Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of metformin in the treatment of NIDDM. Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE The results differ concerning randomized controlled trials of the effects of metformin on blood glucose regulation and body weight. To get a systematic overview, a meta-analysis of the efficacy of metformin was performed by comparing metformin with placebo and sulfonylurea. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS All randomized controlled trials published since 1957 were selected by searching the Current List of Medical Literature, Cumulated Index Medicus, Medline, and Embase, Meta-analysis was performed calculating weighted mean difference (WMD) of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and body weight. RESULTS Nine randomized controlled trials comparing metformin with placebo and ten comparing metformin with sulfonylurea were identified. The WMD between metformin and placebo after treatment for fasting blood glucose was -2.0 mmol/l (95% CI -2.4 to -1.7) and for glycosylated hemoglobin -0.9% (95% CI -1.1 to -0.7). Body weight WMD was not significant after treatment. Sulfonylurea and metformin lowered blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin equally, while there was a significant WMD of body weight (-2.9 kg [95% CI -4.4 to -1.1]) because of a 1.7-kg mean increase after sulfonylurea and a 1.2-kg mean decrease after metformin. CONCLUSIONS Metformin lowers blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin significantly, compared with placebo. Metformin and sulfonylurea have an equal effect on fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin, but the body weight is significantly lower after metformin compared with sulfonylurea treatment because of an increase in body weight after sulfonylurea treatment.
Staphylococcus aureus Colonization before Infection Is Not Associated with Mortality among S. aureus-infected Patients: A Meta-analysis

Background and Objective. The literature is conflicted as to whether people colonized with Staphylococcus aureus are at an increased risk of mortality. The aim of this meta-analysis was to review and analyze the current literature to determine whether prior history of S. aureus colonization is associated with mortality among S. aureus-infected patients. Methods. The PUBMED databases were searched with keywords related to S. aureus colonization and mortality. After reviewing 380 article abstracts and 59 articles in detail, only 7 studies had data on the association between S. aureus colonization and mortality among S. aureus-infected patients. Crude estimates of study odds ratios (ORs) were calculated on the basis of data from subset analyses. We pooled crude ORs from the 7 studies using a random-effects model. Woolf's test for heterogeneity was assessed. Results. When all studies were pooled in a random-effects model, no association between S. aureus colonization and mortality among S. aureus-infected patients was seen (pooled OR, 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.32–3.66]; n = 7; heterogeneity P = . 05). When the analyses were restricted to infection-attributable mortality, the association between colonization and mortality among S. aureus-infected patients was not statistically significant (pooled OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.15–1.21]; n = 4; heterogeneity P = .28). Conclusions. S. aureus colonization was not associated with mortality among patients who developed an S. aureus infection. Interventions to decolonize S. aureus carriers may prevent S. aureus infections but may not be sufficient to prevent mortality.
Duration and predictors of CD4 T-cell gains in patients who continue combination therapy despite detectable plasma viremia

Background Sustained elevations in CD4 cell counts commonly occur despite incomplete viral suppression with protease inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy. Objectives To determine the incidence and risk factors associated with return of CD4 cell count to pre-therapy levels in patients experiencing virologic failure of protease inhibitor therapy. Design This is a clinic-based cohort study of HIV-infected adults who failed to maintain durable viral suppression on a protease inhibitor-based regimen. Main outcome measures Virologic failure was defined as persistent plasma HIV RNA level > 500 copies/ml. Immunologic failure was defined as return of CD4 cell count to pre-therapy levels. Results A total of 291 patients experienced virologic failure on a protease inhibitor-based regimen and had a treatment-mediated CD4 cell increase above pre-therapy levels at the time of virologic failure. If patient data were censored at the time a successful salvage regimen was initiated, then the median time to immunologic failure after the onset of virologic failure was 3 years. If patient data were also censored at the time therapy was discontinued, then 36.8% of the cohort experienced immunologic failure after 3 years of continuous virologic failure. The change in viral load from a pre-treatment baseline, and not the absolute level of viremia achieved, was a strong and independent predictor of immunologic failure. Discontinuing therapy was associated with immunologic failure independent of viral load changes. Conclusion Reduction in T CD4+ cell numbers may eventually occur during prolonged virologic failure of a protease inhibitor-based regimen and is predicted by the degree of virologic suppression below a pre-therapy ‘set-point'.
Confluence of Curried Term-Rewriting Systems

