Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
External otitis caused by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Candida albicans cured by use of a topical group III steroid, without any antibiotics

Conclusions Irrespective of the microbial agent, group III steroid solution cured external otitis efficiently in a rat model. The addition of antibiotic components to steroid solutions for the treatment of external otitis is of questionable validity. Objective External otitis, caused by infection with either Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Candida albicans, was established in a rat model and the treatment efficacy of a group III steroid solution was studied. Material and methods Three treatments were studied: (i) a group III steroid solution; (ii) a group I steroid combined with two antibiotic components; and (iii) a saline solution. A scoring scale was used to evaluate the characteristics of the ear canal skin. Bacteriological and fungal samples were collected for culturing and ear canal skin biopsies were taken for structural analyses. Results It was possible to cause P. aeruginosa and C. albicans infections in an animal model. In the P. aeruginosa-infected animals, only the group III steroid treatment cured all the animals. In the C. albicans-infected animals, group III steroid treatment resolved external otitis faster than the other treatment modalities.
In vitro activity of teicoplanin and vancomycin against Grampositive bacteria from human clinical and veterinary sources

The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of teicoplanin and vancomycin was determined by the agar dilution method for 186 Gram‐positive bacteria from human clinical and veterinary sources. Teicoplanin MIC values were ≤4 μg/ml for 94% of staphylococci (group A, n = 52) and ≤2 μg/ml for all streptococci, enterococci, aerococci and pediococci (group B, n = 75). Seventy‐eight percent of Gram‐positive rods, Rhodococcus and Leuconostoc spp. (group C, n = 59) were inhibited by 4 ug/ml. Teicoplanin resistance (MIC ≥ 16 μg/ml) was demonstrated for all Nocardia strains and for some strains of Lactobacillus, E. rhusiopathiae, Leuconostoc, and S. haemolyticus. Cross‐resistance between teicoplanin and vancomycin was observed for all Nocardia strains and for some strains of Lactobacillus, E. rhusiopathiae, and Leuconostoc. Three methicillin‐resistant S. haemolyticus strains were either resistant or intermediately susceptible to teicoplanin and susceptible to vancomycin. Eight strains (motile enterococci four, E. rhusiopathiae three and Leuconostoc sp. one) were susceptible to teicoplanin and resistant to vancomycin. Teicoplanin disc diffusion on Danish Blood Agar with NeoSensitabs® (Rosco), PDM® AB Biodisc and locally prepared discs revealed a wide range of zone diameters in groups B and C. The relation between MIC values and zone diameters for teicoplanin was analysed by the error‐rate bounded method. Zone size interpretive criteria as suggested by the manufacturers (≥ 15 mm) produced 2.7% (95% confidence limits 0.9‐6.2%) and 1.6% (95% confidence limits 0.3–4.6%) very major errors for NeoSensitabs and PDM‐disc, respectively. Using a zone size breakpoint for susceptibility of ≥ 25 mm for NeoSensitabs and ≥20 mm for PDM‐disc, the proportions of very major errors were 0.5% (95% confidence limits 0.0–3.0%) at the expense of 5.9% (95% confidence limits 3.0–10.3%) indeterminate strains that belonged to E. rhusiopathiae, Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus and S. haemolyticus. However, using these zone size breakpoints five major errors (β‐haemolytic streptococci, group B three, S. aureus one, Leuconostoc sp. one) were observed for NeoSensitabs and two major errors (β‐haemolytic streptococcus, group B one, Leuconostoc sp. one) were observed for PDM‐disc. Susceptibility testing against teicoplanin among these taxa should therefore include a determination of MIC.
Impact of interfacial layer on low-frequency noise of HfSiON dielectric MOSFETs

