Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
USEFULNESS OF INTRAOPERATIVE PHOTODYNAMIC DIAGNOSIS USING 5‐AMINOLEVULINIC ACID FOR MENINGIOMAS WITH CRANIAL INVASION: TECHNICAL CASE REPORT

OBJECTIVE We present a case of a meningioma in which photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) using 5-aminolevulinic acid was very useful in identifying the cranial involvement. CLINICAL PRESENTATION An 83-year-old woman presented with a bony, hard, immobile bulge in her left forehead. Computed tomographic scans showed a thickening in the left frontal bone with a flat mass underneath. Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed that enhancing lesions spread to the dura mater and subcutaneous tissue around the thickened frontal bone, reaching the upper margin of the left orbit. INTERVENTION Intraoperative PDD using 5-aminolevulinic acid indicated the optimal extent of the excision by showing clear fluorescence of affected tissues. The tumor was totally resected and diagnosed as an atypical meningioma. Histopathological examination confirmed the consistency of the extent of tumor invasion with affected lesions on PDD. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case demonstrating the efficacy of PDD using 5-aminolevulinic acid for a meningioma with cranial invasion. Additional studies are warranted, as shown in cases of malignant gliomas.
Morphologic changes of the nasopalatine canal related to dental implantation: a radiologic study in different degrees of absorbed maxillae.

BACKGROUND Implant rehabilitation of the edentulous anterior maxilla remains a complex restorative challenge. Intricate preexisting anatomy dictates meticulous and accurate osteotomy planning. With progressive bone loss, the alveolar crest may approach anatomic structures. The nasopalatine nerve and vessels may ultimately emerge from the ridge crest. The radiologic changes of the nasopalatine canal were evaluated in different resorption phases of the premaxilla alveolus with regard to dental implantation. METHODS The study consisted of 207 subjects who had maxillary computed tomography scans before dental implantation. The Lekholm and Zarb classification was used to divide images according to the residual bony ridge: Class A (control group) and classes B to E (study group). Anatomic mapping of the nasopalatine canal structure was carried out in both groups. RESULTS The canal diameter was wider along the degree of ridge resorption from classes A to E in all dimensions, mainly in the palatal opening (P <0.01), middle area (P <0.001), and nasal area. The mean diameter of the enlargement was 1.8 mm, which reached 5.5 +/- 1.08 mm (P <0.01) in type E bone. In the severely resorbed ridges (classes C through E), when the palatal opening was situated on the ridge, it occupied a mean of 35.6% (13% to 58%) of the area devoted to implant placement. Tooth loss was the main reason for ridge resorption (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS Canal diameter enlargement was greater anteriorly to the ridge and posteriorly to the palatal bone, mainly because of tooth extraction. The atrophy of disuse may influence surrounding structures, similar to the maxillary sinus tendency to expand into surrounding bone mainly after tooth loss.
The combined effect of technological relatedness and knowledge utilization on explorative and exploitative invention performance post-M & A

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the combined effect of Mergers and Acquisitions (M & A) partners’ technological relatedness and the acquirer’s effective utilization of the target’s knowledge on explorative and exploitative invention performance post-M & A. Design/methodology/approach – Based on the knowledge perspective of an M & A, this study measures how much of the target’s knowledge acquired in an M & A has been effectively transformed into new knowledge. A negative binomial regression on a cross-sectional data set of 152 bio-pharmaceutical firms (59 European firms and 93 North American firms) completing at least one M & A in the period between 2001 and 2005 is conducted. The effect of knowledge utilization is assessed by comparing performance six years before the M & A and six years after. Findings – The effective assimilation and utilization of acquired knowledge positively affects both acquirers’ explorative and exploitative performance post-M & As. The combined effect with te.
NURSING EDUCATION RESEARCH: VOICES of Hispanic Students in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs: ARE WE LISTENING?

