETTING Animal sleep research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS Adults OF1 mice. INTERVENTIONS Wakefulness was maintained by "gentle sleep deprivation" method (GSD) or by administration of the wakefulness-promoting drug modafinil (MOD) (200 mg/kg i.p.). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Levels of mRNAs encoding proteins related to energy metabolism were measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the cerebral cortex. The mRNAs encoding protein targeting to glycogen (PTG) and the glial glucose transporter were significantly increased following both procedures used to prolong wakefulness. Glycogenin mRNA levels were increased only after GSD, while neuronal glucose transporter mRNA only after MOD. These effects were reversed after sleep recovery. A significant enhancement of glycogen synthase activity without any changes in glycogen levels was observed in both conditions. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate the existence of a metabolic adaptation of astrocytes aimed at maintaining brain energy homeostasis during the sleep-wake cycle.
Developmental toxicity assay using high content screening of zebrafish embryos

Typically, time‐consuming standard toxicological assays using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo model evaluate mortality and teratogenicity after exposure during the first 2 days post‐fertilization. Here we describe an automated image‐based high content screening (HCS) assay to identify the teratogenic/embryotoxic potential of compounds in zebrafish embryos in vivo. Automated image acquisition was performed using a high content microscope system. Further automated analysis of embryo length, as a statistically quantifiable endpoint of toxicity, was performed on images post‐acquisition. The biological effects of ethanol, nicotine, ketamine, caffeine, dimethyl sulfoxide and temperature on zebrafish embryos were assessed. This automated developmental toxicity assay, based on a growth‐retardation endpoint should be suitable for evaluating the effects of potential teratogens and developmental toxicants in a high throughput manner. This approach can significantly expedite the screening of potential teratogens and developmental toxicants, thereby improving the current risk assessment process by decreasing analysis time and required resources. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
[99mTc]diphosphonate uptake and hemodynamics in arthritis of the immature dog knee

The relationship between [99mTc]diphosphonate uptake and bone hemodynamics was studied in canine carrageenan‐induced juvenile chronic arthritis. Blood flow was determined with microspheres, plasma and red cell volumes were measured by labeled fibrinogen and red cells, and the microvascular volume and mean transit time of blood were calculated. Normal femoral epiphyses had lower central and higher subchondral blood flow and diphosphonate uptake values. Epiphyseal vascular volume was uniform, resulting in a greater transit time of blood centrally. In arthritis, blood flow and diphosphonate uptake were increased subchondrally and unaffected centrally, while epiphyseal vascular volume was increased throughout, leading to prolonged transit time centrally. The normal metaphyses had low blood flow and diphosphonate uptake values in cancellous bone and very high values in growth plates, but a large vascular volume throughout. The mean transit time therefore was low in growth plates and high in adjacent cancellous bone. Arthritis caused decreased blood flow and diphosphonate uptake in growth plates but increased vascular volume and transit time of blood. Diphosphonate uptake correlated positively with blood flow and plasma volume and negatively with red cell volume in a nonlinear fashion. Thus, changes in diphosphonate uptake and microvascular hemodynamics occur in both epiphyseal and metaphyseal bone in chronic synovitis of the immature knee. The [99mTc]diphosphonate bone scan seems to reflect blood flow, plasma volume, and red cell volume of bone.
Changes in Diaphragmatic Function Induced by an Increased Inspiratory Load Experienced by Military Divers: An Ultrasound Study

Background: Inspiratory loading is experienced by military divers when they use rebreather device. Our objective was to assess the changes in diaphragm function induced by an increase in inspiratory load at values similar to those experienced by divers in real life. Methods: We recorded the excursion and the thickness of the right hemidiaphragm in 22 healthy male volunteers under inspiratory load conditions, using ultrasound in B- and M-mode. The measurements were performed at tidal volume and during breathing at 50% of inspiratory capacity. The breathing rate was regulated and similar in the various sessions with and without load. Results: The rebreather device used by French military divers leads to an increase in inspiratory load of close to 30 cmH2O. Consequently, the session under load was performed using a device set to this threshold. Significant increases in the excursion and the thickening fraction of the diaphragm were observed between the sessions at tidal volume and at high volume. With addition of the inspiratory load, the excursion of the right hemidiaphragm increased significantly from 2.3 to 3.4cm at tidal volume and from 3.9 to 4.7cm at high volume. The thickening fraction increased significantly from 30.4 to 76.6% at tidal volume and from 70 to 123% at high volume. The statistical analysis demonstrated that assessment of the changes of the thickening fraction during breathing at tidal volume was the most relevant marker to assess the impact of the inspiratory load on the diaphragm. Conclusion: Diaphragm ultrasound can be used to assess the changes in the diaphragm contraction pattern secondary to an increase in the respiratory load that can be generated by use a diving apparatus. The recording of the changes of the motion, and more importantly of the thickness of the diaphragm, during the breathing cycle is able to provide relevant information regarding the inspiratory load.
[Prevalence of metabolic disorders among family members of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome].