Abstract Term rewriting systems operate on first-order terms. Presenting such terms in curried form is usually regarded as a trivial change of notation. However, in the absence of a type-discipline, or in the presence of a more powerful type-discipline than simply typed λ-calculus, the change is not as trivial as one might first think. It is shown that currying preserves confluence of arbitrary term rewriting systems. The structure of the proof is similar to Toyama's proof that confluence is a modular property of TRS.
Occurrence of primary cancers in association with multiple myeloma and Kaposi's sarcoma in the United States, 1973–1995

The causes of multiple myeloma (MM) are obscure, but a laboratory association was recently reported between MM and human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8), the probable etiologic agent of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS). Although there has been some additional laboratory corroboration, most laboratory studies have found no association between MM and HHV‐8. We looked for indirect evidence of an HHV‐8/MM association by evaluating whether MM is associated with KS in the United States. Cancer incidence and survival data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for the years 1973–1995. Strength of association was assessed for a number of cancer pairs using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) (observed/expected double cancers). KS was strongly associated (SIR > 15) with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma and anal cancer, was modestly associated (2.5 < SIR < 5.5) with MM, Hodgkin's disease, and testicular cancer and was not significantly associated with 6 other cancers. Besides being associated with KS, MM was weakly associated (1.7 < SIR < 2.3) with Hodgkin's disease and testicular cancer. The SIRs for 7 other cancers paired with MM were all less than 1.6. Factors that might be responsible for the KS/MM association include MM‐related immune dysfunction, HIV and HHV‐8, but the role of these factors cannot be directly assessed through the SEER database. Although we cannot rule out the possibility that HHV‐8 is linked to a small proportion of MM cases, the modest KS/MM association is evidence that the vast majority of MM cases are not likely to be associated with HHV‐8. Int. J. Cancer 85:453–456, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanical reduction of the intracanal Enterococcus faecalis population by Hyflex CM, K3XF, ProTaper Next, and two manual instrument systems: an in vitro comparative study.

AIM In the present study, the effectiveness of three rotary and two manual nickel titanium instrument systems on mechanical reduction of the intracanal Enterococcus faecalis population was evaluated. METHODS Mandibular premolars with straight roots were selected. Teeth were decoronated and instrumented until 20 K file and irrigated with physiological saline. After sterilization by ethylene oxide gas, root canals were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups for canal instrumentation: Manual Nitiflex and Hero Shaper nickel titanium files, and rotary Hyflex CM, ProTaper Next, and K3XF nickel titanium files. Intracanal bacterial sampling was done before and after instrumentation. After serial dilution, samples were plated onto the Mitis Salivarius agar. The c.f. u. grown were counted, and log10 transformation was calculated. RESULTS All instrumentation systems significantly reduced the intracanal bacterial population after root canal preparation. ProTaper Next was found to be significantly more effective than Hyflex CM and manual Nitiflex and Hero Shaper. However, ProTaper Next showed no significant difference with K3XF. CONCLUSION Canal instrumentation by all the file systems significantly reduced the intracanal Enterococcus faecalis counts. ProTaper Next was found to be most effective in reducing the number of bacteria than other rotary or hand instruments.
Correlation between ankle-brachial index and microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

