Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Symptom Resolution After Operative Management of Complications From Transvaginal Mesh

OBJECTIVE: Complications from transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse often require operative management. The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes of vaginal mesh removal. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients having surgery by the urogynecology group in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at our institution for a complication of transvaginal mesh placed for prolapse was performed. Demographics, presenting symptoms, surgical procedures, and postoperative symptoms were abstracted. Comparative statistics were performed using the &khgr;2 or Fisher’s exact test with significance at P<. 05. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and April 2012, 90 patients had surgery for complications related to vaginal mesh and 84 had follow-up data. The most common presenting signs and symptoms were: mesh exposure, 62% (n=56); pain, 64% (n=58); and dyspareunia, 48% (n=43). During operative management, mesh erosion was encountered unexpectedly in a second area of the vagina in 5% (n=4), in the bladder in 1% (n=1), and in the bowel in 2% (n=2). After vaginal mesh removal, 51% (n=43) had resolution of all presenting symptoms. Mesh exposure was treated successfully in 95% of patients, whereas pain was only successfully treated in 51% of patients. CONCLUSION: Removal of vaginal mesh is helpful in relieving symptoms of presentation. Patients can be reassured that exposed mesh can almost always be successfully managed surgically, but pain and dyspareunia are only resolved completely in half of patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III
Ambiguity and Accident Law

Environmental accidents often involve ambiguous risks, i.e., the relevant probabilities are unknown. This paper studies how liability rules are affected by ambiguity. The injurer and the victim choose a level of care, which is observable, and an unobservable action. Both actions may affect the size and/or likelihood of loss. We analyze the welfare implications of tort rules. First, we show that with ambiguity, negligence is likely to perform better than strict liability. Second, we propose a tort rule of negligence and punitive damages, which gives the efficient levels of both care and unobserved actions.
Dopaminergic cells, derived from a high efficiency differentiation protocol from umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells, alleviate symptoms in a Parkinson's disease rodent model

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be an alternative to foetal cells in the treatment of several neurodegenerative diseases, especially Parkinson's disease (PD). We have previously demonstrated the functional efficacy of the undifferentiated bone marrow MSCs (BMMSCs) cultured in a xenofree conditions in PD animal models. We now demonstrate isolation of MSCs from the umbilical cord matrix tissue and assess their safety and efficacy to improve Parkinsonian symptoms in an in vivo animal model. The efficacy of MSCs from BM and umbilical cord in the PD animal mode has also been studied, and more importantly the efficacy of using differentiated UCMSC (D‐UCMSCs) to dopaminergic phenotype. Phenotypically, UCMSCs expressed higher levels of SSEA4 compared to BMMSCs. Analysis of differentiated cells showed that D‐UCMSCs expressed significant levels of Tyrosine Hydroxyalse and Nurr1 compared to D‐BMMSCs. The in vivo efficacy of the differentiated and undifferentiated cell types in the Parkinsonian rats showed that D‐UCMSCs improved the symptoms throughout a year of study. Differentiated cell types are potentially better for clinical use than the undifferentiated type, provided they are made available at the site of action in adequate numbers. MSCs are less immunogenic and immunomodulatory, which opens up the further possibility of using these cells in allogeneic settings. This could be a novel cell therapy application, especially when getting autochthonous cells is difficult.
Time Varying Behavior of Share Returns in Australia: 1988–2004

The model in this paper is similar to Brailsford and Faff (1997), using a conditional CAPM model with the GARCH-M framework, but with a significant additional dummy term (in the conditional mean of the share return) that will help explain the models better in both economic and statistical sense. The relatively simpler asymmetric model in this paper is compatible to other more complex asymmetric models and hence should be easier to model and explain for practical purposes. The model in this paper is also a more effective model, in both economical and statistical terms, as compared to some other models in the GARCH family as it captures the asymmetric effect in the modeling process in both the conditional first and second moments. The findings in this paper have contributed in re-evaluating the nature and process of time varying behavior of time series of stock returns and will provide researchers and practitioners additional options and incentives to explore for future research. We have also provided statistical and practical reasons to support these findings.
Region‐specifi neuro‐astroglial interactions: Ultrastructural study of the in vitro expression of neuronal polarity

