Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Real-time sonoelastography for the evaluation of testicular lesions.

PURPOSE To evaluate the feasibility of using real-time sonoelastography (RTE) for the differentiation and characterization of testicular lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained for this retrospective study, and the requirement to obtain informed consent was waived. Fifty patients (mean age, 42 years; age range, 18-81 years) with testicular lesions detected with gray-scale ultrasonography (US) and color and/or power Doppler US were evaluated with RTE between December 2004 and August 2010 to assess tissue elasticity of the testes. Stiff or "hard" lesions were suspected of being malignant. Testicular lesions with normal or decreased tissue stiffness ("soft" lesions) were considered benign. Findings from surgery and histopathologic examination were used as the reference standard in 34 cases, and findings from clinical and US follow-up were used as the reference standard in 16 cases. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated. RESULTS Thirty-four of the 50 lesions (68%) were testicular tumors and 16 (32%) were of nontumorous origin. RTE showed the presence of hard lesions in all cases of testicular tumors and three cases of nontumorous lesions. Four lesions with an uncertain diagnosis when tested with gray-scale US and color and/or power Doppler US alone were soft at RTE and showed nontumorous character at follow-up. RTE showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 81%, a negative predictive value of 100%, a positive predictive value of 92%, and an accuracy of 94% in the diagnosis of testicular tumors. CONCLUSION RTE demonstrated all testicular tumors as lesions with increased tissue stiffness. Because of its higher specificity, RTE can provide additional information in cases with indeterminate US findings.
A Comparison of Attitudes and Practices of Gutka Users and Non-users in Chitrakoot, India. A Pilot

Aims and objectives As part of a student elective, this pilot study aimed at investigating attitudes and practices concerning gutka use in a town in India. It was hoped that information gained would assist in formulating an appropriate health education programme to encourage gutka cessation locally and would provide more information about a habit which is also relevant to some UK South Asian populations. Design and setting 124 consecutively attending subjects (103 males and 21 females) at a charity-run dental clinic in Chitrakoot, India, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Main findings 57 (46%) of the respondents, of whom there were more males than females (103 v. 21), reported current gutka use. There were no differences between users and non-users by age or educational attainment. Users found gutka ‘helpful’ in relieving tension, aiding concentration, combating bad breath and as a leisure activity. They all cited other family members who were using gutka as compared to only 40% of the gutka non-users. Cancer was mentioned as a harmful outcome of gutka use more frequently by non-users. Of the 57 gutka chewers, 36 also chewed paan with tobacco and 20 smoked cigarettes. Conclusions Gutka chewing involved almost half of the study population and proportionately more males than females. The habit was endemic within families. Many gutka chewers also smoked, chewed paan or drank alcohol, representing a high-risk behaviour for oral cancer. Proportionately more non-chewers were aware of the link with cancer. There are clear implications for health promotion in India. General dental practitioners in the UK should also be aware of the possibility that this habit is becoming more widely adopted in South Asian communities here, involving young children as well as adults. Research into gutka use is also required in the UK.
Possible association of schizophrenia with a disturbance in prostaglandin metabolism: a physiological hypothesis

Synopsis Schizophrenia may be associated with increased prostaglandin synthesis in certain parts of the brain. This hypothesis is based on the following findings: (1) Catalepsy, which is the nearest equivalent in animals to human catatonia, develops in cats when prostaglandin E1 is injected into the cerebral ventricles and when during endotoxin or lipid A fever the prostaglandin E2 level in cisternal c.s. f. rises to high levels; however, when fever and prostaglandin level are brought down by non-steroid anti-pyretics which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, catalepsy disappears as well. (2) Febrile episodes are a genuine syndrome of schizophrenia.
Increased incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea following decreased restriction of antibiotic use.

Removal of antimicrobial agents from formulary restriction status at our center was followed by an increase in the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. The mean monthly incidence of C. difficile diarrhea for the 12-month period before institution of decreased restriction of antibiotic use was 3.4 infections per 1,000 admissions and rose to 6.2 infections per 1,000 admissions during the following 4-month period (P < .05). Patients who developed disease before and after decreased restriction of antibiotics were similar in terms of the mean number of antimicrobial agents administered and mean duration of therapy. The most commonly administered agents whose use preceded the onset of disease were cefazolin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin, ticarcillin/clavulanate, and gentamicin (the latter drug was always used in combination with other agents). Immunoblot typing indicated that there was no association between C. difficile strains and administration of specific agents. There was no coincidental epidemic to account for the increased incidence of infection. The increased incidence of C. difficile disease is a potential problem that may occur following removal of extended-spectrum antimicrobial agents from formulary restriction status.
Prevalence, Antibiotic Susceptibility and Diversity of Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolates in Seafood from South China

