Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Gonadal function following chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease: a comparative study of MVPP and a seven-drug hybrid regimen.

PURPOSE AND METHODS Gonadal function was assessed in 89 patients after chemotherapy for Hodgkin's disease (HD). Thirty-seven patients had received mechlorethamine, vinblastine, prednisolone, and procarbazine (MVPP) and 52 patients, a hybrid combination of chlorambucil, vinblastine, prednisolone, procarbazine, doxorubicin, vincristine, and etoposide (ChIVPP/EVA). Fifty men (MVPP, n = 21; ChIVPP/EVA, n = 29) with a median age of 26 years (range, 16 to 54) and 39 women (MVPP, n = 16; ChIVPP/EVA, n = 23) with a median age of 30 years (range, 15 to 47) were studied at a median of 30 months (range, 4 to 83) following chemotherapy. RESULTS Semen analysis showed azoospermia in 35 of 37 men, and increased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in this group confirmed severe germinal epithelial damage. Analysis of pretreatment semen in 28 men showed azoospermia in one, oligospermia in four (sperm count < 20 x 10(6)/mL), and a normal sperm count in the remaining 23. In the women, 26 of 34 (76%) with a regular menstrual cycle before commencing chemotherapy became amenorrheic following treatment. Menses returned in 10 women, who had a median age of 25 years (range, 21 to 34), and there were two pregnancies in this group. In the other 16, with a median age of 36 years (range, 27 to 47), amenorrhea persisted and premature ovarian failure was confirmed by increased serum gonadotrophins and reduced estradiol (E2) concentrations. Of the original eight women in whom menses were maintained following treatment, two subsequently developed amenorrhea and the clinical and biochemical features of an early menopause. In total, 18 of 34 women (53%) required hormone replacement therapy for chemotherapy-induced ovarian failure. CONCLUSION There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency or severity of gonadal dysfunction between MVPP- and ChIVPP/EVA-treated patients. We conclude that both of these chemotherapy schedules cause substantial damage to gonadal function in both sexes.
Body composition and fitness during strength and/or endurance training in older men.

PURPOSE This study examined adaptations in body composition and physical fitness during a 21-wk strength and/or endurance training period in 40- to 65-yr-old men. We also compared the usefulness of different methods for the analysis of body composition to detect training-induced adaptations. METHODS Fifty-three men were randomized into the endurance training (E: N = 14), strength training (S: N = 13), combined strength and endurance training (SE: N = 15), or control (C: N = 11) groups. S and E trained 2 and SE 2 x 2 times a week for strength and endurance. RESULTS Percentage of fat (fat%) decreased (5-8%) similarly in all training groups. Fat% measured by DXA at baseline and its change correlated with those recorded by bioimpedance (r = 0.90 and 0.66), skinfolds (r = 0.80 and 0.78), and waistline (r = 0.84 and 0.74). Lean mass in legs (DXA) increased only in S (2.0 +/- 1.5%, P < 0.001), but the thickness of vastus lateralis and intermedius measured by ultrasound increased (7-11%) in all training groups, and that of triceps brachii increased in S (22%) and SE (20%). Maximal concentric force increased significantly in S, SE, and E (by 22, 23, and 7%), and maximal oxygen uptake increased in both E (11%) and SE (11%). CONCLUSIONS Waist circumference and skinfold thickness seem to reasonably assess changes in percent body fat during training. However, only DXA was capable to separate small differences between the groups in training-induced changes in lean body mass. Combined strength and endurance training is of greater value than either alone in optimizing body composition or improving physical fitness in older men.
CD106 and activated‐CD29 are expressed on myelomatous bone marrow plasma cells and their downregulation is associated with tumour progression