ABSTRACT Hispanics have been described as the "missing persons" in the health professions at a time when a lack of cultural diversity in the workforce has been linked to health disparities. The shortage of Hispanic nurses cannot be addressed effectively without understanding their perspectives on nursing and nursing education. The adapted Model of Institutional Support served as a framework to describe perceived barriers and supports to retention among Hispanic students in baccalaureate nursing programs. Focus groups were used to allow the voices of Hispanic students to emerge; 14 Mexican American nursing students from two liberal arts universities participated. Theory-guided content analysis of focus group transcripts revealed themes congruent with the model components of finances, emotional and moral support, professional socialization, mentoring, academic advising, and technical support. Personal determination emerged as a theme not identified in the model. The prominence of the personal determination theme among these students warrants further study, but suggests that success may be enhanced by helping students capitalize on their personal determination.
Novel Modification of the Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Neovagina Creation

OBJECTIVE: We describe a modification of the traditional vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for neovagina creation and our experience to date. METHODS: Our modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap uses a smaller flap size with a full-thickness skin graft posteriorly to decrease the size of the abdominal wall defect. We have used the modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in 18 patients between March 1998 and March 2004 to create a neovagina after exenterative surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54 years, and the mean body mass index was 27 (range 18–44). Twelve patients underwent a total pelvic, 5 anterior, and 1 posterior exenteration. Among the 13 patients requiring a colostomy, the vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap was taken from the contralateral side. In these patients, the urostomy was brought out on the vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap donor side. There has been only 1 partial flap loss, which eventually resulted in a fully epithelialized neovagina. Eight patients at last follow-up were sexually active. Two other patients have died from recurrent disease, and 2 are alive with recurrence. The other 6 patients have no evidence of recurrent disease and, although not sexually active at the time of this report, have a viable and adequate neovagina. All patients had a successful primary closure of the abdominal wound in a vertical fashion. Three patients had superficial abdominal wound breakdown, which healed by secondary intention. CONCLUSION: The modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap allows for creation of an adequate neovagina with a smaller abdominal wall defect. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3
Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma and Breast Implants: Results from a Structured Expert Consultation Process

Background: There are increasing concerns about a possible association between anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) and breast implants. The authors conducted a structured expert consultation process to evaluate the evidence for the association, its clinical significance, and a potential biological model based on their interpretation of the published evidence. Methods: A multidisciplinary panel of 10 experts was selected based on nominations from national specialty societies, academic department heads, and recognized researchers in the United States. Results: Panelists agreed that (1) there is a positive association between breast implants and ALCL development but likely underrecognition of the true number of cases; (2) a recurrent, clinically evident seroma occurring 6 months or more after breast implantation should be aspirated and sent for cytologic analysis; (3) anaplastic lymphoma kinase–negative ALCL that develops around breast implants is a clinically indolent disease with a favorable prognosis that is distinct from systemic anaplastic lymphoma kinase–negative ALCL; (4) management should consist of removal of the involved implant and capsule, which is likely to prevent recurrence, and evaluation for other sites of disease; and (5) adjuvant radiation or chemotherapy should not be offered to women with capsule-confined disease. Little agreement, however, was found regarding etiologic risk factors for implant-associated ALCL. Conclusion: The authors' assessment yielded consistent results on a number of key issues regarding ALCL in women with breast implants, but substantial further research is needed to improve our understanding of the epidemiology, clinical aspects, and biology of this disease. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, V.
St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire: MCID