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a leading cause of foodborne infections in China and a threat to human health worldwide. The main objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and characteristic of V. parahaemolyticus isolates in fish, oyster and shrimp samples from the South China domestic consumer market. To accomplish this, we examined 504 seafood samples from 11 provinces of China. The prevalence rates were 9.38, 30.36, and 25.60%, respectively. In summer (33.33%), the prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus was more common than that detected in the winter (14.01%). In addition, we identified 98 V. parahaemolyticus strains. The antimicrobial resistance trends of our seafood isolates to 15 antimicrobial agents revealed that major isolates were resistant to ampicillin (79.59%). Furthermore, 68.38% of the isolates were identified as being multidrug resistance. The prevalence of tdh or trh genes among the isolates was 8.16 and 12.24%, respectively. ERIC-PCR and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) results enabled classification of the isolates (n = 98) into different clusters, revealing genetic variation and relatedness among the isolates. Thus, our findings demonstrate the prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus in a variety of common seafood consumed domestically in China and provides insights into the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant strains, which should improve our microbiological risk assessment knowledge associated with V. parahaemolyticus in seafoods.
NITRITE AND MALONDIALDEHYDE CONTENT IN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Evidence from clinical and experimental studies supports the hypothesis of free radical–mediated damage of dopaminergic neurons in the pathology of Parkin's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to evaluate the role of nitric oxide and oxidative stress in PD. Estimation of the stable metabolites of nitric oxide (NO, nitrite, nitrate) and malondialdehyde (MDA), an acceptable marker of lipid peroxidation, can provide indirect evidence of involvement of free radicals. Nitrite and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 20 controls and 21 patients with PD. Nitrite and MDA content was not significantly altered in the CSF of PD patients as compared to the controls. Nitrite and MDA levels in CSF of PD patients exhibited no correlation with age, duration of disease, and severity of illness (measured by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Score). There was no correlation between the CSF nitrite and MDA level. Findings of the present study do not provide evidence for the involvement of nitric oxide and oxidative stress in PD.
The Euryarchaeota, Nature's Medium for Engineering of Single-stranded DNA-binding Proteins*

The architecture of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins, which play key roles in DNA metabolism, is based on different combinations of the oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide binding (OB) fold. Whereas the polypeptide serving this function in bacteria contains one OB fold, the eukaryotic functional homolog comprises a complex of three proteins, each harboring at least one OB fold. Here we show that unlike these groups of organisms, the Euryarchaeota has exploited the potential in the OB fold to re-invent single-stranded DNA-binding proteins many times. However, the most common form is a protein with two OB folds and one zinc finger domain. We created several deletion mutants of this protein based on its conserved motifs, and from these structures functional chimeras were synthesized, supporting the hypothesis that gene duplication and recombination could lead to novel functional forms of single-stranded DNA-binding proteins. Biophysical studies showed that the orthologs of the two OB fold/one zinc finger replication protein A in Methanosarcina acetivorans and Methanopyrus kandleri exhibit two binding modes, wrapping and stretching of DNA. However, the ortholog in Ferroplasma acidarmanus possessed only the stretching mode. Most interestingly, a second single-stranded DNA-binding protein, FacRPA2, in this archaeon exhibited the wrapping mode. Domain analysis of this protein, which contains a single OB fold, showed that its architecture is similar to the functional homologs thought to be unique to the Crenarchaeotes. Most unexpectedly, genes coding for similar proteins were found in the genomes of eukaryotes, including humans. Although the diversity shown by archaeal single-stranded DNA-binding proteins is unparalleled, the presence of their simplest form in many organisms across all domains of life is of greater evolutionary consequence.
Preoperative planning and breast implant selection for volume difference management in asymmetrical breasts

