Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Outcome of Vestibular Nerve Section for Intractable Vertigo: The Patient's Point of View

To document the outcome of vestibular nerve section from the patient's point of view we reviewed 102 patients who had undergone vestibular nerve section 1 to 10 years after operation. Only 3 patients had experienced further vertigo attacks: 2 of these were cured by a further, this time translabyrinthine vestibular nerve section; 1 patient developed multiple sclerosis. In contrast, about 50% of patients developed some subjective problem with balance while standing or walking; in 15% it was present all the time and of moderate severity. Despite this, over 85% of patients reported that they felt much better or back to normal after the operation and were satisfied with the outcome. The development and application of objective preoperative measures of vestibular and, in particular, vestibulospinal function might improve patient selection for vestibular nerve section and thus reduce the number of dissatisfied patients.
Nutritional and energetic consequences of sweetened drink consumption in 6- to 13-year-old children.

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of excessive sweetened drink consumption on daily energy balance and nutrient intake in a longitudinal study of children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Daily dietary intakes of 30 children aged 6 to 13 years old were collected over 4 to 8 weeks. Weights and heights of children were measured at the beginning and end of the study in 21 children. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) (PROC MIXED in SAS) and multiple regression. RESULTS Excessive sweetened drink consumption (>12 oz/day) displaced milk from children's diets (122-147 g/day less milk drank, P <.0001) because caregivers served less milk and the children consumed smaller amounts of milk. The consequences were lower daily protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin A intakes. Because children failed to reduce consumption of solid foods to compensate for the caloric contribution of sweetened drinks, higher daily energy intakes were observed. Consequently, the greater the sweetened drink consumption the greater the weight gain (1.12 +/- 0.7 kg) compared with children who consumed <12 oz per day (0.32-0.48 +/- 0.4 kg). CONCLUSIONS Excessive sweetened drink consumption is associated with the displacement of milk from children's diets, higher daily energy intake, and greater weight gain.
VDR gene methylation as a molecular adaption to light exposure: Historic, recent and genetic influences

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a member of the nuclear receptor family of transcription factors. We examined whether degree of VDR gene methylation acts as a molecular adaptation to light exposure. We explored this in the context of photoperiod at conception, recent UV irradiance at 305 nm, and gene‐latitude effects.
Human FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells in Transplantation

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ suppressive regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a subset of immune regulatory cells. Based on experimental results, Treg have recently been considered as a potential treatment option in several diseases. Compared with murine Treg, human CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells are less well characterized and understood, so a thorough understanding of their biology is vital before clinical applications can be initiated. This review summarizes knowledge on generation, phenotypic characteristics and function of human Treg. The possible role of these cells in organ transplantation, as well as interactions between immunosuppression and Treg are also discussed.
Mesoscale molecular network formation in amorphous organic materials

Significance Rapid and robust charge transport in soft matter semiconductors enables technologies such as photovoltaics, transistors, and light-emitting diodes. However, even at a conceptual level it remains unresolved what transport limitations are engendered by the structural disorder typical of soft materials. A graph methodology has been developed to quantify the mesoscopic electrical connectivity of clusters of molecules and its susceptibility to structural disorder. It is observed that some materials exhibit the capacity to regularly form conductive networks that percolate the material volume, even in the absence of periodic order. Moreover, the network properties of electrically percolating materials are qualitatively distinguished from nonpercolating materials, although both are comprised of ostensibly similar molecular units in terms of chemical structure, energy levels, and dimensionality. High-performance solution-processed organic semiconductors maintain macroscopic functionality even in the presence of microscopic disorder. Here we show that the functional robustness of certain organic materials arises from the ability of molecules to create connected mesoscopic electrical networks, even in the absence of periodic order. The hierarchical network structures of two families of important organic photovoltaic acceptors, functionalized fullerenes and perylene diimides, are analyzed using a newly developed graph methodology. The results establish a connection between network robustness and molecular topology, and also demonstrate that solubilizing moieties play a large role in disrupting the molecular networks responsible for charge transport. A clear link is established between the success of mono and bis functionalized fullerene acceptors in organic photovoltaics and their ability to construct mesoscopically connected electrical networks over length scales of 10 nm.
The behavior of non-identical and dependent standby components in a coherent system

