Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate: outcome at 1 year.

BACKGROUND Urologists continue to search for alternatives to transurethral prostatectomy that carry a lower potential for complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients on the public waiting list for transurethral resection of the prostate, all spontaneously voiding, underwent transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA). Eight patients had a simultaneous bladder neck incision (BNI). Follow-up with International Prostate Symptom Scores and flow rate measurement was performed at 6 weeks, 7 months, and 1 year. RESULTS A statistically significant increase in flow rate and fall in symptom scores occurred out to 1 year after TUNA. Despite this result, six patients (24%) were not satisfied with their outcome and underwent a second endoscopic operation. CONCLUSION In our hands, TUNA produced an unsatisfactory clinical result.
Demonstration of HHV‐6 antigens in biopsies of kidney transplant recipients with cytomegalovirus infection

The activation of human herpesvirus‐6 (HHV‐6) commonly coexists with that of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in organ transplant recipients. No data exist of HHV‐6 in renal allografts, whereas persistent CMV in the kidney associates with poor outcome and histopathologic changes. We examined HHV‐6 and CMV antigens from kidney transplants with previous CMV infection. HHV‐6 and CMV pp65 antigens were demonstrated by monoclonal antibodies and immunohistochemistry from 22 kidney transplants with previous CMV infection. CMV was diagnosed by antigenemia tests and/or viral cultures. HHV‐6 antigens were found in 7/22 biopsies 18–1330 days after CMV infection, in infiltrating leukocytes in six, and in tubular epithelial cells in two patients. CMV infections were treated, and no virus could be detected from urine or blood thereafter, or at the time of the biopsy. Only 1/7 of these biopsies demonstrated also CMV antigens, whereas CMV antigens were found in 6/15 of the biopsies with no HHV‐6. HHV‐6 in the graft was associated with previous acute rejections, but not with any histopathological changes or reduced renal function. In conclusion, HHV‐6 was a common finding in late renal allograft biopsies of patients with previous CMV infection, but its significance remains to be elucidated.
Inter-urban comparison of ambient volatile organic compound concentration in U.S. cities.

Comparison of data from various cities in the United States concerning the levels of volatile organic compounds in the air and which ones perpetuate a significant health risk are given. It is noted that there are no federal standards for many of the compounds listed and that interpretation of findings can create problems and should be used with caution. It is also noted that while automobile exhaust emissions are not the only source of these compounds, they are the dominant source.
Quantitative analysis of trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid in royal jelly products purchased in USA by high performance liquid chromatography

Royal jelly is a milky-white colored secretion produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands located in the head of young worker honeybees to feed the larvae in the colony (Münstedt and von Georgi , 2003). If a queen bee is desired, a chosen larva will be provided a large quantity of royal jelly as its only food source, which induces rapid differentiated growth and morphology. Because of this specialized nutrition, queen bees are different from worker bees in several ways including their size, production of eggs, and longevity. Both pure royal jelly creams and dietary supplements of royal jelly are commercially available. These products claim various health benefits such as immune-regulation, anti-aging, cholesterol-lowering, antiinflammation, tumor vascularization inhibition, wound-healing, and antibiotic effects (Iannuzzi , 1990; Hashimoto et al., 2005; Salazar-Olivo and PazGonzález, 2005; Erem et al., 2006; Hat tor i et al., 2007). Researchers believe that such health benefits are attributed to various ingredients present in royal jelly such as B-complex vitamins, fatty acids, adenosine, and trace minerals. The most unique and chemically interesting component in royal jelly is its fatty acid, trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10HDA) (Barker et al., 1959; Blum et al., 1959; Lercker et al., 1981; Howe et al., 1985). The amount of 10-HDA in pure royal jelly varies depending on the origin of the jelly (Fer iol i et al., 2007). Since other bee products do not contain 10-HDA, the presence of 10-HDA can be used as a marker to validate the quality of royal jelly QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF TRANS-10-HYDROXY-2-DECENOIC ACID IN ROYAL JELLY PRODUCTS PURCHASED IN USA BY HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY
Prognostic Significance of Cell Cycle- and Invasion-Related Molecular Markers and Genomic Instability in Primary Carcinoma of the Vagina