Low-frequency noise measurements and analysis were performed on n-channel MOSFETs with HfSiON as the gate-dielectric material. The role of SiON interfacial-layer thickness was investigated. It was observed that these fluctuations can be described by the unified flicker-noise model that attributes noise to correlated carrier-number/mobility fluctuations due to trapping states in the gate dielectric. The model was modified to include the effect of different gate stack layers on the observed noise. The carrier-number fluctuations were found to dominate over the correlated mobility fluctuations in the measured bias range and more so at the lower gate overdrives. The noise magnitude showed a decrease with increasing SiON interfacial-layer thickness. Furthermore, an inverse-proportionality relationship was revealed between the effective oxide trap density and SiON thickness.
Molecular sequestration stabilizes CAP-DNA complexes during polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

The gel electrophoresis mobility shift assay is widely used for qualitative and quantitative characterization of protein complexes with nucleic acids. Often it is found that complexes that are short-lived in free solution (t1/2 of the order of minutes) persist for hours under the conditions of gel electrophoresis. We have investigated the influence of polyacrylamide gels on the pseudo first-order dissociation kinetics of complexes containing the E.coli cyclic AMP receptor protein (CAP) and lactose promoter DNA. Within the gel matrix, kdiss decreased with increasing [polyacrylamide] and the order of the reaction was changed. In free solution, kdiss was proportional to [DNA]2, while in 5% gels, kdiss was proportional to [DNA]0.3. In gels of [polyacrylamide] > or = 10%, kdiss was nearly independent of [DNA] until fragment concentrations exceeded 0.1 microM. Even in the absence of competing DNA, kdiss(gel) < kdiss(solution). These results suggest that the lifetime of CAP-DNA complexes in free solution is limited by their encounter frequency with molecules of DNA or with protein-DNA complexes; some or all of the stabilization observed in gels may be due to a reduction in this frequency.
Time-Resolved Light Scattering Study on the Kinetics of the Liquid-Liquid Transition in Triphenyl Phosphite.

There is experimental evidence suggesting the existence of a liquid-liquid transition (LLT) in a single-component liquid. However, none of this evidence is free from controversy, including the case of a molecular liquid, triphenyl phosphite, which we study here. Furthermore, the kinetics of LLT has been largely unexplored. Here we study the phase-transition dynamics of triphenyl phosphite in a supercooled liquid state by means of time-resolved polarized and depolarized small-angle light scattering to clarify whether the transition is a liquid-liquid transition (LLT) or merely nanocrystal formation. A part of this study was recently reported in another of our papers [Shimizu, R. ; Kobayashi, M. ; Tanaka, H. Phys. Rev. Lett. 2014, 112, 125702]. A detailed analysis of our experimental results of light scattering and the comparison with heat evolution during LLT have revealed the following facts. The polarized scattering from domains has a finite (nonzero) intensity in the low-wavenumber limit, and the time evolution of its average intensity is almost proportional to the square of the heat-releasing rate. The depolarized scattering intensity monotonically increases in the process of LLT during isothermal annealing above the spinodal temperature TSD but exhibits a peak below TSD. On the basis of these results, we suggest that the primary process is LLT, whose order parameter is of a nonconserved nature, but accompanies nanocrystal formation. In the NG-type LLT, the sharp interface between liquid II droplets and the liquid I matrix promotes nanocrystal formation there, whereas much less nanocrystal formation is induced in the SD-type LLT due to the lack of such sharp interfaces.
Ca2+‐CaM activation of AMP deaminase contributes to adenine nucleotide dysregulation and phosphatidylserine externalization in human sickle erythrocytes

