Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endoresection in high posterior choroidal melanomas: long-term outcome

Background: Eyes with high posterior choroidal melanomas are frequently enucleated because of the potential complications of radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endoresection at long-term follow-up. Methods: Retrospective, non-randomised, interventional case series. Thirty-eight patients underwent endoresection. For primary procedures, inclusion criteria were tumour thickness ⩾8 mm, base <15 mm, tumours not exceeding the equatorial area. Endoresection was also undertaken as the salvage procedure in four patients. Main outcomes measured were metastatic disease, survival, local recurrences, visual acuity, enucleation rate, and surgical complications. Results: Follow-up time ranged from 23 to 129 months (mean 70.63 months). Preoperative visual acuity ranged from “hand-movements” to 20/20 (mean, 20/60). In primary cases, mean tumour thickness was 10.1 mm and mean base diameter 9.9 mm. At the latest visit, 92.1% patients still retained the eye. Final visual acuity ranged from “no light perception” to 20/30 (mean 20/300). Two patients experienced local recurrence before 3 years of follow-up. Melanoma metastatic disease was found in two patients at 5 years of follow-up. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis for all causes was 88.2% at 5 years. Specific survival was 90.9% at 5 years. Conclusions: At long-term follow-up, the risk of metastasis or local recurrence, and survival rates were similar to other techniques, although comparisons are difficult because of the unusual presentation of this type of melanoma. Further studies and longer follow-up are needed.
An uncommon case with intravitreal worm

A 51-year-old woman who lives in northeastern Turkey presented with diminished vision in the right eye with a 1-year duration. On examination, best corrected visual acuity was 2/10 in the right eye and 10/10 in the left eye. The slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment revealed no significant findings in either eye. Intraocular pressure was within normal limits. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed a slender motile parasite held on the Weiss ring and old multiple chorioretinitis foci in …
Floating device for donor corneas in organ culture

Aim: To introduce a new floating device for donor corneas to avoid accumulation of debris onto the endothelial surface during organ culture and to facilitate handling of the tissue during preservation and surgery. Methods: From 11 donors, one randomly chosen cornea was stored in organ culture attached to a floating device, while the contralateral cornea was attached to the lid of the phial by a suture (“hanging by suture”). Endothelial cell density (ECD) was evaluated prior to tissue storage and after 2–3 weeks of culture. Furthermore, we compared ECD in a larger group of corneas sent off for transplantation with the device (n = 281) to a historical group of control corneas “hanging by suture” (n = 444). Results: There was no significant difference in ECD between corneas attached to the floating device or “hanging by suture” (n = 11; p⩾0.1). Similarly, no different ECDs were observed between corneas sent off for transplantation with the device (n = 281) and the historical group of control corneas “hanging by suture” (n = 444) (p⩾0.1). Conclusion: The use of the floating device may not affect tissue quality. Since its introduction, the use of the device has been uneventful and greatly facilitated tissue handling.
TNF-α gene polymorphism (−308G/A) and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

Aim: To investigate the possible association between TNF-α (−308G/A) polymorphism and toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (TR) in humans. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed which included 100 Brazilian patients with diagnosis of TR and 100 matched control subjects with positive serology to toxoplasmosis and no sign of uveitis. Genomic DNA was obtained from oral swabs of all subjects and amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers flanking the locus −308 of TNF-α. PCR products were submitted to restriction endonuclease digestion and analysed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to distinguish alleles, allowing the determination of the genotypes. Results: There was no significant difference in the genotype (χ2 = 0.79, p = 0.67), allele (χ2 = 0.095, p = 0.75) and allele carriage (χ2 = 0.70, p = 0.40) frequencies in TR patients compared with control subjects. Frequencies of the genotype (χ2 = 2.05, p = 0.35) and allele (χ2 = 0.13, p = 0.71) did not differ significantly between TR patients with and without recurrent episodes. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate the association between TNF-α polymorphism and the occurrence of TR in humans. TNF-α gene polymorphism (−308G/A) does not seem to be associated with the occurrence or recurrence of TR.
A Review of Trends for Acupotomy

Objectives : The purpose of this review is to overview and evaluate the current state of the usage of acupotomy. Methods : Eight electronic databases(Science direct, Pubmed, five Korean databases, CKNI) were searched for relevant articles and data from January 1999 to May 2014. Results : Thirty-nine articles were included. Acupotomy were used in musculoskeletal diseases(n=34) and other diseases(n=5). Among musculoskeletal diseases, lumbar spine(n=12) neck(n=5) and shoulder(n=3) diseases were mostly often used. Most studies(n=21) had small sample size(under 10 people) and combined with other therapies(acupuncture, herbal medicine, physical therapy, etc.). Conclusion : Acupotomy appears to be effective and useful for musculoskeletal diseases and some other diseases. But there were a few clinical studies for acupotomy and had many limitations to judge its effectiveness. Further modified studies are required.
Breaking News Detection and Tracking in Twitter