Objective This study aimed to analyze the prognostic value of DNA content and biological markers for cell cycle regulation and invasion in primary carcinoma of the vagina (PCV). Material and Methods Seventy-two consecutive patients with PCV, categorized as short-term (≤2 years) and long-term (≥8 years) survivors, were evaluated for DNA content by image cytometry, and for expression of p53, p21, cyclin A, Ki67, E-cadherin, and laminin-5γ2 chain by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between these biological markers and histopathological and clinical parameters was assessed. Results All PCV showed aneuploid DNA content. Most of the PCV patients showed no overexpression of p53 and high expression of p21, cyclin A, and Ki67. Loss or underexpression of E-cadherin was found in 94% (68/72) of PCV patients, and all patients showed immunopositivity for the laminin-5γ2 chain. Tumors with a vaginal longitudinal location in the lower third or in the entire vagina more often had overexpression of p53, high expression of Ki67 (P = 0.044), and underexpression of E-cadherin (P = 0.038), than tumors confined only to the upper third. Overexpression of p53 was significantly associated with short-term survival in the univariate analysis, but not in the multivariate analysis adjusted for age at diagnosis and tumor size. Conclusions The expression level of some markers was related to tumor location, which might be indicative of different genesis. Overexpression of p53 was associated with short-term survival, but the only independent predictors of survival were age at diagnosis and tumor size.
RF Linearity Potential of Carbon-Nanotube Transistors Versus MOSFETs

Carbon-nanotube, field-effect transistors (CNFETs) are among the candidates for emerging radio-frequency applications, and improved linearity has recently been identified as one of the performance advantages they might offer. In this paper, the potential for improved linearity has been investigated by considering an array-based device structure under the best-case scenario of ballistic transport. A nonlinear equivalent circuit for ballistic field-effect transistors is used to compare the linearity of CNFETs to conventional MOSFETs. We show that nanotube devices working at high frequencies are not inherently linear, as recently suggested in the literature, and that CNFETs exhibit overall linearity that is comparable to their MOSFET counterparts. The nonlinear quantum capacitance is identified to be a major source of high-frequency nonlinearity in CNFETs. The impacts of device parameters such as oxide capacitance, channel width, and tube pitch are also investigated.
trifluoroethanol chain kinase adopts an { alpha }-helical structure in aqueous A peptide analog of the calmodulin-binding domain of myosin light

A 22-residue synthetic peptide encompassing the calmodulin (CaM)-binding domain of skeletal muscle myosin light chain kinase was studied by two-dimensional NMR and CD spectroscopy. In water the peptide does not form any regular structure; however, addition of the helix-inducing solvent trifluoroethanol (TFE) causes it to form an a-helical structure. The proton NMR spectra of this peptide in 25% and 40% TFE were assigned by double quantum-filtered J-correlated spectroscopy, total correlation spectroscopy, and nuclear Overhauser effect correlated spectroscopy spectra. In addition, the a-carbon chemical shifts were obtained from (‘H,’3C)-heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence spectra. The presence of numerous dNN(i, i + l) , daN(i, i + 3), and da@(i, i + 3) NOE crosspeaks indicates that an a-helix can be formed from residues 3 to 20; this is further supported by the CD data. Upfield a-proton and downfield a-carbon shifts in this region of the peptide provide further support for the formation of an a-helix. The helix induced by TFE appears to be similar to that formed upon binding of
Sealing properties on the implant-abutment interface of a flowable silicone : an in vitro study

1) DDS, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), School of Dentistry (FOUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 2) Professor of Removable Partial Prosthesis, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), School of Dentistry (FOUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 3) Phd resident in Dental Prosthesis, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), School of Dentistry (FOUSP), São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 4) Full professor, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), School of Dentistry (FOUSP), Department of Removable Partial Prosthesis, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
DNA repair mechanisms and cellular reprogramming: Criteria for the successful generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells and in vitro disease modelling

All stem cells, whether they are pluripotent or multipotent tissue specific cells, need to be able to eliminate genomic mutations if they threaten the ability of the cell to complete its function in vivo . For adult stem cells whose purpose is the lifelong repair and regeneration of a specific organ system, this is of great importance. It takes only a little imagination to envisage the potential harm that could accrue in the haematopoietic system if only a small fraction of the haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), resident in the endosteal niche of the bone marrow (BM) were allowed to accumulate mutations that altered their ability to generate lymphoid or myeloid lineages. The daily requirement for new blood cells is of the order of one billion, so damage of this type would soon become apparent and the patient’s health would decline. Important though this is, the impact of mutations occurring in adult life is minor compared to the possible disruptions that could arise if the genome of the early embryo was damaged to the point that embryonic development was restricted. The inner cell mass (ICM) of blastocyst stage embryos gives rise to every tissue found in the adult but consists of a very small number of cells (this can be as few as 12 cells). If a mutation is allowed to persist in any of the ICM cells, it will be transferred to the tissues and organs that arise from that cell and could have a profound effect on organ function. The accumulation of mutations in the ICM must be prevented at all costs.
Misperceptions of aspirin efficacy and safety may perpetuate anticoagulant underutilization in atrial fibrillation.

