Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravesical Electro-Osmotic Administration of Mitomycin C

Bladder cancer is very common and most cases are diagnosed as nonmuscle invasive disease, which is characterized by its propensity to recur and progress. Intravesical therapy is used to delay recurrence and progression, while cystectomy is reserved for patients who are refractory to transurethral resection and intravesical therapy. There is an increasing interest in methods to enhance the delivery of intravesical chemotherapeutic agents to improve efficacy. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that electro-osmosis of mitomycin C (MMC) is more effective in delivering this drug into the urothelium, lamina propria, and superficial muscle layers of the bladder wall than is passive transport. Higher MMC tissue concentrations might have a clinical impact in the treatment of nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). In randomized trials, intravesical electro-osmotic MMC was associated with superior response rate in high-risk NMIBC cancer, compared with passive diffusion MMC transport. New strategies such as intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) combined with electro-osmotic MMC as well as intravesical pre-operative electro-osmotic MMC provided promising results in terms of higher remission rates and longer remission times. Device-assisted intravesical chemotherapy may be a useful ancillary procedure in the treatment of NMIBC. Its evaluation must be planned with respect to the technical functioning of equipment and their use for a clear purpose to avoid the financial and human costs associated with incorrect therapies.
From ‘Talking the Talk’ to ‘Walking the Walk’: Implementing the EU Guidelines on Employment through the European Social Fund

This article investigates how the European Social Fund (ESF) is being employed to translate Lisbon/Europe 2020 goals on employment into domestic agendas. The emphasis is not only on how European priorities are taken into account by ESF national programming documents (talking the EU talk), but also on how these priorities are translated into concrete actions at the local level (walking the walk). This article pursues this emphasis by combining mainstream studies on the impact of Europe (top-down Europeanisation) with studies on political usages (usages of Europe). This combination reveals new dynamics at work, such as the usages by Europe, and gives a more complete picture of the implementation process. Empirical evidence is drawn from documentary and database analysis and from interviews carried out at the European level and in two member states (France and Spain).
Acute Total Hip Arthroplasty for Selected Displaced Acetabular Fractures: Two to Twelve-Year Results

Background: We assessed the role of acute total hip arthroplasty in a selected group of patients with a displaced acetabular fracture and complicating features that greatly diminished the likelihood of a favorable outcome after open reduction and internal fixation. Methods: Between 1985 and 1997, fifty-seven patients underwent an acute total hip arthroplasty for a displaced acetabular fracture. Patients were followed for a mean of 8.1 years (range, two to twelve years). The mean time from the injury to the arthroplasty was six days (range, one to twenty days). The mean age of the patients at the time of the arthroplasty was sixty-nine years (range, twenty-six to eighty-nine years). Indications for the acute arthroplasty included intra-articular comminution as well as full-thickness abrasive loss of the articular cartilage, impaction of the femoral head, and impaction of the acetabulum that involved >40% of the joint surface and included the weight-bearing region. Results: At the time of the latest follow-up, the mean Harris hip score was 89 points (range, 69 to 100 points); forty-five patients (79%) had an excellent or good outcome. There were six cases of heterotopic bone formation, including one of symptomatic grade-IV ossification. During the initial six postoperative weeks, the acetabular cups subsided an average of 3 mm medially and 2 mm vertically. All of the cups then stabilized, and none were loose at the latest follow-up evaluation. Six patients had excessive medialization of the cup, but none had late loosening or osteolysis. Nine cups (16%) had notable polyethylene wear, but none were revised. No cup or stem had late clinical or radiographic evidence of loosening. There were three late procedures: one for revision of a malaligned cup because of recurrent dislocations, one for removal of hardware from the greater trochanter, and one for excision of heterotopic bone. Conclusions: In selected patients with a displaced acetabular fracture that has a low likelihood of a favorable outcome after fracture treatment, an acute total hip arthroplasty may provide an alternative means with which to achieve a painless, mobile hip. These complex procedures are best undertaken by a surgical team with substantial experience with both acetabular trauma and hip arthroplasty.
Early events in the disulfide‐coupled folding of BPTI