In this paper, a coherent system consisting of non-identical dependent active components and equipped with non-identical dependent standby components is considered. The main object of this study is the random quantity which account the number of surviving standby components when the system is failed. We represent the distribution function of the corresponding random variable in terms of system signature. AMS Classification: 62E15; 60K10.
Does Environmental Certification Help the Economic Performance of Hotels?

The capacity to generate value-added services in order to acquire and retain loyal clients is one of the challenges facing the hospitality sector. For this reason and because of economic realities and government policies, an ever-growing number of hotels are formally adopting certified environmental practices such as the ISO 14001. In this article, we attempt to analyze the relationship between the implementation of a proactive environmental management tool, the ISO 14001 standard, and the generation of economic revenues in the Spanish hotel industry. Also considered are the possible effects on the business results of moderating factors such as company size and the market segment where the hotel operates. Empirical economic information on 2,116 Spanish hotels was obtained from the SABI database (Iberian Balance-Sheet Analysis System) for the year 2008, during which 108 properties had ISO 14001 certification. Quantitative analysis techniques showed significant differences in the economic performance of ISO-certified hotels and those not certified, particularly for urban and beach hotels. The results showed influence of both company size and organizational factors on revenue. Only small rural hotels saw no difference in revenues due to the presence or absence of ISO certification.
Carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: alterations of porin OprD and efflux proteins do not fully explain resistance patterns observed in clinical isolates

Imipenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered to be associated with loss of the porin OprD combined with activity of chromosomal β‐lactamase (AmpC), while overexpression of multidrug efflux pumps is considered to confer meropenem resistance. Carbapenem resistance can also result from production of metallo‐β‐lactamases. Transcription of oprD and efflux pump genes mexB, mexY and mexF was analysed in 23 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa by quantitative RT‐PCR. oprD was sequenced in all, and mexR, regulator of efflux pump MexAB‐OprM, in selected isolates. Four isolates that were imipenem susceptible had significant reduction of oprD mRNA and presence of oprD mutations causing frameshift or translational stop. In strains only resistant to imipenem no significant difference in transcription of oprD was observed between low‐level and high‐level resistant isolates. The differences could not be explained by either pattern of oprD mutations. Increased transcription of mexB generally correlated well with meropenem resistance. One high‐level meropenem‐resistant isolate showed no signicant change in mexB mRNA, but sequencing confirmed presence of a nalB mutation. Furthermore, one meropenem‐susceptible isolate showed significant increase in mexB transcription, but no mexR mutations. In summary, our findings indicate that the resistance patterns observed cannot be fully explained by the currently described carbapenem resistance mechanisms.
Risk factors, sports medicine and the orthopedic system: An overview

ican Broadcasting company produced a documentary program called &dquo;DANGERS IN SPORTS&dquo; narrated by Jules Bergman. An astonishing number of requests, flooded the offices of ABC and the Institute of Sports Medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital. Newspaper colummsts around the country discussed sports medicine in the context of this program. Requests for information were received from many professionals in widely diverse fields of interest (Figure 1). This remarkable response was analyzed and tabulated. Thirty basic questions emerged. Eighty percent of the questions dealt with health care. The most frequently asked questions concerned injury prevention, risks of athletic injury, and, available instructional materials in the care of the
[Prevalence and risk factors associated with intestinal parasitoses in pregnant women and their relation to the infant's birth weight].

