Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Metyrosine and pheochromocytoma.

BACKGROUND Severe hemodynamic instability may occur during surgery for removal of pheochromocytoma, unless there is preoperative pharmacological treatment. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of metyrosine (alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine), a catecholamine synthesis inhibitor, and alpha-blockade with prazosin or phenoxybenzamine on cardiovascular morbidity during surgery for pheochromocytoma. METHODS A retrospective analysis was made of patients followed up at the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, during 28 years who received metyrosine and prazosin (n = 6), metyrosine and phenoxybenzamine alone (n = 14), phenoxybenzamine alone (n = 6), or no medication (n = 7) during 3 weeks before tumor removal. The percentage of patients not requiring pressors or phentolamine during the intraoperative period as well as the perioperative peak systolic pressures and peak heart rates were estimated in each group. RESULTS There was a significant (P < .05) increase in intraoperative peak systolic pressures without preoperative treatment (mean +/- SD, 243 +/- 40 mm Hg) vs metyrosine (mean +/- SD, 168 +/- 27 mm Hg). Ninety-five percent of patients who received metyrosine did not require pressors intraoperatively vs 50% with phenoxybenzamine alone. Eighty-one percent of patients pretreated with metyrosine did not require intraoperative phentolamine vs 33% with phenoxybenzamine alone and 29% without medications. Two patients in the no medication group died as a results of hypertensive crisis. CONCLUSIONS The combination of alpha-metyrosine and alpha-blockade results in better blood pressure control and less need for use of antihypertensive medication or pressors during surgery, compared with the classical method of single-agent adrenergic blockade. Preoperative treatment with metyrosine along with an alpha-blocker is a useful strategy for decreasing the surgical morbidity in patients with pheochromocytoma and assumes greater importance as long as the availability of phentolamine for intraoperative use is a problem.
COCCIDIOSIS IN LAMBS.

Straining with partial eversion of the rectum is often accompanied by painful vocalisation. There is considerable staining of the perineum. Diarrhoea containing much mucus in a lamb with coccidiosis. Lambs take in coccidia oocysts (eggs) by mouth. Inside the gut, the oocysts hatch, invade the gut cells and multiply dramatically with two results: damage to the inside lining of the lamb's gut as the coccidia emerge by bursting the cells and a dramatic increase in the number of oocysts shed in the lamb's faeces. It takes two to three weeks from infection to the passing oocysts in the faeces. In this time, the number of oocysts shed in the faeces can be many million-fold higher than the number that were ingested.
Cognitions on Competition: The Newcomers Impact

A growing stream of research in the strategy field explores in a social constructionist approach the competitive structures of industries from the perspective of industry participants. This work has indeed demonstrated that managers tend to develop strategic group representations based on categorization processes in order to simplify and make sense of their competitive environment. However, in most cases these studies focused on mature industries facing few environmental upheavals or protected from external threats. The aim of this paper is to extend this line of research by examining, in an increasingly dynamic industry, how top managers consider, regarding their own historic strategic group knowledge structures, new types of firms entering their traditional domestic competitive space. The main result, consistent with the cognitive inertia hypothesis, is that top managers tend to rely on cognitive maps that reflect obsolete industry boundaries rather than on configurations taking into account new competitive threats.
Sublingual allergen administration. I. Selective suppression of IgE production in rats by high allergen doses

Sublingual administration of a protein allergen to immunologically naïve rats suppressed subsequent allergen‐specific IgE responses. Susceptibility to this form of immunotherapy was genetically determined, with some inbred rat strains displaying immunological tolerance in the IgE antibody class alone, whilst others developed concomitant suppression of IgG. Parallel gastric intubation experiments established that the development of tolerance by sublingual allergen administration proceeded independently of events occurring in the gut resulting from swallowing the allergen. These results are consistent with clinical reports which suggest that the oral mucosa is a potentially useful site for therapeutic modulation of allergic reactivity, and indicate that appropriate animal models can be developed to probe this important question. However, further research is required to determine the relevance of these findings to current sublingual desensitization practices.
Pain in chronic fatigue syndrome: response to rehabilitative treatments in the PACE trial