Recent studies of the refolding of reduced bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) have shown that a previously unidentified intermediate with a single disulfide is formed much more rapidly than any other one‐disulfide species. This intermediate contains a disulfide that is present in the native protein (between Cys14 and 38), but it is thermodynamically less stable than the other two intermediates with single native disulfides. To characterize the role of the [14–38] intermediate and the factors that favor its formation, detailed kinetic and mutational analyses of the early disulfide‐formation steps were carried out. The results of these studies indicate that the formation of [14–38] from the fully reduced protein is favored by both local electrostatic effects, which enhance the reactivities of the Cys14 and 38 thiols, and conformational tendencies that are diminished by the addition of urea and are enhanced at lower temperatures. At 25 °C and pH 7.3, approximately 35% of the reduced molecules were found to initially form the 14–38 disulfide, but the majority of these molecules then undergo intramolecular rearrangements to generate non‐native disulfides, and subsequently the more stable intermediates with native disulfides. Amino acid replacements, other than those involving Cys residues, were generally found to have only small effects on either the rate of forming [14–38] or its thermodynamic stability, even though many of the same substitutions greatly destabilized the native protein and other disulfide‐bonded intermediates. In addition, those replacements that did decrease the steady‐state concentration of [14–38] did not adversely affect further folding and disulfide formation. These results suggest that the weak and transient interactions that are often detected in unfolded proteins and early folding intermediates may, in some cases, not persist or promote subsequent folding steps.
WLAN Based Position Estimation System Using Classification Fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbor (FK-NN)

Increasing the number of public hotspots using Wi-Fi technology is one of opportunity to gain advantage for proposing many new technologies. One of emerging technology is an estimation system to locate the object/person position using Wi-Fi. The object estimation position is the technology to estimate object position accuracy, using signal Received Signal Strength (RSS) from Wi-Fi Access Point. The RSS is an information about the strength of the signal indicates the distance between the access point device. Through the Indoor Positioning System (IPS), RSS value information from multiple access points are processed in order to provide position information. In this study, the IPS using Fuzzy K-Nearest Neighbour (FK-NN) classification method which is a combination of Fuzzy algorithm and K-NN to increase the accuracy of the object estimation position based on the learning data as reference point. Through hybridization from the algorithm is expected to calculate the position estimation more effectively and accurately and minimize errors in estimation. The results show that the algorithm FK-NN obtain the average location error of 2.4 meters with an accuracy percentage of 76%.
Prevalence of wasting and its predictors among adults receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy in ART clinics of Hosanna town, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia A cross-sectional study

In patients with HIV infection, wasting has been associated with increased mortality. Even in the era of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), accelerated disease progression, loss of muscle protein mass, and impairment of strength and functional status are common. However, data on the magnitude of wasting and its risk factors among individuals receiving HAART are scarce in Ethiopia. The aim of this study is to determine the magnitude of wasting and identify associated factors among adults on HAART at anti-retroviral therapy clinics of Hosanna town. Facility based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 20 to April 30, 2014 among 410 adult people on (HAART) at ART health clinics of Hosanna town. Sample clients were selected by simple random sampling technique. Data were collected by face to face, record review using check list and weight scale measurement. Descriptive statistics, Bi-variate and multivariable logistic regression models were done using SPSS version 16 to identify factors associated with wasting. In total, 410 adult people on HAART participated in the study giving a response rate of 97.56%. The overall magnitude of wasting in this study was 37.1%. Food insecurity (AOR= 2.1, 95% CI: 1.28- 3.34), inadequate diversified diet (AOR= 2, 95% CI: 1.18- 3.38), low meal frequency (AOR= 2.2, 95% CI: 1.1- 4.47) and presence of opportunistic infections (AOR= 2.27, 95% CI: 1.47- 3.49) were independent predictors of wasting. Wasting was found to be high (37.1%) among adults on anti-retroviral therapy at ART Clinics of Hossana town. ART intervention should be supported by strategies that can address household food security, nutritional practices and prevention and control of opportunistic infections to improve the health status of people on HAART. Key words: Anti-retroviral therapy, HIV/AIDs, wasting, weight loss, Hosanna, town clinic.
Rainfall Inequality, Political Power, and Ethnic Conflict in Africa