Summary. Malignant plasma cells (PC) from multiple myeloma (MM) patients characteristically home to the bone marrow (BM). High numbers of tumour cells are found in the peripheral blood (PB) only at end‐stage disease (secondary plasma cell leukaemia, PCL) in a minority of patients. Using flow cytometric and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, a high percentage of tumoral BM PC from untreated patients was found to express CD106. In addition, these cells also expressed an activated form of CD29, as determined using the CD29 activation reporter monoclonal antibody HUTS‐21. Adhesion‐binding experiments showed that CD106+‐activated CD29+ BM PC from these patients adhered to fibronectin (FN) in a CD29/CD49d‐dependent manner. In contrast, marrow PC from progressive patients and BM or circulating malignant cells from secondary PCL patients expressed lower levels or were negative for CD106 and activated CD29, respectively, with a decreased or zero ability to adhere to FN. The expression of constitutive CD29 and CD49d, however, was similar during disease progression. We conclude that BM myelomatous cells co‐express CD106 and a functionally active form of CD29. Moreover, our results suggest that the loss of expression and/or function of these antigens are associated with the progression of MM and may explain the exit of tumoral cells from the BM.
Basic and acidic fibroblast growth factors protect spinal motor neurones in vivo after experimental spinal cord injury

We studied the effect of a single focal injection of recombinant basic (FGF2) or acidic (FGF1) fibroblast growth factor on the survival of spinal motor neurones at 24 h after a standardized spinal cord contusion injury (SCI) in the rat. Both FGF2 and FGF1 (3 μg), microinjected into the injury site at 5 min post‐injury (p.i.), protected at least two functionally important classes of spinal motor neurones, autonomic preganglionic neurones in the intermediolateral (IML) column and somatic motor neurones in the ventral horn (VH). Moreover, there was enhanced choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity in surviving VH and IML neurones, suggesting an improved functional status. Thus, neurotrophic factors such as FGF2 and FGF1 may contribute to an overall strategy to treat acute SCI and improve recovery of function.
Building-related symptoms and stress indicators.

UNLABELLED This study aims to study physiological stress indicators in relation to prevalence of building-related symptoms (BRS) among teachers employed in three selected schools in Copenhagen. Three hypotheses were studied: (i) Perceived psychosocial work environment was associated with BRS; (ii) Perceived psychosocial work environment (job strain) was associated with physiological strain; (iii) BRS was associated with physiological strain. We found a tendency among women of an association between job strain and being BRS positive. Also an association between job strain and physiological strain was observed among women. Being BRS positive was not associated with single physiological stress indicators with the exception of a higher level free testosterone in serum among BRS-positive women. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS Including physiological stress indicators may be a supplementary measure to questionnaires when studying the association between the psychosocial work environment and building-related symptoms (BRS). In this study, job strain was associated with physiological strain among women. Being BRS positive was not associated with single physiological stress indicators with the exception of a higher level free testosterone in serum among BRS-positive women. This study should be regarded as a preliminary study because of its small number of participants.
Oral health of early head start children: a qualitative study of staff, parents, and pregnant women.

OBJECTIVES We explored the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and activities of Early Head Start (EHS) staff members, parents, and pregnant women, along with their suggestions related to future oral health educational interventions targeting EHS children. METHODS Nine focus groups were conducted with EHS staff, parents, and pregnant women. Audiotapes of sessions were transcribed and entered into ATLAS.ti 5.0 for coding and analysis. RESULTS Attitudes about the importance of children's oral health among parents and pregnant women were mixed. Staff members voiced responsibility for children's oral health but frustration in their inability to communicate effectively with parents. Parents in turn perceived staff criticism regarding how they cared for their children's oral health. Gaps were noted in the oral health activities of EHS programs. Participants expressed confusion regarding the application of Head Start oral health performance standards to EHS. The need for culturally sensitive, hands-on oral health education was highlighted. CONCLUSIONS Tailored, theory-based interventions are needed to improve communication between EHS staff and families. Clear policies on the application of Head Start oral health performance standards to EHS are warranted. Educational activities should address the needs and suggestions of EHS participants.
Female striated urogenital sphincter contraction measured by shear wave elastography during pelvic floor muscle activation: Proof of concept and validation