Aim: To assess volume management in patients presenting with breast asymmetry and ptosis. Methods: Retrospectively collected data was analysed. The patients were divided into 3 groups. Group A included patients who had volumetric difference alone and had different size implants alone. Group B included patients who had volumetric difference with breast ptosis requiring mastopexy with different size implants. Group C included patients who presented with breast asymmetry with ptosis and had same size implants on both sides with different volume breast reduction. Results: Subgroup A1 included 145 patients who had larger implants placed on right side. Subgroup A2 included 95 patients who had larger implants on the left side. Subgroup B1 included 7 patients who had larger implants on the right. Subgroup B2 included 13 patients who had larger implant on the left side. Subgroup C1 included 7 patients who had larger reduction on right side. Subgroup C2 included 11 patients who had larger reduction on left. Conclusion: When different volume implants are used, the vast majority of the patients do not require a volume difference of more than 60 mL. When the breast is larger on the right then larger mean volumes are used on left side to offset the larger right breast. ABSTRACT
Analgesia and sedation with epidural clonidine associated to 0.75% ropivacaine in the postoperative period of open cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Epidural clonidine has analgesic properties and potentiates local anesthetic effects; there are, however, some side effects including: arterial hypotension, bradycardia and sedation. This study aimed at evaluating analgesia and sedation of clonidine associated to 0.75% ropivacaine in the postoperative period of open cholecystectomy. METHODS Participated in this study 30 patients of both genders, aged 18 to 50 years, weighing 50 to 100 kg, physical status ASA I or II, submitted to cholecystectomy, who were distributed in two groups: Control Group (CG) received 0.75% ropivacaine (20 ml) with saline solution (1 ml); Experimental Group (EG) received 0.75% ropivacaine (20 ml) with clonidine (1 ml = 150 microg). Analgesia and sedation were observed at 2, 6 and 24 postoperative hours. RESULTS Mean age was 41 yr in CG and 37 yr in EG. Mean weight was 67 kg in CG and 64 kg to EG. Postoperative sedation was significantly higher at 2 and 6 hours in the Experimental Group. Analgesia was observed in more EG patients as compared to Control Group. CONCLUSIONS The association of clonidine and ropivacaine has produced longer analgesia and sedation at 2 and 6 hours of observation.
Pointing on a computer display

Pointing movements with the hand were used to control directly a cursor to point to targets on a graphical display with different gain settings. A detailed analysis of both the tumor and hand movements showed how features of the movements scale over a wide range of distances and target widths. Cursor movements showed gain effects, while hand movements were relatively unaffected by gain. The results suggest that considering the behaviour of the hand, rather than the cursor, will lead to more effective modelling of human performance with certain types of pointing devices.
Forward and Backward Recall

How do people retrieve information in forward and backward recall? To address this issue, we examined response times in directional recall as a function of serial position and list length. Participants memorized lists of four to six words and entered responses at the keyboard. Recall direction was postcued. Response times exhibited asymmetry in terms of direction. In forward recall, response times peaked at the first position, leveling off for subsequent positions. Response times were slower in backward recall than in forward recall and exhibited an inverse U-shaped function with an initial slowdown followed by a continuous speedup. These asymmetries have implications for theoretical models of retrieval in serial recall, including temporal-code, rule-based, and network models. The response time pattern suggests that forward recall proceeds in equal steps across positions, whereas backward recall involves repeated covet cycles of forward recall. Thus, retrieval in both directions involves a forward search.
The Significance of Neuregulin-1/ErbB Expression in Autogenous Vein Grafts in a Diabetic Rat Model

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important risk factor for increased vein graft failure after bypass surgery. The neuregulin-1 (NRG-1)/ErbB signaling system plays a critical role in neointimal formation after vascular injury as well as the proliferation and migration of mitogen-induced vascular smooth muscle cells; however, changes in NRG-1/ErbB signaling leading to vein grafts attrition in DM remain largely unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate changes in NRG-1/ErbB signaling in vein grafts in diabetic rats. To do this, a rat model of DM was established by streptozotocin injection followed by engraftment of autologous jugular veins to carotid arteries to induce intimal hyperplasia. After vein graft harvest, a pathohistological examination was performed; changes in NRG-1 and ErbB expression were also assessed. NRG-1 and ErbB expression localized to endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells, which is consistent with the arterialization of vein grafts. NRG-1, ErbB2, and ErbB4 expression significantly decreased in vein grafts over time. Our findings show that NRG-1/ErbB signaling is impaired in vein grafts of diabetic rats, suggesting an important role for this pathway in the pathogenesis of intimal hyperplastic lesions in vein grafts of patients with DM.
Resuscitation therapy for traumatic brain injury-induced coma in rats: mechanisms of median nerve electrical stimulation

In this study, rats were put into traumatic brain injury-induced coma and treated with median nerve electrical stimulation. We explored the wake-promoting effect, and possible mechanisms, of median nerve electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation upregulated the expression levels of orexin-A and its receptor OX1R in the rat prefrontal cortex. Orexin-A expression gradually increased with increasing stimulation, while OX1R expression reached a peak at 12 hours and then decreased. In addition, after the OX1R antagonist, SB334867, was injected into the brain of rats after traumatic brain injury, fewer rats were restored to consciousness, and orexin-A and OXIR expression in the prefrontal cortex was downregulated. Our findings indicate that median nerve electrical stimulation induced an up-regulation of orexin-A and OX1R expression in the prefrontal cortex of traumatic brain injury-induced coma rats, which may be a potential mechanism involved in the wake-promoting effects of median nerve electrical stimulation.
Chronic Hepatitis C: Treatment, Complications, and Long-term Outcomes in a Population of Latino Veterans.