INTRODUCTION Microalbuminuria is a reliable marker of diabetic nephropathy. Establishment of peripheral vascular complications leads to early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of renal and cardiovascular complications. This study investigated the value of ankle-brachial index (ABI) for prediction of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Measurement of ABI with color Doppler ultrasonography was carried out for 206 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. An ABI Index less than 0.9 was defined as a predictive marker for atherosclerosis. Microalbuminuria and risk factors of atherosclerosis were compared between the patients categorized based on the ABI values. RESULTS The mean ABI was 1.1 ± 0.2 (range, 0.052 to 1.6), and 41 (20%) had an abnormal ABI (< 0.9). The correlations were significant between abnormal ABI and duration of disease (P = .04), cardiovascular event and cardiac care unit admission (P = .001), hypertension (P = .01), and dyslipidemia (P = .01). There was a significant correlation between ABI and microalbuminuria (odds ratio, 0.05; 95% confidence interval, 0.038 to 0.630; P < .001). A cutoff point of an ABI less than or equal to 1.04 had a sensitivity of 71.6% and a specificity of 64.2% for prediction of microalbuminuria. CONCLUSIONS The ABI is a noninvasive and reliable assay for detection of peripheral and cardiovascular complications, and also early stage of nephropathy in diabetic patients. In patients with an abnormal ABI, long-term follow-up for earlier detection and prevention of complications is helpful.
A determination of the spectra of Galactic components observed by the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe

Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) data when combined with ancillary data on free-free, synchrotron and dust allow an improved understanding of the spectrum of emission from each of these components. Here, we examine the sky variation at intermediate latitudes using a cross-correlation technique. In particular, we compare the observed emission in 15 selected sky regions to three 'standard' templates. The free-free emission of the diffuse ionized gas is fitted by a well-known spectrum at K and Ka band, but the derived emissivity corresponds to a mean electron temperature of similar to 4000-5000 K. This is inconsistent with estimates from Galactic H II regions although a variation in the derived ratio of H alpha to free-free intensity by a factor of similar to 2 is also found from region to region. The origin of the discrepancy is unclear. The anomalous emission associated with dust is clearly detected in most of the 15 fields studied. The anomalous emission correlates well with the Finkbeiner, Davis & Schlegel model 8 predictions (FDS8) at 94 GHz, with an effective spectral index between 20 and 60 GHz, of beta similar to -2.85. Furthermore, the emissivity varies by a factor of similar to 2 from cloud to cloud. A modestly improved fit to the anomalous dust at K band is provided by modulating the template by an estimate of the dust colour temperature, specifically FDS8 x T^n. We find a preferred value n similar to 1.6, although there is a scatter from region to region. Nevertheless, the preferred index drops to zero at higher frequencies where the thermal dust emission dominates. The synchrotron emission steepens between GHz frequencies and the WMAP bands. There are indications of spectral index variations across the sky but the current data are not precise enough to accurately quantify this from region to region. Our analysis of the WMAP data indicates strongly that the dust-correlated emission at the low WMAP frequencies has a spectrum which is compatible with spinning dust; we find no evidence for a synchrotron component correlated with dust. The importance of these results for the correction of cosmic microwave background data for Galactic foreground emission is discussed.
Understanding the natural history of community-acquired pneumonia resolution: vital information for optimizing duration of therapy.

New understanding of the management of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) has led to an interest in defining the optimal duration of antibiotic therapy [1]. Clearly, patients need to receive enough therapy to eradicate the etiologic pathogen and to prevent recurrence, yet not so much therapy that antibiotic resistance develops as a result of the patient being exposed to antimicrobials long after the original organism has been eliminated. It is very likely that the correct duration of therapy will vary from patient to patient, rather than being some arbitrary duration dictated by "local tribal custom" (i.e., 5, 7, 10, and 14 days seem to be popular durations, but no recommendations for 6, 9, 11, or 13 days of therapy have appeared). The clinical response depends on a variety of influences, including host factors (e.g., immune status and comorbid illness), bacteriologic factors (e.g., virulence, susceptibility to available therapies, and inoculum), disease factors (e.g., the
Effects of epidural administration of morphine and buprenorphine on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats.