Investigation of the function of the striated urogenital sphincter (SUS) is challenging because it is difficult to access and requires invasive measures. Ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) is a non‐invasive real‐time technique used to estimate tissue stiffness. As muscle stiffness can be used as an estimate of muscle force, SWE provides an opportunity to study contraction of the peri‐urethral musculature. Validation of SWE to study SUS during functional tasks, such as pelvic floor muscle contractions, is required prior to application in clinical populations.
The effect of amplitude resolution and mismatch on a digital-to-analog converter used for digital harmonic-cancelling sine-wave synthesis

Digital harmonic-cancelling sine-wave synthesizers (DHSSs) enable programmable, low cost, spectrally pure, sinusoidal signal synthesis for application areas such as communication systems, and on-chip testing of analog/mixed-signal integrated circuits. The implementation of a DHSS requires a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). However, unlike a conventional binary-coded DAC, the harmonic-cancelling DAC (HC-DAC) used in a DHSS scales the input digital signals by a set of irrational amplitude weights. Consequently, the conventional knowledge of how amplitude resolution affects a binary-coded DAC does not apply to HC-DACs. In this paper, we present a mathematical study of how amplitude resolution and unit-element mismatch affects the signal-todistortion (SDR) ratio of an HC-DAC. The results of the study show that it is possible to find a Pareto optimal value of amplitude resolution for a given HC-DAC with a target SDR. The values of SDR estimated from the mathematical model have been verified against circuit simulation results from two HC-DAC designs created using a 013 μm CMOS technology.
Eotaxin and eotaxin receptor (CCR3) expression in Sephadex particle‐induced rat lung inflammation

The β chemokine eotaxin is a potent eosinophil activator and chemoattractant. We examined immunohistochemically eotaxin protein expression in a range of normal rat tissues and in rat lung during Sephadex particle‐induced pulmonary inflammation. The time course of eotaxin expression in lung at various time points after Sephadex administration was related to the appearance of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and tissue distribution of eotaxin receptor (CCR3) positive cells. Results showed that eotaxin protein was constitutively expressed by both lung airway epithelial cells and gut epithelial cells in normal tissues in the absence of inflammation. During Sephadex induced pulmonary inflammation, eotaxin expression increased in alveolar macrophages prior to the major increase in eosinophil numbers which reached a peak at 72 h. The pattern of eotaxin pulmonary expression and the location of CCR3 receptor positive cells suggest a chemoattractant gradient resulting in migration firstly into the tissue and subsequently through the airway epithelium into the airways. Treatment of rats with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone or the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A reduced eosinophil entry into lung tissue and airways but had no apparent effect on eotaxin expression in vivo, indicating that both these drugs inhibit eosinophil recruitment either by an eotaxin‐independent mechanism, or by targetting factors that synergise with eotaxin, or an event post eotaxin expression.
Report on stage III Pig‐a mutation assays using benzo[a]pyrene

Genotoxicity assays were conducted on rats treated with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as part of Stage III of a validation study on the Pig‐a gene mutation assay. Assays were performed at the U.S. FDA‐NCTR and Bayer‐Germany. Starting on Day 1, groups of five 6‐ to 7‐week‐old male Fischer 344 (F344, used at FDA‐NCTR) and Han Wistar rats (Bayer) were given 28 daily doses of 0, 37.5, 75, or 150 mg/kg BaP; blood was sampled on Days −1, 4, 15, 29, and 56. Pig‐a mutant frequencies were determined on Days −1, 15, 29, and 56 in total red blood cells (RBCs) and reticulocytes (RETs) as RBCCD59− and RETCD59− frequencies; percent micronucleated‐RETs (%MN‐RET) were measured on Days 4 and 29. RBCCD59− and RETCD59− frequencies increased in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, producing significant increases by Day 29 in both rat models. The responses for RETs were stronger than those for RBCs, and the responses in F344 rats were stronger than in Han Wistar rats. BaP also produced significant increases in %MN‐RET frequency at Days 4 and 29, with the responses being greater in F344 than Han Wistar rats. The overall findings were consistent with those of the reference laboratory using Han Wistar rats. Finally, mutation assays performed on splenocytes from Day 56 F344 rats indicated that BaP mutant frequencies were three to fivefold higher for the Hprt gene than the Pig‐a gene. The results indicate that the Pig‐a RET and RBC assays are reproducible, transferable, and show promise for integrating gene mutation into 28‐day repeat‐dose studies. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Redescriptions and lectotype designations of Central American species of Phaenonotum Sharp (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae) based on the type material from the David Sharp collection