The general public has been conditioned over many years to accept aspirin as an effective, safe, and inexpensive remedy for heart attacks and for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. In most countries aspirin was available as an over-the-counter remedy well before its widespread use in cardiovascular disease, which probably contributed to its widespread acceptability. Moreover, many physicians took part in the physicians health study,1 a pivotal study of primary prevention in cardiovascular disease, originally promoted as showing that aspirin reduced non-fatal myocardial infarction, but without emphasis of the increase in intracranial haemorrhage and unchanged mortality in this essentially neutral study. In non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF), aspirin has for a number of years been recommended as thrombo-prophylaxis for those not considered at high risk (see Table 1 , e.g. CHADS2 score <2). 2 Unfortunately, the implied benefit of guideline approbation probably led to widespread use of aspirin as the ‘easy’, or ‘soft’ option in those at higher stroke risk with either real or perceived contra-indications to Vitamin K antagonist (VKA, e.g. warfarin). This could be the result of differences in perception among physicians and patients of the risks of stroke vs. bleeding3,4 and also the misperception that aspirin is somewhat effective in stroke prevention in this setting and has lower bleeding risk. Another possible contributory factor may be an exaggerated estimate of VKA-associated bleeding, feared by physicians who do not see the strokes prevented, but do see the bleeds. Coupled with this is the issue that VKA therapy is hard to manage, and appears to be universally disliked by physicians, patients, the media, and industry. Perhaps the connotation with …
Computation of voltage stability margins of distribution systems

A robust and efficient tool for computing the voltage stability margin of distribution systems is proposed in this paper. This margin corresponds to the distance from the current operating point to the maximum loading point in load parameter space along a predefined load increase direction. This tool is based on computing the voltage stability index of a two-bus equivalent circuit for predicting load increases and a specialized, robust Newtonpsilas load flow method. It may also be useful for evaluating the impacts of the insertion of distributed generation on the system operation and voltage stability conditions. The proposed methodology has shown to be suited for environments subjected to severe computation time constraints, such as distribution management systems.
The Performance of Cross-Validation Indices Used to Select Among Competing Covariance Structure Models Under Multivariate Nonnormality Conditions

Cudeck and Browne (1983) proposed using cross-validation as a model selection technique in structural equation modeling. The purpose of this study is to examine the performance of eight cross-validation indices under conditions not yet examined in the relevant literature, such as nonnormality and cross-validation design. The performance of each cross-validation index was measured in terms of true model selection rate as well as consistency of model selection. The performance of the cross-validation indices tended to improve as factor loading and sample size increased but performed less well as nonnormality increased. The double cross-validated indices outperformed their simple cross-validated counterparts in certain conditions. Recommendations are provided as to which cross-validation methods would optimally perform in a given condition.
Non‐Hodgkin lymphoma in Southern Africa: review of 487 cases from The International Non‐Hodgkin Lymphoma Classification Project

Comparative data on the distribution of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) subtypes in Southern Africa (SAF) is scarce. In this study, five expert haematopathologists classified 487 consecutive cases of NHL from SAF using the World Health Organization classification, and compared the results to North America (NA) and Western Europe (WEU). Southern Africa had a significantly lower proportion of low‐grade (LG) B‐NHL (34·3%) and a higher proportion of high‐grade (HG) B‐NHL (51·5%) compared to WEU (54·5% and 36·4%) and NA (56·1% and 34·3%). High‐grade Burkitt‐like lymphoma was significantly more common in SAF (8·2%) than in WEU (2·4%) and NA (2·5%), most likely due to human immunodeficiency virus infection. When SAF patients were divided by race, whites had a significantly higher frequency of LG B‐NHL (60·4%) and a lower frequency of HG B‐NHL (32·7%) compared to blacks (22·5% and 62·6%), whereas the other races were intermediate. Whites and other races had a significantly higher frequency of follicular lymphoma and a lower frequency of Burkitt‐like lymphoma compared to blacks. The median ages of whites with LG B‐NHL, HG B‐NHL and T‐NHL (64, 56 and 67 years) were significantly higher than those of blacks (55, 41 and 34 years). Epidemiological studies are needed to better understand these differences.
Urgent catheter ablation for sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias in patients with acute heart failure decompensation.