BACKGROUND About 60% of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have insulin resistance, predisposing them to the premature coronary disease and type 2-diabetes mellitus. However, the history of metabolic disorders in family members of patients with PCOS has been seldom documented in the literature. AIM To evaluate the family profile of metabolic disorders of PCOS patients and to determine their relative risk of developing one of them in comparison to a control group. PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty PCOS patients were evaluated. The control group were 60 normal women. The data were obtained from the clinical history and personal interview with the patients, the controls and their relatives (brothers, parents and grandparents). The metabolic disorders considered were: dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension and diabetes. RESULTS The ages were similar between groups (PCOS: 24.0 +/- 6.3; control group: 24.8 +/- 6.2 years). The prevalence of metabolic disorders was 62% in the relatives of the PCOS patients and 27.8% in the relatives of the control group (p < 0.005). The probability to develop a metabolic disorder within the family was 2.7 (2.2-3.3) fold higher in the PCOS group compared to the control group. The risk of developing hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity and diabetes was 2.1 (1.5-2.9); 1.8 (1.5-2.7); 3.6 (2.6-4.9) and 2.7 (1.8-3.9), respectively, in the PCOS group compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS The probability of finding a metabolic disorder in the families of PCOS patients, is 2.7 fold higher than in the control group families. The metabolic disorders are more frequent in parents and grandparents of the PCOS patients than in those of normal women.
Differential GABAA Subunit Expression Following Status Epilepticus in Seizure‐prone and Seizure‐resistant Rats: A Putative Mechanism for Refractory Drug Response

Summary: Purpose: Two rat strains were selectively bred to be prone (Fast) or resistant (Slow) to amygdala kindling. The first objective of this experiment was to determine whether that selection was specific to kindling or was sensitive more broadly to another seizure induction agent, kainic acid (KA). Second, we investigated whether these strains exhibit distinct molecular responses to KA with respect to GABAA receptor subunit expression.
Director Tenure Diversity and Board Monitoring Effectiveness

This study examines the impact of director tenure diversity on board effectiveness. We find that tenure-diverse boards exhibit significantly higher CEO performance-turnover sensitivity and that firms with tenure-diverse audit committees are less likely to experience accounting restatements. Furthermore, we document that tenure-diverse compensation committees also award less excess compensation and are less likely to overcompensate. Even though tenure-diverse boards seem to exhibit superior monitoring performance, there is limited evidence that their firms exhibit superior financial performance. The findings suggest that recent calls for board renewal, to the extent that it would increase tenure diversity rather than just decrease average board tenure, may help enhance board monitoring.
The Market Turn: From Social Democracy to Market Liberalism

Social democracy and market liberalism provide different solutions to the same problem: how to provide for life‐cycle dependency. Social democracy makes lateral transfers from producers to dependents by means of progressive taxation. Market liberalism uses financial markets to transfer financial entitlement over time. Social democracy came up against the upper limits of public expenditure in the 1970s. The ‘market turn’ from social democracy to market liberalism was enabled by liberalized credit in the 1980s. Much of this was absorbed into homeownership, which attracted majorities of households (and voters) in the developed world. Early movers did well, but eventually easy credit drove house prices beyond the reach of younger cohorts. Debt service diminished effective demand, which instigated financial instability. Both social democracy and market liberalism are currently in crisis.
ANALISIS PENGARUH NILAI TUKAR, TINGKAT SUKU BUNGA DAN INFLASI TERHADAP INDEKS HARGA SAHAM Studi Kasus Pada Perusahaan Properti yang Terdaftar di Bursa Efek Indonesia

This study aims to analyze the effect of variable exchange rates, interest rates and inflation on share prices of listed property sector in Indonesia Stock Exchange. The population in this study is a company incorporated in the listed property sector in Indonesia Stock Exchange (BEI) for the period from 2007 to 2011. Samples obtained using purposive sampling method to obtain 48 companies. This study uses Ordinary Least Square analysis to determine the effect of independent variables on the stock price index of the listed property sector in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Based on t test, the exchange rate a significant negative effect on property sector stock price index, while the variable interest rates have a positive but not significant and variable inflation is positive but not significant effect on the property sector stock price index. Results simultaneously with the F test showed that all the independent variables significantly influence the stock price index property sector. So that only the exchange rate has an influence on stock price index of listed property sector in Indonesia Stock Exchange. Key words: Exchange rate, Interest Rates, Inflation, Stock Price Index.