Twitter has been used as one of the communication channels for spreading breaking news. We propose a method to collect, group, rank and track breaking news in Twitter. Since short length messages make similarity comparison difficult, we boost scores on proper nouns to improve the grouping results. Each group is ranked based on popularity and reliability factors. Current detection method is limited to facts part of messages. We developed an application called “Hotstream” based on the proposed method. Users can discover breaking news from the Twitter timeline. Each story is provided with the information of message originator, story development and activity chart. This provides a convenient way for people to follow breaking news and stay informed with real-time updates.
Re-treatment after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism

Aim: To evaluate the results of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) re-treatment for under correction or regression after primary LASIK procedures for myopia and myopic astigmatism. Methods: A prospective evaluation of 360 consecutive LASIK-treated eyes, for myopia and/or myopic astigmatism, 32 eyes of 34 patients were retreated and followed at 3, 6 and 12 months post-retreatment. Re-treatment was performed by lifting the original flap after cutting the epithelium around the flap edge with a fine needle. Standard ablation was performed based on the patient’s residual refraction. Results: 9.4% of eyes required retreatment. Prior to re-treatment the mean manifest spherical equivalent (SE) was −0.99 (SD 1.48) D (range −0.75 to −2.63). The mean sphere was −0.79 (1.20) D (range −2.50 to −0.50), and the mean cylinder was −0.90 D (1.14) D (from −2.75 to 1.25). At 1-year follow-up 56% of the eyes were within ±0.50 D SE, and 78% were within ±1.00 D SE. 78% of the eyes examined at 1-year post-re-treatment managed unaided vision of 6/9 or better. Peripheral epithelial ingrowth not requiring treatment developed in two eyes. Second re-treatment for regression was performed in one eye. A significant correlation was found between the refractive regression and each of the following: preoperative refraction, attempted correction and ablation depth. Conclusion: LASIK re-treatment for residual myopia, by lifting the original flap, is an effective option. Refractive results are fairly predictable, and refraction stabilises by 3 months after re-treatment. Lifting the corneal flap after cutting the epithelium on the flap edges is easy to perform and has a very low incidence of epithelial ingrowth.
Autofluorescence imaging of pingueculae

Aims: To analyse the autofluoresence (AF) properties of pingueculae and compare the size of AF with the extent of the visible lesion. Methods: Forty eyes of 23 patients with pingueculae were included in the study. AF images were obtained using an HRA2 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope; anterior segment photographies were obtained using TRC-50IX, IMAGEnet 2000 Digital Imaging System. The AF characteristics of pingueculae were analysed. The extent of visible lesion in anterior segment photography and AF image was compared. Results: AF images revealed well-defined hyper-autofluorescence in the area of pinguecula, which was greater than the extent of visible pinguecula in the slit-lamp examination, in 40 of 56 lesions (71.4%). In none of the eyes was the hyperautofluorescent area smaller than the extent of visible lesion. Conclusion: Pingueculae display hyperautofluorescence in AF imaging. The real size of pingueculae may be estimated by its AF characteristics, which is mostly larger than the visible lesion.
Comparison of clinical and photographic assessment of trachoma

Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the rates of trachoma in Aboriginal communities and to compare clinical assessment with photographic assessment for the presence of signs of trachoma. Methods: Five Aboriginal communities in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory, Australia, were assessed for the presence of trachoma. Trachoma was diagnosed by clinical eye examination using a fine grading based on the World Health Organization (WHO) simplified grading system. Photographs were taken of the left eye of every person and graded using the fine grading system. The clinical assessment was compared with the photographic assessment for each person using the fine grading system. Results: A total of 1316 people out of 1545 (85.2%) were screened for trachoma from five communities, with 1254 photographs being compared with clinical assessment scores. The overall prevalence of active trachoma was greater than 10% across the five communities, and greater than 20% in two communities. Conclusion: Active trachoma in young people and scarring in older people remain as problems in Aboriginal communities. Photographic assessment is a useful technique, but in comparison with clinical assessment it can result in overestimation of scoring for trachoma for inflammation.
“Automated Debugging Considered Harmful” Considered Harmful: A User Study Revisiting the Usefulness of Spectra-Based Fault Localization Techniques with Professionals Using Real Bugs from Large Systems