Background Pain is a common symptom of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). We investigated the effects of the treatments used in the PACE trial [cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), graded exercise therapy (GET), adaptive pacing therapy (APT) and specialist medical care (SMC)] on pain in CFS. Method We compared pain outcomes including individual painful symptoms, taken from the CDC criteria for CFS and co-morbid fibromyalgia. We modelled outcomes adjusting for baseline variables with multiple linear regression. Results Significantly less frequent muscle pain was reported by patients following treatment with CBT compared to SMC (mean difference = 0.38 unit change in frequency, p = 0.02), GET versus SMC (0.42, p = 0.01) and GET versus APT (0.37, p = 0.01). Significantly less joint pain was reported following CBT versus APT (0.35, p = 0.02) and GET versus APT (0.36, p = 0.02). Co-morbid fibromyalgia was less frequent following GET versus SMC (0.03, p = 0.03). The effect sizes of these differences varied between 0.25 and 0.31 for muscle pain and 0.24 and 0.26 for joint pain. Treatment effects on pain were independent of ‘change in fatigue’. Conclusions CBT and GET were more effective in reducing the frequency of both muscle and joint pain than APT and SMC. When compared to SMC, GET also reduced the frequency of co-morbid fibromyalgia; the size of this effect on pain was small.
Physical fitness and C-reactive protein level in children and young adults: the Columbia University BioMarkers Study.

OBJECTIVE To examine the association of physical fitness with C-reactive protein (CRP) level in children and young adults. METHODS Subjects (N = 205) aged 6 to 24 years were enrolled in the Columbia University BioMarkers Study (1994-1998). Physical fitness was assessed using a non-effort-dependent treadmill testing protocol (physical work capacity at heart rate of 170 beats per minute). CRP level was measured using a high-sensitivity assay. RESULTS Subjects were 54% female and 65% of Hispanic origin. Mean fitness level was higher in boys than in girls, but CRP levels did not differ by gender. Fitness level was inversely correlated with CRP (r = -0.22). This relationship was significant in boys (r = -0.32) but not in girls (r = -0.15). After multivariate regression adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, and family history of early-onset ischemic heart disease, physical fitness remained inversely associated with CRP level in boys (beta = -0.02; standard error = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that physical fitness is inversely related to CRP level in children and that this relationship is more pronounced in boys than in girls.
Psychosocial factors at work, long work hours, and obesity: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES Associations between psychosocial work environment and excess weight have not been systematically addressed. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the published evidence for the associations of psychosocial factors at work and long work hours with weight-related outcomes . Methods We conducted a search of Medline and Embase for all original articles published up to September 2012 using predefined keywords. After excluding studies with a definite selection bias, we included 39 articles. RESULTS About 60% of the studies reported at least one positive association between psychosocial factors at work and a weight-related outcome. However, 76% of the tested associations were found to be non-significant. Furthermore, the associations were rather weak. Studies of higher quality tended to observe associations more often than those of lower quality. Positive associations were found more frequently (i) among women versus men, (ii) in cross-sectional versus longitudinal studies, and (iii) for overweight or obesity versus other outcomes. About 70% of the studies reported positive associations between long work hours and weight-related outcomes. All four studies that evaluated the association between working overtime and weight gain (three longitudinal and one cross-sectional), showed a positive association among men and two of them also observed associations among women. CONCLUSIONS We found evidence for weak associations between psychosocial factors at work and excess weight. Associations were observed between long work hours, working overtime, and weight gain, especially among men. More cohort studies among non-obese baseline participants using appropriate analytical methods based on an elaborated hypothetical model are needed.
Topological defects and density fluctuations in collectively moving systems