Mesencephal;ic neurons were cultured for 2 days on mesencephalic or striatal astrocyte monolayers. The morphology of these neurons was studied in electron microscopy. The number of dendritic profiles was higher on mesencephalic astrocytes (homotopic neuroastroglial co‐cultures) than on striatal astrocytes (heterotopic co‐cultures). This increase in the number of dendrites correlated with a more mature aspect of the meurons. Striatal neurons were also cultured on the astrocytic monolayers. The state of maturation of these neurons was more advanced, and the number of their dendrites was higher on striatal than on mesencephalic astrocytes. These results confirm and extend the fact that neuronal maturation and dendritic growth can be regulated through region‐specific neuro‐astroglial interactions (Denis‐Donini et al., 1984; Chamak et al., 1987).
A multisite study of the prevalence of HIV with rapid testing in mental health settings.

OBJECTIVES We estimated HIV prevalence and risk factors among persons receiving mental health treatment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Baltimore, Maryland, January 2009 to August 2011. METHODS We used a multisite, cross-sectional design stratified by clinical setting. We tested 1061 individuals for HIV in university-based inpatient psychiatric units (n = 287), intensive case-management programs (n = 273), and community mental health centers (n = 501). RESULTS Fifty-one individuals (4.8%) were HIV-infected. Confirmed positive HIV tests were 5.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.7%, 9.4%) for inpatient units, 5.1% (95% CI = 3.1%, 8.5%) for intensive case-management programs, and 4.0% (95% CI = 2.6%, 6.1%) for community mental health centers. Characteristics associated with HIV included Black race, homosexual or bisexual identity, and HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS HIV prevalence for individuals receiving mental health services was about 4 times as high as in the general population. We found a positive association between psychiatric symptom severity and HIV infection, indicating that engaging persons with mental illness in appropriate mental health treatment may be important to HIV prevention. These findings reinforce recommendations for routine HIV testing in all clinical settings to ensure that HIV-infected persons receiving mental health services are identified and referred to timely infectious disease care.
Hindwings are unnecessary for flight but essential for execution of normal evasive flight in Lepidoptera

In Lepidoptera, forewings and hindwings are mechanically coupled and flap in synchrony. Flight is anteromotoric, being driven primarily by action of the forewings. Here we report that lepidopterans can still fly when their hindwings are cut off, a procedure reducing their total wing surface, on average, by nearly one half. However, as we demonstrate by analysis of three-dimensional flight trajectories of a moth and a butterfly (Lymantria dispar and Pieris rapae), hindwing removal causes lepidopterans to incur a loss in both linear and turning acceleration, so that they are unable to exercise their normal flight maneuverability. Without hindwings they still are able to zigzag aerially (the ablation has no effect on their turning radius in flight) but at lesser speed and therefore less evasively. Consequently, hindwings in the expanded state in which they occur in lepidopterans seem to contribute in an essential way to lepidopteran survival. Moths in today's world, we argue, may rely on their evasive flight primarily to avoid capture by bats, whereas butterflies, which we propose advertise their evasiveness collectively through shared aposematism, may depend upon it primarily for defense against birds. Aerial agility thus may be the chief adaptive asset derived by lepidopterans from possession of oversize hindwings.
Visual outcomes after progressive apodized diffractive intraocular lens implantation