Ca2+‐calmodulin (Ca2+‐CaM) activates erythrocyte adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD) in conditions of disturbed calcium homeostasis, prompting us to investigate adenine nucleotide metabolic dysregulation in sickle cell disease (SCD). However, higher ATP concentrations in reticulocytes, compared to erythrocytes, confound a comparative evaluation of SCD and normal RBCs. Therefore, a combination of centrifugation and antiCD71‐labelled magnetic bead selection was used to prepare reticulocyte‐poor fractions (reticulocytes <4% of total RBCs) of SCD RBCs. ATP and total adenine nucleotide concentrations were 12% lower in sickle erythrocytes compared to normal erythrocytes and inosine monophosphate (IMP) concentrations were threefold elevated (all P < 0·05). Furthermore, preincubation with a diffusible CaM antagonist slowed IMP accumulation in sickle erythrocytes during an experimental period of energy imbalance, thus showing that Ca2+‐CaM activates AMPD in SCD. Finally, adenine treatment (100 μmol/l) of ex vivo SCD RBCs significantly expanded ATP levels (16% higher) and reduced phosphatidylserine (PS)‐exposure, specifically those cells with the highest levels of PS externalization (46% fewer events) (both P‐values <0·05 compared to untreated samples). We conclude that Ca2+‐CaM activation of AMPD contributes to increased turnover of the adenine nucleotide pool in sickle erythrocytes and that this metabolic dysregulation promotes PS exposure that may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCD.
MacrophagesHIV-1 Infection of Primary Human Purinergic Receptors Are Required for

Macrophages play a signiﬁcant role in HIV infection, viral rebound, and the development of AIDS. However, the function of host proteins in viral replication is incompletely characterized in macrophages. Purinergic receptors P2X and P2Y are major compo-nents of the macrophage immune response to pathogens, inﬂammation, and cellular damage. We demonstrate that these receptors are necessary for HIV infection of primary human macrophages. Inhibition of purinergic receptors results in a signiﬁcant reduction in HIV replication in macrophages. This inhibition is independent of viral strain and is dose dependent. We also identify that P2X 1 , P2X 7 , and P2Y 1 receptors are involved in viral replication. We show that P2X 1 , but not P2X 7 or P2Y 1 , is necessary for HIV entry into macrophages. We demonstrate that interaction of the HIV surface protein gp120 with macrophages stimulates an increase in ATP release. Thus, we propose that HIV’s binding to macrophages triggers a local release of ATP that stimulates purinergic receptors and facilitates HIV entry and subsequent stages of viral replication. Our data implicate a novel role for a family of host proteins in HIV replication in macrophages and suggest new therapeutic targets to reduce the devastating consequences of HIV infection and AIDS. The Journal of Immunology , 2012, 188: 000–000.
Long‐term complete remission in IgD‐myeloma

Abstract: Long‐term complete remission in IgD multiple myeloma (MM) is rare. This case report describes a patient with a stage IIIB IgD‐MM, who was treated with conventional melphalan and prednisone chemotherapy. The monoclonal protein disappeared after four cycles and therapy was discontinued after 14 cycles. Re‐evaluation after a follow up of more than 8 years demonstrates a continuing complete remission suggesting a cure. This is remarkable, considering that several adverse prognostic factors were present. In addition a concise review on IgD‐MM is given.
A Review on Distribution System State Estimation

Transition to a sustainable energy environment results in aggregated generator and load dynamics in the distribution network. State estimation is a key function in building adequate network models for online monitoring and analyzes. The requirements of distribution system state estimation (DSSE) is becoming stringent because of the needs of new system modeling and operation practices associated with integration of distributed energy resources and the adoption of advanced technologies in distribution network. This paper summarizes the state-of-the-art technology, major hurdles, and challenges in DSSE development. The opportunities, paradigm shift, and future research directions that could facilitate the need of DSSE are discussed.
Fine‐needle aspiration of neural lesions

The cytomorphologic features of 13 neural lesions sampled by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) are reviewed. The frequencies at which various architectural features including Verocay bodies, filamentous background, and vascular arcades were present was recorded, along with the frequencies of cytologic findings including the presence of spindle cells, wavy nuclei, intranuclear inclusions, fishhook nuclei, nuclear pleomorphism, filamentous cytoplasm, and mitotic figures. Verocay bodies were a rare finding, present in only 1 of 11 cases. Vascular arcades were similarly infrequent (1/11 cases). Spindle‐shaped cells along with wavy nuclei were the most frequent findings, with fishhook‐shaped nuclei and a filamentous background of high frequency (9/11 cases). Our study indicates that some of the characteristic features recorded in the literature are rarely seen in needle aspiration smears, but features such as spindle‐shaped cells, wavy and fishhook‐shaped nuclei, and a filamentous background are relatively frequent findings. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;20:1–5. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata in a Nigerian woman

Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminata (LPD) is a rare condition. A 48-year-old multiparous woman was referred because of an incidental ultrasound finding suggestive of LPD. She had a 6-year past history of use of combined oral contraceptive pills. LPD was also suspected at laparotomy and confirmed by histology. She had total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo ophorectomy and infracolic omentectomy. Patient was being followed-up. LSD is a rare gynecological condition which can pose a diagnostic challenge. Removal of estrogen sources as was done for the patient is the mainstay of treatment. Patient follow-up is very important because of the risk of malignant transformation.
The Rise of the Crime Victim and Punitive Policies? Changes to the Legal Regulation of Intimate Partner Violence in Finland

This article examines intimate partnership violence as a question of criminal justice policy in Finland, and contributes to criminological discussions regarding oft-stated connections between the politicization of the victim, the treatment of offenders, and repressive criminal justice policies. In this discussion, legislation aiming to regulate and prevent violence against women has often been utilized as an example of such punitive policies. Although criminal policies in Nordic countries differ significantly from more punitive Anglophone policies, punitive tendencies, it has been argued, have increased in the former, too. This article analyzes the change in legal regulations and the criminal political status of intimate partner violence in Finland between 1990 and 2004, while examining the juxtaposition of victims and offenders alongside repressive demands.
Effectiveness of an interprofessional workshop on pain management for medical and nursing students

ABSTRACT Interprofessional (IP) care is critical for effective pain management, but evidence is lacking about the best way to teach pain management skills to medical and nursing students using IP strategies. In 2013 and 2014, 307 medical and 169 nursing students participated in an IP case-based pain management workshop. The aims of this study were to determine (1) if students who participate in IP case-based learning groups will have improved pain management skills compared to students who participate in uniprofessional case-based learning groups, and (2) if students mentored by faculty with IP training will have improved pain management skills compared to students who are not mentored by IP-trained faculty. Student learning was assessed and compared using scored checklists for each group’s pain management plans. Findings show that IP mentorship and IP group participation improved medical students’ pain management skills but did not have the same effect on nursing student performance. Continued work is needed to develop, refine, and integrate innovative and tailored IP strategies into the curricula of medical and nursing schools to advance the pain management competencies of students before they enter clinical practice.
Do contraceptive methods pose fetal risks?

The author reviews the fetal risks of various contraceptive methods and concludes that contraceptive methods do not pose substantive fetal risks. Oral contraceptives have been implicated as both teratogens and mutagens. Many prospective studies show no link between progestins and cardiac anomalies. A table presents studies, sample size, control size, anomalies, and comments. Problems with the retrospective studies include 1) recall biases, 2) no account taken of prior pregnancy outcome, 3) no account taken of reasons for wishing to continue the pregnancy, 4) the fact that hormones could have been administered in pregnancies already showing problems such as bleeding, and 5) analysis not being restricted to the period of embryogenesis when exposure could produce cardiac defects. Studies have also failed to show an association between progestins and hypospadias, limb reduction deformities, neural tube defects, and other anomalies. A further consensus exists that progestins do not predispose to chromosomally abnormal abortuses. Pregnancies of women with IUDs are known to be associated with increased frequencies of ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous abortion but do not show a greater frequency of anomalies. Vaginal spermicides are also not associated with increased malformations in the offspring of women using spermicides either during or prior to pregnancy. Pregnancies resulting from contraceptive failures--oral contraceptives, IUDs, spermicides, and barrier methods--do not appear to be at risk for congenital anomalies; the same conclusion applies to pregnancies that occur after a method is discountinued.
Multiple measures of hemispheric dysfunction in schizophrenia and depression