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and the risk factors associated with intestinal parasitosis in pregnant women and the relation with the newborns. MATERIAL AND METHODS A transversal analytical study. 207 women were selected and a guided survey was applied. They were also asked for three stool samples for their parasitoscopic study by Faust's method. The levels of hemoglobin as well as the child's birth weight. RESULTS The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis was 38.2%. 84% of the women presented only one parasite. The protozoan Giardia lamblia was very frequent (65.8%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (13.9%). Women with positive samples in the parasitoscopic study were younger (p = 0.002), and a greater probability of a scholastic level lower than Jr. High School, as well as having a dirt floor in their house and a positive contact with domestic animals. The mean weight of the newborn of mothers without intestinal parasitosis was 3,333 +/- 441 g; in the group of mothers with only one parasite was 3,291 +/- 360 g; with two parasites 3,104 +/- 425 g; and three parasites the weight was 2,675 +/- 674 g, these differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.1), however, there is a greater possibility of a newborn with less weight at birth than expected. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis in pregnant women is high due to their physiological state. It is necessary to modify some preventive measures of information, education and to give specific treatment before the pregnancy in order to increase some of the pregnant women's health indicators. The newborn of mothers with intestinal parasitosis have a greater probability of being born with less weight than what is expected.
A tyrosine‐containing motif mediates ER retention of CD3‐epsilon and adopts a helix‐turn structure.

The CD3‐epsilon endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention motif has been characterized by mutagenesis and NMR spectroscopy. Tyr177, Leu180 and Arg183 are involved in ER retention. The motif forms an elongated alpha‐helix in which the tyrosine and leucine residues are closely apposed, followed by a beta I’ turn that places Arg183 in the vicinity of Leu180. The structure formed by Tyr177 and the leucine in position +3 is reminiscent of the beta‐turn structure adopted by tyrosine‐containing endocytosis signals. Moreover, substitution of the transferrin receptor (TfR) internalization sequence by the CD3‐epsilon motif still allowed the rapid internalization of the TfR and, conversely, the chimeric protein resulting from the substitution of the CD3‐epsilon motif by the endocytosis signal of the low density lipoprotein receptor was ER located. These data support the idea of a functional homology between the two types of signal.
Pertussis toxin reduces endothelium-dependent and independent responses to alpha-2- adrenergic stimulation in systemic canine arteries and veins.

A pertussis toxin-sensitive guanine nucleotide regulatory protein (G-protein) is involved in the signal transduction of certain endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian arteries. To determine whether a similar mechanism mediates endothelium-dependent responses in mammalian veins, rings of canine femoral arteries and veins with and without endothelium were suspended for the measurement of isometric force in organ chambers. In femoral arteries, incubation of the rings with pertussis toxin (from Bordetella pertussis, 100 ng/ml for 2 hr) in the presence of indomethacin and propranolol did not reduce significantly endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine and adenosine diphosphate, thrombin or the calcium ionophore A23187. However, endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist UK 14,304 were blocked by the pertussis toxin. In venous rings, endothelium-dependent relaxations to acetylcholine were reduced by the toxin, whereas the endothelium-dependent relaxations evoked by adenosine diphosphate, thrombin and A23187 were not affected. UK 14,304 contracted the veins; these contractions were augmented by removal of the endothelium. Pertussis toxin inhibited contractions to UK 14,304 in venous rings without but not with endothelium. Relaxations of arterial and venous smooth muscle to nitric oxide were unaffected by the toxin. Contractions to phenylephrine were not altered by either removal of the endothelium or the toxin in the arteries or veins. These results suggest that the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in response to stimulation of purine and thrombin receptors probably does not involve a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein in canine femoral arteries or veins. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
"Family Plan"-Multiple-Patient Visits From the Same Family to an Inner-City Pediatric Emergency Department