Purpose: To assess photopic and mesopic vision in patients implanted with the Bi-Flex® M 677 MY bifocal intraocular lens (IOL). Methods: In this prospective clinical study, 25 patients with cataract in both eyes were subjected to cataract surgery and bilateral implantation of the Bi-Flex® M 677MY (Medicontur, Hungary) IOL. Three months after surgery, high-contrast photopic uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were determined. Intermediate at 65 cm (DCIVA) and near at 40 cm (DCNVA) visual acuity were also measured, both with best distance correction. The CSV-1000 test chart was used to assess contrast sensitivity (CS). Defocus curves were constructed under photopic and mesopic conditions, determining binocular best-corrected visual acuity over the range +1.50 D to -4.00 D in 0.50-D steps. A KR-1W Wavefront Analyzer was used to measure pupil size and aberrometric outcomes. Presence and type of dysphotopsia were evaluated with the Likert scale. Results: Mesopic mean pupil diameter was 4.58 ± 0.73 mm. The mean values at 3 months were UDVA 0.03 ± 0.09, CDVA -0.05 ± 0.06, DCIVA 0.20 ± 0.07, and DCNVA 0.11 ± 0.08. Mean CS for the 4 frequencies examined were 1.66 ± 0.16, 1.75 ± 0.14, 1.39 ± 0.22, and 0.96 ± 0.19. Significant differences were observed in defocus curves for photopic and mesopic conditions. A significant correlation between pupil diameter and the dysphotopic photopic was found (r = 0.62; p = 0.02). Conclusions: The evaluated progressive apodized diffractive design IOL provides effective restoration of visual function in far and near vision distance with an adequate intermediate visual quality between -1.00 and -1.50 focus.
Stabilizing of bike robot with variable configured balancer

In this paper, an application of closed loop identification and controller design of LPV system for unmanned bicycle system with a variable configured balancer is presented. The balancer can be configured as a flywheel mode or a balancer mode by shifting a center of gravity of the balancer according to the situation of the bicycle system. LPV system with choosing its balancer length as a scheduling parameter is defined from LTI systems obtained by identification experiments with several balancer length. LTI systems can be identified from input-output data with adding some disturbance because the bicycle system has been stabilized with an Output-Zeroing controller and the closed loop seems to be stable. The controller for the LPV system which makes the system quadratic LPV stable is designed and numerical simulation result is shown to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy.
Synthesis of quadruplex‐forming tetra‐end‐linked oligonucleotides: Effects of the linker size on quadruplex topology and stability

G‐quadruplexes are characteristic structural arrangements of guanine‐rich DNA sequences that abound in regions with relevant biological significance. These structures are highly polymorphic differing in the number and polarity of the strands, loop composition, and conformation. Furthermore, the cation species present in solution strongly influence the topology of the G‐quadruplexes. Recently, we reported the synthesis and structural studies of new G‐quadruplex forming oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) in which the 3′‐ and/or the 5′‐ends of four ODN strands are linked together by a non‐nucleotidic tetra‐end‐linker (TEL). These TEL‐ODN analogs having the sequence TGGGGT are able to form parallel G‐quadruplexes characterized by a remarkable high thermal stability. We report here an investigation about the influence of the reduction of the TEL size on the molecularity, topology, and stability of the resulting TEL‐G‐quadruplexes using a combination of circular dichroism (CD), CD melting, 1H NMR spectroscopy, gel electrophoresis, and molecular modeling data. We found that all TEL‐(TGGGGT)4 analogs, regardless the TEL size and the structural orientation of the ODN branches, formed parallel TEL‐G‐quadruplexes. The molecular modeling studies appear to be consistent with the experimental CD and NMR data revealing that the G‐quadruplexes formed by TEL‐ODNs having the longer TEL (L1‐4) are more stable than the corresponding G‐quadruplexes having the shorter TEL (S1‐4). The relative stability of S1‐4 was also reported. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 91: 466–477, 2009.
A 2-phase labeling and choice architecture intervention to improve healthy food and beverage choices.

OBJECTIVES We assessed whether a 2-phase labeling and choice architecture intervention would increase sales of healthy food and beverages in a large hospital cafeteria. METHODS Phase 1 was a 3-month color-coded labeling intervention (red = unhealthy, yellow = less healthy, green = healthy). Phase 2 added a 3-month choice architecture intervention that increased the visibility and convenience of some green items. We compared relative changes in 3-month sales from baseline to phase 1 and from phase 1 to phase 2. RESULTS At baseline (977,793 items, including 199,513 beverages), 24.9% of sales were red and 42.2% were green. Sales of red items decreased in both phases (P < .001), and green items increased in phase 1 (P < .001). The largest changes occurred among beverages. Red beverages decreased 16.5% during phase 1 (P < .001) and further decreased 11.4% in phase 2 (P < .001). Green beverages increased 9.6% in phase 1 (P < .001) and further increased 4.0% in phase 2 (P < .001). Bottled water increased 25.8% during phase 2 (P < .001) but did not increase at 2 on-site comparison cafeterias (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS A color-coded labeling intervention improved sales of healthy items and was enhanced by a choice architecture intervention.
Circulating heat shock protein and heat shock protein antibody levels in established hypertension