Due to the complexity of software systems, bugs are inevitable. Software debugging is tedious and time consuming. To help developers perform this crucial task, a number of spectra-based fault localization techniques have been proposed. In general, spectra-based fault localization helps developers to find the location of a bug given its symptoms (e.g., program failures). A previous study by Parnin and Orso however implies that several assumptions made by existing work on spectra-based fault localization do not hold in practice, which hinders the practical usage of these tools. Moreover, a recent study by Xie et al. claims that spectra-based fault localization can potentially "weaken programmers' abilities in fault detection". Unfortunately, these studies are performed either using only 2 bugs from small systems (Parnin and Orso's study) or synthetic bugs injected into toy programs (Xie et al.'s study), only involve students, and use dated spectra-based fault localization tools. Thus, the question whether spectra-based fault localization techniques can help professionals to improve their debugging efficiency in a reasonably large project is still insufficiently answered. In this paper, we perform a more realistic investigation of how professionals can use and benefit from spectra-based fault localization techniques. We perform a user study of spectra-based fault localization with a total of 16 real bugs from 4 reasonably large open-source projects, with 36 professionals, amounting to 80 recorded debugging hours. The 36 professionals are divided into 3 groups, i.e., those that use an accurate fault localization tool, use a mediocre fault localization tool, and do not use any fault localization tool. Our study finds that both the accurate and mediocre spectra-based fault localization tools can help professionals to save their debugging time, and the improvements are statistically significant and substantial. We also discuss implications of our findings to future directions of spectra-based fault localization.
Serum lactic dehydrogenase in the differential diagnosis of acute hepatocellular injury.

Acute hepatocellular injury, whether due to viral hepatitis, hepatic ischemia, or drug hepatotoxicity, results in elevated levels of serum aminotransferases (AST and ALT). Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD) is reported to be markedly elevated in ischemic hepatitis. Thus, comparisons of the degree of e
Incidence and visual outcome of acute endophthalmitis after cataract surgery—the experience of an eye department in Scotland

Aim: Endophthalmitis remains one of the most dreaded complications of modern cataract surgery. Its incidence in the UK has been estimated but accurate published data on the incidence at a regional level are scarce. This audit examines the incidence and visual outcome of endophthalmitis from a single eye department in Scotland (UK) over a 7-year period. Findings are compared with those from other series. Methods: A retrospective consecutive audit of all cases of acute endophthalmitis treated between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006 at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow (Scotland, UK) was undertaken. Details of each case (presentation, treatment and outcome of endophthalmitis) were recorded. Cross-tabulations were performed to identify prognostic factors of visual outcome. Results: Twenty-five patients were treated for endophthalmitis over the audit period. The incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.20% (95% CI 0.10 to 0.30%). There were 12 (48%) culture-positive cases with coagulase-negative staphylococcus accounting for 58%. After treatment, 16 patients (64%) achieved driving-standard vision or better. Poor vision at presentation and streptococcal endophthalmitis were associated with poor visual outcome. Conclusion: The incidence of endophthalmitis in this series is comparable to larger studies, suggesting that accepted benchmarks, despite being estimates, reflect UK practice. Visual outcome, with treatment, can be favourable in a significant proportion of patients.
Late-onset retinal macular degeneration : clinical insights into an inherited retinal degeneration

Accepted 22 November 2008 Published Online First 19 December 2008 ABSTRACT Aim: This study describes, in detail, the phenotype of late-onset retinal macular degeneration (L-ORMD) an inherited condition affecting both the retina and anterior segment. A staging based on clinical characteristics is proposed, and the relevance of this condition to current understanding of age-related macular degeneration is discussed. Methods: A systematic review of the literature regarding this condition supports a detailed description of the natural history. Clinical experiences in identifying, monitoring and managing patients are also presented. Results: L-ORMD is a rare fully penetrant autosomal dominant condition resulting from a mutation in the C1QTNF5 gene on chromosome 11. Affected individuals develop bilateral loss of vision, dark-adaptation abnormalities, fundus drusen-like yellow spots, midperipheral pigmentation, choroidal neovascularisation, chorioretinal atrophy and long anteriorly inserted lens zonules. Patients may benefit from treatment with high-dose vitamin A. Conclusions: Raised awareness of L-ORMD should lead to earlier diagnosis and improved care for patients. New antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment may provide a new possibility for management. A deeper insight into molecular and genetic mechanisms of LORMD may suggest avenues to explore new treatments of this disorder.
Investigating Customer Loyalty in Service Failure-Recovery Encounter: The Moderating Role of Customer Coproduction