Objectives: The issue of multiple family members presenting to the emergency department (ED) for care during a single visit is unique to pediatric EDs (PEDs). The epidemiology of such multiple-patient visits (MPVs) has not been well characterized. The aims of this study were to describe patient characteristics, Emergency Severity Index (ESI) triage categories, length of stay, ED disposition, and payer characteristics of such MPV and to compare these characteristics to that of the overall ED visits (OEVs). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of MPVs to an inner-city PED from June to December 2006. We collected patient demographics, ESI triage categories, ED disposition, length of stay, and payer characteristics. Descriptive methods and comparative methods were used to summarize the sample characteristics and compare group differences, respectively. Results: Multiple-patient visit constituted 2.2% (1166/52,491) of the total ED visits with a total of 2511 patients. The majority (88%; 1025/1166) of such visits were with 2 patients in a family. Ninety-one percent (2285/2511) of patients presented for medical complaints. Compared with the OEV, MPV belonged significantly more to ESI triage category 5 (51.2% vs 28.6%) and less to ESI triage category 3 (10.0% vs 24.6%; &khgr;2 = 775.4; P < 0.01). A significantly higher percentage of MPV patients belonged to Medicaid Health Maintenance Organization compared with the OEV patients (72.4% vs 47.6%; P < 0.01). Only 3.3% of MPV patients required hospital admission. Conclusions: In our inner-city PED, most of the MPVs are for medical complaints, belong to a lower acuity, and have a low hospital admission rate.
Peptide fractionation in proteomics approaches

Peptide fractionation is extremely important in proteomics approaches. Full proteome characterization is desired from complex organisms, and with growing interest in post-translational modifications an extended protein sequence coverage is required. Peptide fractionation techniques have the great challenge of feeding current mass spectrometers in a way in which these issues are met. Peptide fractionation can be divided into three simple components: the column characteristics; the mobile phase; and peptide properties (charge, polarity, hydrophobicity and size). The current challenges are in the combination of these three components to allow comprehensive proteomics studies to be improved.
Enhancing software defect prediction using supervised-learning based framework

Software Defect Prediction (SDP) proposes to define the exposure of software to defect by building prediction models through using defect data and the software metrics with several learning algorithms which aid in identifying potentially faulty program modules, thus leading to optimal resource allocation and utilization. However, the quality of data and robustness of classifiers affect the accuracy of prediction for these models of classification compromised by data quality such as high dimensionality, class imbalance and the presence of noise in the software defect datasets. This paper presents a combined framework to enhance SDP models in which we use ranker Feature Selection (FS) techniques, Data Sampling (DS) and Iterative-Partition Filter (IPF) to defeat high dimensionality, class imbalance and noisy, respectively. The experimental results confirm that the proposed framework is effective for SDP.
Genetic analysis of hepatitis a virus outbreak in france confirms the co‐circulation of subgenotypes Ia, Ib and reveals a new genetic lineage

Genetic analysis of selected genome regions of hepatitis A Virus (HAV) suggested that distinct genotype could be defined in different geographic locations. In order to study the degree of genetic variability among HAV isolated during a single epidemic outbreak, sequences from a 148 base pair segment within the VP1 amino terminal region were obtained for eight distinct HAV isolates from an outbreak that occurred in North Bretagne (France). These sequences were compared among themselves and with published sequences from 30 different strains that represented different HAV sub‐genotypes that were isolated all over the world. Phylogenetic analysis revealed an extensive genetic heterogeneity among strains belonging to the same outbreak and revealed co‐circulation of sub‐genotype IA, IB, and the presence of IIIA sub‐genotype for the first time in a Mediterranean country. J. Med. Virol. 65:233–240, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of trochanteric and subtrochanteric hip fractures: Sliding hip screw or intramedullary nail?