Objective Serum Hsp60 and anti-Hsp65 antibody levels are raised in subjects with borderline hypertension, and there is an association between circulating Hsp60 levels and early atherosclerosis. Given the recognized relationship between hypertension and atherosclerosis, this study determined heat shock protein and heat shock protein antibody levels in subjects with established hypertension. Methods Samples from 111 men with hypertension were obtained from the European Lacidipine study on Atherosclerosis and samples from 75 normotensive controls were taken from a population-screening programme (diastolic pressure, > 95 and < 80 mmHg, respectively). Hsp60, Hsp70 and anti-human Hsp60, anti-human Hsp70 and anti-mycobacterial Hsp65 antibody levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Intima–media thickness (I–M) and the presence of carotid atherosclerosis were determined by ultrasonography. Results Hsp60, Hsp70 and anti-Hsp60 antibody levels in hypertension were similar to those in normotensive controls, whereas anti-Hsp70 and anti-Hsp65 antibody levels were elevated (P < 0.001). Hsp60 levels and atherosclerosis were not associated. Anti-Hsp70 and anti-Hsp65 antibody levels were both associated with hypertension, independently of age, smoking habits and blood lipids. Conclusions This study demonstrates elevated levels of selected heat shock protein antibodies in subjects with hypertension. Although the association between heat shock protein antibody levels and human cardiovascular stress/disease appears to be robust, the relationship of the latter with heat shock protein levels is more complex. Further studies are required before the factors inducing, and the clinical significance of, circulating heat shock proteins can be evaluated.
A constitutive relation describing the shear-banding transition.

An additional contribution to the standard expression for the shear stress must be considered in order to describe shear banding. A possible extension of the standard constitutive relation is proposed. Its physical, purely hydrodynamic origin is discussed. The corresponding Navier-Stokes equation is analyzed for the two-plate geometry, where flow gradients are assumed to exist only in the direction perpendicular to the two plates. The linearized Navier-Stokes equation is shown to be very similar to the Cahn-Hilliard equation for spinodal decomposition, with a similar term that stabilizes rapid spatial variations. Only slowly varying flow gradients are unstable. Just as in the initial stage of spinodal decomposition there is a most rapidly growing wavelength in the initial stage of the shear-banding transition, leading to a predictable number of shear bands. A modified Maxwell equal area construction is derived, which dictates the stress and the shear rates in the bands under controlled shear conditions, and which shows that under controlled stress conditions no true shear bands can coexist. The kinetics of the shear-banding transition is studied numerically. For the two-plate geometry it is found that there exist multiple stationary states under controlled shear conditions, depending on the initial state of the flow profile. Shear banding occurs not only when the system is initially unstable, but can also be induced outside the unstable region when the amplitude of the initial perturbation is large enough. The shear-banding transition can thus proceed via "spinodal demixing" (from an unstable initial state) or via "condensation. " Under controlled stress conditions no stationary state is found. Here, coupling with flow gradients extending in other directions, not perpendicular to the two plates, should probably be taken into account.
Cassava Production, Prices and Related Policy in Thailand

The objectives of this study were to compare farmer’s perception regarding different schemes, calculate breakeven price of cassava production, analyze supply respond of cassava production and analyze co-integration on cassava prices. This study applied monthly data covered the period 2007-2011 for co-integration analysis. The paper found that farmers preferred income guarantee scheme to pledging scheme. Since 2003, farm prices had increased above breakeven price. Supply response of cassava mainly depended on price received in the previous year. This price related to government policy in two different schemes: income guarantee scheme and pledging scheme. In addition cassava has been used as alternative energy. This study applied co-integration analysis for farm price with wholesale price and F.O. B. price for cassava. Farm price was affected positively by wholesale price and F.O. B. price. The estimated coefficients associated with explanatory variable agreed with a priori expectations, and were statistically significant. Signs of all estimated coefficients agreed with expectations and were statistically significant.
New Design and Identification of the Medial Sural Perforator Flap: An Anatomical Study and Its Clinical Applications