OBJECTIVE To determine effects of epidural administration of morphine and buprenorphine on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in cats. Animals-6 healthy adult domestic shorthair cats. PROCEDURES Cats were anesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen. Morphine (100 microg/kg diluted with saline [0.9% NaCl] solution to a volume of 0.3 mL/kg), buprenorphine (12.5 microg/kg diluted with saline solution to a volume of 0.3 mL/kg), or saline solution (0.3 mL/kg) was administered into the epidural space according to a Latin square design. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane was measured in triplicate by use of the tail clamp technique. At least 1 week was allowed between successive experiments. RESULTS The MAC of isoflurane was 2.00 +/- 0.18%, 2.13 +/- 0.11%, and 2.03 +/- 0.09% in the morphine, buprenorphine, and saline solution groups, respectively. No significant difference in MAC was detected among treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE A significant effect of epidural administration of morphine or buprenorphine on the MAC of isoflurane in cats could not be detected. Further studies are needed to establish whether epidural opioid administration has other benefits when administered as a component of general anesthesia in cats.
Tetrakis(1,2-dimethoxyethane-κ2 O,O′)ytterbium(II) bis(μ2-phenylselenolato-κ2 Se:Se)bis[bis(phenylselenolato-κSe)mercurate(II)]

The title salt, [Yb(C4H10O2)4][Hg2(C6H5Se)6], consists of eight-coordinate homoleptic [Yb(DME)4]2+ dications (DME is 1,2-dimethoxyethane) countered with [Hg2(SePh)6]2− dianions. The cations and anions have twofold rotation and inversion symmetry, respectively. The Yb centre displays a square-antiprismatic coordination geometry and the Hg centre has a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment. One phenylselenolate anion and one methyl group of a DME ligand are disordered over two positions with equal occupancies. This structure is unique in that it represents a less common molecular lanthanide species in which the lanthanide ion is not directly bonded to an anionic ligand. There are no occurrences of the [Hg2(SePh)6]2− dianion in the Cambridge Structural Database (Version of November 2007), but there are similar oligomeric and polymeric Hgx(SePh)y species. The crystal structure is characterized by alternating layers of cations and anions stacked along the c axis.
Placement Technique and the Early Complications of Balloon Breast Brachytherapy: Magee-Womens Hospital Experience

Backgrounds and Objectives:Open (OT) and percutaneous closed (PCT) techniques have been described for placement of the MammoSite catheter to deliver accelerated partial breast brachytherapy. We report early complications of both techniques. Methods:A total of 125 patients underwent catheter placement for MammoSite high-dose rate brachytherapy, with 108 patients successfully completing treatment. The OT was used in 85 patients and PCT in 40 patients. The mean distance between the balloon surface and breast skin was 1.44 cm and 1.31 cm, respectively. Average skin dose was 278 cGy in the OT group and 295 cGy in the PCT group (P > 0.05). Average gross specimen size was 43.16 cm3 in the OT group and 62.19 cm3 in the PCT group. Median follow-up was 11 months for the OT group and 5 months for the PCT group. Results:In 17 cases, the catheter was subsequently removed without the patient completing treatment. Two of the patients in the OT group (3%) developed a delayed abscess. The overall incidence of persistent seroma (>6 months) was 20% with all occurring in the OT group, 30% of those patients. There were no acute skin toxicities higher than grade 2. The overall cosmesis is excellent or good in 95% of patients. Conclusion:Despite short follow-up and a small sample size in this study, it seems that the MammoSite brachytherapy was well tolerated by patients with early stage breast cancer when using either the OT or PCT.
The Intestinal Epithelial Barrier: Does It Become Impaired with Age?

The proportion of the population aged over 65 is increasing rapidly and malnutrition is a more common problem in elderly patients. The intestinal epithelium covers the surface of the digestive tract and consists of epithelial cells that constitute an efficient physical barrier between the dietary and enteric flora pathogens found in the intestinal lumen and the individuum, while at the same time allowing an exchange between nutrients and the systemic circulation. There is only a very limited amount of information available on whether and how age, with concomitant inflammation, influences the epithelial barrier. Although there is evidence that age does not correlate with the area of the duodenal surface epithelium or the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes, absorption of certain nutrients, e.g. lipids, does seem to be impaired in the elderly. However, impaired blood flow, ischemic changes and the increased use of NSAIDs naturally contribute to an impaired epithelial barrier in elderly patients.
The effects of chlorpromazine, pentobarbital, chlordiazepoxide and d-amphetamine on rates of licking in the rat.