The SGRQ is a disease-specific measure of health status for use in COPD. A number of methods have been used for estimating its minimum clinically important difference (MCID). These include both expert and patient preference-based estimates. Anchor-based methods have also been used. The calculated MCID from those studies was consistently around 4 units, regardless of assessment method. By contrast, the MCID calculated using distribution-based methods varied across studies and permitted no consistent estimate. All measurements of clinical significance contain sample and measurement error. They also require value judgements, if not about the calculation of the MCID itself then about the anchors used to estimate it. Under these circumstances, greater weight should be placed upon the overall body of evidence for an MCID, rather than one single method. For that reason, estimates of MCID should be used as indicative values. Methods of analysing clinical trial results should reflect this, and use appropriate statistical tests for comparison with the MCID. Treatments for COPD that produced an improvement in SGRQ of the order of 4 units in clinical trials have subsequently found wide acceptance once in clinical practice, so it seems reasonable to expect any new treatment proposed for COPD to produce an advantage over placebo that is not significantly inferior to a 4-unit difference.
Treatment of Rosacea with Isotretinoin

ABSTRACT: A multicenter trial of isotretinoin in severe papulopustular rosacea in adult patients was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this treatment. A 20‐week course of therapy was instituted in 92 patients from 11 dermatology departments. At the end of the study period, isotretinoin was found to be highly effective in the clearing of refractory rosacea lesions.
Inflammation Perturbs the IL-7 Axis, Promoting Senescence and Exhaustion that Broadly Characterize Immune Failure in Treated HIV Infection

Background:HIV-infected patients who fail to normalize CD4 T cells despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy have impaired immune homeostasis: diminished naive T-cell numbers, elevated T-cell turnover, senescence, and inflammation. Methods:Blood samples from immune failures (n = 60), immune successes (n = 20), and healthy controls (n = 20) were examined for plasma interleukin (IL)-7 levels, for cellular expression of the IL-7R&agr; chain (CD127), for the exhaustion and senescence markers programed death 1 (PD-1) and CD57, and for the survival factor Bcl2. Because both inflammatory and homeostatic cytokines can induce T-cell cycling, we also examined the effects of these mediators on exhaustion and senescence markers. Results:Plasma levels of IL-7 were elevated and both CD4 and CD8 T-cell CD127 expression was decreased in immune failure. Plasma levels of IL-7 correlated directly with naive CD4 T-cell counts in immune success and inversely with T-cell cycling (Ki67) in healthy controls and immune success, but not in immune failure. CD4 T-cell density of PD-1 was increased and Bcl2+ CD4 T cells were decreased in immune failure but not in immune success, whereas the proportion of T cells expressing CD57 was increased in immune failure. PD-1 and CD57 were induced on CD4 but not CD8 T cells by stimulation in vitro with inflammatory IL-1&bgr; or homeostatic (IL-7) cytokines. Conclusions:Perturbation of the IL-7/IL-7 receptor axis, increased T-cell turnover, and increased senescence may reflect dysregulated responses to both homeostatic and inflammatory cytokines in immune failure patients.
Elimination of donor-specific alloreactivity prevents cytomegalovirus-accelerated chronic rejection in rat small bowel and heart transplants.