OBJECTIVE Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major public health problem in Puerto Rico. It is the most common cause of chronic liver disease and the most frequent indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Our main objectives were to estimate the seroprevalence of CHC infection, to describe the demographic and histological parameters of the infection in our sample population, and to evaluate the treatment outcomes in Puerto Rican veterans. METHODS To determine overall seroprevalence, we reviewed all the hepatitis C cases (encompassing from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2009) of the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Department of Veterans Affairs. The records of only those individuals who received treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin were reviewed to determine risks factors for infection, response rates, adverse events, and outcomes. RESULTS During the study period, there were a total of 1,496 patients identified as being infected with HCV, for an estimated seroprevalence of 2.3%. Of these, approximately 10% (137) were treated with combination therapy and were included in this study. The mean age was 58 (±6.4); 96.4% were men. The most common genotype was type 1. The responses to treatment were generally poor, with only 48.4% of the patients achieving sustained virological response. DISCUSSION Though the seroprevalence of chronic hepatitis C in the Latino veteran population of Puerto Rico is high, relatively few patients have received treatment, most probably because of the contraindications of the medications used. Combination therapy with pegylated interferon plus weight-based ribavirin was inefficient and plagued with side effects; as a whole, this therapy was not found to be overly beneficial to our patients. New emerging and approved therapies will change this paradigm, allowing the treatment of a larger population without the side effects of the studied therapy.
Core rigidities in the innovation process: a structured benchmark on knowledge management challenges

A changing industrial and technological environment implies a need for a diligent acquisition of dynamic capabilities. While tackling exogenous discontinuities is imperative for success, the problem often lies in the firms' internal processes, where existing core competences might deteriorate to core rigidities. The presented contribution is two-fold: first, a conceptual framework for assessing knowledge-related rigidities along the innovation process is introduced, which is derived from the stage-gate model for new product development. The innovation process is evaluated within cases of four industry firms, with emphasis on identifying problem areas, core rigidities and resulting challenges along the entire way from idea to market launch. Secondly, the challenges are clustered, providing a basis for deriving optimisation approaches, as well as summarised and compared across the cases. In all phases of the innovation process, the benchmark with other firms seems to ease the process of creating awareness on rigidities and to provide a basis for managerial improvement.
Rethinking Capital Regulation: The Case for a Dividend Prudential Target

The paper investigates the effectiveness of dividend-based macroprudential rules in complementing capital requirements to promote bank soundness and sustained lending over the cycle. First, some evidence on bank dividends and earnings in the euro area is presented. When shocks hit their profits, banks adjust retained earnings to smooth dividends. This generates bank equity and credit supply volatility. Then, a DSGE model with key financial frictions and a banking sector is developed to assess the virtues of what shall be called dividend prudential targets. Welfare-maximizing dividend-based macroprudential rules are shown to have important properties: (i) they are effective in smoothing the financial and the business cycle by means of less volatile bank retained earnings, (ii) they induce welfare gains associated to a Basel III-type of capital regulation, (iii) they mainly operate through their cyclical component, ensuring that long-run dividend payouts remain unaffected, (iv) they are flexible enough so as to allow bank managers to optimally deviate from the target (conditional on the payment of a sanction), and (v) they are associated to a sanctions regime that acts as an insurance scheme for the real economy. JEL Classification: E44, E61, G21, G28, G35
Comparison of seven-subtest and Satz-Mogel short forms of the WAIS-III.

Intellectual functioning remains an important domain of functioning to be measured. To reduce the lengthy administration time, numerous short forms of the WAIS-III have been devised. The present study aimed to compare two methods of applying short forms of the WAIS-III within a clinical population. The results revealed that both item-reduced and selected subtest short forms provide excellent predictions of full administration WAIS-III summary and index scores. The Satz-Mogel short form appeared to provide higher predictive power than the seven-subtest short forms and accounted for a higher number of cases within 6 points of the obtained scores from the full administration. However, the Satz-Mogel short form was inferior to the seven-subtest short forms in terms of the reliability of the index and summary IQ scores. As found in previous research, a trade-off occurs between the predictive power and the reliability of a short form.