AIMS Ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) are not uncommon in patients hospitalized with acute heart failure (AHF). We sought to evaluate the efficacy of urgent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for recurrent VT/VF during AHF decompensations. METHODS AND RESULTS The present study retrospectively analysed the data of 15 consecutive patients (69 ± 9 years, ischaemic heart disease in 10), who underwent urgent RFCA for frequent drug-refractory VT/VF episodes during an AHF decompensation with pulmonary congestion. The target arrhythmias were clinically documented monomorphic VTs in 10 patients, frequent premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) triggering VF in 4, and both in 1. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 26 ± 8%. The maximum number of arrhythmia episodes over 24 h was 9.1 ± 11.7. All RFCA sessions were completed without any major complications except for a temporary deterioration of pulmonary congestion in three patients (20%). Elimination and non-inducibility of the target arrhythmias were achieved in 13 patients (87%). Successful ablation site electrograms showed Purkinje potentials for all 5 PVCs triggering VF and 4 of 14 clinically documented monomorphic VTs (29%). Five patients (33%) underwent second sessions 10 ± 4 days after the first session for acute recurrences. Sustained VT/VF was completely suppressed during admission in 12 patients (80%), and the AHF ameliorated in 13 patients (93%). Twelve patients (80%) were discharged alive. CONCLUSION Urgent RFCA for drug-resistant sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias during AHF decompensations would be an appropriate therapeutic option. Purkinje fibres can be ablation targets not only in those with PVCs triggering VF, but also in those with monomorphic VT.
Zero-temperature ordering in two-dimensional frustrated quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnets.

La phase magnetiquement desordonnee du modele d'Heisenberg pour un reseau carre, accessible aux developpements des dimers, se revele spontanement dimerisee dans la configuration «en colonne» predite par Read et Sachdev. Les estimations du parametre d'ordre de dimerisation sont une fraction substantielle de celui de l'etat entierement dimerise
Aplysia californica neurons express microinjected neuropeptide genes

Neuropeptide genes are expressed in specific subsets of large polyploid neurons in Aplysia californica. We have defined the transcription initiation sites of three of these neuropeptide genes (the R14, L11, and ELH genes) and determined the nucleotide sequence of the promoter regions. The genes contain the usual eucaryotic promoter signals as well as other structures of potential regulatory importance, including inverted and direct repeats. The L11 and ELH genes, which are otherwise unrelated, have homology in the promoter regions, while the R14 promoter was distinct. When cloned plasmids were microinjected into Aplysia neurons in organ culture, transitions between supercoiled, relaxed circular, and linear DNAs occurred along with ligation into high-molecular-weight species. About 20% of the microinjected neurons expressed the genes. The promoter region of the R14 gene functioned in expression of the microinjected DNA in all cells studied. When both additional 5' and 3' sequences were included, the gene was specifically expressed only in R14, suggesting that the specificity of expression is generated by a multicomponent repression system. Finally, the R14 peptide could be expressed in L11, demonstrating that it is possible to alter the transmitter phenotype of these neurons by introduction of cloned genes.
SST2, a Regulator of G-Protein Signaling for the Candida albicans Mating Response Pathway

ABSTRACT Candida albicans contains a functional mating response pathway that is similar to the well-studied system of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We have characterized a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) homolog in C. albicans with sequence similarity to the SST2 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Disruption of this gene, which had been designated SST2, causes an opaque MTLa/MTLa derivative of strain SC5314 to show hypersensitivity to the C. albicans α-factor. This hypersensitivity generates an enhanced cell cycle arrest detected in halo assays but reduces the overall mating efficiency of the cells. Transcriptional profiling of the pheromone-regulated gene expression in the sst2 mutant shows a pattern of gene induction similar to that observed in wild-type cells, but the responsiveness is heightened. This involvement of an RGS in the sensitivity to pheromone is consistent with the prediction that the mating response pathway in C. albicans requires the activation of a heterotrimeric G protein.
Multiple myeloma in the older adult: better prospects, more challenges.

PURPOSE Multiple myeloma (MM) is disproportionately diagnosed in older adults; with the aging of the population, the number of older adults diagnosed with MM will increase by nearly 80% in the next two decades. Duration of survival has improved dramatically over the last 20 years, but the improvements in older adults have not been as great as those in younger adults with MM. METHODS In this article, we address treatment approaches in older adults who are eligible for and those ineligible for high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation as well as supportive care considerations and the potential role for geriatric assessment in facilitating decision making for older adults with MM. RESULTS The evidence from recent studies demonstrates that combinations of novel and conventional antimyeloma agents result in improved response rates and, in some cases, improved progression-free and overall survival. However, some older adults are particularly vulnerable to toxicities of therapy and discontinuation of therapy and, consequently, they have poorer survival. In addition, older adults may prioritize other outcomes of therapy, such as quality of life, over more conventional end points such as disease response and duration of survival. Geriatric assessment can facilitate risk-stratification of older adults at greater risk for adverse events from therapy and aid in personalizing therapy for vulnerable or frail older adults. CONCLUSION Survival in older adults with MM is improving with novel therapeutics, but efficacy must be balanced with risk of toxicity of therapy and maintenance of quality of life. Novel instruments such as geriatric assessment tools may facilitate these aims.