BACKGROUND The primary cause for late failure of vascularized allografts is chronic rejection (CR) characterized by transplant vascular sclerosis (TVS). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection accelerates TVS and CR by unclear mechanisms involving direct effects of CMV, indirect effects of the recipient's immune response to CMV, or interactions between CMV and the recipient's alloreactivity. This study examined the role of CMV and the alloreactive response in the development of TVS using bone marrow chimerism (BMC) in rat small bowel (SB) and heart transplantation models. METHODS Fisher 344 (F344) rat heart or SB grafts were transplanted into F344/Lewis bone marrow chimera. F344 heart or SB grafts transplanted into Lewis recipients (low-dose cyclosporine) were positive controls for the development of TVS. Lewis heart or SB grafts transplanted into Lewis recipients (+/-cyclosporine) were transplantation controls. The effect of rat CMV (RCMV) (5x105 plaque-forming units) on TVS (neointimal index, NI) and graft survival was studied in these groups. RCMV infection was assessed by serologic analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction techniques (TaqMan). RESULTS RCMV infection accelerated the time to graft CR (SB 70-38 days; hearts 90-45 days) and increased the severity of TVS in both the SB allografts (day 38, NI=27 vs. 52) and the heart allografts (day 45, NI=43 vs. 83). Grafts from CMV-infected syngeneic recipients failed to develop TVS and CR. Donor-specific tolerance induced by BMC prevented allograft TVS and CR in both transplant models. In contrast to naïve Lewis recipients, RMCV infection failed to cause allograft TVS and CR in bone marrow (BM) chimeras. CONCLUSIONS The events in CMV-induced acceleration of TVS involve a crucial interplay between CMV infection and the recipient's alloreactive immune response.
Daily Menstrual Blood Loss and Quality of Life in Women with Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Aim: Excessive blood loss during menstruation is a major problem for women of reproductive age. Women who experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) often present to physicians because of the subsequent negative impact HMB has on their daily lives and activities. The objective of this post-hoc analysis is to evaluate daily menstrual blood loss (MBL) in women with HMB and assess the relationship between daily MBL and women's perceptions of MBL, limitations in physical activities and limitations in social/leisure activities as measured by the Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire. Materials & methods: Data from two randomized, placebo-controlled studies of an oral tranexamic acid formulation in women with HMB were assessed. Daily MBLs and Menorrhagia Impact Questionnaire scores were evaluated for two pretreatment cycles and the first three tranexamic acid treatment cycles of each study. Effect-size analyses were not conducted. Results & conclusion: Highest daily MBLs occurred on days 2 and 3 of menstrual cycles. Women's perceptions of daily MBL were consistent with objective measures of MBL. Higher daily MBL was related to increased limitations in physical activities and limitations in social/leisure activities. Daily MBL values were consistent with women's perceptions of MBL. Reduced daily MBL was associated with improvements in health-related quality of life.
Evaluation of chemokines in gingival crevicular fluid in children with band and loop space maintainers: A clinico-biochemical study

Background: Chemokines are pro-inflammatory cells that can be induced during an immune response to recruit cells of the immune system to a site of infection. Aim: This study was conducted to detect the presence of chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α), and 1β (MIP-1β) and estimate their levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in children with band and loop space maintainers. Materials and Methods: MIP-1α and MIP-1β levels were estimated in GCF samples from twenty healthy children and twenty children with band and loop space maintainers. Periodontal status was evaluated by measuring gingival index, plaque index, and Russell′s periodontal index. The GCF samples were quantified by ELISA, and the levels of MIP-1α and MIP-1β were determined. Results: The mean MIP-1α concentrations in healthy children and those with space maintainers were 395.75 pg/µl and 857.85 pg/µl, respectively, and MIP-1β was 342.55 pg/µl and 685.25 pg/µl, respectively. MIP-1α and MIP-1β levels in GCF from children with space maintainers were significantly higher than in the healthy group, and statistically significant difference existed between these two groups. Conclusion: MIP-1α and MIP-1β can be considered as novel biomarkers in the biological mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of gingival inflammation in children with space maintainers.
Signal transduction in atherosclerosis: integration of cytokines and the eicosanoid network

Atherosclerosis can be defined in broad terms as a vascular disease accompanied by dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism and the accumulation of smooth muscle cells and macrophages within the vessel wall. At the interface of the blood and the vessel wall is the endothelium, which actively participates in a plethora of critical homeostatic functions in addition to affecting cholesterol trafficking in the underlying smooth muscle cell and macrophage. These events include: 1) inflammation resulting in release of cytokines, 2) changes in vascular reactivity causing release of endothelial cell derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and PGI2, and 3) control of vascular smooth cell proliferation via release of growth factors and growth suppressor molecules. Each process has been linked to the regulation of cholesterol accretion in the arterial cell. Furthermore, each homeostatic process is regulated by transmembrane signaling mechanisms at the lipid‐protein interface of the membrane. Data have emerged recently indicating that biological response modifiers that trigger transmembrane signaling work in a sequential manner to control cell function. We review studies of the regulatory mechanisms of transmembrane signal transduction that advance the concept that phosphorylation of the specific protein components of the receptor machinery may result in a cooperative cellular response to ligands that will ultimately affect cholesterol delivery and trafficking within cells. We review recent data demonstrating that eicosanoids and cytokines released from one cell activate their receptors on neighboring cells, and interact with each other during this “cross‐talk phenomenon. ” Cross‐talking among phosphorylation reactions involving, for example, protein kinases A and C and tyrosine protein kinase, coupled with the highly regulated eicosanoid pathways and the diacylglycerol‐phosphatidyl inositol (DG‐PI) system, are discussed in terms of their metabolic impact on cholesterol delivery, intracellular processing, and efflux. — Hajjar, D. P.; Pomerantz, K. B. Signal transduction in atherosclerosis: integration of cytokines and the eicosanoid network. FASEB J. 6: 2933‐2941; 1992.
Changes in Erosion and Runoff due to Replacement of Pasture Land with Sugarcane Crops