Does higher resource inequality between ethnic groups lead to ethnic conflict? In this paper, we empirically investigate this question by constructing a new measure of inequality using rainfall on ethnic homelands during the plant-growing season. Our dataset covers the period 1982-2001 and includes 214 ethnicities, located across 42 African countries. The analysis at the country level shows that one standard-deviation increase in rainfall-based inequality between ethnic groups increases the risk of ethnic conflict by 16 percentage points (or 0.43 standard deviations). This relationship depends on the power relations between the ethnic groups. More specifically, the analysis at the ethnicity level shows that ethnic groups are more likely to engage in civil conflicts whenever they receive less rain than the leading group. This effect does not hold for ethnic groups that share some political power with the leading group and is strongest for groups that have recently lost power. Our findings are consistent with an increase in resource inequality leading to more ethnic conflicts by exacerbating grievances in groups with no political power.
Dysregulation of Extracellular Adenosine Levels by Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells From Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract —The objective of this investigation was to determine whether the regulation of extracellular adenosine levels by smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from conduit arteries (aorta) and resistance microvessels (renal arterioles) is different in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) versus normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Basal extracellular adenosine levels were decreased in cultured aortic and arteriolar SHR SMCs, and the increase in extracellular adenosine levels induced by stimulation of the cAMP-adenosine pathway was less in aortic and arteriolar SHR SMCs. Extracellular adenosine levels were lower in SHR SMCs, however, even when the cAMP-adenosine pathway was inhibited with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine. Inhibition of adenosine kinase with iodotubercidin and inhibition of adenosine deaminase with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine increased extracellular adenosine; however, only inhibition of adenosine deaminase equalized extracellular adenosine levels in SHR versus WKY SMCs. Membrane-disrupted SHR SMCs metabolized exogenous adenosine faster than WKY SMCs did, and this difference was abolished by inhibition of adenosine deaminase but not adenosine kinase. SHR SMCs demonstrated a greater proliferative response than WKY SMCs. This enhanced proliferative response was not blocked by adenosine per se or inhibition of adenosine kinase but was blocked by inhibition of adenosine deaminase and by 2-chloroadenosine (adenosine deaminase–resistant adenosine analogue). We conclude that dysregulation of extracellular adenosine levels exists in SHR SMCs, that this dysregulation is not due to a defect in the cAMP-adenosine pathway but rather to enhanced activity of adenosine deaminase, and that the dysregulation of extracellular adenosine mediates the enhanced proliferative response of SHR SMCs.
Impact of metabolic syndrome and malnutrition on mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE Metabolic abnormalities contribute to increases in the mortality rate of patients on hemodialysis. Here, we estimate the importance and influence of metabolic syndrome and malnutrition on mortality rate. DESIGN This was a follow-up study. METHODS We examined the demographic characteristics of time on dialysis, body mass index, indications for hospitalization, treatment outcomes, and biochemical parameters over a 4-year period. RESULTS Whereas 31.7% of patients had metabolic syndrome, 26.7% showed evidence of malnutrition. More than two thirds of the malnourished patients died. Many patients (46%) with malnutrition were hospitalized because of problems with vascular access, whereas hospitalization of half of the examined patients with metabolic syndrome was attributable to cardiovascular disorders. Differences between groups in the parameters of anemia, total proteins, albumin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol also occurred, with the lowest values in malnourished patients. Glycemia, total cholesterol, and fibrinogen were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome, whereas those with malnutrition had a markedly higher concentration of C-reactive protein. The mean survival was 24 months with metabolic syndrome and 17.5 months with malnutrition, which was significantly shorter. CONCLUSIONS More than half of the examined patients had metabolic abnormalities. Patients with malnutrition had a lower rate of survival compared with those who had metabolic syndrome. Two thirds of our malnourished patients died, and the total rate of mortality in the examined sample was 38%.
Highly Scalable Digital Silicon Photonic MEMS Switches

Optical circuit switches with fast switching times can provide rapidly reconfigurable bandwidth in data center networks. Silicon photonic switches are attractive candidates with their fast response times and CMOS process compatibility. In this paper, we report on a 50 × 50 silicon photonic switch with MEMS-actuated vertical adiabatic couplers. The switch is monolithically integrated on a 7.6 × 7.6 mm2 chip. It has an on-chip insertion loss of 8.5 dB. Our switch exhibits a sub-microsecond switching time (0.85 μs), a broad spectral bandwidth (1400-1700 nm), and digital switching characteristic. The switch architecture is highly scalable as light passes through only one switching element irrespective of the switch size.
N-Acetyltransferase 1 in Colon and Rectal Cancer Cases from an Industrialized Area

Colon and rectal cancers are both associated with genetic as well as nutritional, occupational, and environmental factors. Aromatic amines and heterocyclic amines are established colorectal carcinogens. The polymorphic enzyme N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) contributes to heterocyclic amine metabolism in the human colon. Thereby, NAT1 may influence the risk for development of colorectal cancer. The distribution of NAT1 genotypes was determined in 107 colon cancer cases, 77 rectal cancer cases, and 185 controls (suffering from nonmalignant diseases) by standard methods. In addition, possible occupational and nonoccupational risk factors were determined by a personal interview. Cancer cases and controls were derived from an area of former coal, iron, and steel industries, which is known for elevated colon cancer mortality. The proportions of NAT1*4/*4 genotype were 72% in controls, 75% in rectal cancer cases, and 72% in colon cancer cases. The proportions of the NAT1*4/*10 genotype were 17.8% in controls, 12.9% in rectal cancer cases, and 14% in colon cancer cases. Combinations of the determined NAT1 alleles *3/*3, *3/*10, *4/*3, *4/*11, *10/*10 and *11/*11 contributed to 10.2% of the genotypes in controls, 12.1% in rectal cancer cases, and 14% in colon cancer cases. In contrast to another study on healthy German volunteers, the NAT1*4/*4 genotype (wild type) is overrepresented. This might be due to the variation in the proportion of NAT1 alleles in the general population. The present study does not support a relevant impact of the NAT1 genotype on colorectal cancer risk development in the study area.
Structural specificity of heparin binding in the fibroblast growth factor family of proteins