Background Sliding hip screws (SHSs) and intramedullary (IM) nails are well-documented implants for simple two-part intertrochanteric fractures; however, there is no consensus regarding which type of implant is better. Questions/purposes We asked whether patients with simple two-part intertrochanteric fractures treated with IM nailing had (1) a lower reoperation rate and (2) less pain and better quality of life than patients treated with SHSs. Methods We used data from the Norwegian Hip Fracture Register on 7643 operations for simple two-part intertrochanteric fractures (AO/OTA Type A1) treated with an SHS (n = 6355) or an IM nail (n = 1288) between 2005 and 2010. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess reoperation percentages and a Cox regression model was used to assess the risk of reoperation. Questionnaires regarding pain and quality of life were answered by the patients at 4, 12, and 36 months postoperatively. Results We found an increased risk of reoperation after IM nailing within 1 postoperative year: 2.4% and 4.2% for SHS and IM nails, respectively. The difference persisted with time: 4.5% and 7.1% at 3 years. We also found minor differences for pain and quality of life which we judged clinically unimportant. Conclusions Based on our findings and a critical review of the literature, we suggest an SHS is likely the preferred implant for simple two-part intertrochanteric fractures. Level of Evidence Level III, therapeutic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Processing of the initiation methionine from proteins: properties of the Escherichia coli methionine aminopeptidase and its gene structure

Methionine aminopeptidase (MAP) catalyzes the removal of amino-terminal methionine from proteins. The Escherichia coli map gene encoding this enzyme was cloned; it consists of 264 codons and encodes a monomeric enzyme of 29,333 daltons. In vitro analyses with purified enzyme indicated that MAP is a metallo-oligopeptidase with absolute specificity for the amino-terminal methionine. The methionine residues from the amino-terminal end of the recombinant proteins interleukin-2 (Met-Ala-Pro-IL-2) and ricin A (Met-Ile-Phe-ricin A) could be removed either in vitro with purified MAP enzyme or in vivo in MAP-hyperproducing strains of E. coli. In vitro analyses of the substrate preference of the E. coli MAP indicated that the residues adjacent to the initiation methionine could significantly influence the methionine cleavage process. This conclusion is consistent, in general, with the deduced specificity of the enzyme based on the analysis of known amino-terminal sequences of intracellular proteins (S. Tsunasawa, J. W. Stewart, and F. Sherman, J. Biol. Chem. 260:5382-5391, 1985).
Role of interleukin 10 in murine postoperative ileus

Background and aims: Intestinal manipulation triggers an inflammatory cascade within the muscularis causing postoperative ileus (POI). The aim of this study was to investigate the recovery and therapeutic potential of interleukin 10 (IL10) for POI. Methods: POI was induced by bowel surgical manipulation (SM) in wild-type, IL10–/– and recombinant murine IL10 (rmIL10)-treated mice. Immunohistochemistry localised IL10 in the muscularis externa, histochemistry quantified neutrophil recruitment, and quantitative PCR quantified alterations in mRNA. Luminex multiplex analysis, Griess reaction and ELISA measured proteins, nitric oxide (NO) and prostanoid release from the muscularis externa, respectively, in 24 h organ culture. Gastrointestinal transit and jejunal circular muscle organ bath techniques assessed gastrointestinal function. Results: In IL10 knockouts compared with the wild type, the expression of numerous proinflammatory mRNAs (IL6, IL1β, chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) and haem oxygenase-1) and proteins (IL6, IL1α, IL12, IL17, interferon γ, tumour necrosis factor α, CCL2, interferon-inducible protein-10 and granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) were accentuated, and release of muscle inhibitors NO and prostanoids was increased; motility never recovered from manipulation and mortality rate was 87.5%. In wild types, complete functional recovery occurred in 7 days with no mortality. SM delay in transit and suppression in jejunal circular muscle contractions were significantly improved by rmIL10 treatment. Upregulation in IL1β, IL6 and CCL2 mRNAs and inflammatory mediators (IL1α, IL6, CCL2, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, GM-CSF, NO and prostaglandin) after SM were significantly less with rmIL10 treatment, which resulted in a decrease in neutrophil recruitment compared with SM controls. Conclusion: IL10 plays an obligatory role in postoperative intestinal recovery, and exogenous IL10 prevents its development. Pre-emptive exogenous recombinant human IL10 could be a treatment for the prevention of clinical POI.