Abstract In order to understand the identity of the Central American species of the genus Phaenonotum Sharp, 1882, the type specimens of the species described by Sharp (1882) deposited in the David Sharp collection in the Natural History Museum in London have been re-examined. The following species are redescribed: Phaenonotum apicale Sharp, 1882, Phaenonotum collare Sharp, 1882, Phaenonotum dubium Sharp, 1882 (confirmed as junior synonym of Phaenonotum exstriatum (Say, 1835)), Phaenonotum laevicolle Sharp, 1882, Phaenonotum rotundulum Sharp, 1882 and Phaenonotum tarsale Sharp, 1882. Lectotypes are designated for Phaenonotum apicale, Phaenonotum collare, Phaenonotum rotundulum and Phaenonotum tarsale. External diagnostic characters and morphology of male genitalia are illustrated. A table summarizing diagnostic characters allowing the identification of the species is provided.
Extracellular space in some isolated tissues

1. The spaces occupied by isotopically labelled inulin, polyethylene glycol, mol. wt. 4000 (PEG 4000), polyethylene glycol, mol. wt. 1000 (PEG 1000) and sucrose in metabolizing mammalian kidney and liver slices and in toad bladder epithelial cell preparations incubated in vitro have been examined.
Distributed Measurements of the Penetration Loss of Railroad Cars