Times between successive lieks (interresponse times) were determined for rats licking water from a (drinking tube. The distribution of interresponse times during bursts of rapid licking was highly peaked and was stable over long periods of time and under different degrees of water deprivation. Dose-effect relations were determined for chlorpromazine, pentobarbital, chlomdiazepoxide and d -amphetamine on the mean and standard deviation of interresponse times and several other characteristics of the rats9 drinking behavior. Both the mean and the standard deviation of interresponse times during bursts of rapid licking were increased by chlorpromzaine, pentobarbital and chlordiazepoxide. In contrast, d -amphetamine slightly decreased the means interresponse time at low doses and increased it at higher doses. Chlorpromazine and d -amphetamine caused a decrease in total volume of water conusumption. Chlordiazepoxide and low doses of pentobarbital increased water consumption, but higher doses of pentobarbital resulted in a decrease in volume cousumed.
Momordica charantia: a popular health-promoting vegetable with multifunctionality.

Products derived from edible medicinal plants have been used for centuries to prevent, treat, and even cure multiple diseases. Momordica charantia L. , widely cultivated around the world, is a typical one bred for vegetables and medicinal usage. All parts of M. charantia possess important medicinal properties, including antidiabetic, anticancer, hypotensive, anti-obesity, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anthelmintic, neuro-protective, as well as hepato-protective properties both in vitro and in vivo. This review summarizes the active components and medicinal properties of M. charantia, especially the activities and mechanisms of its anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties. The anti-diabetic properties involve inhibiting intestinal α-glucosidase and glucose transport, protecting islet β-cells, enhancing insulin secretion, increasing hepatic glucose disposal, decreasing gluconeogenesis, and even ameliorating insulin resistance. Moreover, the expressions of PPARs could also be activated and up-regulated. Meanwhile, its anticancer properties are mostly due to apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and expression of serum factors associated with immunity. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of M. charantia and its benefits for development as a functional food.
Ultrafast nonlinear optical properties of passive and active semiconductor devices

Nonlinear optical properties and ultrafast carrier dynamics of slab-coupled optical waveguide amplifiers, silicon nanowaveguides, and III-V semiconductor saturable Bragg reflectors are studied. The limits imposed by two photon absorption and free-carrier absorption on the gain and output powers of an InGaAsP/InP slab-coupled optical waveguide amplifier with a confinement factor of [gamma] = 0.5% are determined. The two-photon absorption coefficient and the induced freecarrier absorption cross-section were measured to be 65cm/GW and 7x10-4 cm2, respectively. The effects of two-photon absorption begin to limit the gain significantly for pulses shorter than 40ps. The carrier recovery times were observed to vary between 390 to 160ps for 1A to 4A bias currents, and the short-pulse saturation fluence of the gain was determined to be 1.4mJ/cm2. Furthermore, nonlinear optical processes in high-index-contrast waveguide circuits consisting of 106nm x 497nm silicon waveguides with Si0 2 and HSQ cladding layers were studied using a heterodyne pump probe experimental setup. The linear loss of the waveguides was determined to be 6.5dB/cm. The two-photon absorption coefficient and free-carrier absorption effective crosssection were determined to be 0.68cm/GW, and 1.9x10-17 cm 2, respectively. Coefficients for the index changes due to optical Kerr effect, and free-carrier density were determined to be 3.2x10- 4 cm 2/W, and -5.5x10-21 cm3. Effects of the proton bombardment on linear loss and carrier lifetimes in the devices were also studied. Carrier lifetime reduction to 33ps with a linear loss of only 14.8dB/cm was achieved using a proton bombardment level of 105 /cm 2. Ultrafast dynamics of semiconductor saturable absorber mirrors were also investigated. The addition of resonant layers to the absorbers resulted in lower saturation fluence and increased non-saturable loss. Proton bombardment was utilized on these devices as well, to decrease the carrier recovery times. With proton bombardment of single-absorber layer devices with 40KeV proton energies at a dose of 1015/cm2, a 1.5ps carrier recovery time was achieved in single-absorber structures.