Ensembles of collectively moving particles like flocks of birds, bacteria, or filamentous polymers show a broad range of intriguing phenomena, yet seem to obey very similar physical principles. These generic principles have been predicted to lead to characteristic density fluctuations, which are in sharp contrast to normal fluctuations determining the properties of ordered systems in thermal equilibrium. Using high-density motility assays of driven filaments, we characterize here the origin and nature of giant fluctuations that emerge in this class of systems. By showing that these unique statistical properties result from the coupling between particle density and the topology of the velocity field of the particles, we provide insight in the physics of collective motion.
Mosaic Tetracycline Resistance Genes and Their Flanking Regions in Bifidobacterium thermophilum and Lactobacillus johnsonii

ABSTRACT For the first time, mosaic tetracycline resistance genes were identified in Lactobacillus johnsonii and in Bifidobacterium thermophilum strains. The L. johnsonii strain investigated contains a complex hybrid gene, tet(O/W/32/O/W/O), whereas the five bifidobacterial strains possess two different mosaic tet genes: i.e., tet(W/32/O) and tet(O/W). As reported by others, the crossover points of the mosaic tet gene segments were found at similar positions within the genes, suggesting a hot spot for recombination. Analysis of the sequences flanking these genes revealed that the upstream part corresponds to the 5′ end of the mosaic open reading frame. In contrast, the downstream region was shown to be more variable. Surprisingly, in one of the B. thermophilum strains a third tet determinant was identified, coding for the efflux pump Tet(L).
Two Theorems in List Decoding ∗ Atri

We prove the following results concerning the list decoding of error-correcting codes: 1. We show that for any code with a relative distance of δ (over a large enough alphabet), the following result holds for random errors: With high probability, for a ρ 6 δ− ε fraction of random errors (for any ε > 0), the received word will have only the transmitted codeword in a Hamming ball of radius ρ around it. Thus, for random errors, one can correct twice the number of errors uniquely correctable from worst-case errors for any code. A variant of our result also gives a simple algorithm to decode Reed-Solomon codes from random errors that, to the best of our knowledge, runs faster than known algorithms for certain ranges of parameters. 2. We show that concatenated codes can achieve the list decoding capacity for erasures. A similar result for worst-case errors was proven by Guruswami and Rudra (SODA 08), although their result does not directly imply our result. Our results show that a subset of the random ensemble of codes considered by Guruswami and Rudra also achieve the list decoding capacity for erasures. Our proofs employ simple counting and probabilistic arguments. ∗Research supported by NSF CAREER Award CCF-0844796. ISSN 1433-8092 Electronic Colloquium on Computational Complexity, Report No. 7 (2010)
FEEDBACK IN THE PLANT-SOIL SYSTEM

▪ Abstract Feedback between plants and the soil is frequently invoked on the basis of evidence of mutual effects. Feedback can operate through pathways involving soil physical properties, chemical and biogeochemical properties and processes, and biological properties, including the community composition of the microbiota and soil fauna. For each pathway, we review the mechanistic basis and assess the evidence that feedback occurs. We suggest that several properties of feedback systems (for example, their complexity, specificity, and strength relative to other ecological factors, as well as the temporal and spatial scales over which they operate) be considered. We find that the evidence of feedback is strongest for plants growing in extreme environments and for plant-mutualist or plant-enemy interactions. We conclude with recommendations for a more critical appraisal of feedback and for new directions of research. Let us not make arbitrary conjectures about the greatest matters. Heraclitus (1)
Cerebrospinal fluid viral load and biomarkers of neuronal and glial cells in Ramsay Hunt syndrome

Reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) can manifest with facial palsy diagnosed as Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) or Ramsay Hunt Syndrome zoster sine herpete (RHS‐ZSH). These syndromes are associated with poor prognosis despite treatment with antivirals and corticosteroids. Concentrations of biomarkers such as neurofilament protein (NFL), S‐100β protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAp) have previously been measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to assess neuronal damage and glial pathology. We employed immunochemical methods to measure concentrations of NFL, S‐100β protein and GFAp in CSF from patients with RHS (n = 15) and RHS‐ZSH (n = 13) diagnosed by detection of VZV DNA in the CSF by quantitative PCR, and compared with a control group (n = 52). The biomarker concentrations were correlated with CSF viral load and outcome measured by House‐Brackmann score. NFL and GFAp concentrations were increased compared with controls (P = 0.008 and P = 0.04), while S‐100β levels were decreased. This pattern was more pronounced in patients with RHS compared to the patients with RHS‐ZSH (NS and P = 0.028). The amount of viral DNA in CSF correlated with increased GFAp (P = 0.003) and NFL (P = 0.006). No correlations were found between biomarker concentrations and patient outcome. Patients with facial palsy caused by VZV had biochemical signs of neuronal damage and astrogliosis. High amounts of viral DNA may be associated with the degree of damage on neuronal and astroglial cells. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the association of elevated biomarkers in the CSF and outcome assessed by more sensitive tests.
SCALING UP FOR HIGH DOSE DELIVERY TO THE LUNGS

The use of dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is expanding beyond asthma and chronic obstructive disease (COPD) into new therapeutic targets that include pulmonary arterial hypertension, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, anti-emetics, anti-diabetic, antivirals and orally inhaled vaccines and antibiotics. Recent product launches together with the noticeably strong DPI pipeline on the non-asthma, non-COPD market1 provide evidence of this expansion. The growing interest in delivering anti-virals, antibiotics, vaccines, peptides or other drugs systemically via the lung in a single or a short-term treatment, has fueled the development of inhalers which comprise:
Shape From Angles Under Perspective Projection

This paper provides a mathematical framework for shape-from-angle problems, and discusses four primitive problems based on it. For three of them, algebraic equations are provided from a geometric analysis. A generic lD search algorithm is proposed for designing a 1-D search algorithm, usable for any shape-from-angle problems. By designing the problem-dependent parts of the generic algorithm, specific l-D search algorithms are constructed for each problem. The generic algorithm finds all the feasible configurations by detecting the zero-crossing points of a problem-dependent test function on a constraint curve. Experimental results show the effectiveness of each specific algorithm and the applicability of the generic algorithm to several types of shape-from-angle problems.
Do herbs increase the risk of herb-drug interactions for patients with arthritis?

In a recent article by Holden and colleagues, echinacea and other herbs are identified as dangerous for patients taking arthritis drugs.1 Is there evidence to support this claim? The article states that devil’s claw, ginkgo, and garlic may have antiplatelet or anticoagulant effects, potentially exacerbating the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or corticosteroids. No direct evidence supports these claims. A review of the references indicates that only one is based on an actual case report, a rare and unusual event of excessive garlic ingestion causing a spontaneous spinal epidural haematoma, which would not be considered typical. The other references are experimental studies or theoretical discussions. Another questionable claim is that arthritic patients are at an increased risk of hepatotoxicity from the use of echinacea. Referenced is an article by Miller2 stating: “If used beyond 8 weeks, echinacea could cause hepatotoxicity and therefore should not be used with other known hepatotoxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole”. This is unsubstantiated as no studies or case reports of hepatotoxicity caused by echinacea have been published. Furthermore, Miller comments that “echinacea lacks the 1,2-unsaturated necine ring associated with hepatotoxicity of pyrrolizidine alkaloids”, confirming that echinacea is not hepatotoxic. Moreover, Holden and colleagues fail to report that Fugh-Berman immediately contested the suggestion that echinacea might be hepatotoxic.3 A review of the safety of echinacea demonstrates …
Pharmacotherapy regimens among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder and mild traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine if veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) are treated differently pharmacologically than patients with PTSD alone. METHODS A retrospective evaluation of PTSD pharmacotherapy of Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans with PTSD (N=707) was conducted between April 1, 2007, and March 31, 2009. A total of 45 veterans had suffered a mild TBI. RESULTS Compared with the patients with PTSD alone, the patients with PTSD and TBI were more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant (p<.001), a sedative-hypnotic (p<.001), or an antipsychotic (p=.024). The patients with TBI were also significantly more likely to receive psychotropic polypharmacy (p=.001) and to receive higher doses of psychiatric medications (p=.03). CONCLUSIONS The differences in drug therapy found in this study may indicate that patients with TBI and PTSD respond differently to treatment than patients with PTSD alone.
Rational Design of Highly Active and Selective Ligands for the α5β1 Integrin Receptor