SYNOPSIS Electrodermal, electroencephalographic and perceptual measures of lateral hemispheric function were obtained from groups of chronic schizophrenics, depressives and normals on 2 occasions, separated by 4 weeks. The measures of hemispheric function were derived from previous research. About half of the schizophrenics were medicated on both occasions; the other schizophrenics underwent drug ‘washout’ before the first session. Results revealed that the measures of laterality were not strongly intercorrelated. In the perceptual task, the schizophrenics and normals displayed different laterality effects. Unlike the normals, the schizophrenics' left hemisphere function appeared to be inferior to the right hemisphere function in the perceptual task. The laterality effects of the depressives and normals differed on two electrodermal measures: skin conductance level and skin conductance response amplitude. The depressives' electrodermal activity from the right hand was diminished as compared with the left hand; the normals did not show this effect. Medication decreased electrodermal activity in the schizophrenics, but had no significant effect on laterality. These results suggest that the various measures of laterality used singly in previous research in psychopathology may not all assess the same phenomenon.
Can capecitabine be used instead of concurrent bolus 5-FU in postoperative chemoradiotherapy for gastric adenocarcinoma?

BACKGROUND 5-fluoro-uracil (FU) is a common agent in postoperative chemoradiation in gastric adenocarcinoma. However, FU is not well tolerated in a significant proportion of patients. Capecitabine (CA) is an orally administered fluoropyrimidine carbamate which is preferentially converted to active 5-FU and is one of the agents used instead of FU in such cases. We compared the toxicity, local and distant control and survival rates with FU or oral CA during the course of concurrent radiotherapy to assess the role of CA used instead of FU. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted an analysis of survival, disease control and toxicity data in 46 patients treated with postoperative chemoradiation following total or subtotal gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma with either FU or CA between January 2008 and December 2012. RESULTS Median follow-up was 19 months (range: 3-59), median survival time was 23 (± 6.08) months and 1-3 years overall survival (OS) rates were 64.9- 39% for all patients. Compared with the CA regimen, the incidence of treatment interruption was higher with FU (p=0.023), but no significant differences were seen in local control (p=0.510), distant recurrences (p=0.721) and survival rates (p=0.866) among patients. CONCLUSIONS Concurrent CA with radiotherapy seems to be a more tolerable and an equally effective regimen for the postoperative treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma when compared to FU.
Gender Knowledge of Female Textile Workers in West Bengal

This article rediscovers the identities of women workers within a socialist political regime and considers the activities of employers and labour unions with regard to these women. The study opts for in-depth gender knowledge derived from the positions of women workers and their social security needs. It examines how the social security needs have been understood, conceptualized, and articulated. And it argues for the creation of a wider space for the development and dissemination of gender knowledge.
The Development Impact of Remittances in Latin America

Remittances are extremely important in the Latin American context. In 2006, remittances to Latin America amounted to about US$52 billion, making them comparable to foreign direct investment (FDI) and much larger than official development assistance (ODA) flows to the region. Today, Latin America is the top recipient region of remittances both by volume and in per-capita terms. Yet some important questions remain. What is the impact of these flows on the poverty levels of the different countries? Are there costs associated with remittances—and more significantly—to the migration that logically precedes remittances flows? What are the main challenges that policy makers face in countries experiencing a surge in remittances flows? In short, what is the development impact of remittances in Latin America, and how can it be enhanced?
Age and Responses to the Love Attitudes Scale: Consistency in Structure, Differences in Scores

Two separate issues concerning the relation between age and love are addressed in this article. The first issue is concerned with the age generalizability of the factor structure produced by responses to the Love Attitudes Scale. The data presented indicate that the factor structure of responses to the Love Attitudes Scale is highly similar in college-aged and middle-aged participants. The second issue concerns the relation between age and actual scores on the sub-scales of the Love Attitude Scales. The data indicate that age is related to responses on the Mania and Agape sub-scales, particularly for females. Collectively, these data suggest that general structural conceptions of love remain relatively constant into middle-age, but that there is a relation between age and some specific love styles.