The planting of sugarcane crops has expanded in the last decade in the southeast of Brazil, mainly due to its use for biofuel production, such as ethanol. This expansion in the State of Sao Paulo has occupied land that was previously used for cattle production. The change in land use affects soil and water through changes in ground cover and disturbance associated with farming practices. The objective of the following study was to determine the impact on runoff and erosion resulting from the conversion of pastureland to sugarcane for biofuel production. Erosion plots measuring 100 m 2 were built on a farm in Itirapina-SP, Brazil, on land with a slope gradient of 9% and soil composed of Quartz-sand Neosols (Typic quartzipsaments). The treatments were an 18-year old pasture and a new sugarcane plantation, with three replicates for each. After each rainfall episode, erosion and runoff were monitored during the first and second years after sugarcane was planted. The results show increased runoff and soil loss during the first year, though levels decreased in the second year when the sugarcane residue mulch ground cover increased. In addition, the necessary rainfall characteristics (e.g., intensity, duration) required to produce runoff and soil erosion were identified.
On the diagnosis of erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma

Abstract: Erythrodermic cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (E‐CTCL) is the cause of less than 5% of all cases of generalized erythroderma. A methodical evaluation of skin, blood, and lymph node samples using standard histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry (FC), and molecular analysis for evidence of a dominant T‐cell clone has been recommended in a recently published diagnostic algorithm. In this commentary, the author discusses available information regarding the role of these diagnostic methods for the diagnosis of E‐CTCL with emphasis on personal observations regarding skin IHC and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based molecular studies as adjunct diagnostic studies on a series of 55 patients with erythrodermic mycosis fungoides and 50 patients with Sézary syndrome compared to 50 patients with extensive benign inflammatory skin disease. The conclusions are (1) IHC of the skin does not reliably differentiate E‐CTCL from benign simulants, (2) presence of phenotypically abnormal T cells in the blood or expanded subsets of CD4+CD7– or CD4+CD26– cells by FC is particularly helpful as a diagnostic study, (3) the presence of an identical T‐cell clone in the skin and blood also is a specific diagnostic criterion for E‐CTCL, but exceptions may occur, and (4) the PCRγ‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis technique appears to be more reliable than PCRγ‐single‐stranded conformational polymorphism for diagnostic purposes.
Brd4 Is Involved in Multiple Processes of the Bovine Papillomavirus Type 1 Life Cycle

ABSTRACT Brd4 protein has been proposed to act as a cellular receptor for the bovine papillomavirus type 1 (BPV1) E2 protein in the E2-mediated chromosome attachment and mitotic segregation of viral genomes. Here, we provide data that show the involvement of Brd4 in multiple early functions of the BPV1 life cycle, suggest a Brd4-dependent mechanism for E2-dependent transcription activation, and indicate the role of Brd4 in papillomavirus and polyomavirus replication as well as cell-specific utilization of Brd4-linked features in BPV1 DNA replication. Our data also show the potential therapeutic value of the disruption of the E2-Brd4 interaction for the development of antiviral drugs.