Background: Many studies have revealed facts about the anatomy of the medial sural artery perforator. The exact locations or areas where the perforators pierce through the fascia, however, have not been clearly identified. Methods: Based on cadaver dissections performed on 40 legs from 20 cadavers, the authors identified the location of the first and second perforators of the medial sural artery. The passages of the medial sural artery perforators were also confirmed by means of duplex-Doppler scanning, three-dimensional computed tomography, and angiography. Results: The authors found that the main perforators of the medial sural artery were located on a line drawn from the midpoint of the popliteal crease to the midpoint of the medial malleolus. The hip joint was flexed in supine position and the knee joint was flexed into a 90-degree angle, thus making it possible to observe the first perforator, which was approximately 8 cm from the midpoint of the popliteal crease, and the second perforator, which was approximately 15 cm from the popliteal crease. A series of 21 clinical cases with soft-tissue defects were successfully treated using the medial sural artery perforator flap, including 18 free flaps and three pedicled flaps. There were seven cases of hand reconstruction and 14 cases of lower extremity reconstruction. Conclusions: Until now, it has been a general belief that the exact location of a perforator cannot be predicted. The authors, however, have found that the first perforator was located almost 8 cm from the midpoint of the popliteal crease within the distal half circle drawn with a radius of 2 cm. Because this study made it possible to prepare a diagram of the exact location of the medial sural perforators, it is expected that more professionals will use this method for hand and facial reconstructions in the future.
Delivery of Recombinant Tetanus–Superoxide Dismutase Proteins to Central Nervous System Neurons by Retrograde Axonal Transport

The nontoxic C fragment of tetanus toxin (TC) can transport other proteins from the circulation to central nervous system (CNS) motor neurons. Increased levels of CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD) are protective in experimental models of stroke and Parkinson's disease, whereas mutations in SOD can cause motor neuron disease. We have linked TC to SOD and purified the active recombinant proteins in both the TC-SOD and SOD-TC orientations. Light microscopic immunohistochemistry and quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays (ELISA) of mouse brainstem, after intramuscular injection, demonstrate that the fusion proteins undergo retrograde axonal transport and transsynaptic transfer as efficiently as TC alone.
Comparative evaluation of antiplatelet effect of lycopene with aspirin and the effect of their combination on platelet aggregation: An in vitro study

Introduction: The objective was to compare antiplatelet effect of lycopene with aspirin and to study effect of combination of the two on platelet aggregation in vitro, using platelets from healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Platelets were harvested; platelet count of platelet-rich plasma adjusted to 2.5 Χ 105/μL. Aspirin (140 μmol/L) and lycopene (4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 μmol/L) were studied in vitro against adenosine-5’- diphosphate (ADP) (2.5 μM/L) and collagen Results: All the concentrations of lycopene (4–12 μmol/L) exhibited reduction in maximum platelet aggregation induced by aggregating agents ADP and collagen (P < 0.01 vs. vehicle) and were comparable with aspirin. Lycopene at concentration 10 μmol/L showed maximum platelet inhibition (47.05% ± 19.56%) against ADP, whereas lycopene at concentration 8 μmol/L showed maximum platelet inhibition (54.26% ± 30.71%) against collagen. Four μmol/L of lycopene combined with 140 μmol/L and 70 μmol/L aspirin showed greater inhibition of platelets as compared to aspirin 140 μmol/L alone, against both ADP and collagen. Conclusion: The study favorably compares lycopene and aspirin with respect to their antiplatelet activities against ADP and collagen. Lycopene can be considered as a potential target for modifying the thrombotic and pro-inflammatory events associated with platelet activation.