Heparin and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (HSGAGs) mediate a wide variety of complex biological processes by specifically binding proteins and modulating their biological activity. One of the best studied model systems for protein–HSGAG interactions is the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of molecules, and recent observations have demonstrated that the specificity of a given FGF ligand binding to its cognate receptor (FGFR) is mediated by distinct tissue-specific HSGAG sequences. Although it has been known that sulfate and carboxylate groups in the HSGAG chain play a key role by interacting with basic residues on the proteins, there is little understanding of how these ionic interactions provide the necessary specificity for protein binding. In this study, using all of the available crystal structures of different FGFs and FGF–HSGAG complexes, we show that in addition to the ionic interactions, optimal van der Waals contact between the HSGAG oligosaccharide and the protein is also very important in influencing the specificity of FGF–HSGAG interactions. Although the overall helical structure is maintained in the FGF-bound HSGAG compared with unbound HSGAG, we observe distinct changes in the backbone torsion angles of the oligosaccharide chain induced upon protein binding. These changes result in local deviations in the helical axis that provide optimal ionic and van der Waals contact with the protein. A specific conformation and topological arrangement of the HSGAG-binding loops of FGF, on the other hand, impose structural constraints that induce the local deviations in the HSGAG structure, thereby enabling maximum contact between HSGAG and the protein.
EARLY BREAKDOWN OF ISOLATION REVEALED BY MARRIAGE BEHAVIOUR IN A LADIN-SPEAKING COMMUNITY (GARDENA VALLEY, SOUTH TYROL, ITALY, 1825–1924)

Summary The aim of this study was to investigate marriage behaviour from 1825 to 1924 in an Alpine valley inhabited by Ladin speakers (Gardena Valley, South Tyrol, Italy), where the particular geographic, linguistic and economic characteristics may have influenced the level of reproductive isolation. A total of 2183 marriage acts from the two main parishes of Santa Cristina and Ortisei were examined. Birth and residence endogamy, inbreeding coefficients from dispensations and from isonymy, birth place distribution of the spouses and isonymic relationships were analysed in four 25-year sub-periods. All the indicators considered point to a lower level of reproductive isolation at Ortisei, a main centre for the woodcarving industry, which appeared to be experiencing an early and effective breakdown of isolation. Marriage behaviour in the Gardena Valley between 1825 and 1924 seems to have been mostly influenced by socioeconomic factors rather than linguistic and cultural ones.
Resistance profiles after different periods of exposure to a first-line antiretroviral regimen in a Cameroonian cohort of HIV type-1-infected patients

Background The lack of HIV type-1 (HIV-1) viral load (VL) monitoring in resource-limited settings might favour the accumulation of resistance mutations and thus hamper second-line treatment efficacy. We investigated the factors associated with resistance after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the absence of virological monitoring. Methods Cross-sectional VL sampling of HIV-1-infected patients receiving first-line ART (nevirapine or efavirenz plus stavudine or zidovudine plus lamivudine) was carried out; those with a detectable VL were genotyped. Results Of the 573 patients undergoing VL sampling, 84 were genotyped. The mean number of nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) mutations increased with the duration of ART exposure (P=0.02). Multivariable analysis showed that patients with a CD4+ T-cell count ≤50 cells/ mm3 at ART initiation (baseline) had a higher mean number of both NRTI and non-NRTI (NNRTI) mutations than those with a baseline CD4+ T-cell count >50 cells/mm3 (2.10 versus 0.56; P<0.0001; and 1.65 versus 0.76; P=0.005, respectively). A baseline CD4+ T-cell count ≤50 cells/mm3 predicted ≥1 NRTI mutation (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 7.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.20-32.14), ≥1 NNRTI mutation (AOR 4.25, 95% CI 1.36-15.48), ≥1 thymidine analogue mutation (AOR 8.45, 95% CI 2.16-40.16) and resistance to didanosine (AOR 6.36, 95% CI 1.49-32.29) and etravirine (AOR 4.72, 95% CI 1.53-15.70). Conclusions Without VL monitoring, the risk of drug resistance increases with the duration of ART and is associated with lower CD4+ T-cell counts at ART initiation. These data might help define strategies to preserve second-line treatment options in resource-limited settings.