The mobile cellular service coverage of nomadic users in the context of high speed vehicular scenarios, e.g., railroad trains, is challenging. Energy saving efforts of the past years have lead to substantially increased vehicle penetration losses, e.g., by metal shielded windows. As a result providing coverage into railroad cars is an emerging topic for optimization efforts, either based on network deployment or on railroad car materials. The quality of these efforts rely heavily on the understanding of the vehicle penetration loss and its angular dependency. In this paper we present a distributed measurement methodology and setup allowing for measuring the penetration loss of railroad cars. We validate the feasibility of the methodology in a real world measurement campaign in Austria. There, we compare two different car configurations, standard and prototypical, at 800-2600MHz for azimuthal angles of arrival of 0-60 degree. The comparison of the two configurations shows a substantial lower penetration loss of the prototypical setup due to windows with alternative material treatment.
Effect of incisor position on the self-perceived psychosocial impacts of malocclusion among Chinese young adults.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of the incisor position on the self-perceived psychosocial impacts of malocclusion among Chinese young adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study included a convenience sample of 17.1- to 22.3-year-old young adults (n = 1005). The five groups represented were normal occlusion as well as incisor Class I, Class II/1, Class II/2, and Class III malocclusion. For clinical assessment, the incisor relationship was evaluated according to the British Standards Institute Incisor Classification, and the self-perception of dental esthetics was assessed using the Psychosocial Impact of Dental Aesthetics Questionnaire (PIDAQ). Statistical analysis involved the analysis of variance and Tukey multiple-comparison post hoc tests. RESULTS Psychosocial impacts were different among the five groups for the four PIDAQ domains (P < .001 for all four domains). Statistically significant differences were found between the four malocclusion groups and the normal occlusion group in all four domains (P < .001 for all four domains). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between four malocclusion groups. CONCLUSIONS All four malocclusion groups had more severe psychosocial impacts than the normal occlusion group in the four PIDAQ domains. Statistically significant differences were also found between the four malocclusion groups; these malocclusion groups ranked by score, highest to lowest, were Class III, Class II/1, Class II/2, and Class I.
Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes of Joint-preserving Procedures for Hallux Valgus in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: The standard treatment for hallux valgus in rheumatoid arthritis has been arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint. There is limited literature regarding the results of hallux valgus procedures which preserve the first MTP joint in rheumatoid patients. We investigated the radiographic and clinical outcomes of joint-preserving surgery for hallux valgus in a series of rheumatoid patients to evaluate the result of nonarthrodesis reconstruction. Methods: Thirty-seven feet with hallux valgus in 27 patients with RA treated with a joint-preserving procedure of the first MTP joint were analyzed radiographically and clinically. Average follow-up was 42 (range, 12-111) months. Twenty feet had Ludloff osteotomies, 15 had scarf osteotomies, and 2 had chevron osteotomies. Radiographs were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively for hallux valgus angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle, and degenerative narrowing of the first MTP joint based the Sharp score and the Larsen grade. Narrowing of the first interphalangeal (IP) joint was based on a modification of the classification of Hattrup and Johnson. Operative complications and required secondary surgeries were tabulated. Clinical outcomes were measured using preoperative and postoperative Short Form–36 (SF-36), AOFAS forefoot scale, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain questionnaires. Results: The average hallux valgus angle improved from 37 degrees preoperatively to 15 degrees postoperatively. The average 1-2 intermetatarsal angle improved from 14 degrees preoperatively to 5 degrees postoperatively. The average Sharp score of the first MTP joint was 0.9 preoperatively and 1.6 postoperatively. The average Larsen grade of the first MTP joint was 0.6 preoperatively and 1.4 postoperatively. Range of motion of the first MTP joint was essentially unchanged between preoperative and postoperative measurements. Seven of 37 feet had progression of first IP joint space narrowing, but none were symptomatic. The AOFAS score improved from 45.2 preoperatively to 82.6 at final follow-up (P value < .01). The VAS decreased from 4.8 preoperatively to 1.5 at final follow-up (P value < .02). The SF-36 physical component score decreased from 40.3 preoperatively to 37.4 at final follow-up, and the mental component score remained unchanged, and neither was statistically significant. There were 7 feet (19%) that required a return to surgery: 3 wound infections, 2 arthrodeses for progression of deformity, and 1 each for revision for recurrence and hardware removal. Conclusion: Rheumatoid arthritis patients who undergo a bunionectomy rather than arthrodesis to preserve the first MTP joint have satisfactory clinical and radiographic outcomes. This procedure appeared to be a reasonable alternative to first MTP arthrodesis in patients with relatively preserved joints. Level of Evidence: Level IV, retrospective case series.
Viral Activity in Two Contrasting Lake Ecosystems

ABSTRACT For aquatic systems, especially freshwaters, there is little data on the long-term (i.e., >6-month period) and depth-related variability of viruses. In this study, we examined virus-induced mortality of heterotrophic bacteria over a 10-month period and throughout the water column in two lakes of the French Massif Central, the oligomesotrophic Lake Pavin and the eutrophic Lake Aydat. Concurrently, we estimated nonviral mortality through heterotrophic nanoflagellate and ciliate bacterivory. Overall, viral infection parameters were much less variable than bacterial production. We found that the frequency of visibly infected cells (FVIC), estimated using transmission electron microscopy, peaked in both lakes at the end of spring (May to June) and in early autumn (September to October). FVIC values were significantly higher in Lake Pavin (mean [M] = 1.6%) than in Lake Aydat (M = 1.1%), whereas the opposite trend was observed for burst sizes, which averaged 25.7 and 30.2 virus particles bacterium−1, respectively. We detected no significant depth-related differences in FVIC or burst size. We found that in both lakes the removal of bacterial production by flagellate grazing (MPavin = 37.7%, MAydat = 18.5%) was nearly always more than the production removed by viral lysis (MPavin = 16.2%, MAydat = 19%) or ciliate grazing (MPavin = 2.7%, MAydat = 8.8%). However, at specific times and locations, viral lysis prevailed over protistan grazing, for example, in the anoxic hypolimnion of Lake Aydat. In addition, viral mortality represented a relatively constant mortality source in a bacterial community showing large variations in growth rate and subject to large variations in loss rates from grazers. Finally, although viruses did not represent the main agent of bacterial mortality, our data seem to show that their relative importance was higher in the less productive system.