The inhibition of integrin function is a major challenge in medicinal chemistry. Potent ligands are currently in different stages of clinical trials for the antiangiogenic therapy of cancer and age‐related macula degeneration (AMD). The subtype α5β1 has recently been drawn into the focus of research because of its genuine role in angiogenesis. In our previous work we could demonstrate that the lack of structural information about the receptor could be overcome by a homology model based on the X‐ray structure of the αvβ3 integrin subtype and the sequence similarities between both receptors. In this work, we describe the rational design and synthesis of high affinity α5β1 binders, and the optimisation of selectivity against αvβ3 by means of extensive SAR studies and docking experiments. A first series of compounds based on the tyrosine scaffold resulted in affinities in the low and even subnanomolar range and selectivities of 400‐fold against αvβ3. The insights about the structure–activity relationship gained from tyrosine‐based ligands could be successfully transferred to ligands that bear an aza‐glycine scaffold to yield α5β1 ligands with affinities of ∼1 nm and selectivities that exceed 104‐fold. The ligands have already been successfully employed as selective α5β1 ligands in biological research and might serve as lead structures for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
Femtosecond energy relaxation in pi -conjugated polymers.

Ultrafast relaxation processes in poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and its oligomers are investigated using femtosecond luminescence spectroscopy. A quasi-instantaneous luminescence rise and the absence of luminescence near the excitation energy indicate very rapid vibronic relaxation. The subsequent transient redshift of the spectra is attributed to ultrafast energy relaxation of optical excitations within an inhomogeneously broadened density of states
FIXED METAL CERAMIC PROSTHESES

The aims of this study were to evaluate the treatment need of fixed bridges according to the distribution of pontics in dentition in different age groups, and to investigate the primary and late complications and survival of the conventional fixed metal ceramic prostheses, as well as patients' satisfaction with the prosthetic treatment. The whole material consisted of the patients treated with fixed metal ceramic prostheses by undergraduate students at the Institute of Dentistry during the years 1984–1996. There were altogether 772 patients, 460 women (60 %) and 312 men (40 %). Their mean age was 47 years (23–81 years). Altogether 944 single metal ceramic crowns and 543 fixed bridges (1374 abutments and 807 pontics) were prepared. It can be concluded that the fixed bridges are most often prepared to replace upper first premolars and lower first molars also in the future. The most usual primary complications related to fixed bridges occurred during preprosthetic endodontic treatment of abutment teeth and during the preparation of the root canals. Previous restoration of the prepared tooth does not have any marked effect on the prognosis of single crowns with dowels, although anatomically complicated upper lateral incisors and upper first premolars need special attention in the treatment planning. Patients were satisfied with aesthetics and function of the fixed metal ceramic prostheses. Late complications found in clinical examinations were few, and the survival rate for the fixed metal ceramic bridge prostheses was calculated to be 84 % after 10 years, long fixed bridges having a lower survival than the shorter ones. The treatment need for conventional fixed bridges seems to be highest among patients over 50 years of age in the future. Age does not influence the longevity of the fixed prostheses, but basic circumstances of the mouth, especially low secretion of saliva affected by diseases and/or medications and high scores of lactobacilli and streptococcus mutans of the saliva seem to decrease the survival.