More and more customers nowadays play an active role in service encounters in which they are engaged in service production process to co create value. For instance, customers can enjoy service either by cooperating with service firms or by having the firms do all the production work. The benefits of customer value co-creation in service context are well studied. However, little attention is given to examine customer co creation under service failure-recovery situation. Service failure and recovery are two important topics among academics and business leaders. Service failures occur when performance of service providers falls below customer's expectations, causing customers to elicit negative feelings and this ultimately leads to unfavorable behavioral intentions, and reduced re-patronage rate. Following service failure, recovery is as an essential mean to regain customer satisfaction. Prior studies have mainly focused on effects of service failure and recovery efforts on shaping customer perception and evaluation towards firms in service context. To advance our knowledge, this research will take an integrated approach to see how recovery (level of perceived justice and recovery effort) interacts with service failures in shaping customer responses towards service firms in a co-creation context. Customers can either co-create service or participate in service recovery. In the research, we propose that the level of customer co creation moderates the interactive effect of service failure and recovery on customer value, and in turn leads to customer loyalty. We argue that, following service failure, customers who are involved in service co creation will attribute blame for the failure to the firm less strongly than those who are not involved at all, as they partly hold responsibility for the failure. They are more likely to be satisfied with recovery of service firm. Second, when customers participate in recovery co-creation, they are more likely to be satisfied and perceive high level of value from recovery, and this leads to customer loyalty.
The Design of IT-Enabled Service Systems: Developing a Theory for Multi-agent Service Systems

In this paper, we aim to provide a methodology for designing IT-enabled service systems and specifically focus on front-end customer services. When the focus is on front-end customer services, the interactions among agents involved in the service system become predominant. A good service design should fit the needs of customers as well as bring values to service providers. However, agents usually have different perspectives toward the value propositions of service systems. While these agents involve in the value co-production process, how to design a service system that can balance among different value perspectives become a significant research issue. After defining critical components of IT-enabled service systems, we propose a service choice theory to resolve potential value conflicts in value co-production process and apply Arrow's impossibility theorem to strengthen our argument. A solution that applies quality function deployment framework is then proposed to achieve the fit between value components and service offerings. At last, we use the u-health service system in National Taiwan University Hospital to illustrate how our proposed methodology is applied to design an IT-enabled service system.
Prevalence of pterygium in Latinos: Proyecto VER

Aims: Pterygium is a common corneal eye condition that can be disfiguring and may require surgery to avoid loss of vision. There are no population-based data on the prevalence or on risk factors among Latinos. Methods: A population-based sample of 4774 self-reported Latinos age ⩾40 years from randomly selected block groups in Nogales and Tucson, Arizona, USA, were enrolled in the study. Questionnaires were conducted in the home on risk factors. A clinical examination by an experienced ophthalmologist was carried out, and the presence of pterygium was diagnosed at the examination. Results: The prevalence of pterygium was high (overall 16%). Men had a higher rate than women (23.7% versus 11.5%, respectively). Low income and low educational status were associated with higher odds of pterygium. Current smoking, and smoking dose, was protective for pterygium; this finding has now been reported from several studies. Conclusions: Pterygium rates were high in this population of Latinos. Socioeconomic status markers for increased exposure to sunlight suggest this may be the target of simple interventions to reduce the risk of pterygium in this ethnic population.
Automatically Documenting Unit Test Cases

Maintaining unit test cases is important during the maintenance and evolution of a software system. In particular, automatically documenting these unit test cases can ameliorate the burden on developers maintaining them. For instance, by relying on up-to-date documentation, developers can more easily identify test cases that relate to some new or modified functionality of the system. We surveyed 212 developers (both industrial and open-source) to understand their perspective towards writing, maintaining, and documenting unit test cases. In addition, we mined change histories of C# software systems and empirically found that unit test methods seldom had preceding comments and infrequently had inner comments, and both were rarely modified as those methods were modified. In order to support developers in maintaining unit test cases, we propose a novel approach - UnitTestScribe - that combines static analysis, natural language processing, backward slicing, and code summarization techniques to automatically generate natural language documentation of unit test cases. We evaluated UnitTestScribe on four subject systems by means of an online survey with industrial developers and graduate students. In general, participants indicated that UnitTestScribe descriptions are complete, concise, and easy to read.
Better for the Break

Enid Levin, Jo Moriarty, Peter Gorbach HMSO, £12.95, pp 206 ISBN 0-11-701776-0 Despite lip service being paid to matters of quality in health care, much of the information that surfaces relates specifically and directly to quantity - how long are waiting lists, how much do certain procedures cost. It is important to know these things, and of course in many ways the issues of quantity and quality are interwoven, but it is refreshing to encounter …